<PAGE>   1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-K

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           (MARK ONE)
<S> <C>
[X]        ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
               OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 2, 2000
                                 OR
[ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
               OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM  ____________________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-11024
</TABLE>

                                  CLARCOR Inc.
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          DELAWARE                                                    36-0922490
(State or other jurisdiction of                                 (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

2323 Sixth Street, P.O. Box 7007, Rockford, Illinois                       61125
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:                 815-962-8867

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
          TITLE OF EACH CLASS              ON WHICH REGISTERED
          -------------------             ---------------------
<S>                                      <C>
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share  New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
</TABLE>

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      None
              ----------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

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

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

The aggregate market value (based on the closing price of registrant's Common
Stock on February 1, 2001 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
Transactions) of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as at
February 1, 2001 is $557,981,284.

The number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as of February 1, 2001 is
24,462,933 shares.

Certain portions of the registrant's 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders are
incorporated by reference in Parts I, II and IV. Certain portions of the
registrant's Proxy Statement dated February 23, 2001 for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on March 27, 2001 are incorporated by reference in Part
III.
<PAGE>   2

                                     PART I

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.

     (a) General Development of Business

     CLARCOR Inc. ("CLARCOR") was organized in 1904 as an Illinois corporation
and in 1969 was reincorporated in the State of Delaware. As used herein, the
"Company" refers to CLARCOR and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise
requires.

     The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to November 30. For
fiscal year 2000 the year ended on December 2, 2000 and included 53 weeks. For
fiscal year 1999 the year ended on November 27, 1999 and included 52 weeks. In
this Form 10-K, all references to fiscal years are shown to begin on December 1
and end on November 30 for clarity of presentation.

     (i) Certain Significant Developments.

     During Fiscal 2000 the Company adopted a "Total Filtration" strategy. Under
the Total Filtration Program, the Company intends to supply every filter needed
by a customer for its facilities and its manufacturing, transportation and
construction equipment. Companies that now look to dozens of filter suppliers
for thousands of different filter requirements will be able, under the Program,
to purchase all of their filter requirements from one company, CLARCOR, thereby
reducing administrative burdens and uncertainty about filter pricing,
availability, delivery, performance and longevity. The Company is confident of
its ability to serve its customers' total filtration needs because it believes
that it now has the broadest range of filtration products in the industry. The
Company will also assist customers in determining which filters they require in
their operations, and with the servicing and installation of filters. While the
program is now in its early stages, the Company believes that implementation of
the Total Filtration concept over the next several years offers a significant
opportunity to continue the growth of the Company.

     (ii) Summary of Business Operations.

     During 2000, the Company conducted business in three principal industry
segments: (1) Engine/Mobile Filtration, (2) Industrial/Environmental Filtration
and (3) Packaging.

     Engine/Mobile Filtration. Engine/Mobile Filtration includes filters for
oil, air, fuel, coolants and hydraulic fluids for trucks, automobiles,
construction, mining and industrial equipment, locomotives, marine and
agricultural equipment.

     Industrial/Environmental Filtration. Industrial/Environmental Filtration
products are used primarily for commercial, residential and industrial
applications. The segment's industrial and environmental products include air
and antimicrobial treated filters and high efficiency electronic air cleaners
for commercial buildings, factories, residential buildings, paint spray booths,
gas turbine systems, medical facilities, motor vehicle cabins, clean rooms,
compressors and dust collector systems. The segment's process filtration
products include specialty filters, industrial process liquid filters, filters
for pharmaceutical processes, filtration systems for aircraft refueling,
anti-pollution and water recycling, bilge separators and sand control filters
for oil and gas drilling equipment.

     Packaging. Packaging products include a wide variety of custom styled
containers and packaging items used primarily by the food, confectionery, spice,
drug, toiletries and chemical specialties industries. The segment's products
include lithographed metal containers, flat sheet decorated metal, combination
metal and plastic containers, plastic closures and various specialties, such as
spools for wire and cable and outer shells for dry cell batteries and film
canisters.

     (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments

     Business segment information for the fiscal years 1998 through 2000 is
included on pages 23 and 24 of the Company's 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders
(the "Annual Report"), is incorporated herein by reference and is filed as part
of Exhibit 13(a)(vi) to this 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K ("2000 Form 10-K").

                                        2
<PAGE>   3

     (c) Narrative Description of the Business

ENGINE/MOBILE FILTRATION

     The Company's engine/mobile filtration products business is conducted by
the following wholly-owned subsidiaries: Baldwin Filters, Inc.; Clark Filter,
Inc.; Hastings Filters, Inc.; Baldwin Filters (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.; Baldwin Filters
N.V.; and Baldwin Filters Limited. In addition, the Company owns (i) 90% of
Filtros Baldwin de Mexico ("FIBAMEX"), (ii) 75% of Baldwin-Weifang Filters Ltd.,
and (iii) 80% of Baldwin-Unifil S.A.

     The companies market a full line of oil, air, fuel, coolant and hydraulic
fluid filters. The filters are used in a wide variety of applications and in
processes where filter efficiency, reliability and durability are essential.
Impure air or fluid flow through semi-porous paper, cotton, synthetic, chemical
or membrane filter media with varying efficiency filtration characteristics. The
impurities on the media are disposed of when the filter is changed. The
segment's filters are sold throughout the world, primarily in the replacement
market for trucks, automobiles, locomotives, marine, construction, industrial,
mining and agricultural equipment. In addition, some first-fit filters are sold
to the original equipment market.

INDUSTRIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL FILTRATION

     The Company's industrial/environmental filtration products business is
conducted by the following wholly-owned subsidiaries: Airguard Industries, Inc.
("Airguard"); Airklean Engineering Pte. Ltd.; Airguard Asia Sdn. Bhd.; Facet
USA, Inc. and related Facet companies in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and
other European locations ("Facet"); Filter Products, Inc.; Purolator Facet, Inc.
("PFI"); Purolator Products Air Filtration Company ("Purolator"); United Air
Specialists, Inc.; and United Air Specialists (U.K.) Ltd. The segment's products
are sold throughout the world.

     The companies market commercial and industrial air filters and systems,
electrostatic contamination control equipment and electrostatic high precision
spraying equipment. The air filters and systems remove contaminants from
recirculated indoor air and from process air which is exhausted outdoors. The
products represent a complete line of air cleaners with a wide range of uses for
maintaining high quality standards in interior air and exterior pollution
control.

     Additional products include specialty filters, filtration systems for
aircraft refueling, anti-pollution and water recycling, and bilge separators.
These products are used in a wide range of applications including commercial,
military and general aviation, marine, oil and gas drilling and refining,
chemical and pharmaceutical processes, utilities, paper mills and general
industry. The filters are used for the process filtration of liquids using a
variety of porous and sintered and non-sintered metal media filters, strainers,
separators, coalescers and absorbent media. Many of these filter products and
systems require special technical approvals and product certification in order
to meet commercial and military requirements.

PACKAGING

     The Company's consumer and industrial packaging products business is
conducted by a wholly-owned subsidiary, J. L. Clark, Inc. ("J. L. Clark").

     J.L. Clark manufactures a wide variety of different types and sizes of
containers and packaging specialties. Metal, plastic and combination
metal/plastic containers and closures manufactured by the Company are used in
packaging a wide variety of dry and paste form products, such as food
specialties (tea, spices, dry bakery products, potato chips, pretzels, candy and
other confections); beverages and juices; cosmetics and toiletries; drugs and
pharmaceuticals; and chemical specialties (hand cleaners, soaps and special
cleaning compounds). Other packaging products include shells for dry batteries,
film canisters, candles, spools for insulated and fine wire, and custom
decorated flat steel sheets.

     Containers and packaging specialties are manufactured only upon orders
received from customers, and individualized containers and packaging specialties
are designed and manufactured, usually with distinctive decoration, to meet each
customer's marketing and packaging requirements and specifications.

                                        3
<PAGE>   4

DISTRIBUTION

     Engine/Mobile Filtration and Industrial/Environmental Filtration products
are sold primarily through a combination of independent distributors and dealers
for original equipment manufacturers.

     The engine/mobile segment also distributes filtration products worldwide
through each of its subsidiaries. Baldwin Filters N.V. and Baldwin Filters
Limited primarily serve the European markets. Baldwin Filters (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.,
markets heavy duty liquid and air filters in Australia and New Zealand. FIBAMEX
manufactures filters in Mexico with distribution in Mexico and Central and South
America. Through the Company's investment in Baldwin-Weifang Filters Ltd., heavy
duty filters are manufactured in China for distribution in China. Additionally,
through Baldwin-Unifil S.A., air filtration products are manufactured in South
Africa with distribution throughout Africa, Great Britain, Europe and the Middle
East.

     The industrial/environmental segment also distributes and services
filtration products through company-owned branches and wholly-owned subsidiaries
located throughout the United States and Europe and in Singapore and Malaysia.

     Packaging salespersons call directly on customers and prospective customers
for containers and packaging specialties. Each salesperson is trained in all
aspects of J.L. Clark's manufacturing processes with respect to the products
sold and is qualified to consult with customers and prospective customers
concerning the details of their particular requirements. In addition,
salespersons with expertise in specific areas, such as flat-sheet decorating,
are focused on specific customers and markets.

CLASS OF PRODUCTS

     No class of products accounted for as much as 10% of the total sales of the
Company.

RAW MATERIAL

     Steel, filter media, cartons, aluminum sheet and coil, stainless steel,
chrome vanadium, chrome silicon, resins, roll paper, bulk and roll plastic
materials and cotton, wood and synthetic fibers and adhesives are the most
important raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products. All
of these are purchased or are available from a variety of sources. The Company
has no long-term purchase commitments. The Company did not experience shortages
in the supply of raw materials during 2000.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES

     Certain features of some of the Company's products are covered by domestic
and, in some cases, foreign patents or patent applications. While these patents
are valuable and important for certain products, the Company does not believe
that its competitive position is dependent upon patent protection. The Company
believes, however, that its trademarks and tradenames used in connection with
certain products may be significant to its business.

CUSTOMERS

     The largest 10 customers of the Engine/Mobile Filtration segment accounted
for 20.6% of the $259,791,000 of fiscal year 2000 sales of such segment.

     The largest 10 customers of the Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment
accounted for 15.1% of the $319,746,000 of fiscal year 2000 sales of such
segment.

     The largest 10 customers of the Packaging segment accounted for 60.5% of
the $72,611,000 of fiscal year 2000 sales of such segment.

     No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated
2000 sales.

                                        4
<PAGE>   5

BACKLOG

     At November 30, 2000, the Company had a backlog of firm orders for products
amounting to approximately $74,300,000. The backlog figure for 1999 was
approximately $72,100,000. Substantially all of the orders on hand at November
30, 2000 are expected to be filled during fiscal 2001.

COMPETITION

     The Company encounters strong competition in the sale of all of its
products. The Company competes in a number of filtration markets against a
variety of competitors. The Company is unable to state its relative competitive
position in all of these markets due to a lack of reliable industry-wide data.
However, in the replacement market for heavy duty liquid and air filters used in
internal combustion engines, the Company believes that it is among the top five
measured by annual sales. In addition, the Company believes that it is a leading
manufacturer of liquid and air filters for diesel locomotives. The Company
believes that for industrial and environmental filtration products, it is among
the top five measured by annual sales.

     In the Packaging segment, its principal competitors include several
manufacturers whose specialty packaging segments are smaller than the Company's
and who often compete on a regional basis only. Strong competition is also
presented by manufacturers of paper, plastic and glass containers. The Company's
competitors generally manufacture and sell a wide variety of products in
addition to packaging products of the type produced by the Company and do not
publish separate sales figures relative to these competitive products.
Consequently, the Company is unable to state its relative competitive position
in those markets.

     The Company believes that it is able to maintain its competitive position
because of the quality and breadth of its products and services and the broad
geographic scope of its operations.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

     The Company's Technical Centers and laboratories test product components
and completed products to insure high quality manufacturing results, evaluate
competitive products, aid suppliers in the development of product components,
and conduct controlled tests of newly designed filters, filtration systems and
containers for particular uses. Product development departments are concerned
with the improvement and creation of new filters, filtration systems, containers
and packaging products in order to broaden the uses of these items, counteract
obsolescence and evaluate other products available in the marketplace.

     In fiscal 2000, the Company employed 69 professional employees on a
full-time basis on research activities relating to the development of new
products or the improvement or redesign of its existing products. During this
period the Company spent approximately $6,942,000 on such activities as compared
with $5,562,000 for 1999 and $4,855,000 for 1998.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

     The Company is not aware of any facts which would cause it to believe that
it is in material violation of existing applicable standards respecting
emissions to the atmosphere, discharges to waters, or treatment, storage and
disposal of solid or hazardous wastes.

     The Company is party to various proceedings relating to environmental
issues. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or other responsible
state agencies have designated the Company as a potentially responsible party
(PRP), along with other companies, in remedial activities for the cleanup of
waste sites under the federal Superfund statute.

     Environmental and related remediation costs are difficult to quantify for a
number of reasons including the number of parties involved, the difficulty in
determining the extent of the contamination, the length of time remediation may
require, the complexity of environmental regulation and the continuing
advancement of remediation technology. Applicable federal law may impose joint
and several liability on each PRP for the cleanup. It is the opinion of
management, after consultation with legal counsel, that additional liabilities,
if

                                        5
<PAGE>   6

any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or consolidated results of
operations.

     The Company does anticipate, however, that it may be required to install
additional pollution control equipment to augment existing equipment in the
future in order to meet applicable environmental standards. The Company is
presently unable to predict the timing or the cost of such equipment and cannot
give any assurance that the cost of such equipment may not have an adverse
effect on earnings. However, the Company is not aware, at this time, of any
current or pending requirement to install such equipment at any of its
facilities.

EMPLOYEES

     As of November 30, 2000, the Company had approximately 4,560 employees.

     (d) Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export
Sales

     Financial information relating to export sales and the Company's operations
in the United States and other countries is set forth on page 24 of the Annual
Report and is incorporated herein by reference and filed as Exhibit 13(a)(vi) to
this 2000 Form 10-K. The Company is not aware of any unusual risks attendant to
the conduct of its operations in other countries.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

     (i) Location

     An office building owned by the Company located in Rockford, Illinois
houses the Corporate offices and the Packaging segment headquarters offices in
22,000 square feet of office space.

     Engine/Mobile Filtration. The following is a description of the principal
properties utilized by the Company in conducting its Engine/Mobile Filtration
business:

     The Baldwin Filters' Kearney, Nebraska plant contains 516,000 square feet
of manufacturing and warehousing space, 25,000 square feet of research and
development space, and 40,000 square feet of office space. The Kearney facility
is located on a site of approximately 40 acres. A manufacturing facility located
in Yankton, South Dakota has approximately 170,000 square feet of floor space on
a 21 acre tract. Both facilities are owned by the Company. In addition, Baldwin
has a capital lease for a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility on a site
of 20 acres in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

     The Company also manufactures filters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at its
Clark Filter plant. The building, constructed about 1968 on an 11.4 acre tract
of land, contains 168,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space and is
owned by the Company.

     The Company leases various facilities in Australia, Belgium, Mexico, South
Africa and the United Kingdom for the manufacture and distribution of filtration
products.

     Industrial/Environmental Filtration. The following is a description of the
principal properties utilized by the Company in conducting its
Industrial/Environmental Filtration business:

     Airguard has nine manufacturing and warehousing locations. It leases
318,000 square feet in New Albany, Indiana, 84,000 square feet in Corona,
California, 44,500 square feet in Dallas, Texas and 83,000 square feet in
Rockford, Illinois. Smaller facilities are also leased in North Carolina and
Wisconsin. The Company owns the following three facilities. The Airguard High
Efficiency Filter plant, located in Jeffersontown, Kentucky on a 7.5 acre tract
of land, contains 100,000 square feet of manufacturing and office facilities.
Airguard's ATI manufacturing and office facility in Ottawa, Kansas, contains
31,000 square feet. During fiscal 2000 Airguard purchased an existing 240,000
square foot manufacturing facility in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Production of
air filtration products began in December 2000 at Campbellsville.

     Airguard administrative and sales offices and distribution facilities are
located in leased facilities in Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Toledo,
Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Columbus,

                                        6
<PAGE>   7

Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; Portland, Oregon; Commerce City, Colorado; Kansas
City, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Corona, California and New Albany, Indiana.
Airguard also leases facilities in Malaysia and Singapore.

     Facet owns manufacturing and distribution facilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma and
La Coruna, Spain. The Tulsa facilities contain approximately 142,000 square feet
on a 16 acre site. The La Coruna facility is on an approximately 17,000 square
meter site and the building contains 5,700 square meters. Facet also leases
facilities in Stillwell, Oklahoma; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Canada; Italy; Germany;
France; United Kingdom and The Netherlands.

     Purolator owns a 228,500 square-foot manufacturing and office facility in
Henderson, North Carolina on a site of approximately 25 acres. Purolator also
leases sales, manufacturing and distribution facilities in Fresno, California;
Hayward, California; La Mirada, California; Sacramento, California; Davenport,
Iowa; Wichita, Kansas; Metuchen, New Jersey; Henderson, North Carolina; Kenly,
North Carolina; Sparks, Nevada; Fairfax, Virginia and Auburn, Washington.

     Purolator Facet, Inc. ("PFI") owns a manufacturing and distribution
facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. This facility contains approximately
88,000 square feet on a 21 acre site. PFI also leases facilities in Greensboro,
North Carolina; Hebron, Connecticut and Middletown, Rhode Island.

     United Air Specialists ("UAS") has three owned facilities. The offices and
primary manufacturing facility of UAS are located in Blue Ash, Ohio (a suburb of
Cincinnati), on approximately 17 acres of land. This facility was built in 1978
and was expanded in 1991 and 1993 to a total of approximately 157,000 square
feet. UAS also has sales offices and a manufacturing facility in Warwick,
England which total approximately 13,200 square feet. In addition, UAS leases
sales and service facilities in Bad Camberg, Germany; Phoenix, Arizona; Hayward,
California; Anaheim, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Troy, Michigan; Jackson,
Mississippi and Houston, Texas.

     Filter Products Inc. owns a 40,000 square foot manufacturing and office
facility in Sacramento, California.

     Packaging.  The following is a description of the principal properties
utilized by the Company in conducting its Packaging business:

     The Company's J. L. Clark, Rockford, Illinois plant, located on 34 acres,
consists of one-story manufacturing buildings, the first of which was
constructed in 1910. Since then a number of major additions have been
constructed and an injection molding plant was constructed in 1972.
Approximately 450,000 square feet of floor area are devoted to manufacturing,
warehouse and office use. Of the 34 acres, approximately 12 are vacant.

     A J. L. Clark plant is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on approximately
11 acres. It consists of a two-story office building containing approximately
7,500 square feet of floor space and a manufacturing plant and warehouse
containing 236,000 square feet of floor space, most of which is on one level.
These buildings were constructed between 1924 and 1964.

     J. L. Clark also leases a manufacturing facility in San Leandro,
California.

     The various properties owned by the Company are considered by it to be in
good repair and well maintained. Plant asset additions in 2001 are estimated at
$25,000,000 for land, buildings, equipment and machinery, capacity additions and
cost reduction projects.

     (ii) Function

     Engine/Mobile Filtration.  Oil, air, fuel, hydraulic fluid and coolant
filters are produced at the Baldwin and Hastings facilities in Kearney, and
Gothenburg, Nebraska and Yankton, South Dakota. The various processes of
pleating paper, winding cotton and synthetic fibers, placing the filter element
in a metal or fiber container and painting the containers are highly mechanized,
but require some manual assistance. The plants also maintain an inventory of
special dies and molds for filter manufacture.

                                        7
<PAGE>   8

     Oil, air and fuel filters, primarily for use in the railroad industry, are
produced at Clark Filter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

     Industrial/Environmental Filtration.  Air filters for the commercial,
residential and industrial markets are produced in the Airguard and Purolator
facilities. Dust collection systems, high efficiency electronic air cleaning
systems and electrostatic precision spraying systems are designed and
manufactured at the UAS facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

     Specialty filter products for aviation, oil and gas drilling, military,
marine and paper and chemical processes are manufactured and assembled at the
PFI facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina. The manufacturing processes
include bonding and sintering metal, tungsten inert gas and electron beam
welding and diffusion-bonding of wire. Facet designs, manufactures and assembles
filters and filtration systems for aircraft refueling, power generation, water
treatment and general industrial applications at its United States and European
facilities. The company also uses outside contractors for assembly and
manufacturing of some of its products. Many of these products require special
commercial or military technical approvals or product certification.

     Depth media filters for the pharmaceutical, biotech and food and beverage
industries and other critical process filtration applications are manufactured
at the Filter Products Inc. facility in Sacramento, California.

     Packaging.  The Company's metal and combination metal and plastic packaging
products are produced at J. L. Clark plants located in Rockford, Illinois,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and San Leandro, California. The Rockford and Lancaster
plants are completely integrated facilities which include creative and
mechanical art departments and photographic facilities for color separation,
preparation of multiple-design negatives and lithographing plates. Metal sheets
are decorated on coating machines and lithographing presses connected with
conveyor ovens. Decorated sheets are then cut to working sizes on shearing
equipment, following which fabrication is completed by punch presses,
can-forming and can-closing equipment and other specialized machinery for
supplementary operations. Most tooling for fabricating equipment is designed and
engineered by the Company's engineering staffs, and much of it is produced in
the Company's tool rooms.

     During the fiscal year, J. L. Clark purchased, at a cost of approximately
$7.5 million, new, state-of-the art metal lithography equipment. The new
equipment is expected to be operational in the third quarter of fiscal 2001.

     Plastic packaging capabilities include printing and molding of irregular
shaped plastic containers and customized plastic closures which have
tamper-evidence as well as convenience features.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     The Company is involved in legal actions arising in the normal course of
business. After taking into consideration legal counsel's evaluation of such
actions, management is of the opinion that their outcome will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or
financial position.

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

     None.

                                        8
<PAGE>   9

ADDITIONAL ITEM: EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AGE AT     YEAR ELECTED
                            NAME                                11/30/00     TO OFFICE
                            ----                                --------    ------------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
Norman E. Johnson...........................................       52           2000
  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Johnson has been employed by the Company since
1990. He was elected President-Baldwin Filters, Inc. in
1990, Vice President-CLARCOR in 1992, Group Vice President-
Filtration Products Group in 1993, President and Chief
Operating Officer in 1995 and Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer in 2000. Mr. Johnson has been a Director
of the Company since June 1996.
William B. Walker...........................................       60           2000
  President, Environmental Filtration. Mr. Walker has been
employed by Airguard, a subsidiary of the Company since
1966. He was elected President of Airguard in 1994,
Executive Vice President-Industrial/Environmental Filtration
in 1999 and President, Environmental Filtration in 2000.
Bruce A. Klein..............................................       53           1995
  Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Mr.
Klein was employed by the Company and elected Vice
President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer on January 3,
1995.
James M. Suchomel...........................................       50           2000
  President, Process Filtration. Mr. Suchomel became an
officer of the Company in February 2000. From March 1994 to
February 2000, he was the Vice President and General Manager
of the Process Water General Industry Group of United States
Filter Corporation.
David J. Anderson...........................................       62           1999
  Vice President-Corporate Development. Mr. Anderson has
been employed by the Company since 1990. He was elected Vice
President Marketing & Business Development for the CLARCOR
Filtration Products subsidiary in 1991, Vice
President-Corporate Development in 1993, Vice
President-International/Corporate Development in 1994 and
Vice President-Corporate Development in 1999.
David J. Lindsay............................................       45           1995
  Vice President-Administration and Chief Administrative
Officer. Mr. Lindsay has been employed by the Company in
various administrative positions since 1987. He was elected
Vice President-Group Services in 1991, Vice
President-Administration in 1994 and Vice
President-Administration and Chief Administrative Officer in
1995.
Peter F. Nangle.............................................       39           1999
  Vice President-Information Services and Chief Information
Officer. Mr. Nangle has been employed by the Company since
1993. He was elected Vice President-Information Services in
1994, Vice President-Information Services and Operations
Analysis, Chief Information Officer in 1997 and Vice
President-Information Services and Chief Information Officer
in 1999.
Marcia S. Blaylock..........................................       44           2000
  Vice President, Controller. Ms. Blaylock has been an
employee of the Company since 1974. She was elected
Assistant Secretary in 1994, Corporate Secretary in 1995,
Vice President and Corporate Secretary in 1996, Vice
President, Controller and Corporate Secretary in 1997 and
Vice President, Controller in 2000.
David J. Boyd...............................................       60           2000
  Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Mr. Boyd became an officer of the Company in May 2000. Prior
to that date he served as a partner in the law firm of
Sidley & Austin since 1972.
</TABLE>

                                        9
<PAGE>   10

     Each executive officer of the Company is elected for a term of one year
which begins at the Board of Directors Meeting at which he or she is elected,
held at the time of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and ends on the date of
the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or upon the due election and
qualification of his or her successor.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                                    PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER
MATTERS.

     The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange; it is
traded under the symbol CLC. The following table sets forth the high and low
market prices as quoted during the relevant periods on the New York Stock
Exchange and dividends paid for each quarter of the last two fiscal years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  MARKET PRICE
                                                              --------------------
                       QUARTER ENDED                            HIGH        LOW     DIVIDENDS
                       -------------                            ----        ---     ---------
<S>                                                           <C> <C>    <C> <C>    <C>
February 26, 2000...........................................  $19 1/2    $16 1/6     $.1150
May 27, 2000................................................   19 3/4     17          .1150
August 26, 2000.............................................   21 3/8     17 3/8      .1150
December 2, 2000............................................   21 7/16    16 15/16    .1175
                                                                                     ------
Total Dividends.............................................                         $.4625
                                                                                     ======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  MARKET PRICE
                                                              --------------------
                       QUARTER ENDED                            HIGH        LOW     DIVIDENDS
                       -------------                            ----        ---     ---------
<S>                                                           <C> <C>    <C> <C>    <C>
February 27, 1999...........................................  $20 13/16  $16 11/16   $.1125
May 29, 1999................................................   19 1/4     16 7/16     .1125
August 28, 1999.............................................   21 3/8     18 1/8      .1125
November 27, 1999...........................................   18 9/16    14 1/4      .1150
                                                                                     ------
Total Dividends.............................................                         $.4525
                                                                                     ======
</TABLE>

     The approximate number of holders of record of the Company's Common Stock
at February 1, 2001 is 1,600. In addition, the Company believes that there are
approximately 6,000 beneficial owners whose shares are held in street names.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     The information required hereunder is set forth on pages 26 and 27 of the
Annual Report under the caption "11-Year Financial Review," is incorporated
herein by reference and is filed as Exhibit 13(a)(ix) to this 2000 Form 10-K.

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

     The information required hereunder is set forth on pages 7 through 11 of
the Annual Report under the caption "Financial Review," is incorporated herein
by reference and is filed as Exhibit 13(a)(x) to this 2000 Form 10-K.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

     The information required hereunder is set forth on page 10 of the Annual
Report under the caption "Financial Review -- Market Risk," is incorporated
herein by reference and is filed as Exhibit 13(a)(x) to this 2000 Form 10-K.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     The Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes thereto and the report
thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, required
hereunder with respect to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are set
forth on pages 12 through 25, inclusive, of the Annual Report, are incorporated
herein by reference and are filed as Exhibits 13(a)(ii) through 13(a)(vii) to
this 2000 Form 10-K.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

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

     None.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Certain information required hereunder is set forth on pages 1 and 2 of the
Company's Proxy Statement dated February 23, 2001 (the "Proxy Statement") for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 27, 2001 under the
caption "Election of Directors -- Nominees for Election to the Board" and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     The information required hereunder is set forth on pages 6 through 13
inclusive, of the Proxy Statement under the caption "Compensation of Executive
Officers and Other Information" and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     The information required hereunder is set forth on pages 4 and 5 of the
Proxy Statement under the caption "Beneficial Ownership of the Company's Common
Stock" and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     The information required hereunder is set forth on page 4 of the Proxy
Statement under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" and
is incorporated herein by reference.

                                    PART IV

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

     (a) Financial Statements

     The following financial information is incorporated herein by reference to
the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November
30, 2000:

     *Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2000 and 1999

     *Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended November 30, 2000,
1999 and 1998

     *Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998

     *Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended November 30,
2000, 1999 and 1998

     *Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     *Report of Independent Accountants

     *Management's Report on Responsibility for Financial Reporting
------------------------------
*Filed herewith as part of Exhibit 13(a) to this 2000 Form 10-K

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

     The following items are set forth herein on the pages indicated:

Report of Independent Accountants..........................................  F-1

Financial Statement Schedules:

     II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.................................  F-2

     Financial statements and schedules other than those listed above are
omitted for the reason that they are not applicable, are not required, or the
information is included in the financial statements or the footnotes therein.

     (b) None

     (c) Exhibits

<TABLE>
<S>          <C>

 3.1         The registrant's Second Restated Certificate of
             Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
             the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
             ended November 30, 1998 (the "1998 10-K").

 3.1(a)      Amendment to ARTICLE FOURTH of the Second Restated
             Certificate of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to
             the Company's Proxy Statement dated February 18, 1999 for
             the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 23, 1999.

 3.2         The registrant's By-laws, as amended. Incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995.

 3.3         Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Participating
             Preferred Stock of CLARCOR as filed with the Secretary of
             State of the State of Delaware on April 2, 1996.
             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration
             Statement on Form 8-A filed April 3, 1996.

 4.1         Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 28, 1996
             between the registrant and the First Chicago Trust Company
             of New York. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the
             Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 3, 1996.

 4.1(a)      First Amendment to Stockholders Rights Agreement dated as of
             March 23, 1999. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to
             the Company's Form 8-A/A filed March 29, 1999.

 4.2         Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of
             long-term debt securities of CLARCOR and its subsidiaries
             are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation
             S-K. CLARCOR hereby agrees to furnish copies of these
             instruments to the SEC upon request.

 4.2(a)      Multicurrency Credit Agreement dated as of September 9,
             1999. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the
             Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 17,
             1999.

10.1         The registrant's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.
             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
             Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
             November 30, 1984 (the "1984 10-K").

10.2         The registrant's Supplemental Retirement Plan. Incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 1984 10-K.

10.2(a)      The registrant's 1994 Executive Retirement Plan.
             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the
             Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
             ended December 3, 1994 ("1994 10-K").

10.2(b)      The registrant's 1994 Supplemental Pension Plan.
             Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) to the 1994
             10-K.

10.2(c)      The registrant's Supplemental Retirement Plan (as amended
             and restated effective December 1, 1994). Incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.2(c) to the 1994 10-K.

10.3         The registrant's 1984 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit A to the Company's Proxy Statement
             dated March 2, 1984 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
             held on March 31, 1984.
</TABLE>

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

<TABLE>
<S>             <C>
 10.4           Employment Agreements with certain officers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to the
                Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 25, 1989.

*10.4(a)(1)     Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with each of David J. Anderson, Marcia S.
                Blaylock, David J. Boyd, Bruce A. Klein, David J. Lindsay, Norman E. Johnson, Peter F. Nangle,
                James M. Suchomel and William B. Walker.

 10.4(b)        Employment Agreement with Lawrence E. Gloyd dated July 1, 1997. Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.4(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30,
                1997 ("1997 10-K").

 10.4(c)        Employment Agreement with Norman E. Johnson dated July 1, 1997. Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.4(c) to the 1997 10-K.

*10.4(c)(1)     Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Norman E. Johnson dated as of December 17, 2000.

 10.4(d)        Trust Agreement dated December 1, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(d) to the 1997
                10-K.

 10.4(e)        Executive Benefit Trust Agreement dated December 22, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                10.4(e) to the 1997 10-K.

*10.5           The registrant's 1994 Incentive Plan (the "Plan") as amended through June 30, 2000.

*10.5(a)        Amendment to the Plan adopted December 18, 2000.

*13 (a)         The following items incorporated by reference herein from the Company's 2000 Annual Report to
                Shareholders ("2000 Annual Report"), are filed as Exhibits to this Annual Report Form 10-K:
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<C>         <S>
       (i)       Business segment information for the fiscal years 1998
                 through 2000 set forth on pages 23 and 24 of the 2000
                 Annual Report (included in Exhibit 13(a)(vi) -- Note P
                 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements);
      (ii)       Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company and its
                 Subsidiaries at November 30, 2000 and 1999 set forth on
                 page 12 of the 2000 Annual Report;
     (iii)       Consolidated Statements of Earnings of the Company and
                 its Subsidiaries for the years ended November 30, 2000,
                 1999 and 1998 set forth on page 13 of the 2000 Annual
                 Report;
      (iv)       Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the
                 Company and its Subsidiaries for the years ended
                 November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 set forth on page 14
                 of the 2000 Annual Report;
       (v)       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Company
                 and its Subsidiaries for the years ended November 30,
                 2000, 1999 and 1998 set forth on page 15 of the 2000
                 Annual Report;
      (vi)       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth on
                 pages 16 through 24 of the 2000 Annual Report;
     (vii)       Report of Independent Accountants set forth on page 25
                 of the 2000 Annual Report;
    (viii)       Management's Report on Responsibility for Financial
                 Reporting set forth on page 25 of the 2000 Annual
                 Report;
      (ix)       Information under the caption "11-Year Financial
                 Review" set forth on pages 26 and 27 of the 2000 Annual
                 Report; and
       (x)       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                 Condition and Results of Operation set forth under the
                 caption "Financial Review" on pages 7 through 11 of the
                 2000 Annual Report.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>         <C>

*21         Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
*23         Consent of Independent Accountants.
</TABLE>

---------------
* Filed herewith.
                                       14
<PAGE>   15

                                   SIGNATURES

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

Date: February 23, 2001                   CLARCOR Inc.
                                          (Registrant)

                                          By:    /s/ NORMAN E. JOHNSON
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                    Norman E. Johnson
                                             Chairman of the Board, President
                                                & Chief Executive Officer

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

<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>  <C>
Date: February 23, 2001  By:               /s/ NORMAN E. JOHNSON
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                             Norman E. Johnson
                                     Chairman of the Board, President &
                                    Chief Executive Officer and Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:                 /s/ BRUCE A. KLEIN
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                               Bruce A. Klein
                                        Vice President -- Finance &
                                          Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 23, 2001  By:               /s/ MARCIA S. BLAYLOCK
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                             Marcia S. Blaylock
                               Vice President, Controller & Chief Accounting
                                                  Officer

Date: February 23, 2001  By:                  /s/ J. MARC ADAM
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                                J. Marc Adam
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:                /s/ MILTON R. BROWN
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                              Milton R. Brown
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:             /s/ ROBERT J. BURGSTAHLER
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                           Robert J. Burgstahler
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:                /s/ CARL J. DARGENE
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                              Carl J. Dargene
                                                  Director
</TABLE>

                                       15
<PAGE>   16
<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>  <C>
Date: February 23, 2001  By:               /s/ LAWRENCE E. GLOYD
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                             Lawrence E. Gloyd
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:               /s/ ROBERT H. JENKINS
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                             Robert H. Jenkins
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:             /s/ PHILIP R. LOCHNER, JR.
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                           Philip R. Lochner, Jr.
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:                /s/ JAMES L. PACKARD
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                              James L. Packard
                                                  Director

Date: February 23, 2001  By:             /s/ STANTON K. SMITH, JR.
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                           Stanton K. Smith, Jr.
                                                  Director
</TABLE>

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                        ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
CLARCOR Inc.
Rockford, Illinois

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report
dated January 8, 2001 appearing on page 25 in the 2000 Annual Report to
Shareholders of CLARCOR Inc. and Subsidiaries (which report and consolidated
financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item
14(a) of this Form 10-K (page 13, index of exhibits). In our opinion, the
financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related
consolidated financial statements.

                                          /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 8, 2001

                                       F-1
<PAGE>   18

                                  CLARCOR INC.

                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

              FOR THE YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  COLUMN A                      COLUMN B           COLUMN C             COLUMN D      COLUMN E
--------------------------------------------   ----------   -----------------------    ----------    ----------
                                                                   ADDITIONS
                                                            -----------------------
                                                               (1)          (2)
                                               BALANCE AT   CHARGED TO   CHARGED TO                  BALANCE AT
                                               BEGINNING    COSTS AND      OTHER                       END OF
                DESCRIPTION                    OF PERIOD     EXPENSES     ACCOUNTS     DEDUCTIONS      PERIOD
--------------------------------------------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
2000:
Allowance for losses on accounts
  receivable................................     $5,155       $1,167       $   17(A)     $1,312(B)     $5,027
                                                 ======       ======       ======        ======        ======
1999:
Allowance for losses on accounts
  receivable................................     $2,711       $  975       $2,255(A)     $  786(B)     $5,155
                                                 ======       ======       ======        ======        ======
1998:
Allowance for losses on accounts
  receivable................................     $2,106       $3,075       $   46(A)     $2,516(B)     $2,711
                                                 ======       ======       ======        ======        ======
</TABLE>

NOTES:

(A) Due to business acquisitions.

(B) Bad debts written off during year, net of recoveries.

                                       F-2