Desoto Inc – ‘DEFM14A’ on 8/27/96

As of:  Tuesday, 8/27/96   ·   Accession #:  950134-96-4546   ·   File #:  1-01915

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Definitive Proxy Solicitation Material — Merger or Acquisition   —   Schedule 14A
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: DEFM14A     Definitive Proxy                                     180    965K 
 2: EX-23.1     Opinion of Coopers & Lybrand                           1      6K 

DEFM14A   —   Definitive Proxy
Document Table of Contents

DEFM14A
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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                                                [Download Table]
                                                                          
Filed by the registrant /X/               / / Confidential, for Use of the
Filed by a party other than the               Commission Only             
registrant  / /                               (as permitted by Rule       
                                              14a-6(e)(2))                
Check the appropriate box:                                                
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement                                           
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement                                            
/ / Definitive Additional Materials                                       
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12         

DeSoto, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):                              
    / / $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.                             
  / / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).                                                  
/X/ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.                                                         

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:      

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed  
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):    
REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 FILED BY KEYSTONE   
CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. PURSUANT TO WHICH A REGISTRATION FEE OF $9,661.04 
WAS CALCULATED.                                                                 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:                  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:                                                   

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

/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.                   

    /X/ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid   
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or   
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.                                

(1) Amount Previously Paid:                                           

 $9,661.04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:                     

                                                Form S-4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:                                                     

  Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:                                                       

July 30, 1996                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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DESOTO, INC.
900 EAST WASHINGTON STREET
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60433

AUGUST 23, 1996 

Dear Stockholder:                                                               

     A special meeting of stockholders (the "DeSoto Meeting") of DeSoto, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("DeSoto"), will be held on Friday, September 27, 1996, at 
10:00 a.m., local time, at the Bank of Montreal, 430 Park Avenue, 16th Floor,   
New York, New York.                                                             

At the DeSoto Meeting you will be asked to consider and vote upon a   
proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as 
of June 26, 1996 (the "Reorganization Agreement"), between Keystone Consolidated
Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Keystone"), and DeSoto, which        
provides for the merger of DeSoto with a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary  
of Keystone ("Sub"), with DeSoto surviving the merger as a wholly owned         
subsidiary of Keystone (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger, each outstanding 
share of DeSoto common stock, $1.00 par value per share ("DeSoto Common Stock"),
and the associated rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement between DeSoto
and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (other than shares owned by DeSoto or its     
subsidiaries) will be converted into the right to receive .7465 of a share (the 
"Exchange Ratio") of Keystone common stock, $1.00 par value per share ("Keystone
Common Stock"); each outstanding share of DeSoto Series B Senior Preferred      
Stock, $1.00 par value per share, will be converted into the right to receive   
the Exchange Ratio of a share of Keystone Series A Senior Preferred Stock, no   
par value per share; and each outstanding option to purchase DeSoto Common Stock
will be assumed by Keystone, and at the effective time of the Merger each such  
option will constitute an option to acquire for the same aggregate exercise     
price such number of shares of Keystone Common Stock as the holder would have   
been entitled to receive had such holder exercised such option in full          
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger. Pursuant to a warrant    
conversion agreement, upon consummation of the Merger, one-half of the warrants 
to purchase an aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock ("DeSoto    
Warrants") will be cancelled and the remaining one-half of the DeSoto Warrants  
will be converted into warrants to purchase 447,900 shares of Keystone Common   
Stock (representing the shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject to the remaining  
DeSoto Warrants multiplied by the Exchange Ratio) at an exercise price of       
approximately $9.38 per share (representing the exercise price of a DeSoto      
Warrant divided by the Exchange Ratio). The Merger is structured to qualify as a
tax free reorganization pursuant to Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, as amended.                                                               

  Upon consummation of the Merger, the Keystone Board of Directors will be
expanded to include William Spier, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of DeSoto, and William P. Lyons, another current director of DeSoto, in 
addition to all of the current members of the Board of Directors of Keystone.   

   Your Board of Directors has carefully considered the terms and conditions
of the proposed Merger and has determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the
best interests of, DeSoto and its stockholders. In addition, the Board of       
Directors has received a written opinion from its financial advisor, Salomon    
Brothers Inc, that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio in the Merger is  
fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock.    

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE REORGANIZATION    
AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF    
DESOTO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.                          

     In the material accompanying this letter, you will find a Notice of Special
Meeting of Stockholders, a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the     
actions to be taken by DeSoto stockholders at the DeSoto Meeting (as well as the
actions to be taken by the Keystone stockholders at their special meeting) and a
proxy. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus more fully describes the proposed   
Merger and includes information about Keystone and DeSoto.                      

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the DeSoto Meeting in
person. However, whether or not you plan to attend the DeSoto Meeting, please   
complete, sign, date and return your proxy in the enclosed envelope. If you     
attend the DeSoto Meeting, you may vote in person if you wish, even though you  
have previously returned your proxy. It is important that your shares be        
represented and voted at the DeSoto Meeting.                                    

                Sincerely,

                   William Spier
                                     Chairman of the Board and Chief
                       Executive Officer

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DESOTO, INC.
900 EAST WASHINGTON STREET
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60433

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS 

TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1996

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF DESOTO, INC.:                                            

     A special meeting of stockholders (the "DeSoto Meeting") of DeSoto, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("DeSoto"), will be held on Friday, September 27, 1996, at 
10:00 a.m., local time, at the offices of DeSoto at the Bank of Montreal, 430   
Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York, for the following purposes:        

    1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of June 26, 1996 (the   
"Reorganization Agreement"), between Keystone Consolidated Industries,
   Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Keystone"), and DeSoto, which provides for
the merger of DeSoto with a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of  
Keystone ("Sub"), with DeSoto surviving the merger as a wholly owned  
subsidiary of Keystone (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger, each   
outstanding share of DeSoto common stock, $1.00 par value per share   
   ("DeSoto Common Stock"), and the associated rights issued pursuant to the
  Rights Agreement between DeSoto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (other
     than shares owned by DeSoto or its subsidiaries) will be converted into the
     right to receive .7465 of a share (the "Exchange Ratio") of Keystone common
stock, $1.00 par value per share ("Keystone Common Stock"); each      
 outstanding share of DeSoto Senior Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per
share ("DeSoto Preferred Stock"), will be converted into the right to 
     receive the Exchange Ratio of a share of Keystone Series A Senior Preferred
Stock, no par value per share; and each outstanding option to purchase
    DeSoto Common Stock will be assumed by Keystone, and at the effective time
     of the Merger each such option will constitute an option to acquire for the
same aggregate exercise price such number of shares of Keystone Common
 Stock as the holder would have been entitled to receive had such holder
  exercised such option in full immediately prior to the effective time of
   the Merger. Pursuant to a warrant conversion agreement, upon consummation
of the Merger, one-half of the warrants to purchase an aggregate of   
1,200,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock ("DeSoto Warrants") will be   
cancelled and the remaining one-half of the DeSoto Warrants will be   
     converted into warrants to purchase 447,900 shares of Keystone Common Stock
  (representing the shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject to the remaining
   DeSoto Warrants multiplied by the Exchange Ratio) at an exercise price of
    approximately $9.38 per share (representing the exercise price of a DeSoto
     Warrant divided by the Exchange Ratio). The Merger is structured to qualify
as a tax free reorganization pursuant to Section 368 of the Internal  
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.                                     

      2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
DeSoto Meeting or any adjournment thereof.                            

The foregoing items of business are fully described in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus accompanying this Notice.                                  

 Only stockholders of record of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred
Stock at the close of business on August 23, 1996 are entitled to notice of, and
will be entitled to vote at, the DeSoto Meeting. Approval of the Reorganization 
Agreement will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the 
outstanding shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock entitled to
vote thereon, voting together as a single class.                                

                                BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

           William Spier
                                       Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
     Officer

Joliet, Illinois                                                                
August 23, 1996                                                                 

TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE DESOTO MEETING, YOU ARE URGED 
TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE       
POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE DESOTO    
MEETING IN PERSON. YOUR PROXY CAN BE WITHDRAWN BY YOU AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS  
VOTED.                                                                          

THE PROXY SOLICITOR FOR DESOTO: 

GEORGESON & COMPANY INC.

CALL TOLL-FREE (800) 223-2064 

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                                            FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-09117

KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC.
DESOTO, INC.

JOINT PROXY STATEMENT 

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

KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC.

PROSPECTUS

 This Joint Proxy Statement of Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Keystone"), and DeSoto, Inc., a Delaware corporation     
("DeSoto"), and this Prospectus of Keystone (the "Joint Proxy                   
Statement/Prospectus") is being furnished to the stockholders of Keystone, in   
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Keystone Board of Directors  
for use at the special meeting of Keystone stockholders (the "Keystone Meeting")
to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Friday, September 27, 1996, at Three   
Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1740, Dallas, Texas 75240-2697, and at  
any adjournments or postponements of the Keystone Meeting.                      

This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is also being furnished to the  
stockholders of DeSoto, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the   
DeSoto Board of Directors for use at the special meeting of DeSoto stockholders 
(the "DeSoto Meeting") to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Friday,         
September 27, 1996, at the Bank of Montreal, 430 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New   
York, New York, and at any adjournments or postponements of the DeSoto Meeting. 

This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus constitutes the Prospectus of   
Keystone for use in connection with the offer and issuance of shares of Keystone
common stock, $1.00 par value per share ("Keystone Common Stock"), pursuant to  
the merger (the "Merger") of a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of Keystone
("Sub") with and into DeSoto. As a result of the Merger, DeSoto will become a   
wholly owned subsidiary of Keystone. Upon the effectiveness of the Merger (the  
"Effective Time"), each outstanding share of DeSoto common stock, $1.00 par     
value per share ("DeSoto Common Stock") (other than shares owned by DeSoto or   
its subsidiaries), and the associated rights issued pursuant to the Rights      
Agreement between DeSoto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, will be converted   
into the right to receive .7465 of a share of Keystone Common Stock (the        
"Exchange Ratio"); each outstanding share of DeSoto Series B Senior Preferred   
Stock, $1.00 par value per share ("DeSoto Preferred Stock"), will be converted  
into the right to receive .7465 of a share of Keystone Series A Senior Preferred
Stock, no par value per share ("Keystone Preferred Stock"); and each outstanding
option to purchase DeSoto Common Stock will be assumed by Keystone and converted
into an option to acquire for the same aggregate exercise price such number of  
shares of Keystone Common Stock as the holder would have been entitled to       
receive had such holder exercised such option in full immediately prior to the  
Effective Time. Pursuant to a warrant conversion agreement, upon consummation of
the Merger, one-half of the warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,200,000      
shares of DeSoto Common Stock ("DeSoto Warrants") will be cancelled and the     
remaining one-half of the DeSoto Warrants will be converted into warrants to    
purchase 447,900 shares of Keystone Common Stock ("Keystone Warrants")          
(representing the shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject to the remaining DeSoto 
Warrants multiplied by the Exchange Ratio) at an exercise price of approximately
$9.38 per share (representing the exercise price of a DeSoto Warrant divided by 
the Exchange Ratio). Based upon the number of shares of the DeSoto Common Stock,
DeSoto                                                                          
Preferred Stock and Keystone Common Stock outstanding as of July 22, 1996, there
will be an aggregate of approximately 3,500,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock 
issued in connection with the Merger, representing approximately thirty eight   
percent (38%) of the total number of shares of Keystone Common Stock to be      
outstanding immediately after consummation of the Merger, and 435,456 shares of 
Keystone Preferred Stock issued in connection with the Merger, representing one 
hundred percent (100%) of the total number of shares of Keystone Preferred Stock
to be outstanding immediately after consummation of the Merger. Furthermore, as 
a result of the Merger, and as soon as practicable thereafter, Keystone will    
merge its defined benefit pension plans with and into the DeSoto defined benefit
pension plan. See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Actions Subsequent to 
the Merger -- Merger of Pension Plans." The Merger is structured to qualify as a
tax free reorganization pursuant to Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, as amended.                                                               

     On August 21, 1996, the closing sales prices on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") of Keystone Common Stock and DeSoto Common Stock were $9.75 and $5.75, 
respectively. The DeSoto Preferred Stock has not been, and the Keystone         
Preferred Stock is not expected to be, listed for trading on any stock exchange 
or quotation system.                                                            

   This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the accompanying forms of proxy
are first being mailed to stockholders of Keystone and DeSoto on or about August
26, 1996.                                                                       

THE ABOVE MATTERS ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL IN THIS JOINT PROXY         
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. THE PROPOSED MERGER IS A COMPLEX TRANSACTION, AND         
STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO READ AND CONSIDER CAREFULLY THIS JOINT PROXY 
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN ITS ENTIRETY, PARTICULARLY THE MATTERS REFERRED TO ON   
PAGE 21 UNDER "RISK FACTORS."                                                   

 THE SHARES OF KEYSTONE COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED IN THE MERGER 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    
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A       
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.                                                               

THE DATE OF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS AUGUST 23, 1996. 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                     PAGE
                                                                                     ----
                                                                                         
AVAILABLE INFORMATION...............................................................    2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.....................................    3
SUMMARY.............................................................................    5
RISK FACTORS........................................................................   21
THE KEYSTONE MEETING................................................................   25
THE DESOTO MEETING..................................................................   27
THE MERGER AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.................................................   28
THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT........................................................   42
DESCRIPTION OF KEYSTONE CAPITAL STOCK...............................................   50
INFORMATION ABOUT DESOTO............................................................   51
CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT KEYSTONE..................................................   64
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF KEYSTONE AND DESOTO.........................   72
EXPERTS.............................................................................   77
LEGAL MATTERS.......................................................................   77
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS...............................................................   77
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION..............................  P-1
DESOTO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................  F-1
APPENDICES                                                                               
     A  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION........................................ A-CP
     B  OPINION OF PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED.........................................  B-1
     C  OPINION OF SALOMON BROTHERS INC.............................................  C-1
     D  KEYSTONE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       
        1995........................................................................  D-1
     E  KEYSTONE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,            
        1996........................................................................  E-1

     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY KEYSTONE OR DESOTO TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION
OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS JOINT PROXY                 
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES OR THE      
OFFERING OF SECURITIES MADE HEREBY AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR   
REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY KEYSTONE OR 
DESOTO. THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO   
SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS JOINT  
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR A SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY JURISDICTION     
WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR  
SOLICITATION.                                                                   

NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS   
RELATES SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS    
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.       

AVAILABLE INFORMATION 

   Keystone and DeSoto are each subject to the informational requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in    
accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with  
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These materials can  
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the    
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at  
the Commission's regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,       
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New     

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York 10048. Copies of these materials can also be obtained from the Commission  
at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the           
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition,        
registration statements and certain other documents filed with the Commission   
through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval ("EDGAR") system  
are publicly available through the Commission's site on the Internet's World    
Wide Web located at http://www.sec.gov. The Registration Statement, of which    
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is part, and all exhibits thereto and     
amendments thereof, have been filed with the Commission through EDGAR.          

Under the rules and regulations of the Commission, the solicitation of
proxies from stockholders of DeSoto to approve and adopt the Reorganization     
Agreement (as defined below) constitutes an offering of the Keystone Common     
Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger. Accordingly, Keystone has     
filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 under the        
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to such 
offering (the "Registration Statement"). This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus  
constitutes the prospectus of Keystone that is filed as part of the Registration
Statement. Other parts of the Registration Statement are omitted from this Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus in accordance with the rules and regulations of the  
Commission. Copies of the Registration Statement, including the exhibits to the 
Registration Statement and other material that is not included herein, may be   
inspected, without charge, at the offices of the Commission referred to above,  
or obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the        
Commission at the address set forth above. The Registration Statement and other 
information with respect to Keystone and DeSoto are available for inspection at 
the library of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.             

 Statements made in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus concerning the
contents of any contract or other documents are not necessarily complete. With  
respect to each contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the           
Registration Statement, reference is hereby made to that exhibit for a more     
complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement is hereby  
qualified in its entirety by such reference.                                    

     All information contained in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating
to Keystone has been supplied by Keystone, and all information relating to      
DeSoto has been supplied by DeSoto.                                             

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 

THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS MAY INCORPORATE DOCUMENTS BY    
REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THERE WILL BE   
PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM 
A JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON ORAL OR WRITTEN REQUEST OF
ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN
(EXCLUDING EXHIBITS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY       
REFERENCE HEREIN). SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED    
INDUSTRIES, INC., THREE LINCOLN CENTRE, 5430 LBJ FREEWAY, SUITE 1740, DALLAS,   
TEXAS 75240-2697, ATTENTION: RALPH P. END, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL   
(TELEPHONE (214) 458-0028). IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS 
IN ADVANCE OF THE SPECIAL MEETINGS TO WHICH THIS JOINT PROXY                    
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS RELATES, ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY SEPTEMBER 17,  
1996.                                                                           

    KEYSTONE INCORPORATES HEREIN BY REFERENCE KEYSTONE'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 ("1995 10-K") AND KEYSTONE'S   
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND JUNE 30,
1996. COPIES OF THE 1995 10-K AND KEYSTONE'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED    
JUNE 30, 1996 ARE INCLUDED AS APPENDICES TO THIS JOINT PROXY                    
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.                                                           

All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed by   
Keystone pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), or 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act  
subsequent to the date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and prior to the
date of the Keystone Meeting shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any 
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated     
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Joint  
Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be          
incorporated by reference herein modifies or                                    

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supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall   
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.                                               

     The statements in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to matters
that are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements found  
in the "Summary," "Risk Factors," "The Merger and Related Transactions," "The   
Reorganization Agreement," "Information About DeSoto," "Certain Information     
About Keystone" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information"    
sections are forward looking statements that involve a number of risks and      
uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual future results to differ         
materially from those expressed in such forward looking statements include, but 
are not limited to, cost of raw materials, future supply and demand for Keystone
and DeSoto products (including the seasonality thereof), general economic       
conditions, competitive products and substitute products, customer and          
competitor strategies, the impact of pricing and production decisions,          
environmental matters, government regulations and possible changes therein, and 
the ultimate resolution of pending litigation and possible future litigation as 
discussed in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including, without          
limitation, the sections referenced above.                                      

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SUMMARY 

 The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information contained elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
attached Appendices. The summary does not contain a complete description of the 
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of June 26, 1996, by and between 
Keystone and DeSoto, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A (the             
"Reorganization Agreement") and which is incorporated herein by reference. The  
Keystone stockholders and DeSoto stockholders are urged to read carefully this  
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the attached Appendices in their entirety. 
See "Risk Factors."                                                             

THE COMPANIES                                                                   

Keystone                                                                    

    Keystone is a diversified mini-mill manufacturer of carbon steel rod, wire
and a wide range of wire products for a variety of end uses. Keystone owns and  
operates five (5) plants located in Illinois, Texas, Arkansas and Wisconsin.    
Keystone was incorporated in Delaware in 1955 and is the successor to Keystone  
Steel & Wire Company which was founded in 1889. Unless otherwise indicated,     
"Keystone" refers to Keystone and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Keystone's     
principal executive offices are located at Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ       
Freeway, Suite 1740, Dallas, Texas 75240-2697. Its telephone number is (214)    
458-0028.                                                                       

DeSoto                                                                      

DeSoto manufactures household cleaning products including powdered and
liquid laundry detergents. DeSoto also performs contract manufacturing and      
packaging of household cleaning products. DeSoto was incorporated in Delaware in
1927. Unless otherwise indicated, "DeSoto" refers to DeSoto and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. DeSoto's principal executive offices and its operating facility   
are located at 900 East Washington Street, Joliet, Illinois 60433. Its telephone
number is (815) 727-4931.                                                       

Sub                                                                         

Sub, a Delaware corporation, will be a newly formed, wholly owned     
subsidiary of Keystone to be formed for the purposes of merging with and into   
DeSoto (the "Merger"). Prior to the Merger, Keystone will contribute the assets 
and liabilities of its Sherman Wire division to Sub. Sub's principal executive  
offices are located at Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1740,      
Dallas, Texas 75240-2697. Its telephone number is (214) 458-0028.               

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS                                                

Date; Time and Place                                                        

    Keystone. The Keystone Meeting will be held on Friday, September 27, 1996,
at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite     
1740, Dallas, Texas 75240-2697.                                                 

   DeSoto. The DeSoto Meeting will be held on Friday, September 27, 1996, at
10:00 a.m., local time, at the Bank of Montreal, 430 Park Avenue, 16th Floor,   
New York, New York.                                                             

Purposes of the Special Meetings                                            

   Keystone Meeting. At the Keystone Meeting, stockholders of Keystone as of
the close of business on the Keystone Record Date (as defined below) will be    
asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the issuance of Keystone  
Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement.                          

 DeSoto Meeting. At the DeSoto Meeting, stockholders of DeSoto as of the
close of business on the DeSoto Record Date (as defined below) will be asked to 
consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Reorganization       
Agreement.                                                                      

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Record Dates; Shares Outstanding and Entitled to Vote                       

Keystone. Holders of record of Keystone Common Stock at the close of  
business on August 23, 1996 (the "Keystone Record Date"), will be entitled to   
notice of and to vote at the Keystone Meeting. At the close of business on      
August 21, 1996, there were 5,686,424 shares of Keystone Common Stock           
outstanding, each of which will be entitled to one vote on each matter to be    
acted upon.                                                                     

     DeSoto. Holders of record of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock
at the close of business on August 23, 1996 (the "DeSoto Record Date"), will be 
entitled to notice of and to vote at the DeSoto Meeting. At the close of        
business on August 21, 1996, there were 4,688,523 shares of DeSoto Common Stock 
and 583,333 shares of DeSoto Preferred Stock outstanding, each of which will be 
entitled to one vote on each matter to be acted upon. Shares of DeSoto Common   
Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock vote together as one class on all matters      
submitted to stockholders.                                                      

Quorum                                                                      

  The required quorum for the transaction of business at both the Keystone
Meeting and the DeSoto Meeting is a majority of the shares of Keystone Common   
Stock or the DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock taken together, as  
the case may be, issued and outstanding on the applicable record date.          
Abstentions and broker non-votes represented at the applicable meetings will be 
included in determining the number of shares present for purposes of determining
the presence of a quorum.                                                       

Votes Required                                                              

 Keystone. The approval of the issuance of the shares of Keystone Common
Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement requires the affirmative vote of 
the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the    
Keystone Meeting and voting, provided the total vote cast represents a majority 
of the shares entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be
included in determining the number of shares present for purposes of determining
the presence of a quorum but not be counted as a vote for or against approval of
the issuance of Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement. 
The approval by Keystone's stockholders of the issuance of shares of Keystone   
Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement is required by the rules  
of the NYSE governing corporations with securities listed on the NYSE. As of    
August 21, 1996, the directors and executive officers of Keystone and their     
affiliates had the right to vote an aggregate of 4,168,881 shares of Keystone   
Common Stock, representing approximately seventy-three percent (73%) of Keystone
Common Stock outstanding. Contran Corporation ("Contran") holds directly        
approximately fifty six percent (56%) of the Keystone Common Stock outstanding  
as of August 21, 1996, and is a party to an agreement with DeSoto pursuant to   
which Contran has agreed to vote its shares of Keystone Common Stock in favor of
the Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, thus    
approval of the issuance of shares of Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the     
Reorganization Agreement is assured.                                            

    DeSoto. Approval and adoption of the Reorganization Agreement requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of      
DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock entitled to vote, voting together
as one class. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as     
votes against the Reorganization Agreement. As of August 21, 1996, the directors
and officers of DeSoto and their affiliates had the right to vote an aggregate  
of 636,087 shares of DeSoto Common Stock and an aggregate of 583,333 shares of  
DeSoto Preferred Stock, representing approximately twenty-three percent (23%) of
DeSoto voting stock outstanding as of such date. Certain entities affiliated    
with directors of DeSoto and a director of DeSoto collectively having the right 
to vote 596,989 shares of DeSoto Common Stock and 583,333 Shares of DeSoto      
Preferred Stock, representing approximately twenty-two percent (22%) of the     
combined shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock outstanding as
of the DeSoto Record Date, are parties to an agreement with Keystone pursuant to
which they have agreed to vote their shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto   
Preferred Stock in favor of approval and adoption of the Reorganization         
Agreement. See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Voting Agreements." Any  
abstentions from voting thereon may be deemed a "ratification" of the Merger    
under Delaware law which may provide either Keystone or DeSoto a                

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complete or partial defense to any subsequent stockholder challenges to the     
Merger. Neither Keystone nor DeSoto intends to waive any rights under Delaware  
law relating thereto.                                                           

Effective Time of the Merger                                                

     The Merger will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Merger
(the "Certificate of Merger") with the Secretary of State of the State of       
Delaware, or such later time as may be specified therein. The Certificate of    
Merger is expected to be filed as soon as practicable after the satisfaction or 
waiver of each of the conditions to consummation of the Merger, which is        
expected to occur as soon as practicable following receipt of stockholder       
approval at the Keystone and DeSoto Meetings.                                   

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS                                      

Keystone Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of Keystone has   
unanimously approved the Reorganization Agreement and the Merger and believes   
the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Keystone and its           
stockholders, and unanimously recommends that Keystone stockholders vote for the
approval of the issuance of Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization
Agreement. The recommendation of the Board of Directors of Keystone is based on 
a number of factors described in "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Reasons
for the Merger."                                                                

     DeSoto Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of DeSoto has unanimously
approved the Reorganization Agreement and the Merger and believes the Merger is 
fair to, and in the best interests of, DeSoto and its stockholders, and         
unanimously recommends that DeSoto stockholders vote for the approval and       
adoption of the Reorganization Agreement. The recommendation of the Board of    
Directors of DeSoto is based on a number of factors described in "The Merger and
Related Transactions -- Reasons for the Merger."                                

REASONS FOR THE MERGER                                                          

Keystone. In reaching its determination that the terms of the         
Reorganization Agreement are fair to, and in the best interests of, Keystone and
its stockholders, the Board of Directors of Keystone considered a number of     
factors. Among those factors were the anticipated favorable effect of the Merger
on Keystone's balance sheet, the anticipated favorable effects on Keystone's    
cash flows and pension expense following the merger of the Keystone defined     
benefit pension plans with and into the DeSoto defined benefit pension plan, the
opinion of its financial advisor, the anticipated improved liquidity of the     
Keystone Common Stock after the issuance of the approximately 3,500,000 shares  
pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, and the terms of the Reorganization   
Agreement. The reasons for the Board of Directors of Keystone approving the     
Reorganization Agreement are described in "The Merger and Related               
Transactions -- Reasons for the Merger"; and the opinion of the financial       
advisor to the Board of Directors is described in "The Merger and Related       
Transactions -- Opinion of Financial Advisors -- Opinion of PaineWebber         
Incorporated, Financial Advisor to Keystone."                                   

    DeSoto. In reaching its determination that the terms of the Reorganization
Agreement are fair to, and in the best interests of, DeSoto and its             
stockholders, the Board of Directors of DeSoto considered a number of factors.  
Among those factors were a review of the strategic alternatives available to    
DeSoto, a comparison of the likely values to be realized pursuant to these      
alternatives, the opinion of its financial advisor and the terms of the         
Reorganization Agreement. The reasons for the Board of Directors of DeSoto      
approving the Reorganization Agreement are described in "The Merger and Related 
Transactions -- Reasons for the Merger"; and the opinion of the financial       
advisor to the Board of Directors is described in "The Merger and Related       
Transactions -- Opinion of Financial Advisors -- Opinion of Salomon Brothers,   
Financial Advisor to DeSoto."                                                   

OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS                                                  

   Keystone. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Keystone held on June
13, 1996, PaineWebber Incorporated ("PaineWebber") delivered an oral opinion to 
the Board of Directors of Keystone, which was subsequently confirmed in a       
written opinion dated June 26, 1996, stating the consideration to be paid by    

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Keystone in the Merger is fair to Keystone stockholders (except for Contran and 
its affiliates as to whom PaineWebber has expressed no opinion) from a financial
point of view. PaineWebber has confirmed its opinion that as of the date of this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the consideration to be paid by Keystone in   
the Merger is fair to Keystone stockholders (except for Contran and its         
affiliates) from a financial point of view. The full text of the opinion of     
PaineWebber which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and       
limitations on the review undertaken is attached as Appendix B to this Joint    
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Keystone stockholders are urged to read the opinion 
in its entirety. See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Opinions of        
Financial Advisors -- Opinion of PaineWebber, Financial Advisor to Keystone."   

   DeSoto. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of DeSoto held on June 13,
1996, Salomon Brothers Inc ("Salomon Brothers") delivered an oral opinion that, 
as of that date, the Exchange Ratio pursuant to the terms of the Reorganization 
Agreement was fair to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock from a financial point 
of view. Salomon Brothers has confirmed its oral opinion by delivering a written
opinion dated the date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus that, as of such
date, the Exchange Ratio was fair to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock from a  
financial point of view. The full text of the written opinion of Salomon        
Brothers, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and         
limitations on the review undertaken by Salomon Brothers, is attached as        
Appendix C to this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. DeSoto stockholders are    
urged to read the opinion in its entirety. See "The Merger and Related          
Transactions -- Opinion of Financial Advisors -- Opinion of Salomon Brothers,   
Financial Advisor to DeSoto."                                                   

THE MERGER AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS                                             

Effects of the Merger                                                       

Upon consummation of the Merger, DeSoto will become a wholly owned    
subsidiary of Keystone; Keystone's Board of Directors will be increased from    
seven to nine members and Keystone's Board of Directors will elect William      
Spier, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DeSoto, and William 
P. Lyons, another current member of the DeSoto Board of Directors, to fill the  
vacancies thereby created; and as soon thereafter as practicable, Keystone's    
defined benefit pension plans will be merged with and into the DeSoto defined   
benefit pension plan. See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Reasons for   
the Merger."                                                                    

Conversion of Shares                                                        

Upon consummation of the Merger, each then outstanding share of DeSoto
Common Stock and the associated rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement  
between DeSoto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (other than shares owned by    
DeSoto or its subsidiaries) will automatically be converted into the right to   
receive the Exchange Ratio of a share of Keystone Common Stock for each         
outstanding share of DeSoto Common Stock. Cash will be paid in lieu of issuance 
of fractional shares of Keystone Common Stock. Each then outstanding share of   
DeSoto Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into the right to receive
the Exchange Ratio of a share of Keystone Preferred Stock. Cash will be paid in 
lieu of issuance of fractional shares of Keystone Preferred Stock. Because the  
Exchange Ratio is fixed, the number of shares to be received by stockholders of 
DeSoto upon consummation of the Merger will remain the same, regardless of      
whether the market price of the Common Stock of Keystone or DeSoto increases or 
decreases at any time, including after the date of this Joint Proxy             
Statement/Prospectus and after the dates of the Keystone and DeSoto Meetings.   
See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Opinions of Financial Advisors" and 
"Risk Factors -- Fixed Exchange Ratio."                                         

Assumption of DeSoto Options                                                

   Upon consummation of the Merger, each then outstanding option to purchase
DeSoto Common Stock (the "DeSoto Options") will be assumed by Keystone and      
converted into an option to acquire that number of shares of Keystone Common    
Stock equal to the number of shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject to such      
DeSoto Option multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The exercise price of such      
DeSoto Options shall be adjusted by dividing such exercise price by the Exchange
Ratio. To avoid fractional shares, the number of                                

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shares of Keystone Common Stock subject to an assumed DeSoto Option will be     
rounded up to the nearest whole share. The other terms of DeSoto Options,       
including vesting schedules, will remain unchanged. Keystone will file a        
Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the Commission with respect to the      
issuance of Keystone Common Stock upon exercise of the assumed DeSoto Options.  
Keystone will apply to have the shares of Keystone Common Stock reserved for    
issuance upon the exercise of DeSoto Options listed on the NYSE, subject to     
notice of issuance. As of August 21, 1996, DeSoto Options to acquire an         
aggregate of approximately 184,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock (approximately 
137,000 equivalent shares of Keystone Common Stock) were issued and outstanding.

Merger of Pension Plans                                                     

     The Reorganization Agreement provides that upon consummation of the Merger,
there will be no impediments to the merger of the Keystone defined benefit      
pension plans with and into the DeSoto defined benefit pension plan. It is      
expected such merger will take place as soon as practicable after consummation  
of the Merger. See "The Merger Agreement and Related Transactions -- Actions    
Subsequent to the Merger -- Merger of Pension Plans."                           

Voting Agreements                                                           

Asgard, Ltd. (an affiliate of Anders U. Schroeder, Vice Chairman of   
DeSoto), Anders U. Schroeder, Parkway M&A Capital Corporation and M&A Investment
Pte Ltd (entities having a business relationship with David M. Tobey, a director
of DeSoto) and Coatings Group, Inc (an affiliate of William Spier, Chairman of  
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DeSoto), collectively the owners of    
596,989 shares of DeSoto Common Stock and all of the shares of DeSoto Preferred 
Stock outstanding, representing approximately twenty-two percent (22%) of       
DeSoto's outstanding voting stock, have entered into an agreement with Keystone;
and Contran, the direct owner of 3,161,733 shares of Keystone Common Stock,     
representing approximately fifty-six percent (56%) of Keystone's outstanding    
voting stock, has entered into an agreement with DeSoto, pursuant to which      
agreements (the "Voting Agreements") such stockholders agreed they will (i) vote
their shares in favor of approval of the issuance of Keystone Common Stock      
pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement in the case of Contran or approval and 
adoption of the Reorganization Agreement and the Merger in the case of the      
holders of stock of DeSoto; and (ii) not transfer any of their shares of        
Keystone Common Stock or DeSoto Common Stock, as the case may be, subject to    
certain exceptions. As a result of the voting agreement to which Contran is a   
party, the requisite Keystone stockholder approval for the issuance of shares of
Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement is assured.      

Related Agreements; Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger              

 At the time the Reorganization Agreement was entered into, Asgard Ltd.,
Parkway M&A Capital Corporation and Coatings Group, Inc. (the holders of all    
outstanding shares of DeSoto Preferred Stock and DeSoto Warrants, collectively  
the "Warrant and Preferred Stockholders"), Keystone, DeSoto and Contran, entered
into a stockholders agreement pursuant to which (i) Keystone agreed to assume   
from DeSoto certain registration rights currently held by the Warrant and       
Preferred Stockholders, and (ii) Keystone granted to Contran and its affiliates 
the same rights with respect to registration of the Keystone Common Stock held  
by Contran and its affiliates as Keystone had agreed to assume with respect to  
the Warrant and Preferred Stockholders. At the same time, the Warrant and       
Preferred Stockholders also entered into separate agreements with Keystone      
regarding the DeSoto Warrants (the "Warrant Conversion Agreement") and the      
DeSoto Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent           
Agreement") pursuant to which they agreed that (i) one-half of the currently    
outstanding DeSoto Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of     
DeSoto Common Stock held by the Warrant and Preferred Stockholders will be      
cancelled upon consummation of the Merger, (ii) the remaining DeSoto Warrants   
will be converted into Keystone Warrants to purchase that number of shares of   
Keystone Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of DeSoto    
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the remaining DeSoto Warrants by the     
Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price equal to the exercise price prior to the   
Effective Time divided by the Exchange Ratio, (iii) the right of such persons to
require redemption of their DeSoto Preferred Stock                              

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pursuant to the existing terms of such stock by reason of the consummation of   
the Merger will be waived, (iv) the DeSoto Preferred Stock will be converted    
into Keystone Preferred Stock based on the Exchange Ratio and an amount of cash 
equal to accrued but unpaid dividends on the DeSoto Preferred Stock (which, as  
of the Effective Time, will aggregate approximately $1,700,000), and (v) any    
appraisal rights they may have as a result of their ownership of the DeSoto     
Preferred Stock are waived.                                                     

     DeSoto has severance arrangements and policies with certain of its officers
and employees, pursuant to which DeSoto will be obligated to pay to such        
officers and employees an aggregate of $110,000 upon consummation of the Merger 
and up to an additional approximately $480,000 if their employment is thereafter
terminated under certain circumstances. See "The Reorganization                 
Agreement -- Related Agreements; Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."   

     Upon the effective date of the Merger, William Spier, Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of DeSoto, and William P. Lyons, another current    
member of the Board of Directors of DeSoto, will be appointed to the Board of   
Directors of Keystone, joining the current seven members of the Keystone Board  
of Directors.                                                                   

Representations and Covenants                                               

  Under the Reorganization Agreement, Keystone and DeSoto made a number of
representations regarding their respective capital structures, operations,      
financial conditions and other matters. Each party agreed as to itself and its  
subsidiaries that until consummation of the Merger or the earlier termination of
the Reorganization Agreement, it will, among other things, conduct its business 
and maintain its business relationships in the ordinary and usual course, and   
use its best efforts to consummate the Merger. DeSoto has agreed not to solicit,
engage in discussions, negotiate with any person or facilitate the efforts of   
any person other than Keystone relating to the possible acquisition of DeSoto or
any of its subsidiaries or any material portion of its or their stock or assets 
(any such efforts are referred to as an "Alternative Acquisition"), except that 
DeSoto's Board of Directors may provide information to and engage in            
negotiations with a third party regarding an Alternative Acquisition if (i) the 
Board of Directors of DeSoto receives a written proposal for an Alternative     
Acquisition which proposal identifies a price or range of values to be paid for 
the outstanding securities or substantially all of the assets of DeSoto, and, if
consummated, based on the advice of DeSoto's investment bankers, the Board of   
Directors of DeSoto determines is financially more favorable to the stockholders
of DeSoto than the terms of the Merger (a "Superior Proposal"); (ii) the Board  
of Directors of DeSoto determines, based on the advice of its investment        
bankers, that such third party is financially capable of consummating such      
Superior Proposal; (iii) the Board of Directors of DeSoto shall have determined,
after consultation with outside legal counsel, that the fiduciary duties of the 
Board require DeSoto to furnish information to and negotiate with such third    
party; and (iv) at least two (2) business days prior thereto, Keystone shall    
have been notified in writing of such Superior Proposal, including all of its   
terms and conditions and the foregoing determination by the Board of Directors  
of DeSoto, and shall have been given copies of such proposal. DeSoto shall not  
be entitled to enter into an agreement concerning an Alternative Acquisition for
a period of not less than forty-eight hours after Keystone's receipt of a copy  
of such proposal and certain other information.                                 

     Keystone has agreed, if the Merger is consummated, to indemnify the current
officers and directors of DeSoto with respect to any claim or liability arising 
out of or pertaining to any act or omission occurring prior to the Effective    
Time to the fullest extent that DeSoto could have done so on June 26, 1996.     
Keystone has further agreed, for a period of six (6) years following the        
Effective Time, to cause DeSoto to maintain indemnification and limitation of   
liability provisions. Keystone has also agreed to (i) provide director and      
officer insurance coverage, at a cost not to exceed $150,000, for the current   
directors and officers of DeSoto for one year after the Effective Time for      
claims made against such directors and officers relating to matters occurring   
prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) provide, after the Effective Time,        
director and officer insurance coverage to Keystone directors comparable to the 
coverage maintained by DeSoto at the Effective Time, to the extent such coverage
may be obtainable at a comparable cost. See "The Reorganization Agreement --    
Representations and Covenants."                                                 

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Conditions to the Merger                                                    

In addition to the requirement that Keystone stockholders approve the 
issuance of Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and  
DeSoto stockholders approve and adopt the Reorganization Agreement, the         
consummation of the Merger is subject to a number of other conditions which, if 
not satisfied or waived, would cause the Merger not to be consummated and the   
Reorganization Agreement to be terminated. Each party's obligation to consummate
the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the accuracy of the     
other party's representations, (ii) each party's performance of its obligations 
under the Reorganization Agreement, (iii) the absence of a material adverse     
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets,           
liabilities, businesses, or results of operations of the other party and its    
subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation    
(the "PBGC") raising Keystone's borrowing restrictions to an amount reasonably  
expected to enable Keystone to perform its obligations under the Reorganization 
Agreement, (v) availability to Keystone of sufficient financing in order to     
effect the Merger and to satisfy its obligations and those of the surviving     
corporation in the Merger, (vi) receipt of opinions of counsel in respect of    
certain federal income tax consequences of the Merger, (vii) receipt of opinions
dated one business day before the closing of the Merger from the financial      
advisors to each of Keystone and DeSoto as to the fairness from a financial     
point of view of the consideration to be paid by Keystone and received by DeSoto
stockholders, (viii) the absence of legal action preventing consummation of the 
Merger, and (ix) the receipt of other documents, including necessary consents of
third parties (including governmental agencies). Keystone's obligation to       
consummate the Merger is further conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the  
consent by DeSoto's trade creditors to the terms of payment contemplated by the 
Reorganization Agreement and (ii) the resolution on terms satisfactory to       
Keystone of certain claims arising from DeSoto's acquisition of J.L. Prescott   
Company. DeSoto's obligation to consummate the Merger is further conditioned    
upon, among other things, (i) approval for listing on the NYSE, subject to      
official notice of issuance of the shares of Keystone Common Stock to be issued 
pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the Board of Directors of Keystone taking       
appropriate action to increase the number of directors comprising Keystone's    
full Board of Directors from seven to nine, and to cause William Spier and      
William P. Lyons to be directors of Keystone upon the effectiveness of the      
Merger. See "The Reorganization Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger."         

Keystone Financing Arrangements                                             

  Pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, Keystone is obligated to cause
DeSoto to pay approximately $6.5 million to certain of its trade creditors who  
are parties to a trade composition agreement with DeSoto, as soon as practicable
after the Effective Time, and an additional approximately $1.5 million to such  
trade creditors within one year of the Effective Time. Additionally, pursuant to
the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement, Keystone is obligated,  
at the Effective Time, to pay to the holders of the DeSoto Preferred Stock all  
their unpaid dividend arrearage, which will then amount to approximately $1.7   
million.                                                                        

     As a result of these and other transactions related to the Merger, Keystone
will require additional funding from its primary lender. In order to obtain such
additional funds, Keystone has received the PBGC's consent and Keystone's       
primary lender's commitment to increase Keystone's allowable borrowings by $20  
million upon consummation of the Merger and the merger of the Keystone defined  
benefit pension plans with and into the DeSoto defined benefit pension plan. The
PBGC's consent was necessary due to Keystone's prior agreements with the PBGC   
whereby the PBGC and Keystone agreed to certain borrowing restrictions.         

Regulatory Matters                                                          

   Consummation of the Merger is subject to the expiration or termination of
the applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the             
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR      
Act"). Notification reports were filed by Keystone and DeSoto with the          
Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission under the HSR Act on July
22, 1996, and termination of the specified waiting period requirements of the   
HSR Act was granted on August 2, 1996.                                          

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Amendment of the Reorganization Agreement                                   

  The Reorganization Agreement may be amended by Keystone or DeSoto at any
time before or after approval of the issuance of shares in connection with the  
Merger or the Reorganization Agreement, as the case may be, by the stockholders 
of Keystone and DeSoto, except that, after such stockholder approval, no        
amendment may be made which by law requires the further approval of such        
stockholders without obtaining such approval. In the event the parties desire to
enter into an amendment to the Reorganization Agreement that materially alters  
the terms of the Merger, the parties will circulate an amended Joint Proxy      
Statement/Prospectus to solicit stockholder approval.                           

Termination of the Reorganization Agreement                                 

    The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement of both
parties or by either party (i) as a result of a breach by the other party of a  
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in the Reorganization 
Agreement, or if any representation of the other party becomes untrue, in either
case which has or can reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect  
(as defined in the Reorganization Agreement) and which the other party fails to 
cure prior to the closing of the Merger (except that no cure period is provided 
for a breach which by its nature cannot be cured); (ii) if the required         
approvals of the stockholders of Keystone or DeSoto are not obtained by reason  
of the failure to obtain the required vote; (iii) if all the conditions for     
closing the Merger are not satisfied or waived on or before December 31, 1996,  
other than as a result of a breach of the Reorganization Agreement by the       
terminating party or a breach by any of the principal stockholders or affiliates
of the terminating party; or (iv) if a permanent injunction or other order by a 
federal or state court which would make illegal or otherwise restrain or        
prohibit the consummation of the Merger is issued and has become final and      
nonappealable.                                                                  

The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by Keystone if prior to
consummation of the Merger, DeSoto enters into an agreement with respect to an  
Alternative Acquisition. The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by      
DeSoto if, prior to the consummation of the Merger, DeSoto receives a Superior  
Proposal and the DeSoto Board of Directors believes, after consultation with    
legal counsel, that its fiduciary duties require termination of the             
Reorganization Agreement (a "Superior Proposal Termination").                   

Breakup Fees                                                                

   The Reorganization Agreement provides for the payment of a breakup fee of
$1 million (the "Breakup Fee") by DeSoto to Keystone if (i) the Reorganization  
Agreement is terminated by Keystone where DeSoto has entered into an agreement  
with respect to an Alternative Acquisition; (ii) the stockholders of DeSoto fail
to approve the Merger at a time when there is pending a proposal with respect to
an Alternative Acquisition; (iii) without the occurrence of a Keystone material 
adverse change, the Board of Directors of DeSoto shall have failed to submit the
Merger to its stockholders for approval as required by, and in accordance with, 
the terms of the Reorganization Agreement, or (iv) there occurs a Superior      
Proposal Termination by DeSoto. The Breakup Fee is payable by Keystone to DeSoto
if, without a DeSoto material adverse change, the Board of Directors of Keystone
fails to hold a stockholders' meeting to vote on approval of the issuance of    
Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement as required by,  
and in accordance with the terms of, the Reorganization Agreement. Payment of   
the Breakup Fee shall not be in lieu of damages incurred in the event of breach 
of the Reorganization Agreement, and neither party shall be entitled to receive 
the Breakup Fee if it shall have committed a material breach of the             
Reorganization Agreement.                                                       

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences                                     

The Merger is intended to qualify, and in the opinion of counsel to   
Keystone and DeSoto it will qualify, as a tax-free reorganization for federal   
income tax purposes, so that no gain or loss would generally be recognized by   
the stockholders of DeSoto on the exchange of their DeSoto Common Stock for     
Keystone Common Stock, except to the extent DeSoto stockholders receive cash in 
the exchange (i.e., cash in lieu of fractional shares) and no income, gain or   
loss will be recognized by Keystone or DeSoto. Consummation of the Merger is    
conditioned upon delivery of opinions of counsel to this effect, dated as of the
closing date of the Merger.                                                     

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DeSoto stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the tax   
consequences of the Merger. See "The Reorganization Agreement -- Certain Federal
Income Tax Matters."                                                            

Accounting Treatment                                                        

   For financial reporting purposes, Keystone will account for the Merger by
the purchase method.                                                            

Appraisal Rights                                                            

  Both Keystone and DeSoto are incorporated in the State of Delaware, and,
accordingly, are governed by the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation 
Law (the "DGCL"). Pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, the holders of DeSoto    
Common Stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Merger 
because DeSoto Common Stock is quoted on the NYSE and such stockholders will    
receive as consideration in the Merger only shares of Keystone Common Stock,    
which shares will be listed on the NYSE upon the Effective Time, and cash in    
lieu of fractional shares. In addition, the Keystone stockholders are not       
entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL because Keystone     
Common Stock is listed on the NYSE and, even though approval of such            
stockholders is required for the issuance of Keystone Common Stock in the       
Merger, the approval of the stockholders of Keystone is not required for the    
Merger itself.                                                                  

  Pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, the holders of the DeSoto Preferred
Stock would be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Merger.      
However, the holders of the DeSoto Preferred Stock have agreed to vote in favor 
of approval and adoption of the Reorganization Agreement and to waive their     
appraisal rights pursuant to the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent       
Agreement. The Reorganization Agreement provides that, as a condition to        
consummating the Merger, all terms and conditions of the Preferred Stockholder  
Waiver and Consent Agreement, including such waivers, must be in full force and 
effect. See "The Reorganization Agreement -- Appraisal Rights."                 

Comparison of Rights of Stockholders                                        

     Upon consummation of the Merger, holders of DeSoto Common Stock will become
holders of Keystone Common Stock. As a result, their rights as stockholders,    
which are now governed by the DGCL and DeSoto's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws, will be governed by the DGCL and Keystone's Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws. Because of certain differences between (i) the provisions of        
DeSoto's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and those of Keystone, and (ii)
other rights including the anti-takeover protection afforded holders of DeSoto  
Common Stock by the associated preferred share purchase rights (the "Purchase   
Rights"), the rights of DeSoto stockholders after the Merger will be different  
than the rights of DeSoto stockholders before the Merger. For a discussion of   
various differences between the rights of stockholders of DeSoto and the rights 
of stockholders of Keystone, see "Comparison of Rights of Stockholders of       
Keystone and DeSoto."                                                           

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MARKET PRICE DATA                                                               

Keystone. Keystone Common Stock has been traded on the NYSE under the 
symbol "KES" since the common stock of Keystone and its predecessor began       
publicly trading in 1936. The following table sets forth the range of high and  
low closing sale prices reported on the NYSE for Keystone Common Stock for the  
periods indicated:                                                              

                                                                [Download Table]

                                                                     HIGH    LOW  
                                                                    ------  ------
                                                                                  
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1994                                               
  First Quarter.................................................... $12.00  $10.00
  Second Quarter...................................................  15.88   11.50
  Third Quarter....................................................  17.38   14.38
  Fourth Quarter...................................................  18.00   13.63
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1995                                               
  First Quarter.................................................... $13.88  $13.38
  Second Quarter...................................................  13.75   13.38
  Third Quarter....................................................  15.13   13.50
  Fourth Quarter...................................................  15.00   11.13
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996                                               
  First Quarter.................................................... $12.00  $10.00
  Second Quarter...................................................  10.38    9.50
  Third Quarter (through August 21, 1996)..........................  10.00    9.75

   DeSoto. DeSoto Common Stock and the associated Purchase Rights are traded
on the NYSE under the symbol "DSO." (The Purchase Rights do not trade separately
from DeSoto Common Stock and are represented by certificates for the DeSoto     
Common Stock). The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing 
sale prices reported on the NYSE for DeSoto Common Stock for the periods        
indicated:                                                                      

                                                                [Download Table]

                                                                     HIGH    LOW  
                                                                    ------  ------
                                                                                  
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1994                                               
  First Quarter.................................................... $ 8.63  $ 6.75
  Second Quarter...................................................   7.38    5.50
  Third Quarter....................................................   6.88    4.00
  Fourth Quarter...................................................   5.38    3.00
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1995                                               
  First Quarter.................................................... $ 5.38  $ 3.00
  Second Quarter...................................................   6.25    4.75
  Third Quarter....................................................   5.38    4.25
  Fourth Quarter...................................................   5.38    2.75
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996                                               
  First Quarter.................................................... $ 5.88  $ 3.13
  Second Quarter...................................................   6.38    5.00
  Third Quarter (through August 21, 1996)..........................   6.63    5.38

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The following table sets forth the closing sales prices per share of  
Keystone Common Stock and DeSoto Common Stock on the NYSE on March 12, 1996, the
last trading day before the announcement of merger discussions between Keystone 
and DeSoto; on June 26, 1996, the last trading day before the announcement of   
the signing of this Reorganization Agreement; and on August 21, 1996, the latest
practicable trading day before the printing of the Joint Proxy                  
Statement/Prospectus; and the equivalent per share prices for DeSoto Common     
Stock based on the Keystone Common Stock Prices:                                

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                      DESOTO  
                                                          KEYSTONE       DESOTO     EQUIVALENT
                                                        COMMON STOCK  COMMON STOCK   PRICE(1) 
                                                        ------------  ------------  ----------
                                                                                              
March 12, 1996.........................................    $13.38        $ 4.63       $ 9.99  
June 26, 1996..........................................     10.00          6.13         7.47  
August 21, 1996........................................      9.75          5.75         7.28  

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

(1) Represents the equivalent of one share of Keystone Common Stock calculated  
    by multiplying the closing sales price per share of Keystone Common Stock by
the Exchange Ratio.                                                     

   Stockholders are urged to obtain current quotations for the market prices
of Keystone Common Stock and DeSoto Common Stock. No assurance can be given as  
to the market price of Keystone Common Stock or DeSoto Common Stock at the      
Effective Time. Because the Exchange Ratio is fixed in the Reorganization       
Agreement and neither Keystone nor DeSoto has the right to terminate the        
Reorganization Agreement based on changes in the market price of either party's 
stock, the market value of the shares of Keystone Common Stock that holders of  
DeSoto Common Stock receive in the Merger may vary significantly from the prices
shown above.                                                                    

  Neither Keystone nor DeSoto has paid a dividend on outstanding shares of
Keystone Common Stock or DeSoto Common Stock, as the case may be, since at least
the beginning of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and neither Keystone  
nor DeSoto expects to pay a dividend on outstanding shares of Keystone Common   
Stock or DeSoto Common Stock, as the case may be, in the foreseeable future.    
However, the accrued dividend arrearage on the DeSoto Preferred Stock of        
approximately $1,700,000 will be paid as of the Effective Time. Keystone        
anticipates that it will pay timely dividends on the Keystone Preferred Stock.  

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SELECTED KEYSTONE FINANCIAL DATA

   The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial information
of Keystone. This data has been derived in part from, and should be read in     
conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements of Keystone and the     
related notes thereto incorporated by reference in, and included as appendices  
to, this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Results of interim periods, which    
include all adjustments management considers necessary for a fair presentation  
thereof, are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. 

The pro forma income statement data illustrates the effect of certain 
adjustments to Keystone's historical consolidated financial statements that     
would result from the Merger and the immediate, subsequent merger of the defined
benefit pension plans of Keystone and DeSoto as though such transactions had    
occurred on December 31, 1994. In addition, the pro forma income statement data 
also illustrates the effect of certain adjustments to DeSoto's historical       
consolidated financial statements that would result from reflecting the April   
1996 sale of DeSoto's Union City, California business and the 1995 sales of     
DeSoto's Thornton and South Holland, Illinois businesses as though such         
transactions had occurred on December 31, 1994. The pro forma balance sheet data
illustrates the effect of certain adjustments to Keystone's historical          
consolidated financial statements that would result from the Merger and the     
immediate, subsequent merger of the defined benefit pension plans of Keystone   
with and into DeSoto's defined benefit pension plan as though such transactions 
had occurred on June 30, 1996. The pro forma information is not necessarily     
indicative of future operations or actual results had such transactions occurred
on December 31, 1994 or June 30, 1996. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated    
Financial Information."                                                         

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED   
                                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                          JUNE 30,       
                                           --------------------------------------------------------    -------------------- 
                                             1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996   
                                           --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)                       
                                                                                                                            
Income statement data:                                                                                                      
  Net sales............................... $302,132    $316,251    $345,186    $364,435    $345,657    $186,250    $170,118 
  Gross profit............................   37,454      37,443      32,521      36,982      32,748      18,746      12,443 
  Income (loss) before income taxes.......   14,820       8,340       1,130      12,389       8,078       5,176        (542)
  Income (loss) from continuing                                                                                             
    operations............................ $  9,769    $  5,146    $    749    $  7,561    $  4,887    $  3,131    $   (327)
  Extraordinary items(c)..................    3,502          --          --          --          --          --          -- 
  Cumulative effect of changes in                                                                                           
    accounting principles(a)..............       --     (69,949)         --          --          --          --          -- 
                                           --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
        Net income (loss)................. $ 13,271    $(64,803)   $    749    $  7,561    $  4,887    $  3,131    $   (327)
                                           ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ======== 
Per share data:                                                                                                             
  Earnings (loss) per common and common                                                                                     
    equivalent share(b):                                                                                                    
    Continuing operations................. $   1.75    $    .92    $    .14    $   1.35    $    .86    $    .55    $   (.06)
    Extraordinary items(c)................      .62          --          --          --          --          --          -- 
    Cumulative effect of changes in                                                                                         
      accounting principles(a)............       --      (12.53)         --          --          --          --          -- 
                                           --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
        Net income (loss)................. $   2.37    $ (11.61)   $    .14    $   1.35    $    .86    $    .55    $   (.06)
                                           ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ======== 
  Weighted average common and common                                                                                        
    equivalent shares outstanding.........    5,591       5,572       5,495       5,601       5,654       5,650       5,678 
                                           ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ======== 
  Cash dividends declared................. $     --    $     --    $     --    $     --    $     --    $     --    $     -- 
                                           ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ======== 
Balance sheet data (at period end):                                                                                         
  Total assets............................ $182,077    $202,109    $206,654    $205,601    $198,822    $206,630    $194,997 
  Notes payable and long-term debt........   37,290      34,485      27,190      26,054      29,945      34,037      36,294 
  Noncurrent accrued pension cost.........   55,462      51,638      60,102      40,470      39,222      25,600      26,650 
  Noncurrent accrued OPEB cost............    3,109      93,727      96,336      98,310      97,868      97,499      97,746 
  Stockholders' equity (deficit)..........   27,149     (39,036)    (50,908)    (40,579)    (37,493)    (29,154)    (32,229)

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

(a) Relates to adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 
  No. 106 -- "Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" ("OPEB") and SFAS
No. 109 -- "Employers' Accounting for Income Taxes".                    

(b) Primary and fully diluted net income (loss) per share were the same for all 
periods presented.                                                      

(c) Extraordinary items in 1991 relate to income tax benefits resulting from    
    utilization of loss carryforwards. Subsequent to adoption of SFAS No. 109 in
1992 such items are not classified as extraordinary items.              

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Pro Forma Keystone Information

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                          SIX        
                                                                                         MONTHS      
                                                                    YEAR ENDED           ENDED       
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,     
                                                                       1995               1996       
                                                                   ------------         --------     
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                             (UNAUDITED)             
                                                                                                     
Income statement data:                                                                               
  Net sales......................................................    $364,022           $117,738     
  Gross profit...................................................      38,025             14,443     
  Income (loss) before income taxes(c)...........................      12,913               (233)    
  Net income (loss) available for common shares..................       7,375               (402)    
  Net income (loss) per Keystone common and common equivalent                                        
     share.......................................................    $    .79           $   (.04)    
  Net income (loss) per equivalent present DeSoto common and                                         
     common equivalent share(b)..................................         .59               (.03)    
  Weighted average common and common equivalent shares                                               
     outstanding.................................................       9,348              9,244     
Balance sheet data (at period end):                                                                  
  Noncurrent prepaid pension cost................................          (a)          $102,294     
  Total assets...................................................          (a)           279,472     
  Notes payable and long-term debt...............................          (a)            46,499     
  Noncurrent accrued OPEB cost...................................          (a)           100,544     
  Redeemable preferred stock.....................................          (a)             3,500     
  Common stockholders' equity....................................          (a)            33,522     
  Book value per Keystone common share...........................          (a)          $   3.65     
  Book value per equivalent present DeSoto common share(b).......          (a)              2.72     

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

(a) Not required pursuant to regulations of the Commission.                     

(b) Determined by multiplying the corresponding pro forma amounts by the        
Exchange Ratio.                                                         

(c) Includes certain nonrecurring income of DeSoto of approximately $6.4 million
in 1995 and $.7 million in the 1996 period.                             

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SELECTED DESOTO FINANCIAL DATA

   The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial information
of DeSoto. This summary has been derived in part from, and should be read in    
conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements of DeSoto and the       
related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Joint Proxy                   
Statement/Prospectus. Results of interim periods, which include all adjustments 
management considers necessary for a fair presentation thereof, are not         
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.                  

The pro forma income statement data illustrates the effect of certain 
adjustments to DeSoto's historical consolidated financial statements that would 
result from reflecting the April 1996 sale of DeSoto's Union City, California   
business and the 1995 sales of DeSoto's Thornton and South Holland, Illinois    
businesses as though such transactions had occurred December 31, 1994. The pro  
forma information is not necessarily indicative of future operations or actual  
results had such transactions occurred at December 31, 1994. See "Unaudited Pro 
Forma Consolidated Financial Information."                                      

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED   
                                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         JUNE 30,       
                                           --------------------------------------------------------    ------------------- 
                                            1991        1992         1993        1994        1995       1995        1996   
                                           -------     -------     --------     -------     -------    -------     ------- 
                                                                                                                           
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)                      
Income statement data:                                                                                                     
  Net sales(a)............................ $58,872     $59,799     $101,175     $87,182     $52,339    $35,241     $ 9,481 
  Gross profit (loss).....................   7,704       4,306        4,866       2,382      (1,730)      (574)      1,098 
  Income (loss) before income taxes.......    (202)     (3,542)     (13,322)     (2,284)     (5,393)     2,980        (930)
  Income (loss) from continuing                                                                                            
    operations(b)......................... $  (402)    $(2,156)    $ (8,090)    $(1,635)    $(4,635)   $ 1,875     $  (579)
  Cumulative effect of changes in                                                                                          
    accounting principles(c)..............      --        (162)          --          --          --         --          -- 
                                           -------     -------     --------     -------     -------    -------     ------- 
        Net income (loss)................. $  (402)    $(2,318)    $ (8,090)    $(1,635)    $(4,635)   $ 1,875     $  (579)
                                           =======     =======     ========     =======     =======    =======     ======= 
Per share data:                                                                                                            
  Earnings (loss) per common and common                                                                                    
    equivalent share(d):                                                                                                   
    Continuing operations................. $  (.10)    $  (.54)    $  (1.83)    $  (.42)    $ (1.10)   $   .37     $  (.18)
    Cumulative effect of changes in                                                                                        
      accounting principles(c)............      --        (.04)          --          --          --         --          -- 
                                           -------     -------     --------     -------     -------    -------     ------- 
        Net income (loss)................. $  (.10)    $  (.58)    $  (1.83)    $  (.42)    $ (1.10)   $   .37     $  (.18)
                                           =======     =======     ========     =======     =======    =======     ======= 
  Weighted average common and common                                                                                       
    equivalent shares outstanding.........   4,071       4,142        4,598       4,657       4,677      4,674       4,684 
                                           =======     =======     ========     =======     =======    =======     ======= 
  Cash dividends declared on common                                                                                        
    stock................................. $   .04     $    --     $     --     $    --     $    --    $    --     $    -- 
                                           =======     =======     ========     =======     =======    =======     ======= 
Balance sheet data (at period end):                                                                                        
  Noncurrent prepaid pension cost......... $21,185     $27,124     $ 32,218     $39,319     $46,913    $43,065     $50,710 
  Total assets(a).........................  64,559      95,634       91,957      83,112      64,968     84,448      63,643 
  Notes payable and long-term debt........  10,000       8,322        7,700       8,381          --      7,012          -- 
  Noncurrent accrued OPEB cost............      --       1,283        1,323       1,510       1,223      1,357       1,431 
  Redeemable preferred stock..............      --       2,566        3,052       3,569       4,288      3,842       4,684 
  Common stockholders' equity.............  26,993      31,473       23,141      21,249      15,934     22,889      15,004 

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

(a) Operating results subsequent to November 1992 include revenues and results  
    from operations of J.L. Prescott Company which was acquired on that date. In
  July 1995, DeSoto sold the Thornton and South Holland, Illinois businesses
it had acquired from J.L. Prescott Company.                             

(b) The loss from continuing operations included net non-operating income of    
   $2,420,000, $1,303,000 and $6,360,000 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively;
provision for restructuring of operations of $1,229,000, $2,900,000 and 
$3,100,000 in 1992, 1993 and 1995, respectively; and $3,025,000 and     
$3,059,000 of other nonrecurring charges in 1993 and 1995, respectively.

(c) Relates to adoption of SFAS No. 106 (OPEB) and SFAS No. 109 (income taxes). 

(d) Primary and fully diluted net income were the same for all periods          
presented.                                                              

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Pro Forma DeSoto Information

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                       SIX     
                                                               YEAR ENDED          MONTHS ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30,  
                                                                  1995                 1996    
                                                              ------------         ------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE  
                                                              DATA)                            
                                                              (UNAUDITED)                      
                                                                                               
Income statement data:                                                                         
  Net sales..................................................   $ 18,098             $  7,434  
  Gross profit...............................................      1,889                  571  
  Income before income taxes(a)..............................      8,521                2,121  
  Net income available for common shares.....................      4,699                1,012  
  Net income per common and common equivalent share..........   $   1.00             $    .22  
  Weighted average common and common equivalent shares                                         
     outstanding.............................................      4,677                4,684  

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

(a) Includes nonrecurring income of approximately $6.4 million in 1995 and $.7  
million in the 1996 period.                                             

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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                   EQUIVALENT 
                                                                        KEYSTONE     DESOTO   
                                                                        PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA 
              BOOK VALUE PER SHARE(A)                 KEYSTONE  DESOTO  COMBINED   COMBINED(B)
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                              
June 30, 1996.......................................   $(5.67)  $ 3.20    $3.65       $2.72   

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                    EQUIVALENT 
               NET INCOME (LOSS) PER                                     KEYSTONE     DESOTO   
                 COMMON AND COMMON                                       PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA 
                  EQUIVALENT SHARE                    KEYSTONE  DESOTO   COMBINED    COMBINED  
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------   ---------  -----------
                                                                                               
Six months ended June 30:                                                                      
1996................................................   $ (.06)  $ (.18)    $(.04)      $(.03)  
1995................................................      .55      .37       (c)         (c)   
Years Ended December 31:                                                                       
1995................................................   $  .86   $(1.10)    $ .79       $ .59   
1994................................................     1.35     (.42)      (c)         (c)   
1993................................................      .14    (1.83)      (c)         (c)   

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                   EQUIVALENT 
                                                                        KEYSTONE     DESOTO   
                                                                        PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA 
         CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE            KEYSTONE  DESOTO  COMBINED    COMBINED  
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                              
Six months ended June 30, 1996......................   $   --   $   --    $  --       $  --   
Years Ended December 31:                                                                      
1995................................................   $   --   $   --    $  --       $  --   
1994................................................       --       --       --          --   
1993................................................       --       --       --          --   

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

(a) Historical book value per share is computed by dividing common stockholders'
    equity by the number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the
period. Pro forma book value per share is computed by dividing pro forma
common stockholders' equity by the pro forma number of shares of common 
stock outstanding at the end of the period.                             

(b) The unaudited equivalent DeSoto pro forma per share amounts are calculated  
 by multiplying the Keystone combined pro forma per share amounts for each
period by the Exchange Ratio.                                           

(c) Not required pursuant to regulations of the Commission.                     

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RISK FACTORS

    Each Keystone stockholder and DeSoto stockholder should carefully consider
and evaluate the following factors, among others, before voting on the matters  
described herein.                                                               

CONTROL PERSON AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST                              

   After consummation of the Merger, Contran will beneficially own, directly
and indirectly, approximately thirty-nine percent (39%) of the outstanding      
Keystone Common Stock and may continue to be deemed to control Keystone. As a   
result, the election of directors and taking of other corporate actions,        
including mergers, requiring the approval of Keystone stockholders after the    
Merger may be difficult if opposed by Contran. In addition, third parties may be
discouraged from seeking to acquire Keystone without the prior agreement of     
Contran. Each of Contran and Keystone may be deemed to be controlled by Harold  
C. Simmons. Certain of the officers and directors of Keystone are also officers 
and directors of Contran or of entities that may be deemed to be controlled by  
or affiliated with Contran and/or Harold C. Simmons. In addition, from time to  
time, corporations that may be deemed to be controlled by or affiliated with    
Harold C. Simmons, including Keystone, engage in (i) intercorporate transactions
with related companies, including guarantees, management and expense sharing    
arrangements, shared fee arrangements, joint ventures, partnerships, loans,     
options, advances of funds on open account, sales, leases and exchanges of      
assets, including securities issued by both related and unrelated parties, and  
(ii) common acquisition strategies, business combinations, reorganizations,     
recapitalizations, securities repurchases, purchases and sales (and other       
acquisitions and dispositions) of subsidiaries, divisions or other business     
units, which transactions may involve both related and unrelated parties and may
include transactions which result in the acquisition by one related party of a  
publicly-held minority equity interest in another related party. Depending upon 
the business, tax and other objectives then relevant, it is possible that       
Keystone might be a party to one or more such transactions in the future. The   
foregoing relationships, transactions and agreements may create potential       
conflicts of interest.                                                          

     It is the policy of Keystone to engage in transactions with related parties
on terms, in the opinion of Keystone, no less favorable to Keystone than could  
be obtained from unrelated parties.                                             

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER                                      

   In considering the recommendations of the Boards of Directors of Keystone
and DeSoto with respect to the Reorganization Agreement and the Merger,         
stockholders of Keystone and DeSoto should be aware that certain affiliates and 
members of management of Keystone and DeSoto have interests in the Merger in    
addition to the interests of holders of Keystone Common Stock and DeSoto Common 
Stock generally. Specifically, (i) pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement,    
William Spier, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DeSoto, 
and William P. Lyons, a member of the DeSoto Board of Directors, will be elected
to serve as directors of Keystone upon consummation of the Merger; (ii) pursuant
to the Reorganization Agreement, DeSoto Options will be assumed by Keystone and 
converted into options to acquire shares of Keystone Common Stock and, prior to 
the Merger, the terms of the DeSoto Options will be amended to extend the period
for exercise of the DeSoto Options until the second anniversary of the Effective
Time; (iii) DeSoto has severance agreements which obligate DeSoto to pay certain
employees and officers of DeSoto in the event of a change in control of DeSoto  
and upon the subsequent termination of their employment under certain           
circumstances; (iv) DeSoto Preferred Stock, which is held by affiliates of      
DeSoto, will be converted into Keystone Preferred Stock and cash in an amount   
equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends on the DeSoto Preferred Stock         
(approximately $1.7 million as of the Effective Time) will be paid to the       
holders of the DeSoto Preferred Stock upon consummation of the Merger; (v)      
pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement entered into in connection with the     
Reorganization Agreement, Keystone has assumed certain registration rights      
previously granted by DeSoto to the Warrant and Preferred Stockholders and has  
granted similar registration rights to Contran and its affiliates; (vi) pursuant
to the Reorganization Agreement, if the Merger is consummated, Keystone has     
agreed to indemnify the current officers and directors of DeSoto for any act or 
omission occurring prior to the Merger and has also agreed to provide director  
and officer insurance coverage to current officers and directors of DeSoto for  
one year after the Effective Time; and (vii) Harold C. Simmons, who may be      
deemed to control Keystone, is the sole member                                  

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of the Corporate Committee appointed by Keystone to direct the investments of   
the Keystone Master Pension Trust and is the sole trustee of, and the sole      
member of the trust investment committee for, The Combined Master Retirement    
Trust formed by Valhi, Inc. ("Valhi"), an affiliate of Keystone, to permit the  
collective investment by trusts that maintain the assets of certain employee    
defined benefit pension plans adopted by Valhi and related companies, including 
Keystone. See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- General", "The            
Reorganization Agreement -- Representations and Covenants; -- Related           
Agreements; Interests of Certain Persons in Matters Acted Upon" and "Information
About DeSoto -- Stock Ownership of Management and Others."                      

ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES                                                       

    Keystone and DeSoto are subject to federal and state "Superfund" and other
legislation that impose cleanup and remediation responsibility upon present and 
former owners and operators of, and persons that generated hazardous waste      
deposited upon, sites determined by state or federal regulators to contain      
hazardous waste. Keystone and DeSoto have been notified by the United States    
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") that each is a potentially responsible  
party under the federal "Superfund" statute for the alleged release or threat of
release of hazardous waste into the environment in several instances. Most of   
these situations involve cleanup of landfills and disposal facilities which     
allegedly received hazardous waste generated by either Keystone or DeSoto. A    
determination that Keystone or DeSoto is wholly or partially responsible for the
cleanup of hazardous waste at one or more sites under applicable laws or        
regulations could require large and unanticipated expenses and possible capital 
expenditures, which could have a material adverse effect on the respective      
financial conditions of Keystone and DeSoto. See Note 13 to the Keystone        
Consolidated Financial Statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of  
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in Appendix D, Note I  
to the DeSoto Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 
1995, and "Information About DeSoto -- Legal Proceedings; -- Management's       
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of                   
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."                                 

FACTORS RELATING TO KEYSTONE                                                    

   Competition and Other Market Factors. The carbon steel rod, wire and wire
products markets served by Keystone are seasonal and highly competitive and     
include both domestic and foreign competitors. This degree of competition is not
expected to decline in the foreseeable future as worldwide over-capacity in the 
steel industry continues to exist. As a result, any significant economic        
downturn in the domestic or worldwide economy could have a material adverse     
effect on Keystone's liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.  
Certain of Keystone's competitors have significantly greater financial and other
resources than Keystone, and may have lower labor costs and/or more efficient   
technology, which could affect Keystone's ability to compete effectively.       

  Scrap Steel and Other Material Costs. The principal raw material used by
Keystone in steel rod production is scrap steel. The purchase of scrap steel is 
highly competitive and its price volatility is influenced by periodic shortages,
freight costs, weather and other conditions beyond the control of Keystone. The 
cost of scrap steel has fluctuated significantly in the past, and may fluctuate 
significantly in the future, and Keystone is not always able to pass on higher  
scrap costs by increasing its selling prices. In addition to scrap steel,       
Keystone's production is dependent upon the availability of certain other       
materials and adequate energy supplies. Keystone's manufacturing processes      
consume large amounts of energy in the form of electricity and natural gas.     
Keystone purchases its electrical energy for its largest facility, located in   
Peoria, Illinois, from a regulated utility under an interruptible service       
contract which provides for more economical electricity rates. A significant    
increase in the cost, or interruption in the supply, of such materials or energy
supplies could adversely affect Keystone's liquidity, financial condition and   
results of operations.                                                          

   Permits. Keystone's operations are affected by a variety of environmental
laws and regulations. Many of these laws and regulations require permits to     
operate the facilities to which they pertain. Denial, revocation, suspension or 
expiration of such permits could impact the ability of the affected facility to 
continue operations. In addition, Keystone may be subject to increasingly       
stringent environmental standards in the future.                                

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     Plant Utilization and Capacity. The estimated annual capacity of Keystone's
rod mill currently exceeds its estimated annual billet producing capacity by    
approximately 95,000 tons. As a result, Keystone has been purchasing additional 
billets from other suppliers to improve utilization of its rod mill. There is no
assurance Keystone will continue to purchase billets or expand its billet       
producing capacity and thus maintain higher utilization of its rod mill.        
Furthermore, an economic downturn, Keystone's failure to compete effectively in 
its major markets, a failure of plant or equipment requiring significant capital
expenditures or time to repair, or the other factors mentioned herein could     
result in operating the rod mill and its other facilities at lower capacity     
levels.                                                                         

    Operating Results and Liquidity. Pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement,
Keystone must increase its indebtedness in order to fund its obligations after  
the Merger, including payment of DeSoto's trade creditors. Keystone incurs      
significant ongoing costs for health and welfare benefits for current and       
retired employees and for plant and equipment and may incur relatively          
significant capital expenditures to upgrade its equipment over the next few     
years in order to avoid possible competitive disadvantages. In addition,        
potential liabilities under environmental laws and regulations with respect to  
the disposal and cleanup of wastes beyond amounts already accrued could have a  
material adverse effect on Keystone's liquidity, financial condition and results
of operations.                                                                  

Provided that Keystone is able to increase its credit availability as 
contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement, Keystone believes its operations  
and credit facilities will generate sufficient cash flows to meet its           
anticipated operating, debt service and capital needs for the foreseeable       
future. This belief is based upon management's assessment of various financial  
and operational factors including, but not limited to, assumptions relating to  
product shipments, product mix and selling prices; production schedules;        
productivity rates; raw material, electricity, labor, employee benefits, and    
other fixed and variable costs; working capital changes; interest rates;        
repayments of long-term debt; capital expenditures; and available borrowings    
under Keystone's credit facilities. If one or more of these assessments proves  
incorrect, then such events may have a material adverse effect on Keystone's    
liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. See "The              
Reorganization Agreement -- Keystone Financing Arrangements."                   

FIXED EXCHANGE RATIO                                                            

 The Exchange Ratio negotiated by Keystone and DeSoto is fixed and there
exists no condition for termination of the Merger if the stock prices of either 
Keystone or DeSoto rise above or fall below a specified dollar amount. If such  
fluctuations do occur, there will be no adjustment to protect either company's  
stockholders who might be adversely affected by such fluctuations.              

DESOTO FINANCIAL CONDITION                                                      

     DeSoto has experienced liquidity and cash flow difficulties for a number of
years and, absent consummation of the Merger, believes it will be compelled to  
terminate its defined benefit pension plan in order to acquire funds to pay its 
trade creditors and otherwise meet its obligations. Although consummation of the
Merger should cause DeSoto's financial condition to improve as a result of the  
payment to its trade creditors and payment of its preferred dividend arrearage  
as contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement, there can be no assurance that 
DeSoto will not experience future losses from its operations and contingent     
liabilities, including potential liabilities under environmental laws. Any such 
losses would be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of Keystone  
for periods ending after consummation of the Merger and could reduce the        
financial benefits expected to be realized by Keystone and DeSoto as a result of
the Merger.                                                                     

Sears, Roebuck and Co. ("Sears"), DeSoto's largest customer, currently
accounts for over 75% of DeSoto's total sales. Sales to Sears are on open       
account and may be terminated at any time. The loss of Sears as a customer would
have a material adverse effect on DeSoto's current business.                    

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DIVIDENDS                                                                       

   Keystone has not paid cash dividends on Keystone Common Stock since 1977.
Further, Keystone is prohibited from paying dividends without its primary       
lender's consent. Except for dividends with respect to the Keystone Preferred   
Stock, Keystone does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.                                                                         

LACK OF LIQUIDITY OF KEYSTONE COMMON STOCK; PURCHASES BY SIMMONS' RELATED       
PARTIES                                                                         

  The liquidity of Keystone Common Stock may be negatively affected by the
relatively low number of shares held by nonaffiliates of Keystone and relatively
low historical trading volumes. The "public float" of Keystone Common Stock     
(i.e., shares owned by nonaffiliates of Keystone) is relatively small.          
Approximately 69% of the outstanding Keystone Common Stock is beneficially owned
by related parties of Harold C. Simmons (including Contran). See "Certain       
Information About Keystone -- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners." 
For 1996 (through August 21, 1996), the average daily trading volume of Keystone
Common Stock on days that shares traded was approximately 2,300 shares or       
approximately 0.04% of the outstanding Keystone Common Stock. The market price  
of Keystone Common Stock, accordingly, may not be indicative of the market price
of Keystone Common Stock in a more liquid market nor of Keystone's financial    
performance or business prospects.                                              

 Related parties of Mr. H. Simmons (including Contran) from time to time
have purchased shares of Keystone Common Stock. Since Keystone's rights offering
completed in July 1988, such parties have increased their aggregate beneficial  
ownership from approximately 57% to 69% of the outstanding Keystone Common      
Stock. Such acquisitions include aggregate open-market purchases in 1995 of     
87,150 shares (1.5% of the outstanding Keystone Common Stock) at an average     
price of approximately $13.60 per share and aggregate open-market purchases in  
1996 through August 21, 1996 of 39,700 shares (0.7% of the outstanding Keystone 
Common Stock) at an average price of approximately $9.92 per share. Given the   
relatively small public float and relatively low daily trading volume of        
Keystone Common Stock, purchases by related parties of Mr. H. Simmons (including
Contran) may have had some effect on the market price of Keystone Common Stock. 

 Due to the factors mentioned above, the quoted market price of Keystone
Common Stock should only be one factor in analyzing the value of Keystone.      

VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE OF KEYSTONE COMMON STOCK AFTER THE MERGER            

    Even though after the Merger the number of shares of Keystone Common Stock
held by nonaffiliates of Keystone will increase, the market price of Keystone   
Common Stock could be subject to significant price fluctuations in response to a
number of factors, including those mentioned under "-- Lack of Liquidity of     
Keystone Common Stock; Purchases by Simmons' Related Parties," efforts, if any, 
to purchase or sell relatively large blocks of Keystone Common Stock, investor  
perceptions and general economic and other conditions. These factors may or may 
not relate to Keystone's financial performance or business prospects.           

MARKET PRICE FOR DESOTO COMMON STOCK                                            

The liquidity of DeSoto Common Stock may be negatively affected by the
relatively large number of shares held by directors, officers and related       
entities as well as by certain persons unrelated to DeSoto and the resulting    
negative impact on the number of shares which are actively traded. See          
"Information About DeSoto -- Stock Ownership of Management and Others." As a    
result, trading in shares of DeSoto Common Stock may be characterized by price  
volatility, particularly, if efforts are made to buy or sell large amounts of   
such shares. In addition, current trading volumes and prices of DeSoto's Common 
Stock may reflect investor perceptions of the Merger. Therefore, the market     
price of DeSoto Common Stock may not necessarily be indicative of the market    
price of DeSoto Common Stock in a more liquid market or of DeSoto's financial   
performance or business prospects. As a result, the quoted market price of      
DeSoto Common Stock should only be one factor in analyzing the value of DeSoto. 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE                                                 

As a result of the Merger, it is anticipated that Keystone will issue 
approximately 3,500,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock, approximately 137,000  
shares of Keystone Common Stock will be issuable upon the exercise of assumed   
DeSoto Options, and 447,900 shares of Keystone Common Stock will be issuable    
upon the exercise of warrants to purchase Keystone Common Stock. In general,    
except for shares issuable upon the exercise of such warrants whose             
transferability will be restricted by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, these  
shares will be freely tradable following the Merger, subject to certain resale  
restrictions for affiliates of DeSoto pursuant to Rules 144 and/or 145 under the
Securities Act. See "The Merger and Related Transactions -- Affiliates'         
Restrictions on Sale of Keystone Common Stock." An aggregate of approximately   
474,839 of the shares of Keystone Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will  
be beneficially owned by affiliates of DeSoto and, therefore, subject to resale 
restrictions. The sale of any of the foregoing shares may cause substantial     
fluctuations in the price of Keystone Common Stock over short time periods.     

ISSUANCE OF KEYSTONE PREFERRED STOCK                                            

  Pursuant to the terms of the Reorganization Agreement, 435,456 shares of
Keystone Preferred Stock will be issued in the Merger. In the event of a        
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Keystone, no distribution will be made
to holders of Keystone Common Stock until, among other things, holders of       
Keystone Preferred Stock have received $8.0375 per share of Keystone Preferred  
Stock plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or   
declared (the "Liquidation Preference"), to the date fixed for liquidation,     
dissolution or winding up. After payment of any unpaid accumulated dividends,   
the aggregate Liquidation Preference will be $3.5 million. There can be no      
assurance that in the event of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of   
Keystone, the holders of Keystone Common Stock will receive any assets after    
payment of the Liquidation Preference.                                          

CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS                                                      

   Shares of preferred stock may be issued in the future by Keystone without
further stockholder approval and upon such terms and conditions, and having such
rights, privileges and preferences, as the Board of Directors of Keystone may   
determine. The rights of the holders of Keystone Common Stock will be subject   
to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred
stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock could   
have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of 
discouraging a third party from acquiring, a majority of the outstanding voting 
stock of Keystone. Keystone does not have any present plans to issue any shares 
of preferred stock other than the Keystone Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant
to the Merger.                                                                  

THE KEYSTONE MEETING

DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING                                                 

  The Keystone Meeting will be held on Friday, September 27, 1996 at 10:00
a.m., local time, at Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1740, Dallas,
Texas 75240-2697.                                                               

RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES                                              

     Only holders of record of Keystone Common Stock at the close of business on
the Keystone Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Keystone  
Meeting. As of the close of business on August 21, 1996, there were 5,686,424   
shares of Keystone Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote, held of record
by 1,049 stockholders. A majority, or 2,843,213 of these shares, present in     
person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
business. Each Keystone stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of   
Keystone Common Stock held as of the Keystone Record Date.                      

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VOTING OF PROXIES                                                               

  The Keystone proxy accompanying this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is
solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Keystone for use at the        
Keystone Meeting. Stockholders are requested to complete, sign and date the     
accompanying proxy and promptly return it in the accompanying envelope or       
otherwise mail it to Keystone. All proxies that are promptly executed and       
returned, and that are not revoked, will be voted at the Keystone Meeting in    
accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxies or, if no direction is
indicated, to approve the issuance of shares of Keystone Common Stock pursuant  
to the Reorganization Agreement. Keystone's Board of Directors does not         
presently intend to bring any business before the Keystone Meeting other than   
the specific proposals referred to in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and 
specified in the notice of the Keystone Meeting. So far as is known to          
Keystone's Board of Directors, no other matters are to be brought before the    
Keystone Meeting. As to any business that may properly come before the Keystone 
Meeting, however, it is intended that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be    
voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting  
such proxies. A Keystone stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any 
time before it is exercised at the Keystone Meeting by (i) delivering to the    
Secretary of Keystone (by any means, including facsimile) a written notice,     
bearing a date later than the proxy, stating the proxy is revoked; (ii) signing 
and so delivering a proxy relating to the same shares and bearing a later date  
prior to the vote at the Keystone Meeting; or (iii) attending the Keystone      
Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Keystone Meeting will  
not, by itself, revoke a proxy).                                                

VOTE REQUIRED                                                                   

Because the number of shares of Keystone Common Stock to be issued or 
reserved for issuance in connection with the Merger will exceed twenty percent  
(20%) of the number of shares of Keystone Common Stock outstanding prior to the 
Merger, approval by holders of Keystone Common Stock of the proposal to issue   
Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement is required under
the rules of the NYSE. Under the NYSE rules, the proposal to issue Keystone     
Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement must be approved by a     
majority of the votes cast at the Keystone Meeting, provided the total vote cast
represents a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereon. If the holders of 
Keystone Common Stock do not vote to approve such issuance, the Merger will not 
be consummated. As of August 21, 1996, the directors and executive officers of  
Keystone and their affiliates had the right to vote an aggregate of 4,168,881   
shares of Keystone Common Stock, representing approximately seventy-three       
percent (73%) of Keystone Common Stock outstanding. Contran, holding directly   
approximately fifty six percent (56%) of the Keystone Common Stock outstanding  
as of August 21, 1996, is a party to an agreement with DeSoto pursuant to which 
Contran has agreed to vote its shares of Keystone Common Stock in favor of the  
Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, thus        
insuring Keystone stockholder approval. See "The Reorganization                 
Agreement -- Related Agreements; Interests of Certain Persons in Matters Acted  
Upon -- Stockholders Agreement."                                                

QUORUM; BROKER NON-VOTES                                                        

     The required quorum for the transaction of business at the Keystone Meeting
is a majority of the shares of Keystone Common Stock issued and outstanding on  
the Keystone Record Date. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in  
determining the number of shares present for purposes of determining the        
presence of a quorum but will not be counted as a vote for or against approval  
of the issuance of Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization         
Agreement. Approval of the Merger or the Reorganization Agreement is not        
required under the DGCL or Keystone's Certificate of Incorporation or its       
Bylaws.                                                                         

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND EXPENSES                                            

    Keystone will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies in the enclosed
form from its stockholders. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, 
officers and employees of Keystone may solicit proxies from stockholders by     
telephone, telegram, letter, facsimile or in person. Following the initial      
mailing of the proxies and other soliciting materials, Keystone will request    
brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of the 
proxy and other soliciting materials to persons for whom they hold shares of    
Keystone                                                                        

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Common Stock and to request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such      
cases, Keystone, upon the request of the record holders, will reimburse such    
holders for their reasonable expenses.                                          

THE DESOTO MEETING

DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING                                                 

The DeSoto Meeting will be held on Friday, September 27, 1996 at 10:00
a.m., local time, at the Bank of Montreal, 430 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New     
York, New York.                                                                 

RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES                                              

     Only holders of record of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock at
the close of business on the DeSoto Record Date are entitled to notice of and to
vote at the DeSoto Meeting. As of the close of business on August 21, 1996,     
there were 4,688,523 shares of DeSoto Common Stock outstanding and entitled to  
vote, held of record by 1,691 stockholders and 583,333 shares of DeSoto         
Preferred Stock outstanding and entitled to vote, held of record by three       
stockholders. Each DeSoto stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of 
DeSoto Common Stock and each share of DeSoto Preferred Stock held as of the     
DeSoto Record Date.                                                             

VOTING OF PROXIES                                                               

The DeSoto proxy accompanying this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is
solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of DeSoto for use at the DeSoto   
Meeting. Stockholders are requested to complete, sign and date the accompanying 
proxy and promptly return it in the accompanying envelope or otherwise mail it  
to DeSoto. All proxies that are promptly executed and returned, and that are not
revoked, will be voted at the DeSoto Meeting in accordance with the instructions
indicated on the proxies or, if no direction is indicated, to approve and adopt 
the Reorganization Agreement. DeSoto's Board of Directors does not presently    
intend to bring any business before the DeSoto Meeting other than the specific  
proposals referred to in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and specified in 
the notice of the DeSoto Meeting. So far as is known to DeSoto's Board of       
Directors, no other matters are to be brought before the DeSoto Meeting. As to  
any business that may properly come before the DeSoto Meeting, however, it is   
intended that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereof in
accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies. A DeSoto       
stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is        
exercised at the DeSoto Meeting by (i) delivering to the Secretary of DeSoto (by
any means, including facsimile) a written notice, bearing a date later than the 
proxy, stating that the proxy is revoked; (ii) signing and so delivering a proxy
relating to the same shares and bearing a later date prior to the vote at the   
DeSoto Meeting; or (iii) attending the DeSoto Meeting and voting in person      
(although attendance at the DeSoto Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy).

VOTE REQUIRED                                                                   

Pursuant to DeSoto's Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, the   
Reorganization Agreement must be approved by a majority of the outstanding      
shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock voting together as one 
class. If the holders of DeSoto do not vote to approve such transaction, the    
Merger will not be consummated. As of August 21, 1996, the directors and        
officers of DeSoto and their affiliates had the right to vote an aggregate of   
636,087 shares of DeSoto Common Stock and all the outstanding DeSoto Preferred  
Stock, representing approximately twenty-three percent (23%) of all DeSoto      
voting stock outstanding as of such date. Certain entities affiliated with      
directors of DeSoto and a director of DeSoto collectively having the right to   
vote 596,989 shares of DeSoto Common Stock and all of the outstanding shares of 
DeSoto Preferred Stock, representing approximately 22% of the combined shares of
DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock outstanding as of the DeSoto     
Record Date are parties to an agreement with Keystone pursuant to which they    
have agreed to vote their shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred    
Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Reorganization Agreement.    

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QUORUM; BROKER NON-VOTES                                                        

   The required quorum for the transaction of business at the DeSoto Meeting
is a majority of the shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock,  
taken together, issued and outstanding on the DeSoto Record Date. Abstentions   
and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the             
Reorganization Agreement.                                                       

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND EXPENSES                                            

  DeSoto will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies in the enclosed
form from its stockholders. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, 
officers and employees of DeSoto may solicit proxies from stockholders by       
telephone, telegram, letter, facsimile or in person. Following the initial      
mailing of the proxies and other soliciting materials, DeSoto will request      
brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of the 
proxy and other soliciting materials to persons for whom they hold shares of    
DeSoto Common Stock and to request authority for the exercise of proxies. In    
such cases, DeSoto, upon the request of the record holders, will reimburse such 
holders for their reasonable expenses. In addition, DeSoto has retained         
Georgeson & Co., Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of     
approximately $10,000, plus expenses.                                           

THE MERGER AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 

GENERAL                                                                         

   The Reorganization Agreement provides for the merger of Sub with and into
DeSoto, with DeSoto to be the surviving corporation of the Merger. As a         
consequence of the Merger, DeSoto will become a wholly owned subsidiary of      
Keystone. If the requisite approvals of the stockholders of DeSoto and Keystone 
are received, the Merger is expected to be consummated as soon as practicable   
after the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions to consummation of   
the Merger, which is expected to occur as soon as practicable following receipt 
of stockholder approval at the Keystone and DeSoto Meetings. The discussion in  
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus of the Merger and the description of the  
principal terms of the Reorganization Agreement are subject to and qualified in 
their entirety by reference to the Reorganization Agreement, a copy of which is 
attached to this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A, and            
incorporated herein by reference.                                               

Upon consummation of the Merger, Keystone's Board of Directors will be
increased from seven to nine members, and the Keystone Board of Directors will  
elect William Spier, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of   
DeSoto, and William P. Lyons, another current member of the Board of Directors  
of DeSoto, to fill the vacancies thereby created. The executive officers of     
Keystone will remain unchanged as a result of the Merger. The stockholders of   
DeSoto will become stockholders of Keystone (as described below), and their     
rights will be governed by Keystone's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.  
As soon as practicable after the Merger, the Keystone defined benefit pension   
plans will be merged with and into the DeSoto defined benefit pension plan.     

Conversion of Shares                                                        

    Upon the consummation of the Merger, each then outstanding share of DeSoto
Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock, will automatically be converted into   
.7465 of a share of Keystone Common Stock and Keystone Preferred Stock,       
respectively. No fractional shares of Keystone Common Stock or will be issued in
the Merger. Instead, each DeSoto stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to 
receive a fractional share of Keystone Common Stock will receive an amount of   
cash equal to the per share market value of Keystone Common Stock (based on the 
average of the closing sales prices of Keystone Common Stock as quoted on the   
NYSE during the ten trading day period ending on the closing date of the Merger)
multiplied by the fraction of a share of Keystone Common Stock to which the     
stockholder would otherwise be entitled. Based upon the capitalization of DeSoto
and Keystone as of August 21, 1996, the stockholders of DeSoto will own Keystone
Common Stock representing approximately thirty-eight percent (38%) of the       
Keystone Common Stock outstanding immediately after consummation of the Merger  
and one hundred percent (100%) of the Keystone Preferred Stock outstanding      
immediately after consummation of the Merger. Because the Exchange Ratio is     

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fixed, the number of shares to be received by stockholders of DeSoto upon       
consummation of the Merger will remain the same, regardless of whether the      
market price of the Common Stock of Keystone or DeSoto increases or decreases at
any time, including after the date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and 
after the dates of the Keystone and DeSoto Meetings. See "The Merger and Related
Transactions -- Opinions of Financial Advisors" and "Risk Factors -- Fixed      
Exchange Ratio."                                                                

Assumption of Options and Conversion of Warrants                            

   Upon consummation of the Merger, each then outstanding DeSoto Option will
be assumed by Keystone and will automatically be converted into an option to    
purchase the number of shares of Keystone Common Stock determined by multiplying
the number of shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject to the DeSoto Option by the 
Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price equal to the exercise price of such DeSoto 
Option at the time of the Merger divided by the Exchange Ratio. To avoid        
fractional shares, the number of shares of Keystone Common Stock subject to an  
assumed DeSoto Option will be rounded up to the nearest whole share. The other  
terms of DeSoto Options, including vesting schedules, will remain unchanged.    
Keystone will file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the Commission with
respect to the issuance of shares of Keystone Common Stock upon exercise of the 
assumed DeSoto Options and cause such shares, upon issuance, to be listed with  
the NYSE.                                                                       

Pursuant to the Warrant Conversion Agreement, at the Effective Time,  
one-half of the DeSoto Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of 
DeSoto Common Stock will be cancelled and the remaining one-half of the DeSoto  
Warrants will be converted into Keystone Warrants to purchase 447,900 shares of 
Keystone Common Stock (representing the shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject to
the remaining DeSoto Warrants multiplied by the Exchange Ratio) at an exercise  
price equal to approximately $9.38 per share (representing the exercise price of
the DeSoto Warrants divided by the Exchange Ratio).                             

As of August 21, 1996, DeSoto Options to acquire approximately 184,000
shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Warrants to acquire 1,200,000 shares of
DeSoto Common Stock were outstanding.                                           

ACTIONS SUBSEQUENT TO THE MERGER                                                

Operation of DeSoto                                                         

    After consummation of the Merger, Keystone intends to continue to maintain
DeSoto as a separate subsidiary and to operate DeSoto's Joliet manufacturing    
facility. Prior to the Merger, Keystone will contribute the net assets of its   
Sherman Wire division to Sub. Accordingly, following the Merger, DeSoto's       
operations will be comprised of DeSoto's Joliet operations and Keystone's       
Sherman Wire operations.                                                        

Merger of Pension Plans                                                     

    Keystone intends, as soon as practicable after consummation of the Merger,
to merge the Keystone defined benefit pension plans with and into the DeSoto    
defined benefit pension plan. Keystone believes that after such merger, it will 
no longer have an underfunded pension obligation. See "Unaudited Pro Forma      
Consolidated Financial Information."                                            

BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER                                                        

    On January 6, 1995, William Spier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
DeSoto, sent a letter to Mr. H. Simmons, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Contran, to determine if there was any interest on the part of Keystone in a    
potential transaction with DeSoto. Soon thereafter, Glenn R. Simmons, Chairman  
and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone and Vice Chairman of Contran, contacted 
Mr. Spier concerning a potential transaction.                                   

On January 11, 1995, Keystone and DeSoto executed a letter agreement, 
pursuant to which the parties agreed to keep confidential any information       
exchanged by the parties in connection with a possible transaction between      
Keystone and DeSoto. The parties also agreed not to propose to the other's      
security holders an                                                             

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extraordinary transaction involving the two parties without the consent of the  
other company's Board of Directors.                                             

   On January 17, 1995, Harold Curdy, Vice President -- Finance of Keystone,
and Messrs. G. Simmons and Spier met and had preliminary discussions concerning 
a potential transaction.                                                        

From January 18, 1995 through June 1995, the parties performed due    
diligence proceedings through meetings and phone conferences between the parties
and their respective legal and financial advisors.                              

   On June 9, 1995, Messrs. Curdy, Robert Singer, President of Keystone, and
Joseph Compofelice, an executive officer of certain companies related to        
Contran, met with Mr. Spier and representatives of Salomon Brothers, DeSoto's   
financial advisor, to discuss, among other things, terms of a potential         
transaction. At that meeting, as a result of Keystone's due diligence to such   
date, Keystone offered the following alternatives: (i) Keystone would issue     
3,500,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock for DeSoto, subject to further due    
diligence by Keystone or (ii) Contran would sell its interest in Keystone to Mr.
Spier and his affiliates at a price to be determined.                           

   On July 27, 1995, Mr. Spier, in a letter to Mr. G. Simmons, indicated the
transaction to purchase Contran's interest in Keystone would not be feasible but
DeSoto would be willing to accept 4,250,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock.    

    By letter dated August 9, 1995, Keystone notified DeSoto that Keystone was
no longer interested in pursuing discussions in respect of a possible merger of 
the two companies.                                                              

    There were no further formal discussions between the parties until January
18, 1996, when Messrs. G. Simmons, Singer, Spier, and Curdy met to discuss the  
terms of a possible merger, including the issuance of approximately 3,500,000   
shares of Keystone Common Stock (the "Proposed Exchange Ratio") subject to      
further due diligence, receipt of fairness opinions, and approvals by the       
parties' respective Boards of Directors and stockholders and Keystone's primary 
lender. Thereafter, the parties renewed due diligence proceedings.              

 On January 23, 1996, Messrs. G. Simmons, Curdy and Spier met to discuss
terms and financial constraints on Keystone's ability to consummate the proposed
merger.                                                                         

  On February 5, 1996, Mr. Curdy and Ms. Anne Eisele, President of DeSoto,
met to coordinate the due diligence process.                                    

On February 13, 1996, Messrs. Curdy, Spier and Ms. Eisele met with    
representatives of Keystone's primary lender to discuss possible funding for    
DeSoto.                                                                         

     On March 5, 1996, Mr. Curdy met with representatives of the PBGC to discuss
the proposed merger and the subsequent merger of the Keystone and DeSoto defined
benefit pension plans.                                                          

 On March 13, 1996, Keystone and DeSoto issued press releases indicating
that the parties were involved in discussions about a proposed merger at the    
Proposed Exchange Ratio. Thereafter, the parties continued due diligence        
proceedings and began negotiating the terms of the Reorganization Agreement and 
the related agreements.                                                         

  On June 13, 1996, the Board of Directors of Keystone met to consider the
proposed Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. At 
such meeting, members of Keystone's senior management, together with Keystone's 
legal and financial advisors, reviewed with the Keystone Board of Directors,    
among other things, the background of the proposed transaction, the potential   
benefits and risks of the transaction, including the strategic and financial    
rationale, analysis of the transaction and the terms of the Reorganization      
Agreement. PaineWebber delivered its oral opinion (confirmed in writing as of   
the date of the Reorganization Agreement) that the consideration to be paid by  
Keystone is fair, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of        
Keystone (except that as to Contran and its affiliates PaineWebber did not      
express an opinion). See "-- Opinions of Financial Advisors -- Opinion of       
PaineWebber, Financial Advisor to Keystone" for a discussion of the factors     
considered and the analytical methods employed by PaineWebber in reaching such  
conclusion. The Keystone Board of Directors unanimously approved the principal  
terms of the Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
The Keystone Board of Directors also                                            

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unanimously approved the principal terms of the Voting Agreements (including the
possible acquisition of beneficial ownership of Keystone Common Stock pursuant  
thereto by DeSoto for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL), the Warrant         
Conversion Agreement, the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement,   
and the Stockholders' Agreement. See "The Reorganization Agreement -- Related   
Agreements; Interests of Certain Persons in Matters Acted Upon."                

On June 13, 1996, the Board of Directors of DeSoto met to consider the
proposed Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. At 
such meeting, members of DeSoto's senior management, together with DeSoto's     
legal and financial advisors, reviewed with the Board, among other things, the  
background of the proposed transaction, the potential benefits and risks of the 
transaction, including the strategic and financial rationale, analysis of the   
transaction and the terms of the Reorganization Agreement. Salomon Brothers     
delivered its oral opinion (confirmed in writing as of the date of the Joint    
Proxy Statement/Prospectus) that as of that date, the Exchange Ratio was fair,  
from a financial point of view, to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock. See      
"-- Opinions of Financial Advisors -- Opinion of Salomon Brothers, Financial    
Advisor to DeSoto" for a discussion of the facts considered and the analytical  
methods employed by Salomon Brothers in reaching such conclusion. The DeSoto    
Board of Directors unanimously approved the Reorganization Agreement and the    
transactions contemplated thereby. The DeSoto Board of Directors also           
unanimously approved the principal terms of the Voting Agreements and the       
Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement (including the possible      
acquisition by Keystone of beneficial ownership of DeSoto Common Stock and      
DeSoto Preferred Stock pursuant thereto for purposes of Section 203 of the      
DGCL). See "The Reorganization Agreement -- Related Agreements; Interests of    
Certain Persons in Matters Acted Upon."                                         

     Following the Keystone and DeSoto Board meetings and through June 26, 1996,
the Reorganization Agreement and the related agreements were finalized. Keystone
and DeSoto each executed the Reorganization Agreement and related agreements on 
June 26, 1996, and the Reorganization Agreement was announced immediately       
thereafter by the issuance of press releases.                                   

The Exchange Ratio and other terms of the Merger were determined in   
arms-length negotiations between the management teams and the Boards of         
Directors of the two companies. The Exchange Ratio was determined after         
consideration of, among other things, the shares, options and warrants          
outstanding of each company, the relative trading prices of the two companies'  
stock over various periods of time, the companies' respective capital structures
and pension funding status, historical and prospective revenues and operating   
profits, the respective growth rates of the two companies, the business         
prospects of the combined company, the relative contributions of the two        
companies to the business, liquidity and financial condition of the combined    
company and consultation with the financial advisors of the companies (who      
participated in discussions regarding the Exchange Ratio but did not determine  
or recommend the Exchange Ratio).                                               

REASONS FOR THE MERGER                                                          

Keystone's Reasons for the Merger                                           

The Board of Directors has determined the terms of the Reorganization 
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, which were established     
through arms-length negotiations with DeSoto, are fair to, and in the best      
interests of, Keystone and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Board of Directors
of Keystone has unanimously approved the Reorganization Agreement and           
unanimously recommends the stockholders of Keystone vote FOR approval of the    
issuance of shares pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement. In reaching its    
determination, the Board of Directors consulted with Keystone's management, as  
well as its legal counsel and financial advisor, and considered a number of     
reasons and factors, including the following:                                   

       (i) At June 30, 1996, Keystone's defined benefit pension plans were
  underfunded by approximately $33 million and the net pension liabilities
 adjustment in common stockholders' equity amounted to approximately $31
    million. Based on Keystone's and DeSoto's balance sheets at June 30, 1996,
     the Merger and subsequent merger of the Keystone and DeSoto defined benefit
   pension plans would result in an increase of approximately $66 million in
     Keystone's common stockholders' equity due to the issuance of approximately
  3,500,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock and the elimination of the net
pension                                                               

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  liabilities adjustment. Additionally, the proposed merger of the pension
plans would also result in the elimination of the $33 million accrued 
pension liability and recording of an approximate $102 million pension
asset. See Note 2 to the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial   
Information.                                                          

          (ii) The merger of the Keystone defined benefit pension plans with and
  into the DeSoto defined benefit pension plan should also result in lower
  pension contributions and pension expense than Keystone has historically
  experienced. The anticipated increase in cash flows due to lower pension
     contributions should eventually more than offset the cash payments required
     to be made as a result of the Merger. Likewise, it is expected the decrease
in pension expense will also more than offset the increase in interest
  expense from the higher borrowings required to fund payments required by
the Merger, thus resulting in increased earnings. See Note 2 to the   
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information.               

      (iii) In addition to an improved balance sheet and the anticipated
     favorable impact on cash flows and reduction in pension expense, Keystone's
Board of Directors also believes the increased public holdings of     
Keystone's Common Stock, as a result of the issuance of approximately 
3,500,000 shares to the DeSoto stockholders, will make Keystone Common
    Stock more attractive to potential investors and increase the liquidity of
Keystone Common Stock.                                                

In the course of its deliberations, the Board of Directors of Keystone
reviewed and considered a number of other factors relevant to the Merger with   
Keystone's management. In particular, the Keystone Board considered, among other
things:                                                                         

 (i) information concerning Keystone's and DeSoto's respective
businesses, prospects, financial performances, liquidity, financial   
condition and operations;                                             

         (ii) the comparative stock prices of Keystone Common Stock and DeSoto
Common Stock;                                                         

  (iii) an analysis of the respective contributions to revenues,
  operating profits, net profits and cash flows of the combined companies;
and                                                                   

(iv) a presentation by PaineWebber, including the opinion of
   PaineWebber that the consideration to be paid by Keystone pursuant to the
 Merger was fair from a financial point of view to Keystone stockholders
     (other than Contran and its affiliates) as well as the underlying financial
analysis of PaineWebber presented in connection therewith.            

   Following its deliberations concerning such factors and its review of the
presentation and financial opinion of PaineWebber, the Board of Directors of    
Keystone concluded the Merger may improve the long-term prospects of the        
combined company for earnings growth, may increase stockholder value and was in 
the best interest of Keystone and its stockholders from both a financial and    
strategic perspective.                                                          

   In connection with its deliberations, the Keystone Board of Directors was
aware of the potential benefits to be received in the Merger by Contran and its 
affiliates, as described in "Risk Factors -- Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger" and "The Reorganization Agreement -- Related Agreements; Interests of   
Certain Persons in Matters Acted Upon."                                         

     The Board of Directors of Keystone also considered a variety of potentially
negative factors in its deliberations concerning the Merger, including: (i) the 
possible dilutive effect of the issuance of Keystone stock in the Merger; (ii)  
the risk that the public market price of Keystone's stock might be adversely    
affected by announcement of the Merger; (iii) the costs expected to be incurred 
in connection with the Merger, including the transaction costs and payments     
required by the Merger; (iv) the risk that other benefits sought to be obtained 
by the Merger will not be obtained; and (v) other risks described above under   
"Risk Factors."                                                                 

  In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its
evaluation of the proposed Merger, the Board of Directors did not find it       
practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative   
weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination, each  
of which was viewed as supportive of its conclusion that the terms of the       
Reorganization Agreement are fair to, and in the best interest of, Keystone and 
all of its stockholders.                                                        

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THE KEYSTONE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT KEYSTONE  
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF KEYSTONE COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO  
THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.                                                   

DeSoto's Reasons for the Merger                                             

The DeSoto Board of Directors has determined the terms of the         
Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, which were  
established through arms-length negotiation with Keystone, are fair to, and in  
the best interests of, DeSoto and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Board of   
Directors of DeSoto has unanimously approved the Reorganization Agreement and   
unanimously recommends the stockholders of DeSoto vote FOR approval and adoption
of the Reorganization Agreement. In reaching its determination, the Board of    
Directors consulted with DeSoto's management, as well as its legal counsel and  
financial advisor, and considered a number of reasons and factors, including the
following:                                                                      

        (i) The conclusion that the only strategic alternatives available to
 DeSoto were either termination of DeSoto's overfunded pension plan or a
 sale of DeSoto or another extraordinary corporate transaction providing
value to stockholders and resolving DeSoto's liquidity problems. This 
conclusion resulted from the Board's ongoing review of DeSoto's past  
  performance and future prospects. DeSoto has suffered negative cash flow
   from operations (excluding one time items, such as insurance settlements)
    for a number of years and has attempted to address the resultant cash flow
  and business consequences in a number of ways. In March 1992, the DeSoto
  Board adopted a resolution eliminating the regular quarterly dividend on
     DeSoto Common Stock. In the second half of 1992, DeSoto raised $3.5 million
    through the sale of warrants and DeSoto Preferred Stock and acquired J. L.
   Prescott Company, in an effort to improve its competitive position in the
   industry and diversify its business. The results of this acquisition were
disappointing and DeSoto attempted to explore strategic alliances with
other companies in its industry beginning in late 1994. These efforts 
  focused on promoting and leveraging DeSoto's position in the industry as
    well as on opportunities to enable it to preserve and maximize stockholder
value. No significant transactions resulted from these efforts and, in
order to raise cash, DeSoto, among other things, began to dispose of  
   certain assets in 1995 and 1996. (These dispositions are described in the
  business description of DeSoto under "Information About DeSoto"). At the
same time, throughout 1995 and 1996, DeSoto continued to seek out     
     opportunities to maximize stockholder value, which objectives were publicly
 announced in DeSoto's periodic filings with the Commission. In light of
DeSoto's continuing liquidity difficulties, remaining a public company
without termination of the pension plan was not viewed as a viable    
alternative. In that regard, DeSoto's current agreement with its trade
    creditors requires either consummation of the Merger or termination of the
    pension plan. See "Information About DeSoto -- Management's Discussion and
    Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources."                                                   

         (ii) The conclusion that the only strategic alternative identified by
  DeSoto management to termination of the pension plan is the Merger. This
  conclusion is based on the failure of discussions with a number of third
     parties in 1995 and 1996 to result in any viable proposal to acquire DeSoto
     or otherwise engage in a transaction resolving DeSoto's liquidity problems.
     The DeSoto Board of Directors took into account the amount of time that had
    transpired between the public announcement on March 13, 1996, of the terms
     of a possible transaction with Keystone and its June 13 meeting without any
    serious expression of interest from a third party regarding an alternative
transaction.                                                          

      (iii) A comparison of the relative values likely to be realized by
     DeSoto stockholders pursuant to the Merger and a termination of the pension
plan which resulted in the view that the Merger was likely to provide 
significantly greater value per share of DeSoto Common Stock in the   
   foreseeable future. Although there is no assurance as to actual values of
 the consideration to be received by DeSoto stockholders pursuant to the
 Merger or of DeSoto Common Stock following a termination of the pension
    plan, a number of factors were reviewed. These included the recent trading
 ranges of Keystone Common Stock, the expected financial benefits of the
Merger to Keystone, the high rates of taxes applicable to the surplus 
   pension assets reverting to DeSoto upon a termination of the pension plan
    (which since 1990, include, in addition to federal and state income taxes,
a federal excise tax of either 20% or 50% depending                   

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    upon whether, among other things, a "qualified replacement plan" receiving
     25% of surplus plan assets is established), and the uncertainty relating to
the business diversification opportunities for the use of excess cash 
     generated by the pension plan termination (distribution to stockholders was
     not considered feasible in light of potential taxes payable by stockholders
    and the need to maintain reserves for contingencies). In the course of its
   review during 1995 and 1996 of the possibility of terminating the pension
plan, the DeSoto Board of Directors determined that a reasonable rough
   estimate of possible ranges of values realizable through this alternative
    might be between $3 and $6 per share of DeSoto Common Stock depending upon
values attributed to a qualified replacement plan, assumptions made   
regarding the satisfaction of contingent and other liabilities, and an
     expectation that operating losses from DeSoto's operating business would be
eliminated, possibly through the termination of this business. This   
 determination was not made with a view toward public disclosure and was
  viewed as inherently uncertain and subject to significant variation from
     actual values achievable, which may be materially higher or lower than this
   rough estimate. This broad range of values was compared with the value to
be received pursuant to the Merger, which based on the market price of
Keystone Common Stock as of June 12, 1996 of $10 per share, would be  
   approximately $7.47 per share of DeSoto Common Stock (although the actual
     market value of the Keystone Common Stock to be received in the Merger will
 be dependent upon market conditions at the Effective Time, which may be
    materially different from the market price as of June 12, 1996). See "Risk
     Factors -- Lack of Liquidity of Keystone Common Stock; Purchase by Simmons'
Related Parties."                                                     

(iv) The terms of the Reorganization Agreement, including   

         (a) provisions requiring confirmation of the opinion of Salomon
 Brothers as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the
     Exchange Ratio to holders of DeSoto Common Stock as of one day before
the Effective Time; and                                         

           (b) the right of DeSoto to terminate the Reorganization Agreement
     if it enters into an agreement relating to a superior proposal and to
       provide information to, and negotiate with, third parties under certain
      circumstances (the DeSoto Board did not view its obligation to pay the
       $1 million Break-up Fee to Keystone and the restrictions on its ability
      to discuss alternative transactions with third parties as unreasonably
      precluding any third party from proposing an alternative transaction).

         (v) The presentation of DeSoto's financial advisor, Salomon Brothers,
 and its oral opinion to the effect that, as of June 13, 1996, and based
 upon the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of review, the
Exchange Ratio was fair to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock from a  
    financial point of view. For a summary of Salomon Brothers written opinion
   as of the date hereof and its presentation, see "-- Opinions of Financial
  Advisors -- Opinion of Salomon Brothers -- Financial Advisor to DeSoto".

         (vi) Information relating to the financial performance, prospects and
business operations of each of DeSoto and Keystone.                   

      (vii) The willingness of the Warrant and Preferred Stockholders to
     accept cancellation of one-half of their warrants to purchase DeSoto Common
 Stock in order to generate additional value for other holders of DeSoto
Common Stock and facilitate the Merger.                               

       (viii) The ability of holders of DeSoto Common Stock to continue to
own equity in a combined Keystone/DeSoto entity which is expected to  
realize substantial financial benefits as a result of the Merger in a 
   transaction which should be non-taxable to holders of DeSoto Common Stock
for federal income tax purposes.                                      

     In considering the fairness of the terms of the Reorganization Agreement to
the holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors of DeSoto also    
considered the following additional factors:                                    

        (i) The agreement by all of the holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock to
vote in favor of the Reorganization Agreement; and                    

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         (ii) Keystone's agreement to pay an amount of cash to such holders in
 an amount equal to accrued but unpaid dividends on the DeSoto Preferred
Stock.                                                                

In connection with its deliberations at its June 13, 1996 meeting, the
DeSoto Board of Directors was aware of the potential benefits to be received in 
the Merger by DeSoto's officers and directors, as described under "The          
Reorganization Agreement -- Related Agreements; Interests of Certain Persons in 
Matters Acted Upon."                                                            

  In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its
evaluation of the proposed Merger, the Board of Directors did not find it       
practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative   
weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination, each  
of which was viewed as supportive of its conclusion that the terms of the       
Reorganization Agreement are fair to, and in the best interest of, DeSoto and   
its stockholders.                                                               

THE DESOTO BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT DESOTO      
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.            

BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS                                                           

   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF KEYSTONE BELIEVES THE MERGER IS FAIR TO, AND IN
THE BEST INTEREST OF KEYSTONE AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND, THEREFORE, UNANIMOUSLY  
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF KEYSTONE COMMON     
STOCK PURSUANT TO THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.                                 

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DESOTO BELIEVES THE MERGER IS FAIR TO, AND IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF, DESOTO AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND, THEREFORE, UNANIMOUSLY      
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.    

OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS                                                  

Opinion of PaineWebber, Financial Advisor to Keystone                       

Keystone retained PaineWebber on May 16, 1996, to provide certain     
investment banking advice and services in connection with the Merger, including 
rendering its opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view to     
Keystone stockholders (other than Contran and its affiliates), of the           
consideration to be paid by Keystone in the Merger. At the June 13, 1996 meeting
of the Keystone Board of Directors, representatives of PaineWebber made a       
presentation with respect to the Merger and rendered an oral opinion to the     
Keystone Board, subsequently confirmed in writing as of the date of the         
Reorganization Agreement, that, based upon the facts and circumstances as they  
existed at the time, and subject to certain assumptions, factors and limitations
set forth in such opinion, the consideration to be paid by Keystone in the      
Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Keystone stockholders (other
than Contran and its affiliates). No limitations were imposed by the Board upon 
PaineWebber with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by it
in rendering its opinion.                                                       

    The full text of PaineWebber's written opinion, dated June 26, 1996, which
sets forth, among other things, assumptions made, matters considered and        
limitations on the review undertaken, is attached as Appendix B to this Joint   
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Keystone stockholders are urged to read this opinion
in its entirety. PaineWebber did not recommend to Keystone that any specific    
exchange ratios constituted the appropriate exchange ratio for the Merger.      
PaineWebber's opinion is directed to the Keystone Board, addresses only the     
fairness of the consideration to be paid by Keystone in the Merger to Keystone  
stockholders (other than Contran and its affiliates) from a financial point of  
view and does not constitute a recommendation to any Keystone stockholder as to 
how such stockholder should vote at the Keystone Meeting. The opinion was       
rendered to the Keystone Board for its consideration in determining whether to  
approve the Reorganization Agreement. The discussion of the opinion in this     
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to   
the full text of the opinion.                                                   

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    In arriving at its opinion, PaineWebber, among other things: (i) reviewed,
among other public information, Keystone's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and       
related financial information for the five fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 
and Keystone's Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1996; (ii)        
reviewed Keystone's projections prepared by Keystone's management; (iii)        
reviewed certain financial information relating to Keystone, including,         
earnings, cash flow, assets and liabilities statements, furnished to PaineWebber
by Keystone; (iv) conducted discussions with senior management of Keystone      
regarding (a) the Company's operations and business prospects, (b) DeSoto's     
operations and business prospects and (c) certain studies prepared by Keystone  
and its legal and accounting advisors relating to potential off-balance sheet   
items; (v) considered the pro forma effect of the Merger on Keystone's cash flow
and earnings per share; (vi) considered the pro form balance sheet effects of   
the Merger on Keystone; (vii) reviewed, among other public information, DeSoto's
Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial information for the five fiscal
years ended December 31, 1995 and DeSoto's Form 10-Q for the three months ended 
March 31, 1996; (viii) conducted interviews with senior management of DeSoto,   
regarding DeSoto's operations, financial condition and business prospects; (ix) 
reviewed the Reorganization Agreement dated June 26, 1996; and (x) reviewed such
other financial studies and analyses and performed such other investigations and
took into account such other matters as PaineWebber deemed necessary including  
an assessment of regulatory, general economic, market and monetary conditions.  

In preparing its opinion, PaineWebber relied on the accuracy and      
completeness of all information that was publicly available or supplied or      
otherwise communicated to PaineWebber by or on behalf of Keystone and DeSoto,   
and PaineWebber has not assumed any responsibility to independently verify such 
information. PaineWebber has assumed that the projections were reasonably       
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and good    
faith judgments of the management of Keystone as to the future performance of   
Keystone. In arriving at its opinion, PaineWebber assumed that, as a result of  
the Merger and the follow on merger of the pension plans, Keystone's liabilities
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles with     
respect to its pension plan will be eliminated and that certain projected       
obligations of Keystone to fund such liabilities will be reduced. PaineWebber   
has not undertaken, or caused to be taken, an independent evaluation or         
appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise, known or       
unknown) of Keystone and DeSoto and has assumed that all material liabilities   
(contingent or otherwise) are as set forth in Keystone's and DeSoto's respective
consolidated financial statements and other provided information. PaineWebber's 
opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of Keystone and does not          
constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Keystone as to how such       
shareholder should vote with respect to the issuance of Keystone Common Stock   
pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement. PaineWebber's opinion does not address
the relative merits of the Merger and any other potential transactions or       
business strategies discussed by the Board of Directors of Keystone as          
alternatives to the Merger or the decision of the Board of Directors of Keystone
to proceed with consummation of the Merger.                                     

   PaineWebber assumed that there has been no material change in Keystone or
DeSoto's assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or        
prospects since the date of the last financial statements made available to     
PaineWebber. PaineWebber assumed no responsibility to revise or update its      
opinion if there is a change in the financial condition or prospects of Keystone
and DeSoto from that disclosed or projected in the information PaineWebber      
reviewed as set forth above or in the general, economic or market conditions.   

     The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to
the most appropriate and relevant quantitative methods of financial analyses and
the application of these methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore,
such an opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary       
description. Furthermore, in arriving at its fairness opinion, PaineWebber did  
not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it. 
Accordingly, PaineWebber believes that its analysis must be considered as a     
whole and that considering any portion of such analysis and of the factors      
considered, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a        
misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. In its     
analyses, PaineWebber made numerous assumptions with respect to industry        
performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of
which are beyond the control of Keystone and DeSoto. Any estimates contained in 
these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of 
future results or values, which may be, significantly more or less favorable    
than as set forth                                                               

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therein, and neither Keystone, DeSoto, nor PaineWebber assumes any              
responsibility for their accuracy. In addition, analyses relating to the value  
of the business do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at     
which businesses may actually be sold.                                          

The following is a summary of the analyses prepared by PaineWebber in 
connection with rendering its oral opinion to the Board of Directors of Keystone
on June 13, 1996.                                                               

  Approach to Merger Analysis. Because Keystone expressed the view that it
was undertaking the Merger primarily to eliminate the underfunding of its       
defined benefit pension plans, traditional forms of valuation analysis, such as 
comparable company analysis and comparable transaction analysis, were not       
considered meaningful indicators of value. Therefore, PaineWebber reviewed the  
fairness of the Merger through the methodologies summarized below. The financial
projections of Keystone and DeSoto that were provided to PaineWebber were       
utilized and relied upon by PaineWebber in its analyses summarized below.       

    Net Present Value (NPV). PaineWebber performed a 10-year net present value
(NPV) analysis to determine the difference between (x) the present value of the 
pro forma cash flows contributed by DeSoto to Keystone, and (y) the             
consideration paid by Keystone in the Merger and the liabilities assumed by the 
surviving corporation to the Merger. For purposes of PaineWebber's analysis, and
based on discussions with Keystone and DeSoto management, it was assumed that   
the DeSoto operating assets operate on a cash flow breakeven basis and thus have
no cash flow impact. It was also assumed that the combined pro forma pension    
plan will terminate in year 10 following the Merger, and that after the Merger, 
Keystone would not be subject to any cash payments for environmental liabilities
above insured and escrowed amounts. PaineWebber discounted the combined pro     
forma cash flows using discount rates ranging from 7% to 8%.                    

  Based on the above analysis, PaineWebber determined that the (x) present
value of the pro forma cash flows contributed by DeSoto to Keystone pursuant to 
the Merger exceeded (y) the consideration paid by Keystone in the Merger and the
liabilities assumed by the surviving corporation to the Merger by a range of    
between $4.8 million and $8.4 million.                                          

    Pro Forma Earnings Analysis. PaineWebber performed a five-year analysis of
the potential pro forma effect of the Merger on Keystone's earnings per share,  
assuming the Merger had been completed in 1991 and that certain actuarial       
assumptions for Keystone's defined benefit pension plans remained unchanged     
during such five-year period. Under this analysis, Keystone would have shown    
earnings per share accretion in each year ranging from a low of 5% in 1991 to a 
high of 69% in 1993. As an alternative to the Merger (but using the foregoing   
actuarial assumptions regarding the defined benefit pension plans), PaineWebber 
assumed that Keystone sold $50 million of common equity in 1991 at prices       
ranging from $9.25 to $11.25 per share for the purpose of reducing the          
underfunding in its pension account. (Keystone's stock price at January 1, 1991 
was $10.25.) In all instances, the Merger, if completed in 1991, would have been
more accretive on an earnings per share basis than Keystone's reported actual   
earnings or the presumed sale of equity.                                        

     PaineWebber also performed a three-year analysis of the potential pro forma
effect of the Merger on Keystone's earnings per share assuming the Merger is    
completed in 1996 and that certain actuarial assumptions for Keystone's defined 
benefit pension plans remained unchanged during such three-year period. Under   
this analysis, Keystone would have shown earnings per share accretion of 317%,  
59% and 7% for the years ending December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. 
As an alternative to the Merger (but using the foregoing actuarial assumptions  
regarding the Keystone defined benefit pension plans), PaineWebber assumed that 
Keystone sold $40 million of common equity in 1996 at prices ranging from $8.00 
to $10.00 per share for the purpose of reducing the underfunding in its pension 
account. In all instances, the Merger, if completed in 1996, was more accretive 
on an earnings per share basis than Keystone's projected earnings or the        
presumed sale of equity.                                                        

  Balance Sheet Analysis. PaineWebber reviewed the pro forma balance sheet
effects of the Merger incorporating Keystone's balance sheet as of March 31,    
1996 and DeSoto's projected balance sheet as of December 31, 1996. This analysis
showed that Keystone's liabilities increased from $235 million to $277 million  
while common stockholders' equity increased from a negative $31 million to a    
positive $40 million.                                                           

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 Pursuant to a letter agreement dated May 16, 1996, between Keystone and
PaineWebber, Keystone has agreed to pay PaineWebber a fee of $225,000 for       
rendering its opinion.                                                          

In addition, Keystone has agreed to reimburse PaineWebber for its     
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with rendering         
financial advisory services, including fees and disbursements of its legal      
counsel. This fee is payable regardless of the outcome of PaineWebber's opinions
and whether or not the Merger is consummated. Keystone has agreed to indemnify  
PaineWebber and its directors, officers, agents, employees and controlling      
persons, for certain costs, expenses, losses, claims, damages and liabilities   
related to or arising out of its rendering of services under its engagement as  
financial advisor.                                                              

The Board of Directors of Keystone retained PaineWebber to act as its 
advisor based upon PaineWebber's qualifications, experience and expertise.      
PaineWebber is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and, as a  
customary part of its investment banking business, is engaged in the valuation  
of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, 
negotiated underwritings, private placements and valuations for corporate and   
other purposes. PaineWebber may actively trade the equity securities of Keystone
and DeSoto for its own account and for the account of its customers and,        
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.  

Opinion of Salomon Brothers, Financial Advisor to DeSoto                    

 DeSoto has retained Salomon Brothers to act as its financial advisor in
connection with the Merger. At the June 13, 1996 meeting of DeSoto's Board of   
Directors, Salomon Brothers delivered its oral opinion to the Board of Directors
of DeSoto that, as of that date, the Exchange Ratio was fair to the holders of  
DeSoto Common Stock from a financial point of view. On the date of this Joint   
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, Salomon Brothers has delivered its written opinion  
to the Board of Directors of DeSoto that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange   
Ratio was fair to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock from a financial point of  
view. No limitations were imposed by the Board of Directors of DeSoto upon      
Salomon Brothers with respect to the investigations made or the procedures      
followed by Salomon Brothers in rendering its opinions.                         

  The full text of the written opinion of Salomon Brothers dated as of the
date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which sets forth the assumptions 
made, matters considered, and limits on the review undertaken by Salomon        
Brothers in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix C to this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. DeSoto stockholders are urged to read the opinion         
carefully and in its entirety. Salomon Brothers' opinion addresses only the     
fairness of the Exchange Ratio from a financial point of view to the holders of 
DeSoto Common Stock as of the date of the opinion, and does not constitute a    
recommendation to any stockholder of DeSoto as to how such stockholder should   
vote at the DeSoto Meeting. The summary of the opinion of Salomon Brothers set  
forth in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by  
reference to the full text of such opinion.                                     

In arriving at its opinions, Salomon Brothers (i) reviewed the        
Reorganization Agreement and its related schedules, (ii) reviewed certain       
publicly available business and financial information relating to Keystone and  
DeSoto, (iii) reviewed certain other information, including financial           
projections, provided to Salomon Brothers by Keystone and DeSoto, (iv) reviewed 
certain information relating to the defined benefit pension plans of Keystone   
and DeSoto, and (v) conducted due diligence discussions with members of senior  
management of both Keystone and DeSoto to discuss the past and current          
operations and financial condition and prospects of Keystone and DeSoto. Salomon
Brothers also considered such other information, financial studies, analyses,   
investigations and financial, economic and market criteria as it deemed         
relevant.                                                                       

In connection with its review, Salomon Brothers did not assume any    
responsibility for independently verifying any of the foregoing information and 
relied on such information being complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to the financial projections, Salomon Brothers assumed that they   
had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available   
estimates and judgments of the management of Keystone and DeSoto, as the case   
may be, as to the future financial performance of Keystone and DeSoto, as the   
case may be. Salomon Brothers did not express any opinion with respect to such  
projections or the assumptions on which they are based, including assumptions   
regarding the effects of any outstanding or potential litigation,               
investigations, inquiries or other actions. In connection with its review of the

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defined benefit pension plan of DeSoto, Salomon Brothers relied without         
independent verification on information provided by actuaries and pension plan  
consultants who have been providing services to DeSoto on an ongoing basis. In  
addition, Salomon Brothers did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal  
of any of the assets of Keystone or of DeSoto, nor was it furnished with any    
such appraisals. Each of Salomon Brothers' opinions was necessarily based upon  
business, market, economic and other conditions as they existed on, and could be
evaluated as of, the respective dates of such opinions, and did not address     
DeSoto's underlying business decision to effect the Merger. Salomon Brothers'   
opinions do not imply any conclusion as to the likely trading range for the     
Keystone Common Stock following the consummation of the Merger, which may vary  
depending on, among other factors, changes in interest rates, dividend rates,   
market conditions, general economic conditions and other factors that generally 
influence the price of securities.                                              

In connection with its opinions, Salomon Brothers performed certain   
financial analyses, which were reviewed with the Board of Directors of DeSoto at
its June 13, 1996 meeting. The following is a summary of these analyses.        

  Overview of Keystone. Salomon Brothers reviewed the business of Keystone
and its historical financial performance for the years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994,  
and 1995 and its latest twelve months ("LTM") as of March 31, 1996, including   
for such periods net sales, percentage growth in net sales, cost of goods sold  
("COGS"), COGS as a percentage of revenues, gross profit and gross profit       
margins, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SGA") and SGA as a      
percentage of revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and       
amortization ("EBITDA"), EBITDA margins, earnings before interest and taxes     
("EBIT"), EBIT margins, net income, capital expenditures, capital expenditures  
as a percentage of revenues and of depreciation, free cash flow (net income plus
depreciation less capital expenditures), free cash flow as a percentage of      
revenues, total assets, and total net capitalization (stockholders' equity plus 
net debt).                                                                      

   Comparison of Keystone to Selected Comparable Companies. Salomon Brothers
compared Keystone to a number of wire rod producers in the United States,       
including GS Tech/Georgetown, North Star Steel, Raritan River Steel, American   
Steel & Wire (a subsidiary of Birmingham Steel), CF&I, Northwestern Steel &     
Wire, Cascade, Atlantic Steel, Connecticut Steel, Charter Steel, Laclede Steel  
and Florida Steel. Of these companies, Keystone ranked fourth in terms of wire  
rod capacity (after taking into account planned capacity for the other          
companies). Salomon Brothers also compared certain financial and stock market   
information relating to Keystone and five publicly traded mini-mill and rod and 
wire companies (the "Comparable Group"), Birmingham Steel, Insteel Industries,  
Laclede Steel, Northwestern Steel & Wire and Oregon Steel. This analysis        
indicated that, based on weekly stock price data from June 10, 1994 through June
7, 1996, Keystone Common Stock has slightly outperformed the index of the stocks
of the Comparable Group over the last two years but has underperformed both the 
index of the Comparable Group and the Standard & Poors Industrial Average for   
the period from January 2, 1995 through June 10, 1996. Salomon Brothers also    
compared certain stock market trading statistics for Keystone and the Comparable
Group), the ratio of market price to LTM earnings per share (which was 16.4x in 
the case of Keystone and a median of 17.8x for the Comparable Group), the ratio 
of market price to earnings per share for 1996 (which was 24.4x in the case of  
Keystone and a median of 20.4x for the Comparable Group), the ratio of market   
price to estimated 1997 earnings per share (which was 8.0x in the case of       
Keystone and a median of 8.1x for the Comparable Group), and estimated five year
growth rates (which was not applicable for Keystone and a median of 11% for the 
Comparable Group). Salomon Brothers also reviewed certain company valuation     
statistics, including the ratio of "firm value" (the market value of equity plus
book value of debt and minority interests plus liquidation value of preferred   
stock less excess cash) to LTM sales (which was 1.3x in the case of Keystone and
a median of .5x for the Comparable Group), the ratio of firm value to LTM EBITDA
as adjusted to reflect non-cash charges for pension and similar liabilities     
(which was 9.6x in the case of Keystone and a median of 10.1x for the Comparable
Group), the ratio of firm value to LTM EBIT (which was 10.9x in the case of     
Keystone and a median of 18.1x for the Comparable Group), and the ratio of firm 
value as adjusted to include employee-related liabilities to LTM EBITDA after   
adjusting for non-cash pension and similar liabilities (which was 6.0x in the   
case of Keystone and a median of 7.8x for the Comparable Group). Salomon        
Brothers compared certain operating performance statistics, including LTM EBITDA
margin (which was 6.5% for Keystone and a median of 7.5% for the Comparable     
Group), LTM EBIT margin (which was 2.8% for Keystone and a median               

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of 3.6% for the Comparable Group), three-year historical sales growth (which was
0.0% for Keystone and a median of 2.7% for the Comparable Group), and three-year
historical EBITDA growth (which was 11.6% for Keystone and a median of 10.5% for
the Comparable Group). Sources of earnings per share estimates were             
Institutional Brokers Estimate System and First Call, which are data services   
that monitor and publish compilations of earnings estimates produced by selected
research analysts regarding companies of interest to institutional investors.   

    Comparative Valuation Analysis. Salomon Brothers reviewed aggregate equity
values which could be realized by holders of DeSoto Common Stock pursuant to the
two strategic alternatives available to the Company, the Merger and termination 
of DeSoto's pension plan. Salomon Brothers noted that based on the market price 
of a share of DeSoto Common Stock on June 10, 1996 of $6.125, the market        
capitalization of all DeSoto Common Stock was approximately $28.7 million. As   
more fully described below, termination of the pension plan was estimated to    
produce an aggregate value of approximately $5.3 million and the Merger would,  
under various analyses, result in estimated aggregate values for DeSoto Common  
Stock of between $27 million and $35 million, based on certain assumptions.     

  Valuation of Pension Plan Termination. Salomon Brothers calculated a net
value of between approximately $5 million and $5.5 million for DeSoto Common    
Stock in the aggregate as a result of a termination of DeSoto's defined benefit 
pension plan. This calculation was based upon a number of assumptions and       
estimates, including the establishment of a "qualified replacement plan" to     
which 25% of the surplus plan assets would be transferred and to which no value 
was assigned in this valuation. Based upon approximately $159 million in plan   
assets as of March 31, 1996 and an estimated cost of $81 million purchasing     
annuities to satisfy plan obligations and the transfer of $19.5 million to a    
qualified replacement plan, approximately $58.5 million of surplus assets would 
revert to DeSoto on a pre-tax basis. After use of available net operating loss  
carryforwards of approximately $20 million and the payment of federal income    
taxes at an assumed rate of 35%, federal excise taxes at a rate of 20%, and     
state income taxes at a rate of 4%, approximately $31.8 million of the surplus  
reversion would remain. After application of these reversionary assets to       
satisfy DeSoto's creditors and to redeem the DeSoto Preferred Stock in July     
1997, approximately $14.5 million would remain. Salomon Brothers then calculated
a present discounted value of estimated payments DeSoto would be required to    
make in respect of continued negative cash flow from DeSoto's operating business
and third party claims and contingent liabilities, including environmental      
liabilities, employing weighted average costs of capital of between 14% and 18% 
ranging between $9.4 million and $9.0 million. A range of aggregate equity      
values between $5.0 and $5.5 million resulted (or between $1.07 and $1.18 per   
share of DeSoto Common Stock). The assumptions employed in this analysis are not
necessarily indicative of actual costs and liabilities which would result from  
termination of the DeSoto pension plan and, therefore, are not necessarily      
indicative of actual values which would be realized by the holders of DeSoto    
Common Stock in this situation.                                                 

     Merger Valuation. Salomon Brothers reviewed the values of the consideration
to be paid to all holders of DeSoto Common Stock in the Merger based upon       
"exchange ratio," "public market," and "discounted cash flow" analyses.         

   Exchange Ratio Analysis. Based upon a market price per share for Keystone
Common Stock on June 10, 1996 of $10, the issuance of an aggregate of 3,500,000 
shares of Keystone Common Stock to the holders of DeSoto Common Stock, Salomon  
Brothers calculated an aggregate value of $35 million for the Merger. This      
represented a 22% premium to the $6.125 per share market price of DeSoto Common 
Stock and a 560% premium to the value calculated for the pension plan           
termination described above ("Plan Termination Value").                         

   Public Market Analysis. Salomon Brothers analyzed possible trading market
values for shares of Keystone Common Stock following the Merger, after taking   
into account the merger of the pension plans of the two companies and assumed   
cost savings of $1 million per year. The analysis indicated that as a result of 
the Merger earnings per share for Keystone Common Stock would be $.87 for LTM   
and 1996, based upon projections of Keystone management as adjusted downward by 
Salomon Brothers. (This analysis indicated that the Merger would result in 41.8%
earnings per share accretion for Keystone Common Stock for the LTM.) Based on a 
market price per share of Keystone Common Stock of $10 on June 10, 1996, the    
price to                                                                        

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earnings multiple for Keystone Common Stock was approximately 16.3x for LTM     
earnings per share. Based on price to earnings multiples ranging from 10x to    
12.5x calculated 1996 earnings per share; Salomon Brothers calculated an        
aggregate common equity value for Keystone following the Merger of between $80.4
million and $100.5 million (or an implied per share price for Keystone Common   
Stock ranging from $8.75 to $10.93). The share of this equity value allocated to
holders of DeSoto Common Stock in the Merger would be between $30.6 million and 
$38.3 million. This would result in a premium to DeSoto's current market        
capitalization ranging from 27.5% to 59.4%, and to Plan Termination Value       
ranging from 477.7% to 622.1%. In arriving at these estimates of possible       
trading values for Keystone Common Stock, Salomon Brothers advised the DeSoto   
Board that these estimated ranges of possible trading values were relevant only 
to the trading of the stock on a fully distributed basis and after adequate     
dissemination of financial and operating information relating to Keystone.      
Salomon Brothers advised that trading in Keystone Common Stock for a period     
following the Merger could be characterized by a redistribution of such         
securities among the stockholders of DeSoto immediately preceding the Merger and
other investors and, accordingly, such securities may be subject to downward    
price pressures during this period resulting in trading prices below the        
estimated ranges. In addition, in connection with this presentation, Salomon    
Brothers advised the DeSoto Board that any estimate of trading ranges is        
speculative, and subject to uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are   
difficult to predict and beyond the control of Salomon Brothers. Therefore, the 
actual trading prices of the Keystone Common Stock may be outside the estimated 
range and will depend upon, and fluctuate with, changes in interest rates,      
market conditions, the condition and prospects, financial and otherwise, of     
Keystone and other factors which generally influence the prices of securities.  

     Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Salomon Brothers calculated ranges of equity
value for Keystone following the Merger based upon the value, discounted to the 
present, of its fiscal year end five-year stream of projected cash flow and     
projected fiscal year 2000 terminal values based upon a range of multiples of   
projected fiscal year 2000 earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation.   
Salomon Brothers applied discount rates ranging from 12% to 14% and multiples   
for terminal values ranging from 6x to 8x EBITDA. Based on this analysis,       
Salomon Brothers calculated a discounted cash flow value of all Keystone Common 
Stock ranging from $70.6 million to $119.8 million. The present value of the    
Keystone Common Stock to be received by holders of DeSoto Common Stock in the   
Merger would range from $26.8 million to $45.5 million based upon this analysis 
(or a range of $7.67 to $13.01 per share of DeSoto Common Stock). This analysis 
indicated that the premium of the discounted cash flow value to DeSoto's current
market capitalization ranged from 8% to 43% and the premium to the Plan         
Termination Value ranged from 485% to 674%.                                     

In connection with its opinion dated as of the date of this Proxy     
Statement/Prospectus, Salomon Brothers reviewed the analyses used to render its 
June 13, 1996 oral opinion to the DeSoto Board of Directors in order to confirm 
that no changes had occurred which would materially impact the opinion.         

The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not 
necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting   
portions of the analyses or of the summary set forth above, without considering 
the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes       
underlying the opinions of Salomon Brothers. In arriving at its fairness        
determination, Salomon Brothers considered the results of all such analyses and 
did not assign relative weights to any of the analyses.                         

The analyses were prepared solely for the purpose of Salomon Brothers 
providing its opinions to the DeSoto Board of Directors as to the fairness from 
a financial point of view of the Exchange Ratio to holders of DeSoto Common     
Stock and do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at  
which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which are inherently       
subject to uncertainty. Any estimates incorporated in the analyses performed by 
Salomon Brothers are not necessarily indicative of actual past or future values 
or results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than any such     
estimates. No public company utilized as a comparison is identical to Keystone  
or the business segment for which a comparison is being made. Accordingly, an   
analysis of publicly traded comparable companies 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 value of the comparable companies  
to which they are being compared. In connection with the analyses, Salomon      
Brothers made, and were provided estimates and forecasts by DeSoto and Keystone 
management based upon,                                                          

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numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and 
economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of  
Keystone and DeSoto. Similarly, analyses based upon forecasts of future results 
are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be           
significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Because   
such analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon numerous  
factors or events beyond the control of DeSoto and Keystone or their respective 
advisors, none of Keystone, DeSoto, Salomon Brothers or any other person assumes
responsibility if future results or actual values are materially different from 
these forecasts or assumptions. The opinions of Salomon Brothers necessarily    
were based on the economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the
information made available to them as of, the dates of their opinions. The      
foregoing summary is qualified by reference to the written opinion of Salomon   
Brothers set forth in Appendix C to this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.      

  As described above, the opinions and presentation of Salomon Brothers to
the DeSoto Board of Directors were only one of a number of factors taken into   
consideration by the DeSoto Board of Directors in making its determination to   
approve the Reorganization Agreement. In addition, the terms of the Merger were 
determined through negotiations between Keystone and DeSoto and were approved by
the DeSoto Board of Directors. The decision to enter into the Reorganization    
Agreement and to accept the Exchange Ratio was solely that of the DeSoto Board  
of Directors.                                                                   

  The Board of Directors of DeSoto selected Salomon Brothers to act as its
financial advisor and render a fairness opinion because Salomon Brothers is an  
internationally recognized investment banking firm with substantial expertise in
transactions similar to the Merger. As part of its investment banking business, 
Salomon Brothers regularly engages in the valuation of business and other       
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and for other purposes.  

     With respect to Salomon Brothers' services as a financial advisor to DeSoto
in connection with the Merger, DeSoto has agreed to pay Salomon Brothers a fee  
of $250,000, payable upon the earlier to occur of the consummation of the Merger
or termination of DeSoto's pension plan. This fee is payable regardless of the  
outcome of Salomon Brothers' opinions and whether or not the Merger is          
consummated. DeSoto also has agreed to reimburse Salomon Brothers for its       
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of its
legal counsel) and to indemnify Salomon Brothers and certain related persons    
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities 
laws, arising out of its engagement.                                            

     In the ordinary course of its business, Salomon Brothers may actively trade
in the securities of Keystone and DeSoto for its own account and for the        
accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in such securities.                                                    

THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT

REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS                                                   

  Under the Reorganization Agreement, Keystone and DeSoto made a number of
representations regarding their respective capital structures, operations,      
financial conditions and other matters. Each party agreed as to itself and its  
subsidiaries that until consummation of the Merger or the earlier termination of
the Reorganization Agreement, it will, among other things, conduct its business 
and maintain its business relationships in the ordinary and usual course, and   
use its best efforts to consummate the Merger. DeSoto has agreed not to solicit,
engage in discussions, negotiate with any person or facilitate the efforts of   
any person other than Keystone relating to an Alternative Acquisition, except   
that DeSoto's Board of Directors may provide information to and engage in       
negotiations with a third party regarding an Alternative Acquisition if (i) the 
Board of Directors of DeSoto receives a Superior Proposal; (ii) the Board of    
Directors of DeSoto determines, based on the advice of its investment bankers,  
that such third party is financially capable of consummating such Superior      
Proposal; (iii) the Board of Directors of DeSoto shall have determined, after   
consultation with outside legal counsel, that the fiduciary duties of the Board 
require DeSoto to furnish information to and negotiate with such third party;   
and (iv) at least two (2) business days prior thereto, Keystone shall have been 
notified in writing of such Superior Proposal, including all of its terms and   
conditions                                                                      

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and the foregoing determination by the Board of Directors of DeSoto, and shall  
have been given copies of such proposal. DeSoto shall not be entitled to enter  
into an agreement concerning an Alternative Acquisition for a period of not less
than forty-eight hours after Keystone's receipt of a copy of such proposal and  
certain other information.                                                      

     Keystone has agreed, if the Merger is consummated, to indemnify the current
officers and directors of DeSoto with respect to any claim or liability arising 
out of or pertaining to any act or omission occurring prior to the Effective    
Time to the fullest extent that DeSoto could have done so on June 26, 1996.     
Keystone has further agreed, for a period of six (6) years following the        
Effective Time, to cause DeSoto to maintain indemnification and limitation of   
liability provisions. Keystone has also agreed to (i) provide director and      
officer insurance coverage, at a cost not to exceed $150,000, for the current   
directors and officers of DeSoto for one year after the Effective Time for      
claims made against such directors and officers relating to matters occurring   
prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) provide, after the Effective Time,        
director and officer insurance coverage to Keystone directors comparable to the 
coverage maintained by DeSoto at the Effective Time, to the extent such coverage
may be obtainable at a comparable cost.                                         

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER                                                        

In addition to the requirement that Keystone stockholders approve the 
issuance of Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and  
DeSoto stockholders approve and adopt the Reorganization Agreement, the         
consummation of the Merger is subject to a number of other conditions which, if 
not satisfied or waived, would cause the Merger not to be consummated and the   
Reorganization Agreement to be terminated. Each party's obligation to consummate
the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the accuracy of the     
other party's representations, (ii) each party's performance of its obligations 
under the Reorganization Agreement, (iii) the absence of a material adverse     
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets,           
liabilities, businesses, or results of operations of the other party and its    
subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) the PBGC raising Keystone's borrowing       
restrictions to an amount reasonably expected to enable Keystone to perform its 
obligations under the Reorganization Agreement, (v) availability to Keystone of 
sufficient financing in order to effect the Merger and to satisfy its           
obligations and those of the surviving corporation in the Merger, (vi) receipt  
of opinions of counsel in respect of certain federal income tax consequences of 
the Merger, (vii) receipt of opinions dated one business day before the closing 
of the Merger from the financial advisors to each of Keystone and DeSoto as to  
the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be paid by  
Keystone and received by DeSoto stockholders, (viii) the absence of legal action
preventing consummation of the Merger, and (ix) the receipt of other documents, 
including necessary consents of third parties (including governmental agencies).

     Keystone's obligation to consummate the Merger is further conditioned upon,
among other things, (i) the consent by DeSoto's trade creditors to the term of  
repayment contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement and (ii) the resolution  
on terms satisfactory to Keystone of certain claims arising from DeSoto's       
acquisition of J.L. Prescott Company.                                           

   DeSoto's obligation to consummate the Merger is further conditioned upon,
among other things (i) approval for listing on the NYSE, subject to official    
notice of issuance, of the shares of Keystone Common Stock to be issued pursuant
to the Merger, and (ii) the Board of Directors of Keystone taking appropriate   
action to increase the number of directors comprising Keystone's full Board of  
Directors from seven to nine, and to cause William Spier and William P. Lyons to
be directors of Keystone upon the effectiveness of the Merger. At any time on or
prior to the Merger, to the extent legally allowed, Keystone or DeSoto, without 
approval of the stockholders of such respective companies, may waive compliance 
with any of the agreements or satisfaction of any of the conditions contained in
the Reorganization Agreement for the benefit of that company.                   

HSR ACT                                                                         

   Transactions such as the Merger are reviewed by the Department of Justice
and the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") to determine whether they comply   
with applicable antitrust laws. Under the                                       

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provisions of the HSR Act, the Merger may not be consummated until such time as 
certain information has been furnished to the Department of Justice and the FTC 
and the specified waiting period requirements of the HSR Act have been          
satisfied. Notification reports were filed by Keystone and DeSoto with the      
Department of Justice and the FTC under the HSR Act on July 22, 1996, and       
termination of the specified waiting period requirements of the HSR Act was     
granted on August 2, 1996.                                                      

At any time before or after the Effective Time of the Merger, the     
Department of Justice, the FTC, state attorneys general or a private person or  
entity could challenge the Merger under the antitrust laws and seek, among other
things, to enjoin the Merger or to cause Keystone to divest itself, in whole or 
in part, of DeSoto. Based on information available to them, Keystone and DeSoto 
believe that the Merger will not violate federal or state antitrust laws.       
However, there can be no assurance that a challenge to the Merger on antitrust  
grounds will not be made or that, if such a challenge is made, Keystone and     
DeSoto would prevail or would not be required to accept certain conditions,     
possibly including certain divestitures or hold-separate agreements in order to 
consummate the Merger.                                                          

Keystone and DeSoto are aware of no other governmental or regulatory  
approvals required for consummation of the Merger, other than compliance with   
applicable securities and "blue sky" laws of the various states.                

RELATED AGREEMENTS; INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS ACTED UPON          

   In considering the recommendations of the Boards of Directors of Keystone
and DeSoto with respect to the Reorganization Agreement and the Merger,         
stockholders of Keystone and DeSoto should be aware that certain affiliates and 
members of management of Keystone and DeSoto have interests in the Merger in    
addition to the interests of holders of Keystone Common Stock and DeSoto Common 
Stock generally. See "Risk Factors -- Interests of Certain Persons in the       
Merger."                                                                        

Warrant Conversion Agreement                                                

Pursuant to the Warrant Conversion Agreement, upon consummation of the
Merger, one-half of the DeSoto Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,200,000   
shares of DeSoto Common Stock will be cancelled and the remaining one-half of   
the DeSoto Warrants will be converted into warrants to purchase 447,900 shares  
of Keystone Common Stock (representing the shares of DeSoto Common Stock subject
to the remaining DeSoto Warrants multiplied by the Exchange Ratio) at an        
exercise price of approximately $9.38 per share (representing the exercise price
of a DeSoto Warrant divided by the Exchange Ratio).                             

Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement                          

The Warrant and Preferred Stockholders have entered into a Preferred  
Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement with Keystone, pursuant to which they  
agreed their DeSoto Preferred Stock will be converted in the Merger into        
Keystone Preferred Stock (at the Exchange Ratio of a share of Keystone Preferred
Stock for each share of DeSoto Preferred Stock) and cash in an amount equal to  
accrued and unpaid dividends on the DeSoto Preferred Stock (which, as of the    
Effective Time, will aggregate approximately $1.7 million), and that they will  
waive their right to require redemption of the DeSoto Preferred Stock as a      
result of the consummation of the Merger. The Warrant and Preferred Stockholders
have agreed to (i) waive any appraisal rights such owner may have under the DGCL
as a result of the Merger, and (ii) vote their shares of DeSoto Common Stock and
DeSoto Preferred Stock in favor of approval and adoption of the Reorganization  
Agreement.                                                                      

Stockholders Agreement                                                      

  At the time the Reorganization Agreement was entered into, Keystone, the
Warrant and Preferred Stockholders, DeSoto and Contran entered into a           
Stockholders Agreement pursuant to which (i) Keystone agreed to assume from     
DeSoto certain registration rights currently held by the Warrant and Preferred  
Stockholders as they relate to Keystone Common Stock to be acquired by such     
persons in the Merger, and (ii) Keystone granted to Contran and its affiliates  
the same rights as Keystone had assumed with respect to                         

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the Warrant and Preferred Stockholders. These rights provide that the Warrant   
and Preferred Stockholders and Contran and certain of its affiliates,           
respectively, each will have the right to (i) require two registrations of      
Keystone Common Stock held by such party on an appropriate registration         
statement, with the expenses for the first such registration by the respective  
parties being paid by Keystone, and (ii) include for resale shares of Keystone  
Common Stock held by such party in a registration statement prepared by         
Keystone, to the extent such included shares would not adversely affect any     
securities offering by Keystone. Keystone also agreed not to grant any party    
rights superior to those being granted to the parties to the Stockholders       
Agreement.                                                                      

Severance Arrangements                                                      

   DeSoto has agreements with four employees relating to a change in control
of DeSoto, including the Merger, and severance. Pursuant to one of these        
agreements, Anne Eisele, President and Chief Financial Officer of DeSoto, will  
receive her salary, currently $160,000 annually, and continued medical, dental  
and insurance benefits for a period of two (2) years if, after a change of      
control, her employment is terminated under certain circumstances, and any such 
payments to Ms. Eisele would be in lieu of other severance payments. Under      
another of these contracts, Fred Flaxmayer, Controller and Chief Accounting     
Officer of DeSoto, is entitled to receive a $50,000 bonus within thirty (30)    
days of a change of control of DeSoto and, if his employment is terminated under
certain circumstances, within one (1) year of a change of control, Mr. Flaxmayer
will receive severance payments equal to nine (9) months of his annual salary of
$90,000 and payments under DeSoto's normal severance policy. Two other employees
of DeSoto have agreements providing for the payment of bonuses aggregating      
$60,000 within thirty days of a change of control of DeSoto and, if their       
employment is terminated under certain circumstances within one year of a change
in control, severance payments aggregating approximately $70,000. Accordingly,  
the maximum amount payable pursuant to these four agreements is approximately   
$590,000.                                                                       

Voting Agreements                                                           

The Warrant and Preferred Stockholders and Anders U. Schroeder,       
collectively the owners of 596,989 shares of DeSoto Common Stock and 583,333    
shares of DeSoto Preferred Stock, representing approximately twenty two percent 
(22%) of DeSoto's outstanding voting stock, have entered into an agreement with 
Keystone; and Contran, the direct owner of 3,161,733 shares of Keystone Common  
Stock, representing approximately fifty six percent (56%) of Keystone's         
outstanding voting stock, has entered into an agreement with DeSoto, pursuant to
which such stockholders have agreed they will (i) vote their shares in favor of 
approval of the issuance of shares pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, in 
the case of Contran, or in favor of approval and adoption of the Reorganization 
Agreement, in the case of the Warrant and Preferred Stockholders and Mr.        
Schroeder, and (ii) not transfer any of their shares of Keystone Common Stock or
DeSoto Common Stock or DeSoto Preferred Stock, as the case may be, subject to   
certain exceptions.                                                             

Options                                                                     

     Upon consummation of the Merger, DeSoto Options will be assumed by Keystone
and converted into options to acquire shares of Keystone Common Stock, See "The 
Merger and Related Transactions -- General -- Assumption of Options and         
Conversion of Warrants." Prior to the Merger, the terms of the DeSoto Options   
will be amended to permit the exercise of the DeSoto Options until the second   
anniversary of the Effective Time. Currently, the DeSoto Options generally      
expire 90 days after termination of employment with DeSoto. Pursuant to the     
Reorganization Agreement, the converted DeSoto Options will be registered under 
the Securities Act on a Registration Statement on Form S-8. As of August 21,    
1996, directors and officers held DeSoto Options to purchase an aggregate of    
125,800 shares of DeSoto Common Stock.                                          

AMENDMENT OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT                                       

  The Reorganization Agreement may be amended by Keystone or DeSoto at any
time before or after approval of the issuance of shares in connection with the  
Merger or the Reorganization Agreement, as the case may be, by the stockholders 
of Keystone and DeSoto, except that, after such stockholder approval, no        
amendment may be made which by law requires the further approval of such        
stockholders without obtaining                                                  

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such approval. In the event the parties desire to enter into an amendment to the
Reorganization Agreement that materially alters the terms of the Merger, the    
parties will circulate an Amended Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to solicit   
stockholder approval.                                                           

TERMINATION OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT                                     

    The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement of both
parties or by either party (i) as a result of a breach by the other party of a  
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in the Reorganization 
Agreement, or if any representation of the other party becomes untrue, in either
case which has or can reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect  
(as defined in the Reorganization Agreement) and which the other party fails to 
cure prior to the closing of the Merger (except that no cure period is provided 
for a breach which by its nature cannot be cured); (ii) if the required         
approvals of the stockholders of Keystone or DeSoto are not obtained by reason  
of the failure to obtain the required vote; (iii) if all the conditions for     
closing the Merger are not satisfied or waived on or before December 31, 1996,  
other than as a result of a breach of the Reorganization Agreement by the       
terminating party or a breach by any of the principal stockholders or affiliates
of the terminating party; or (iv) if a permanent injunction or other order by a 
federal or state court which would make illegal or otherwise restrain or        
prohibit the consummation of the Merger is issued and has become final and      
nonappealable.                                                                  

The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by Keystone if prior to
consummation of the Merger, DeSoto enters into an agreement with respect to an  
Alternative Acquisition. The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by      
DeSoto if, prior to the consummation of the Merger, DeSoto receives a Superior  
Proposal and there occurs a Superior Proposal Termination.                      

BREAKUP FEES                                                                    

     The Reorganization Agreement provides for the payment of the Breakup Fee of
$1 million by DeSoto to Keystone if (i) the Reorganization Agreement is         
terminated by Keystone where DeSoto has entered into an agreement with respect  
to an Alternative Acquisition; (ii) the stockholders of DeSoto fail to approve  
the Merger at a time when there is pending a proposal with respect to an        
Alternative Acquisition; (iii) without the occurrence of a Keystone material    
adverse change, the Board of Directors of DeSoto shall have failed to submit the
Merger to its stockholders for approval as required by, and in accordance with, 
the terms of the Reorganization Agreement, or (iv) there occurs a Superior      
Proposal Termination by DeSoto. The Breakup Fee is payable by Keystone to DeSoto
if, without a DeSoto material adverse change, the Board of Directors of Keystone
fails to hold a stockholders' meeting to vote on approval of the issuance of    
Keystone Common Stock pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement as required by,  
and in accordance with the terms of, the Reorganization Agreement. Payment of   
the Breakup Fee shall not be in lieu of damages incurred in the event of breach 
of the Reorganization Agreement, and neither party shall be entitled to receive 
the Breakup Fee if it shall have committed a material breach of the             
Reorganization Agreement.                                                       

KEYSTONE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS                                                 

  Pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, Keystone is obligated to cause
DeSoto to pay approximately $6.5 million to certain of its trade creditors who  
are parties to a trade composition agreement with DeSoto, as soon as practicable
after the Effective Time, and an additional approximately $1.5 million to such  
trade creditors within one year of the Effective Time. Additionally, pursuant to
the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement, Keystone is obligated,  
at the Effective Time, to pay to the holders of the DeSoto Preferred Stock all  
unpaid dividend arrearage, which will then amount to approximately $1.7 million.

     As a result of these and other transactions related to the Merger, Keystone
will require additional funding from its primary lender. In order to obtain such
additional funds, Keystone has received the PBGC's consent and Keystone's       
primary lender's commitment to increase Keystone's allowable borrowings by $20  
million upon consummation of the Merger and the merger of the Keystone defined  
benefit pension plans with and into the DeSoto defined benefit pension plan. The
PBGC's consent was necessary due to Keystone's prior agreements with the PBGC   
whereby the PBGC and Keystone agreed to certain borrowing restrictions.         

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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS                                              

The following discussion summarizes the material federal income tax   
considerations relevant to the exchange of DeSoto Common Stock for Keystone     
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. This summary is based upon opinions of     
counsel delivered by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson and Godwin &      
Carlton, P.C. which are included as Exhibits to the Registration Statement of   
which this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a part (the "Tax Opinions") that 
the Merger will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (a "Reorganization").          

    DeSoto stockholders should be aware this discussion does not deal with all
federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to particular            
stockholders of DeSoto subject to special treatment under certain federal income
tax laws, such as stockholders who are banks, insurance companies, tax-exempt   
organizations, dealers in securities, or non-United States persons, and persons 
who do not hold their DeSoto Common Stock as capital assets, or who acquired    
their shares in connection with stock options or stock purchase plans or in     
other compensatory transactions. In addition, the following discussion does not 
address the tax consequences of the Merger under foreign, state or local tax    
laws. ACCORDINGLY, DESOTO STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX       
ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE       
APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE    
MERGER IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE EFFECT OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE  
IN THE TAX LAWS.                                                                

Subject to the limitations and qualifications referred to herein,     
qualification of the Merger as a Reorganization will result in the following    
federal income tax consequences to the DeSoto Common Stockholders:              

      (a) No gain or loss will be recognized by holders of DeSoto Common
Stock upon the receipt of Keystone Common Stock in exchange for DeSoto
    Common Stock pursuant to the Merger (except to the extent of cash received
in lieu of a fractional share of Keystone Common Stock);              

        (b) The aggregate tax basis of the Keystone Common Stock received by
 DeSoto stockholders in the Merger will be the same as the aggregate tax
     basis of DeSoto Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor, less the tax
basis, if any, allocated to fractional share interests;               

          (c) The holding period of the Keystone Common Stock received by DeSoto
stockholders pursuant to the Merger will include the period for which 
     DeSoto Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor was held, provided the
   DeSoto Common Stock is held by the DeSoto stockholders as a capital asset
at the Effective Time; and                                            

          (d) A cash payment received by a holder of DeSoto Common Stock in lieu
    of a fractional share will be treated as if such fractional share had been
   issued to such holder in the Merger and then redeemed by Keystone for the
   cash received. A stockholder of DeSoto receiving such cash will generally
    recognize gain or loss upon such payment, equal to the difference (if any)
    between such stockholder's basis in the fractional share and the amount of
     cash received. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the DeSoto
     Common Stock was held as a capital asset at the Effective Time, and will be
     long-term capital gain or loss if the DeSoto Common Stock was held for more
than one (1) year.                                                    

    In addition, the exchange of shares pursuant to the Merger will constitute
a change of ownership with respect to DeSoto, and thereafter, the future        
utilization of the net operating losses of DeSoto existing at the Effective Time
may be limited by operation of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.                                                                     

     Neither Keystone nor DeSoto will recognize income, gain or loss as a result
of the consummation of the Merger.                                              

  No ruling has been or will be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service
(the "IRS") in connection with the Merger. DeSoto stockholders should be aware  
the Tax Opinions do not bind the IRS and the IRS is                             

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therefore not precluded from successfully asserting a contrary opinion. The Tax 
Opinions are also subject to certain assumptions, and are subject to the truth  
and accuracy of certain representations made by Keystone, DeSoto and certain    
stockholders of DeSoto regarding, among other things, the presence of a         
continuing interest in DeSoto by DeSoto stockholders through their ownership of 
Keystone Common Stock following the Merger. If the facts as represented are not 
accurate, the Merger may fail to qualify as a Reorganization. In such case, a   
DeSoto stockholder would recognize gain or loss equal to the fair market value  
of the Keystone Common Stock received, less such stockholder's basis in the     
DeSoto shares surrendered. The consummation of the Merger is conditioned on (i) 
the receipt by Keystone of a supplementary opinion of Godwin & Carlton, P.C. as 
of the Effective Time confirming that the Merger will qualify as a              
Reorganization, and (ii) the receipt by DeSoto of a supplementary opinion of    
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as of the Effective Time confirming    
that the Merger will qualify as a Reorganization.                               

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT                                                            

   For financial reporting purposes, Keystone will account for the Merger by
the purchase method.                                                            

AFFILIATES' RESTRICTIONS ON SALE OF KEYSTONE COMMON STOCK                       

     The approximately 3,500,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock to be issued in
the Merger will have been registered under the Securities Act by a Registration 
Statement on Form S-4 and the Keystone Common Stock issuable upon exercise of   
the DeSoto Options assumed by Keystone pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement 
is expected to be registered under the Securities Act by a Registration         
Statement on Form S-8, thereby allowing those shares to be traded without       
restriction by all former holders of DeSoto who (i) are not deemed to be        
"affiliates" (as that term is defined in Rule 145 under the Securities Act) of  
DeSoto at the time of DeSoto Meeting, and (ii) do not become affiliates of      
Keystone after the Merger. The shares of Keystone Preferred Stock and the shares
of Keystone Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Keystone Warrants will   
not be registered under the Securities Act and the transferability of such      
shares will be restricted by Rule 144 under the Securities Act. DeSoto          
stockholders who are identified by DeSoto as its affiliates will be so advised  
prior to the Merger.                                                            

Sales by affiliates of DeSoto prior to the Merger and affiliates of   
Keystone (before and after the Merger) must be made in accordance with Rules 144
or 145, or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. The volume          
limitations of Rules 144 and 145 should not impose any material limitation on   
any DeSoto stockholder who owns less than one percent of Keystone's outstanding 
Common Stock after the Merger unless, pursuant to Rule 144, such stockholder's  
shares are required to be aggregated with those of other stockholders. Under the
Stockholders' Agreement certain affiliates of DeSoto and related entities have  
rights to require Keystone to register shares of Keystone Common Stock they     
acquire.                                                                        

APPRAISAL RIGHTS                                                                

  Both Keystone and DeSoto are incorporated in the State of Delaware, and,
accordingly, are governed by the provisions of the DGCL. Pursuant to Section 262
of the DGCL, the holders of DeSoto Common Stock are not entitled to appraisal   
rights in connection with the Merger because DeSoto Common Stock is quoted on   
the NYSE and such stockholders will receive as consideration in the Merger only 
shares of Keystone Common Stock, which shares will be listed on the NYSE upon   
the closing of the Merger, and cash in lieu of fractional shares. In addition,  
the Keystone stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262
of the DGCL because Keystone Common Stock is listed on the NYSE and, even though
approval of such stockholders is required for the issuance of Keystone Common   
Stock in the Merger, the approval of the stockholders of Keystone is not        
required for the Merger itself.                                                 

  Pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, the holders of the DeSoto Preferred
Stock will be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Merger.       
However, the holders of the DeSoto Preferred Stock have agreed to waive their   
appraisal rights pursuant to the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent       
Agreement. The Reorganization Agreement provides that, as a condition to        
consummating the Merger, all terms and                                          

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conditions of the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement, including 
such waivers, must be in full force and effect.                                 

EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES                                                        

 As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger, Keystone
will cause Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (the "Exchange Agent")  
to mail to each stockholder of record of DeSoto Common Stock a letter of        
transmittal with instructions to be used by such stockholder in surrendering    
certificates which, prior to the Merger, represented shares of DeSoto Common    
Stock in exchange for certificates representing shares of Keystone Common Stock.
Letters of transmittal will also be available as soon as practicable after the  
Effective Time of the Merger at the offices of the Exchange Agent. After the    
Effective Time of the Merger, there will be no further registration of transfers
on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of shares of DeSoto    
Common Stock or Preferred Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the 
Effective Time of the Merger. SHARE CERTIFICATES SHOULD NOT BE SURRENDERED FOR  
EXCHANGE PRIOR TO APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND THE 
MERGER BY THE KEYSTONE AND DESOTO STOCKHOLDERS.                                 

 Upon the surrender of a DeSoto Common Stock certificate to the Exchange
Agent or to such other agent as may be appointed by Keystone together with a    
duly executed letter of transmittal, the holder of such certificate will be     
entitled to receive in exchange therefor the number of shares of Keystone Common
Stock to which the holder of DeSoto Common Stock is entitled pursuant to the    
provisions of the Reorganization Agreement. In the event of a transfer of       
ownership of DeSoto Common Stock which is not registered in the transfer records
of DeSoto, a certificate representing the appropriate number of shares of       
Keystone Common Stock may be issued to a transferee if the certificate          
representing such DeSoto Common Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent,       
accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and  
to evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid, along with 
a duly executed letter of transmittal.                                          

   Until a certificate representing DeSoto Common Stock has been surrendered
to the Exchange Agent, each such certificate will be deemed at any time after   
the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender   
the number of shares of Keystone Common Stock to which the DeSoto stockholder is
entitled under the Reorganization Agreement. Upon consummation of the Merger,   
every share of DeSoto Common Stock will cease to be traded on the NYSE, and     
there will be no further market for DeSoto Common Stock.                        

 Pursuant to the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement, the
holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock have agreed to tender their certificates, duly
endorsed, to Keystone at the Effective Time. At such time, Keystone will deliver
to such holders the Keystone Preferred Stock with a legend restricting the      
transferability of such stock and such holders will receive a cash payment for  
their fractional interests.                                                     

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DESCRIPTION OF KEYSTONE CAPITAL STOCK 

  Keystone is authorized by its Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Keystone Certificate") to issue 12,000,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock and 
500,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value, issuable in series.            

 Designation of Keystone Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the Reorganization
Agreement, 440,000 of the 500,000 shares of preferred stock of Keystone will be 
designated as Series A Senior Preferred Stock. Keystone may redeem the Keystone 
Preferred Stock, in whole or, from time to time in part, at a cash redemption   
price equal to the Liquidation Preference (as defined below) (i) at any time    
after July 21, 1997, or (ii) at any time if a majority of the Keystone Board of 
Directors determines that redemption of the Keystone Preferred Stock is         
necessary or appropriate to facilitate the Company's acceptance of a proposal to
acquire all of the Keystone Common Stock and at such time at least two-thirds of
the then outstanding shares of Keystone Preferred Stock are owned by the        
original purchasers of such shares. Keystone must redeem the Keystone Preferred 
Stock at a cash redemption price equal to the Liquidation Preference, to the    
maximum extent legally permissible (i) on July 1, 2000; (ii) 30 days after a    
change of control of Keystone; or (iii) if, within ten days after the exercise  
of any warrants to purchase Keystone Common Stock by any of the Warrant and     
Preferred Stockholders, such exercising Warrant and Preferred Stockholders      
holding at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of Keystone      
Preferred Stock request redemption at fair market value in writing, provided,   
however that Keystone will be required to redeem Keystone Preferred Stock only  
to the extent that redemption payments are equal to the aggregate cash proceeds 
to Keystone upon the exercise of such warrants.                                 

   Liquidation Rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of Keystone, no distribution will be made to holders of Keystone Common Stock
until holders of Keystone Preferred Stock have received $8.0375 per share plus  
all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared (the
"Liquidation Preference"), to the date fixed for liquidation dissolution or     
winding up. After satisfaction of the Liquidation Preference, holders of        
Keystone Common Stock will be entitled pro rata to all the remaining assets     
available for distribution to stockholders and no additional distributions will 
be made to the holders of Keystone Preferred Stock.                             

 Dividend Rights. Dividends are payable to holders of Keystone Preferred
Stock quarterly, at the rate of eight percent (8%) of the sum of the Liquidation
Preference of each share of Keystone Preferred Stock. If such dividends are in  
arrears for four (4) quarterly periods at any time, dividends for any subsequent
quarterly periods are payable to holders of Keystone Preferred Stock at the rate
of ten percent (10%) of the sum of the Liquidation Preference of each share of  
Keystone Preferred Stock, until the dividend arrearage exists for less than four
(4) quarterly periods. Holders of Keystone Common Stock are entitled to receive 
dividends when, as and if declared by the Keystone Board of Directors out of    
funds legally available therefor.                                               

Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Keystone    
Certificate, holders of Keystone Common Stock and Keystone Preferred Stock are  
entitled to one vote in respect of each share of such stock on all matters voted
upon by the stockholders and will vote together as one class. Holders of        
Keystone Common Stock and Keystone Preferred Stock are not entitled to          
cumulative voting in election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a       
majority of the outstanding shares of Keystone Common Stock and Keystone        
Preferred Stock are entitled to elect all the directors.                        

     If any amount equal to the full accrued dividends for two or more quarterly
dividend periods shall not have been paid to holders of any shares of Keystone  
Preferred Stock or any required redemption payments shall not have been paid,   
holders of a majority of the Keystone Preferred Stock shall have, in addition to
any other voting rights, the exclusive right, voting separately as a single     
class, to elect two additional directors of Keystone.                           

Miscellaneous. Holders of Keystone Common Stock and Keystone Preferred
Stock are not entitled to preemptive rights. The outstanding shares of Keystone 
Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Outstanding shares of Keystone  
Common Stock are listed on the NYSE.                                            

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INFORMATION ABOUT DESOTO

BUSINESS                                                                        

DeSoto was incorporated in 1927 under the laws of Delaware. DeSoto's  
principal executive offices and its only remaining operating facility are       
located at 900 East Washington Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60433.                 

  DeSoto currently operates in one industry segment, the manufacturing and
packaging of household products, primarily powdered and liquid laundry          
detergents. Such operations include contract manufacturing and packaging of     
household cleaning products. During 1996, DeSoto has operated facilities in     
Joliet, Illinois and Union City, California. In April 1996, DeSoto announced the
sale of the domestic business and assets of its laundry detergent manufacturing 
and distribution operations at its Union City facility to Star Pacific, Inc.    
Star Pacific has subleased the Union City facility from DeSoto.                 

In July 1995, DeSoto announced the transfer and assignment of various 
operations and assets involved in its former Thornton and South Holland,        
Illinois businesses to two separate buyers. DeSoto assigned to the buyers the   
rights to certain customers with respect to these businesses. Both transactions 
also provided for DeSoto to receive royalties and other earn-out opportunities  
over a three-year period in one case and over a four-year period in the other   
case. The initial proceeds from these transactions were utilized to reduce      
DeSoto's debt to its primary secured lender. For additional information, see    
Note O of the Notes to DeSoto's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year  
ended December 31, 1995.                                                        

  Customers. DeSoto's sales include private label sales (including control
brands) and contract manufacturing. DeSoto manufactures its products on a make  
and ship basis and carries a minimal buffer inventory for its private label     
accounts; therefore, finished goods inventory levels are generally relatively   
nominal. Generally, DeSoto extends standard industry terms to its customers. As 
a result of the 1996 disposition of the Union City operations, DeSoto's current 
sales are primarily to Sears. DeSoto expects that, in the foreseeable future,   
sales to Sears will represent in excess of 75% of DeSoto's total sales. Although
DeSoto has been a supplier of Sears branded home laundry products for over 30   
years, sales are currently conducted on open account and Sears could terminate  
its relationship with DeSoto at any time. The loss of Sears as a customer would 
have a material adverse effect on DeSoto's current business.                    

     During 1995, DeSoto had four customers that accounted for approximately 55%
of sales; Sears (20%), Kmart (10%), Procter & Gamble (13%) and Benckiser (12%). 
As a result of the 1995 and 1996 sales of certain businesses referred to above, 
Kmart, Procter & Gamble and Benckiser are no longer customers of DeSoto. In     
1994, Sears (16%), Kmart (15%) and Procter & Gamble (10%) accounted for an      
aggregate of 41% of DeSoto's sales. In 1993, Sears (14%), Lever Brothers Company
(11%) and Kmart (10%) accounted for an aggregate of 35% of DeSoto's sales.      

     Distribution. DeSoto's private label and control label products are sold in
retail stores, including mass merchants and service centers. DeSoto primarily   
uses its own sales force to sell its products. Products produced under contract 
manufacturing agreements are generally distributed under arrangements made by   
the purchaser.                                                                  

    Raw Materials. The primary raw materials used in DeSoto's products include
soda ash, surfactants, brighteners and packaging materials. In general, raw     
materials and energy supplies have been available to DeSoto in adequate         
quantities to meet the needs of its business and DeSoto believes raw materials  
and energy supplies will, in general, be available to meet its anticipated      
requirements for the foreseeable future.                                        

   As part of its quality control program, DeSoto subjects raw materials and
packaging components to quality tests upon purchase. DeSoto products are made to
predetermined specifications with quality tests conducted during production.    

Competition. DeSoto faces significant competition in the household    
detergent market. DeSoto believes there are 15 major domestic producers of      
household detergent, of which the top five are the major national brand         
detergent manufacturers who account for approximately 73% of industry sales. The
private label market represents approximately 3% of the household detergent     
market and there are also approximately ten major                               

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second tier domestic producers, including DeSoto, that compete within this 3%   
portion of the market. Several of these second tier producers also participate  
in the contract packaging portion of the industry. DeSoto competes on the basis 
of price, service and product quality and believes there is a heavy emphasis on 
price in the marketplace. DeSoto believes it has expertise in a broad array of  
detergent products and offers experience in contract packaging with major       
companies.                                                                      

    Research and Development. During 1996, DeSoto anticipates its expenditures
on Company-sponsored research relating to the development of new products or the
improvement of existing products will be less than the $218,000 expended during 
1995.                                                                           

   Patents, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions. In the opinion of DeSoto's
management, no material patents, licenses, franchises or concessions are held by
DeSoto. In addition, DeSoto has no licenses with foreign manufacturers.         

    Environmental Compliance. DeSoto believes its current operating facilities
are in material compliance with all presently applicable federal, state and     
local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or       
otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. Capital expenditures of
DeSoto attributable to compliance with such laws were not material in 1995 and  
DeSoto anticipates such expenditures to be not material in 1996. For additional 
information regarding accruals relating to environmental compliance with respect
to certain of DeSoto's former operations, see Note I of the Notes to DeSoto's   
Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1995 and      
"-- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of  
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."                                 

 Seasonality. DeSoto does not believe its business is seasonal; however,
promotional activities of its customers can result in increased sales during    
specific time frames.                                                           

  Employees. DeSoto had approximately 60 employees as of June 30, 1996, of
whom approximately 38 are represented by the United Paperworkers International  
Union, AFL-CIO and its Local 903 (the "Paperworkers Union") and the District No.
55 of the International Association of Machinists, and Aerospace Workers,       
AFL-CIO (the "Machinists Union"). The current collective bargaining agreements  
with the Paperworkers Union and the Machinists Union expire in November 1996 and
August 1999, respectively. DeSoto believes its labor relations are satisfactory.

PROPERTIES                                                                      

    DeSoto's current manufacturing and warehousing operations are located in a
160,000 square foot facility in Joliet, Illinois. At June 30, 1996,             
approximately 61% of this facility was used for warehousing and administrative  
purposes. The property is well maintained and in good operating condition. In   
general, DeSoto believes the facility is adequate for current production as well
as for a material increase in production.                                       

     In 1992, DeSoto sold three of its operating facilities (buildings and land)
to its defined benefit pension plan (the "DeSoto Pension Plan") and entered into
10-year leases by which DeSoto leased the facilities from the DeSoto Pension    
Plan. This transaction included DeSoto's facilities in Joliet, Illinois,        
Columbus, Georgia, and Union City, California. DeSoto ceased operations at the  
Columbus, Georgia plant in March 1994 and the facility has been subleased to an 
unrelated third party through September 30, 1997. Since April 1996, the Union   
City facility has also been subleased to an unrelated third party. In December  
1994, DeSoto sold its operating facility (building and land) in South Holland,  
Illinois, to the DeSoto Pension Plan and leased it back. DeSoto ceased          
operations at the South Holland, Illinois facility in October 1995. For further 
information regarding these transactions, refer to "-- Management's Discussion  
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note C of the
Notes to DeSoto's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 
31, 1995.                                                                       

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS                                                               

     DeSoto has been identified by governmental regulatory authorities as one of
the parties potentially responsible for the cleanup costs at a number of waste  
disposal sites, several of which are on the EPA Superfund priority list. In     
addition, damages are being claimed against DeSoto in private actions for       
alleged                                                                         

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personal injury or property damage in the case of certain other waste disposal  
sites. See also "-- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations" and Note I of the Notes to DeSoto's Consolidated     
Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1995.                      

  Lundman Development Corporation v. DeSoto, Inc. DeSoto was served with a
summons and complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern 
District of Wisconsin on September 8, 1994. The complaint alleges, inter alia,  
that DeSoto violated the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and 
Liability Act ("CERCLA") with respect to property DeSoto once owned in Fredonia,
Wisconsin. DeSoto has denied the allegations in the complaint. Motions for      
summary judgment are pending, and a September 1996 trial date has been set.     

Ninth Avenue Remedial Group et al v. Allis-Chambers Corporation et    
al. DeSoto was named in a complaint filed in the United States District Court   
for the Northern District of Indiana on December 6, 1994. The complaint alleges 
DeSoto and numerous other parties are jointly and severally responsible under   
CERCLA for the cleanup and future cleanup of the site. Also, the EPA issued an  
administrative order against DeSoto under Section 106(a) of CERCLA demanding    
that DeSoto undertake remediation at the Ninth Avenue site. DeSoto has responded
that it intends to comply with all terms of the order. The matter is in the     
discovery stage.                                                                

  United States of America v. Akzo et al. DeSoto was named in a complaint,
dated March 31, 1995, and filed in the United States District Court for the     
Eastern District of Michigan. The complaint, filed on behalf of the EPA,        
alleges, inter alia, that DeSoto and four other parties are responsible under   
Section 107 of CERCLA for costs the EPA incurred at the Metamora Landfill site  
in Lapeer, Michigan. The complaint also seeks a declaration under Section 113 of
CERCLA that DeSoto is liable for the EPA's future costs that may be incurred at 
this site. Separately, on June 13, 1996, DeSoto was served with a complaint,    
also filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of      
Michigan, entitled Foamseal, Inc., et al. v. The Dow Chemical Co., et al., by a 
group of firms seeking, inter alia, contribution from DeSoto and numerous other 
parties for remediation costs being incurred by the plaintiff firms at the named
site. DeSoto's defense in these actions have been assumed by the company and its
principal shareholder from which DeSoto purchased certain assets of the business
which is alleged to be partially responsible for the alleged contamination at   
this site. The former owners of the company have also agreed to indemnify DeSoto
with respect to the claims asserted in the complaints.                          

   DeSoto received a unilateral amended Administrative Order dated March 25,
1996, issued by the EPA under Section 106 of CERCLA, alleging DeSoto is a       
potentially responsible party in connection with the Marina Cliffs site in South
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. DeSoto presently believes it has no liability for the     
claims made relating to the site.                                               

    Pennsauken Solid Waste Management Authority v. State of New Jersey DEP, et
al. On or about December 14, 1995, DeSoto was served with an amended complaint  
filed in the New Jersey Superior Court, Camden County, alleging, inter alia,    
that DeSoto and numerous other parties are jointly and severally responsible for
the disposition of hazardous wastes at the Pennsauken Sanitary Landfill in New  
Jersey. An earlier complaint naming DeSoto was dismissed without prejudice.     

  Gerling-Service Nederland, BV v. DeSoto, Inc. In 1992, a claim was filed
against DeSoto in the Eastern Division of the Danish High Court by an insurance 
carrier to a third party, for property damage allegedly incurred when a         
fertilizer product manufactured by the third party, containing a chemical sold  
to that party by one of DeSoto's discontinued operations, allegedly caused, or  
promoted, a fungus infection resulting in failure of certain tomato crops in the
United Kingdom. The damages alleged are approximately $1.4 million. DeSoto's    
defense, with a reservation of rights, has been undertaken by one of its        
insurance carriers.                                                             

  In re DeSoto, Inc. Shareholder Litigation. There are several shareholder
actions pending in the Delaware courts relating to various proposals of Sutton  
Holding Corp. to acquire DeSoto in the period 1989 to 1991. These actions, all  
of which were consolidated, have not been actively pursued and it appears the   
case was removed from the court's calendar; however, the plaintiffs recently    
served a discovery request upon DeSoto. DeSoto believes these actions are not   
material.                                                                       

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DeSoto, Inc. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. On August 23, 1995, 
DeSoto commenced an action in the United States District Court for the District 
of New Jersey, seeking contract and declaratory relief with respect to          
environmental insurance coverage that DeSoto purchased from Liberty Mutual      
Insurance Company. The matter is now in the pre-trial discovery.                

Fort Dearborn Lithograph Co. v. DeSoto, Inc. DeSoto was served with a 
summons and complaint on July 19, 1995, filed by Fort Dearborn Lithograph Co. in
the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, seeking to collect allegedly unpaid 
invoices for goods and services, of approximately $500,000. The final           
disposition of this action has been stayed, based on a payment arrangement made 
with this creditor.                                                             

     Liquid Container, L.P. v. DeSoto, Inc. DeSoto was served with a summons and
complaint on December 6, 1995, filed by Liquid Container, L.P. in the Circuit   
Court of Cook County, Illinois, claiming breach of contract and damages relating
to a transaction involving, in part, DeSoto's former blow molding operations.   
DeSoto has asserted a number of defenses and counterclaims. The action is in the
early stages of pre-trial discovery.                                            

Rooney v. DeSoto, Inc., et al. This action was filed in 1991 in the   
District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, by various emergency healthcare        
providers against DeSoto, among others, claiming damages for alleged personal   
injuries purportedly related to an industrial accident involving a DeSoto       
employee at its former facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The case has now been set 
for trial in the fall of 1996.                                                  

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF      
OPERATIONS                                                                      

Liquidity and Capital Resources                                             

DeSoto continues to experience losses from operations and negative    
operating and financing cash flows. As part of a continuing effort to manage its
accounts payable and cash flow requirements, DeSoto, as of January 1996,        
executed a Trade Composition Agreement (the "Trade Composition Agreement") with 
its trade creditors as represented by a committee of six major trade creditors  
and an agent for DeSoto's trade creditors (the "Trade Agent"). The Trade        
Composition Agreement includes a form of Standstill Agreement (the "Standstill  
Agreement") executed by DeSoto's trade creditors related to accounts payable    
existing as of September 22, 1995. Under the Standstill Agreement, if certain   
conditions are met, the creditors who are party to such agreement ("Qualified   
Trade Creditors") have agreed not to initiate litigation or other efforts to    
collect amounts owed to them. As part of the Trade Composition Agreement, DeSoto
initiated the termination of its overfunded defined benefit pension plan to be  
effective upon the receipt of appropriate governmental approvals. DeSoto has    
agreed to pay each Qualified Trade Creditor the balance owed to that creditor,  
plus interest from July 1, 1996, at a rate of 8% per annum, within 10 days of   
receipt of the reverted excess DeSoto Pension Plan assets. The Trade Composition
Agreement stipulates DeSoto may suspend efforts to terminate its defined benefit
pension plan if DeSoto enters into a binding agreement for a merger, asset sale 
or similar transaction, involving substantially all of DeSoto's assets, if such 
binding agreement provides that all Qualified Trade Creditors will be paid in   
full. The Trade Composition Agreement provides that upon the receipt (the       
"Requisite Consent Amount") by the Trade Agent and DeSoto of executed Standstill
Agreements from trade creditors holding at least 80% in dollar amounts of the   
outstanding trade claims as reflected on DeSoto's books and records (other than 
amounts owed to Procter & Gamble and Witco Chemical), DeSoto agreed to execute  
and deliver a security agreement (the "Security Agreement") granting a security 
interest and lien on all of DeSoto's assets to collateralize the obligations of 
DeSoto to the Qualified Trade Creditors. As a result of the Reorganization      
Agreement, DeSoto is no longer pursuing the pension plan termination. If the    
Merger is not consummated, DeSoto will reinstate the pension plan termination   
process.                                                                        

   On or about May 9, 1996, under the Trade Composition Agreement, the Trade
Agent and DeSoto received the Requisite Consent Amount and thereafter, DeSoto   
and the Trade Agent executed the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement     
provides that DeSoto may consummate the transactions contemplated by the        
Reorganization Agreement provided that DeSoto provides assurances reasonably    
satisfactory to the Trade Agent that the provisions of the Reorganization       
Agreement relating to payment of DeSoto's trade creditors will be satisfied. See
"The Reorganization Agreement -- Keystone Financing Agreements."                

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   As a result of its liquidity problems, DeSoto is currently operating on a
cash on delivery or limited credit basis with respect to purchases of supplies  
and raw materials. DeSoto has been able to operate within these constraints and 
expects to be able to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. DeSoto      
currently has no outstanding secured debt or revolving credit arrangements.     
DeSoto also expects to fund operations in 1996 with proceeds from insurance and 
other settlements and spot factoring of accounts receivable. The disposition of 
businesses during 1995 and 1996 and the resulting shut-down of certain operating
facilities are expected to reduce the cash required to fund remaining operations
in the future.                                                                  

     DeSoto reported negative operating cash flows of approximately $1.2 million
during the first six months of 1996 which was primarily funded by the proceeds  
from the sale, in February 1996, of machinery and equipment formerly used at    
facilities sold in 1995. The Company has also factored certain accounts         
receivable from time to time to address short-term cash requirements. Proceeds  
of $4.3 million were received from factoring during the first six months of     
1996, of which $1.3 million related to invoices due after June 30, 1996. The    
proceeds from the sale of DeSoto's Union City, California facility in April 1996
did not have a material impact on DeSoto's cash flows or financial position. See
also "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Information."                            

  Accounts receivable at June 30, 1996 decreased versus December 31, 1995,
reflecting the fact there were no second quarter sales to Proctor & Gamble (due 
to the April 1996 sale of the Union City facility), an increase in the allowance
for doubtful accounts, an offset of accounts receivable and payable relative to 
certain parties who were both debtors and creditors of DeSoto, and an increase  
in the level of factored receivables. The trade receivables are net of the      
factored accounts receivable as discussed above.                                

  Lower inventory levels at June 30, 1996 verses December 31, 1995 reflect
DeSoto's efforts to manage its cash flow, as well as the impact of the Union    
City disposition discussed above.                                               

     The decline in property, plant and equipment during the first six months of
1996 reflects the sale of machinery and equipment in February 1996 as discussed 
above and the sale of the machinery and equipment at the Union City facility in 
April 1996. The balance of the reduction in property, plant and equipment       
represents depreciation.                                                        

 The reduction in non-current assets during the first six months of 1996
reflects reclassification of certain amounts to current as well as a reserve    
against certain assets due to questions with respect to realizability.          

  The reduction in trade payables at June 30, 1996 as compared to December
31, 1995, reflects continued cost control efforts as well as an offset of       
accounts receivable and payable relative to certain parties who were both       
debtors and creditors of DeSoto. Reserves and liabilities related to            
restructuring programs increased during the first six months of 1996 due to     
provisions for expenses related to the disposition of the Union City, California
operations. Significant components of this accrual include the write-down of    
property, plant and equipment to net realizable value, future rental commitments
on a leased warehouse and severance pay.                                        

    Cash flows from operations in 1995 were a positive $1 million and included
cash proceeds of $6.1 million from insurance settlements related to the cost of 
cleanup at certain hazardous waste sites. Cash flows from operations also       
reflects the impact of no longer carrying receivables or inventory related to   
the businesses sold during 1995.                                                

 Accounts receivable at December 31, 1995, when compared to December 31,
1994, also reflects a reduction in trade accounts receivable due to the impact  
of reduced sales resulting in part from the business dispositions. Inventory    
levels have declined during the same time period due in part to lower           
requirements stemming from the lower sales levels as well as the continued      
impact of a product rationalization/inventory control program.                  

    The decline in DeSoto's property, plant and equipment during 1995 reflects
the 1995 business dispositions, the sale of equipment no longer used in         
operations as well as the write-down to net realizable value of property, plant 
and equipment at DeSoto's former South Holland facility. In addition, the excess
of depreciation over capital expenditures in 1995 contributed to the overall    
reduction in net property, plant and equipment.                                 

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     The decline in other noncurrent assets during 1995 was due primarily to the
third quarter write-off of approximately $3.3 million of goodwill related to the
businesses sold by DeSoto during 1995. This write-off of goodwill was partially 
offset by a minimum long-term royalty receivable of $1.5 million recorded as    
part of the sale of the businesses.                                             

     Reserves and liabilities related to restructuring programs increased during
1995 primarily due to provisions for expenses related to the disposition, and   
related shutdown, of DeSoto's South Holland facility. Significant components of 
this accrual include future rental payments to the DeSoto Pension Plan and      
future real estate taxes on the property.                                       

     DeSoto has been identified by governmental regulatory authorities as one of
the parties potentially responsible for the cleanup costs at a number of waste  
disposal sites and for certain alleged contamination. In addition, damages are  
being claimed against DeSoto in private actions for alleged personal injury or  
property damages in the case of some of the waste disposal sites. Accruals have 
been made for the estimated costs of DeSoto's expected resulting liability.     
These estimates are subject to numerous variables, the effects of which are     
difficult to measure, including the stage of the investigations, the nature of  
potential remedies, the joint and several liability with other potentially      
responsible parties and other issues. Accordingly, these waste site accruals    
represent DeSoto's best estimate of its potential exposure. It is the opinion of
DeSoto's management, after evaluating the variables discussed above, as well as 
the anticipated time frame for remediation, that the resolution of environmental
liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on DeSoto's financial       
position, results of operations or liquidity. Of the $2 million accrued as a    
current liability at June 30, 1996 for waste site cleanup, $755,000 is fully    
funded by a trust fund which is included in restricted short-term investments in
DeSoto's balance sheet. This fund was established in 1990 as part of the sale of
specific discontinued operations of DeSoto and may be accessed by DeSoto and, in
certain circumstances, a certain purchaser of the discontinued operations. In   
1995, DeSoto paid out approximately $2.3 million on waste site related          
liabilities, excluding legal and administrative costs; and of this amount, $1.1 
million and $29,000 was disbursed, respectively, from the trust fund and        
restricted cash account discussed above. Based upon currently available         
information, DeSoto's management is unable to determine the timing of future    
payments for that portion of the waste site liability which has been classified 
as long-term. For additional information regarding DeSoto's waste site cleanup  
liability, refer to Note I of the Notes to DeSoto's Consolidated Financial      
Statements for the year ended December 31, 1995.                                

Results of Operations                                                       

Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 Versus Six Months Ended June 30, 1995. 
DeSoto's net revenues for the first six months of 1996 were $9.5 million versus 
$35.2 million in the comparable 1995 period. Results of operations for the 1995 
six-month period include DeSoto's former Thornton and South Holland businesses  
which were sold in July 1995 and the Union City business sold in April 1996. The
disposed businesses accounted for approximately $26.9 million of net revenues in
the first six months of 1995 and $2 million of net revenues in the first six    
months of 1996. Excluding sales of the disposed businesses, net revenues in the 
first half of 1996 were $7.5 million, down 10% from $8.3 million in the first   
half of 1995, primarily as a result of lower sales levels to customers other    
than Sears.                                                                     

   Gross profit for the 1996 six month period was $1.1 million versus a loss
in 1995 of $574,000. The change in customer mix resulting from the sales of     
certain businesses referred to above contributed to the 1996 increase in gross  
profit.                                                                         

  Sales to Sears in the first six months of 1996 were slightly higher than
the same period of 1995 as volume increases in the first quarter of 1996 were   
largely offset by a decline in selling prices. Contract packaging revenues      
declined in the first six months of 1996 versus the 1995 comparable period      
largely due to a change in the manner of doing business with Procter & Gamble.  
The Procter & Gamble business in 1995 included packaging materials that had been
purchased by DeSoto on behalf of Procter & Gamble. However, in 1996 the         
packaging materials were furnished by Procter & Gamble which resulted in a      
corresponding decrease in revenues and cost of sales. A temporary change in     
Procter & Gamble's purchasing pattern during the first quarter of 1996 resulted 
in increased volume and gross profit during the first six months of 1996, as    
compared                                                                        

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to the comparable 1995 period, at DeSoto's Union City facility. Sales by DeSoto 
to Procter & Gamble were discontinued as of April 1996 upon disposition of the  
Union City facility.                                                            

     Selling, general and administrative expenses were $2.7 million in the first
six months of 1996 versus $5.7 million in the comparable 1995 period. This      
decrease primarily reflects the disposition of the Thornton, South Holland and  
Union City businesses.                                                          

Nonrecurring expense in the first six months of 1996 amounted to $1.6 
million and primarily reflects provisions in the first quarter of 1996 for      
expenses related to the disposition of the Union City facility. Significant     
components of the provisions include the write-down of fixed assets to net      
realizable value, future rental commitments on a leased warehouse and severance 
pay.                                                                            

Interest expense in the first six months of 1995 related to borrowings
repaid in September 1995 when DeSoto's credit facility with its primary secured 
lender was terminated. Nonoperating expense for the first six months of 1996 of 
$1.2 million represents the provision for an allowance against certain          
receivables related to disposed businesses. The nonoperating income in the      
comparable 1995 period primarily resulted from approximately $6.1 million in    
insurance settlements and royalty income of $244,000 related to technology sold 
by DeSoto in 1990.                                                              

     1995 versus 1994. Results of operations for 1995 reflect the disposition of
DeSoto's Thornton and South Holland, Illinois businesses in July 1995. These    
businesses accounted for approximately $27.2 million of net revenues in 1995    
versus $51.7 million of net revenues during 1994.                               

   Overall net revenues in 1995 decreased approximately 40% versus the prior
year. Net revenues from the continuing business in 1995 (excluding the 1995     
business dispositions) decreased approximately 29% from 1994. This decline can  
be attributed largely to a decrease in sales to two customers: Sears and Lever. 
Sales to Sears in 1995 were approximately $3.5 million lower than the previous  
year; a decrease of approximately 25%. This decline was partially attributable  
to promotional activity in 1994 as well as competitive pressures that had a     
negative impact on sales in general. Sales to Lever in 1994 included            
approximately $2.0 million of sales of autodish gel and concentrated fabric     
softener and $1.3 million of sales of fabric softener sheets. Lever transferred 
this business out of DeSoto during the second and third quarters of 1994 and    
DeSoto no longer manufactures either product.                                   

    Sales to Kmart in 1995 were approximately $8.2 million lower than sales in
1994. Sales were made to Kmart as part of the businesses which were sold in July
of 1995. Approximately $3.4 million of the decline in sales to Kmart occurred   
before the disposition of these businesses.                                     

    The 1995 decline in gross profit from the 1994 level resulted from pricing
pressures, changes in product and customer mix, reduced volume, increased       
packaging costs and unrecovered fixed costs at certain of DeSoto's operating    
facilities. In addition, DeSoto continued to manufacture products through       
October 1995 for the buyer of one of the businesses it sold in 1995. These      
products were sold to the buyer at prices that approximated cost.               

 Selling, general and administrative costs declined approximately 15% in
1995 versus 1994. This decline reflects the elimination of administrative       
personnel subsequent to the business dispositions in 1995 as well as continued  
cost containment efforts. Selling, general and administrative expenses in 1994  
also included the operation of DeSoto facilities in Columbus, Georgia, which    
closed in March 1994, and Stone Mountain, Georgia, which closed in July 1994.   

Nonrecurring expense in 1995 included a net loss on the sale of the   
Thornton and South Holland, Illinois businesses (including the write-off of     
related goodwill of $3.3 million) and a $3.1 million provision for costs        
associated with the resulting closure of operating facilities due to these      
dispositions.                                                                   

 Interest expense in 1995 related to borrowings repaid in September 1995
when DeSoto's credit facility with its primary secured lender was terminated.   
Nonoperating income in 1995 included approximately $6.1 million from insurance  
settlements and approximately $244,000 of royalty income related to technology  
sold by DeSoto in 1990.                                                         

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  1994 Versus 1993. In 1994, DeSoto's net revenues decreased approximately
14% from 1993. This decrease was primarily the result of lower sales to Lever   
and the loss of a customer to which DeSoto made $5 million in sales during 1993.
Other losses of existing business and gains of new business for the most part   
offset each other. The 1993 revenues also included approximately $3.1 million in
sales related to a former business of DeSoto, the assets and business of which  
were sold in December 1993. Sales to Lever declined approximately $7 million    
versus 1993 as a result of Lever transferring its autodish gel business to one  
of Lever's own production facilities and its fabric sheet business to another   
company during 1994.                                                            

  The 1994 decline in gross profit as compared to 1993 was attributable to
changes in customer and product mix. Competitive pricing pressures in the       
marketplace depressed pricing. New business obtained in 1994 was, in most cases,
at a lower gross profit than the lost business it replaced. There was also      
continued pressure to participate in advertising and promotional support of     
various customers resulting in a negative impact on gross profit.               

Selling, general, and administrative costs in 1994 were reduced       
significantly from 1993 levels. Approximately $1.2 million of this reduction    
related to the fact that 1993 results included an entire year of expenses       
related to the former business of DeSoto which was sold in December 1993. The   
shutdown of DeSoto's Columbus and Stone Mountain, Georgia facilities also       
resulted in a reduction in selling, general and administrative costs of         
approximately $500,000 in 1994. The disposition of DeSoto's former headquarters 
facility in 1993 resulted in the elimination of approximately $750,000 in       
carrying costs in 1993. In 1993 there was a significant reduction in legal fees 
and outside professional fees resulting from the settlement of various          
outstanding legal matters and reflected DeSoto's continued focus on cost control
and containment across all functions of DeSoto.                                 

    Nonoperating income in 1994 included the settlement of arbitration related
to a portion of a business sold in 1990. Other components of nonoperating income
included a settlement related to fees paid for professional services and royalty
income related to technology sold by DeSoto in 1990.                            

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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS                                        

The following table sets forth certain information as of July 31, 1996
(except as otherwise indicated) regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of 
voting stock of DeSoto held by (i) directors, (ii) each person or entity known  
to DeSoto who beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding DeSoto Common   
Stock or DeSoto Preferred Stock, (iii) the officers of DeSoto, and (iv) all     
directors and officers of DeSoto as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each
person or entity has sole voting and investment power of the shares listed. For 
purposes of this table, shares which are not outstanding but which are subject  
to DeSoto Options or DeSoto Warrants are deemed to be outstanding for purposes  
of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of the class owned by the     
holder of the DeSoto Options or DeSoto Warrants but are not deemed to be        
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the class owned by   
other persons.                                                                  

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                                      COMBINED    
                                                                                                    OWNERSHIP OF  
                                                                                                       DESOTO     
                                 AMOUNT AND                                                          COMMON AND   
                                 NATURE OF        APPROXIMATE      AMOUNT AND                      PREFERRED STOCK
                                 BENEFICIAL      PERCENTAGE OF     NATURE OF        APPROXIMATE                   
      NAME OF INDIVIDUAL        OWNERSHIP OF      OUTSTANDING      BENEFICIAL       PERCENT OF       APPROXIMATE  
           OR ENTITY               DESOTO           DESOTO        OWNERSHIP OF      OUTSTANDING    PERCENT OF ALL 
           OR NUMBER            COMMON STOCK        COMMON      DESOTO PREFERRED      DESOTO           DESOTO     
           IN GROUP             (SHARES)(1)          STOCK       STOCK (SHARES)   PREFERRED STOCK   VOTING STOCK  
------------------------------- ------------     -------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                                                  
Sutton Holding Corp.(2)........   1,797,089(3)       30.5%           583,333(4)        100.0%            36.8%(5) 
William Spier..................     809,840(6)       15.4%           259,259(7)         44.4%            18.3%    
Anders U. Schroeder............     639,470(8)       12.5%           194,444(9)         33.3%            14.6%    
The Gabelli Group..............     512,600(10)      10.9%                 0               0              9.7%    
Pioneering Management Corp.....     459,400(11)       9.8%                 0               0              8.7%    
LL Capital Partners, L.P.......     276,700(12)       5.9%                 0               0              5.2%    
Narragansett First Fund........     261,388(13)       5.6%                 0               0              5.0%    
Dimensional Fund Advisors                                                                                         
  Inc..........................     242,300(14)       5.2%                 0               0              4.6%    
Anne E. Eisele.................      36,374(15)      *                     0               0               *      
William P. Lyons...............      30,000(16)      *                     0               0               *      
Daniel T. Carroll..............       8,500(17)      *                     0               0               *      
David M. Tobey.................       8,000(18)      *                     0(19)           0               *  (20)
Paul E. Price..................       5,200(21)      *                     0               0               *      
All directors and officers as a                                                                                   
  group (9 persons)............   1,969,087(22)      32.7%           583,333             100%            38.6%(22)

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

*  Denotes less than 1%                                                     

(1) The information under this caption is based on representations made to    
 DeSoto by individual directors and/or filings made with the Commission.

 (2) Sutton Holding Corp., a New York corporation ("Sutton"), is part of a group
   filing a joint Schedule 13D with respect to ownership of shares of DeSoto
 Common Stock that includes Anders U. Schroeder, an affiliate of William
    Spier, and parties having a business relationship with David Tobey. Sutton
   is owned by Asgard Ltd. (an affiliate of Anders U. Schroeder) ("Asgard"),
     Parkway M&A Capital Corporation ("Parkway"), M&A Investment Pte Ltd ("M&A")
(entities having a business relationship with David Tobey), and an    
individual having no other relationship with DeSoto. Messrs. Spier,   
    Schroeder and Tobey are directors and officers of Sutton. Sutton's address
    is 101 East 52nd Street, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10022. As a result
   of a recent agreement, Mr. Schroeder, Asgard, Parkway and M&A have ceased
to be a part of the group filing the joint Schedule 13D.              

(3) Sutton is the record owner of 100 shares of DeSoto Common Stock. The stock
ownership reported in the table for Sutton also includes the stock    
     ownership of the other parties to the Schedule 13D referred to in Note 2 as
    follows: Coatings Group, Inc. ("Coatings Group") beneficially owns 779,840
shares of DeSoto Common Stock, of which 246,507 shares are currently  
outstanding and 533,333 shares are issuable upon DeSoto Warrants      
     beneficially owned by Coatings Group; Anders U. Schroeder and an affiliated
 entity beneficially own 618,970 shares of DeSoto Common Stock, of which
    218,970 shares are currently outstanding and 400,000 are issuable upon the
exercise of DeSoto Warrants beneficially owned by the affiliate of Mr.
   Schroeder (DeSoto Options granted to Mr. Schroeder pursuant to the DeSoto
     1992 Stock Plan have not been included in the foregoing or in the ownership
for Sutton reported in the                                            

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     table); Parkway beneficially owns 350,811 shares of DeSoto Common Stock, of
which 84,144 are currently outstanding and 266,667 are issuable upon  
exercise of DeSoto Warrants beneficially owned by Parkway; and M&A    
  beneficially owns 47,368 shares of DeSoto Common Stock, all of which are
currently outstanding. Consequently, Sutton and these related parties 
  currently beneficially own an aggregate of 597,089 currently outstanding
   shares of DeSoto Common Stock and 1,200,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock
     issuable upon exercise of DeSoto Warrants having an exercise price of $7.00
per share, representing the 1,797,089 shares of DeSoto Common Stock   
    reported in the table. (DeSoto Options granted pursuant to the DeSoto 1992
    Stock Plan to affiliates of any of these parties have not been included in
these numbers.)                                                       

(4) Parties related to Sutton own all of the shares of DeSoto Preferred Stock 
reported in the table. Coatings Group owns 259,259 of such shares, an 
   affiliate of Anders U. Schroeder owns 194,444 of such shares, and Parkway
owns 129,630 of such shares.                                          

(5) Represents shares of DeSoto Common Stock and DeSoto Preferred Stock       
  currently owned by parties referred to in Note 2 and 1,200,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of DeSoto Warrants owned by such  
parties as described in Note 3.                                       

(6) Mr. Spier's stock ownership includes 246,507 currently outstanding shares 
   of DeSoto Common Stock and 533,333 shares of DeSoto Common Stock issuable
    upon exercise of DeSoto Warrants owned by Coatings Group, a corporation of
    which Mr. Spier is President and Chairman of the Board, and DeSoto Options
to purchase 30,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock which are currently  
   exercisable and were granted pursuant to the DeSoto 1992 Stock Plan. (The
Coatings Group stock ownership also has been included in the stock    
ownership reported for Sutton. See Note 3.) The listed shares do not  
  include the 100 shares owned by Sutton or 100 shares held by Mr. Spier's
  father-in-law, as to which Mr. Spier may be deemed the beneficial owner.

(7) All such shares are owned by Coatings Group. See Note 3.                  

(8) Mr. Schroeder's stock ownership includes stock owned by Asgard. Asgard, a 
corporation affiliated with Mr. Schroeder, owns 218,970 currently     
outstanding shares of DeSoto Common Stock, 194,444 shares of DeSoto   
     Preferred Stock and beneficially owns 400,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock
  issuable upon exercise of DeSoto Warrants. (Asgard's stock ownership has
     been included in the stock ownership reported for Sutton. See Note 3.) Also
   includes DeSoto Options to purchase 20,500 shares of DeSoto Common Stock,
  which are currently exercisable and were granted pursuant to the De Soto
1992 Stock Plan.                                                      

(9) All such shares are owned by Asgard, a corporation affiliated with Mr.    
Schroeder.                                                            

(10) As reported by Mario J. Gabelli and various entities which he directly or  
    indirectly controls and for which he acts as chief investment officer (the
 "Gabelli Group") its members include the following: Gabelli Funds, Inc.
     ("GFI"), GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("GAMCO"), Gabelli Securities, Inc. ("GSI"),
Gabelli & Company, Inc. ("Gabelli & Company"), Gabelli Performance    
Partnership ("GPP"), GLI, Inc. ("GLI"), The Gabelli Associates Fund   
   ("Gabelli Associates"), Gabelli Associates Limited ("GAL"), The Gabelli &
   Company, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, Gabelli International Limited ("GIL"),
Gabelli International II Limited ("GIL II"), Mario J. Gabelli ("Mr.   
 Gabelli"), Lynch, Safety Railway and Western New Mexico. The address of
  Mario J. Gabelli and the Gabelli Group is c/o J. Hamilton Crawford, Jr.,
    Gabelli Funds, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1434. Based
     on information in Amendment No. 24 to Schedule 13D, dated July 9, 1996, the
   Gabelli Group owns its shares of DeSoto Common Stock as follows: Mario J.
 Gabelli, 7,500 shares; GAMCO, 498,600 shares; and GIL II, 6,500 shares.
     Each of the above persons or entities has sole voting and dispositive power
   over its shares, except that GAMCO does not have authority to vote 52,500
reported shares.                                                      

(11) Based on information in a Schedule 13G, dated as of January 26, 1996. The  
  address of Pioneering Management Corporation is 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109.                                                  

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(12) Based on information in Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed jointly by LL
   Capital Partners, L.P. and its general partner Lance Lessman, dated as of
December 1, 1995. The address of LL Capital Partners, L.P. is 375 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10152.                                     

(13) Based on information in Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D, dated as of July  
19, 1996. The address of Narragansett First Fund is 900 Fleet Center, 
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903.                                      

(14) Based on information in a Schedule 13G, dated as of February 7, 1996, filed
    by Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment
advisor, Dimensional is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 242,300
   shares of DeSoto Common Stock, all of which shares are held in portfolios
   of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end investment
company, or in series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a Delaware 
   business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group Trust,
investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which
  Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. serves as investment manager. Dimensional
disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.                    

(15) Includes shares of DeSoto Common Stock held in Ms. Eisele's account in the 
DeSoto Stock Ownership Plus Plan and DeSoto Options to purchase 30,000
shares of DeSoto Common Stock which are currently exercisable and were
granted pursuant to the DeSoto 1992 Stock Plan.                       

(16) Includes 25,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock owned by the William P. Lyons
    and Co., Inc. Pension Trust, the only participant and beneficiary of which
is Mr. Lyons. Also includes DeSoto Options to purchase 5,000 shares of
DeSoto Common Stock, which are currently exercisable and were granted 
pursuant to the DeSoto 1992 Stock Plan.                               

(17) Includes DeSoto Options to purchase 4,500 shares of DeSoto Common Stock    
 which are currently exercisable and were granted pursuant to the DeSoto
1992 Stock Plan.                                                      

(18) Includes DeSoto Options to purchase 5,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock,   
     which are currently exercisable and were granted pursuant to the 1992 Stock
    Plan. Does not include the stock ownership of Parkway and M&A. See Note 3.

(19) Does not include the 129,630 shares owned by Parkway. See Note 4.          

(20) Does not include stock ownership of Parkway and M&A. See Note 3.           

(21) Includes DeSoto Options to purchase 5,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock    
 which are currently exercisable and were granted pursuant to the DeSoto
1992 Stock Plan.                                                      

(22) Includes 1,498 shares of DeSoto Common Stock beneficially held in the      
     DeSoto Stock Ownership Plus Plan for the account of officers. Also includes
stock ownership of Sutton to the extent not otherwise included in the 
beneficial ownership of directors and officers, DeSoto Options held by
  directors and officers if exercisable within 60 days and shares issuable
   upon exercise of DeSoto Warrants. (Without inclusion of such Sutton stock
ownership, directors and officers, as a group, would own (i) 1,570,808
shares of DeSoto Common Stock, representing approximately 27.3% of the
  outstanding shares of DeSoto Common Stock, (ii) 453,703 shares of DeSoto
   Preferred Stock, representing approximately 77.8% of all such shares, and
(iii) approximately 31.9% of all voting stock.)                       

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DESOTO DIRECTORS WHO WILL BE KEYSTONE DIRECTORS                                 

Set forth below is certain information, as of the date hereof, about  
William Spier and William P. Lyons, each of whom will be elected to serve as a  
director of Keystone upon consummation of the Merger.                           

WILLIAM SPIER, age 61, has been a director of DeSoto since 1990 and   
Chairman of DeSoto since 1991. Mr. Spier has also been Chief Executive Officer  
of DeSoto from 1991 to January 1994 and from September 1995 to present,         
President and Chairman of Sutton (a corporation formed for the purpose of       
acquiring DeSoto) from 1989 to present, and a private investor from 1982 to     
present. Mr. Spier also is a director of Geotek Communications, Inc., Holmes    
Protection Group, Inc. and Video Lottery Technologies, Inc.                     

 WILLIAM P. LYONS, age 54, has been a director of DeSoto since 1991. Mr.
Lyons has also been Chairman of JVL Corp. (a manufacturer of generic and        
over-the-counter pharmaceutical products) since 1992, President and Chief       
Executive Officer of William P. Lyons and Co., Inc. (an investment firm) since  
1975 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Duro Test Corp. (a manufacturer
of specialty lighting products) from 1988 to 1991. Mr. Lyons also is a director 
of Holmes Protection Group, Inc., Lydell, Inc., and Video Lottery Technologies, 
Inc.                                                                            

The following table sets forth certain information for the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 concerning the compensation paid by DeSoto to 
William Spier. (Mr. Spier has not received cash compensation from DeSoto in     
1994, 1995 or 1996.) Mr. Lyons, as a director who is not an employee of DeSoto, 
receives the same compensation from DeSoto as other directors who are not DeSoto
employees. Directors who are not employees of DeSoto are paid an annual retainer
of $6,000 and, in addition, receive $800 for each meeting of the DeSoto Board or
committee thereof attended. In addition, under the terms of the DeSoto 1992     
Stock Plan, each non-employee director receives an initial grant of DeSoto      
Options to purchase 3,000 shares of DeSoto Common Stock upon becoming a director
and, thereafter, annual grants of DeSoto Options to purchase 500 shares of      
DeSoto Common Stock.                                                            

DESOTO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                   LONG-TERM  
                                                                                  COMPENSATION
                                                                                  ------------
                                                                                     AWARDS   
                                                                    ANNUAL        ------------
                                                                 COMPENSATION      SECURITIES 
                                                               -----------------   UNDERLYING 
                 NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                   YEAR      SALARY    OPTIONS(#) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- ----     --------  ------------
                                                                                              
William Spier................................................. 1995     $     --     10,000   
Chairman of the Board                                          1994           --     10,000   
and Chief Executive Officer                                    1993      123,750     10,000   

  Mr. Spier served as Chief Executive Officer of DeSoto until December 13,
1993, and effective as of September 1, 1995, Mr. Spier was again appointed Chief
Executive Officer of DeSoto.                                                    

  Shown below is information with respect to DeSoto Options granted during
the year ended December 31, 1995 to William Spier under the DeSoto 1992 Stock   
Plan, which provides, among other things, for the grant of DeSoto Options.      

DESOTO OPTION GRANTS IN 1995

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                                  POTENTIAL     
                                       NUMBER OF    PERCENTAGE                                 REALIZABLE VALUE 
                                         DESOTO      OF TOTAL                                 AT ASSUMED ANNUAL 
                                        OPTIONS       DESOTO                                    RATES OF STOCK  
                                        GRANTED      OPTIONS                                  PRICE APPRECIATION
                                       (IN COMMON    GRANTED     EXERCISE                     FOR OPTION TERM(B)
                                         SHARES    TO EMPLOYEES    PRICE       EXPIRATION     ------------------
                                          (A))       IN 1995     PER SHARE        DATE          5%         10%  
                                       ----------  ------------  ---------  ----------------  -------    -------
                                                                                                                
William Spier(c)......................   10,000        50.0%       $4.38    November 8, 2005  $27,514    $69,740

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

(a) Stock appreciation rights may not be granted under the DeSoto 1992 Stock    
Plan.                                                                   

(b) Under the rules and regulations of the Commission, the potential realizable 
value of a grant is the product of (i) the difference between (x) the   
   product of the per share market price of the time of grant and the sum of 1
plus the adjusted stock price appreciation rate (the assumed rates of   
  appreciation compounded annually over the term of the options) and (y) the
per share exercise price of the DeSoto Option and (ii) the number of    
  securities underlying the grant at year-end. Assumed annual rates of stock
    price appreciation of 5% and 10% are specified by the Commission and are not
  intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the price of
  the shares of DeSoto Common Stock. (For example, if the price of shares of
 DeSoto Common Stock remained at the exercise price of the DeSoto Options,
 (i.e., a 0% appreciation rate), the potential realized value of the grant
would be $0.) The actual performance of such shares may be significantly
different from the rates specified by the Commission.                   

(c) This grant was made as of November 8, 1995 with an exercise price equal to  
the market price at that time. The DeSoto Options were immediately      
exercisable.                                                            

     The following table provides certain information with respect to the number
and value of unexercised options outstanding as of December 31, 1995.           

DECEMBER 31, 1995 DESOTO OPTION VALUES

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                            NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED           VALUE OF UNEXERCISED    
                                                                DESOTO OPTIONS                  IN-THE-MONEY        
                                                              (IN COMMON SHARES)               DESOTO OPTIONS       
                                                             AT DECEMBER 31, 1995         AT DECEMBER 31, 1995 (A)  
                                                        ------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                        EXERCISABLE      UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE
                                                        -----------      -------------  -----------    -------------
                                                                                                                    
William Spier..........................................    30,000              0            $--             $--     

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

(a) Calculated by determining the difference between the fair market value of   
   the DeSoto Common Stock underlying the options on December 31, 1995 ($3.50,
 the closing price on the NYSE -- Composite Transactions) and the exercise
price of the DeSoto Options on that date.                               

DESOTO PENSION PLAN                                                             

   The compensation covered by the DeSoto Employees' Retirement Pension Plan
(the "Pension Plan") and the DeSoto Salaried Employees' Pension Preservation    
Plan (the "Preservation Plan") is substantially the same as that reported under 
the "Salary" column of the Summary Compensation Table, limited, however, to     
$150,000 for 1995 (or such other amount provided by Section 401(a)(17) of the   
Internal Revenue Code). As of December 31, 1995, the estimated credited years of
service of Mr. Spier was approximately five and Mr. Spier's average annual      
compensation during the highest five consecutive years of pay was $63,156. Thus,
Mr. Spier's estimated annual benefit payable upon retirement at age 65 is       
$4,228. Benefits are computed on the basis of a straight life annuity and are   
subject to offset for Social Security benefits (although the calculation of the 
offset under the Salaried Pension Plan differs from the offset under the        
Preservation Plan). To the extent an employee's benefit as computed under the   
Salaried Pension Plan exceeds the limitations provided under the Code or an     
employee's service exceeds 35 years, the benefit will be provided under the     
Preservation Plan.                                                              

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CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT KEYSTONE

KEYSTONE MANAGEMENT                                                             

    The current directors and executive officers of Keystone are listed below.

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                  NAME                   AGE                   TITLE                  
---------------------------------------- ---  ----------------------------------------
                                                                                      
Glenn R. Simmons........................ 68   Chairman of the Board and Chief         
                                              Executive Officer                       
J. Walter Tucker, Jr. .................. 70   Vice Chairman of the Board              
Thomas E. Barry......................... 53   Director                                
Paul M. Bass, Jr. ...................... 60   Director                                
David E. Connor......................... 70   Director                                
Donald A. Sommer........................ 68   Director                                
Richard N. Ullman....................... 62   Director                                
Robert W. Singer........................ 59   President and Chief Operating Officer   
Harold M. Curdy......................... 49   Vice President -- Finance and Treasurer 
Bert E. Downing, Jr. ................... 40   Corporate Controller                    
Ralph P. End............................ 58   Vice President and General Counsel      
Bill J. Johnson......................... 60   President, Sherman Wire Division        
Sandra K. Myers......................... 53   Corporate Secretary                     

    GLENN R. SIMMONS is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer of Keystone and has served in such capacities since 1987 but has been a 
director of Keystone since 1986. Mr. Simmons has served as Vice Chairman of the 
Board of Directors of Contran since prior to 1991. Mr. Simmons has been a       
director of Contran and an executive officer and/or director of various         
companies related to Contran since prior to 1991. He is Vice Chairman of the    
Board of Valhi and Valcor, Inc. and a director of NL Industries, Inc. ("NL") and
Tremont Corporation ("Tremont"), all of which companies may be deemed to be     
affiliates of Keystone. Mr. G. Simmons is also the brother of Harold C. Simmons.
Mr. G. Simmons' term as a director expires at Keystone's 1999 annual meeting of 
stockholders.                                                                   

J. WALTER TUCKER, JR. is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of   
Keystone and has served in such capacity since 1987 but has been a director of  
Keystone since 1971. Mr. Tucker has served as a director, President, and        
Treasurer of Tucker & Branham, Inc., a privately owned real estate, mortgage    
banking and insurance firm since prior to 1991. Mr. Tucker is also a director of
SunTrust Banks, Inc., Columbian Mutual Life Insurance Company and Valhi. He has 
also been an executive officer and/or director of various companies related to  
Valhi and Contran since 1982. Mr. Tucker's spouse is a first cousin of Donald A.
Sommer. Mr. Tucker's term as a director expires at Keystone's 1999 annual       
meeting of stockholders.                                                        

THOMAS E. BARRY has been a director of Keystone since 1989 and is Vice
President for Executive Affairs at Southern Methodist University and has been a 
Professor of Marketing in the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern       
Methodist University since prior to 1991. Mr. Barry's term as a director expires
at Keystone's 1997 annual meeting of stockholders.                              

  PAUL M. BASS, JR. has been a director of Keystone since 1989 and is Vice
Chairman of First Southwest Company, a privately owned investment banking firm, 
and has served as a director since prior to 1991. Mr. Bass is also Chairman of  
Richman Gordman Half Price Stores, Inc., Chairman of MorAmerica Private Equities
Company, director of First Madison Bank and Chairman of the Audit Committee and 
director of Source Services, Inc. Mr. Bass is currently serving as a member of  
the Executive Committee of Zale-Lipshy University Hospital and as Chairman of   
the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Medical Foundation. Mr. Bass' term as a   
director expires at Keystone's 1998 annual meeting of stockholders.             

     DAVID E. CONNOR has been a director of Keystone since 1992 and is President
of David E. Connor and Associates, advisers to commerce and industry, in Peoria,
Illinois and has served in such capacity since prior to 1991. He is a director  
of Cilcorp, Inc., Peoria, Illinois, and Chairman of the Board of First Midwest  
Bankshares, Quincy, Illinois. He is also director of Heartland Community Health 
Clinic, Peoria, Illinois,                                                       

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Museum Trustees of America, Washington, D.C., and a trustee of Bradley          
University, Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Connor's term as a director expires at        
Keystone's 1998 annual meeting of stockholders.                                 

     DONALD A. SOMMER has been a director of Keystone since 1962 and served as a
Vice President of Keystone prior to his retirement in 1982. Mr. Sommer is a     
first cousin to the spouse of J. Walter Tucker, Jr. Mr. Sommer's term as a      
director expires at Keystone's 1998 annual meeting of stockholders.             

RICHARD N. ULLMAN has been a director of Keystone since 1992 and is   
President of Federal Companies, a privately held commercial warehouse and       
transportation company in Peoria, Illinois, and has served in such capacity     
since prior to 1991. He is a director of First of America Bank -- Illinois, N.A.
and Cilcorp, Inc. and is also serving as director of Children's Hospital of     
Illinois at St. Francis, director of St. Francis Medical Center, and a trustee  
of Bradley University, all located in Peoria. Mr. Ullman's term as a director   
expires at Keystone's 1997 annual meeting of stockholders.                      

  ROBERT W. SINGER is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
and has served in that capacity since prior to 1991. He has served as Vice      
President of Valhi and Contran since prior to 1991.                             

   HAROLD M. CURDY is Vice President -- Finance and Treasurer of the Company
and has served in such capacities since prior to 1991.                          

    BERT E. DOWNING, JR. is Corporate Controller of the Company and has served
in such capacity since December 1993. From prior to 1991 to December 1993, Mr.  
Downing served as Senior Manager in the Dallas office of Ernst & Young, a public
accounting firm.                                                                

  RALPH P. END has served as Vice President and General Counsel since 1991
and as the Corporate Counsel and Assistant Secretary of the Company since prior 
to 1991.                                                                        

  BILL J. JOHNSON has served as President, Sherman Wire, a division of the
Company, since February 1995. Mr. Johnson served as Vice President & General    
Manager, Sherman Wire, since prior to 1991.                                     

SANDRA K. MYERS is Corporate Secretary of the Company and Executive   
Secretary of Contran and has served in both capacities since prior to 1991.     

All of the executive officers of Keystone serve at the pleasure of the
Keystone Board of Directors.                                                    

CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS                         

     As set forth under the caption "-- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners," Harold C. Simmons, through Contran and other entities, may be deemed to
own beneficially approximately 69% of Keystone Common Stock and, therefore, may 
be deemed to control Keystone. Certain officers and directors of Keystone are   
also officers and directors of Contran or of entities that may be deemed to be  
controlled by or affiliated with Contran or Harold C. Simmons. Keystone and     
other entities that may be deemed to be controlled by or affiliated with Mr.    
Simmons sometimes engage in (i) intercorporate transactions with related        
companies, including guarantees, management and expense sharing arrangements,   
shared fee arrangements, joint ventures, partnerships, loans, options, advances 
of funds on open account, and sales, leases and exchanges of assets, including  
securities issued by both related and unrelated parties, and (ii) common        
acquisition strategies, business combinations, reorganizations,                 
recapitalizations, securities repurchases and purchases and sales (and other    
acquisitions and dispositions) of subsidiaries, divisions or other business     
units, which transactions may involve both related and unrelated parties and may
include transactions that result in the acquisition by one related party of a   
publicly-held minority equity interest in another related party. Depending on   
the business, tax and other objectives then relevant, it is possible that       
Keystone might be a party to one or more of such transactions in the future. In 
connection with these activities, Keystone may consider issuing additional      
equity securities or incurring additional indebtedness. Keystone's acquisition  
activities have in the past and may in the future include participation in the  
acquisition or restructuring activities conducted by other companies that may be
deemed to be controlled by Harold C. Simmons. The foregoing relationships,      
transactions and agreements may create potential conflicts of interest. It is   
the policy of Keystone to engage in transactions with related parties on terms, 
in the opinion of Keystone, no less favorable to Keystone than could be obtained
from unrelated parties.                                                         

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No specific procedures are in place that govern the treatment of      
transactions among Keystone and its related entities, although such entities may
implement specific procedures as appropriate for particular transactions. In    
addition, under applicable principles of law, in the absence of stockholder     
ratification or approval by directors who may be deemed disinterested,          
transactions involving contracts among companies under common control must be   
fair to all companies involved. Furthermore, directors and officers owe         
fiduciary duties of good faith and fair dealing to all stockholders of the      
companies for which they serve.                                                 

Glenn R. Simmons, J. Walter Tucker, Jr., and Sandra K. Myers are not  
salaried employees of Keystone. Keystone has contracted with Contran, on a fee  
basis payable in quarterly installments, to provide certain administrative and  
other services to Keystone in addition to the services of Mr. G. Simmons and Ms.
Myers, including consulting services of Contran executive officers pursuant to  
the Intercorporate Services Agreement between Contran and Keystone, (the        
"Intercorporate Services Agreement"). The fee incurred during 1995 was $500,000.
Keystone compensates Tucker & Branham, Inc. for certain consulting services of  
Mr. Tucker on an hourly basis as his services are requested. The fees paid      
Tucker & Branham, Inc. during 1995 were $50,000.                                

    Certain of Keystone's property, liability and casualty insurance risks are
partially insured or reinsured by a captive insurance subsidiary of Valhi. The  
premiums and claims paid in connection therewith were approximately $39,000 for 
the year ended December 31, 1995.                                               

   Aircraft services were purchased from Valhi in the amount of $150,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1995.                                               

    In the opinion of Keystone management and the Keystone Board of Directors,
the terms of the transactions described above were no less favorable to Keystone
than those that could have been obtained from an unrelated entity.              

CERTAIN LITIGATION                                                              

Harold C. Simmons, Glenn R. Simmons and certain companies related to  
Keystone are parties to the litigation described below.                         

   In November 1991, a purported derivative complaint was filed in the Court
of Chancery of the State of Delaware, New Castle County, (Alan Russell Kahn v.  
Tremont Corporation, et al., No. 12339), in connection with the purchase by     
Tremont of 7,800,000 shares of NL Common Stock from Valhi (the "NL Stock        
Purchase"). In addition to Valhi, the complaint named as defendants Tremont and 
the members of Tremont's Board of Directors, including Glenn R. Simmons and     
Harold C. Simmons. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the NL Stock 
Purchase constituted a waste of Tremont's assets and that Tremont's Board of    
Directors had breached its fiduciary duties to Tremont's public stockholders. A 
trial on this matter was held in June 1995 and in March 1996 the court issued   
its opinion ruling in favor of the defendants and concluded that the NL Stock   
Purchase did not constitute an overreaching by Valhi, that Tremont's purchase   
price in the NL Stock Purchase was fair and that in all other respects the NL   
Stock Purchase was fair to Tremont. The plaintiffs have filed an appeal of the  
Court of Chancery's ruling.                                                     

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT                                                

   As of August 21, 1996, Keystone's directors, the executive officers named
in the Keystone Summary Compensation Table below, and the Keystone directors and
executive officers as a group, beneficially owned, as defined by the rules of   
the Commission, the shares of Keystone Common Stock shown in the following      
table.                                                                          

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                           AMOUNT AND NATURE            
                                                             OF BENEFICIAL              
                                                               OWNERSHIP                
                                                              OF KEYSTONE     PERCENT OF
                NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                    COMMON STOCK(1)    CLASS(2) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ----------
                                                                                        
Thomas E. Barry(3).......................................         4,100            --   
Paul M. Bass, Jr.(3)(4)..................................         6,500            --   
David E. Connor(3).......................................         4,500            --   
Harold M. Curdy(3).......................................        15,951            --   
Ralph P. End(3)..........................................         3,414            --   
Bill J. Johnson(3).......................................         6,535            --   
Glenn R. Simmons(3)(5)...................................        63,600           1.1%  
Robert W. Singer(3)......................................        28,770            --   
Donald A. Sommer(3)......................................        32,964            --   
J. Walter Tucker, Jr. ...................................       153,450           2.7%  
Richard N. Ullman(3).....................................         4,500            --   
All Keystone directors and executive officers as a group                                
  (13 persons)(3)(4)(5)..................................       331,788           5.8%  

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

(1) All beneficial ownership is sole and direct except as otherwise set forth   
     herein. Information as to the beneficial ownership of Keystone Common Stock
has either been furnished to Keystone by or on behalf of the indicated
persons or is taken from reports on file with the Commission.         

(2) Percentage omitted if less than 1%.                                         

(3) Includes shares that such person or group could acquire upon the exercise of
 options exercisable within 60 days of August 21, 1996 by Messrs. Barry,
    Bass, Connor, Sommer and Ullman for the purchase of 4,000 shares each, and
    named executive officers, Messrs. Curdy, End, Johnson, Simmons and Singer,
for the purchase of 3,000, 900, 2,340, 22,500, and 6,000 shares,      
    respectively, and the Keystone directors and executive officers as a group
for the purchase of 56,740 shares under Keystone's stock option plans.

(4) Includes 2,500 shares of Keystone Common Stock held in discretionary        
     accounts by First Southwest Company, a licensed broker-dealer, on behalf of
 certain of its clients, as to which Mr. Bass has voting and dispositive
    authority. Mr. Bass serves as Vice Chairman of First Southwest Company. As
a result of the foregoing, Mr. Bass may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of such shares. However, Mr. Bass disclaims all such beneficial 
ownership.                                                            

(5) Glenn R. Simmons is the brother of Harold C. Simmons. See footnote (1) to   
the table under "-- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners." 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS                                 

     The following table sets forth the stockholders known to Keystone to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Keystone Common Stock outstanding as of
the Record Date.                                                                

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                             AMOUNT AND NATURE OF           
                                                             BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP           
                    NAME AND ADDRESS OF                               OF            PERCENT 
                     BENEFICIAL OWNER                        KEYSTONE COMMON STOCK  OF CLASS
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------  --------
                                                                                            
Harold C. Simmons..........................................        3,893,833(1)(2)    68.5% 
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                                                                
Dallas, Texas 75240                                                                         
Killen Group, Inc..........................................          337,500(3)        5.9% 
1189 Lancaster Avenue                                                                       
Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312                                                                  

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

(1) The shares of Keystone Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by Harold C.
  Simmons includes 3,161,733, 326,050, 250,000, 115,550 and 30,000 shares of
 Keystone Common Stock held by Contran, NL, The Harold Simmons Foundation,
   Inc. (the "Foundation"), The Contran Deferred Compensation Trust No. 2 (the
    "Deferred Compensation Trust") and The Combined Master Retirement Trust (the
"Master Trust"), respectively.                                          

   Contran and NL directly hold approximately 55.6% and 5.7%, respectively, of
   the outstanding Keystone Common Stock. Valhi and Tremont are the holders of
    approximately 55.2% and 17.7%, respectively, of the outstanding common stock
of NL. Contran holds, directly or indirectly through related entities,  
  approximately 91.3% and 44.0% of the outstanding common stock of Valhi and
Tremont, respectively. Substantially all of Contran's outstanding voting
 stock is held by trusts established for the benefit of Harold C. Simmons'
    children and grandchildren (together, the "Trusts"), of which Mr. Simmons is
    the sole trustee. As sole trustee of each of the Trusts, Mr. Simmons has the
    power to vote and direct the disposition of the shares of Contran stock held
  by each of the Trusts; however, Mr. Simmons disclaims beneficial ownership
thereof.                                                                

 Harold C. Simmons is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
  Officer of Valhi and Contran and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
  Officer of certain related entities through which Contran may be deemed to
control Valhi. Additionally, he is Chairman of the Board of NL and is a 
director of Tremont.                                                    

The Master Trust holds approximately 0.5% of the outstanding shares of  
    Keystone Common Stock. The Master Trust is a trust formed by Valhi to permit
the collective investment by trusts that maintain the assets of certain 
employee benefit plans adopted by Valhi and related companies, including
Keystone. Harold C. Simmons is sole trustee of the Master Trust and sole
  member of the Trust Investment Committee for the Master Trust. The trustee
and members of the Trust Investment Committee for the Master Trust are  
selected by Valhi's board of directors. Harold C. Simmons and Glenn R.  
   Simmons are members of Valhi's board of directors and are both participants
   in one or more of the employee benefit plans that invest through the Master
Trust; however, both such persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the  
shares of Keystone Common Stock held by the Master Trust, except to the 
extent of their respective vested beneficial interests therein.         

The Foundation holds approximately 4.4% of the outstanding shares of    
  Keystone Common Stock. The Foundation is a tax-exempt foundation organized
and existing exclusively for charitable purposes. Harold C. Simmons is  
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation.    

   The Deferred Compensation Trust holds approximately 2.0% of the outstanding
shares of Keystone Common Stock. NationsBank of Texas, N.A. serves as   
trustee of the Deferred Compensation Trust (the "Trustee"). Contran     
   established the Deferred Compensation Trust as an irrevocable "rabbi trust"
   to assist Contran in meeting certain deferred compensation obligations that
   it owes to Harold C. Simmons. If the Deferred Compensation Trust assets are
  insufficient to satisfy such obligations, Contran must satisfy the balance
of such obligations. Pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Compensation 
Trust,                                                                  

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Contran (i) retains the power to vote the shares held by the Deferred   
   Compensation Trust, (ii) shares dispositive power over such shares with the
Trustee and (iii) may be deemed the indirect beneficial owner of such   
shares.                                                                 

  By virtue of the holding of such offices, the stock ownership as described
  above and his service as trustee as described above, Harold C. Simmons may
   be deemed to control such entities and Mr. Simmons and such entities may be
deemed to possess indirect beneficial ownership of certain shares of    
   Keystone Common Stock held by such entities. However, Mr. Simmons disclaims
such beneficial ownership of the shares of Keystone Common Stock        
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such entities.           

Certain information contained in this footnote is based on information  
provided to Keystone by Valhi, Contran and certain of their affiliates. 

(2) The shares of Keystone Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by Harold C.
   Simmons also includes 10,500 shares of Keystone Common Stock held by Mr. H.
    Simmons' wife, with respect to all of which Mr. Simmons disclaims beneficial
ownership.                                                              

(3) Based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G dated February 14, 1996, filed by  
    The Killen Group, Inc. (the "Killen Group") and Robert E. Killen. The Killen
   Group has sole power to vote 95,425 shares of Keystone Common Stock and the
   sole power to dispose of 335,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock. Robert E.
    Killen, the president and sole stockholder of the Killen Group whose address
  is the same as the Killen Group, has the sole power to vote and dispose of
2,500 shares of Keystone Preferred Stock.                               

DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION                                                         

     Directors of Keystone who are not salaried employees of Keystone receive an
annual retainer of $12,000. Such directors also receive a fee of $450 per day   
for each Keystone Board of Directors meeting and/or committee meeting requiring 
attendance in person. Directors are also reimbursed for reasonable expenses     
incurred in attending Keystone Board of Directors and/or committee meetings. On 
May 5, 1992, the Keystone stockholders approved the Keystone Consolidated       
Industries, Inc. 1992 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan ("Keystone        
Director Plan"), which provides that each non-employee director will be granted 
an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock on the third        
business day after Keystone issues its press release summarizing Keystone's     
annual financial results for the prior fiscal year. The exercise price of the   
options will be equal to the last reported sale price of Keystone Common Stock  
on the NYSE Composite Tape on the date of grant. Options granted pursuant to the
Keystone Director Plan become exercisable one year after the date of grant and  
expire on the fifth anniversary following the date of grant.                    

Mr. G. Simmons' services as an executive officer are made available to
Keystone pursuant to the Intercorporate Services Agreement. In addition to      
director services, Mr. Tucker provides certain consulting services to Keystone  
for which Keystone pays a company related to Mr. Tucker. See "-- Certain        
Business Relationships and Related Transactions."                               

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION                                                          

  The following table summarizes all compensation paid to Keystone's chief
executive officer and to each of Keystone's four most highly compensated        
executive officers other than the chief executive officer (collectively, the    
"Keystone named executive officers") for services rendered in all capacities to 
Keystone for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993.                 

KEYSTONE SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                      LONG-TERM                      
                                                                                     COMPENSATION                    
                                                                               ------------------------              
                                                                                        AWARDS                       
                                                                               ------------------------              
                                                                               RESTRICTED    SECURITIES              
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION         STOCK       UNDERLYING   ALL OTHER  
                                                -----------------------------    AWARDS       OPTIONS    COMPENSATION
         NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION            YEAR    SALARY($)    BONUS($)    ($)(1)         (#)         ($)(2)   
----------------------------------------------  ----    ---------    --------  ----------    ----------  ------------
                                                                                                                     
Glenn R. Simmons(3)                             1995     123,077          --         --            --           --   
Chief Executive Officer                         1994     175,000          --         --            --           --   
                                                1993     149,596          --         --        12,500           --   
Robert W. Singer(4)                             1995     170,000      62,500         --            --        7,425   
President                                       1994     225,000     150,000         --            --        6,690   
                                                1993     200,000     150,000     25,625        10,000        8,994   
Harold M. Curdy                                 1995     132,000      60,000         --            --        7,425   
Vice President -- Finance & Treasurer           1994     132,000     125,000         --            --        6,690   
                                                1993     125,000      56,250     19,475         5,000        8,362   
Ralph P. End                                    1995      93,000      30,000         --            --        6,559   
Vice President and General Counsel              1994      93,000      35,000         --            --        5,762   
                                                1993      90,000      30,000     10,250         1,500        5,353   
Bill J. Johnson                                 1995     101,642      16,716         --            --        7,425   
President -- Sherman Wire Division              1994      96,560      70,500         --         2,100        6,642   
                                                1993      93,404      20,976     21,525         2,500        6,695   

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

(1) The dollar value of the reported grants of restricted Keystone Common Stock 
   is based on the last reported sales price per share on the date of grant of
  Keystone Common Stock as reported by the NYSE Composite Tape. The reported
  shares of restricted Keystone Common Stock vest at a rate of 40% after six
 months from the date of award, 30% after eighteen months from the date of
   the award and 30% after thirty months from the date of the award. Dividends
   on all shares of restricted Keystone Common Stock are paid at the same time
   and at the same rate as dividends on unrestricted Keystone Common Stock, if
declared.                                                               

   The total number of shares of restricted Keystone Common Stock awarded to
     each Keystone named executive officer and the aggregate number and value of
 each Keystone named executive officer's holdings of restricted Keystone
  Common Stock as of December 31, 1995 (at which time the market value was
$11.50 per share based on the last reported sales price per share of  
Keystone Common Stock as reported by the NYSE Composite Tape) were as 
follows:                                                              

                                                                [Download Table]

                                                NON-VESTED                       
                                                 SHARES OF        VALUE OF NON-  
                                                RESTRICTED      VESTED RESTRICTED
                                              KEYSTONE COMMON    KEYSTONE COMMON 
                                                STOCK AS OF        STOCK AS OF   
         NAME OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER           DECEMBER 31, 1995  DECEMBER 31, 1995
-------------------------------------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                                                                 
Glenn R. Simmons...........................          --              $    --     
Robert W. Singer...........................         750                8,625     
Harold M. Curdy............................         550                6,325     
Ralph P. End...............................         300                3,450     
Bill J. Johnson............................         600                6,900     

(2) Amounts contributed by Keystone to Keystone's 401(k) Plan for the benefit of
such executive officer.                                               

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(3) Glenn R. Simmons, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of      
Keystone, is not a salaried employee of Keystone. The reported salary 
     represents an allocation of his time devoted to Keystone business under the
   Intercorporate Services Agreement. See "-- Certain Business Relationships
and Related Transactions" above.                                      

(4) The amounts shown in the table as compensation for Mr. Singer represent the 
     full amount paid by Keystone for services rendered to Keystone during 1995,
     less the portion of such compensation that is either credited or reimbursed
to Keystone for services Mr. Singer rendered to Valhi pursuant to the 
Intercorporate Services Agreement. Mr. Singer's Keystone compensation 
  excludes $55,000 as salary and $62,500 as bonus for services rendered by
Mr. Singer to Valhi during 1995.                                      

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Keystone named executive officers concerning unexercised Keystone stock options 
at December 31, 1995. No Keystone stock options or Keystone stock appreciation  
rights were exercised during 1995.                                              

KEYSTONE OPTION/SAR VALUES

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                          NUMBER OF SECURITIES            VALUE OF UNEXERCISED    
                                         UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED               IN-THE-MONEY        
                                          KEYSTONE OPTIONS/SARS          KEYSTONE OPTIONS/SARS    
                                              AT FY-END(#)                  AT FY-END($)(2)       
                                     -------------------------------  ----------------------------
               NAME                  EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE(1)  EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE
-----------------------------------  -----------    ----------------  -----------    -------------
                                                                                                  
Glenn R. Simmons...................     14,000           13,500          13,750          20,625   
Robert W. Singer...................      4,000            6,000          11,000          16,500   
Harold M. Curdy....................      2,000            3,000           5,500           8,250   
Ralph P. End.......................        600              900           1,650           2,475   
Bill J. Johnson....................      1,420            3,180           3,275           6,225   

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

(1) Options vest 20%, 40%, 60% and 100% on the first, second, third and fourth  
anniversary of the date of grant, respectively.                       

(2) The values shown in the table are based on the $11.50 per share closing     
    price of the Keystone Common Stock on December 31, 1995 as reported by the
NYSE Composite Tape, less the exercise price of the options.          

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION                     

     Except for Mr. Sommer who retired as Vice President of Keystone in 1982, no
member of the Keystone Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or      
employee of Keystone or any of its subsidiaries. In 1995, no executive officer  
of Keystone served on the compensation committee or as a director of another    
entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Keystone's Compensation   
Committee or Board of Directors.                                                

PENSION PLAN                                                                    

     Keystone maintains several qualified, noncontributory defined benefit plans
which provide defined retirement benefits to eligible employees including       
executive officers. Normal retirement age under the Company's pension plans is  
age 65. Under the plans covering salaried employees, including officers, the    
defined benefit for an individual is based on a straight life annuity. An       
individual's monthly benefit is the sum of the following: (i) for credited      
service prior to January 1, 1981, the amount determined by his or her average   
monthly cash compensation for the five years of his or her highest earnings     
prior to January 1, 1981, multiplied by 1.1%, multiplied by the years of        
credited service, plus (ii) for each year of service between 1980 and 1989, the 
amount determined by the sum of 1.2% multiplied by his or her average monthly   
cash compensation that year up to the social security wage base and 1.75%       
multiplied by his or her average monthly cash compensation that year in excess  
of the social security wage base, plus (iii) for each year subsequent to 1989,  
the amount determined by 1.2% multiplied by his or her average monthly cash     
compensation that year, but not less than $14.00 per month.                     

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    The estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement at normal retirement
age for each of the salaried Keystone named executive officers, assuming        
continued employment with Keystone until normal retirement age at current salary
levels are: Harold M. Curdy, $46,786; Ralph P. End, $27,937; Robert W. Singer,  
$27,401; and Bill J. Johnson, $28,145. Glenn R. Simmons does not participate in 
the Keystone defined benefit pension plans.                                     

COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF 
KEYSTONE AND DESOTO 

  The rights of Keystone's stockholders are governed by its Certificate of
Incorporation, its Bylaws ("Keystone Bylaws") and the laws of the State of      
Delaware. The rights of DeSoto stockholders are governed by its Certificate of  
Incorporation, its Bylaws ("DeSoto Bylaws") and the laws of the State of        
Delaware. After the Effective Time of the Merger, the rights of DeSoto          
stockholders who become Keystone stockholders will be governed by the Keystone  
Certificate of Incorporation, Keystone Bylaws and the laws of the State of      
Delaware. In most respects, the rights of Keystone stockholders and DeSoto      
stockholders are similar. The following is a summary of the material differences
between the rights of Keystone stockholders and the rights of DeSoto            
stockholders under their respective Certificates of Incorporation and Bylaws.   

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws                        

 Amendments of the Certificate of Incorporation for each of Keystone and
DeSoto requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the respective outstanding
shares of common stock; provided, however, that any amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation of DeSoto that adversely affects the powers, preferences or    
special rights of the holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock of DeSoto (the "Series A Preferred"), and the affirmative vote of seventy 
five percent (75%) of each class or series of outstanding stock of DeSoto is    
required to amend certain other provisions, including those relating to         
classification of the Board of Directors, removal of directors only for cause,  
and the prohibition on the taking of action by stockholders other than at a     
meeting of stockholders. No shares of the Series A Preferred are outstanding.   

The Keystone Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation provide that the 
Keystone Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors or by the  
stockholders. The DeSoto Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation also provide   
that the DeSoto Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors or  
by the stockholders.                                                            

Dividends and Distributions                                                 

 Keystone. Subject to the rights of the holders of outstanding shares of
preferred stock, if any, the holders of shares of Keystone Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends if as and when declared by the Board of      
Directors. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation of Keystone,
and subject to the rights of the holders of outstanding shares of preferred     
stock, if any, the holders of shares of Keystone Common Stock shall be entitled 
to receive pro rata all of the remaining assets of Keystone available for       
distribution to its stockholders. No shares of Keystone preferred stock are     
currently outstanding.                                                          

 DeSoto. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred
stock ranking prior and superior to the shares of DeSoto Preferred Stock, if    
any, the holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the     
liquidation preference of each share of DeSoto Preferred Stock. If such         
dividends are in arrears for four (4) quarterly periods at any time, dividends  
for any subsequent quarterly periods are payable to holders of DeSoto Preferred 
Stock at the rate of ten percent (10%) of the sum of the liquidation preference 
of each share of DeSoto Preferred Stock, until dividend arrearages exist for    
less than four (4) quarterly periods. Holders of DeSoto Common Stock are        
entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the DeSoto Board of   
Directors out of funds legally available therefor.                              

   In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of DeSoto, no distribution
shall be made to the holders of shares ranking junior to the DeSoto Preferred   
Stock unless the holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock shall have                   

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received an amount equal to the liquidation preference to the date of such      
payment. In the event DeSoto does not have sufficient assets to pay the         
liquidation preference, the remaining assets of DeSoto shall be distributed pro 
rata among the holders of DeSoto Preferred Stock.                               

Anti-Takeover Provisions                                                    

Neither the Keystone Certificate of Incorporation nor Bylaws contain  
specific anti-takeover provisions; however, the Keystone Certificate of         
Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 500,000 shares of preferred stock, the 
rights, preferences, powers and restrictions of which may be determined by the  
Board of Directors without stockholder approval. Pursuant to the terms of the   
Merger, approximately 435,456 shares of Keystone Preferred Stock will be issued.
The Board of Directors has the ability to designate a series of preferred stock 
with rights, preferences, powers and restrictions that would make a change in   
control of Keystone not approved by the Board of Directors difficult and        
therefore, less likely. In addition, on September 22, 1995, Keystone's          
Certificate of Incorporation was amended and restated to increase the authorized
Keystone Common Stock from 9,000,000 to 12,000,000 shares. Shares of authorized 
and unissued Keystone Common Stock could be issued in one or more transactions  
which also would make a change in control of Keystone more difficult, and       
therefore less likely. Any such issuance of additional stock could have the     
effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share of           
outstanding shares of Keystone Common Stock, and such additional shares could be
used to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to obtain
control of Keystone. In addition, the Board of Directors of Keystone is divided 
into three classes, which together with the provisions of the DGCL restricting  
the removal of directors described below could delay a change in a majority of  
the board for at least two annual meetings. Following consummation of the       
Merger, the provisions in the Keystone Preferred Stock requiring redemption of  
such stock following a change of control may also have an anti-takeover effect. 
See "Description of Keystone Capital Stock."                                    

DeSoto's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 5,000,000 shares of  
preferred stock, the rights, preferences, powers and restrictions of which may  
be determined by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval. To date,  
DeSoto has designated 583,333 shares of preferred stock as Series B Senior      
Preferred Stock (defined above as "DeSoto Preferred Stock"), all of which are   
outstanding. The dividends payable on the DeSoto Preferred Stock, as described  
above under "Dividends and Distributions," as well as the required redemption of
such stock upon a change in control could make a change in control of DeSoto not
approved by the Board of Directors difficult and, therefore, less likely. In    
connection with the Rights Plan described below, DeSoto designated 200,000      
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, none of which are outstanding. In addition, 
the Board of Directors has the ability to designate the rights, preferences,    
powers and restrictions of the remaining shares of authorized preferred stock   
that would make a change in control of DeSoto without the approval of the Board 
of Directors even more difficult and less likely.                               

     DeSoto's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain certain provisions
which might make a change of control of DeSoto which is not approved by the     
Board of Directors more difficult. DeSoto's Board of Directors is divided into  
three classes, which, as is the case with Keystone, could delay a change in a   
majority of the Board. The Bylaws of DeSoto require stockholders wishing to     
nominate persons for election as directors to satisfy certain advance notice and
disclosure requirements. DeSoto's Certificate of Incorporation contains a       
provision permitting removal of directors only for cause. DeSoto's Certificate  
of Incorporation also contains a provision that provides that certain business  
combination transactions (each a "Business Combination"), including mergers, of 
DeSoto with any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the      
shares of DeSoto Common Stock (a "New Substantial Stockholder") or an affiliate 
of such person, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of 
DeSoto's voting stock (the "Supermajority Vote"), unless (i) the Business       
Combination shall have been approved by three-fourths of the Whole Board (as    
defined below) and by a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below) 
of DeSoto (together, the "Required Approvals"), or (ii) the Price Requirement   
and the Procedure Requirements (as defined below) are met. "Continuing Director"
is defined as any director who is unaffiliated with the New Substantial         
Stockholder and (i) was a director prior to the time that the New Substantial   
Stockholder became such, or (ii) who was designated as a Continuing Director by 
at least a majority of Continuing Directors (but not less than one Continuing   
Director) and three-fourths of the Whole Board. "Whole Board" is defined as the 
total number of                                                                 

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directors which DeSoto would have if there were no vacancies. The Price         
Requirement is that the consideration to be received per share of DeSoto Common 
Stock by holders of shares in such Business Combination be at least equal to the
highest of the following: (i) the highest per share price (including brokerage  
commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees and with appropriate   
adjustments for reclassifications) paid by the New Substantial Stockholder of   
any shares acquired by it; (ii) the highest fair market value per share at any  
time after the New Substantial Stockholder became such; or (iii) the highest    
preferential amount per share to which the holders of shares are entitled in the
event of a voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of DeSoto. The      
Procedure Requirements include the following, among others: (i) the             
consideration payable to stockholders must be in cash or in the same form as was
previously paid by the Substantial Stockholder in its acquisition of shares; and
(ii) after the New Substantial Stockholder has become such and prior to the     
consummation of the Business Combination, except as approved by at least a      
majority of the Continuing Directors and three-fourths of the Whole Board (x)   
there shall have been no failure to pay, at least once during each fiscal       
quarter of the Company, dividends on the DeSoto Common Stock at a rate per share
at least equal to that paid per share during the fiscal quarter prior to the New
Substantial Stockholder becoming such and (y) an increase in such quarterly rate
of dividends as necessary to reflect any reclassification or similar transaction
which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares. This         
provision can be amended or repealed only by the affirmative vote of holders of 
at least 75% of the voting stock of DeSoto, unless such amendment or repeal is  
first approved by at least a majority of the Continuing Directors and           
three-fourths of the Whole Board.                                               

    Accordingly, holders of DeSoto Common Stock who become holders of Keystone
Common Stock as a result of the Merger will no longer be afforded certain       
protections afforded by, or be subject to, these provisions in DeSoto's         
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.                                        

Stockholder Inspection Rights                                               

The Bylaws of Keystone and DeSoto each provide that a complete list of
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, arranged in       
alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of
shares registered in his or her name, shall be open to the examination of any   
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business   
hours for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting. The stockholder   
list shall also be open to examination during the meeting by any stockholder    
present at the meeting.                                                         

Stockholder Meetings                                                        

   The Bylaws of DeSoto provide that special meetings of stockholders may be
called by stockholders holding in the aggregate shares representing not less    
than a majority of each class or series of stock issued and outstanding and     
entitled to vote at the meeting. Under the Keystone Bylaws, special meetings of 
stockholders may only be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Board
of Directors of Keystone.                                                       

The Certificate of Incorporation of DeSoto prohibits the taking of    
stockholder action without a meeting. The Certificate of Incorporation of       
Keystone does not prohibit the taking of stockholder action without a meeting.  

Director Nominations                                                        

  The Keystone Bylaws currently provide for a five to nine member Board of
Directors; there are currently seven members of the Board of Directors which    
shall be expanded to nine members effective upon consummation of the Merger. The
Directors are divided into three classes, with staggered three year terms. One  
class of Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders for a
three year term and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.        

 The DeSoto Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be eleven,
which number may be changed by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The
DeSoto Board of Directors currently consists of seven members. The Directors are
divided into three classes, with staggered three year terms. One class of       
Directors                                                                       

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shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders and each director shall 
hold office for a three year term and until his or her successor is duly elected
and qualified.                                                                  

State Antitakeover Statutes                                                 

  Both Keystone and DeSoto are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section
203 of the DGCL would prohibit a "business combination" (as defined in Section  
203, generally including mergers, sales and leases of assets, issuances of      
securities and similar transactions) by the subject company or a subsidiary with
an "interested stockholder" (as defined in Section 203, generally the beneficial
owner of 15 percent or more of the subject company's voting stock) within three 
years after the person or entity becomes an interested stockholder, unless (i)  
prior to the person or entity becoming an interested stockholder, the business  
combination or the transaction pursuant to which such person or entity became an
interested stockholder shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the
subject company, (ii) upon the consummation of the transaction in which the     
person or entity became an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder   
holds at least 85 percent of the voting stock of the subject company (excluding 
for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares held by    
persons who are both officers and directors of the subject company and shares   
held by certain employee benefit plans), or (iii) the business combination is   
approved by the Board of Directors of the subject company, and by the holders of
at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the subject company,     
excluding shares held by the interested stockholder.                            

Rights Plan                                                                 

Keystone does not have a rights plan.                                 

  On February 20, 1989, DeSoto's Board of Directors declared a dividend of
one Purchase Right for each outstanding share of DeSoto voting stock. The       
dividend was payable to holders of record of shares on March 3, 1989, and the   
board authorized the issuance of additional Purchase Rights for DeSoto Common   
Stock issued after that date. Each Purchase Right entitles the holder thereof to
buy from DeSoto one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock at a   
price of $140 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"),
subject to adjustment. As currently in effect, in the event that (i) any person 
acquires 25% or more of the outstanding shares of DeSoto voting stock (an       
"Acquiring Person"), (ii) DeSoto is the surviving corporation in a merger with  
an Acquiring Person and the shares of DeSoto voting stock are not changed or    
exchanged, (iii) an Acquiring Person engaged in one of a number of specified    
self-dealing transactions, or (iv) during such time as there is an Acquiring    
Person, an event occurs (including a reverse stock split) which results in such 
Acquiring Person's ownership interest being increased by more than 1%, each     
holder of a Purchase Right (other than Purchase Rights beneficially owned by the
Acquiring Person, which will thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right 
to receive upon exercise of a Purchase Right that number of shares of DeSoto    
Common Stock which, at that time, would have a market value of two times the    
Purchase Price. In the event that DeSoto is acquired in a merger or other       
business combination transaction, each Purchase Right will entitle its holder to
purchase, at the Purchase Price, that number of shares of common stock of the   
acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market     
value of two times the Purchase Price.                                          

     DeSoto is entitled to redeem the Purchase Rights at $.01 per Purchase Right
at any time prior to a person becoming an Acquiring Person. The Purchase Rights 
will not be exercisable until the earlier of (i) the tenth day after the public 
announcement that a person has acquired beneficial ownership of 25% or more of  
the outstanding shares of DeSoto voting stock, or (ii) the tenth business day   
(or such later date as is determined by DeSoto's Board of Directors prior to    
such time as any person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the commencement of, 
or announcement of an intention to commence, an offer the consummation of which 
would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 25% or more of 
the outstanding shares of DeSoto voting stock. The Purchase Rights are intended 
to deter takeovers which are not in the best interests of DeSoto and its        
stockholders. In connection with the Reorganization Agreement, the Board of     
Directors took appropriate action to assure that the execution of the           
Reorganization Agreement and the related agreements and the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated thereby will not cause the Purchase Rights to become  
exercisable or distributed.                                                     

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Indemnification                                                             

   Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may, and the Keystone
Bylaws provide that Keystone shall, indemnify any person made a party to an     
action by reason of the fact that he or she was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation in a  
similar capacity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or   
her in connection with such action if he or she acted in good faith and in a    
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best      
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action (other   
than an action by or in the right of the corporation), has no reasonable cause  
to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Determination of indemnification    
shall be made by (i) the corporation's Board of Directors by a majority vote of 
a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action or, (ii) if
such a quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested
directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or     
(iii) by the corporation's stockholders.                                        

   The DGCL provides that a corporation may, and the Keystone Bylaws provide
that Keystone shall, indemnify any person made a party to an action by or in the
right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the    
fact that he or she was a director, officer, employee or agent of the           
corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar       
capacity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in    
connection with such action if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he 
or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of   
the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of  
any matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the 
corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery, or the    
court in which such action was brought, shall determine that such person is     
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such     
other court shall deem proper.                                                  

   The DeSoto Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors, officers
and certain other persons will be indemnified to the fullest extent authorized  
by Delaware law. The DeSoto Bylaws require DeSoto to pay all expenses incurred  
by a director or officer in defending any proceeding within the scope of the    
indemnification provisions as such expenses are incurred in advance of its final
disposition, subject to certain conditions. The Keystone Bylaws contain a       
comparable provision regarding the advancement of expenses, except that such    
advancement may only be made upon receipt of an undertaking by the affected     
officer or director that he or she will repay such amounts advanced if it is    
ultimately determined that he or she was not entitled to indemnification under  
the Keystone Bylaws.                                                            

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Keystone pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, Keystone has been informed that in the opinion of  
the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in   
the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.                              

Election of Directors                                                       

     Under the Bylaws of each of Keystone and DeSoto, the Board of Directors has
the right to fill any vacancy created on the Board caused by death, resignation,
removal or otherwise, and newly created directorships. Under the provisions of  
the DGCL and the Keystone Certificate of Incorporation, any director or the     
entire Board of Directors of Keystone may be removed, with or without cause, by 
the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of 
directors. Under the provisions of the DGCL and the DeSoto Certificate of       
Incorporation, directors may be removed from office only for cause.             

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EXPERTS 

    The consolidated balance sheets of Keystone at December 31, 1994 and 1995,
and the related consolidated statements of operations and changes in            
stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows of Keystone for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 1995 (including the notes thereto),      
incorporated by reference from Keystone's Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been 
audited by Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., independent auditors, as set forth in     
their report thereon appearing therein and incorporated by reference herein.    
Such consolidated financial statements of Keystone are incorporated herein by   
reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as 
experts in accounting and auditing.                                             

     The consolidated balance sheets of DeSoto as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995    
included in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and elsewhere in this         
Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent    
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto. Reference
is made to said report which includes an explanatory paragraph that describes   
matters impacting DeSoto's ability to continue as a going concern. Such         
consolidated financial statements are included herein in reliance upon the      
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said     
reports.                                                                        

    Representatives of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. are expected to be present at
the Keystone Meeting, and representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to
be present at the DeSoto Meeting. In each case, such representatives will have  
the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to 
be available to respond to appropriate questions.                               

Richard Holmes of Arthur Andersen LLP, acting as a representative of  
DeSoto's trade creditors, is required, pursuant to the terms of DeSoto's        
agreement with its trade creditors, to agree on behalf of such trade creditors  
to the terms of the Reorganization Agreement as such terms relate to such trade 
creditors.                                                                      

LEGAL MATTERS 

    The validity of the shares of Keystone Common Stock offered hereby and the
federal income tax consequences in connection with the Merger will be passed    
upon for Keystone by Godwin & Carlton, P.C.                                     

   The federal income tax consequences in connection with the Merger will be
passed upon for DeSoto by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.             

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS 

Keystone stockholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for 
stockholder action at Keystone's annual meetings, subject to regulations adopted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Keystone presently intends to call   
the next annual meeting during May 1997. For such proposals to be considered for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to the 1997 annual  
meeting, they must be received by the Company not later than December 24, 1996. 
Such proposals should be addressed to Secretary, Keystone Consolidated          
Industries, Inc., Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1740, Dallas,   
Texas 75240.                                                                    

 If the Merger is not consummated, any DeSoto stockholder who intends to
present a proposal at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and have it       
included in DeSoto's proxy statement for that meeting must submit it to DeSoto  
by the close of business on the date which is 120 calendar days in advance of   
the first anniversary of November 27, 1995, unless the date of the 1996 Annual  
Meeting changes by more than 30 days from the date of the 1995 Annual Meeting,  
in which case proposals must be received by DeSoto a reasonable time before the 
release of the proxy statement. In addition, if the Merger is not consummated, a
stockholder who otherwise intends to present business at the 1996 Annual Meeting
must comply with the requirements set forth in DeSoto's bylaws. Among other     
things, to bring business before an annual meeting, a stockholder must give     
written notice complying with the bylaws to the Secretary of DeSoto sixty (60)  
days in advance of the meeting if the meeting is to be held on the first Friday 
of May or, if the meeting is to be held on some other date, no later than seven 
days following the date on which notice of the meeting is first given to        
stockholders.                                                                   

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The accompanying unaudited pro forma Keystone financial statements set
forth the pro forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of Keystone as of June 
30, 1996, and the pro forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for 
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996. These  
pro forma financial statements are presented to illustrate the effect of certain
adjustments to the historical consolidated financial statements that result from
the Merger between Keystone and DeSoto and the immediate, subsequent merger of  
the two companies' defined benefit pension plans under the assumptions and      
estimates set forth in the notes thereto. Keystone will account for the Merger  
by the purchase method.                                                         

    The accompanying unaudited pro forma DeSoto financial statements set forth
the pro forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996. These pro forma       
financial statements are presented to illustrate the effect of certain          
adjustments to the historical DeSoto consolidated financial statements that     
result from recording the April 1996 sale of DeSoto's Union City, California    
business and the 1995 sales of DeSoto's businesses in Thornton and South        
Holland, Illinois under the assumptions and estimates set forth in the notes    
thereto.                                                                        

The accompanying Keystone and DeSoto pro forma condensed consolidated 
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the respective          
companies' historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The  
pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are presented for         
informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of actual results
had the foregoing transactions occurred as described in the preceding           
paragraphs, nor do they purport to represent results of future operations of the
merged companies.                                                               

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

INDEX OF PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                       PAGE
                                                                                       ----
                                                                                           
Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.:                                                    

  Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet -- June 30, 1996...........  P-3
  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet...................  P-4
  Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations -- Year ended         
     December 31, 1995................................................................  P-6
  Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations -- Six months         
     ended June 30, 1996..............................................................  P-7
  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations........  P-8

DeSoto, Inc.:                                                                              

  Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations -- Year ended         
     December 31, 1995................................................................  P-9
  Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations -- Six months         
     ended June 30, 1996.............................................................. P-10
  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations........ P-11

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
JUNE 30, 1996 
(IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                             PRO FORMA                    
                                                               HISTORICAL  HISTORICAL  ---------------------   PRO FORMA  
                                                                KEYSTONE     DESOTO    NOTE 2    ADJUSTMENTS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                               ----------  ----------  ------    -----------  ------------
                                                                                                                          
Current assets:                                                                                                           
  Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $     --    $     42              $      --     $     42  
  Restricted cash and short-term investments..................        --       1,180                     --        1,180  
  Notes and accounts receivable...............................    40,125       2,744                     --       42,869  
  Inventories.................................................    26,351         355                     --       26,706  
  Deferred income taxes.......................................     5,066       3,180                     --        8,246  
  Prepaid expenses and other..................................       190         218                     --          408  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
        Total current assets..................................    71,732       7,719                     --       79,451  
Property, plant and equipment, net............................    86,713         589    (c)            (589)      86,713  
Unrecognized net pension obligation...........................     7,517          --    (d)          (7,517)          --  
Prepaid pension cost..........................................        --      50,710    (c)          40,162               
                                                                                        (d)          11,422      102,294  
Deferred income taxes.........................................    21,873          --    (e)         (21,873)          --  
Restricted investments........................................        --       3,877                     --        3,877  
Other.........................................................     6,887         748    (c)            (748)              
                                                                                        (f)             250        7,137  
Investment in DeSoto..........................................       275          --    (a)          34,563               
                                                                                        (b)             475               
                                                                                        (c)         (35,313)          --  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
                                                                $194,997    $ 63,643              $  20,832     $279,472  
                                                                ========    ========              =========     ========  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                                      
Current liabilities:                                                                                                      
  Notes payable and current long-term debt....................  $ 26,943    $     --    (b)       $     475               
                                                                                        (f)           1,113     $ 28,531  
  Accounts payable............................................    23,353      11,482    (f)          (8,000)      26,835  
  Accrued pension cost........................................     6,623          --    (d)          (6,623)          --  
  Accrued OPEB cost...........................................     7,776         435                     --        8,211  
  Other accrued liabilities...................................    19,618      10,220    (c)             590       30,428  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
        Total current liabilities.............................    84,313      22,137                (12,445)      94,005  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
Noncurrent liabilities:                                                                                                   
  Long-term debt..............................................     9,351          --    (f)           8,617       17,968  
  Deferred income taxes.......................................        --      12,256    (c)          14,378               
                                                                                        (d)           5,990               
                                                                                        (e)         (21,873)      10,751  
  Accrued pension cost........................................    26,650          --    (d)         (26,650)          --  
  Accrued OPEB cost...........................................    97,746       1,431    (c)           1,367      100,544  
  Negative goodwill...........................................        --          --    (c)           1,885        1,885  
  Other.......................................................     9,166       8,131                     --       17,297  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
        Total noncurrent liabilities..........................   142,913      21,818                (16,286)     148,445  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
Keystone mandatory redeemable preferred stock, no par value,                                                              
  500,000 shares authorized, none issued (pro                                                                             
  forma -- 435,458)...........................................        --          --    (a)           4,684               
                                                                                        (c)             296               
                                                                                        (f)          (1,480)       3,500  
DeSoto mandatory redeemable preferred stock, no par value,                                                                
  583,333 shares authorized, issued and outstanding (pro                                                                  
  forma -- none)..............................................        --       4,684    (a)          (4,684)          --  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
                                                                      --       4,684                 (1,184)       3,500  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
Common stockholders' equity (deficit):                                                                                    
  Keystone common stock, $1 par value, 12,000,000 shares                                                                  
    authorized; 5,687,858 shares issued at stated value (pro                                                              
    forma -- 9,187,858).......................................     6,413          --    (a)           3,500        9,913  
  DeSoto common stock.........................................        --       5,619    (c)          (5,619)          --  
  Additional paid-in capital..................................    20,484       1,000    (a)          31,063               
                                                                                        (c)          (1,000)      51,547  
  Net pension liabilities adjustment..........................   (31,188)         --    (d)          31,188           --  
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit).....................   (27,926)     40,211    (c)         (40,211)     (27,926) 
  Keystone treasury stock -- 1,134 shares.....................       (12)         --                     --          (12) 
  DeSoto treasury stock -- 930,751 shares (pro                                                                            
    forma -- none)............................................        --     (31,826)   (c)          31,826           --  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
        Total stockholders' equity (deficit)..................   (32,229)     15,004                 50,747       33,522  
                                                                --------    --------              ---------     --------  
                                                                $194,997    $ 63,643              $  20,832     $279,472  
                                                                ========    ========              =========     ========  

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed 
Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 
JUNE 30, 1996 

NOTE 1 -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION:                                                

     The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30,
1996 reflects the adjustments necessary to record the Merger of Keystone and    
DeSoto and the immediate, subsequent merger of the two companies' defined       
benefit pension plans as though such transactions had occurred on June 30, 1996.
The Merger is accounted for by the purchase method.                             

NOTE 2 -- PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS:                                                

(a) Keystone issues 3,500,000 shares of Keystone Common Stock, at a price of    
     $9.875 per share in exchange for the 4,688,523 outstanding shares of DeSoto
Common Stock. In addition, Keystone issues 435,458 shares of Keystone 
  Preferred Stock ($8.0375 mandatory redemption value on July 1, 2000), in
exchange for the 583,333 outstanding shares of DeSoto Preferred Stock.

(b) Keystone incurs $750,000 in Merger related costs, $275,000 of which had been
incurred at June 30, 1996.                                            

(c) Allocate purchase price as follows.                                         

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                                  
PURCHASE PRICE TO BE ALLOCATED                                                                    
  3,500,000 shares of Keystone common stock at $9.875 per share;...................    $ 34,563   
  435,458 shares of Keystone preferred stock with mandatory redemption value of                   
    $8.0375 per share..............................................................       3,500   
  Estimated transaction costs......................................................         750   
                                                                                       --------   
                                                                                         38,813   
                                                                                       --------   
PURCHASE PRICE ALLOCATION                                                                         
  Historical DeSoto common equity..................................................      15,004   
  Eliminate historical DeSoto preferred stock......................................       3,204   
                                                                                       --------   
                                                                                         18,208   
  Purchase price allocation adjustments:                                                          
    Adjust DeSoto pension cost to excess of pension plan assets over related                      
     projected benefit obligation..................................................      40,162   
    Accrue DeSoto severance liability..............................................        (590)  
    Adjust DeSoto OPEB liability to accumulated benefit obligation.................      (1,367)  
    Eliminate DeSoto net property, plant and equipment.............................        (589)  
    Eliminate DeSoto other noncurrent assets.......................................        (748)  
    Record related deferred tax liability, at effective federal and state rate of                 
     39%,..........................................................................     (14,378)  
                                                                                       --------   
                                                                                         40,698   
                                                                                       --------   
        Recorded negative goodwill.................................................    $ (1,885)  
                                                                                       ========   

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET -- (CONTINUED) 

(d) Elimination of Keystone's additional minimum pension liability, unrecognized
net pension obligation, SFAS 87 equity adjustment and related deferred
     income taxes and increase in the aggregate projected benefit obligation due
    to conforming mortality assumptions, all as a result of merging Keystone's
     and DeSoto's defined benefit pension plans. The merger of the pension plans
results in a pro forma funded status as follows.                      

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                       IMPACT OF MERGER OF             
                                                   HISTORICAL         ---------------------            
                                              --------------------    KEYSTONE/    PENSION             
                                              KEYSTONE     DESOTO      DESOTO       PLANS     PRO FORMA
                                              --------    --------    ---------    --------   ---------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)                     
                                                                                                       
Plan assets.................................. $149,282    $160,229     $    --     $     --   $309,511 
Projected benefit obligation................. 192,192       69,357          --       18,255    279,804 
                                              --------    --------     -------     --------   -------- 
Plan assets in excess of (exceeded by)                                                                 
  projected benefit obligation............... (42,910 )     90,872          --      (18,255)    29,707 
Unrecognized net loss (gain) from experience                                                           
  different from actuarial assumptions.......  46,869      (33,280)     33,280       18,255     65,124 
Unrecognized net obligation (asset)..........   7,463       (7,506)      7,506           --      7,463 
Additional minimum liability................. (44,695 )         --          --       44,695         -- 
Other........................................      --          624        (624)          --         -- 
                                              --------    --------     -------     --------   -------- 
  Prepaid (accrued) pension cost............. (33,273 )     50,710      40,162       44,695    102,294 
Less current portion.........................   6,623           --          --       (6,623)        -- 
                                              --------    --------     -------     --------   -------- 
  Noncurrent prepaid (accrued) pension                                                                 
    cost..................................... $(26,650)   $ 50,710     $40,162     $ 38,072   $102,294 
                                              ========    ========     =======     ========   ======== 

(e)  Reclassification of net noncurrent deferred income taxes.                  

(f)  Keystone's term loan is restructured and increased by $8,617,000 (to a     
     total of $20 million), at a cost of $250,000. The net term loan proceeds of
     $8,367,000, along with $1,113,000 of additional borrowings under Keystone's
revolving credit facility, are used to fund $8 million of payments to 
  DeSoto's trade creditors and payment of the dividend arrearage on DeSoto
Preferred Stock of $1,480,000.                                        

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                      PRO FORMA         PRO FORMA                    
                                          HISTORICAL    DESOTO    ---------------------   PRO FORMA  
                                          KEYSTONE    NOTE 2 (A)  NOTE 2    ADJUSTMENTS  CONSOLIDATED
                                          ---------   ----------  ------    -----------  ------------
                                                                                                     
Revenues and other income................ $ 345,924    $ 18,098               $    --      $364,022  
                                          ---------    --------               -------      --------  
Costs and expenses:                                                                                  
  Cost of goods sold.....................   312,909      16,209     (c)          (205)               
                                                                    (d)           966                
                                                                    (g)        (3,882)      325,997  
  Selling, general and administrative....    21,552       6,491     (b)           (11)               
                                                                    (c)          (178)               
                                                                    (d)           107                
                                                                    (g)          (432)       27,529  
  Nonrecurring expense (income), net.....        --      (6,360)                   --        (6,360) 
  Retirement security program............        --      (6,846)    (d)         2,532                
                                                                    (g)         4,314            --  
  Interest...............................     3,385          83     (e)           475         3,943  
                                          ---------    --------               -------      --------  
                                            337,846       9,577                 3,686       351,109  
                                          ---------    --------               -------      --------  
     Income before income taxes..........     8,078       8,521                (3,686)       12,913  
Provision for income taxes...............     3,191       3,315     (f)        (1,475)        5,031  
                                          ---------    --------               -------      --------  
Net income...............................     4,887       5,206                (2,211)        7,882  
Dividends on preferred stock.............        --         507                    --           507  
                                          ---------    --------               -------      --------  
Net income available for common shares... $   4,887    $  4,699               $(2,211)     $  7,375  
                                          =========    ========               =======      ========  
Net income per common and common                                                                     
  equivalent share....................... $     .86                                        $    .79  
                                          =========                                        ========  
Weighted average common and common                                                                   
  equivalent shares outstanding..........     5,654                                           9,348  
                                          =========                                        ========  

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                   PRO FORMA         PRO FORMA                     
                                      HISTORICAL     DESOTO    ----------------------   PRO FORMA  
                                       KEYSTONE    NOTE 2 (A)  NOTE 2     ADJUSTMENTS  CONSOLIDATED
                                      ----------   ----------  ------     -----------  ------------
                                                                                                   
Revenues and other income............  $ 170,304    $  7,434                $    --      $177,738  
                                        --------    --------                -------      --------  
Costs and expenses:                                                                                
  Cost of goods sold.................    157,675       6,863    (c)             (81)               
                                                                (d)             483                
                                                                (g)          (1,645)      163,295  
  Selling, general and                                                                             
     administrative..................     11,302       2,562    (b)              (5)               
                                                                (c)             (40)               
                                                                (d)              54                
                                                                (g)            (183)       13,690  
  Nonrecurring expense (income),                                                                   
     net.............................         --        (676)                    --          (676) 
  Retirement security program........         --      (3,436)   (d)           1,608                
                                                                (g)           1,828            --  
  Interest...........................      1,869          --    (e)            (207)        1,662  
                                        --------    --------                -------      --------  
                                         170,846       5,313                  1,812       177,971  
                                        --------    --------                -------      --------  
     Income (loss) before income                                                                   
       taxes.........................       (542)      2,121                 (1,812)         (233) 
Provision (benefit) for income                                                                     
  taxes..............................       (215)        826    (f)            (725)         (114) 
                                        --------    --------                -------      --------  
Net income (loss)....................       (327)      1,295                 (1,087)         (119) 
Dividends on preferred stock.........         --         283                     --           283  
                                        --------    --------                -------      --------  
Net income (loss) available for                                                                    
  common shares......................  $    (327)   $  1,012                $(1,087)     $   (402) 
                                       =========    ========                =======      ========  
Net income (loss) per common and                                                                   
  common equivalent share............  $    (.06)                                        $   (.04) 
                                       =========                                         ========  
Weighted average common and common                                                                 
  equivalent shares outstanding......      5,678                                            9,244  
                                       =========                                         ========  

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996

NOTE 1 -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION:                                                

     The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996 have    
been prepared assuming the Merger of Keystone and DeSoto and the immediate,     
subsequent merger of the two companies' defined benefit pension plans occurred  
on January 1, 1995. The Merger is accounted for by the purchase method.         

NOTE 2 -- PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS:                                                

(a) Includes pro forma adjustments to reflect the effect of certain DeSoto      
    businesses sold in 1995 and 1996 as if such sales had occurred on December
   31, 1994. See DeSoto pro forma financial statements on pages P-9 to P-11.

(b) Amortization of negative goodwill and deferred financing costs by the       
straight-line method over 20 years and 3 years, respectively.         

(c) Reduction in depreciation expense resulting from amortization of purchase   
accounting basis difference over average remaining life of two years. 

(d) Increase in pension expense due to conforming Keystone and DeSoto mortality 
assumptions and purchase accounting adjustments relating to DeSoto's  
defined benefit pension plan.                                         

(e) Impact on interest expense based on changes in average outstanding debt     
  levels using weighted average interest rates of 9.9% in 1995 and 9.3% in
1996, as follows.                                                     

                                                                [Download Table]

                                                                      SIX MONTHS 
                                                     YEAR ENDED         ENDED    
                                                    DECEMBER 31,       JUNE 30,  
                                                        1995             1996    
                                                    ------------     ------------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)        
                                                                                 
Increase (decrease) in average outstanding debt                                  
  levels related to:                                                             
  Payment to DeSoto trade creditors................   $  8,000         $ 10,000  
  Payment of DeSoto preferred stock dividends......      1,700            1,900  
  Reduced defined benefit pension contributions....     (6,600)         (17,300) 
  Payment of financing and transaction costs.......        700              700  
  Other............................................        900              300  
                                                       -------         --------  
                                                      $  4,700         $ (4,400) 
                                                       =======         ========  

(f) Income tax expense of pro forma adjustments (c) through (e) at assumed      
effective federal and state rate of 39%.                              

(g) Reclassification.                                                           

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DESOTO, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                        PRO FORMA                    
                                                                  ---------------------   PRO FORMA  
                                                      HISTORICAL  NOTE 2    ADJUSTMENTS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                      ----------  ------    -----------  ------------
                                                                                                     
Revenues and other income...........................   $ 52,339     (d)      $ (34,241)    $ 18,098  
                                                       --------              ---------     --------  
Costs and expenses:                                                                                  
  Cost of goods sold................................     54,069     (d)        (37,860)      16,209  
  Selling, general and administrative...............     10,164     (b)         (3,673)       6,491  
  Nonrecurring expense (income), net................       (201)    (c)         (6,159)      (6,360) 
  Retirement security program.......................     (6,846)                    --       (6,846) 
  Interest..........................................        546     (a)           (463)          83  
                                                       --------              ---------     --------  
                                                         57,732                (48,155)       9,577  
                                                       --------              ---------     --------  
     Income (loss) before income taxes..............     (5,393)                13,914        8,521  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes................       (758)    (f)          4,073        3,315  
                                                       --------              ---------     --------  
Net income (loss)...................................     (4,635)                 9,841        5,206  
Dividends on preferred stock........................        507                     --          507  
                                                       --------              ---------     --------  
Net income (loss) available for common shares.......   $ (5,142)             $   9,841     $  4,699  
                                                       ========              =========     ========  
Net income (loss) per common and common equivalent                                                   
  share.............................................   $  (1.10)                           $   1.00  
                                                       ========                            ========  
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares                                                 
  outstanding.......................................      4,677                               4,677  
                                                       ========                            ========  

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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DESOTO, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                    PRO FORMA                     
                                                              ----------------------   PRO FORMA  
                                                  HISTORICAL  NOTE 2     ADJUSTMENTS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                  ----------  ------     -----------  ------------
                                                                                                  
Revenues and other income........................  $  9,481     (d)        $(2,047)     $  7,434  
                                                   --------                -------      --------  
Costs and expenses:                                                                               
  Cost of goods sold.............................     8,383     (d)         (1,520)        6,863  
  Selling, general and administrative............     2,718     (b)           (156)        2,562  
  Nonrecurring expense (income), net.............     2,746     (c)         (1,562)         (676) 
                                                                (e)         (1,860)               
  Retirement security program....................    (3,436)                    --        (3,436) 
                                                   --------                -------      --------  
                                                     10,411                 (5,098)        5,313  
                                                   --------                -------      --------  
     Income (loss) before income taxes...........      (930)                 3,051         2,121  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.............      (351)    (f)          1,177           826  
                                                   --------                -------      --------  
Net income (loss)................................      (579)                 1,874         1,295  
Dividends on preferred stock.....................       283                     --           283  
                                                   --------                -------      --------  
Net income (loss) available for common shares....  $   (862)               $ 1,874      $  1,012  
                                                   ========                =======      ========  
Net income (loss) per common and common                                                           
  equivalent share...............................  $   (.18)                            $    .22  
                                                   ========                             ========  
Weighted average common and common equivalent                                                     
  shares outstanding.............................     4,684                                4,684  
                                                   ========                             ========  

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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DESOTO, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996

NOTE 1 -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION:                                                

     The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996 have    
been prepared by the management of DeSoto and reflect the adjustments necessary 
to record the April 1996 sale of DeSoto's Union City, California business and   
the 1995 sales of DeSoto's businesses in Thornton and South Holland, Illinois as
though such transactions had occurred on December 31, 1994.                     

NOTE 2 -- PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS:                                                

(a) Sale proceeds used to reduce debt resulting in decreased interest expense.  

(b) Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased due to reduced sales 
personnel, facility expense, amortization of goodwill and corporate     
overhead.                                                               

(c) Eliminate losses related to sale of facilities.                             

(d) Eliminate sales and cost of sales related to the sold facilities.           

(e) Eliminate provision for uncollectible receivables related to the disposed   
operations.                                                             

(f) Income tax expense calculated at an assumed rate of 39%.                    

NOTE 3 -- NONRECURRING EXPENSE (INCOME)                                         

  Pro forma nonrecurring income for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 consists principally of insurance            
settlements. See "Information About DeSoto -- Management's Discussion and       
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of         
Operations."                                                                    

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DESOTO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

INDEX TO DESOTO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

                                                                [Download Table]

                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
                                                                                
Report of Independent Public Accountants..................................   F-2
Consolidated statements of operations.....................................   F-3
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity...........................   F-4
Consolidated balance sheets...............................................   F-5
Consolidated statements of cash flows.....................................   F-6
Notes to consolidated financial statements................................   F-7
Quarterly revenues and earnings data (1995 versus 1994)...................  F-21

                        SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996                          

Consolidated condensed statements of operations...........................  F-22
Consolidated condensed balance sheets.....................................  F-23
Consolidated condensed statements of cash flows...........................  F-24
Notes to consolidated condensed financial statements......................  F-25

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of DeSoto, Inc.                      

 We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DeSoto,
Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995.   
These financial statements are the responsibility of DeSoto'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 audits 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of DeSoto, Inc. and            
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of their         
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. 

    The accompanying financial statements for 1995 have been prepared assuming
that DeSoto will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note B to the     
financial statements, DeSoto has suffered recurring losses from operations and  
negative operating and financing cash flows, and has contingent liabilities     
related to environmental matters, income taxes and the 1992 acquisition of J.L. 
Prescott Company, that collectively raise substantial doubt about its ability to
continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are  
also described in Note B. The financial statements do not include any           
adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.          

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP                                                             

Chicago, Illinois,                                                              
March 25, 1996                                                                  

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        
                                                              ---------------------------------   
                                                                1995        1994         1993     
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                                                                  
NET REVENUES................................................  $ 52,339     $87,182     $101,175   
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                                                                               
  Cost of sales.............................................    54,069      84,800       96,309   
  Selling, administrative and general.......................    10,164      11,889       18,794   
  Retirement security program...............................    (6,846)     (6,495)      (4,753)  
  Nonrecurring expense......................................     6,159          --        5,925   
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
          TOTAL OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES................    63,546      90,194      116,275   
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS........................................   (11,207)     (3,012)     (15,100)  
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
OTHER CHARGES AND CREDITS:                                                                        
  Interest expense..........................................       546         575          642   
  Nonoperating expense......................................        --          --        1,601   
  Nonoperating income.......................................    (6,360)     (1,303)      (4,021)  
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
Loss before Income Taxes....................................    (5,393)     (2,284)     (13,322)  
Benefit for Income Taxes....................................      (758)       (649)      (5,232)  
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
NET LOSS....................................................    (4,635)     (1,635)      (8,090)  
Dividends on Preferred Stock................................      (507)       (319)        (302)  
                                                              --------     -------     --------   
Net Loss Available for Common Shares........................  $ (5,142)    $(1,954)    $ (8,392)  
                                                              ========     =======     ========   
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE...................................  $  (1.10)    $ (0.42)    $  (1.83)  
                                                              ========     =======     ========   
Average Common Shares Outstanding...........................     4,677       4,657        4,598   
                                                              ========     =======     ========   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                        COMMON                                       
                                                        STOCK                    RETAINED   TREASURY 
                                                     $1 PAR VALUE    WARRANTS    EARNINGS    STOCK   
                                                     ------------    --------    --------   -------- 
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)            
                                                                                                     
BALANCE, January 1, 1993............................    $5,619        $1,000     $ 61,722   $(36,868)
  Net loss..........................................        --            --       (8,090)        -- 
  Accrued dividends -- redeemable preferred stock...        --            --         (302)        -- 
  Accretion of redeemable preferred stock to                                                         
     liquidation preference.........................        --            --         (185)        -- 
  Shares issued under employee stock options........        --            --       (1,017)     1,262 
                                                        ------        ------     --------   -------- 
BALANCE, December 31, 1993..........................     5,619         1,000       52,128    (35,606)
  Net loss..........................................        --            --       (1,635)        -- 
  Accrued dividends -- redeemable preferred stock...        --            --         (319)        -- 
  Accretion of redeemable preferred stock to                                                         
     liquidation preference.........................        --            --         (198)        -- 
  Shares issued under employee stock options and                                                     
     other grants...................................        --            --       (1,182)     1,442 
                                                        ------        ------     --------   -------- 
BALANCE, December 31, 1994..........................     5,619         1,000       48,794    (34,164)
  Net loss..........................................        --            --       (4,635)        -- 
  Accrued dividends -- redeemable preferred stock...        --            --         (507)        -- 
  Accretion of redeemable preferred stock to                                                         
     liquidation preference.........................        --            --         (212)        -- 
  Shares issued under employee stock options and                                                     
     other grants...................................        --            --         (232)       271 
                                                        ------        ------     --------   -------- 
BALANCE, December 31, 1995..........................    $5,619        $1,000     $ 43,208   $(33,893)
                                                        ======        ======     ========   ======== 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

ASSETS

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,    
                                                                                                -------------------
                                                                                                 1995        1994  
                                                                                                -------     -------
                                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS OF  
                                                                                                     DOLLARS)      
                                                                                                                   
CURRENT ASSETS:                                                                                                    
Cash........................................................................................... $    51     $ 1,702
Restricted cash................................................................................      29          58
Restricted short-term investments, at cost (approximates market)...............................   1,180         710
Trade accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts and notes of $367 in                     
  1995 and $1,819 in 1994......................................................................   4,764      11,848
Inventories, net:                                                                                                  
  Finished goods...............................................................................     405       4,331
  Raw materials and work-in-process............................................................     380       4,182
                                                                                                -------     -------
                                                                                                    785       8,513
Deferred income taxes..........................................................................   2,049       3,295
Prepaid expenses and other assets..............................................................     231         215
                                                                                                -------     -------
        Total Current Assets...................................................................   9,089      26,341
RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS, at cost (approximates market)..........................................   3,770       4,666
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST:                                                                            
Land and improvements..........................................................................      --          --
Buildings and improvements.....................................................................      --          90
Machinery and equipment........................................................................  14,440      22,783
                                                                                                -------     -------
                                                                                                 14,440      22,873
Less accumulated depreciation..................................................................  11,830      14,905
                                                                                                -------     -------
                                                                                                  2,610       7,968
PREPAID PENSION COSTS..........................................................................  46,913      39,319
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS.......................................................................   2,586       4,818
                                                                                                -------     -------
TOTAL ASSETS................................................................................... $64,968     $83,112
                                                                                                =======     =======
                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                                                                                               
Accounts payable............................................................................... $14,263     $14,961
Revolving credit agreement.....................................................................      --       8,381
Waste site cleanup.............................................................................   2,025       2,522
Reserves and liabilities related to restructuring programs.....................................   3,226       1,884
Other liabilities..............................................................................   4,500       5,725
                                                                                                -------     -------
        Total Current Liabilities..............................................................  24,014      33,473
WASTE SITE CLEANUP -- LONG-TERM................................................................   5,269       6,744
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES..........................................................................  11,461      13,392
CONTINGENCIES AND LITIGATION (Note J)..........................................................      --          --
POST RETIREMENT AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS...................................................   1,223       1,510
LONG-TERM DEFERRED GAIN........................................................................   2,779       3,175
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK; series B senior preferred, 583,333 shares authorized, issued and                       
  outstanding, $6 per share liquidation preference.............................................   4,288       3,569
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY:                                                                                               
Common stock, $1 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued -- 5,619,274..................   5,619       5,619
Warrants.......................................................................................   1,000       1,000
Retained earnings..............................................................................  43,208      48,794
                                                                                                -------     -------
                                                                                                 49,827      55,413
Less treasury stock, at cost (940,067 shares in 1995 and 947,567 shares in 1994)...............  33,893      34,164
                                                                                                -------     -------
                                                                                                 15,934      21,249
                                                                                                -------     -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY..................................................... $64,968     $83,112
                                                                                                =======     =======

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,     
                                                               ------------------------------- 
                                                                1995        1994        1993   
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)    
                                                                                               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                          
Net loss...................................................... $(4,635)    $(1,635)    $(8,090)
Non-cash items:                                                                                
  Net (gain) loss on disposal of assets -- net of deferred                                     
     credit...................................................   4,177        (457)     (1,434)
  Depreciation and amortization...............................   1,397       2,920       4,148 
  Pension income..............................................  (7,594)     (7,101)     (5,094)
  Deferred income taxes.......................................    (685)      1,390         407 
  Other non-cash items........................................      38         174          -- 
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
     Net non-cash items.......................................  (2,667)     (3,074)     (1,973)
Changes in assets and liabilities resulting from operating                                     
  activities:                                                                                  
  Net (increase) decrease in trade accounts and notes                                          
     receivable...............................................   5,719        (406)      5,666 
  Net (increase) decrease in inventories......................   4,585       1,933      (3,195)
  Net decrease in other non-current assets....................   1,344       1,102       1,237 
  Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities................  (2,142)     (2,284)      2,930 
  Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable.................    (698)     (4,040)      2,422 
  Net (increase) decrease in other current assets.............    (458)       (185)      1,183 
  Net (increase) decrease in refundable income taxes..........      --       6,697      (4,185)
  Other.......................................................      --          16          (1)
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities............   1,048      (1,876)     (4,006)
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                          
  Proceeds from sale of liquid laundry detergent and fabric                                    
     softener sheet businesses................................   5,305          --          -- 
  Proceeds from sale of assets................................     622       3,803       4,285 
  Additions to property, plant and equipment..................    (245)     (1,021)     (1,021)
  Net cash from waste site escrow.............................      --          --         917 
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
Net cash flows from investing activities......................   5,682       2,782       4,181 
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                          
  Additions (payments) under revolving credit agreement.......  (8,381)        681       1,500 
  Proceeds from shares issued from treasury stock.............      --          70         245 
  Payment of mortgage loan....................................      --          --      (2,122)
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities............  (8,381)        751        (377)
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents..........  (1,651)      1,657        (202)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year............   1,702          45         247 
                                                               -------     -------     ------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year.............. $    51     $ 1,702     $    45 
                                                               =======     =======     ======= 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES                                               

    Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of DeSoto and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany       
accounts and transactions have been eliminated.                                 

Short-Term Investments. For purposes of the statements of cash flows, 
DeSoto considers all investments purchased with a maturity of three months or   
less to be cash equivalents.                                                    

     Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
computed on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for all inventories. The cost  
of products includes raw materials, direct labor and operating overhead. If the 
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory accounting had been used for all 
of DeSoto's inventories, inventories would have been $1,493,000 and $1,889,000  
higher than reported at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.               

Property and Depreciation. Property is recorded at cost. Repairs and  
maintenance are charged to expense. Depreciation of property, plant and         
equipment is provided by charges to earnings based on the estimated useful lives
of the assets, computed primarily on accelerated methods. Useful lives are 10-40
years for buildings and improvements and 10 years for machinery and equipment.  

     Goodwill and Amortization. Goodwill represented the excess of cost over the
fair value of net assets acquired, and was being amortized by the straight-line 
method over 40 years until the related businesses were sold in 1995. This       
goodwill was written off in 1995 as a result of the disposition of the liquid   
detergent and fabric softener sheet businesses in 1995.                         

     Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1994 and
1993 financial statements and footnotes to conform with current year            
presentation.                                                                   

Revenue. Revenue is recognized at the time goods are shipped.         

 Research and Development. Research and development costs are charged to
expense. These charges were $218,000 in 1995, $345,000 in 1994, and $665,000 in 
1993.                                                                           

  Income Taxes. Income taxes are provided based on the liability method of
accounting pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.   
109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Deferred income taxes are recorded to       
reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax     
basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each   
year-end.                                                                       

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

B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES                                              

 DeSoto's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1995 have
been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates the realization of    
assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of
business. DeSoto has incurred operating losses of $11.2 million, $3.0 million,  
and $15.1 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively; and cash flows from     
operations have been $1.0 million, $(1.9) million and $(4.0) million in 1995,   
1994 and 1993, respectively. Cash flows from operations in 1995, however,       
included the cash proceeds from insurance settlements of $6.1 million, and $10.0
million from the reduction of working capital.                                  

   In addition to operating and financing cash flow losses, DeSoto continues
to be party to environmental exposures as discussed in Note I, has received a   
notice of tax deficiencies from the IRS as discussed in Note F, and has a       
contingent liability related to the 1992 Prescott acquisition as discussed in   
Note L. Although management has used the best information available to record   
the estimated liabilities for these                                             

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 

matters, actual outcomes could differ from recorded amounts. Additionally, the  
timing of cash required to satisfy these obligations could significantly impact 
DeSoto's cash flows in 1996.                                                    

  As part of DeSoto's continuing effort to manage its accounts payable and
cash flow requirements, DeSoto has been negotiating a Trade Composition         
Agreement and a related Security Agreement with its trade creditors as          
represented by a committee of six major creditors of DeSoto. The proposed       
agreements include a standstill agreement related to accounts payable existing  
as of September 22, 1995. Also, as part of the proposed Trade Composition       
Agreement, DeSoto initiated the termination of its overfunded pension plan to be
effective contingent upon the receipt of appropriate governmental approvals. For
further information regarding the plan termination, refer to Note C to the      
Consolidated Financial Statements. Under the standstill agreement, if certain   
conditions are met, the creditors who sign the agreement agree not to initiate  
litigation or other efforts to collect amounts owed to them. DeSoto has agreed  
to pay each Qualified Trade Creditor (as defined) the balance owed to that      
creditor within 10 days of receipt of the reverted excess pension plan assets.  
If payment is not made by July 1, 1996, interest would accrue from that date at 
8% per annum on the outstanding balance. The proposed Security Agreement would  
grant a security interest and lien on all of DeSoto's assets to secure the      
obligations of DeSoto to the Qualified Trade Creditors. The proposed Trade      
Composition Agreement further stipulates that DeSoto may suspend efforts to     
terminate its pension plan if DeSoto enters into a binding agreement for a      
merger, asset sale or similar transaction, involving substantially all of       
DeSoto's assets, which provides that all Qualified Trade Creditors will be paid 
in full. DeSoto and its creditors have been operating within the understanding  
outlined above. The actual Standstill Agreement document was circulated for     
signatures on March 11, 1996 and final execution of the documents has not yet   
been completed. DeSoto is continuing to pursue, with the assistance of its      
investment bankers, a possible business combination; however, there can be no   
assurance as to the outcome of such efforts. For further information regarding a
possible business combination, refer to Note P to the Consolidated Financial    
Statements.                                                                     

C. PENSION AND EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLANS                                        

 DeSoto's retirement security program includes a noncontributory defined
benefit pension plan and an employee investment plan covering substantially all 
employees except certain hourly-rated employees; DeSoto also contributes to     
union sponsored plans. DeSoto's pension plan benefits are principally based on  
the employee's compensation and years of service. DeSoto's funding policy is to 
contribute annually at a rate that is intended to remain at a level percentage  
of compensation for the covered employees. DeSoto was not required to make      
contributions to DeSoto sponsored pension plan in 1995, 1994 and 1993 due to the
plan's overfunded status.                                                       

    In January 1996, DeSoto announced that it had notified the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation of its intention to terminate the pension plan to be       
effective contingent upon the receipt of appropriate governmental approvals.    
DeSoto further intends to use 25% of the excess assets in the pension plan to   
fund a replacement plan and purchase an annuity contract to cover accrued plan  
benefits. The remaining excess plan assets will be subject to a 20% federal     
excise tax and federal and state income taxes. If more than 75% of the excess   
assets were reverted to DeSoto from the plan, such reversion would be subject to
a 50% federal excise tax and federal and state income taxes. DeSoto intends to  
utilize the reversionary funds to satisfy, among other things, various creditor 
obligations and stabilize ongoing operations. As an alternative to termination  
of the pension plan, DeSoto is also continuing to pursue a possible business    
combination, in its ongoing efforts to preserve and maximize shareholder values;
however, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of such efforts. For       
further information regarding the possible business combination, refer to Note P
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.                                       

DeSoto makes contributions to the employee investment plan in cash or 
Company stock in an amount equal to 30% of employee deposits up to 5% of such   
employee's gross pay.                                                           

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 

  The costs of the pension and employee investment plans are summarized as
follows:                                                                        

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                        FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ---------------------------------
                                                          1995        1994       1993   
                                                        --------    --------    ------- 
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)    
                                                                                        
Noncontributory Retirement plans:                                                       
Service cost -- benefits earned during the period.....  $    527    $    671    $   492 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation.........     5,089       4,978      5,012 
Actual return on assets -- (favorable) unfavorable....   (30,841)      3,962     (8,652)
Net amortization and deferral.........................    17,803     (16,824)    (2,053)
                                                        --------    --------    ------- 
                                                          (7,422)     (7,213)    (5,201)
Employee Investment Plan..............................        35          84         47 
Contributions to Union Sponsored Plans................       242         313        288 
                                                        --------    --------    ------- 
Total income from pension and employee investment                                       
  plans...............................................  $ (7,145)   $ (6,816)   $(4,866)
                                                        ========    ========    ======= 

    The change in the net amortization and deferral from 1993 to 1994 and from
1994 to 1995 was primarily due to the difference between the actual return on   
Plan assets, which was favorable in 1995 and unfavorable in 1994, versus the    
expected return on Plan assets. Under Statement of Financial Accounting         
Standards No. 87, the difference between the actual and expected return on      
assets is deferred and amortized over subsequent periods.                       

     The pension plans assets at December 31, 1995 are invested in United States
Treasury Notes, corporate bonds and notes, investment partnerships, United      
States Treasury Securities, time deposits, commercial paper, interest rate      
futures, forward exchange contracts, foreign currency, certain real estate      
operated by DeSoto, various mutual funds invested in bonds, equity and real     
estate, mortgages and other short-term investments. The pension plan's funded   
status and amounts recognized in DeSoto's balance sheets at December 31 are     
presented below:                                                                

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                   1995         1994    
                                                                 --------     --------  
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
                                                                                        
Actuarial present value of vested benefit obligation...........  $ 65,719     $ 57,540  
                                                                 ========     ========  
Accumulated benefit obligation.................................  $ 65,877     $ 57,702  
                                                                 ========     ========  
Plan assets at fair value......................................  $162,017     $135,764  
Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligation........    66,832       59,471  
                                                                 --------     --------  
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation..........    95,185       76,293  
Unrecognized net gain..........................................   (40,595)     (27,707) 
Prior service costs............................................     2,064        2,259  
Unrecognized net asset.........................................    (9,741)     (11,526) 
                                                                 --------     --------  
Prepaid pension cost recognized on the balance sheet...........  $ 46,913     $ 39,319  
                                                                 ========     ========  

The weighted average discount rate used in determining the actuarial  
present value of the projected benefit obligation was 7.5% in 1995 and 8.9% in  
1994. The rate of increase in future compensation levels used in determining the
actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation was 5.0% in 1995 and
1994. The expected long-term rate of return on assets used in determining       
pension income was 8.0% in 1995 and 7.0% in 1994.                               

In October 1992, DeSoto completed the sale of its real properties in  
Joliet, Illinois, Columbus, Georgia, and Union City, California, to a real      
property trust created by DeSoto's pension plan. This trust paid approximately  
$6.5 million in cash for the properties and entered into a ten-year lease of the
properties to DeSoto. DeSoto's initial annualized rental obligation was         
$707,000. The amount paid to DeSoto by the trust                                

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and DeSoto's annual rental obligation were based upon an independent appraisal  
and approved by DeSoto's Board of Directors.                                    

    Effective January 1, 1994, the DeSoto Salaried Plan, Hourly Plan and J. L.
Prescott Plan were merged into the DeSoto Employee Retirement Plan. This action 
resulted in a combination of the assets of each of these plan into one trust    
fund. The method of calculating benefits under each of these plans remained     
unchanged.                                                                      

    In March 1994, DeSoto ceased operations at the Columbus, Georgia facility.
Effective October 1, 1994, DeSoto entered into an agreement to sublease the     
facility for a term of three years. The subtenant makes monthly rental payments 
directly to the pension trust; DeSoto continues to make monthly rental payments 
to the pension trust for the amount by which DeSoto's initial rental obligation 
exceeds the subtenant's rental obligation.                                      

   In December 1994, DeSoto sold its real property located in South Holland,
Illinois, to the real property trust of DeSoto's pension plan. The trust paid   
$4,117,000 in cash for the properties and has entered into a ten-year lease of  
the properties to DeSoto. DeSoto's annualized rental obligation (net of receipts
from subtenants) is approximately $898,000 including the South Holland facility.
The amount paid to DeSoto by the trust and DeSoto's annual rental obligation    
were based upon an independent appraisal and approved by DeSoto's Board of      
Directors.                                                                      

D. POST RETIREMENT AND OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS                           

     DeSoto provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired
employees on a contributory basis. Substantially all of DeSoto's employees,     
except certain hourly-rated employees, may become eligible for such benefits if 
they reach qualifying retirement age while working for DeSoto. Such benefits and
similar benefits for active employees are administered by two outside companies 
whose administrative fees are based upon number of participants and claims      
processed. The health care program is self funded by DeSoto with purchased stop 
loss coverage for claims over certain levels. Life insurance benefits are funded
by policies for which DeSoto pays premiums. In certain cases the participants   
also contribute to the premium payment. The following table presents the costs  
of accruing the postretirement insurance benefits in 1995, 1994, and 1993:      

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                               1995     1994     1993
                                                               ----     ----     ----
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS OF   
                                                                      DOLLARS)       
                                                                                     
Service cost -- benefits attributed to service during the                            
  period...................................................... $ 31     $ 14     $  4
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit                                  
  obligation..................................................  289      130      109
Amortization of unrecognized net loss.........................  115        7       --
                                                               ----     ----     ----
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost...................... $435     $151     $113
                                                               ====     ====     ====

 The following table presents the components of DeSoto's post-retirement
benefit obligation and the amount recognized in DeSoto's balance sheets at      
December 31,                                                                    

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                     1995       1994 
                                                                    ------     ------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS OF 
                                                                        DOLLARS)     
                                                                                     
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation:                                      
  Current retirees................................................. $2,831     $2,819
  Active plan participants.........................................    373        393
                                                                    ------     ------
          Total....................................................  3,204      3,212
Unrecognized net loss..............................................  1,621      1,687
                                                                    ------     ------
Accrued post-retirement liability recognized on the balance                          
  sheet............................................................ $1,583     $1,525
                                                                    ======     ======

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   The assumed health care cost trend rate used to measure the expected cost
of benefits covered by the plan was 7% and 8% as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, 
respectively. The weighted average discount rate used to measure the accumulated
post-retirement insurance obligation was 7.5% for 1995 and 9.0% for 1994. A one 
percentage point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each   
future year would have resulted in additional obligation of $288,000 at December
31, 1995 and would have increased the aggregate service and interest cost by    
$29,000 in 1995.                                                                

DeSoto adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 112,   
"Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits" effective January 1, 1994.  
The impact of adoption was not material to DeSoto's financial position or       
results of operations.                                                          

E. REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT AND OTHER DEBT                                    

     On November 12, 1992, in conjunction with the acquisition of J. L. Prescott
Company ("Prescott"), DeSoto entered into an amended credit agreement with      
Harris Trust and Savings Bank and two additional banks. The agreement had       
originally provided for a two-year revolving credit facility of up to           
$20,000,000. Effective October 1, 1993, the credit facility was reduced to      
$15,000,000 per conditions set in the November 12, 1992 amendment. The          
termination date of this amended agreement was originally October 31, 1994. In  
March 1994, the facility was further amended setting a termination date of      
January 1, 1995. Effective with the March 1994 amendment, DeSoto paid $2,700,000
of the outstanding debt upon the receipt of its income tax refund for fiscal    
year 1993. Up to the March 1994 amendment, the revolver carried an interest rate
equal to either the prime rate of Harris Trust and Savings Bank plus 1 1/4% or  
the IBOR rate plus 3 1/2% (as amended in the third quarter of 1993). Effective  
in March 1994, the interest rate became the prime rate of Harris Trust and      
Savings plus 2%.                                                                

   On December 7, 1994, DeSoto entered into a revolving credit facility with
CIT. The agreement provided for up to $14,000,000 under a revolving credit      
facility. The funds available for borrowing were based on a formula which       
included specified percents of accounts receivable and inventory. The interest  
rate on the facility was prime plus 1 1/4%. Commitment fees under the revolving 
credit facility were calculated at 1/4 of one percent per annum of the average  
unused and available portion of the facility. The facility was collateralized by
substantially all of DeSoto's assets. A portion of the line of credit was       
available in the form of letters of credit. As of September 30, 1995, the       
revolving credit agreement was terminated and DeSoto had no outstanding         
borrowing as of that date.                                                      

Cash payments for interest were $546,000 in 1995, $575,000 in 1994 and
$535,000 in 1993.                                                               

F. INCOME TAXES                                                                 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                            1995     1994      1993   
                                                            -----    -----    ------- 
                                                            (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) 
                                                                                      
The benefit for income taxes is comprised of:                                         
  Federal Income Taxes:                                                               
  Currently Refundable..................................... $  --    $  --    $(4,808)
  Deferred.................................................  (608)    (493)       249 
                                                            -----    -----    ------- 
  Federal Income Taxes.....................................  (608)    (493)    (4,559)
  State and Local Income Taxes.............................  (150)    (156)      (673)
                                                            -----    -----    ------- 
          Total Income Tax Benefit......................... $(758)   $(649)   $(5,232)
                                                            =====    =====    ======= 

  Net cash refunds of income taxes were $0 in 1995, $8,742,000 in 1994 and
$1,446,000 in 1993.                                                             

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    A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective
tax rate is presented below:                                                    

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                             1995     1994     1993   
                                                             -----    -----    -----  
                                                                                      
Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate........................... (35.0)%  (35.0)%  (34.0)%
Effect of:                                                                            
  Write off of Goodwill.....................................  22.0       --       --  
  Effect of Tax Rate Changes on Deferred Taxes..............  (0.9)     7.6       --  
  State Income Taxes, Net...................................  (0.9)    (3.6)    (3.4) 
  E.P.A. Fine...............................................    --      0.3      0.3  
  Other.....................................................   0.7      2.3     (2.2) 
                                                             -----    -----    -----  
Effective Rate.............................................. (14.1)%  (28.4)%  (39.3)%
                                                             =====    =====    =====  

   The components of the net deferred income tax asset and liability were as
follows:                                                                        

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                     DECEMBER 31,     
                                                                  ------------------- 
                                                                   1995        1994   
                                                                  -------     ------- 
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS OF   
                                                                       DOLLARS)       
                                                                                      
Current Deferred Tax Asset:                                                           
  Restructuring and Cost Containment............................. $ 1,899     $   917 
  Inventory......................................................     531       1,989 
  Retirement Security Program....................................     272         315 
  Insurance......................................................     210         441 
  Valuation Reserves.............................................     144         844 
  Vacation Pay...................................................     137         225 
  Other..........................................................  (1,144)     (1,436)
                                                                  -------     ------- 
          Total Current Deferred Tax Asset....................... $ 2,049     $ 3,295 
                                                                  =======     ======= 
Long Term Deferred Tax Liability:                                                     
  Prepaid Pension................................................ $18,390     $15,570 
  Other Reserves.................................................   3,919       3,092 
  Restricted Investments.........................................   1,773       2,129 
  Depreciation...................................................   1,287       2,413 
  Net Operating Loss Carryforward................................  (7,681)     (3,889)
  Waste Site Cleanup.............................................  (2,859)     (3,669)
  Deferred Gain -- Sale of Assets................................  (1,091)     (1,255)
  Post Retirement Insurance......................................    (658)       (624)
  State and Local Income Taxes...................................    (459)       (480)
  Valuation Reserves.............................................    (377)       (404)
  Other..........................................................    (783)        509 
                                                                  -------     ------- 
          Total Long-Term Deferred Tax Liability................. $11,461     $13,392 
                                                                  =======     ======= 

At December 31, 1995, DeSoto had net operating loss carryforwards of  
approximately $22.0 million. These carryforwards expire between 2007 and 2010.  

   DeSoto has received a Report of Tax Examination Changes from the Internal
Revenue Service that proposes adjustments resulting in additional taxes due of  
$6.5 million and penalties of $1.4 million, as well as an unspecified amount of 
interest for the years 1990 through 1993. DeSoto has filed a formal appeal of   
the proposed adjustments. DeSoto believes that the resolution of this matter    
will not have a material adverse effect on DeSoto's financial position or       
results of operations, although the timing of cash required to settle any       
amounts ultimately due could have a significant impact on DeSoto's cash flows.  

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G. LEASE COMMITMENTS                                                            

     DeSoto leases certain facilities and equipment under lease agreements which
are classified as operating leases. These leases are for remaining periods      
ranging from one to ten years and in some instances include renewal provisions  
at the option of DeSoto. Rental expense was $1,592,000 in 1995, $1,652,000 in   
1994 and $2,107,000 in 1993.                                                    

RENTAL COMMITMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) 

                                                                [Download Table]

                                                      TOTAL 
                                                      ------
                                                            
1996..............................................    $1,267
1997..............................................     1,263
1998..............................................     1,101
1999..............................................     1,098
2000..............................................     1,098
2001-2004.........................................     2,978
                                                      ------
                                                      $8,805
                                                      ======

H. SEGMENT REPORTING                                                            

DeSoto operates in one industry segment, the manufacture of detergent.
DeSoto also performs contract manufacturing and packaging of detergents.        
DeSoto's products are sold in retail stores, including mass merchants and       
service centers, throughout the United States. DeSoto's revenues are derived    
from several customers. There are five customers which each have accounted for  
more than 10% of DeSoto's revenues as indicated below. DeSoto no longer does    
business with Kmart or Benckiser as a result of the transactions disclosed in   
Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements.                                

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                              % OF CONSOLIDATED NET   
                                                                     REVENUES         
                                                            --------------------------
                                                            1995       1994       1993
                                                            ----       ----       ----
                                                                                      
Sears, Roebuck & Co........................................  20%        16%        14%
Kmart......................................................  10%        15%        10%
Procter & Gamble...........................................  13%        10%        *  
Benckiser..................................................  12%        *          *  
Lever Brothers.............................................  *          *          11%

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

*   Less than 10% of consolidated net sales.                                    

From time to time, DeSoto enters into manufacturing and packaging     
agreements with its contract packaging customers. These contracts include       
product specifications, production procedures and other general terms. The      
contracts do not obligate the customer to make any purchases.                   

I.  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS                                                       

    DeSoto has been identified by government authorities as one of the parties
potentially responsible for the cleanup costs of waste disposal sites, many of  
which are on the U.S. EPA's Superfund priority list, and for certain alleged    
contamination. In addition, damages are being claimed against DeSoto in private 
actions for alleged personal injury or property damage in the case of certain   
other waste disposal sites. The waste disposal sites relate to DeSoto's         
discontinued operations. DeSoto's potential responsibility in connection with   
these sites generally depends upon, among other things, whether it, directly or 
through third parties, engaged in the business of waste disposal or storage,    
shipped waste to the sites and, in those cases in which DeSoto did so ship      
waste, the relative amount and/or composition of waste material attributable to 
DeSoto as compared to the                                                       

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waste material attributable to other solvent parties. Typically, DeSoto is one  
of numerous parties involved in actions or proceedings relating to these waste  
disposal sites and its obligations in connection with its share of cleanup and  
other costs extend over a number of years rather than being payable at one time.

   DeSoto believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it may
incur with respect to the sites. DeSoto provides a reserve for the lower end of 
an estimated range of total loss from $7.3 to $21.6 million (after considering  
information provided by independent legal counsel). These estimates are subject 
to numerous variables, the effects of which are difficult to measure, including 
the stage of the investigations, the nature of potential remedies, the joint and
several liability with other potentially responsible parties and other issues.  
Accordingly, the reserves represent DeSoto's best estimates of its potential    
exposure at this time. The reserve balance was $7.3 million as of December 31,  
1995 and $9.3 million as of December 31, 1994. In 1995, DeSoto paid out         
approximately $2.3 million on waste site related liabilities, excluding legal   
and administrative costs; of this amount $1.1 million was disbursed from the    
trust discussed below and $29,000 was disbursed from the restricted cash account
discussed below.                                                                

    Actual costs to be incurred in future periods may vary from the estimates.
DeSoto's potential liability may be materially impacted in the future as a      
result of final determinations of the extent of environmental damage, the share 
of the cost of cleanup technology which is ultimately chosen, the extent of the 
cleanup required, the solvency of other potentially responsible parties, changes
in law and unanticipated awards of damages for personal injury or property      
damages. In addition, DeSoto has not reduced its estimates of liability to      
reflect the possible proceeds of insurance coverage which may be applicable to  
these costs. DeSoto from time to time engages in discussions with insurance     
carriers regarding Company claims in this regard and DeSoto may pursue          
litigation if no satisfactory resolution of the claims is reached. DeSoto       
reached settlements with two insurance carriers in 1995 regarding the cost of   
cleanup at certain waste disposal sites. As a result of these settlements,      
DeSoto received proceeds in 1995 totaling approximately $6.1 million.           

In connection with DeSoto's acquisition of Prescott in November 1992, 
DeSoto assumed the cleanup obligations of Prescott under New Jersey's           
Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act ("ECRA"). Pursuant to an agreement 
with certain former owners of Prescott, DeSoto in 1993 received funds to offset 
the cost of the cleanup previously held in escrow for the benefit of Prescott.  
(DeSoto has placed these funds in a restricted cash account to secure its       
cleanup obligations.) DeSoto currently expects that these funds will fully cover
the costs of cleanup required by New Jersey. The remaining liability related to 
this site is included in the ranges above. The remaining funds are shown on the 
balance sheet under the caption, restricted cash.                               

  Under the terms of the 1990 consumer paint asset purchase agreement with
Sherwin-Williams, $6.0 million of the sale's proceeds were used to establish a  
trust fund to fund potential clean-up liabilities. The trust agreement expires  
on October 26, 2000, or when the trust is depleted, whichever occurs first. A   
portion of the trust has been set aside with respect to a specific site; the    
agreement governing that portion of the trust expires on October 26, 2008.      
DeSoto has access to the trust fund, subject to the other party's approval, for 
any expenses or liabilities incurred by DeSoto regarding environmental claims   
relating to the sites identified in the trust agreement. Sherwin-Williams has   
access to the trust fund, subject to the other party's approval, for any        
expenses or liabilities incurred as a result of DeSoto's failure to meet its    
obligations relating to the sites identified in the agreement. DeSoto was       
reimbursed $1,095,000 in 1995 and $145,000 in 1994 from the trust to cover waste
site payments. The balance in the trust fund, primarily invested in United      
States Treasury securities and classified as a restricted investment on the     
balance sheet, as of December 31, 1995 was $4,524,000. Of the estimated range of
total loss noted above, $2.3 to $5.0 million relate to sites which are covered  
by the escrow account. The accrued waste site cleanup liability that was covered
by the trust at December 31, 1995 was $2,346,000 of which $755,000 was          
classified as current.                                                          

Under the terms of the 1990 industrial coatings business purchase     
agreement, DeSoto had delivered to the Valspar Corporation an irrevocable       
standby letter of credit in the amount of $2.0 million. The letter of credit was
delivered to secure DeSoto's obligation to indemnify Valspar for certain        
environmental matters. DeSoto reached a settlement with Valspar in 1994 under   
which the letter of credit was terminated.                                      

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In December 1993, DeSoto transferred approximately $9.0 million of    
liabilities for certain of its clean-up costs and related expenses at certain   
waste disposal sites to DeSoto Environmental Management, Inc. (DEMI), a         
subsidiary of DeSoto. DeSoto remains liable for the potential environmental     
clean-up costs if DEMI is unable to satisfy the obligations. The purpose of DEMI
is to provide focused, strategic management of the environmental liabilities and
the related clean-up costs. DeSoto and certain members of DeSoto's management   
and consultants are stockholders in DEMI. Refer to Note K of the Notes to       
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.                      

   It is the opinion of management, after evaluating the variables discussed
above as well as the anticipated time frame for remediation, that the resolution
of the waste site liability will not have a material adverse effect on DeSoto's 
financial position, cash flows or results of operations.                        

J.  CONTINGENCIES & LITIGATION                                                  

     As previously reported, there are several shareholder actions still pending
in the Delaware courts relating to various proposals of Sutton Holding Corp. to 
acquire DeSoto in the period 1989 to 1991. These actions, all of which          
consolidated, have not been actively pursued and it appears the case was removed
from the courts calendar; however, the plaintiffs recently served a discovery   
request upon DeSoto. DeSoto believes that these actions are not material.       

See Note L to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information   
regarding the Contingent Value Rights ("CVR's") which were issued by DeSoto to  
the sellers in connection with DeSoto's acquisition of J.L. Prescott Company in 
November 1992.                                                                  

DeSoto is also a party to other litigation arising out of the ordinary
conduct of its business or results of current and discontinued operations.      

    DeSoto believes that the disposition of all such actions, individually and
in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on DeSoto's financial 
position, cash flows, or results of operations.                                 

K.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS                                                  

In December 1993, DeSoto completed a number of transactions involving 
certain of its subsidiaries and officers and directors. J.L. Prescott Company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of DeSoto, paid off a portion of intercompany           
obligations to DeSoto by means of the issuance of a ten-year, $9 million        
principal amount, promissory note. DeSoto used this note to purchase 100 shares 
of a non-voting class of common stock of another of its subsidiaries, DeSoto    
Environmental Management, Inc. ("DEMI"). (This class of common stock is entitled
to 15% of the dividends or other distributions made to all classes of common    
stock.) As part of the sale of stock to DeSoto, DEMI assumed up to a maximum of 
$9 million of certain of DeSoto's possible clean-up costs and related expenses  
at waste disposal sites. DeSoto remains liable for these possible environmental 
clean-up costs if DEMI is unable to satisfy these obligations. DeSoto           
subsequently sold at a price of $1 per share the shares of non-voting common    
stock of DEMI to Anders Schroeder (Vice Chairman) (33 shares), William Spier    
(Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) (33 shares), Anne Eisele (President and  
Chief Financial Officer) (20 shares), and Irving Kagan (Special Counsel) (14    
shares). Messrs. Schroeder and Spier subsequently sold 8 shares and 9 shares,   
respectively, of their common stock to John Phillips upon his becoming President
and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. Mr. Phillips sold his shares back to       
Messrs. Spier and Schroeder upon his resignation in 1995. Each of these persons 
agreed that upon complete satisfaction of DeSoto's existing environmental       
clean-up liabilities or when that person ceases to be an officer, director or   
consultant of DeSoto, the DEMI shares held by that person would be repurchased  
by DeSoto at the greater of $1 per share or the per share book value of DEMI. As
a general matter, the value of this DEMI stock will be dependent upon the       
ability of DEMI, which has no other significant business or assets, to satisfy  
DeSoto's existing environmental liabilities for less than $9 million, which was 
the approximate minimum amount included in the 1994 estimated range of          
environmental liability. Consequently, the holders of this DEMI stock have a    
direct incentive to minimize the costs of satisfying environmental liabilities. 
In any event, DeSoto will                                                       

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retain 85% of the savings below the 1994 estimated minimum costs and savings    
which do not reduce the liabilities below such estimated minimum will accrue    
entirely to DeSoto. This transaction was approved by a unanimous vote of all    
disinterested directors.                                                        

  In November 1992, DeSoto announced the completion of the sale of certain
real properties to a trust created by DeSoto's Pension Plans. In 1993, certain  
of these assets were repurchased from the Pension Plans by DeSoto and then sold 
to an unrelated third party. In 1994, DeSoto's facility in South Holland,       
Illinois, was sold to the real property trust of DeSoto's Pension Plans. Refer  
to Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further         
information.                                                                    

In July 1992, DeSoto entered into an agreement with parties related to
Sutton Holding Corp. ("Sutton"), which as of December 31, 1995 and in           
conjunction with parties related to Sutton, owns 14% of DeSoto's outstanding    
common stock and approximately 23% of all of DeSoto's outstanding voting stock, 
providing for a cash purchase of newly issued DeSoto securities. The investment 
resulted in Sutton's acquiring 583,333 shares of a new series of DeSoto senior  
preferred stock and warrants to acquire 1.2 million shares of common stock.     
Refer to Note L of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for further  
information regarding this transaction.                                         

L. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          

     As of December 31, 1995, there were 5,619,274 shares of common stock issued
of which 940,067 shares were held as treasury stock. DeSoto's common stock has a
$1 par value per share, and there are 20,000,000 shares authorized.             

In July 1992, DeSoto entered into an agreement with parties related to
Sutton Holding Corp. ("Sutton"), providing for a $3.5 million cash purchase of  
newly issued DeSoto securities. The investment resulted in Sutton's acquisition 
of 583,333 shares of a new series of DeSoto senior preferred stock and warrants 
to acquire 1.2 million shares of common stock per approval of DeSoto's          
stockholders at the 1993 Annual Meeting.                                        

   The DeSoto senior preferred pays 8% quarterly cumulative dividends (which
increase to 10% if dividends earned remain unpaid for more than one year), has  
one vote per share (voting with common stock as a single class), has a          
liquidation preference of $6.00 per share, must be redeemed by DeSoto at        
liquidation preference after eight years and may be redeemed at DeSoto's option 
after five years. The carrying amount of the preferred shares on the balance    
sheet represents the proceeds received upon issuance (net of related expenses)  
plus accretion to the redemption value of the shares in five years. The carrying
value has also been increased by cumulative dividends not currently declared.   
The warrants have a term of six years and are exercisable at $7.00 per share of 
common stock.                                                                   

Dividends have not been paid on the preferred stock since the date of 
issuance. In addition, dividends may not be declared on the common stock while  
dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears. At December 31, 1995 unpaid    
dividends on the preferred totaled approximately $1,197,000.                    

    The purchase price of $3.5 million for the new securities was allocated by
DeSoto, upon the advice of an independent financial advisor, as $2.5 million for
the preferred stock and $1.0 million for the warrants. The valuation took into  
account the terms of the purchase agreement and applied customary financial     
analyses used in such transactions to those terms.                              

   The agreement with Sutton resulted from negotiations between Sutton and a
Special Committee of DeSoto's Board of Directors comprised of persons           
unaffiliated with Sutton. The Special Committee was represented by independent  
legal counsel and received an opinion from an independent financial advisor,    
selected by the Committee, that the arrangements with Sutton are fair, from a   
financial point of view, to the stockholders of DeSoto (other than those related
to Sutton).                                                                     

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    Sutton includes entities affiliated with William Spier, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of DeSoto, and Anders Schroeder, Vice Chairman of DeSoto, and 
entities represented by David Tobey, a director of DeSoto.                      

  In 1992, DeSoto also amended the terms of its stockholder rights plan to
permit the parties related to Sutton to increase their ownership of common      
shares and other voting securities to approximately 38.2% of DeSoto's           
outstanding voting power (whether by exercise of warrants or acquisitions of    
common shares in the market or otherwise). In addition, the plan was amended to 
permit any stockholder to acquire up to 25% of DeSoto's outstanding voting power
(as compared to the previous 20% limit).                                        

     As a result of the $3.5 million purchase of senior preferred stock, parties
related to Sutton now hold securities representing approximately 23% of DeSoto's
currently outstanding voting securities. If securities issuable upon exercise of
warrants are included, parties related to Sutton would own approximately 38% of 
the outstanding voting power of DeSoto.                                         

In connection with the 1992 Prescott acquisition, DeSoto also issued  
522,775 shares of DeSoto common stock, which were held in treasury, and agreed  
to make a per share payment at the end of three years equal to the difference,  
if any, between $12 and the highest 60-day average trading price, if lower than 
$12 per share, of DeSoto common stock during the second and third years         
following the acquisition, with a maximum obligation of $6 per share (the       
"Contingent Value Rights" or "CVR's"). The payment shall be subject to reduction
as provided by the Agreement which governs the payment (the "Agreement"). Per   
the Agreement, the payment, if any, shall be made in cash to the extent not     
prohibited (as defined in the Agreement). Any payment not made in cash is to be 
made by issuance of DeSoto securities and/or DeSoto common stock in that order. 
As of the measurement date of the Agreement (November 12, 1995), the amount     
calculated as payable under the terms of the Agreement, before the deduction of 
amounts DeSoto believes are appropriate and permitted under the terms of the    
Agreement, is $1,934,000; after applying such deductions DeSoto believes it is  
not required to make any payment, although certain CVR holders contend          
otherwise, and accordingly, no obligation has been recorded related to the      
Agreement. DeSoto intends to vigorously defend its position in this matter,     
which may include additional claims by DeSoto. DeSoto has reached agreement with
the holder of one-half of the outstanding CVRs which, among other things,       
provides that no amounts are owed by DeSoto in respect of the CVRs owned by that
holder.                                                                         

M.  STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK GRANTS                                              

   Shares of stock and stock options have been granted to certain employees,
consultants, and nonemployee directors under the stock plan adopted in 1992. The
options granted to employees and consultants are qualified stock options (ISO)  
and the options granted to non employee directors are nonqualified options. The 
ISO options vest equally over the three years subsequent to the first           
anniversary of the grant date and are exercisable for a period of 10 years from 
the grant date. The nonqualified options are exercisable immediately upon grant 
and are exercisable for a period of 10 years from the grant date. All options   
have been granted at the prices equal to the fair market value of the stock on  
the dates the options were granted. At December 31, 1995, 50,500 of the 400,000 
shares of stock available for options or grants under DeSoto's stock option plan
remained available for grants. Options which are terminated, lapsed or expired  
shall again become available for issuance under the stock option plan.          

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 

Stock options have been granted and exercised as set forth below:     

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                            OUTSTANDING   OPTION PRICE    EXERCISABLE
                                              OPTIONS    PER SHARE-RANGE    OPTIONS  
                                            -----------  ---------------  -----------
                                                                                     
December 31, 1993..........................   181,500     5.875 - 10.125     83,833  
  Options granted..........................   122,000        5.50 - 7.00     27,000  
  Options that became exercisable..........        --        7.00 - 9.00     60,333  
  Options exercised........................   (10,000)              7.00    (10,000) 
  Options lapsed and canceled..............   (29,000)      5.875 - 9.00    (19,000) 
December 31, 1994..........................   264,500      5.50 - 10.125    142,166  
  Options granted..........................    27,000      4.375 - 4.750     27,000  
  Options that became exercisable..........        --       6.625 - 9.00    122,334  
  Options lapsed and cancelled.............   (35,000)      6.625 - 9.00    (35,000) 
                                             --------                      --------  
December 31, 1995..........................   256,500     4.375 - 10.125    256,500  
                                             ========                      ========  

  During 1994, 30,000 shares of common stock were granted to an officer of
DeSoto at no cost. All granted shares vested in 1994. The average market price  
of the common stock at the close of business on the vesting dates in 1994 was   
$5.81. An additional 20,000 shares of common stock were granted to officers of  
DeSoto in 1994. Of those shares, 7,500 shares vested in 1995 and 5,000 shares   
were canceled in 1995; the remaining shares vest over the period from 1996 to   
1998. The average market price of the common stock at the close of business on  
the vesting date in 1995 was $5.13.                                             

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 

N. OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE                                                     

   The following are components of the respective captions in the statements
of operations:                                                                  

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                          1995       1994       1993   
                                                         -------    -------    ------- 
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)   
                                                                                       
Nonrecurring expense:                                                                  
  Provision for restructuring due to disposition of                                    
     liquid laundry and fabric softener sheet                                          
     businesses......................................... $ 3,100    $    --    $    -- 
  Loss on disposition of liquid laundry detergent and                                  
     fabric softener sheet businesses...................   3,059         --         -- 
  Provision for shutdown of Columbus, Georgia Plant.....      --         --      2,000 
  Loss on disposition of Jean Sorelle...................      --         --      1,331 
  Write-down of machinery and equipment held for                                       
     resale.............................................      --         --      1,194 
  Provision for manufacturing and product                                              
     rationalization....................................      --         --        900 
  Settlement of lawsuit (including plaintiff's legal                                   
     fees)..............................................      --         --        369 
  Other.................................................      --         --        131 
                                                         -------    -------    ------- 
          Total......................................... $ 6,159    $    --    $ 5,925 
                                                         =======    =======    ======= 
Nonoperating expense:                                                                  
  Provision for waste site cleanup...................... $    --    $    --    $ 1,467 
  Other.................................................      --         --        134 
                                                         -------    -------    ------- 
          Total......................................... $    --    $    --    $ 1,601 
                                                         =======    =======    ======= 
Nonoperating income:                                                                   
  Insurance settlements................................. $(6,067)   $    --    $  (232)
  Royalties.............................................    (244)      (222)       (53)
  Arbitration settlement -- discontinued operations.....      --       (837)        -- 
  Reimbursement of legal fees...........................      --       (244)        -- 
  Sale of land and building.............................      --         --     (3,235)
  Pension settlement -- discontinued operations.........      --         --       (454)
  Other.................................................     (49)                  (47)
                                                         -------    -------    ------- 
          Total......................................... $(6,360)   $(1,303)   $(4,021)
                                                         =======    =======    ======= 

O. DISPOSITIONS                                                                 

   On July 21, 1995, DeSoto announced the transfer and assignment of various
operations and assets involved in its liquid detergent and fabric softener dryer
sheet businesses to two separate buyers. DeSoto assigned the rights to certain  
customers with respect to these businesses. DeSoto also sold other assets which 
included certain accounts receivable, inventory and machinery and equipment. The
proceeds of these transactions were utilized to reduce DeSoto's senior debt owed
to CIT. Both transactions also provide for DeSoto to receive royalties and other
earn-out opportunities over a three-year period in one case and over a four-year
period in the other case.                                                       

   DeSoto recorded a net loss on the sale of the liquid detergent and fabric
softener sheet businesses (including the write-off of related goodwill). DeSoto 
also recorded a charge of $3.1 million in the third quarter relative to costs   
associated with the closure of operating facilities relative to these           
transactions. Significant components of the charge included severance, rent,    
real estate taxes and amounts to reduce assets to their net realizable value.   
The non-recurring expense of $6,159,000 reflects the net impact of these        
transactions.                                                                   

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 

  The following information is provided on a pro forma basis to illustrate
the effect of certain adjustments to the historical consolidated financial      
statements that would have resulted from the above dispositions if such         
transactions had occurred on January 1, 1994. The results are not necessarily   
indicative of actual results had the foregoing transactions occurred as         
described above, nor do they purport to represent results of future operations  
of DeSoto.                                                                      

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,     
                                                                ---------------------
                                                                 1995          1994  
                                                                -------       -------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS    
                                                                  EXCEPT PER SHARE   
                                                                AMOUNTS -- UNAUDITED)
                                                                                     
Net revenues................................................... $25,082       $35,424
                                                                =======       =======
Net earnings................................................... $ 2,682       $ 1,037
                                                                =======       =======
Net earnings per common share.................................. $  0.47       $  0.21
                                                                =======       =======

The following table summarizes the non-cash aspects of the sale of the
liquid detergent and fabric softener sheet businesses:                          

                                                                [Download Table]
                                                                                   
Net selling prices of businesses sold....................................... $6,782
Minimum royalty to be paid over a four-year period..........................  1,477
                                                                             ------
Cash received as part of the transactions................................... $5,305
                                                                             ======

P. SUBSEQUENT EVENT                                                             

On March 13, 1996, DeSoto announced that it was discussing a proposed 
merger with Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc. which, as presently          
contemplated, would involve an exchange of all of DeSoto's shares of outstanding
stock for 3.5 million shares of Keystone common stock, in a tax-free            
transaction.                                                                    

    Merger discussions are ongoing, and are subject to mutual due diligence by
the parties, the negotiation and signing of a definitive agreement, the approval
of DeSoto's and Keystone's boards of directors and shareholders and Keystone's  
primary lender, as well as the requisite governmental review. Additionally, the 
prospective transaction would require a satisfactory resolution of the payout   
plan with DeSoto's trade creditors.                                             

  The merger with Keystone would provide an alternative to the prospective
termination of DeSoto's overfunded pension plan. The termination will not occur 
if the proposed merger is completed. Additionally, Keystone has an underfunded  
pension plan with certain funding waivers relating to prior years and has       
preliminarily discussed the possible merger with the Pension Benefit Guaranty   
Corporation.                                                                    

    There can be no assurance as to the outcome of the merger discussions; or,
in this connection, the resolution of DeSoto's trade creditor plan.             

     Keystone, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is engaged in the manufacture and
distribution of fencing and wire products, carbon steel rods, industrial wire,  
nails and construction products.                                                

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QUARTERLY REVENUES AND EARNINGS DATA (1995 VERSUS 1994)                         

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                      1995                         
                                               --------------------------------------------------- 
                                                FIRST     SECOND      THIRD     FOURTH             
                                               QUARTER    QUARTER    QUARTER    QUARTER     TOTAL  
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    ------- 
                                               (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)  
                                                                                                   
Net Revenues.................................. $18,927    $16,314    $11,132    $ 5,966    $52,339 
                                               =======    =======    =======     ======    ======= 
Gross Profit.................................. $  (516)   $   (58)   $(1,093)   $   (63)   $(1,730)
                                               =======    =======    =======     ======    ======= 
Net Earnings (Loss)........................... $(1,022)   $ 2,897    $(6,146)   $  (364)   $(4,635)
                                               =======    =======    =======     ======    ======= 
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share.......... $ (0.24)   $  0.60    $ (1.33)   $ (0.13)   $ (1.10)
                                               =======    =======    =======     ======    ======= 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                      1994                         
                                               --------------------------------------------------- 
                                                FIRST     SECOND      THIRD     FOURTH             
                                               QUARTER    QUARTER    QUARTER    QUARTER     TOTAL  
                                               -------    -------    -------    -------    ------- 
                                               (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)  
                                                                                                   
Net Revenues.................................. $23,640    $22,286    $21,394    $19,862    $87,182 
                                               =======    =======    =======    =======    ======= 
Gross Profit.................................. $   977    $   639    $   543    $   223    $ 2,382 
                                               =======    =======    =======    =======    ======= 
Net Earnings (Loss)........................... $    51    $  (744)   $  (782)   $  (160)   $(1,635)
                                               =======    =======    =======    =======    ======= 
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share.......... $ (0.01)   $ (0.18)   $ (0.19)   $ (0.05)   $ (0.42)
                                               =======    =======    =======    =======    ======= 

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

NOTES: In the third quarter of 1995, DeSoto completed the transfer and          
assignment of various operations and assets involved in its liquid
  detergent and fabric softener dryer sheet businesses to two separate
buyers.                                                           

The results for the second quarter of 1995 include $6.1 million of
non-operating income.                                             

The results for the fourth quarter of 1994 include $2.9 million of
income from DeSoto's retirement plans. The results for the first  
quarter of 1994 include $1.1 million of nonoperating income.      

The quarterly information presented above is unaudited.           

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(UNAUDITED) 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED  
                                                                                JUNE 30,      
                                                                           ------------------ 
                                                                            1996       1995   
                                                                           -------    ------- 
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS    
                                                                            EXCEPT PER SHARE  
                                                                                AMOUNTS)      
                                                                                              
NET REVENUES.............................................................. $ 9,481    $35,241 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                                                                           
  Cost of sales...........................................................   8,383     35,815 
  Selling, administrative and general.....................................   2,718      5,729 
  Retirement security program.............................................  (3,436)    (3,382)
  Nonrecurring expense....................................................   1,562         -- 
                                                                           -------    ------- 
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES........................................   9,227     38,162 
                                                                           -------    ------- 
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS...........................................     254     (2,921)
OTHER CHARGES AND CREDITS:                                                                    
  Interest expense........................................................      --        459 
  Nonoperating expense (income)...........................................   1,184     (6,360)
                                                                           -------    ------- 
Earnings (Loss) before Income Taxes.......................................    (930)     2,980 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes......................................    (351)     1,105 
                                                                           -------    ------- 
NET EARNINGS (LOSS).......................................................    (579)     1,875 
Dividends on Preferred Stock..............................................    (283)      (168)
                                                                           -------    ------- 
Net Earnings (Loss) Available for Common Shares........................... $  (862)   $ 1,707 
                                                                           =======    ======= 
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE...................................... $  (.18)   $   .37 
                                                                           =======    ======= 
Average Common Shares Outstanding.........................................   4,684      4,674 
                                                                           =======    ======= 
Dividends Declared per Common Share.......................................      --         -- 
                                                                           =======    ======= 

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS 

ASSETS

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                     JUNE 30,                     
                                                                       1996           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)           1995    
                                                                    -----------       ------------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)   
                                                                                                  
Current Assets:                                                                                   
  Cash............................................................    $    42            $    51  
  Restricted cash.................................................         --                 29  
  Restricted short-term investments...............................      1,180              1,180  
  Trade accounts and notes receivable-net.........................      2,744              4,764  
  Inventories -- net:                                                                             
     Finished goods...............................................         25                405  
     Raw materials and work-in-process............................        330                380  
                                                                      -------            -------  
                                                                          355                785  
  Deferred income taxes...........................................      3,180              2,049  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.......................        218                231  
                                                                      -------            -------  
          Total Current Assets....................................      7,719              9,089  
Restricted Investments............................................      3,877              3,770  
Property, Plant and Equipment -- net..............................        589              2,610  
Prepaid Pension...................................................     50,710             46,913  
Other Non-Current Assets..........................................        748              2,586  
                                                                      -------            -------  
                                                                      $63,643            $64,968  
                                                                      =======            =======  
                               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                               
Current Liabilities:                                                                              
  Accounts payable................................................    $11,482            $14,263  
  Reserves and liabilities related to restructuring programs......      4,242              3,226  
  Waste site clean-up.............................................      2,025              2,025  
  Other...........................................................      4,388              4,500  
                                                                      -------            -------  
          Total Current Liabilities...............................     22,137             24,014  
Waste site clean-up -- long-term..................................      5,550              5,269  
Post Retirement and Post Employment Insurance.....................      1,431              1,223  
Deferred Income Taxes.............................................     12,256             11,461  
Long-Term Deferred Gain...........................................      2,581              2,779  
Redeemable Preferred Stock........................................      4,684              4,288  
Common Stock and Other Stockholders' Equity.......................     15,004             15,934  
                                                                      -------            -------  
                                                                      $63,643            $64,968  
                                                                      =======            =======  

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(UNAUDITED) 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED    
                                                                              JUNE 30,        
                                                                        --------------------- 
                                                                         1996          1995   
                                                                        -------       ------- 
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS OF    
                                                                              DOLLARS)        
                                                                                              
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                         
Net earnings (loss).................................................... $  (579)      $ 1,875 
Non-cash items:                                                                               
  Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment................     636           (17)
  Depreciation and amortization........................................     175           881 
  Pension income.......................................................  (3,797)       (3,746)
  Deferred income taxes................................................    (336)        1,107 
  Amortization of deferred gain........................................    (198)         (198)
  Other non-cash items.................................................      45            38 
                                                                        -------       ------- 
  Net non-cash items...................................................  (3,475)       (1,935)
Changes in assets and liabilities resulting from operating activities:                        
  Net (increase) decrease in trade accounts and notes receivable.......   2,020          (599)
  Net decrease in inventories..........................................     430            47 
  Net decrease in other current assets.................................      42           608 
  Net decrease in other non-current assets.............................   1,731           178 
  Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable..........................  (2,781)        1,569 
  Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities.........................   1,393        (1,847)
  Other................................................................      --            (4)
                                                                        -------       ------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities...............................  (1,219)         (108)
                                                                        -------       ------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                         
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment..................   1,210           500 
  Additions to property, plant and equipment...........................      --          (197)
                                                                        -------       ------- 
Net cash flows from investing activities...............................   1,210           303 
                                                                        -------       ------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                         
Payments under Revolving Credit Agreement..............................      --        (1,369)
                                                                        -------       ------- 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents..............................      (9)       (1,174)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......................      51         1,702 
                                                                        -------       ------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period............................. $    42       $   528 
                                                                        =======       ======= 

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED) 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated 
condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal    
recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of         
operations for the periods indicated.                                           

  The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.         

A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES                                                          

The reader is directed to Note A of the Notes to DeSoto's Consolidated
Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1995 included in this Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus for details of the accounting policies followed by   
DeSoto.                                                                         

B. INCOME TAXES                                                                 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes is computed at the current   
estimated effective income tax rate for the year.                               

C. INVENTORY VALUATION                                                          

Inventory at June 30, 1996 is valued at the last-in, first-out (LIFO) 
method of inventory accounting. If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of     
inventory accounting had been used for all of DeSoto's inventories, inventories 
would have been $520,000 and $1,493,000 higher than reported at June 30, 1996   
and December 31, 1995, respectively.                                            

D. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE                                                          

During the six months ended June 30, 1996, DeSoto sold certain of its 
accounts receivable to fund short-term cash requirements. Proceeds of $4,291,000
were received during the six-month period of which $1,335,000 related to        
invoices due after June 30, 1996. The accounts receivable sold were excluded    
from Trade Accounts and Notes Receivable on the balance sheet as of June 30,    
1996. DeSoto has retained the risk of loss in the event of nonpayment of the    
receivables. DeSoto does not believe, however, that there is significant risk in
the collectibility of the receivables.                                          

E. DISPOSITIONS                                                                 

   On July 21, 1995, DeSoto announced the transfer and assignment of various
operations and assets involved in its liquid detergent and fabric softener dryer
sheet businesses to two separate buyers. DeSoto assigned the rights to certain  
customers with respect to these businesses. DeSoto also sold other assets which 
included certain accounts receivable, inventory and machinery and equipment. The
proceeds of these transactions were utilized to reduce DeSoto's senior debt owed
to CIT. Both transactions also provide for DeSoto to receive royalties and other
earn-out opportunities over a three-year period in one case and over a four-year
period in the other case. The statement of operations for the six months ended  
June 30, 1995 includes the results of operations of these businesses.           

    On April 11, 1996, DeSoto announced that it had sold the domestic business
and assets of its laundry detergent manufacturing and distribution operations,  
at its Union City, California, plant, to Star Pacific, Inc. The buyer will      
continue production under a sublease of the plant from DeSoto. DeSoto will      
retain its international detergent business at the Union City facility, under a 
production arrangement with Star Pacific.                                       

    A charge of $1.6 million was recorded in the 1996 first quarter related to
the costs associated with the Union City disposition. This provision included   
the write-down of fixed assets to net realizable value, future rental           
commitments on a leased warehouse, and severance pay. The provision is reflected
on the statement of                                                             

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DESOTO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 

operations as nonrecurring expense and the accrual is included with             
restructuring reserves on the balance sheet. The statement of operations for the
six months ended June 30, 1995 includes the results of operations of this       
business. The reader is directed to the DeSoto pro forma financial statements on
pages P-9 to P-11 for the pro forma effect of these business dispositions.      

F. NONOPERATING EXPENSE (INCOME)                                                

     Nonoperating expense during the first six months of 1996 resulted primarily
from a provision for uncollectible receivables related to prior operations.     
Nonoperating income during the first six months of 1995 included approximately  
$6.1 million from insurance settlements and approximately $244,000 of royalty   
income related to technology sold by DeSoto in 1990.                            

G. KEYSTONE MERGER                                                              

     As previously reported, DeSoto, on June 27, 1996, entered into a definitive
merger agreement with Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc. The consummation of
the merger is subject to certain conditions, including approval by the          
shareholders of both companies and Keystone's obtaining the additional financing
necessary to consummate the merger.                                             

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                                                                      APPENDIX A

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

BETWEEN 

KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC.

AND 

DESOTO, INC.

DATED AS OF 

JUNE 26, 1996 

A-CP

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

                                                        [Enlarge/Download Table]

                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                      ----
                                                                                          
1. PLAN OF REORGANIZATION............................................................  A-1
   1.1     The Merger................................................................  A-1
           (a) Conversion of Shares of DSO Common Stock..............................  A-1
           (b) Conversion of Shares of DSO Preferred Stock...........................  A-1
           (c) Adjustments for Capital Changes.......................................  A-2
           (d) Dissenting Shares.....................................................  A-2
           (e) Conversion of KCI Sub Common Stock....................................  A-2
   1.2     Fractional Shares.........................................................  A-2
   1.3     DSO Options...............................................................  A-2
           (a) Conversion............................................................  A-2
           (b) Registration..........................................................  A-3
   1.4     Effects of the Merger.....................................................  A-3
   1.5     Registration on Form S-4..................................................  A-3

2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DSO.............................................  A-3
   2.1     Organization; Good Standing; Qualification and Power......................  A-4
   2.2     Capital Structure.........................................................  A-4
           (a) Stock and Options.....................................................  A-4
           (b) DEMI..................................................................  A-4
           (c) Warrants..............................................................  A-4
           (d) No Other Commitments..................................................  A-4
   2.3     Authority.................................................................  A-5
           (a) Corporate Action......................................................  A-5
           (b) No Conflict...........................................................  A-5
           (c) Governmental Consents.................................................  A-5
   2.4     SEC Documents.............................................................  A-6
           (a) SEC Reports...........................................................  A-6
           (b) Financial Statements..................................................  A-6
   2.5     Information Supplied......................................................  A-6
   2.6     Compliance with Applicable Law............................................  A-6
   2.7     Litigation and Legal Matters..............................................  A-7
   2.8     ERISA and Other Compliance................................................  A-7
   2.9     Labor Matters.............................................................  A-9
   2.10    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities........................................ A-10
   2.11    Absence of Certain Changes or Events...................................... A-10
   2.12    No Default................................................................ A-11
   2.13    Certain Agreements........................................................ A-11
   2.14    Taxes..................................................................... A-11
   2.15    Intellectual Property..................................................... A-12
   2.16    Fees and Expenses......................................................... A-12
   2.17    Environmental Matters..................................................... A-13
   2.18    Interested Party Transactions............................................. A-14
   2.19    Contracts................................................................. A-14
   2.20    Title to Properties....................................................... A-15
   2.21    Insurance................................................................. A-15
   2.22    Board Approval............................................................ A-15
   2.23    Vote Required............................................................. A-15
   2.24    Disclosure................................................................ A-15
   2.25    Fairness Opinion.......................................................... A-16
   2.26    Restrictions on Business Activities....................................... A-16

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   2.27    DSO Rights Agreement...................................................... A-16
   2.28    Propriety of Past Payments................................................ A-16

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF KCI............................................. A-16
   3.1     Organization; Good Standing; Qualification and Power...................... A-16
   3.2     Capital Structure......................................................... A-16
           (a) Stock and Options..................................................... A-16
           (b) No Other Commitments.................................................. A-17
   3.3     Authority................................................................. A-17
           (a) Corporate Action...................................................... A-17
           (b) No Conflict........................................................... A-17
           (c) Governmental Consents................................................. A-18
   3.4     SEC Documents............................................................. A-18
           (a) SEC Reports........................................................... A-18
           (b) Financial Statements.................................................. A-18
   3.5     Information Supplied...................................................... A-18
   3.6     Compliance with Applicable Law............................................ A-19
   3.7     Litigation and Legal Matters.............................................. A-19
   3.8     ERISA and Other Compliance................................................ A-19
   3.9     Labor Matters............................................................. A-21
   3.10    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities........................................ A-22
   3.11    Absence of Certain Changes or Events...................................... A-22
   3.12    No Default................................................................ A-23
   3.13    Certain Agreements........................................................ A-23
   3.14    Taxes..................................................................... A-23
   3.15    Intellectual Property..................................................... A-24
   3.16    Fees and Expenses......................................................... A-24
   3.17    Environmental Matters..................................................... A-24
   3.18    Interested Party Transactions............................................. A-25
   3.19    Contracts................................................................. A-25
   3.20    Title to Properties....................................................... A-26
   3.21    Insurance................................................................. A-26
   3.22    Board Approval............................................................ A-26
   3.23    Vote Required............................................................. A-26
   3.24    Disclosure................................................................ A-26
   3.25    Fairness Opinion.......................................................... A-27
   3.26    Restrictions on Business Activities....................................... A-27
   3.27    Propriety of Past Payments................................................ A-27

4. DSO COVENANTS..................................................................... A-27
   4.1     Advice of Changes......................................................... A-27
   4.2     Maintenance of Business................................................... A-27
   4.3     Conduct of Business....................................................... A-27
   4.4     Stockholder Approval...................................................... A-29
   4.5     Prospectus/Proxy Statement................................................ A-29
   4.6     Regulatory Approvals...................................................... A-29
   4.7     Necessary Consents........................................................ A-29
   4.8     Access to Information..................................................... A-29
   4.9     Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent...................................... A-30
   4.10    No Other Negotiations..................................................... A-30

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5. KCI COVENANTS..................................................................... A-31
   5.1     Advice of Changes......................................................... A-31
   5.2     Maintenance of Business................................................... A-31
   5.3     Conduct of Business....................................................... A-31
   5.4     Stockholder Approval...................................................... A-33
   5.5     Prospectus/Proxy Statement................................................ A-33
   5.6     Regulatory Approvals...................................................... A-33
   5.7     Necessary Consents........................................................ A-33
   5.8     Access to Information..................................................... A-33
   5.9     Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent...................................... A-33
   5.10    Listing................................................................... A-33
   5.11    Nomination of Directors................................................... A-33
   5.12    Executive Committee....................................................... A-34
   5.13    Director and Officer Indemnification...................................... A-34
   5.14    DSO Trade Debt............................................................ A-34

6. CLOSING MATTERS................................................................... A-34
   6.1     The Closing............................................................... A-34
   6.2     Exchange of Certificates.................................................. A-34
           (a) Exchange Agent........................................................ A-34
           (b) Exchange Procedures................................................... A-35
           (c) Distributions with Respect to Unsurrendered Certificates.............. A-35
           (d) No Further Ownership Rights to DSO Stock.............................. A-35
           (e) Termination of Exchange Fund.......................................... A-36
           (f) No Liability.......................................................... A-36
   6.3     Assumption of Options..................................................... A-36

7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF DSO........................................ A-36
   7.1     Accuracy of Representations and Warranties................................ A-36
   7.2     Covenants................................................................. A-36
   7.3     Absence of Material Adverse Change........................................ A-36
   7.4     Compliance with Law....................................................... A-36
   7.5     Government Consents....................................................... A-36
   7.6     The Form S-4.............................................................. A-36
   7.7     Documents................................................................. A-36
   7.8     Stockholder Approval...................................................... A-37
   7.9     KCI Approval.............................................................. A-37
   7.10    No Legal Action........................................................... A-37
   7.11    Election of DSO Designees to Board of Directors of KCI.................... A-37
   7.12    Tax Opinions.............................................................. A-37
   7.13    Legal Opinion............................................................. A-37
   7.14    Listing................................................................... A-37
   7.15    PBGC...................................................................... A-37
   7.16    Financing................................................................. A-37
   7.17    Fairness Opinion.......................................................... A-37

8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF KCI........................................ A-37
   8.1     Accuracy of Representations and Warranties................................ A-37
   8.2     Covenants................................................................. A-38
   8.3     Absence of Material Adverse Change........................................ A-38
   8.4     Compliance with Law....................................................... A-38
   8.5     Government Consents....................................................... A-38
   8.6     Form S-4.................................................................. A-38

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    8.7     Documents................................................................. A-38
    8.8     Stockholder Approval...................................................... A-38
    8.9     DSO Approval.............................................................. A-38
    8.10    No Legal Action........................................................... A-38
    8.11    Tax Opinions.............................................................. A-38
    8.12    Legal Opinion............................................................. A-39
    8.13    Agreement of Warrantholders............................................... A-39
    8.14    Financing................................................................. A-39
    8.15    Amendment of DSO Retirement Plan.......................................... A-39
    8.16    No Pending Termination.................................................... A-39
    8.17    PBGC...................................................................... A-39
    8.18    Approval of Change of Control............................................. A-39
    8.19    Preferred Stockholders Consents........................................... A-39
    8.20    Prescott Obligation....................................................... A-39
    8.21    Fairness Opinion.......................................................... A-39
    8.22    Lender Consent............................................................ A-39
    8.23    Trade Creditor Agreement.................................................. A-39
    8.24    Merger of Pension Plans................................................... A-39

9.  TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT; BREAK UP FEES........................................... A-39
    9.1     Termination............................................................... A-39
    9.2     Notice of Termination..................................................... A-40
    9.3     Effect of Termination..................................................... A-40
    9.4     Breakup Fee............................................................... A-40

10. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS............................. A-41

11. MISCELLANEOUS..................................................................... A-41
    11.1    Governing Law............................................................. A-41
    11.2    Assignment; Binding Upon Successors and Assigns........................... A-41
    11.3    Severability.............................................................. A-41
    11.4    Counterparts.............................................................. A-41
    11.5    Other Remedies............................................................ A-41
    11.6    Amendment and Waivers..................................................... A-41
    11.7    Expenses.................................................................. A-41
    11.8    Attorney's Fees........................................................... A-42
    11.9    Notices................................................................... A-42
    11.10   Construction of Agreement................................................. A-42
    11.11   No Joint Venture.......................................................... A-42
    11.12   Further Assurances........................................................ A-43
    11.13   Absence of Third Party Beneficiary Rights................................. A-43
    11.14   Public Announcement....................................................... A-43
    11.15   Entire Agreement.......................................................... A-43

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

 THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this "Agreement") is entered
into as of this 26th day of June, 1996, by and between KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED    
INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("KCI"), and DESOTO, INC., a Delaware  
corporation ("DSO").                                                            

RECITALS

 A. The parties intend that, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, DSO will consolidate with a wholly owned subsidiary of KCI (the "KCI 
Sub") in a statutory merger (the "Merger") with DSO being the surviving         
corporation of the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation"), all pursuant to the    
terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the     
Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the "Delaware Law"). Upon the     
effectiveness of the Merger, all the capital stock of DSO outstanding           
immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.1) will be     
converted into capital stock of KCI, and KCI will assume all outstanding options
to purchase shares of common stock of DSO, as provided in this Agreement.       

B. The Merger is intended to be treated as a tax-free reorganization  
pursuant to the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of    
1986, as amended (the "Code").                                                  

 C. It is the intention and desire of KCI and DSO, immediately after the
Effective Time to cause a merger of the pension plans of KCI and DSO.           

The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:                           

1. PLAN OF REORGANIZATION                                             

1.1  The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Merger will occur pursuant to this Agreement and in    
accordance with applicable provisions of the Delaware Law as follows: 

         (a) Conversion of Shares of DSO Common Stock. Each share of DSO
   Common Stock, $1.00 par value, including the associated rights (the
 "Associated Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement (the
 "Rights Agreement") between DSO and Harris Trust and Savings Bank
(collectively the "DSO Common Stock"), issued and outstanding   
    immediately prior to the date and time of filing of a Certificate of
   Merger (the "Certificate of Merger") with the Secretary of State of
       Delaware (the "Effective Time") will by virtue of the Merger and at the
    Effective Time, and without further action on the part of any holder
     thereof, be converted into the right to receive .7465 of a share (the
     "Exchange Ratio") of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable KCI
       Common Stock, $1.00 par value (the "KCI Common Stock"). Shares of DSO's
        capital stock held by DSO in its treasury will not be deemed outstanding
       for purposes of this Agreement and will not be converted into shares of
        KCI Common Stock, cash or any other property and will be cancelled as of
      the Effective Time. No holder of shares of DSO Common Stock shall have
        any rights as a stockholder of KCI prior to the date of issuance to such
  holder of a certificate or certificates representing shares of KCI
Common Stock.                                                   

            (b) Conversion of Shares of DSO Preferred Stock. Each share of DSO
    Series B Senior Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value (the "DSO Preferred
    Stock" and collectively with the DSO Common Stock, the "DSO Stock"),
      issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will by
   virtue of the Merger and at the Effective Time, and without further
        action on the part of any holder thereof, be converted into the right to
       receive the Exchange Ratio of a share of validly issued, fully paid and
   nonassessable KCI Series A Senior Preferred Stock, no par value, as
      contemplated by the Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent Agreement
      of even date herewith (the "KCI Preferred Stock" and collectively with
  the KCI Common Stock, the "KCI Stock"). No holder of shares of DSO
      Preferred Stock shall have any rights as a stockholder of KCI prior to
    the date of issuance to such holder of a certificate or certificates
representing shares of KCI Preferred Stock.                     

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         (c) Adjustments for Capital Changes. If, prior to the Effective
       Time, DSO or KCI recapitalizes through a subdivision of its outstanding
shares into a greater number of shares, or a combination of its 
  outstanding shares into a lesser number of shares, or reorganizes,
      reclassifies or otherwise changes its outstanding shares into the same
        or a different number of shares of other classes, or declares a dividend
   on its outstanding shares payable in shares of its capital stock or
 securities convertible into shares of its capital stock, then the
      Exchange Ratio, as applicable, will be adjusted appropriately so as to
   maintain the relative proportionate interests of the holders of the
shares of DSO Stock and the holders of the shares of KCI Stock. 

          (d) Dissenting Shares. Holders of shares of DSO Common Stock who
     dissent from the Merger are not entitled to rights of appraisal under
     Section 262 of the Delaware Law by virtue of Section 262(b)(1) of the
Delaware Law.                                                   

            (e) Conversion of KCI Sub Common Stock. Each share of common stock
    of KCI Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
        Time will by virtue of the Merger and at the Effective Time, and without
      further action on the part of any holder hereof, be converted into one
     share of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable common stock of
the Surviving Corporation.                                      

         1.2  Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of KCI Common Stock will
     be issued in connection with the Merger, but in lieu thereof each holder of
     DSO Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a
    share of KCI Common Stock will receive from the Exchange Agent (as defined
  in Section 6.2), at such time as such holder shall receive a certificate
    representing shares of KCI Common Stock as contemplated by Section 6.2, an
amount of cash equal to the per share market value of KCI Common Stock
     (based on the average of the closing sale prices of KCI Common Stock during
   the ten (10) trading day period ending on the Closing Date (as defined in
Section 6.1) as reported in the Wall Street Journal) multiplied by the
fraction of a share of KCI Common Stock to which such holder would    
otherwise have been entitled. The fractional interests of each DSO    
     stockholder will be aggregated so that no DSO stockholder will receive cash
  in an amount equal to or greater than the value of one full share of KCI
 Common Stock (other than those holding shares as nominees or in similar
capacity, in which case, each interest of a beneficial owner shall be 
    aggregated separately). KCI shall provide sufficient funds to the Exchange
Agent to make the payments contemplated by this Section 1.2.          

1.3  DSO Options.                                           

             (a) Conversion. At the Effective Time, each of the then outstanding
       options to purchase DSO Common Stock (the "DSO Options") will by virtue
       of the Merger, and without any further action on the part of any holder
      thereof, be converted into an option to purchase that number of shares
     of KCI Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of
        DSO Common Stock subject to such DSO Option at the Effective Time by the
        Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per share of KCI Common Stock equal
       to the exercise price per share of such DSO Option immediately prior to
      the Effective Time divided by the Exchange Ratio and rounded up to the
        nearest whole cent (provided, however, in the case of any DSO Options to
    which Section 421 of the Code applies by reason of its qualification
   under Section 422 or Section 423 of the Code, the option price, the
       number of shares purchasable pursuant to such DSO Options and the terms
     and conditions of exercise of such DSO Options shall be determined in
order to comply with Section 424 of the Code). If the foregoing 
    calculation results in an assumed DSO Option being exercisable for a
     fraction of a share of KCI Common Stock, then the number of shares of
 KCI Common Stock subject to such option will be rounded up to the
 nearest whole number of shares. The term, exercisability, vesting
        schedule, status as an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the
  Code, if applicable, and all other terms and conditions of the DSO
        Options shall be as set forth in the DSO Disclosure Schedule (as defined
in Article 2). Continuous employment with DSO or any of the DSO 
        Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 2.1) will be credited to an optionee
     of DSO for purposes of determining the number of shares of KCI Common
     Stock subject to exercise under DSO Options converted into options to
purchase KCI Common Stock (the "KCI Converted Options"). Each   

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KCI Converted Option shall otherwise be subject to the terms and
    conditions as were applicable to such converted DSO Option under the
applicable DSO Plan (as defined in Section 2.2).                

          (b) Registration. To the extent a registration statement on Form
   S-8 is available, KCI will cause the KCI Common Stock issuable upon
  exercise of the KCI Converted Options to be registered on Form S-8
    promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as
  soon as practicable after the Effective Time and will use its best
       efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or
      registration statements for so long as the KCI Converted Options shall
       remain outstanding. With respect to those individuals who subsequent to
      the Merger will be subject to the reporting requirements under Section
       16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
      Act"), KCI shall administer, to the extent reasonably practicable, the
       DSO Plans (as defined in Section 2.2(a)) assumed pursuant to the Merger
and this Section 1.3 in a manner that complies with the rules   
 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. KCI will reserve a
 sufficient number of shares of KCI Common Stock for issuance upon
exercise of the KCI Converted Options.                          

         1.4  Effects of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the Certificate of
Merger shall be filed as contemplated by Section 1.1(a), the effect of
   which shall be as follows: (a) each share of KCI Common Stock outstanding
  immediately prior to the Effective Time will continue to be an identical
     outstanding share of KCI Common Stock; (b) each share of DSO Stock and each
DSO Option outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be
   converted as provided in Sections 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 hereof; (c) each share
     of KCI Sub Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
     will be converted as provided in Section 1.1(e) hereof; (d) the Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, directors and officers of the Surviving     
   Corporation will be as provided in the Certificate of Merger; and (e) the
 Merger will, from and after the Effective Time, have all of the effects
 provided by applicable law, including, without limitation, the Delaware
Law.                                                                  

    1.5  Registration on Form S-4. The KCI Stock to be issued in the
 Merger shall be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), on a Form S-4 registration statement promulgated by
     the SEC (the "Form S-4"). As promptly as practicable after the date of this
  Agreement, KCI and DSO shall prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4,
   together with the prospectus/joint proxy statement to be included therein
    (the "Prospectus/Proxy Statement") and any other documents required by the
    Securities Act or the Exchange Act, in connection with the Merger. Each of
    KCI and DSO shall use its best efforts to respond promptly to any comments
     of the SEC and to have the Form S-4 declared effective under the Securities
Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to cause the     
   Prospectus/Proxy Statement to be mailed to each company's stockholders at
    the earliest practicable time. Each party shall as promptly as practicable
  furnish to the other party all information concerning such party and its
  stockholders as may be reasonably required in connection with any action
   contemplated by this Section 1.5. The Prospectus/Proxy Statement and Form
    S-4 shall comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements
   of law. Each of KCI and DSO will notify the other promptly of the receipt
    of any comments from the SEC or its staff and of any request by the SEC or
its staff for amendments or supplements to the Form S-4 or the        
  Prospectus/Proxy Statement or for additional information and will supply
    the other with copies of all correspondence with the SEC or its staff with
   respect to the Form S-4, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement or any amendments
     or supplements thereto. Whenever any event occurs which should be set forth
in an amendment or supplement to the Form S-4 or the Prospectus/Proxy 
    Statement, KCI or DSO, as the case may be, shall promptly inform the other
    of such occurrence and cooperate in filing as promptly as practicable with
   the SEC or its staff, and/or mailing to stockholders of KCI and DSO, such
amendment or supplement.                                              

2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DSO                              

          Except as set forth in a schedule dated the date of this Agreement and
delivered by DSO to KCI concurrently herewith (the "DSO Disclosure    
   Schedule") or as disclosed in the Recent DSO SEC Documents (as defined in
 Section 2.4), DSO represents and warrants to KCI as set forth below. In
this Agreement, any reference to any event, change or effect being    
"material" with respect to any entity or                              

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     group of entities means any material event, change or effect related to the
condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities,  
   businesses, operations, results of operations or prospects of such entity
or group of entities taken as a whole. In this Agreement, the term    
  "Material Adverse Effect" used in connection with a party or any of such
   party's subsidiaries means any event, change or effect that is materially
adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets,
    liabilities, businesses, operations, results of operations or prospects of
such party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.                    

      2.1  Organization; Good Standing; Qualification and Power. DSO and
   each of its subsidiaries, including corporations, partnerships, trusts or
any other type of entity (the "DSO Subsidiaries") is duly organized,  
  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
incorporation or organization, 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 and in good standing
    to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or
the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification   
necessary or where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. The DSO Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and 
    correct list of the DSO Subsidiaries. DSO has made available to KCI or its
counsel complete and correct copies of the Certificates or Articles of
   Incorporation and Bylaws of DSO and each of the DSO Subsidiaries, in each
case as amended to the date of this Agreement.                        

2.2  Capital Structure.                                     

             (a) Stock and Options. The authorized capital stock of DSO consists
   of 20,000,000 shares of DSO Common Stock, and 583,333 shares of DSO
     Preferred Stock. At the close of business on June 17, 1996, 4,688,523
      shares of DSO Common Stock were issued and outstanding, 583,333 shares
     of DSO Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, 930,751 shares of
        DSO Common Stock were held by DSO in its treasury, and 120,500 shares of
    DSO Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the
        outstanding DSO Options. All outstanding shares of DSO Stock are validly
  issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive
      rights. All outstanding shares of DSO Common Stock, including treasury
        shares, and all shares reserved for issuance have been listed on the New
       York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"). All outstanding shares of the capital
        stock of each of the DSO Subsidiaries are validly issued, fully paid and
      nonassessable and are owned by DSO or one of the DSO Subsidiaries free
        and clear of any liens, security interests, pledges, agreements, claims,
   charges or encumbrances . DSO has made available to KCI, a true and
       correct copy of its 1992 Stock Plan and the DeSoto Stock Ownership Plus
        Plan (collectively, the "DSO Plans"), and a complete and correct list of
        each DSO Option outstanding as of the date hereof, including the name of
       the holder of each such DSO Option, the DSO Plan pursuant to which each
        such DSO Option was issued, the security and number of shares covered by
   each such DSO Option, the per share exercise price of each such DSO
   Option and the vesting schedule applicable to each such DSO Option.

          (b) DEMI. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
      DeSoto Environmental Management, Inc. ("DEMI") consists of one hundred
       (100) shares of Class A Common Stock, one hundred (100) shares of Class
       B Common Stock, and one hundred (100) shares of preferred stock. At the
   close of business on June 12, 1996, one (1) share of Class A Common
       Stock was held by DSO, one hundred (100) shares of Class B Common Stock
were held by directors and officers of DSO as set forth on the  
       Disclosure Schedule, and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

     (c) Warrants. As of the date hereof warrants to purchase an
      aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of DSO Common Stock (the "DSO Warrants")
       were outstanding. As of the date hereof, 1,200,000 shares of DSO Common
   Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of the DSO Warrants.

       (d) No Other Commitments. Except for the DSO Options, the DSO
      Warrants and the Contingent Value Rights issued in connection with the
     acquisition of J.L. Prescott Company, there are no options, warrants,
  calls, rights, commitments, conversion rights or agreements of any
      character to which DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries is a party or by
        which DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries is bound, obligating DSO or any
of the DSO Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell,              

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        or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any shares of capital stock of
    DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries or securities convertible into or
 exchangeable for shares of capital stock of DSO or any of the DSO
        Subsidiaries, or obligating DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries to grant,
       extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment,
     conversion right or agreement. Except for the parties affiliated with
   Sutton Holding Corp. who have previously filed a Schedule 13-D with
 respect to DSO, there are no voting trusts or other agreements or
      understandings to which DSO or any DSO Subsidiary is a party or, as of
       the date hereof, of which DSO has knowledge, with respect to the voting
of the capital stock of DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries.     

2.3  Authority.                                                 

         (a) Corporate Action. DSO has the requisite corporate power and
       authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to approval of this
   Agreement and the Merger by the stockholders of DSO, to perform its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the Merger and the other
       transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery
       of this Agreement by DSO and, subject to approval of this Agreement and
     the Merger by the stockholders of DSO, the consummation by DSO of the
    Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
     authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of DSO. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by DSO, and this 
  Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of DSO, enforceable in
 accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may be
      subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
        laws affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and (ii) general equitable principles.                          

        (b) No Conflict. Subject to approval of this Agreement and the
      Merger by the stockholders of DSO, neither the execution, delivery and
   performance of this Agreement or the Certificate of Merger, nor the
    consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor
       compliance with the provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or
      result in any violation of, or cause a default (with or without notice
or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of    
      termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation
contained in, or the loss of any benefit under, or result in the
       creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any
       of the properties or assets of DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries under
       any term, condition or provision of (i) the Certificates or Articles of
     Incorporation or Bylaws of DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries or (ii)
        any agreement, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
    regulation applicable to DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries or their
respective properties or assets, other than any such conflicts, 
    violations, defaults, losses, liens, security interests, charges, or
      encumbrances which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.                                        

          (c) Governmental Consents. No consent, approval or authorization
of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any court,     
      administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or
       instrumentality, domestic or foreign (each a "Governmental Entity"), is
required to be obtained by DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries in
   connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
Certificate of Merger or the consummation of the transaction    
        contemplated hereby or thereby except for (i) the filing with the SEC of
    (A) the Form S-4, (B) the Prospectus/Proxy Statement relating to the
      meeting of the stockholders of DSO (the "DSO Stockholders Meeting") to
  be held with respect to the approval by DSO's stockholders of this
        Agreement and the Merger, and (C) such reports and information under the
 Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
        thereunder, as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
       transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the filing of the Certificate of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and 
        appropriate documents with relevant authorities of other states in which
    DSO is qualified to do business; (iii) such filings, authorizations,
  orders and approvals as may be required under state "control share
       acquisition," "anti-takeover" or other similar statutes and regulations
  (collectively, the "State Anti-Takeover Laws"); (iv) such filings,
     authorizations, orders and approvals as may be required under foreign
       laws, state securities laws and the rules of the NYSE; (v) such filings
 and notifications as may be necessary under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
   Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"); and

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   (vi) such consents, approvals, etc. the failure of DSO to so obtain
      would not prevent or delay the consummation of the Merger or otherwise
    prevent DSO from performing its obligations under this Agreement and
   would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

2.4  SEC Documents.                                         

       (a) SEC Reports. DSO has made available to KCI or its counsel
  complete and correct copies of each report, schedule, registration
        statement and definitive proxy statement filed by DSO with the SEC on or
  after January 1, 1991 (the "DSO SEC Documents"), which are all the
    documents (other than preliminary material) that DSO was required to
     file with the SEC on or after such date. As of their respective dates
      or, in the case of registration statements, their effective dates (and
if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this  
     Agreement, then also on the date of such filing), none of the DSO SEC
     Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents
     incorporated by reference herein) 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, and the
        DSO SEC Documents were timely filed and complied when filed, in form and
       content, in all material respects with the then applicable requirements
      of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, including the timeliness of
        the filing as the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated
       by the SEC thereunder. DSO has filed all documents and agreements which
   were required to be filed as exhibits to the DSO SEC Documents. For
      purposes hereof, "Recent DSO SEC Documents" shall mean the most recent
annual report on Form 10-K of DSO, together with the most recent
      quarterly report on Form 10-Q of DSO for any quarter subsequent to the
  annual period covered by such Form 10-K, together with any current
    reports on Form 8-K filed by DSO subsequent to such most recent Form
10-Q.                                                           

            (b) Financial Statements. The financial statements of DSO included
     in the DSO SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects
        with the then applicable accounting requirements and the published rules
 and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
       consistent basis during the periods involved or at the applicable dates
       (except as may have been indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case
     of the unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q promulgated by
  the SEC) and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited
   statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments) the consolidated
     financial position of DSO and its consolidated DSO Subsidiaries as at
  the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of their
operations and cash flows for the respective periods then ended.

        2.5  Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
     supplied by DSO for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form S-4
   and Prospectus/Proxy Statement will, at the time the Form S-4 is declared
effective, at the date the Prospectus/Proxy Statement is mailed to the
stockholders of DSO and at the time of the KCI and DSO Stockholders   
    Meetings, 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, in light of the circumstances under which they are
    made, not misleading. The material to be supplied by DSO in respect of the
   Form S-4 and the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all
    material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act, Exchange Act,
and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.      

          2.6  Compliance with Applicable Law. The businesses of DSO and the DSO
  Subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance,
   regulation, rule or order of any Governmental Entity where such violation
     would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Recent DSO
SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement or where such 
notification would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material 
   Adverse Effect, DSO has not been notified by any Governmental Entity that
any investigation or review with respect to DSO or any of the DSO     
Subsidiaries is pending or threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity
    notified DSO of its intention to conduct the same. DSO and each of the DSO
  Subsidiaries have all permits, licenses and franchises from Governmental
Entities                                                              

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 required to conduct their businesses as now being conducted, except for
those the absence of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  

2.7  Litigation and Legal Matters. There is no suit, action,
    arbitration, demand, claim or proceeding pending or threatened against DSO
or any of the DSO Subsidiaries, or any of their officers, directors,  
employees or agents involving, affecting or relating to any assets,   
operations or properties of DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries, or any DSO   
Employee Plans (as defined in Section 2.8), nor is there any judgment,
    decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator
   outstanding against DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries that, individually
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material  
   Adverse Effect. DSO has made available to KCI or its counsel complete and
correct copies of all correspondence prepared by its counsel for DSO's
 auditors in connection with the last five (5) completed audits of DSO's
     financial statements and any such correspondence since the date of the last
such audit.                                                           

2.8  ERISA and Other Compliance.                            

          (a) DSO has made available to KCI a list of all employees of DSO
    and of any DSO Subsidiary, and their salaries as of the date of this
     Agreement. DSO has made available to KCI (i) a copy of each "employee
    benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
     Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and (ii) a copy of
   all other written or formal plans or agreements involving direct or
      indirect compensation or benefits (including any employment agreements
 entered into by DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries, but excluding
workers' compensation, unemployment compensation and other      
     government-mandated programs) currently maintained, contributed to or
     entered into by DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries under which DSO or
     any of the DSO Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate (as defined below)
        thereof has any present or future obligation or liability (collectively,
 the "DSO Employee Plans"). For purposes of this Agreement, "ERISA
       Affiliate" shall mean any entity which is a member of (A) a "controlled
       group of corporations," as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code, (B) a
      group of entities under "common control," as defined in Section 414(c)
        of the Code, or (C) an "affiliated service group," as defined in Section
     414(c) of the Code, or treasury regulations promulgated under Section
414(o) of the Code, any of which includes DSO or any of the DSO 
   Subsidiaries. Copies of all DSO Employee Plans (and, if applicable,
    related trust agreements) and all amendments thereto and all summary
  plan descriptions, other than plans which are multi-employer plans
        within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, have been made available to KCI
      or its counsel, together with the three (3) most recent annual reports
    (Forms 5500) prepared in connection with any such DSO Employee Plan.
        Each DSO Pension Plan (as defined below) operates in accordance with the
      reporting and disclosure requirements imposed under ERISA and the Code
     except for such noncompliance which would not have a Material Adverse
Effect. Copies of all DSO Employee Plans which individually or  
    collectively would constitute an "employee pension benefit plan," as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (collectively, the "DSO Pension
    Plans"), have been made available to KCI. Except for funding waivers
      which have been obtained, all contributions due from DSO or any of the
      DSO Subsidiaries through March 31, 1996 with respect to any of the DSO
  Employee Plans have been made as required under ERISA or have been
      accrued in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on
       DSO's or any such DSO Subsidiary's financial statements as of March 31,
      1996. Each DSO Employee Plan has been maintained since May 19, 1991 in
substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements 
  prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and regulations,
       including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code, which are applicable
        to such DSO Employee Plans except for such noncompliance which would not
        have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such plans which are DSO Pension
Plans are fully funded on a termination basis.                  

        (b) No DSO Pension Plan constitutes, or has since May 19, 1991
   constituted, a "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of
       ERISA. No DSO Pension Plans other than the DeSoto Employees' Retirement
      Plan which is the result of the merger of the DeSoto Hourly Employees'
     Pension Plan and the J.L. Prescott Company Employees' Retirement Plan
      into the DeSoto Salaried Employees' Pension Plan, effective January 1,
1994, all of which together currently constitute the            

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 DeSoto Employees' Retirement Plan (the "DSO Retirement Plan") are
 subject to Title IV of ERISA. To the best of the knowledge of the
       officers of DSO, no "prohibited transaction," as defined in Section 406
      of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any
  DSO Employee Plan which is covered by Title I of ERISA which would
       result in a material liability to DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries taken as
   a whole, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or
      administrative exemption. To the best of the knowledge of the officers
        of DSO, nothing done or omitted to be done and no transaction or holding
     of any asset under or in connection with any DSO Employee Plan has or
       will make DSO or any officer or director of DSO subject to any material
  liability under Title I of ERISA or liable for any material tax or
    penalty pursuant to Sections 4972, 4975, 4976 or 4979 of the Code or
    Section 502 of ERISA. No DSO Pension Plan is liable for any federal,
    state or local taxes other than unrelated business taxable income as
defined in Section 512 of the Code.                             

           (c) To the best of the knowledge of the officers of DSO, each DSO
      401(a) Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and has been
       so qualified during the period from May 19, 1991 to date, and the trust
       forming a part thereof is exempt from tax pursuant to Section 501(c) of
    the Code. Each DSO 401(a) Plan operates in accordance with its terms
   and, to DSO's knowledge, there exists no fact which would adversely
      affect its qualified status. Except for pending requests for favorable
      determination letters on qualification filed with the Internal Revenue
     Service (the "IRS") on March 29, 1995 for the DSO Retirement Plan and
      the DeSoto Stock Ownership Plan, no DSO 401(a) Plan is currently under
investigation, audit or review by the IRS, nor is such action   
       contemplated, and the IRS has not asserted that any DSO Pension Plan is
not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code or that any trust
       established under a DSO Pension Plan is not exempt under Section 501(a)
of the Code.                                                    

      (d) With respect to each DSO Pension Plan which is a defined
benefit plan under Section 414(j) of the Code and each defined  
contribution plan under Section 414(i) of the Code:             

            (i) no liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
        (the "PBGC") under Sections 406-4064 of ERISA has been incurred by
         DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries since May 19, 1991 and all premiums due
and owing to the PBGC have been timely paid;              

      (ii) the PBGC has notified neither DSO, any of the DSO
  Subsidiaries nor any DSO Pension Plan of the commencement of
         proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate any such plan;

           (iii) since May 19, 1991 no event has occurred, or to DSO's
           knowledge is threatened or is about to occur which would constitute a
         reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA for
which reporting has not been made;                        

     (iv) no DSO Pension Plan has any "accumulated funding
        deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of
the Code for which a waiver has not been obtained); and   

             (v) no withdrawal liability has been incurred with respect to
any DSO Pension Plan which is a multi-employer plan.      

      (e) DSO has made available to KCI a list of each employment,
        severance or other similar contract, arrangement or policy and each plan
 or arrangement (written or oral) providing for insurance coverage
      (including any self-insured arrangements), workers' benefits, vacation
  benefits, severance benefits, disability benefits, death benefits,
     hospitalization benefits, retirement benefits, deferred compensation,
       profit-sharing, bonuses, stock options, stock purchases, phantom stock,
     stock appreciation rights or other forms of incentive compensation or
  post-retirement insurance, compensation or benefits for employees,
      consultants or directors which (i) is not a DSO Employee Plan, (ii) is
      entered into, maintained or contributed to, as the case may be, by DSO
      or any of the DSO Subsidiaries and (iii) covers any employee or former
     employee of DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries. Such contracts, plans
and arrangements as are described in this Section 2.8(e) are    

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     herein referred to collectively as the "DSO Benefit Arrangements." To
       DSO's knowledge, each DSO Benefit Arrangement has been maintained since
May 19, 1991 in material compliance with its terms and with the 
  requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and
        regulations which are applicable to such DSO Benefit Arrangement, is not
      currently under investigation, audit or review by the IRS or any other
     federal or state agency and no such actions are contemplated or under
        consideration, has no liability for any federal, state, local or foreign
     taxes and has no claim subject to dispute or litigation. DSO has made
available to KCI or its counsel a complete and correct copy or  
description of each DSO Benefit Arrangement.                    

          (f) There has been no amendment to, written interpretation by or
announcement (whether or not written) by DSO or any of the DSO  
Subsidiaries relating to, or change in employee participation or
     coverage under, any DSO Employee Plan or DSO Benefit Arrangement that
      would increase materially the expense of maintaining such DSO Employee
       Plan or DSO Benefit Arrangement above the level of the expense incurred
in respect thereof from the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.

            (g) DSO has provided, or will have provided prior to the Effective
       Time, to individuals entitled thereto all required notices and coverage
  pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code and the Consolidated Omnibus
        Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), with respect to
      any "qualifying event" (as defined in Section 4980B(f)(3) of the Code)
  occurring prior to and including the Effective Time, and, to DSO's
     knowledge, no material tax payable on account of Section 4980B of the
      Code has been incurred with respect to any current or former employees
(or their beneficiaries) of DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries. 

             (h) No benefit payable or which may become payable by DSO or any of
 the DSO Subsidiaries pursuant to any DSO Employee Plan or any DSO
     Benefit Arrangement or as a result of or arising under this Agreement
     shall constitute an "excess parachute payment" (as defined in Section
       280G(b)(1) of the Code) which is subject to the imposition of an excise
      tax under Section 4999 of the Code or which would not be deductible by
reasons of Section 280G of the Code.                            

         (i) No DSO Retirement Plan is the subject of any investigation,
     audit or inquiry by the United States Department of Labor or the PBGC
     and, at the Effective Time, all items on the Disclosure Schedule with
     respect to this Section 2.8(i) shall not be required to remain on the
 Disclosure Schedule in order to make this representation true and
correct.                                                        

2.9  Labor Matters.                                         

             (a) DSO and each of the DSO Subsidiaries has paid or made provision
       for the payment of all salaries, accrued wages and accrued vacation pay
   in the ordinary course of business and has complied in all material
    respects with all applicable laws, agreements, rules and regulations
       relating to the employment of labor, including those relating to wages,
      hours, collective bargaining and the payment and withholding of taxes,
       and has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental authority, or
 is holding for payment not yet due to such authority, all amounts
      required by law or agreement to be withheld from the wages or salaries
of its employees.                                               

           (b) Neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries is a party to any
   (i) outstanding employment agreements or contracts with officers or
  employees that are not terminable at will, or that provide for the
      payment of any bonus or commission, (ii) agreement, policy or practice
     that requires it to pay termination or severance pay to any employees
      (other than as required by law), (iii) collective bargaining agreement
      or other labor union contract applicable to persons employed by DSO or
any DSO Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of DSO are there any  
 activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize any such
  employees. DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries have made available to KCI
       complete and correct copies of all such agreements (the "Employment and
   Labor Agreements"). Neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries has
        breached or otherwise failed to comply with any provisions of any of the
       Employment and Labor Agreement, and there are no grievances outstanding
thereunder which would have a Material Adverse Effect.          

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           (c) With respect to DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries, (i) there is no
      unfair labor practice, charge or complaint pending before the National
  Labor Relations Board (the "NLRB"), (ii) there is no labor strike,
       material slowdown or material work stoppage or lockout actually pending
   or threatened against or affecting DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries, and
       neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries has experienced any strike,
        material slowdown or material work stoppage, lockout or other collective
labor action by or with respect to employees of DSO or the DSO  
 Subsidiaries, (iii) there is no representation, claim or petition
      pending before the NLRB or a similar agency and no question concerning
 representation exists relating to the employees of DSO or the DSO
      Subsidiaries, (iv) there are no charges with respect to or relating to
       DSO or DSO Subsidiaries pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity
     Commission or any state, local, or foreign agency responsible for the
       prevention of unlawful employment practices, (v) neither DSO nor any of
        the DSO Subsidiaries has received formal notice from any federal, state,
   local or foreign agency responsible for the enforcement of labor or
     employment laws of an intention to conduct an investigation of DSO or
      the DSO Subsidiaries and no such investigation is in progress and (vi)
       the consents of the unions that are parties to any Employment and Labor
        Agreements are not required to complete the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.                                                 

        (d) Neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries has caused any
   "plant closing" or "mass layoff" as such actions are defined in the
    Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as codified at 29
      U.S.C. sec.sec. 2101-2109, and the regulations promulgated thereunder,
where DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries have failed to comply with the
provisions of such act.                                         

         2.10  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as and to the extent
  reflected, reserved against or otherwise disclosed in DSO's consolidated
    balance sheet (including the notes thereto) at December 31, 1995 (the "DSO
Balance Sheet Date"), as disclosed in the Recent DSO SEC Documents or 
    otherwise disclosed pursuant to this Agreement, neither DSO nor any of the
    DSO Subsidiaries had, at December 31, 1995, any liabilities or obligations
    of any nature (matured or unmatured, fixed or contingent) which would have
   a Material Adverse Effect on DSO. All reserves established by DSO and set
forth in the consolidated balance sheet of DSO (including the notes   
 thereto) at December 31, 1995 (the "DSO Balance Sheet") were reasonably
adequate as required by generally accepted accounting principles.     

     2.11  Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since the DSO Balance
  Sheet Date (and other than in compliance with Section 4.3) there has not
occurred:                                                             

   (a) any change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
     properties, assets, liabilities, businesses, operations or results of
     operations of DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries, that constitutes or could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;  

           (b) any amendments or changes in the Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws of DSO;                                               

           (c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance
       or not, that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect;                                        

          (d) any redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of shares of
      DSO Stock by DSO, or any declarations, setting aside or payment of any
        dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with
respect to DSO Stock;                                           

             (e) any increase in or modification of the compensation or benefits
payable or to become payable by DSO to any of its directors or  
       employees, except pursuant to agreements or arrangements existing as of
the DSO Balance Sheet Date;                                     

    (f) any increase in or modification of any bonus, pension,
       insurance, DSO Employee Plan or DSO Benefit Arrangement (including, but
      not limited to, the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards
        or stock appreciation rights) made to, for or with any of its employees,
        other than pursuant to agreements or arrangements existing as of the DSO
Balance Sheet Date;                                             

         (g) any acquisition or sale of a material amount of property or
       assets of DSO, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;                                             

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            (h) any alteration in any term of any outstanding security of DSO;

            (i) any (A) incurrence, assumption or guarantee by DSO of any debt
   for borrowed money or other obligation; (B) issuance or sale of any
        security convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities of DSO; or
    (C) issuance or sale of options or other rights to acquire from DSO,
directly or indirectly, debt securities of DSO or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any such debt securities;  

        (j) any creation or assumption by DSO of any mortgage, pledge,
    security interest, lien or other encumbrance on any asset, except as
would not have a Material Adverse Effect;                       

           (k) any making of any loan, advance or capital contribution to or
    investment in any person (as defined in Section 2.18) other than (i)
        travel loans or advances made in the ordinary course of business of DSO,
   (ii) other loans and advances in an aggregate amount which does not
      exceed $25,000 outstanding at any time and (iii) purchases on the open
market of liquid, publicly traded securities;                   

            (l) any entering into or amendment, relinquishment, termination or
    non-renewal by DSO of any contract, lease transaction, commitment or
        other right or obligation other than in the ordinary course of business,
except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect;             

           (m) any transfer or grant of a right of any Intellectual Property
  Rights (as defined in Section 2.15 below) of DSO, other than those
transferred or granted in the ordinary course of business; or   

         (n) any agreement or arrangement made by DSO to take any action
which, if taken prior to the date hereof, would have made any   
representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement untrue or
incorrect as of the date when made unless otherwise disclosed.  

       2.12  No Default. Neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries is in
  default under, and there exists no event, condition or occurrence which,
    after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute such a default by
DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries under, any contract or agreement to
 which DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries is a party and which would, if
terminated or modified, have, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, a
Material Adverse Effect.                                              

     2.13  Certain Agreements. Other than the DSO Options, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the  
     transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any payment (including,
     without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute,
    bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any director or employee of DSO or any
    of the DSO Subsidiaries from DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries, under any
    DSO Employee Plan, DSO Benefit Arrangement or otherwise, (ii) increase any
benefit otherwise payable under any DSO Employee Plan, DSO Benefit    
     Arrangement or otherwise or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of
payment or vesting of any such benefits.                              

2.14  Taxes.                                                    

           (a) DSO and each of the DSO Subsidiaries have (i) duly and timely
       filed with the appropriate governmental authorities all Tax Returns (as
        defined in subsection (c) below) required to be filed by it, and has not
       filed for an extension to file any Tax Returns and such Tax Returns are
       true, complete and correct in all material respects, and (ii) duly paid
   in full or made adequate provision for the payment of all Taxes (as
     defined in subsection (b) below) shown to be due on such Tax Returns.
       Tax Returns referred to in clause (i) hereinabove have been examined by
     the IRS or the appropriate governmental authority through the returns
        for the year ending December 31, 1990 or the period of assessment of the
        Taxes in respect of which such Tax Returns were required to be filed has
     expired, all deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of
        such examination have been paid in full and no proceeding or examination
        by or in front of the relevant governmental authority in connection with
   the examination of any of the Tax Returns referred to in clause (i)
      hereinabove is currently pending. No claim has been made in writing to
    them by any authority in a jurisdiction where they do not file a Tax
      Return that they are or may be subject to Tax in such jurisdiction. No
waivers of                                                      

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     statutes of limitations have been given by or requested in writing to
        them with respect to any Taxes. They have not agreed to any extension of
     time with respect to any Tax deficiency. The liabilities and reserves
      for Taxes reflected in the DSO Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996 will
    be adequate to cover all Taxes for all periods ending on or prior to
      such date, except for the payment of such Taxes which, alone or in the
      aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on them, and there
are no liens for Taxes upon any property or asset of DSO or DSO 
  Subsidiaries, except for liens for Taxes not yet due. There are no
       unresolved issues of law or fact arising out of a notice of deficiency,
        proposed deficiency or assessment from the IRS or any other governmental
taxing authority with respect to their Taxes which, if decided  
    adversely, singly or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
       Effect on them. They are not parties to any agreement providing for the
   allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity. They have not, with
   regard to any asset or property held, acquired or to be acquired by
       them, filed a consent to the application of Section 341(f) of the Code.
        They have withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and
paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,  
    independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party,
        except for such taxes which, alone or in the aggregate, would not have a
     Material Adverse Effect on them. No Tax is required to be withheld by
     them pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code as a result of the transfer
        contemplated by this Agreement. As a result of the Merger, they will not
be obligated to make a payment to any individual that would be a
     "parachute payment" to a "disqualified individual" as those terms are
  defined in Section 280G of the Code without regard to whether such
        payment is reasonable compensation for personal services performed or to
be performed in the future.                                     

             (b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Taxes" shall mean all
     taxes, charges, fees, levies or other assessments, including, without
limitation, income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales,    
     withholdings, social security, occupation, use, service, service use,
   license, payroll, franchise, transfer and recording taxes, fees and
    charges, imposed by the United States or any state, local or foreign
 government or subdivision or agency thereof whether computed on a
      separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or any other basis; and such
       term shall include any interest, fines, penalties or additional amounts
   attributable to or imposed with respect to any such taxes, charges,
fees, levies or other assessments.                              

         (c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax Return" shall
       mean any return, report or other document or information required to be
supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.        

          2.15  Intellectual Property. DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries own, or have
     the right to use, sell or license all material Intellectual Property Rights
(as defined below) necessary or required for the conduct of their     
   respective businesses as presently conducted and such rights to use, sell
   or license are reasonably sufficient for such conduct of their respective
businesses. To DSO's knowledge, neither DSO nor any DSO Subsidiary is 
infringing or otherwise violating Intellectual Property Rights of any 
person, which infringement or violation would subject DSO or any DSO  
  Subsidiary to a liability which, individually or in the aggregate, would
have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been made or, to DSO's   
   knowledge, threatened against DSO or any DSO Subsidiary alleging any such
  violation which will have a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, the
     term "Intellectual Property Rights" shall mean all worldwide industrial and
intellectual property rights, including, without limitation, patents, 
 patent applications, patent rights, trademarks, trademark applications,
trade names, service marks, service mark applications, copyrights,    
    copyright applications, franchises, licenses, inventories, know-how, trade
     secrets, customer lists, proprietary processes and formulae, all source and
object codes, algorithms, architecture, structures, display screens,  
layouts, inventions, development tools and all documentation and media
constituting, describing or relating to the above, including, without 
limitation, manuals, memoranda, and records.                          

       2.16  Fees and Expenses. Except for Salomon Brothers, Inc., neither
     DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries has paid or become obligated to pay any
    fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.                      

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2.17  Environmental Matters.                                

           (a) DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries have duly complied with, and the
       real property, equipment, businesses, operations and assets of each are
     in compliance with, the provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Resource   
     Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, the Clean Air Act, the Federal
      Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, the Toxic Substances Control Act,
      the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, the
       National Environmental Policy Act and any other law, statute, ordinance
        or regulation relating to the protection of the public health and/or the
 environment, whether promulgated by the United States, any state,
municipality and/or other governmental body, each as amended    
      (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Environmental Laws"), except
        where any such failures to comply, when taken in the aggregate, will not
have a Material Adverse Effect.                                 

          (b) To the best of the knowledge of DSO, with respect to DSO and
      the DSO Subsidiaries, there are no conditions presently existing which
may reasonably be expected to lead to: (i) responsibilities or  
   liability, or an assertion thereunder by any governmental entity or
      private person, pursuant to any Environmental Law the subject of which
  is the management and disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or
 wastes (intended hereby and hereafter to include any and all such
      materials listed in any foreign, federal, state or local law, statute,
       code or ordinance and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
      as hazardous or potentially hazardous and, if not so listed, asbestos,
      lead and petroleum) or (ii) tort claims based on an action or inaction
    of DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries relating to the management and
disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or wastes prior to the
       Effective Time, except where any such failures to comply, when taken in
the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect.         

          (c) DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries have been issued, will maintain
       until the Effective Time and will cause to remain in effect immediately
   thereafter, all required foreign, federal, state and local permits,
        licenses, certificates and approvals relating to (i) air emissions, (ii)
        discharges to surface water or ground water, (iii) noise emissions, (iv)
 solid or liquid waste disposal, (v) the use, generation, storage,
     transportation or disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or wastes
        and (vi) any other environmental, health or safety matters, except where
       any such failures to comply, when taken in the aggregate, will not have
a Material Adverse Effect.                                      

           (d) DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries have neither received notice of,
    nor know of, nor have any reason to suspect, any fact(s) which might
       constitute violation(s) of any Environmental Laws which remain uncured,
     except where the failure to cure any such violation(s), when taken in
the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect.         

          (e) To the best of the knowledge of DSO, with respect to DSO and
    the DSO Subsidiaries, there has been, no emission, spill, release or
       discharge in violation of Environmental Laws, whether on real property,
      adjacent sites or at any other location or disposal site, into or upon
      (i) the air, (ii) soils or improvements, (iii) surface water or ground
      water, or (iv) the sewer, septic system or waste treatment, storage or
  disposal system servicing real property, of any toxic or hazardous
       substances or wastes used, stored, generated, treated or disposed at or
       from the real property (any of which events is hereafter referred to as
       a "Hazardous Discharge"), which, when taken in the aggregate, will have
        a Material Adverse Effect. To the best of the knowledge of DSO, there is
     not located on the real property used by DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries
     toxic or hazardous substances or wastes in violation of Environmental
      Laws, which, when taken in the aggregate, will have a Material Adverse
Effect.                                                         

             (f) With respect to DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries, there has been no
        complaint, order, directive, claim, citation or notice received from any
        governmental authority or any other person or entity with respect to (i)
 air emissions, (ii) spills, releases or discharges to soil or any
       improvements located thereon, surface water, ground water or the sewer,
       septic system or waste treatment, storage or disposal systems servicing
 the real property and the business conducted thereon, (iii) noise
        emissions, (iv) solid or liquid waste disposal, (v) the use, generation,
storage, transportation or                                      

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 disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or wastes or (vi) other
environmental, health or safety matters affecting DSO or any DSO
       Subsidiary, the real property used by DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries, any
      improvements located thereon or the business conducted thereon (any of
      which is hereafter referred to as an "Environmental Complaint") which,
      when taken in the aggregate, will result in a Material Adverse Effect.

             (g) With respect to DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries, there has been no
lien asserted or created by any foreign, federal, state or local
    authority upon any or all of the assets, equipment, real property or
other facilities of DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries by reason of a 
     Hazardous Discharge or Environmental Complaint initiated or occurring
prior to the Effective Time, except any which, when taken in the
aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect.             

          (h) For the purposes of this Section 2.17, the term "DSO and DSO
Subsidiaries" shall also mean subsidiaries or other properties  
        previously owned or operated by DSO or a DSO Subsidiary, either directly
or indirectly, which would create liability for DSO or the DSO  
Subsidiary by virtue of their prior ownership.                  

         (i) DSO has made available to KCI all environmental studies and
 reports pertaining or relating in any way to the real property or
     equipment owned, occupied or leased by DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries or
      otherwise relating or pertaining to the business, operations or assets
of DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries.                                

2.18  Interested Party Transactions.                        

   (a) As of the date hereof, neither DSO nor any of the DSO
        Subsidiaries is a party to any oral or written (i) consulting or similar
     agreement with any present or former director, officer or employee or
       any entity controlled by any such person not terminable on thirty days'
     or less notice involving the payment of more than $100,000 per annum,
    (ii) agreement with any executive officer or other key employee, the
     benefits of which are contingent or the terms of which are materially
        altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving it of the nature
   contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) agreement with respect to any
   executive officer or other key employee of it providing any term of
       employment or compensation guarantee extending for a period longer than
    one year or for the payment in excess of $100,000 per annum, or (iv)
  except for the DSO Options, agreement or plan, including any stock
    option plan, stock appreciation right plan, restricted stock plan or
       stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or
the vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the
       occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
   the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the
basis of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.       

         (b) Neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries is indebted for
       money borrowed, either directly or indirectly from any of its officers,
        directors, or any Affiliate (as defined below) in any amount whatsoever,
        nor are any of its officers, directors, or Affiliates indebted for money
       borrowed from it; nor are there any transactions of a continuing nature
        between it and any of its officers, directors, or Affiliates (other than
      the regular employment of such persons) which will continue beyond the
    Effective Time, including, without limitation, use of its assets for
       personal benefit with or without adequate compensation. For the purpose
   of this Agreement, the term "Affiliate" shall mean any person that,
       directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or
        is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
      As used in the foregoing definition, the term (i) "control" shall mean
 the power through the ownership of voting securities, contract or
   otherwise to direct the affairs of another person and (ii) "person"
shall mean an individual, firm, trust, association, corporation,
partnership, government (whether federal, state, local or other 
       political subdivision, or any agency or bureau of any of them) or other
entity.                                                         

2.19  Contracts.                                                

           (a) Neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries is a party to any
      contracts, agreements, commitments and other instruments (whether oral
or written), other than current insurance policies,             

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        that (i) involve an expenditure by such party or require the performance
     of services or delivery of goods to, by, through, on behalf of or for
     the benefit of such party, which in each case, relates to a contract,
        commitment or instrument that requires payments in excess of $25,000 per
      year and (ii) involve an obligation for the performance of services or
delivery of goods by such party that cannot, or in reasonable   
      probability will not be performed within thirty days from the dates as
        of which these representations are made, except for arrangements for the
 manufacture or supply of products and for the purchase or sale of
     merchandise or services entered into the ordinary course of business.

        (b) All of the material contracts, agreements, commitments and
     other instruments that either DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries is a
      party to, or by which any of them is bound, are valid and binding upon
  such party and the other parties thereto and are in full force and
       effect and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and neither such
        party nor any other party to any such contract, agreement, commitment or
     other instrument has breached any provision thereof, and no event has
    occurred, in each case, which, with the lapse of time or action by a
     third party, could result in a default under the terms thereof which,
    alone or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect, and
     there are no existing facts or circumstances which would prevent such
       party's contracts and agreements for the sale of goods from maturing in
        due course into fully collectible accounts receivable, except where such
failure would have a Material Adverse Effect.                   

         2.20  Title to Properties. DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries have good and
marketable title to all of their real and other properties and assets,
   tangible and intangible, as reflected in the DSO Balance Sheet, except as
 since sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business,
   free and clear of all claims and encumbrances other than (i) specifically
  disclosed in the DSO Balance Sheet, (ii) any liens for taxes not yet due
and payable or being contested, and (iii) such imperfections of title,
covenants, restrictions, easements and encumbrances, if any, as do not
    materially detract from the value or materially interfere with the present
  use of any of the properties or otherwise materially impair the business
     operations or the financial condition of DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries taken
as a whole.                                                           

         2.21  Insurance. DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries have insurance covering
   casualty, fire, liability, worker's compensation and disability (the "DSO
   Policies") providing coverage and having limitations and deductibles that
  are customary for a business of the type operated by them and sufficient
     for compliance in all material respects with all requirements of law and of
    all agreements to which DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries are a party, and such
 DSO Policies will be in full force and effect for all periods up to and
    including the Effective Time, and no notice of cancellation or termination
 has been received with respect to any of the DSO Policies. There are no
pending claims under or relating to any of the DSO Policies, which,   
 individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

      2.22  Board Approval. The Board of Directors of DSO has, as of the
   date hereof, unanimously (i) approved this Agreement and the Merger, (ii)
  approved the Voting Agreement between DSO and Contran Corporation, (iii)
    determined that the Merger is in the best interests of the stockholders of
     DSO and is on terms that are fair to such stockholders and (iv) resolved to
recommend that the stockholders of DSO approve this Agreement and the 
Merger.                                                               

  2.23  Vote Required. Except as required by applicable law, the
    affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of DSO
     Stock voting as a single class is the only vote of the holders of any class
  or series of DSO's capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement and
the Merger.                                                           

       2.24  Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by DSO in this
Agreement, nor any document, written information, statement, financial
    statement, certificate or exhibit prepared and furnished or to be prepared
and furnished by DSO or its representatives pursuant hereto or in     
    connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken together,
contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a 
     material fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained herein or
    therein, not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they are
furnished.                                                            

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   2.25  Fairness Opinion. DSO's Board of Directors has received a
    written opinion from Salomon Brothers, Inc. that as of the date hereof the
Exchange Ratio is fair to DSO's stockholders from a financial point of
view.                                                                 

     2.26  Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no agreement,
  judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon DSO or any of the DSO
     Subsidiaries that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of
 prohibiting or impairing any business practice of DSO or any of the DSO
Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by DSO or any of the DSO    
Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by DSO or any of the DSO      
  Subsidiaries as currently conducted, which would have a Material Adverse
Effect.                                                               

          2.27  DSO Rights Agreement. The Rights Agreement, dated as of February
   20, 1989, between the Company and Harris Trust & Savings Bank, as amended
  (the "Rights Agreement"), shall be amended so as to provide (i) that the
    execution of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
   contemplated thereby shall not cause any of the rights (as defined in the
     Rights Agreement) to become exercisable in accordance with the terms of the
     Rights Agreement, and (ii) that the Rights Agreement shall terminate at the
Effective Time.                                                       

         2.28  Propriety of Past Payments. No funds or assets of DSO or any of
  the DSO Subsidiaries have been used for an illegal purpose, nor have any
    unrecorded funds or assets of DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries been established
    for any purposes. No accumulation or use of DSO's or the DSO Subsidiaries'
  corporate funds or assets has been made without being properly accounted
    for in their respective books and records and all payments by or on behalf
 of DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries have been duly and properly recorded and
     accounted for in their respective books and records. No false or artificial
     entry has been made in the books and records of DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries
   for any reason (except in the case of unaudited financial statements, for
   year-end adjustments). No payment has been made by or on behalf of DSO or
   the DSO Subsidiaries with the understanding that any part of such payment
 is to be used for any purpose other than that described in the document
  supporting such payment, and neither DSO nor any of the DSO Subsidiaries
has made, directly or indirectly, any illegal contributions to any    
   political party or candidate, either domestic or foreign. Neither the IRS
    nor any other federal, state, local or foreign government agency or entity
     has initiated or threatened any investigation of any payment made by DSO or
  the DSO Subsidiaries of, or alleged to be of, the type described in this
Section 2.28.                                                         

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF KCI                              

          Except as set forth in a schedule dated the date of this Agreement and
delivered by KCI to DSO concurrently herewith (the "KCI Disclosure    
   Schedule") or as disclosed in the Recent KCI SEC Documents (as defined in
Section 3.4), KCI represents and warrants to DSO as set forth below.  

          3.1 Organization; Good Standing; Qualification and Power. KCI and each
  of its subsidiaries, including corporations, partnerships, trusts or any
  other type of entity (the "KCI Subsidiaries") is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its      
incorporation or organization, 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 and in good standing
    to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or
the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification   
necessary or where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. The KCI Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and 
    correct list of the KCI Subsidiaries. KCI has made available to DSO or its
counsel complete and correct copies of the Certificates or Articles of
   Incorporation and Bylaws of KCI and each of the KCI Subsidiaries, in each
case as amended to the date of this Agreement.                        

3.2  Capital Structure.                                     

             (a) Stock and Options. The authorized capital stock of KCI consists
of 12,000,000 shares of KCI Common Stock, and 500,000 shares of 
   preferred stock, no par value. At the close of business on June 17,
       1996, 5,688,558 shares of KCI Common Stock were issued and outstanding,
no shares of                                                    

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    KCI Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, 1,134 shares of KCI
        Common Stock were held by KCI in its treasury, and 348,100 shares of KCI
        Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
options to purchase KCI Common Stock (the "KCI Options"). All   
  outstanding shares of KCI Stock are validly issued, fully paid and
   nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. All outstanding
       shares of the capital stock of each of the KCI Subsidiaries are validly
       issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by KCI or one of the
 KCI Subsidiaries free and clear of any liens, security interests,
  pledges, agreements, claims, charges or encumbrances. KCI has made
      available to DSO, a true and correct copy of the Keystone Consolidated
  Industries, Inc. 1992 Incentive Compensation Plan and the Keystone
     Consolidated Industries, Inc. 1992 Non-Employee Director Stock Option
        Plan (collectively, the "KCI Plans"), and a complete and correct list of
        each KCI Option outstanding as of the date hereof, including the name of
       the holder of each such KCI Option, the KCI Plan pursuant to which each
        such KCI Option was issued, the security and number of shares covered by
   each such KCI Option, the per share exercise price of each such KCI
   Option and the vesting schedule applicable to each such KCI Option.

            (b) No Other Commitments. Except for the KCI Options, there are no
   options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, conversion rights or
       agreements of any character to which KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries
   is a party or by which KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries is bound,
        obligating KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell,
        or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any shares of capital stock of
    KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries or securities convertible into or
 exchangeable for shares of capital stock of KCI or any of the KCI
        Subsidiaries, or obligating KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries to grant,
       extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment,
  conversion right or agreement. There are no voting trusts or other
       agreements or understandings to which KCI is a party or, as of the date
     hereof, of which KCI has knowledge, with respect to the voting of the
capital stock of KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries.            

3.3  Authority.                                                 

         (a) Corporate Action. KCI has the requisite corporate power and
       authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to approval of this
   Agreement and the Merger by the stockholders of KCI, to perform its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the Merger and the other
       transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery
       of this Agreement by KCI and, subject to approval of this Agreement and
     the Merger by the stockholders of KCI, the consummation by KCI of the
    Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
     authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of KCI. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by KCI, and this 
  Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of KCI, enforceable in
 accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may be
      subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
        laws affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and (ii) general equitable principles.                          

        (b) No Conflict. Subject to approval of this Agreement and the
      Merger by the stockholders of KCI, neither the execution, delivery and
   performance of this Agreement or the Certificate of Merger, nor the
    consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor
       compliance with the provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or
      result in any violation of, or cause a default (with or without notice
or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of    
      termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation
     contained in, or the loss of any material benefit under, or result in
       the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon
 any of the material properties or assets of KCI or any of the KCI
Subsidiaries under any term, condition or provision of (i) the  
        Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of KCI or any of the
 KCI Subsidiaries or (ii) any material agreement, judgment, order,
        decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to KCI or
     any of the KCI Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets,
   other than any such conflicts, violations, defaults, losses, liens,
      security interests, charges, or encumbrances which, individually or in
the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.        

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          (c) Governmental Consents. No consent, approval or authorization
       of, or registration, declaration or filing with any Governmental Entity
   is required to be obtained by KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries in
   connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
Certificate of Merger or the consummation of the transaction    
        contemplated hereby or thereby except for (i) the filing with the SEC of
  (A) the Form S-4 and the declaration of its effectiveness, (B) the
      Prospectus/Proxy Statement relating to the meeting of the stockholders
      of KCI (the "KCI Stockholders Meeting") to be held with respect to the
        approval by KCI's stockholders of this Agreement and the Merger, (C) the
      filing contemplated by Section 1.3(b) hereof, and (D) such reports and
information under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
        promulgated by the SEC thereunder, as may be required in connection with
        this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the filing
        of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
     Delaware and appropriate documents with relevant authorities of other
    states in which KCI is qualified to do business; (iii) such filings,
       authorizations, orders and approvals as may be required under the State
 Anti-Takeover Laws; (iv) such filings, authorizations, orders and
      approvals as may be required under foreign laws, state securities laws
       and the rules of the NYSE; (v) such filings and notifications as may be
      necessary under the HSR Act; and (vi) where the failure to obtain such
        consents, approvals, etc. would not prevent or delay the consummation of
   the Merger or otherwise prevent KCI from performing its obligations
   under this Agreement and would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.                                        

3.4  SEC Documents.                                         

       (a) SEC Reports. KCI has made available to DSO or its counsel
  complete and correct copies of each report, schedule, registration
        statement and definitive proxy statement filed by KCI with the SEC on or
  after January 1, 1991 (the "KCI SEC Documents"), which are all the
    documents (other than preliminary material) that KCI was required to
     file with the SEC on or after such date. As of their respective dates
        or, in the case of registration statements, their effective dates (or if
      amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement,
then on the date of such filing), none of the KCI SEC Documents 
        (including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated
      by reference herein) 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, and the KCI
        SEC Documents complied when filed in all material respects with the then
     applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as
     the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
 thereunder. KCI has filed all documents and agreements which were
       required to be filed as exhibits to the KCI SEC Documents. For purposes
    hereof, "Recent KCI SEC Documents" shall mean the most recent annual
   report on Form 10-K of KCI, together with the most recent quarterly
   report on Form 10-Q of KCI for any quarter subsequent to the annual
      period covered by such Form 10-K, together with any current reports on
Form 8-K filed by KCI subsequent to such most recent Form 10-Q. 

            (b) Financial Statements. The financial statements of KCI included
     in the KCI SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects
        with the then applicable accounting requirements and the published rules
 and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
     consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may have been
indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of the unaudited 
        statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q promulgated by the SEC) and fairly
     present (subject, in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal,
      year-end audit adjustments) the consolidated financial position of KCI
        and its consolidated KCI Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof
       and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
respective periods then ended.                                  

        3.5  Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
     supplied by KCI for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form S-4
   and Prospectus/Proxy Statement will, at the time the Form S-4 is declared
effective, at the date the Prospectus/Proxy Statement is mailed to the
stockholders                                                          

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    of KCI and at the time of the KCI Stockholders Meeting, 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, in light of
   the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The material
 to be supplied by KCI in respect of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will
comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the 
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC     
thereunder.                                                           

          3.6  Compliance with Applicable Law. The businesses of KCI and the KCI
  Subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance,
   regulation, rule or order of any Governmental Entity where such violation
  would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the KCI SEC
Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement or where such     
notification would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material 
   Adverse Effect, KCI has not been notified by any Governmental Entity that
any investigation or review with respect to KCI or any of the KCI     
Subsidiaries is pending or threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity
notified KCI of its intention to conduct the same. KCI and the KCI    
Subsidiaries have all material permits, licenses and franchises from  
 Governmental Entities required to conduct their businesses as now being
     conducted, except for those whose absence would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.                                                               

3.7  Litigation and Legal Matters. There is no suit, action,
    arbitration, demand, claim or proceeding pending or threatened against KCI
or any of the KCI Subsidiaries, or any of their officers, directors,  
employees or agents involving, affecting or relating to any assets,   
operations or properties of KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries, or any KCI   
Employee Plans (as defined in Section 3.8), nor is there any judgment,
    decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator
   outstanding against KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries that, individually
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material  
   Adverse Effect. KCI has made available to DSO or its counsel complete and
correct copies of all correspondence prepared by its counsel for KCI's
 auditors in connection with the last five (5) completed audits of KCI's
     financial statements and any such correspondence since the date of the last
such audit.                                                           

3.8  ERISA and Other Compliance.                            

          (a) KCI has made available to DSO a list of all employees of KCI
    and of any KCI Subsidiary, and their salaries as of the date of this
     Agreement. KCI has made available to DSO (i) a copy of each "employee
      benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and (ii) a copy of
   all other written or formal plans or agreements involving direct or
      indirect compensation or benefits (including any employment agreements
 entered into by KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries, but excluding
workers' compensation, unemployment compensation and other      
     government-mandated programs) currently maintained, contributed to or
     entered into by KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries under which KCI or
  any of the KCI Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate thereof has any
 present or future obligation or liability (collectively, the "KCI
       Employee Plans"). Copies of all KCI Employee Plans (and, if applicable,
      related trust agreements), all amendments thereto and all summary plan
       descriptions, other than plans which are multiemployer plans within the
    meaning of Title IV of ERISA, have been made available to DSO or its
      counsel, together with the three (3) most recent annual reports (Forms
       5500) prepared in connection with any such KCI Employee Plans. Each KCI
Pension Plan (as defined below) operates in accordance with the 
      reporting and disclosure requirements imposed under ERISA and the Code
     except for such noncompliance which would not have a Material Adverse
Effect. Copies of all KCI Employee Plans which individually or  
    collectively would constitute an "employee pension benefit plan," as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (collectively, the "KCI Pension
    Plans"), have been made available to DSO. Except for funding waivers
      which have been obtained, all contributions due from KCI or any of the
      KCI Subsidiaries through March 31, 1996 with respect to any of the KCI
  Employee Plans have been made as required under ERISA or have been
      accrued in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on
       KCI's or any such KCI Subsidiary's financial statements as of March 31,
      1996. Each KCI Employee Plan has been maintained since May 19, 1991 in
substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements 
prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and           

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     regulations, including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code, which
       are applicable to such KCI Employee Plans except for such noncompliance
which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.                 

        (b) No KCI Pension Plan constitutes, or has since May 19, 1991
   constituted, a "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of
       ERISA. No KCI Pension Plans other than the Keystone-Bartonville Pension
    Plan, the Keystone Steel & Wire Company Pension Plan and the Sherman
        Wire Pension Plan (collectively, the "KCI Retirement Plans") are subject
        to Title IV of ERISA. No "prohibited transaction," as defined in Section
      406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to
      any KCI Employee Plan which is covered by Title I of ERISA which would
       result in a material liability to KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries taken as
   a whole, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or
      administrative exemption. To the best of the knowledge of the officers
        of KCI, nothing done or omitted to be done and no transaction or holding
     of any asset under or in connection with any KCI Employee Plan has or
       will make KCI or any officer or director of KCI subject to any material
  liability under Title I of ERISA or liable for any material tax or
    penalty pursuant to Sections 4972, 4975, 4976 or 4979 of the Code or
    Section 502 of ERISA. No KCI Pension Plan is liable for any federal,
    state or local taxes other than unrelated business taxable income as
defined in Section 512 of the Code.                             

           (c) To the best knowledge of the officers of KCI, each KCI 401(a)
  Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and has been so
    qualified during the period from May 19, 1991 to date, and the trust
       forming a part thereof is exempt from tax pursuant to Section 501(c) of
    the Code. Each KCI 401(a) Plan operates in accordance with its terms
   and, to KCI's knowledge, there exists no fact which would adversely
  affect its qualified status. No KCI 401(a) Plan is currently under
investigation, audit or review by the IRS, nor is such action   
      contemplated and the IRS has not asserted that any KCI Pension Plan is
not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code or that any trust
       established under a KCI Pension Plan is not exempt under Section 501(a)
of the Code.                                                    

      (d) With respect to each KCI Pension Plan which is a defined
benefit plan under Section 414(j) of the Code and each defined  
contribution plan under Section 414(i) of the Code:             

               (i) no liability to the PBGC under Sections 406 - 4064 of ERISA
         has been incurred by KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries since May 19, 1991
       and all premiums due and owing to the PBGC have been timely paid;

      (ii) the PBGC has notified neither KCI, any of the KCI
  Subsidiaries nor any KCI Pension Plan of the commencement of
         proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate any such plan;

            (iii) since May 19, 1991, no event has occurred, or to KCI's
           knowledge is threatened or is about to occur which would constitute a
         reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA for
which reporting has not been made; and                    

     (iv) no KCI Pension Plan has any "accumulated funding
        deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of
the Code for which a waiver has not been obtained).       

      (e) KCI has made available to DSO a list of each employment,
        severance or other similar contract, arrangement or policy and each plan
 or arrangement (written or oral) providing for insurance coverage
      (including any self-insured arrangements), workers' benefits, vacation
  benefits, severance benefits, disability benefits, death benefits,
     hospitalization benefits, retirement benefits, deferred compensation,
       profit-sharing, bonuses, stock options, stock purchases, phantom stock,
     stock appreciation rights or other forms of incentive compensation or
  post-retirement insurance, compensation or benefits for employees,
      consultants or directors which (i) is not a KCI Employee Plan, (ii) is
      entered into, maintained or contributed to, as the case may be, by KCI
      or any of the KCI Subsidiaries and (iii) covers any employee or former
     employee of KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries. Such contracts, plans
   and arrangements as are described in this Section 3.8(e) are herein
    referred to collectively as the "KCI Benefit Arrangements". To KCI's
     knowledge, each KCI Benefit Arrangement has been maintained since May
19, 1991 in material compliance with its terms                  

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     and with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders,
rules and regulations which are applicable to such KCI Benefit  
     Arrangement, is not currently under investigation, audit or review by
    the IRS or any other federal or state agency and no such actions are
      contemplated or under consideration, has no liability for any federal,
    state, local or foreign taxes and has no claim subject to dispute or
       litigation. KCI has made available to DSO or its counsel a complete and
correct copy or description of each KCI Benefit Arrangement.    

          (f) There has been no amendment to, written interpretation by or
announcement (whether or not written) by KCI or any of the KCI  
Subsidiaries relating to, or change in employee participation or
     coverage under, any KCI Employee Plan or KCI Benefit Arrangement that
      would increase materially the expense of maintaining such KCI Employee
       Plan or KCI Benefit Arrangement above the level of the expense incurred
in respect thereof from the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.

            (g) KCI has provided, or will have provided prior to the Effective
       Time, to individuals entitled thereto all required notices and coverage
    pursuant to Section 4980B of the Code and COBRA, with respect to any
  "qualifying event" (as defined in Section 4980B(f)(3) of the Code)
        occurring prior to and including the Effective Time, and no material tax
      payable on account of Section 4980B of the Code has been incurred with
      respect to any current or former employees (or their beneficiaries) of
KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries.                             

             (h) No benefit payable or which may become payable by KCI or any of
 the KCI Subsidiaries pursuant to any KCI Employee Plan or any KCI
     Benefit Arrangement or as a result of or arising under this Agreement
     shall constitute an "excess parachute payment" (as defined in Section
       280G(b)(1) of the Code) which is subject to the imposition of an excise
      tax under Section 4999 of the Code or which would not be deductible by
reasons of Section 280G of the Code.                            

3.9  Labor Matters.                                         

             (a) KCI and each of the KCI Subsidiaries has paid or made provision
        for the payment of all salaries and accrued wages in the ordinary course
of business and has complied in all material respects with all  
  applicable laws, agreements, rules and regulations relating to the
employment of labor, including those relating to wages, hours,  
       collective bargaining and the payment and withholding of taxes, and has
  withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental authority, or is
       holding for payment not yet due to such authority, all amounts required
    by law or agreement to be withheld from the wages or salaries of its
employees.                                                      

           (b) Neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries is a party to any
   (i) outstanding employment agreements or contracts with officers or
  employees that are not terminable at will, or that provide for the
      payment of any bonus or commission, (ii) agreement, policy or practice
     that requires it to pay termination or severance pay to any employees
      (other than as required by law), (iii) collective bargaining agreement
      or other labor union contract applicable to persons employed by KCI or
any KCI Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of KCI, are there any 
 activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize any such
  employees. KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries have made available to DSO
       complete and correct copies of all such agreements (the "KCI Employment
       and Labor Agreements"). Neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries has
     breached or otherwise failed to comply with any provisions of any KCI
       Employment and Labor Agreement, and there are no grievances outstanding
which will have a Material Adverse Effect.                      

           (c) With respect to KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries, (i) there is no
        unfair labor practice, charge or complaint pending before the NLRB, (ii)
        there is no labor strike, material slowdown or material work stoppage or
      lockout actually pending or threatened against or affecting KCI or the
     KCI Subsidiaries, and neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries has
    experienced any strike, material slowdown or material work stoppage,
        lockout or other collective labor action by or with respect to employees
       of KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries, (iii) there is no representation, claim
       or petition pending before the NLRB or a similar agency and no question
        concerning representation exists relating to the employees of KCI or the
       KCI Subsidiaries, (iv) there are no charges with respect to or relating
to                                                              

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       KCI or KCI Subsidiaries pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity
     Commission or any state, local, or foreign agency responsible for the
       prevention of unlawful employment practices, (v) neither KCI nor any of
        the KCI Subsidiaries has received formal notice from any federal, state,
   local or foreign agency responsible for the enforcement of labor or
     employment laws of an intention to conduct an investigation of KCI or
      the KCI Subsidiaries and no such investigation is in progress and (vi)
       the consents of the unions that are parties to any Employment and Labor
        Agreements are not required to complete the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.                                                 

        (d) Neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries has caused any
   "plant closing" or "mass layoff" as such actions are defined in the
    Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as codified at 29
      U.S.C. sec.sec. 2101-2109, and the regulations promulgated thereunder,
where KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries have failed to comply with the
provisions of such act.                                         

         3.10  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as and to the extent
  reflected, reserved against or otherwise disclosed in KCI's consolidated
    balance sheet (including the notes thereto) at December 31, 1995 (the "KCI
Balance Sheet Date"), as disclosed in the Recent KCI SEC Documents or 
    otherwise disclosed pursuant to this Agreement, neither KCI nor any of the
    KCI Subsidiaries had, at December 31, 1995, any liabilities or obligations
    of any nature (matured or unmatured, fixed or contingent) which would have
   a Material Adverse Effect on KCI. All reserves established by KCI and set
     forth at the December 31, 1995 consolidated balance sheet of KCI (including
  the notes thereto) (the "KCI Balance Sheet") were reasonably adequate as
required by generally accepted accounting principles.                 

     3.11  Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since the KCI Balance
  Sheet Date (and other than in compliance with Section 5.3) there has not
occurred:                                                             

   (a) any change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
     properties, assets, liabilities, businesses, operations or results of
     operations of KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries, that constitutes or could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;  

           (b) any amendments or changes in the Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws of KCI;                                               

           (c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance
       or not, that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect;                                        

          (d) any redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of shares of
      KCI Stock by KCI, or any declarations, setting aside or payment of any
        dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with
respect to KCI Stock;                                           

             (e) any material increase in or modification of the compensation or
       benefits payable or to become payable by KCI to any of its directors or
    employees, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
      past practice or pursuant to agreements or arrangements existing as of
the KCI Balance Sheet Date;                                     

             (f) any material increase in or modification of any bonus, pension,
       insurance, KCI Employee Plan or KCI Benefit Arrangement (including, but
      not limited to, the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards
        or stock appreciation rights) made to, for or with any of its employees,
  other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice or pursuant to agreements or arrangements existing as of the
KCI Balance Sheet Date;                                         

         (g) any acquisition or sale of a material amount of property or
       assets of KCI, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;                                             

            (h) any alteration in any term of any outstanding security of KCI;

            (i) any (A) incurrence, assumption or guarantee by KCI of any debt
   for borrowed money or other obligation; (B) issuance or sale of any
        security convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities of KCI; or
    (C) issuance or sale of options or other rights to acquire from KCI,
directly or indirectly, debt securities of DSO or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any such debt securities;  

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        (j) any creation or assumption by KCI of any mortgage, pledge,
    security interest, lien or other encumbrance on any asset, except as
would not have a Material Adverse Effect;                       

           (k) any making of any loan, advance or capital contribution to or
    investment in any person (as defined in Section 3.18) other than (i)
        travel loans or advances made in the ordinary course of business of KCI,
   (ii) other loans and advances in an aggregate amount which does not
      exceed $25,000 outstanding at any time and (iii) purchases on the open
market of liquid, publicly traded securities;                   

            (l) any entering into or amendment, relinquishment, termination or
    non-renewal by KCI of any contract, lease transaction, commitment or
        other right or obligation other than in the ordinary course of business,
except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect;             

       (m) any transfer or grant of a right under KCI's Intellectual
        Property Rights, other than those transferred or granted in the ordinary
course of business; or                                          

         (n) any agreement or arrangement made by KCI to take any action
which, if taken prior to the date hereof, would have made any   
representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement untrue or
incorrect as of the date when made unless otherwise disclosed.  

       3.12  No Default. Neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries is in
  default under, and there exists no event, condition or occurrence which,
    after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute such a default by
KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries under, any contract or agreement to
 which KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries is a party and which would, if
terminated or modified, have, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, a
Material Adverse Effect.                                              

        3.13  Certain Agreements. Neither the execution and delivery of this
     Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
(i) result in any payment (including, without limitation, severance,  
   unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming
    due to any director or employee of KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries from
KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries, under any KCI Employee Plan, KCI  
Benefit Arrangement or otherwise, (ii) increase any benefit otherwise 
   payable under any KCI Employee Plan, KCI Benefit Arrangement or otherwise
  or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of
any such benefits.                                                    

       3.14  Taxes. KCI and each of the KCI Subsidiaries have (i) duly and
    timely filed with the appropriate governmental authorities all Tax Returns
 (as defined in Section 2.14(c)) required to be filed by it, and has not
 filed for an extension to file any Tax Returns and such Tax Returns are
    true, complete and correct in all material respects, and (ii) duly paid in
     full or made adequate provision for the payment of all Taxes (as defined in
    Section 2.14(b)) shown to be due on such Tax Returns. Tax Returns referred
to in clause (i) hereinabove have been examined by the IRS or the     
    appropriate governmental authority through the returns for the year ending
  December 31, 1990 or the period of assessment of the Taxes in respect of
which such Tax Returns were required to be filed has expired, all     
   deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of such examination
   have been paid in full and no proceeding or examination by or in front of
   the relevant governmental authority in connection with the examination of
   any of the Tax Returns referred to in clause (i) hereinabove is currently
  pending. No claim has been made in writing to them by any authority in a
  jurisdiction where they do not file a Tax Return that they are or may be
    subject to Tax in such jurisdiction. No waivers of statutes of limitations
have been given by or requested in writing to them with respect to any
  Taxes. They have not agreed to any extension of time with respect to any
     Tax deficiency. The liabilities and reserves for Taxes reflected in the KCI
    Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996 will be adequate to cover all Taxes for
     all periods ending on or prior to such date, except for the payment of such
   Taxes which, alone or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
     Effect on them, and there are no liens for Taxes upon any property or asset
   of KCI or KCI Subsidiaries, except for liens for Taxes not yet due. There
are no unresolved issues of law or fact arising out of a notice of    
 deficiency, proposed deficiency or assessment from the IRS or any other
     governmental taxing authority with respect to their Taxes which, if decided
     adversely, singly or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect
on them. They are not parties to any agreement providing for the      

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    allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity. They have not, with regard
    to any asset or property held, acquired or to be acquired by them, filed a
consent to the application of Section 341(f) of the Code. They have   
withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in
connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent    
  contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party, except for such
   taxes which, alone or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on them. No Tax is required to be withheld by them pursuant to 
   Section 1445 of the Code as a result of the transfer contemplated by this
    Agreement. As a result of the Merger, they will not be obligated to make a
payment to any individual that would be a "parachute payment" to a    
     "disqualified individual" as those terms are defined in Section 280G of the
    Code without regard to whether such payment is reasonable compensation for
personal services performed or to be performed in the future.         

          3.15  Intellectual Property. KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries own, or have
     the right to use, sell or license all material Intellectual Property Rights
 necessary or required for the conduct of their respective businesses as
    presently conducted and such rights to use, sell or license are reasonably
sufficient for such conduct of their respective businesses. To KCI's  
  knowledge, neither KCI nor any KCI Subsidiary is infringing or otherwise
     violating Intellectual Property Rights of any person, which infringement or
 violation would subject KCI or any KCI Subsidiary to a liability which,
    individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. No
  claim has been made or to KCI's knowledge, threatened against KCI or any
KCI Subsidiary alleging any such violation which will have a Material 
Adverse Effect.                                                       

         3.16  Fees and Expenses. Except for PaineWebber Incorporated, neither
     KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries has paid or become obligated to pay any
    fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.                      

3.17  Environmental Matters.                                

           (a) KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries have duly complied with, and the
       real property, equipment, businesses, operations and assets of each are
 in compliance with, the Environmental Laws, except where any such
failures to comply, when taken in the aggregate, will not have a
Material Adverse Effect.                                        

          (b) To the best of the knowledge of KCI, with respect to KCI and
      the KCI Subsidiaries, there are no conditions presently existing which
may reasonably be expected to lead to: (i) responsibilities or  
   liability, or an assertion thereunder by any governmental entity or
      private person, pursuant to any Environmental Law the subject of which
  is the management and disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or
 wastes (intended hereby and hereafter to include any and all such
      materials listed in any foreign, federal, state or local law, statute,
       code or ordinance and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
      as hazardous or potentially hazardous and, if not so listed, asbestos,
      lead and petroleum) or (ii) tort claims based on an action or inaction
    of KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries relating to the management and
disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or wastes prior to the
       Effective Time, except where any such failures to comply, when taken in
the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect.         

          (c) KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries have been issued, will maintain
       until the Effective Time and will cause to remain in effect immediately
   thereafter, all required foreign, federal, state and local permits,
        licenses, certificates and approvals relating to (i) air emissions, (ii)
        discharges to surface water or ground water, (iii) noise emissions, (iv)
 solid or liquid waste disposal, (v) the use, generation, storage,
     transportation or disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or wastes
        and (vi) any other environmental, health or safety matters, except where
       any such failures to comply, when taken in the aggregate, will not have
a Material Adverse Effect.                                      

           (d) KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries have neither received notice of,
    nor know of, nor have any reason to suspect, any fact(s) which might
      constitute violation(s) of any Environmental Laws which remain uncured
or where failure to cure any such violations, when taken in the 
aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect.             

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          (e) To the best of the knowledge of KCI, with respect to KCI and
       the KCI Subsidiaries, there has been no Hazardous Discharge which, when
     taken in the aggregate, will have a Material Adverse Effect. To KCI's
        knowledge, there is not located on the real property used by KCI and the
        KCI Subsidiaries toxic or hazardous substances or wastes in violation of
   Environmental Laws, which, when taken in the aggregate, will have a
      Material Adverse Effect. To the best of the knowledge of KCI, there is
     not located on the real property used by KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries
     toxic or hazardous substances or wastes in violation of Environmental
      Laws, which, when taken in the aggregate, will have a Material Adverse
Effect.                                                         

             (f) With respect to KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries, there has been no
  Environmental Complaints which, when taken in the aggregate, would
result in a Material Adverse Effect.                            

             (g) With respect to KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries, there has been no
lien asserted or created by any foreign, federal, state or local
    authority upon any or all of the assets, equipment, real property or
other facilities of KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries by reason of a 
     Hazardous Discharge or Environmental Complaint initiated or occurring
prior to the Effective Time, except any which, when taken in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.            

          (h) For the purposes of this Section 3.17, the term "KCI and KCI
Subsidiaries" shall also mean subsidiaries or other properties  
        previously owned or operated by KCI or a KCI Subsidiary, either directly
or indirectly, which would create liability for KCI or the KCI  
Subsidiary by virtue of their prior ownership.                  

         (i) KCI has made available to DSO all environmental studies and
 reports pertaining or relating in any way to the real property or
     equipment owned, occupied or leased by KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries or
      otherwise relating or pertaining to the business, operations or assets
of KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries.                                

3.18  Interested Party Transactions.                        

   (a) As of the date hereof, neither KCI nor any of the KCI
        Subsidiaries is a party to any oral or written (i) consulting or similar
     agreement with any present or former director, officer or employee or
       any entity controlled by any such person not terminable on thirty days'
     or less notice involving the payment of more than $100,000 per annum,
    (ii) agreement with any executive officer or other key employee, the
     benefits of which are contingent or the terms of which are materially
        altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving it of the nature
   contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) agreement with respect to any
   executive officer or other key employee of it providing any term of
       employment or compensation guarantee extending for a period longer than
    one year or for the payment in excess of $100,000 per annum, or (iv)
  except for the KCI Options, agreement or plan, including any stock
    option plan, stock appreciation right plan, restricted stock plan or
       stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or
the vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the
       occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
   the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the
basis of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.       

         (b) Neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries is indebted for
       money borrowed, either directly or indirectly from any of its officers,
        directors, or any Affiliate in any amount whatsoever, nor are any of its
       officers, directors, or Affiliates indebted for money borrowed from it;
        nor are there any transactions of a continuing nature between it and any
 of its officers, directors, or Affiliates (other than the regular
    employment of such persons) which will continue beyond the Effective
   Time, including, without limitation, use of its assets for personal
benefit with or without adequate compensation.                  

3.19  Contracts.                                                

           (a) Neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries is a party to any
      contracts, agreements, commitments and other instruments (whether oral
or written) that (i) involve an expenditure by                  

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      such party or require the performance of services or delivery of goods
        to, by, through, on behalf of or for the benefit of such party, which in
        each case, relates to a contract, commitment or instrument that requires
     payments in excess of $25,000 per year and (ii) involve an obligation
       for the performance of services or delivery of goods by such party that
        cannot, or in reasonable probability will not be performed within thirty
      days from the dates as of which these representations are made, except
      for arrangements for the manufacture or supply of products and for the
     purchase or sale of merchandise or services entered into the ordinary
course of business.                                             

        (b) All of the material contracts, agreements, commitments and
     other instruments that either KCI or any of the KCI Subsidiaries is a
      party to, or by which any of them is bound, are valid and binding upon
  such party and the other parties thereto and are in full force and
       effect and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and neither such
        party nor any other party to any such contract, agreement, commitment or
other instrument has breached any provision of, and no event has
    occurred, in each case, which, with the lapse of time or action by a
     third party, could result in a default under the terms thereof which,
     alone or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect, and,
     there are no existing facts or circumstances which would prevent such
       party's contracts and agreements for the sale of goods from maturing in
   due course into fully collectible accounts receivable, except where
failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.          

     3.20  Title to Properties. KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries have good
  title to all of their real and other properties and assets, tangible and
    intangible, as reflected in the KCI Balance Sheet, except as since sold or
     otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, free and clear of
  all claims and encumbrances other than (i) specifically disclosed in the
KCI Balance Sheet, (ii) any liens for taxes not yet due and payable or
being contested, and (iii) such imperfections of title, covenants,    
restrictions, easements and encumbrances, if any, as do not materially
    detract from the value or materially interfere with the present use of any
     of the properties or otherwise materially impair the business operations or
   the financial condition of KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         3.21  Insurance. KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries have insurance covering
   casualty, fire, liability, worker's compensation and disability (the "KCI
   Policies") providing coverage and having limitations and deductibles that
  are customary for a business of the type operated by them and sufficient
     for compliance in all material respects with all requirements of law and of
    all agreements to which KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries are a party, and such
 KCI Policies will be in full force and effect for all periods up to and
    including the Effective Time, and no notice of cancellation or termination
 has been received with respect to any of the KCI Policies. There are no
pending claims under or relating to any of the KCI Policies which     
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.     

      3.22  Board Approval. The Board of Directors of KCI has, as of the
   date hereof, unanimously (i) approved this Agreement and the Merger, (ii)
  approved the Voting Agreement among KCI, Coatings Group, Inc., Anders U.
Schroeder, Asgard Ltd., Parkway M & A Capital Corporation and M&A     
Investment Pte Ltd., (iii) determined that the Merger is in the best  
    interests of the stockholders of KCI and is on terms that are fair to such
  stockholders and (iv) resolved to recommend that the stockholders of KCI
approve this Agreement and the Merger.                                

         3.23  Vote Required. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of
    the outstanding shares of KCI Common Stock is the only vote of the holders
 of any class or series of KCI's capital stock necessary to approve this
Agreement and the Merger.                                             

       3.24  Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by KCI in this
Agreement, nor any document, written information, statement, financial
    statement, certificate or exhibit prepared and furnished or to be prepared
and furnished by KCI or its representatives pursuant hereto or in     
    connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken together,
contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a 
     material fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained herein or
    therein, not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they are
furnished.                                                            

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   3.25  Fairness Opinion. KCI's Board of Directors has received a
  written opinion from PaineWebber Incorporated that as of the date hereof
    the Exchange Ratio is fair to KCI's stockholders from a financial point of
view.                                                                 

     3.26  Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no agreement,
  judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon KCI or any of the KCI
     Subsidiaries that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of
 prohibiting or impairing any business practice of KCI or any of the KCI
Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by KCI or any of the KCI    
Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by KCI or any of the KCI      
  Subsidiaries as currently conducted, which would have a Material Adverse
Effect.                                                               

         3.27  Propriety of Past Payments. No funds or assets of KCI or any of
  the KCI Subsidiaries have been used for an illegal purpose, nor have any
    unrecorded funds or assets of KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries been established
    for any purposes. No accumulation or use of KCI's or the KCI Subsidiaries'
  corporate funds or assets has been made without being properly accounted
    for in their respective books and records and all payments by or on behalf
 of KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries have been duly and properly recorded and
     accounted for in their respective books and records. No false or artificial
     entry has been made in the books and records of KCI or the KCI Subsidiaries
   for any reason (except in the case of unaudited financial statements, for
     year-ended adjustments). No payment has been made by or on behalf of KCI or
   the KCI Subsidiaries with the understanding that any part of such payment
 is to be used for any purpose other than that described in the document
  supporting such payment, and neither KCI nor any of the KCI Subsidiaries
has made, directly or indirectly, any illegal contributions to any    
   political party or candidate, either domestic or foreign. Neither the IRS
    nor any other federal, state, local or foreign government agency or entity
     has initiated or threatened any investigation of any payment made by KCI or
  the KCI Subsidiaries of, or alleged to be of, the type described in this
Section 3.27.                                                         

4. DSO COVENANTS                                                      

   4.1  Advice of Changes. During the period from the date of this
 Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
   this Agreement in accordance with its terms, DSO will as soon as possible
    advise KCI in writing (a) of any event occurring subsequent to the date of
this Agreement that would render any representation or warranty of DSO
    contained in this Agreement, if made on or as of the date of such event or
  the Effective Time, untrue or inaccurate in any material respect, (b) of
     any event or occurrence resulting in or which may reasonably be expected to
    result in, a Material Adverse Effect on DSO or (c) of any breach by DSO of
     any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement. To ensure compliance
with this Section 4.1, DSO shall deliver to KCI as soon as reasonably 
  practicable after the end of each monthly accounting period ending after
    the date of this Agreement and before the earlier of the Effective Time or
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, an    
     unaudited consolidated balance sheet, statement of operations and statement
    of cash flows for DSO, which financial statements shall be prepared in the
     ordinary course of business, in accordance with DSO's books and records and
generally accepted accounting principles and shall fairly present the 
     consolidated financial position of DSO as of their respective dates and the
results of DSO's operations for the periods then ended.               

         4.2  Maintenance of Business. During the period from the date of this
 Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
this Agreement in accordance with its terms, DSO will use its diligent
commercial efforts to carry on and preserve its business and its      
relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and others in      
  substantially the same manner as it has prior to the date hereof. If DSO
  becomes aware of any material deterioration in the relationship with any
material customer, material supplier or key employee, it will promptly
bring such information to the attention of KCI.                       

          4.3  Conduct of Business. Except as may be necessary to consummate the
   transactions contemplated hereby, during the period from the date of this
 Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
   this Agreement in accordance with its terms, DSO will continue to conduct
its                                                                   

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    business and maintain its business relationships in the ordinary and usual
course and neither DSO nor any DSO Subsidiary will, without the prior 
written consent of KCI:                                               

     (a) borrow any money except for amounts that are not in the
aggregate material to the financial condition of DSO and the DSO
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;                                 

            (b) enter into any material transaction not in the ordinary course
of its business;                                                

             (c) encumber or permit to be encumbered any of its assets except in
      the ordinary course of its business or with respect to liens which are
not material or relate to unpaid taxes;                         

           (d) dispose of any of its assets except in the ordinary course of
business;                                                       

           (e) enter into any material lease or contract for the purchase or
sale or license of any property, real or personal, except in the
ordinary course of business;                                    

             (f) fail to maintain its equipment and other assets in good working
      condition and repair, and in all material respects, in accordance with
      the standards it has maintained to the date of this Agreement, subject
only to ordinary wear and tear;                                 

             (g) pay (or make any oral or written commitments or representations
  to pay) any bonus, increased salary or special remuneration to any
   officer, employee or consultant (except for normal salary increases
        consistent with past practices, not to exceed ten percent (10%) per year
        pursuant to existing arrangements previously disclosed to KCI on the DSO
       Disclosure Schedule) or enter into or vary the terms of any employment,
consulting or severance agreement with any such person, pay any 
    severance or termination pay (other than payments made in accordance
      with plans or agreements existing on the date hereof), grant any stock
    option (except for normal grants to newly hired or current employees
      consistent with past practices and annual grants of options granted to
        non-employee directors required by the terms of the DSO 1992 Stock Plan)
       or issue any restricted stock, or enter into or modify any agreement or
        plan or increase benefits of the type described in Section 2.8; provided
       that DSO shall be entitled to pay annual bonuses and to make changes to
        compensation (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
    practices or (ii) with prior written notice to KCI in the event that
      such changes are required, in the good faith judgment of DSO and after
consultation with KCI, to retain its key employees following the
Effective Time;                                                 

(h) change accounting methods;                        

           (i) declare, set aside or pay any cash or stock dividend or other
        distribution in respect of capital stock, or redeem or otherwise acquire
  any of its capital stock (other than pursuant to arrangements with
      terminated employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice);                                 

            (j) amend or terminate any contract, agreement or license to which
       it is a party except those amended or terminated in the ordinary course
 of its business, consistent with past practice, and which are not
material in amount or effect;                                   

     (k) lend any amount to any person or entity, other than (i)
   advances for travel and expenses which are incurred in the ordinary
        course of business consistent with past practice, not material in amount
     and documented by receipts for the claimed amounts, or (ii) any loans
pursuant to any DSO Section 401(a) Plan;                        

        (l) guarantee or act as a surety for any obligation except for
obligations in amounts that are not material;                   

        (m) issue or sell any shares of its capital stock of any class
    (except upon the exercise of a bona fide option or warrant currently
    outstanding or permitted to be granted under Section 4.3(g)), or any
      other of its securities, or issue or create any warrants, obligations,
   subscriptions, options (except as expressly permitted under Section
       4.3(g)), convertible securities or other commitments to issue shares of
     capital stock, or accelerate the vesting of any outstanding option or
other security;                                                 

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             (n) split or combine the outstanding shares of its capital stock of
       any class or enter into any recapitalization or agreement affecting the
        number of rights of outstanding shares of its capital stock of any class
or affecting any other of its securities;                       

          (o) merge, consolidate or reorganize with, or acquire any entity
      (other than such transaction that would not be material and that would
 not impair or affect the timing of the Merger) or adopt a plan of
liquidation or dissolution;                                     

(p) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; 

        (q) license any DSO Intellectual Property Rights except in the
ordinary course of business;                                    

 (r) agree to any audit assessment by any tax authority;

            (s) change any insurance coverage, voluntarily allow any insurance
coverage to lapse, or issue any certificates of insurance; or   

             (t) agree to do, or permit any DSO Subsidiary to do or agree to do,
      or enter into negotiations with respect to any of the things described
in the preceding clauses in this Section 4.3.                   

   4.4  Stockholder Approval. Without regard to the recommendation
contemplated by this Section 4.4, DSO will call the DSO Stockholders  
   Meeting to be held as soon as possible after the Form S-4 shall have been
declared effective by the SEC to submit this Agreement, the Merger and
     related matters for the consideration and approval of the DSO stockholders.
  Such approval will be recommended by DSO's Board of Directors subject to
  the fiduciary obligations of its directors. Such meeting will be called,
   held and conducted, and any proxies will be solicited, in compliance with
applicable securities laws.                                           

         4.5  Prospectus/Proxy Statement. DSO will mail to its stockholders in
  a timely manner at least twenty (20) business days prior to the meeting,
for the purpose of considering and voting upon the Merger at the DSO  
   Stockholders Meeting, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement in the Form S-4. DSO
will as soon as possible provide all information relating to DSO, its 
business or operations necessary for inclusion in the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement to satisfy all requirements of applicable state and federal 
securities laws. DSO shall be solely responsible for any statement,   
     information or omission in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement relating to it or
     its Affiliates based upon written information furnished by it. DSO will not
  provide or publish to its stockholders any material concerning it or its
Affiliates that violates the Securities Act or the Exchange Act with  
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.                      

         4.6  Regulatory Approvals. DSO will promptly execute and file or join
    in the execution and filing of, any application or other document that may
   be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval or consent of
any governmental body, federal, state, local or foreign, which may be 
 reasonably required, or which KCI may reasonably request, in connection
   with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
   DSO will use its best efforts to obtain promptly all such authorizations,
   approvals and consents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
     as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, DSO shall
file with the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the Antitrust  
Division of the Department of Justice (the "DOJ"), a pre-merger       
notification report under the HSR Act.                                

        4.7  Necessary Consents. During the term of this Agreement, DSO will
  use its best efforts to obtain such written consents and take such other
   actions as may be necessary or appropriate in addition to those set forth
   in Section 4.6 to allow the consummation of the transactions contemplated
  hereby and to allow the Surviving Corporation to carry on DSO's business
after the Effective Time.                                             

 4.8  Access to Information. DSO will allow KCI and its agents
    reasonable access to the files, books, records and offices of DSO and each
DSO Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any and all information
     relating to DSO's taxes, commitments, contracts, leases, licenses and real,
  personal and intangible property and financial condition. DSO will cause
     its accountants to cooperate with KCI and its agents in making available to
KCI all financial information reasonably requested, including, without
   limitation, the right to examine all working papers pertaining to all tax
   returns and financial statements prepared or audited by such accountants.

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      4.9  Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent. During the term of this
Agreement, DSO will use its best efforts to satisfy or cause to be    
     satisfied all the conditions precedent that are set forth in Article 8, and
DSO will use its best efforts to cause the Merger and the other       
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated.        

          4.10  No Other Negotiations. From and after the date of this Agreement
until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this    
    Agreement in accordance with its terms, DSO and the DSO Subsidiaries shall
not, and shall direct and use its best efforts to cause its officers, 
     directors and agents not to (a) solicit, engage in discussions or negotiate
    with any person (whether such discussions or negotiations are initiated by
DSO or otherwise) or take any other action intended or designed to    
facilitate the efforts of any person, other than KCI, relating to a   
possible Alternative Acquisition (as defined below), (b) provide      
information with respect to DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries to any 
   person, other than KCI, relating to a possible Alternative Acquisition by
  any person, other than KCI, (c) enter into an agreement with any person,
 other than KCI, providing for a possible Alternative Acquisition or (d)
  except as contemplated by this Section 4.10 or as required by applicable
 law (including the exercise of the fiduciary duties of the DSO Board of
     Directors), make or authorize any statement, recommendation or solicitation
 in support of any possible Alternative Acquisition by any person, other
than by KCI.                                                          

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in this
  Agreement shall not prevent the Board of Directors of DSO (or its agents
pursuant to its instructions) from taking the following actions: (a)  
furnishing information concerning DSO and its business, properties and
     assets to any third party and (b) entering into discussions with such third
party concerning an Alternative Acquisition, provided that all of the 
following events shall have occurred: (i) such third party has made a 
written proposal to the Board of Directors of DSO to consummate an    
Alternative Acquisition which proposal identifies a price or range of 
  values to be paid for the outstanding securities or substantially all of
the assets of DSO, and if consummated, based on the advice of DSO's   
investment bankers, the Board of Directors of DSO has determined such 
Alternative Acquisition to be financially more favorable to the       
   stockholders of DSO than the terms of the Merger (a "Superior Proposal");
  (ii) DSO's Board of Directors has determined, based on the advice of its
investment bankers, that such third party is financially capable of   
  consummating such Superior Proposal; (iii) the Board of Directors of DSO
   shall have determined, after consultation with its outside legal counsel,
    that the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors require DSO to furnish
   information to and negotiate with such third party; and (iv) at least two
     (2) business days prior thereto, KCI shall have been notified in writing of
such Superior Proposal, including all of its terms and conditions, and
shall have been given copies of such proposal and KCI shall have been 
    notified of the determinations made by the DSO Board of Directors pursuant
to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph. Notwithstanding the 
   foregoing, DSO shall not provide any non-public information to such third
   party unless (A) it provides such information to KCI simultaneously or as
    promptly as practicable thereafter and (B) DSO has notified KCI in advance
     of any such proposed disclosure of non-public information to any such third
party, with a description of the information proposed to be disclosed.

        In addition to the foregoing, DSO shall not accept or enter into any
  agreement concerning an Alternative Acquisition for a period of not less
    than forty-eight (48) hours after KCI's receipt of a copy of such proposal
of an Alternative Acquisition. Upon compliance with the foregoing, DSO
shall be entitled to enter into an agreement with such third-party    
   concerning an Alternative Acquisition provided that DSO shall immediately
make or cause to be made payment in full to KCI of the Breakup Fee as 
defined in Section 9.4 below.                                         

         If DSO or any of the DSO Subsidiaries receives any unsolicited offer,
   inquiry or proposal to enter into discussions or negotiations relating to
an Alternative Acquisition, DSO shall immediately notify KCI thereof, 
including information as to the identity of the party making any such 
     offer, inquiry or proposal and the specific terms of such offer, inquiry or
proposal, as the case may be.                                         

         DSO shall be entitled to provide copies of this Section 4.10 to third
parties who, on an entirely unsolicited basis after the date hereof,  
    contact DSO concerning an Alternative Acquisition; provided that KCI shall
 concurrently be notified of such contact and the delivery of such copy.

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        For purposes of this Agreement, "Alternative Acquisition" shall mean
any of the following (other than transactions between KCI and DSO     
contemplated hereby): (i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange,  
     business combination, or other similar transaction involving DSO or the DSO
     Subsidiaries; (ii) any sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of 20%
    or more of the assets of DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in
   a single transaction or series of related transactions, (iii) any sale of
     or tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or more of the outstanding shares
     of capital stock of DSO or the filing of a registration statement under the
Securities Act in connection therewith; (iv) any person acquiring     
  beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of, or
  any "group" (as such term is defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) having been 
formed for the purpose of effecting an Alternative Acquisition which  
     beneficially owns, or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 20%
    or more of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of DSO; or (v) any
public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the 
   foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing with respect
to DSO or the DSO Subsidiaries.                                       

5. KCI COVENANTS                                                      

   5.1  Advice of Changes. During the period from the date of this
 Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
   this Agreement in accordance with its terms, KCI will as soon as possible
    advise DSO in writing (a) of any event occurring subsequent to the date of
this Agreement that would render any representation or warranty of KCI
    contained in this Agreement, if made on or as of the date of such event or
  the Effective Time, untrue or inaccurate in any material respect, (b) of
any Material Adverse Effect on KCI or (c) of any breach by KCI of any 
 covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement. To ensure compliance
with this Section 5.1, KCI shall deliver to DSO as soon as reasonably 
  practicable after the end of each monthly accounting period ending after
    the date of this Agreement and before the earlier of the Effective Time or
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, an    
     unaudited consolidated balance sheet, statement of operations and statement
    of cash flows for KCI, which financial statements shall be prepared in the
     ordinary course of business, in accordance with KCI's books and records and
generally accepted accounting principles and shall fairly present the 
     consolidated financial position of KCI as of their respective dates and the
results of KCI's operations for the periods then ended.               

         5.2  Maintenance of Business. During the period from the date of this
 Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
this Agreement in accordance with its terms, KCI will use its diligent
commercial efforts to carry on and preserve its business and its      
relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and others in      
  substantially the same manner as it has prior to the date hereof. If KCI
  becomes aware of any material deterioration in the relationship with any
material customer, material supplier or key employee, it will promptly
bring such information to the attention of DSO.                       

          5.3  Conduct of Business. Except as may be necessary to consummate the
   transactions contemplated hereby, during the period from the date of this
 Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
   this Agreement in accordance with its terms, KCI will continue to conduct
  its business and maintain its business relationships in the ordinary and
     usual course and neither KCI nor any KCI Subsidiary will, without the prior
written consent of DSO:                                               

     (a) borrow any money except for amounts that are not in the
aggregate material to the financial condition of KCI and the KCI
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;                                 

            (b) enter into any material transaction not in the ordinary course
of its business;                                                

             (c) encumber or permit to be encumbered any of its assets except in
      the ordinary course of its business or with respect to liens which are
not material or relate to unpaid taxes;                         

           (d) dispose of any of its assets except in the ordinary course of
business;                                                       

           (e) enter into any material lease or contract for the purchase or
sale or license of any property, real or personal, except in the
ordinary course of business;                                    

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             (f) fail to maintain its equipment and other assets in good working
       condition and repair, and accordingly, in all material respects, to the
       standards it has maintained to the date of this Agreement, subject only
to ordinary wear and tear;                                      

             (g) pay (or make any oral or written commitments or representations
  to pay) any bonus, increased salary or special remuneration to any
   officer, employee or consultant (except for normal salary increases
      consistent with past practices and not to exceed ten percent (10%) per
     year pursuant to existing arrangements previously disclosed to DSO on
   the KCI Disclosure Schedule) or enter into or vary the terms of any
       employment, consulting or severance agreement with any such person, pay
        any severance or termination pay (other than payments made in accordance
      with plans or agreements existing on the date hereof), grant any stock
    option (except for normal grants to newly hired or current employees
    consistent with past practices and grants of options granted to non-
  employee directors required by the terms of the KCI 1992 Incentive
  Compensation Plan) or issue any restricted stock, or enter into or
       modify any agreement or plan or increase benefits of the type described
 in Section 3.8; provided that KCI shall be entitled to pay annual
      bonuses and to make changes to compensation (i) in the ordinary course
     of business consistent with past practices or (ii) with prior written
      notice to DSO in the event that such changes are required, in the good
        faith judgment of KCI and after consultation with DSO, to retain its key
employees following the Effective Time;                         

(h) change accounting methods;                        

           (i) declare, set aside or pay any cash or stock dividend or other
        distribution in respect of capital stock, or redeem or otherwise acquire
  any of its capital stock (other than pursuant to arrangements with
      terminated employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice);                                 

            (j) amend or terminate any contract, agreement or license to which
       it is a party except those amended or terminated in the ordinary course
 of its business, consistent with past practice, and which are not
material in amount or effect;                                   

     (k) lend any amount to any person or entity, other than (i)
   advances for travel and expenses which are incurred in the ordinary
        course of business consistent with past practice, not material in amount
     and documented by receipts for the claimed amounts, or (ii) any loans
pursuant to any KCI Section 401(a) Plan;                        

        (l) guarantee or act as a surety for any obligation except for
obligations in amounts that are not material;                   

        (m) issue or sell any shares of its capital stock of any class
    (except upon the exercise of a bona fide option or warrant currently
    outstanding or permitted to be granted under Section 5.3(g)), or any
      other of its securities, or issue or create any warrants, obligations,
   subscriptions, options (except as expressly permitted under Section
       5.3(g)), convertible securities or other commitments to issue shares of
     capital stock, or accelerate the vesting of any outstanding option or
other security;                                                 

             (n) split or combine the outstanding shares of its capital stock of
       any class or enter into any recapitalization or agreement affecting the
        number of rights of outstanding shares of its capital stock of any class
or affecting any other of its securities;                       

          (o) merge, consolidate or reorganize with, or acquire any entity
      (other than such transaction that would not be material and that would
 not impair or affect the timing of the Merger) or adopt a plan of
liquidation or dissolution;                                     

(p) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; 

        (q) license any KCI Intellectual Property Rights except in the
ordinary course of business;                                    

 (r) agree to any audit assessment by any tax authority;

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            (s) change any insurance coverage, voluntarily allow any insurance
coverage to lapse, or issue any certificates of insurance; or   

             (t) agree to do, or permit any KCI Subsidiary to do or agree to do,
      or enter into negotiations with respect to any of the things described
in the preceding clauses in this Section 5.3.                   

   5.4  Stockholder Approval. Without regard to the recommendation
contemplated by this Section 5.4, KCI will call the KCI Stockholders  
   Meeting to be held as soon as possible after the Form S-4 shall have been
declared effective by the SEC to submit this Agreement, the Merger and
     related matters for the consideration and approval of the KCI stockholders.
  Such approval will be recommended by KCI's Board of Directors subject to
  the fiduciary obligations of its directors. Such meeting will be called,
   held and conducted, and any proxies will be solicited, in compliance with
applicable securities laws.                                           

         5.5  Prospectus/Proxy Statement. KCI will mail to its stockholders in
  a timely manner at least twenty (20) business days prior to the meeting,
for the purpose of considering and voting upon the Merger at the KCI  
   Stockholders Meeting, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement in the Form S-4. KCI
  will as promptly as soon as possible provide all information relating to
KCI, its business or operations necessary for inclusion in the        
    Prospectus/Proxy Statement to satisfy all requirements of applicable state
and federal securities laws. KCI shall be solely responsible for any  
statement, information or omission in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement  
   relating to it or its Affiliates based upon written information furnished
 by it. KCI will not provide or publish to its stockholders any material
 concerning it or its Affiliates that violates the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.    

         5.6  Regulatory Approvals. KCI will promptly execute and file or join
    in the execution and filing, of any application or other document that may
   be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval or consent of
any governmental body, federal, state, local or foreign, which may be 
 reasonably required, or which DSO may reasonably request, in connection
   with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
   KCI will use its best efforts to promptly obtain all such authorizations,
   approvals and consents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
     as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, KCI shall
file with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ a pre-merger  
notification report under the HSR Act.                                

        5.7  Necessary Consents. During the term of this Agreement, KCI will
  use its best efforts to obtain such written consents and take such other
   actions as may be necessary or appropriate in addition to those set forth
   in Section 5.6 to allow the consummation of the transactions contemplated
  hereby and to allow the Surviving Corporation to carry on KCI's business
after the Effective Time.                                             

 5.8  Access to Information. KCI will allow DSO and its agents
    reasonable access to the files, books, records and offices of KCI and each
KCI Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any and all information
     relating to KCI's taxes, commitments, contracts, leases, licenses and real,
  personal and intangible property and financial condition. KCI will cause
     its accountants to cooperate with DSO and its agents in making available to
DSO all financial information reasonably requested, including, without
   limitation, the right to examine all working papers pertaining to all tax
   returns and financial statements prepared or audited by such accountants.

      5.9  Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent. During the term of this
Agreement, KCI will use its best efforts to satisfy or cause to be    
     satisfied all the conditions precedent that are set forth in Article 7, and
KCI will use its best efforts to cause the Merger and the other       
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated.        

        5.10  Listing. KCI will use its best efforts to cause as promptly as
     reasonably practicable the shares of KCI Common Stock to be issued pursuant
   to the Merger to be listed upon the Effective Time with the NYSE, subject
to official notice of issuance.                                       

      5.11  Nomination of Directors. The Board of Directors of KCI shall
  take all necessary action to increase the KCI Board of Directors to nine
    members as of the Effective Time and to cause the two persons named by DSO
     at the Effective Time to be appointed to the Board of Directors of KCI with
one                                                                   

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  DSO designee to be appointed to the class of directors serving until the
KCI Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1999 and the other in the class 
  serving until the KCI Annual Meeting in 1997, at which KCI agrees to use
  its best efforts to renominate such person to serve until the KCI Annual
Meeting in 2000.                                                      

       5.12  Executive Committee. The Board of Directors of KCI shall take
all necessary steps as of the Effective Time, to create an Executive  
  Committee of the Board of Directors with three members, and to cause one
director, named by DSO at the Effective Time, to be appointed to such 
committee.                                                            

 5.13 Director and Officer Indemnification. From and after the
   Effective Time, KCI shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the current
officers and directors of DSO and DSO Subsidiaries against all losses,
    claims, damages and liability in respect of acts or omissions occurring at
   or prior to the Effective Time to the fullest extent that DSO or such DSO
Subsidiary would have been permitted under applicable law and the     
Certificates or Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of DSO or DSO    
  Subsidiary in effect on the date hereof to indemnify such person. For at
 least six years after the Effective Time, KCI shall cause the Surviving
   Corporation to keep in effect provisions in its Certificate or Article of
   Incorporation and Bylaws providing for limitation of director and officer
  liability and indemnification of such persons to the fullest extent. KCI
     shall reimburse all expenses including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred
 by any person to enforce successfully the obligations of KCI under this
    Section. The provisions of this Section 5.13 shall survive consummation of
the Merger and are expressly intended to benefit current directors and
  officers of DSO. After the Effective Time, KCI shall cause the Surviving
  Corporation to purchase insurance covering the directors and officers of
   DSO for claims made within one year after the Effective Time against such
  directors and officers relating to claims arising prior to the Effective
Time. KCI shall not be obligated to pay more than $150,000 for such   
    insurance. From and after the Effective Time, KCI shall purchase insurance
     covering the directors and officers of KCI, with coverage limits comparable
 to such insurance carried by DSO prior to the Effective Time, if in the
sole discretion of KCI, such insurance may be purchased at prices     
comparable to that paid by DSO.                                       

      5.14  DSO Trade Debt. KCI shall cause the Surviving Corporation to
     provide for the approximately $9,922,017 (plus interest accruing after July
1, 1996) owing as of the date hereof by DeSoto to its trade creditors 
    pursuant to the Trade Composition Agreement and related Security Agreement
   (the "Trade Debt"), in the following amounts: (i) eighty percent (80%) of
  the Trade Debt as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective
     Time, and (ii) twenty percent (20%) of the Trade Debt no later than one (1)
year after the Effective Time.                                        

6. CLOSING MATTERS                                                    

     6.1  The Closing. Subject to the termination of this Agreement as
   provided in Article 9 below, the Closing of the transactions contemplated
    by this Agreement (the "Closing") will take place at the offices of Godwin
     & Carlton, P.C., 901 Main Street, Suite 2500, Dallas, Texas 75202 on a date
(the "Closing Date") and at a time to be mutually agreed upon by the  
     parties, which date shall be no later than the third business day after all
     conditions to Closing set forth herein shall have been satisfied or waived,
  unless another place, time and date is mutually selected by DSO and KCI.
   Concurrently with the Closing, the Certificate of Merger will be filed in
the office of Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. As soon as 
   practicable thereafter, the Certificate of Merger will be recorded in the
    Office of Recorder of the Delaware county or counties in which the parties
    to the Certificate of Merger maintain their respective registered offices.

6.2  Exchange of Certificates.                              

           (a) Exchange Agent. Prior to the Closing Date, KCI shall select a
     bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to DSO to act as exchange
        agent (the "Exchange Agent") in the Merger. Promptly after the Effective
       Time, KCI shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the
      holders of shares of DSO Common Stock, for exchange in accordance with
       this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger, certificates representing
the shares of KCI Common Stock (such shares of KCI Common Stock,
 together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto
pursuant to                                                     

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     Section 6.2(c), being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund")
    issuable pursuant to this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger in
       exchange for outstanding shares of DSO Common Stock. The Exchange Agent
     shall not be entitled to vote or exercise any right of ownership with
       respect to the KCI Common Stock held by it from time to time hereunder.

             (b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as practicable after the Effective
 Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a
    certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective
  Time represented issued and outstanding shares of DSO Common Stock
      (collectively, the "Certificates"), (i) a letter of transmittal (which
   shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and
       title to the Certificates shall pass, upon delivery of the Certificates
   to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such other
       provisions as DSO and KCI may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions
      for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for
certificates representing KCI Common Stock. Upon surrender of a 
        Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together with a duly
 executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as may be
reasonably required by the Exchange Agent, the holder of such   
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a 
       certificate representing the number of whole shares of KCI Common Stock
        which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of
    this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger, and the Certificate so
       surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of
      ownership of shares of DSO Common Stock which is not registered on the
        transfer records of DSO, a certificate representing the proper number of
shares of KCI Common Stock may be issued to a transferee if the 
  Certificate representing such KCI Common Stock is presented to the
     Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and
       effect such transfer and by evidence that any applicable stock transfer
       taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section
       6.2 and the Certificate of Merger, each Certificate shall be deemed, on
    and after the Effective Time, to represent only the right to receive
     upon such surrender the certificate representing shares of KCI Common
      Stock and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of KCI Common Stock as
       contemplated by Section 1.2, the Certificate of Merger and the Delaware
Law.                                                            

          (c) Distributions with Respect to Unsurrendered Certificates. No
     dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective
  Time with respect to KCI Common Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered 
      Certificate with respect to the shares of KCI Common Stock represented
      thereby and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid
       to any such holder pursuant to Section 1.2 or the Certificate of Merger
      until a new certificate for KCI Common Stock is issued in exchange for
     such Certificate. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, after the
issuance of a certificate for KCI Common Stock in exchange for a
 Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of such new
   certificate representing whole shares of KCI Common Stock issued in
      exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such issuance,
   the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of KCI
     Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 1.2
  and the Certificate of Merger and the amount of dividends or other
     distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore
      paid with respect to such whole shares of KCI Common Stock and (ii) at
the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other  
      distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
 surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with
respect to such whole shares of KCI Common Stock.               

         (d) No Further Ownership Rights to DSO Stock. All shares of KCI
      Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares of DSO Stock in
  accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Certificate of
        Merger (including any cash paid pursuant to Section 1.2) shall be deemed
    to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
        such shares of DSO Stock, and after the Effective Time there shall be no
       further registration of any transfer on the stock transfer books of the
       Surviving Corporation of the shares of DSO Stock which were outstanding
      immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to KCI for any reason, they shall be 
cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Section 6.2 and the 
Certificate of Merger.                                          

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            (e) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
     which remains undistributed to the former stockholders of DSO for six
   (6) months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to KCI, upon
   demand, and any former stockholders of DSO who have not theretofore
  complied with this Section 6.2 and the Certificate of Merger shall
     thereafter look only to KCI for payment of their claim for KCI Stock,
       any cash in lieu of fractional shares of KCI Stock and any dividends or
distributions with respect to KCI Stock.                        

            (f) No Liability. Neither the Exchange Agent, KCI nor DSO shall be
     liable to any holder of shares of DSO Stock or KCI Stock, as the case
  may be, for Exchange Funds or stock delivered to a public official
      pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

      6.3  Assumption of Options. Promptly after the Effective Time, KCI
will notify in writing each holder of a KCI Converted Option of the   
    assumption of such option by KCI, the number of shares of KCI Common Stock
that are then subject to such option, and the exercise price of such  
option, as determined pursuant to this Agreement.                     

7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF DSO                                   

      The obligations of DSO hereunder are subject to the fulfillment or
satisfaction on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following  
  conditions (any one or more of which may be waived by DSO, but only in a
writing signed by DSO):                                               

       7.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. The representations
and warranties of KCI set forth in Article 3 (as qualified by the KCI 
 Disclosure Schedule and the Recent KCI SEC Documents) shall be true and
     accurate in every respect on and as of the Closing Date with the same force
     and effect as if they had been made at the Closing except to the extent the
   failure of such representations and warranties to be true and accurate in
  such respects has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect, and DSO shall receive a certificate to such effect
executed by KCI's Chief Financial Officer.                            

        7.2 Covenants. KCI shall have performed and complied in all material
 respects with all of its covenants required to be performed by it under
this Agreement on or before the Closing, and DSO shall receive a      
certificate to such effect signed by KCI's Chief Financial Officer.   

  7.3  Absence of Material Adverse Change. From the date of this
Agreement through the Effective Time, there shall not have been any   
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),    
properties, assets, liabilities, businesses, operations or results of 
operations of KCI and the KCI Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a "KCI  
Material Adverse Change").                                            

          7.4  Compliance with Law. There shall be no order, decree or ruling by
  any governmental agency or written threat thereof, or any statute, rule,
    regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the
Merger, which would prohibit or render illegal the transactions       
contemplated by this Agreement.                                       

         7.5  Government Consents. There shall have been obtained on or before
   the Closing such material permits or authorizations, and there shall have
   been taken such other action, as may be required to consummate the Merger
  by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the parties and the
actions herein proposed to be taken, including but not limited to     
 requirements under applicable federal and state securities laws and the
     compliance with, and expiration of any applicable waiting period under, the
HSR Act.                                                              

         7.6  The Form S-4. 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 the Prospectus/Proxy Statement shall
     on the Closing not be subject to any proceedings commenced or threatened by
the SEC.                                                              

 7.7  Documents. DSO shall have received all written consents,
assignments, waivers, authorizations or other certificates reasonably 
    deemed necessary by DSO's legal counsel to provide for the continuation in
   full force and effect of any and all material contracts and leases of KCI
and for KCI to consummate                                             

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 the transactions contemplated hereby except when the failure to receive
   such consents, assignments, waivers, authorizations or certificates would
not constitute a KCI Material Adverse Change.                         

       7.8  Stockholder Approval. This Agreement and the Merger shall have
  been approved and adopted by the DSO stockholders in accordance with the
  rules of the NYSE, applicable law and DSO's Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws.                                                           

         7.9  KCI Approval. This Agreement, the Merger and the issuance of KCI
    Common Stock in connection with the Merger shall have been approved by the
   KCI stockholders in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, applicable law
and KCI's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.                    

      7.10  No Legal Action. No temporary restraining order, preliminary
injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing the      
   consummation of the Merger shall have been issued by any federal or state
    court and remain in effect, nor shall any proceeding initiated by the U.S.
Government seeking any of the foregoing be pending.                   

     7.11  Election of DSO Designees to Board of Directors of KCI. The
    Board of Directors of KCI shall have taken appropriate action to cause the
  number of directors comprising the full Board of Directors of KCI at the
Effective Time to be increased from seven to nine persons, and the two
 persons named by DSO at the Effective Time shall be added as additional
Directors effective upon the Effective Time.                          

      7.12  Tax Opinions. DSO shall have received two opinions of Fried,
   Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (or such other counsel selected by DSO)
   in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, based, in each case,
  upon representation letters dated on or about the dates of such opinions
  from persons reasonably requested to provide such letters and such other
   facts and representations as counsel may reasonably deem relevant, to the
     effect that the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a
    reorganization qualifying under the provisions of Section 368 of the Code,
     the first of which shall be dated on or about the date that is two business
days prior to the date of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
second of which shall be dated as of the Effective Time.              

       7.13  Legal Opinion. DSO shall have received from counsel to KCI an
opinion reasonably acceptable to DSO.                                 

     7.14  Listing. The shares of KCI Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger and upon exercise of the Warrants shall have been approved for 
listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.          

        7.15  PBGC. Prior to the Effective Time (i) KCI shall have discussed
     with the PBGC the merger of the DSO Retirement Plans and the KCI Retirement
 Plans, and the assets thereof, and (ii) the PBGC will have raised KCI's
  borrowing restrictions to an amount reasonably expected to enable KCI to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.                         

   7.16  Financing. KCI shall have available reasonably sufficient
sources of financing in order to effect the Merger and to satisfy its 
obligations and those of the Surviving Corporation.                   

         7.17  Fairness Opinion. DSO shall have received an opinion of Salomon
Brothers, Inc. confirming, as of one business day before the Effective
  Time, that the Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of DSO Common Stock
from a financial point of view.                                       

8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF KCI                         

      The obligations of KCI hereunder are subject to the fulfillment or
    satisfaction on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions
(any one or more of which may be waived by KCI, but only in a writing 
signed by KCI):                                                       

        8.1  Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. The representations
and warranties of DSO set forth in Article 2 (as qualified by the DSO 
 Disclosure Schedule and the Recent DSO SEC Documents) shall be true and
     accurate in every respect on and as of the Closing Date with the same force
     and effect as if they had been made at the Closing except to the extent the
   failure of such representations and warranties to be true and accurate in
such respects had not had and could not reasonably be expected to     

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    have a Material Adverse Effect (except that any breach of this Section 8.1
shall be deemed to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to any 
     untruth or inaccuracy contained in Section 2.8(i)), and KCI shall receive a
certificate to such effect executed by DSO's Chief Financial Officer. 

         8.2  Covenants. DSO shall have performed and complied in all material
 respects with all of its covenants required to be performed by it under
this Agreement on or before the Closing, and KCI shall receive a      
certificate to such effect signed by DSO's Chief Financial Officer.   

  8.3  Absence of Material Adverse Change. From the date of this
Agreement through the Effective Time, there shall not have been any   
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),    
properties, assets, liabilities, businesses, operations or results of 
   operations of DSO and DSO Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a "DSO Material
Adverse Change").                                                     

          8.4  Compliance with Law. There shall be no order, decree or ruling by
  any governmental agency or written threat thereof, or any statute, rule,
    regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the
Merger, which would prohibit or render illegal the transactions       
contemplated by this Agreement.                                       

         8.5  Government Consents. There shall have been obtained on or before
   the Closing such material permits or authorizations, and there shall have
   been taken such other action, as may be required to consummate the Merger
  by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the parties and the
actions herein proposed to be taken, including but not limited to     
 requirements under applicable federal and state securities laws and the
     compliance with, and expiration of any applicable waiting period under, the
HSR Act.                                                              

     8.6  Form S-4. 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 the Prospectus/Proxy Statement shall
     on the Closing not be subject to any proceedings commenced or threatened by
the SEC.                                                              

 8.7  Documents. KCI shall have received all written consents,
assignments, waivers, authorizations or other certificates reasonably 
    deemed necessary by KCI's legal counsel to provide for the continuation in
   full force and effect of any and all material contracts and leases of DSO
    and for DSO to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby except when
     the failure to receive such consents, assignments, waivers, authorizations,
or certificates would not constitute a DSO Material Adverse Change.   

          8.8  Stockholder Approval. This Agreement, the Merger and the issuance
    of KCI Common Stock in connection with the Merger shall have been approved
by the KCI stockholders in accordance with the rules of the NYSE,     
applicable law and KCI's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.     

    8.9  DSO Approval. This Agreement and the Merger shall have been
   approved and adopted by the DSO stockholders in accordance with the rules
of the NYSE, applicable law and DSO's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws.                                                               

      8.10  No Legal Action. No temporary restraining order, preliminary
injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing the      
   consummation of the Merger shall have been issued by any federal or state
    court and remain in effect, nor shall any proceeding initiated by the U.S.
Government seeking any of the foregoing be pending.                   

        8.11  Tax Opinions. KCI shall have received two opinions of Godwin &
     Carlton, P.C. (or such other counsel selected by KCI) in form and substance
 reasonably satisfactory to it, based, in each case, upon representation
letters dated on or about the dates of such opinions from persons     
reasonably requested to provide such letters and such other facts and 
     representations as counsel may reasonably deem relevant, to the effect that
the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a       
    reorganization qualifying under the provisions of Section 368 of the Code,
     the first of which shall be dated on or about the date that is two business
days prior to the date of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
second of which shall be dated as of the Effective Time.              

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        8.12  Legal Opinion. KCI shall have received from counsel to DSO, an
opinion reasonably acceptable to KCI.                                 

          8.13  Agreement of Warrantholders. The Warrant Conversion Agreement of
    even date herewith between each holder of DSO Warrants and KCI shall be in
full force and effect and the holders of the DSO Warrants shall have  
complied with all of their obligations under such Warrant Conversion  
Agreement.                                                            

   8.14  Financing. KCI shall have available reasonably sufficient
sources of financing in order to effect the Merger and to satisfy its 
obligations and those of the Surviving Corporation.                   

          8.15  Amendment of DSO Retirement Plan. DSO shall have amended the DSO
  Retirement Plan effective immediately prior to the Effective Time to the
    reasonable satisfaction of KCI, in order to remove all restrictions in the
DSO Retirement Plan, other than those required by ERISA, regarding (a)
     reductions or changes in benefit formulas thereunder, (b) the merger of the
  DSO Retirement Plan into another plan or the merger of another plan into
    the DSO Retirement Plan, (c) the reversion of plan assets thereof, and (d)
the allocation of plan assets upon plan termination, including without
limitation, any such restrictions in Section 10.3(e), Section 10.4 or 
Section 11.4 of the DSO Retirement Plan.                              

        8.16  No Pending Termination. The DSO Retirement Plan shall not have
been terminated.                                                      

        8.17  PBGC. Prior to the Effective Time (i) KCI shall have discussed
     with the PBGC the merger of the DSO Retirement Plans and the KCI Retirement
 Plans, and the assets thereof, and (ii) the PBGC will have raised KCI's
  borrowing restrictions to an amount reasonably expected to enable KCI to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.                         

         8.18  Approval of Change of Control. Prior to the Effective Time, DSO
     and its Board of Directors shall make the approval and nomination described
in Section 10.4 of the DSO Retirement Plan.                           

    8.19  Preferred Stockholders Consents. The Preferred Stockholder
Waiver and Consent Agreement of even date herewith between KCI and the
  holders of the DSO Preferred Stock shall be in full force and effect and
the holders of the DSO Preferred Stock shall have complied with all of
their obligations under such Preferred Stockholder Waiver and Consent 
Agreement.                                                            

         8.20  Prescott Obligation. DSO's payment obligation in respect of its
   purchase of J.L. Prescott Company shall be resolved on terms satisfactory
to KCI in its sole discretion.                                        

 8.21  Fairness Opinion. KCI shall have received an opinion of
PaineWebber Incorporated confirming, as of one business day before the
Effective Time, that the Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of KCI 
Common Stock from a financial point of view.                          

          8.22  Lender Consent. KCI shall have received a consent of its secured
lender to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.            

    8.23  Trade Creditor Agreement. DSO's trade creditors shall have
  consented to the terms of repayment contemplated by Section 5.14 hereof.

        8.24  Merger of Pension Plans. All regulatory action shall have been
   taken in order to effect, and no impediments shall exist to prohibit, the
merger of the DSO Pension Plans and the KCI Pension Plans, in a manner
satisfactory to KCI, at the Effective Time.                           

9. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT; BREAK UP FEES                            

        9.1  Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
  to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of the Merger by
the stockholders of KCI or DSO:                                       

(a) by mutual agreement of DSO and KCI;               

  (b) by DSO, if (i) there has been a breach by KCI of any
 representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this
     Agreement on the part of KCI, or if any representation or warranty of

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        KCI shall have become untrue, in either case which has or can reasonably
    be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and which KCI fails to
       cure prior to the Closing (except that no cure period shall be provided
       for a breach by KCI which by its nature cannot be cured),(ii) DSO shall
        have received a Superior Proposal and DSO's Board of Directors believes,
        after consultation with legal counsel, that its fiduciary duties require
     termination of this Agreement, or (iii) KCI shall not have received a
       nonbinding commitment letter from a lending institution with respect to
     the matters contemplated by Sections 7.16 and 8.14 hereof, before the
Form S-4 shall be declared effective by the SEC.                

  (c) by KCI, if (i) there has been a breach by DSO of any
 representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this
     Agreement on the part of DSO, or if any representation or warranty of
        DSO shall have become untrue, in either case which has or can reasonably
    be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and which DSO fails to
       cure prior to the Closing (except that no cure period shall be provided
    for a breach by DSO which by its nature cannot be cured) or (ii) DSO
   shall have entered into an agreement with respect to an Alternative
Acquisition;                                                    

           (d) by either party if the required approvals of the stockholders
      of DSO or KCI shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to
obtain the required vote;                                       

           (e) by either party, if all the conditions to its obligations for
       Closing the Merger shall not have been satisfied or waived on or before
       the Final Date (as defined below) other than as a result of a breach of
this Agreement by the terminating party; or                     

          (f) by either party, if a permanent injunction or other order by
any federal or state court which would make illegal or otherwise
   restrain or prohibit the consummation of the Merger shall have been
issued and shall have become final and nonappealable.           

As used herein, the "Final Date" shall be December 31, 1996.

       9.2  Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement under
Section 9.1 above will be effective by the delivery of written notice 
pursuant to Section 11.9 of the terminating party to the other party  
hereto.                                                               

      9.3  Effect of Termination. In the case of any termination of this
Agreement as provided in this Article 9, this Agreement shall be of no
     further force and effect (except as provided in Section 9.4 and Article 11)
     and nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of
this Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the     
obligations contained in the pre-existing confidentiality agreements  
   between DSO and KCI (the "Confidentiality Agreements") which will survive
termination of this Agreement in accordance with their terms.         

9.4  Breakup Fee.                                           

           (a) Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, DSO shall
    immediately make payment or cause payment to be made to KCI (by wire
transfer or cashier's check) of a breakup fee in the amount of  
       $1,000,000 (the "Breakup Fee"): (i) this Agreement is terminated by KCI
       pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii); (ii) the Merger shall be submitted to a
        vote of the DSO stockholders as required hereunder, and the stockholders
  of DSO shall have failed to approve the Merger by a requisite vote
  required for such approval where at the time of such vote there is
    pending a proposal with respect to an Alternative Acquisition; (iii)
     without the occurrence of a KCI Material Adverse Change, the Board of
Directors of DSO shall have failed to submit the Merger to its  
     stockholders for approval as required by, and in accordance with, the
terms of this Agreement; or (iv) DSO shall have terminated this 
        Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(b)(ii). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
        the fee payable under this Section 9.4(a) shall not be payable if, prior
       to the above-referenced occurrence, there shall be an event giving rise
to KCI's payment obligation under Section 9.4(b).               

             (b) If without the occurrence of a DSO Material Adverse Change, the
Board of Directors of KCI shall fail to submit the Merger to its
     stockholders for approval as required by, and in accordance with, the
    terms of this Agreement, KCI shall immediately make payment or cause
payment to be                                                   

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  made to DSO (by wire transfer or cashier's check) the Breakup Fee.
        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fee payable under this Section 9.4(b)
        shall not be payable if, prior to the above-referenced occurrence, there
       shall be an event giving rise to DSO's payment obligation under Section
9.4(a).                                                         

        (c) Neither party shall be entitled to receive the Breakup Fee
hereunder if it shall have committed a material breach of this  
Agreement.                                                      

10. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.            

          All representations, warranties and covenants of the parties contained
in this Agreement will remain operative and in full force and effect, 
     regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the parties to this
  Agreement, until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the
     Closing Date, whereupon such representations, warranties and covenants will
expire (except for covenants that by their terms survive for a longer 
period).                                                              

11. MISCELLANEOUS.                                                    

   11.1  Governing Law. The internal laws of the State of Delaware
    (irrespective of its choice of law principles) will govern the validity of
  this Agreement, the construction of its terms and the interpretation and
enforcement of the rights and duties of the parties hereto.           

        11.2  Assignment; Binding Upon Successors and Assigns. Neither party
  hereto may assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the
 prior written consent of the other party hereto. This Agreement will be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their 
respective successors and permitted assigns.                          

  11.3  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the
  application thereof, will for any reason and to any extent be invalid or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and application of such
provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as 
    reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The parties further
 agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement
   with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the greatest
   extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of the void or
unenforceable provisions.                                             

       11.4  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
    counterparts, each of which will be an original as regards any party whose
     signature appears thereon and all of which together will constitute one and
  the same instrument. This Agreement will become binding when one or more
counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, will bear the    
signatures of all the parties reflected hereon as signatories.        

          11.5  Other Remedies. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all
    remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative
  with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby or by law on
such party, and the exercise of any one remedy will not preclude the  
exercise of any other.                                                

        11.6  Amendment and Waivers. Any term or provision of this Agreement
   may be amended only in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby.
The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either    
generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or     
prospectively) only by a writing signed by the party to be benefitted 
thereby. The waiver by a party of any breach hereof or default in the 
   performance hereof will not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other
   default or any succeeding breach or default. The Agreement may be amended
by the parties hereto at any time before or after approval of the DSO 
stockholders or the KCI stockholders, but, after such approval, no    
amendment will be made which by applicable law requires the further   
    approval of the DSO stockholders or the KCI stockholders without obtaining
such further approval.                                                

          11.7  Expenses. Each party will bear its respective expenses and legal
fees incurred with respect to this Agreement, and the transactions    
contemplated hereby.                                                  

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         11.8  Attorney's Fees. Should suit be brought to enforce or interpret
any part of this Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to  
    recover, as an element of the costs of suit and not as damages, reasonable
 attorney's fees to be fixed by the court (including without limitation,
costs, expenses and fees on any appeal).                              

        11.9  Notices. All notices and other communications pursuant to this
     Agreement shall be in writing and deemed to be sufficient if contained in a
written instrument and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, 
  telecopied, sent by nationally-recognized overnight courier or mailed by
   registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid,
   to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a
party as shall be specified by like notice):                          

If to DSO to:       DeSoto, Inc.                                      
2101 E. 52nd St., 11th Floor  
New York, NY 10022            
Attention: William Spier      
Telecopier: (212) 644-0499    

With a copy to:     Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson          
One New York Plaza            
New York, New York 10004      
Attention: Peter Golden       
Telecopier: (212) 859-8586    

And if to KCI:      Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.            
Three Lincoln Centre          
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1740  
Dallas, Texas 75240           
Attention: Glenn R. Simmons   
Telecopier: (214) 458-8108    

With a copy to:     Godwin & Carlton, P.C.                            
901 Main Street, Suite 2500   
Dallas, Texas 75202           
 Attention: James G. Vetter, Jr.
Telecopier: (214) 760-7332    

          All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been
received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such    
   delivery, (b) in the case of a telecopy, when the party sending such copy
shall have confirmed receipt of the communication, (c) in the case of 
  delivery by nationally-recognized overnight courier, on the business day
   following dispatch, and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business
day following such mailing.                                           

        11.10  Construction of Agreement. This Agreement has been negotiated
by the respective parties hereto and their attorneys and the language 
    hereof will not be construed for or against either party. A reference to a
     Section or an Exhibit will mean a Section in, or Exhibit to, this Agreement
   unless otherwise explicitly set forth. The titles and headings herein are
for convenience purposes only and will not in any manner limit the    
construction of this Agreement which will be considered as a whole.   

        11.11  No Joint Venture. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be
    deemed or construed as creating a joint venture or partnership between any
   of the parties hereto. No party is by virtue of this Agreement authorized
    as an agent, employee or legal representative of any other party. No party
    will have the power to control the activities and operations of any other.
     The status of the parties hereto is, and at all times, will continue to be,
   that of independent contractors with respect to each other. No party will
     have any power or authority to bind or commit any other. No party will hold
     itself out as having any authority or relationship in contravention of this
Section.                                                              

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        11.12  Further Assurances. Each party agrees to cooperate fully with
  the other parties and to execute such further instruments, documents and
     agreements and to give such further written assurances as may be reasonably
requested by any other party to evidence and reflect the transactions 
described herein and contemplated hereby and to carry into effect the 
intents and purposes of this Agreement.                               

      11.13  Absence of Third Party Beneficiary Rights. No provisions of
    this Agreement are intended, nor will be interpreted, to provide or create
   any third party beneficiary rights or any other rights of any kind in any
  client, customer, affiliate, stockholder, partner or any party hereto or
any other person or entity.                                           

         11.14  Public Announcement. Upon execution of this Agreement, KCI and
DSO promptly will issue a joint press release approved by both parties
announcing the Merger. Thereafter, KCI or DSO may issue such press    
releases, and make such other disclosure regarding the Merger, after  
consultation with the other party, as it determines are required under
applicable securities laws or NYSE rules after consultation with legal
counsel.                                                              

   11.15  Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the exhibits hereto
 constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and 
  contemporaneous agreements or understandings, inducements or conditions,
express or implied, written or oral, between the parties with respect 
 hereto other than the Confidentiality Agreements, which shall remain in
   full force and effect. The express terms hereof control and supersede any
    course of performance or usage of trade inconsistent with any of the terms
hereof.                                                               

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization as of the date first above written.                      

KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC.          DESOTO, INC.                    

By: /s/  GLENN R. SIMMONS                       By:/s/  WILLIAM SPIER           
  ----------------------------------             ---------------------------
Glenn R. Simmons                               William Spier            
Chief Executive Officer                        Chief Executive Officer  

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                                                                      APPENDIX B

OPINION OF PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED 

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[PAINEWEBBER LETTERHEAD]                                                        
                                                                   June 26, 1996

Board of Directors                                                              
Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.                                          
Three Lincoln Centre                                                            
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                                                    
Dallas, Texas 75240                                                             

Gentlemen:                                                                      

        Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc. ("Keystone" or the "Company")
has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement") with 
DeSoto, Inc. ("DeSoto").  Pursuant to the Agreement, DeSoto will consolidate    
with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone (the "Merger").  Upon the            
effectiveness of the Merger, all common stock of DeSoto, par value $1.00 per    
share and Associated Rights issued pursuant to a Rights Agreement between       
DeSoto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank will convert into the right to receive 
0.7465 shares of common stock of Keystone (the "Exchange Ratio").  All          
outstanding DeSoto options will be converted into options to purchase Keystone  
common stock with the amount of options and exercise price to be determined by  
the Exchange Ratio.  In addition, each share of DeSoto Series B Preferred       
Stock, $1.00 par value (the "DeSoto Preferred Stock"), will be converted into   
the right to receive the Exchange Ratio of shares of preferred stock issued by  
Keystone with substantially similar terms and conditions as the DeSoto          
Preferred Stock.  Accrued interest on the DeSoto Preferred Stock will be paid   
by Keystone on the closing date.                                                

  You have asked us whether or not, in our opinion, the proposed
consideration to be paid by Keystone pursuant to the Merger is fair to Keystone 
stockholders, other than Contran Corporation and its affiliates, from a         
financial point of view.                                                        

    In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other
things:                                                                         

          (1)     Reviewed, among other public information, Keystone's
              Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial
                  information for the five fiscal years ended December
                    31, 1995 and Keystone's Form 10-Q for the three months
ended March 31, 1996;             

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            (2)     Reviewed Keystone's financial projections dated May 3,
     1996 prepared by Keystone's management;

        (3)     Reviewed certain financial information relating to
                  Keystone, including, earnings, cash flow, assets and
                  liabilities statements, furnished to us by Keystone;

              (4)     Conducted discussions with senior management of Keystone
                 regarding (i) the Company's operations and business
              prospects, (ii) DeSoto's operations and business
                      prospects and (iii) certain studies prepared by Keystone
               and its legal and accounting advisors relating to
potential off-balance sheet items;

      (5)     Considered the pro forma effect of the Merger on
          Keystone's cash flow and earnings per share;

           (6)     Considered the pro forma balance sheet effects of the
Merger on Keystone;               

        (7)     Reviewed, among other public information, DeSoto's
              Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial
                      information for the five fiscal years ended December 31,
                    1995 and DeSoto's Form 10-Q for the three months ended
March 31, 1996;                   

            (8)     Conducted interviews with senior management of DeSoto,
                    regarding DeSoto's operations, financial condition and
business prospects;               

     (9)     Reviewed the Agreement dated June 26, 1996; and

            (10)    Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and
               performed such other investigations and took into
               account such other matters as we deemed necessary
             including our assessment of regulatory, general
       economic, market and monetary conditions.

In preparing our opinion, we have relied on the accuracy and
completeness of all information that was publicly available or supplied or      
otherwise communicated to us by or on behalf of Keystone and DeSoto, and we     
have not assumed any responsibility to independently verify such information.   
We have assumed that the financial forecasts examined by us were reasonably     
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and good    
faith judgments of the management of Keystone as to the future performance of   
Keystone.  In arriving at our opinion, we have assumed that, as a result of the 
Merger and the follow on merger of the pension plans, Keystone's liabilities    
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles with     
respect to its pension plan will be eliminated and that certain projected       
obligations of Keystone to fund such liabilities will be reduced.  We have not  
undertaken, or caused to be taken, an independent evaluation                    

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or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Keystone 
or DeSoto and have assumed that all material liabilities (contingent or         
otherwise, known or unknown) of Keystone and DeSoto are as set forth in         
Keystone's and DeSoto's respective consolidated financial statements and other  
provided information.                                                           

     Our opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of Keystone and
does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Keystone as to how   
any such shareholder should vote with respect to the Merger.  This opinion does 
not address the relative merits of the Merger and any other potential           
transactions or business strategies discussed by the Board of Directors of      
Keystone as alternatives to the Merger or the decision of the Board of          
Directors of Keystone to proceed with the Merger.                               

     This opinion has been prepared solely for the use of the Board of
Directors of Keystone and shall not be reproduced, summarized, described or     
referred to, or given to any other person or otherwise made public without the  
prior written consent of PaineWebber Incorporated; provided, however, that this 
letter may be reproduced in full in the Proxy Statement.                        

       In the ordinary course of our business, we may trade the securities
of Keystone and DeSoto for our own account and for the accounts of our          
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in     
such securities.                                                                

        On the basis of, and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that the proposed consideration to be paid by Keystone pursuant to the Merger   
is fair to Keystone stockholders, other than Contran Corporation and its        
affiliates, from a financial point of view.                                     

                         Very truly yours,

                                PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED

                                    /s/ PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                                           -----------------------------------

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                                                                      APPENDIX C

OPINION OF SALOMON BROTHERS INC 

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[SALOMON BROTHERS LETTERHEAD] 

August 23, 1996                                                                 

Board of Directors                                                              
DeSoto, Inc.                                                                    
101 East 52nd Street, 11th Floor                                                
New York, NY 10022                                                              

Members of the Board:                                                           

You have requested our opinion as investment bankers as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of common stock with a 
par value of $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock") of DeSoto, Inc. (the          
"Company") of the exchange ratio in the proposed merger (the "Merger") of the   
Company with Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.  ("Keystone") pursuant to   
the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of June 26, 1996, between     
Keystone and the Company (the "Merger Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the 
Merger Agreement, each then issued and outstanding share of Common Stock not    
owned directly or indirectly by Keystone or the Company will be converted into  
0.7465 of a share of common stock of Keystone (the "Exchange Ratio"). You have  
informed us that the Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free                
reorganization for federal income tax purposes and to be accounted for as a     
purchase of the Company.                                                        

     In arriving at our opinion, we have considered, and if appropriate,
reviewed and analyzed, among other things, the following (i) a draft of the     
Merger Agreement dated as of June 26, 1996, and have assumed that the final     
form of such agreement will not vary in any regard that is material to our      
analysis; (ii) certain publicly available business and financial information    
concerning the Company and Keystone; (iii) certain internal information,        
including financial projections, concerning the businesses and operations of    
the Company and Keystone that were prepared by management of the Company and    
Keystone, respectively; (iv) the historical and current market for the equity   
securities of the Company, Keystone and certain other companies that we believe 
to be comparable in certain respects to the Company and Keystone, including the 
current and historical relationships between the trading levels of the          
Company's Common Stock and Keystone's common stock; (v) the nature and terms of 
certain other acquisition transactions that we believe to be reasonably         
comparable or relevant; and (vi) information relating to the pension plans of   
the Company and Keystone. We have also had due diligence discussions with       
certain officers and employees of the Company and Keystone to discuss the       
foregoing, including the past and current business operations, financial        
condition and prospects of the Company and Keystone as well as other matters we 

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DeSoto, Inc.                                                                    
August 23, 1996                                                                 
Page 2                                                                          

believe relevant to our inquiry. We have also taken into account our assessment 
of general economic, market and financial conditions and our knowledge of the   
rod and wire industry, as well as our experience in connection with similar     
transactions and securities valuation generally. We have also considered such   
other information, financial studies, analyses, investigations and financial,   
economic, market and trading criteria which we deemed relevant to our inquiry.  

    In our review and analysis and in arriving at our opinion, we have
assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial,  
pension plan and other information provided to us or publicly available and     
have not assumed responsibility for verifying any of such information. With     
respect to the Company's and Keystone's financial projections, we have assumed  
that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently  
available estimates and judgments of the Company's or Keystone's management as  
to the future financial performance of the Company and Keystone, and we express 
no opinion with respect to such projections for the assumptions on which they   
are based.  With respect to information relating to the Company's and           
Keystone's pension plans, we have relied upon information provided to us by the 
Company's and Keystone's management and accountants, and from the Company's     
actuaries and pension plan consultants. We have not made or obtained any        
independent evaluations or appraisals of any of the pension plans, assets       
(including properties and facilities) or liabilities of the Company or          
Keystone. Our opinion is necessarily based upon business, market, economic and  
other conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the date hereof, 
and we assume no responsibility to update or revise our opinion based upon      
circumstances or events occurring after the date hereof. Our opinion does not   
address the Company's underlying business decision to effect the Merger or      
constitute a recommendation to any holder of Common Stock of the Company as to  
how such holder should vote with respect to the Merger. Our opinion as          
expressed below does not imply any conclusion as to the likely trading range    
for the common stock of Keystone following the consummation of the Merger,      
which may vary depending upon, among other factors, changes in interest rates,  
dividend rates, market conditions, general economic conditions and other        
factors that generally influence the price of securities. The Company has not   
requested us to solicit, and we have not solicited, other third party           
indications of interest or proposals to acquire all or any part of the Company. 

        For purposes of rendering our opinion we have assumed, in all respects
material to our analysis, that the representations and warranties of each party 
contained in the Merger Agreement are true and correct, that each party will    
perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it      
under the Merger Agreement and that all conditions to the consummation of the   
Merger will be satisfied without waiver thereof. We have also assumed that all  
material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals will be       
obtained and that in the course of obtaining any                                

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DeSoto, Inc.                                                                    
August 23, 1996                                                                 
Page 3                                                                          

such necessary approvals, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, no           
restrictions will be imposed or waivers made that would have any material       
adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of the Merger.                      

We have not acted as the financial advisor to the Company in  
connection with the Merger and will receive fees from the Company solely        
related to our services in connection with this opinion, and such fees are      
contingent upon consummation of the Merger or termination of the Company's      
pension plan, whichever event occurs first. We have from time to time provided  
investment banking and related services to the Company, for which we have       
received customary fees. We will continue to maintain a relationship with       
certain principals of the Company and may provide them investment banking and   
other related services. In the ordinary course of our business, we may actively 
trade the debt and equity securities of the Company and Keystone for our own    
account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time     
hold a long or short position in such securities.                               

     This letter, and our opinion expressed herein, is not to be quoted,
summarized or referred to, in whole or in part, without our prior written       
consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this opinion may be included or         
referred to in any registration statement or proxy statement sent to the        
shareholders of the Company and Keystone with respect to the Merger.            

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of
the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio in the Merger is fair, from a financial     
point of view, to the holders of Common Stock.                                  

                       Very truly yours,

                              /s/ SALOMON BROTHERS INC
                          SALOMON BROTHERS INC

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                                                                      APPENDIX D

KEYSTONE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE 

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FILE NO. 1-3919) 

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                                                                      APPENDIX E

KEYSTONE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FILE NO. 1-3919) 

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PROXY                                                                           
DESOTO, INC.

The undersigned hereby appoints ANNE E. EISELE and IRVING KAGAN, and each of    
them, as Proxies with the power of substitution and revocation (to act by a     
majority present or if only one acts then by that one) and hereby authorizes    
them to represent and to vote as designated below all of the shares of stock of 
DeSoto, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on August 23, 1996, at the       
special meeting of stockholders to be held in New York, New York, on Friday,    
September 27, 1996, at 10:00 A.M., New York time, or any adjournment thereof.   

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DESOTO, INC.     
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN   
BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE     
VOTED FOR THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION 
DATED AS OF JUNE 26, 1996 BETWEEN DESOTO, INC. AND KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED        
INDUSTRIES, INC. (THE "REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT").                              

The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote    
such shares at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.                         

(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON OTHER SIDE)

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE LISTED PROPOSAL. 
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. [X] 

                                                         FOR  AGAINST  ABSTAIN
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE PLAN OF    
                  REORGANIZATION                        [ ]    [ ]       [ ]

                                   PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS
                                     HEREON. When shares are held by joint
                                       tenants, both should sign. When signing
                                     as attorney, executor, administrator,
                                     trustee or guardian, please give your
                                     full title as such. If a corporation,
                                     please sign in full corporate name by
                                 the President or other authorized
                                      officer. If a partnership, please sign
                                 in partnership name by authorized
       person.

                                        Dated: ___________________________, 1996

                                        ________________________________________

                                        ________________________________________
                              Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)

                                     PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY
                         IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

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[DESOTO, INC. LOGO]    DESOTO STOCK OWNERSHIP PLUS PLAN                       
900 East Washington Street, Joliet, Illinois 60433

                                                                 August 28, 1996

Dear Employee:                                                                  

    The undersigned are the trustees for the DeSoto Stock Ownership Plus Plan.
As a member of this Plan, you have an opportunity to give voting instructions to
the trustees with respect to the voting of Company common stock credited to your
account, at the special meeting of stockholders of DeSoto, Inc., to be held on  
Friday, September 27, 1996.                                                     

  Enclosed is a copy of the notice of the special meeting of stockholders,
the Company's proxy statement relating to that meeting and a voting instruction 
form for your use. The Company's annual report on Form 10-K for 1995 has been   
delivered to you at your place of work.                                         

 The voting instruction form is being delivered to you with an addressed
postage prepaid envelope in which you may mail the form to Harris Trust and     
Savings Bank for tabulation. The enclosed copy of the voting instruction form   
shows the number of shares credited to your account at the close of business on 
August 23, 1996, the record date for the determination of stockholders of record
entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and also the date      
selected for determining the number of shares with respect to which each plan   
member may give voting instructions to the trustees.                            

   Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Transfer Agent for the common stock of the
Company, will tabulate the voting instructions received from plan members and   
will certify the results to the trustees in order that the latter may cause the 
Company common stock held by the plan to be voted according to the instructions 
received from plan members. In conformity with the rules of the plan, which     
contemplate secrecy respecting each member's voting instructions, the voting    
instructions of individual plan members will not be seen by the Company or the  
trustees.                                                                       

    If you send in your form without a specification on the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization dated as of June 26, 1996, between DeSoto, Inc. and Keystone  
Consolidated Industries, Inc. (the "Reorganization Agreement"), your shares will
be voted for the approval and adoption of the Reorganization Agreement. Your    
shares will also be voted for the Reorganization Agreement if your voting       
instruction is not received by Harris Trust and Savings Bank on or before       
September 20, 1996. On other matters which may come before the meeting -- and   
the trustees know of none -- your Company shares will be voted by the trustees, 
or their attorneys-in-fact, in accordance with their best judgment.             

Sincerely yours,

                 WILLIAM SPIER
                    ANDERS SCHROEDER
                      Trustees

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DESOTO STOCK OWNERSHIP PLUS PLAN                  MEMBER VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM

The undersigned directs that at the special meeting of stockholders of DeSoto,  
Inc., to be held in New York, New York, on Friday, September 27, 1996, and at   
any adjournment thereof, the shares of DeSoto stock to the credit of the        
undersigned's account with the DeSoto Stock Ownership Plus Plan on August 23,   
1996, shall be voted by the Trustees, or their attorneys-in-fact.               

IF THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM, REQUESTED BY THE TRUSTEES WITH RESPECT TO A    
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, SIGNED BY   
THE MEMBER, IS RECEIVED BY HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 
20, 1996, THE SHARES INDICATED HEREON WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE      
INSTRUCTION SPECIFIED HEREON IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF    
THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION DATED AS OF JUNE 26, 1996, BETWEEN     
DeSOTO, INC. AND KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC. (THE "REORGANIZATION    
AGREEMENT"). IF A SIGNED INSTRUCTION FORM IS NOT RECEIVED BY HARRIS TRUST AND   
SAVINGS BANK ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 1996, SAID SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE 
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.                          

PLEASE RETURN TO: DeSOTO, INC., c/o HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, P.O. BOX     
830, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60690-9972                                               

(continued and to be signed on other side.) 

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DESOTO, INC.
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. [X] 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE LISTED PROPOSAL. 

                                                         For  Against  Abstain
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE  
                      PLAN OF REORGANIZATION           [ ]    [ ]      [ ]

                                     Please sign, date and return promptly
                                    in the enclosed envelope. No postage
                                       need be affixed if mailed in the United
       States.
                                        ________________________________________

                                        ________________________________________
                   Signature of Member

                                       Dated: __________________________, 1996

                                      PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ON
                             THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM.