<PAGE>   1


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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-K
           [X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                       OR
        [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ________________ TO ________________

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-25834

                                   EASCO, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                     <C>                                       <C>
            Delaware                   94-3157362          706 South State Street, Girard, Ohio       44420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer              (Address of principal             (Zip Code)
incorporation or organization)     Identification No.)              executive office)

</TABLE>

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 545-4311

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                          Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
                                (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 for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X   No
                                             ---    ---

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

         The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the
common stock on March 23, 1998 as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was
approximately $49,596,206. Shares of common stock held by each officer and
director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common stock
have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.

  Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 23, 1998: 10,456,672


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                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                              (See following page)

================================================================================



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                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE INTO THE INDICATED PART OF THIS FORM 10-K.

DOCUMENT INCORPORATED                        PART OF FORM 10-K
---------------------                        -----------------

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS                ITEMS 5, 6, 7 AND 8 OF PART II AND
                                             ITEM 14(a)1 OF PART IV

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 1997 ANNUAL MEETING      ITEMS 10, 11, 12 AND 13 OF PART III
OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 8, 1998



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PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

GENERAL

         All references to the Company refer to Easco, Inc., its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Easco Corporation ("Easco") and its subsidiary, Dolton Aluminum
Company, Inc. ("Dolton"). In December, 1994 Easco purchased two extrusion
presses and related assets in Kokomo, Indiana, and in January, 1995 it purchased
Dolton.

         The Company is the largest independent extruder of soft alloy aluminum
products in the United States, with shipments of approximately 307.5 million
pounds of aluminum extrusions in 1997, representing an approximate 8% market
share. The Company operates 21 aluminum extrusion presses and three casting
facilities at twelve plants in five states, and its products include standard
and custom profiles (shapes of specific lengths and cross-sectional design),
conduit and drawn tubing. The Company also produced vinyl extrusions through
operations that have been subsequently sold in January, 1998.

          The Company serves approximately 2,600 customers spanning primarily
five industry groups (building and construction, transportation, distribution,
electrical and consumer durables), and its extrusions are used in a wide variety
of products including door and window frames, truck bodies, truck trailers,
recreational vehicles, automobiles, boats, home appliances, patio enclosures and
furniture, office furniture and equipment, picture frames, sport and exercise
equipment, health care equipment, coaxial cable and electrical conduit.

         During November 1996, the Company's executive staff was reorganized.
This reorganization resulted in the turnover of several key executive positions,
including President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In addition,
the positions of Vice President, Operations and Vice President, Raw Materials
were established. The new management team has initiated changes which helped
return the Company to profitability in 1997 by focusing on product quality and
the improvement of production methods.

         Management's beliefs specified below concerning the Company's potential
business opportunities including without limitation with respect to the coaxial
cable business, the Company's opportunities for productivity enhancement and
long-term profit potential, and other statements that are not historical facts
or use forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "plans," "expects,"
"anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "could," "should" or "continue," or the
negative thereof or similar terminology, are forward-looking statements that are
qualified by the Company's "Cautionary Statement" set forth below which
identifies factors that could cause the Company's actual performance to differ
materially from that contemplated by any such forward-looking statements.



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PRODUCTS

         Overview. The Company's aluminum extrusions are sold to a wide array of
industries as summarized in the following table. Aluminum's valuable physical
properties include its light weight, resistance to corrosion, thermal and
electrical conductivity and high tensile strength.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
                                                                                         ALUMINUM SALES BY WEIGHT

INDUSTRY              PRIMARY CUSTOMERS             PRINCIPAL END-PRODUCTS                 1997          1996
--------              -----------------             ----------------------                 ----          ----

<S>                   <C>                           <C>                                    <C>           <C>
Building and          Manufacturers, assemblers     New and replacement windows and        25%           27%
Construction          and contractors               storm doors, wall partitions,
                                                    structural beams, patio
                                                    enclosures, bleacher seats, road
                                                    signs, skylights and curtain
                                                    walls

Transportation        Manufacturers of vehicles     Components used in truck bodies,       36%           31%
                      and their suppliers           recreational vehicles,
                                                    railcars,  step vans, van
                                                    conversions, automobiles,
                                                    emergency vehicles and livestock
                                                    trailers

Distribution          General metal distributors    Building and construction and          15%           19%
                      and service centers           transportation products and a
                      primarily serving the         variety of general industrial
                      building and construction     applications
                      and transportation industries

Electrical and Other  Manufacturers of coaxial      Coaxial cable, electrical              19%           15%
                      cable and distributors,       conduit, heat sinks and
                      contractors and fabricators   connectors

Consumer Durables     Manufacturers and assemblers  Components for boats, sports and        5%            8%
                      of finished goods and major   exercise equipment, swimming
                      subassemblers                 pools, health care equipment,
                                                    lawn and patio furniture
</TABLE>



         The Company does not consider its business to be dependent on sales to
any single customer or small number of customers, the loss of which would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial condition, with
the possible exception of coaxial cable sheathing sales, which are limited to a
market of only two customers, as discussed below. Including sales to this
market, the Company's top ten customers accounted for approximately 33% of its
1997 net sales. For additional information on the Company's customers, see "--
Managing Aluminum Price Fluctuations" and "-- Marketing and Distribution;
Customer Service."

         Building and Construction. Products for the building and construction
industry include new and replacement windows and storm door frames, wall
partitions, railings, structural beams and other components, patio enclosures,
solariums, skylights, bleacher seats, road signs, curtain walls and other


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products for both the commercial and residential markets. Window and door
products represent one of the Company's single largest markets, comprising
approximately 18% of total sales by weight in 1997. The Company's products are
sold to manufacturers, assemblers and contractors in both the new construction
and replacement window and door markets. The Company's commercial replacement
window market is most prevalent in Northeastern cities as older commercial
buildings are retrofitted with energy saving windows.

         Transportation. The transportation industry is a significant market for
extruded shapes used in truck bodies, recreational vehicles, step vans (delivery
vehicles) and van conversions as well as automobiles, beverage delivery trucks,
emergency vehicles, livestock trailers and motor homes. Through acquisitions and
capital spending, the Company has enhanced its position in the market for
transportation products, which represented approximately 36% of the Company's
total aluminum sales by weight in 1997. The Company is well positioned
geographically to serve this market through its Dolton, Illinois, its Elkhart
and Kokomo, Indiana and its Girard and Fostoria, Ohio plants. Since 1995, the
Company has expanded its access to the market for large structural aluminum
shapes (e.g., aluminum flooring and frame components) used by manufacturers of
truck trailers, truck bodies and railcars.

         Distribution. The Company has historically served the distribution
market primarily through sales to distributors servicing the building and
construction and transportation industries and, to a lesser extent, through
general metal distributors and service centers. These customers resell
extrusions and other metal products to manufacturers, contractors and other
industrial end users. To better meet the requirements of this market, the
Company has established and stocked depots to provide more rapid customer order
fulfillment on a number of inventory items.

         Electrical and Other. The Company is one of two principal manufacturers
in the world of sheathing for coaxial cable. Coaxial cable is predominantly
manufactured by only two companies. For over 10 years, the Company has been the
principal supplier to one of these manufacturers and currently serves as a
secondary supplier to the other.

          Sales in this segment depend upon new and replacement cable
installations, both domestically and internationally. Because coaxial cable has
an expected life of approximately 10 to 15 years before signal integrity begins
to erode, the replacement market could represent a large and stable market for
coaxial cable sheathing. Additionally, management believes that if cable
companies proceed with their announced cable system architecture to install
fiber optics (which do not utilize aluminum sheathing) from the head end
(transmission source) to the feeder nodes, it will be necessary to replace the
older, less efficient coaxial cable network that runs between the feeder nodes
and individual homes with new coaxial cable. Management believes that the
telecommunication industry will continue to undergo rapid change, both
technological and legislative; however, it is not possible to predict the impact
these changes will have on the market for sheathing for coaxial cable.

         The Company is one of three extruders in the United States that
manufactures aluminum electrical conduit pipe. Aluminum conduit is considered to
be superior to that manufactured with steel because aluminum is lighter in
weight, non-sparking, non-magnetic and resistant to corrosion. Aluminum
electrical conduit is frequently specified by engineers for use in applications
involving pulp, paper and petrochemicals due to its non-sparking
characteristics. The Company also manufactures extrusions for heat sinks,
connectors, and other electrical parts that are used by electrical equipment
manufacturers and utilities.

         Consumer Durables. The Company extrudes products for manufacturers of
finished goods and major sub-assemblers of consumer durable products. End use
products in this segment include, among others, boats, sports and exercise
equipment, swimming pools, health care equipment, appliances, and lawn and patio
furniture. In 1997, sales by weight to the consumer durables market accounted
for approximately 5% of the Company's total aluminum sales.



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         Vinyl Products. The Company's vinyl extrusions were sold primarily to
manufacturers of replacement windows used in the building and construction
industry. In 1997, vinyl extrusion shipments totaled 12.2 million pounds,
representing approximately 4% of the Company's total shipments by weight. In
January, 1998 the Company completed the sale of the vinyl extrusion operation.

MANUFACTURING

         The Company's manufacturing operations consist principally of casting,
extruding, fabricating and finishing aluminum. First, cylindrical aluminum logs
of between 16 and 20 feet in length and of varying diameters are cast from a
mixture of pure aluminum ingot and scrap aluminum. The logs are homogenized in
large ovens and cut into the optimal aluminum billet lengths (usually between 24
and 36 inches) for the products to be extruded. The aluminum billet is the raw
material used to manufacture aluminum extrusions. The process begins by heating
the billet and forcing it under high pressure in an extrusion press through a
die that forms the desired cross-sectional pattern or profile. Next, the
extrusions are either straightened by stretching, after which they are cut to
required lengths and, in most cases, age-hardened in ovens, or coiled onto reels
(as in the case of coaxial cable sheathing). These "mill finish" extrusions are
then either packed and shipped directly to customers or receive further
finishing and/or fabrication as specified by the customer.

Raw Materials

         The Company's major raw materials are primary aluminum, aluminum scrap
and, to a lesser extent, aluminum billet purchased on the open market.
Historically, the Company has produced approximately 80% to 85% of its billet
requirements in its own casting facilities utilizing primary aluminum ingot,
purchased aluminum scrap and scrap recycled from the Company's extrusion plants.
Billet is cast in a number of standard alloys dictated by the physical
properties required of the finished product. The balance of the Company's billet
requirements are purchased in the open market. The Company plans to be
substantially self-sufficient for its billet requirements after the completion
of an expansion at its Ahoskie, North Carolina casting facility by the end of
the second quarter of 1998.

         The Company buys primary aluminum ingot from metal brokers as well as
primary aluminum producers. As a global commodity, aluminum ingot is widely
available, and no single supplier or group of suppliers has been able to dictate
pricing. The Company typically purchases aluminum for casting as necessary to
meet its requirements, and generally engages in forward aluminum purchases to
meet the requirements of fixed price sales contracts. See "-- Managing Aluminum
Price Fluctuations."

         The Company's scrap aluminum requirements are purchased from scrap
brokers, dealers, other extruders and customers. Aluminum scrap sells at a
discount to primary aluminum, with the amount of the differential dependent upon
aluminum price levels, grade of the scrap and scrap market conditions. These
differentials generally make it advantageous for companies with casting
capabilities to utilize as high a percentage of scrap in their raw material mix
as possible. The differentials, measured as a percentage of primary aluminum
prices, have generally been fairly consistent over time.

 Casting Operations

         Billet casting operations typically fall into one of two categories:
primary and secondary. Primary billet refers to billet produced as part of the
original process of smelting aluminum from alumina and is dominated by the large
integrated aluminum producers, including Alcan Aluminum Ltd., Alumax, Inc.,
Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, Noranda
Aluminum Inc., Pechiney Corp. and Reynolds Metals Company. Secondary billet,
which refers to billet cast from recycled and remelted aluminum, is produced by
a number of casting operations, including the Company's casting operations,
other extruders with casting capabilities and independent casting companies.

         The first step in the Company's casting process is to melt aluminum
ingot and scrap in a large natural gas fired furnace. The liquid aluminum is
either alloyed directly in the melting furnace or transferred to a holding
furnace where the proper alloying materials are added. The aluminum is then cast
into logs of varying diameters, with lengths of 16 to 20 feet. These logs are
subsequently heated in ovens.


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This heating process, called homogenization, allows the cast aluminum to achieve
an evenly distributed chemical composition which is optimal for extruding and
ensures consistency. After homogenization, the logs are cut into shorter lengths
called billet, bundled and shipped or transferred to the Company's extrusion
plants.

 Aluminum Extrusion

         In the aluminum extrusion process, a billet is first heated, placed
into an extrusion press, and forced, or extruded, through a die that creates the
desired profile or cross-sectional design. Extrusions are then either
straightened by stretching and cut to the required lengths (in the case of
lineal extrusions) or coiled onto reels (in the case of coaxial cable
sheathing). Most extrusions are hardened by aging in large ovens for four to ten
hours. Drawn tubing requires additional processing in which an extruded pipe is
pulled through a die to create thin-walled aluminum tubing.

         During the extrusion process, scrap is generated at several stages and
is collected and shipped to the Company's casting facilities for recasting into
billet. The Company's management is focusing on programs intended to reduce
internally generated scrap with a goal of scrap levels below those previously
achieved by the Company.

 Fabrication and Finishing

         The Company provides its customers with a variety of value-added
services, such as painting, anodizing, thermal filling, threading, bending,
cutting to length and drilling. Value-added services enhance the Company's
ability to produce factory-finished extrusions that are ready for the customer's
manufacturing or assembly processes. Management believes that the Company is an
industry leader in painted extrusions, with approximately 76 million pounds
shipped in 1997. Approximately 41% of all products sold by the Company in 1997
included some degree of value-added processing.

 Utilization and Capacity

         The Company's objective is to operate at maximum facility utilization,
defined as full machine usage three shifts per day, seven days per week, 50
weeks per year. Achievement of this objective would allow the Company to produce
approximately 400 million pounds of aluminum extrusions annually, compared to
approximately 308 million pounds of aluminum extrusions shipped by the Company
in 1997. While several plants already operate at full capacity during periods of
high demand, the Company's sales and marketing efforts are focused on achieving
greater sales and profitability in the first and fourth quarters, when capacity
utilization has generally been lower.

         Management believes the Company operates at a higher level of
utilization than the industry average based on the Company's production of
approximately 8% of all soft alloy extrusions shipped in 1997 with approximately
4.8% of the industry's active presses. Management believes the Company has a
cost advantage over many smaller competitors, since a high level of facility
utilization is important in order to utilize operating leverage by spreading
fixed costs over the greatest possible production levels.

         The Company believes that its existing and expanded casting facilities,
coupled with purchases of extrusion billet and log on the open market as, and to
the extent necessary, will be adequate to supply the billet requirements of the
Company's extrusion plants operating at full utilization rates. Because
efficient in-house casting provides cost advantages, the Company is focusing on
improving its casting capability through improved technology and expanded
facilities at its Ahoskie, North Carolina casting facility.


                                       8
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MANAGING ALUMINUM PRICE FLUCTUATIONS

         In 1990, the Company began offering its Customer Conversion Program,
allowing its larger customers to provide the Company with the primary aluminum
ingot needed to produce their extrusion requirements. The Company, in turn,
casts the customer-supplied ingot along with its own purchased ingot and scrap
aluminum into billet and subsequently manufactures the customer's extrusions to
order. The Company performs the casting and extrusion for an agreed upon tolling
fee, shipping extruded products to Conversion Program customers in the amount
ordered, which generally corresponds to the weight of the aluminum provided by
the customer. The Customer Conversion Program offers the Company's customers the
flexibility, at their choosing, to lock in aluminum costs by making forward
purchases of aluminum ingot. This program effectively eliminates the Company's
risk of aluminum price volatility with respect to these larger customers. While
some of the Company's competitors have implemented similar programs, management
believes the Customer Conversion Program provides the Company with a competitive
advantage over the independent extruders that do not have casting operations.
Management believes this program increases sales volume and loyalty from certain
customers, particularly those that enter into longer term aluminum supply
contracts, and consequently will enter into a relationship with the Company for
at least the duration of their aluminum supply contract. Furthermore, the
program reduces the working capital requirements of the Company by reducing both
accounts receivable and inventories. In 1997, shipments under the Customer
Conversion Program accounted for 32% of the Company's total pounds shipped,
compared to 10.1% in 1990, the first full year of the program.

         In addition to the Customer Conversion Program, the Company offers
three pricing alternatives that allow its customers to control the impact of
aluminum price fluctuations and minimize the Company's aluminum price
fluctuation risk. These three alternatives are (i) a formula, adjusted monthly
or quarterly, which sets the Company's selling price at the market price of
aluminum plus a spread; (ii) an arrangement whereby the Company concurrently
enters into an agreement to sell certain quantities of finished product to the
customer and an agreement to buy or set aside the same amount of raw aluminum at
pre-determined prices on set dates; and (iii) market-based pricing, where the
Company's selling prices are quoted at a spread to the spot price of aluminum.
The Company also regularly monitors its inventory levels, purchase commitments
and sales commitments and, from time to time, adjusts its inventory levels and
enters into forward aluminum commodity sales and/or purchase contracts to keep
its inventory levels and production requirements in balance.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

         Beginning in 1992, the Company began implementing a capital expenditure
program focused on cost reduction and efficiency improvement projects,
particularly relating to improving material handling equipment and reducing
scrap rates. Under the Company's capital structure prior to 1992, numerous
attractive cost reduction projects could not be undertaken because capital
expenditures were generally limited to maintenance-level requirements. During
1990 and 1991, the Company's total capital expenditures averaged $2.0 million
annually. From 1993 through 1997, the Company's capital expenditures, excluding
the Dolton acquisiton have averaged approximately $9.3 million annually.

         Several key capacity expansion and productivity improvement projects
have been completed since 1992, including: new and refurbished extrusion
presses; new extrusion press handling systems and one new and one upgraded paint
line. In addition, the Company began a $6.5 million expansion of its Ahoskie,
North Carolina casting faciltiy in 1997 which the Company plans to have
operational by the end of the second quarter of 1998.



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MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION; CUSTOMER SERVICE

         The Company markets its products through a separate sales force based
at each facility, selling to approximately 2,600 customers in 1997 in a variety
of industries and markets located throughout the U.S., though the Company's
primary focus is in the Eastern, Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
While overall sales strategy and base pricing management are centralized at the
corporate level, each general manager and facility sales staff are responsible
for promoting the Company's products, identifying marketing opportunities,
servicing customers and aligning their sales efforts with regional customer
requirements and plant capabilites. Management believes this provides a higher
overall level of customer service and results in a greater degree of customer
loyalty. Compensation of the direct sales force is comprised of salary and
performance-based bonuses. The Company also utilizes outside sales agents to
supplement its marketing effort for certain of its products.

         Management believes the most important elements of customer service in
the extrusion industry are responsiveness to customer orders, predictable lead
times, short delivery cycles and on-time delivery. The Company seeks to provide
its customers with predictable lead times and short product delivery cycles so
that its customers can optimize their inventory management. The Company reserves
press time for key customers to accommodate their production schedules, and is
generally able to fulfill critical orders from key customers within 48 hours of
receipt by taking advantage of its strategically located plants and its own
fleet of trucks.

         Pricing in the aluminum extrusion industry is typically based upon
spreads over aluminum prices, with the amount of the spreads determined
primarily by the type of extrusion. For example, spreads are generally higher
for certain products that are relatively more difficult or time consuming to
extrude, such as hollow shapes or thin-wall items.

         The Company distributes a portion of its products through its own fleet
of tractors and trailers. A majority of the Company's tractors and trailers are
leased. Management believes that maintaining a fleet of tractor-trailers
enhances the level of service to customers by enabling the Company to deliver
its products in a more timely manner with less damage. Beginning in 1992, the
Company rationalized its distribution strategy by using contract carriers and
common carriers for certain long hauls, partial loads and trips where no back
haul is available, thereby reducing the number of leased tractors and trailers
necessary, and reducing operating costs without materially affecting delivery
capabilities.

         Because lead times in the extrusion industry are generally less than
one month, the dollar amount of backlog orders is not significant.

COMPETITION

         The soft alloy aluminum extrusion industry is fragmented and highly
competitive. Management estimates that, in the United States, over 100
independent and integrated aluminum extruders operate more than 170 aluminum
extrusion plants and more than 450 extrusion presses. Management believes a
majority of these competitors operate only one or two presses and estimates that
nearly one half of the industry's output is produced by large, vertically
integrated producers of primary aluminum such as Alumax, Kaiser and Alcoa.
Management believes that while capacity within the aluminum extrusion industry
has increased during the past two years, it is at a level lower than the late
1980's. The industry has undergone consolidation in recent years, as evidenced
by the acquisition of Cressona Aluminum by Alumax and the pending acquisition of
Alumax by Alcoa.

         Competition is generally conducted on a regional basis due in part to
the large number of extruders and transportation costs. The marketplace requires
each competitor to supply a quality product at a competitive price. Suppliers
differentiate themselves based upon shorter lead times, timely deliveries, the
availability of value-added finishing and fabricating services and overall
customer service.


                                       10
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         The U.S. extrusion industry has not faced significant foreign
competition since the high level of service required to compete effectively in
the U.S. market would generally be difficult to maintain with foreign production
facilities, where the delay between the receipt of orders and delivery of
finished products, coupled with incremental shipping costs, places foreign
manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage. Management believes that these
factors would require an importer of foreign aluminum extrusions to maintain a
comparatively high level of finished goods inventories in the U.S. to meet
routine customer demands. These required inventories would increase an
importer's relative working capital requirements and its exposure to swings in
aluminum prices and product changes. Management is not aware of any significant
foreign extruders that have pursued this strategy.

EMPLOYEES

         As of December 31, 1997, the Company employed 1,968 people, 1,381 of
whom were covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company's collective
bargaining agreements are independently negotiated at each manufacturing
facility and expire on a staggered basis. Locals affiliated with the
International Union of Operating Engineers and the United Steelworkers of
America represent most of the organized employees. Since 1980, the Company has
operated without a work stoppage, and Dolton has experienced only one single-day
work stoppage in 1991; however, there can be no assurance that work stoppages
will not occur in the future. In 1997 two union contracts were successfully
renewed. In February, 1998, one union contract was successfully renewed and
three additional contracts are scheduled for renewal during the balance of 1998.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         The Company is subject to a wide variety of federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations ("Environmental Laws") which continue to be
adopted and amended. These Environmental Laws regulate, among other things, air
and water emissions and discharges at the Company's manufacturing facilities;
the generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and
hazardous waste by the Company; the release of hazardous substances, pollutants
and contaminants into the environment at properties operated by the Company and
at other sites; and, in some circumstances, the environmental condition of
property prior to a transfer or sale. Risks of significant environmental costs
and liabilities are inherent in the operations and facilities of the Company, as
well as other participants in the aluminum extrusion industry. The Company
believes, however, that its current operations are in substantial compliance
with Environmental Laws.

         The Company believes that approximately 16 of the disposal facilities
known to have been used by the Company are "Superfund" sites or potentially will
be considered for Superfund status. The Company has been named as a "potentially
responsible party" with respect to the disposal of wastes at six of these waste
disposal sites under the federal "Superfund" statute and certain analogous state
statutes. Based upon information known to the Company concerning the size of
these sites, their years of operation, the number of past users and the
characteristics of the Company's waste generation, management believes that the
Company's proportionate share of the cost of the necessary investigation and
eventual remedial work that may need to be performed at the sites will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.

         A number of the Company's present and past facilities have been in
operation for many years, and it is possible that additional environmental
issues that could be material may arise in the future. Also, future regulations
and changes in the text or interpretation of existing Environmental Laws may
subject the Company's operations to increasingly stringent standards. While the
precise effect of these changes on the Company cannot be estimated, compliance
with such requirements may make it necessary, at costs which may be substantial,
to retrofit existing facilities with additional pollution-control equipment and
to undertake new measures in connection with the storage, transportation,
treatment and disposal of by-products and wastes.

         While the ultimate extent of the Company's liability for pending or
potential fines, penalties, remedial costs, claims and litigation relating to
environmental laws and health and safety matters and future capital



                                       11
<PAGE>   12


expenditures that may be associated with environmental laws cannot be determined
at this time, management, with the assistance of outside environmental
consultants, regularly assesses the Company's environmental contingencies. After
an extensive review of each operating facility and all known environmental
exposures by management and outside environmental consultants during 1997, the
Company reduced the recorded environmental reserve by $2.3 million to reflect
the Company's best estimate of costs of remedial action as well as any related
legal and consulting work. As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, the
Company's environmental reserves totaled $6.3 million and $9.3 million.
Management believes such amounts, under existing laws and regulations, are
adequate to cover presently identified environmental liabilities, but no
assurance can be given that such amounts will be adequate to cover the ultimate
costs of these liabilities, or the cost of environmental liabilities that may
arise or be identified in the future. Although management expects that any cash
outlays with respect to such matters would be made over a number of years, the
timing of any such expenditures cannot be determined.

PATENTS

         The Company owns certain patents and licenses some patent rights from
third parties. The Company does not believe, however, that its business as a
whole, or the business of its industry, is dependent on any single patent, group
of patents, trademark or franchise.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NAME                        AGE      POSITION
     ----                        ---      --------
<S>                              <C>      <C>
     Norman E. Wells, Jr.        49       President and Chief Executive Officer
     Terry D. Smith              43       Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     Joseph M. Byers             53       Vice President, Sales and Marketing
     James R. McKeithan          52       Vice President, Operations
     Lawrence J. Sax             65       Vice President, Raw Materials
     Thomas H. DuFore            43       Vice President, Human Resources
</TABLE>

         Mr. Wells joined the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer
in November 1996. From March 1993 to November 1996 he was President and Chief
Executive Officer for CasTech Aluminum Group Inc. From 1989 to 1993 he held
various executive positions with CasTech. Prior to his CasTech experience, he
spent 14 years with Kaiser Aluminum.

         Mr. Smith joined the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer in November 1996. Previously he was Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer for CasTech Aluminum Group Inc., from 1987 to
1996.

         Mr. Byers joined the Company as Vice President, Sales and Marketing in
November 1996. For more than five years previously, he was Vice President, Sales
and Marketing for Barmet Aluminum Corporation, a producer of continuous cast
aluminum sheet.

         Mr. McKeithan joined the Company as Vice President, Operations in
November 1996. Previously he was Vice President, Production for Barmet Aluminum
Corporation from 1992 to 1996. Prior thereto he held a similar position with
Ravenswood Aluminum Company, a producer of aluminum sheet and plate.

         Mr. Sax joined the Company as Vice President, Raw Materials in December
1996. From 1992 to 1996 he served as Vice President, Materials Management for
Barmet Aluminum Corporation. From 1988 to 1992 he served as Vice President,
Recycling for WTE Corporation, a materials recycler.

         Mr. DuFore joined the Company as Vice President, Human Resources in
April 1997. From 1994 to March, 1997 he served as Vice President, Human
Resources for Columbia National Group, Inc. From 1989 to 1994 he served as
Director, Human Resources for Barmet Aluminum Corporation.



                                       12
<PAGE>   13



                              CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

         Holders of the Company's securities and prospective investors should
consider the following factors with the other information contained in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K, in connection with an investment in the Company's
securities. Information contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are not historical
facts or use forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "plans,"
"expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "should" or "continue" or the
negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The
matters set forth below constitute cautionary statements identifying important
factors with respect to such forward-looking statements, including certain risks
and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated by any such forward-looking statements.



CUSTOMERS IN CYCLICAL INDUSTRIES; LIMITED BACKLOGS

         Demand for most of the Company's products is cyclical in nature and
subject to changes in general economic conditions that affect market demand.
Sales to the building and construction markets are driven by trends in
commercial and residential construction, housing starts, residential repair and
remodelings. Transportation sales are also cyclical in nature and typically
follow the trends in the automotive, truck and recreational vehicle
manufacturing industries, while sales of coaxial cable sheathing are dependent
upon the replacement and/or expanded installation of coaxial cable for cable
television. Many of the industries served by the Company have experienced
recessionary or slow growth conditions for substantial periods in the past, and
adverse economic conditions may have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business or financial condition. Historically, lower demand has led to lower
margins, lower production levels or both. The Company's capacity utilization is
also materially affected by demand levels, and capacity utilization is an
important factor in the Company's operating performance. The Company and the
extrusion industry generally operate with limited order backlogs, so that
adverse changes in demand can rapidly impact production levels and operating
performance. Adverse economic conditions affecting the overall economy or one or
more of the Company's end-use markets therefore may have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business and financial condition.

SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

         The Company is highly leveraged with a debt (net of cash) to total
capitalization ratio of 49.8% at December 31, 1997. The Company is also
permitted to incur additional indebtedness if, at the time, it is able to comply
with restrictions under the indenture governing its 10% Senior Notes due 2001
(the "Senior Note Indenture") and the Company's revolving credit agreement (the
"Credit Agreement"). The Company is more highly leveraged than certain of its
competitors, which may place the Company at a competitive disadvantage. The
Company's degree of leverage may make it more vulnerable to a downturn in
general economic conditions, particularly in the building and construction and
transportation industries, and limit its ability to respond to changing business
and economic conditions. In addition, the Company expects that it will likely
require additional financing to refinance its Senior Notes at maturity in 2001.
There can be no assurance that such additional financing will be available at
that time, or available on reasonable terms.

ALUMINUM MARKET CONDITIONS

         The Company's primary raw materials are aluminum ingot and scrap
aluminum. The Company is therefore subject to the short-term commodity risk of
carrying aluminum in its inventory. In addition, because changes in aluminum
prices are generally passed through to the Company's customers, increases or
decreases in aluminum prices generally cause corresponding increases and
decreases in reported net sales, causing


                                       13
<PAGE>   14



fluctuations in reported revenues that are unrelated to the level of business
activity. Any major dislocation in the supply and/or price of aluminum could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial
condition. If the Company is unable to pass through aluminum price changes to
its customers in the future, the Company could be materially adversely affected.
Aluminum price levels may also impact the level of inventories the Company's
customers seek to maintain, and may thereby impact the Company's order rates as
customers adjust their inventories.

VARIABLE COSTS

         In a competitive industry that has experienced limited market growth in
recent periods, the Company's operating performance depends to a material extent
on its ability to control variable costs. Certain of the Company's costs are
significantly affected by factors beyond the Company's control. For example, the
Company's casting operations use significant quantities of natural gas,
increases in the price of which adversely impacted the Company's operating
performance in 1996 and could adversely affect operating performance in future
periods. Similarly, the Company's labor costs are affected by regional and
national labor market conditions, which could adversely affect labor costs in
the event of labor shortages or prevailing wage increases in one or more
locations. For example, relatively full employment at certain of the Company's
operating locations has contributed to higher labor costs at those locations.
The Company attempts to control variable costs in part through capital
expenditures that are intended to increase manufacturing efficiency. There can
be no assurance that the Company's capital expenditure program will successfully
reduce or limit operating costs, or that the Company's other variable costs will
not experience material increases.

COMPETITION AND MODERATE BARRIERS TO ENTRY

         The aluminum extrusion industry is fragmented and highly competitive.
The Company faces competition from other independent aluminum extruders as well
as certain vertically integrated aluminum companies (i.e., those with primary
aluminum ingot production capacity) that participate in the extrusion market.
Some of the Company's competitors, particularly those that are vertically
integrated, have greater financial resources than the Company, and certain
competitors have merged in recent years (including Alumax Aluminum and Cressona
Aluminum in 1995 and the pending acquisition of Alumax by Alcoa). The impact of
competition can be particularly acute in market segments where there are a
limited number of customers (e.g., cable sheathing). The aluminum extrusion
industry has not experienced significant growth in recent years, and market
share expansion may require price competition that can adversely affect
profitability. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
compete successfully or that competition will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business or financial condition.

         Other building materials (such as vinyl) may be substituted for
aluminum in certain applications (particularly replacement window frames) and
competition from manufacturers of these materials could adversely affect the
Company's business.

         Management believes that the extrusion industry offers only moderate
barriers to entry, and extrusion presses and other capital equipment are readily
available on the open market. Although management is aware of no significant
recent entrants, there can be no assurance that new entrants will not increase
competition in the aluminum extrusion industry, which could adversely affect the
Company.

ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

         See "Environmental Matters" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


                                       14
<PAGE>   15


ACQUIRED ASSETS

         The Company may acquire companies or assets that would enable the
Company to offer complementary products or expand geographic coverage, and that
management considers likely to enhance the Company's operations and
profitability. There can be no assurance that any business or assets acquired by
the Company will be integrated successfully into the Company's operations or be
able to operate profitably. For example, the Company's acquisitions of Dolton in
1995 and certain extrusion assets in Kokomo, Indiana in 1994 have not been
profitable, resulting in a special pre-tax charge of approximately $23.3 million
to write down the carrying value of certain related assets in the year ended
December 31, 1996.

SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS

         The Company's business is subject to seasonal and quarterly
fluctuations. Historically, demand for extrusions and therefore capacity
utilization has generally been highest in the summer months, resulting in a
higher portion of the Company's net sales and profits in the second and third
quarters relative to the first and fourth quarters of each year. The Company's
quarterly earnings may also be affected by the timing of acquisitions (if any)
or the integration or commencement of new press operations which may affect the
availability and extent of utilization of additional press capacity.


MANAGEMENT REALIGNMENT; DEPENDENCE ON KEY MANAGEMENT

         In November 1996, the Company appointed a new group of senior executive
officers, including its President and Chief Executive Officer, its Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, its Vice President-Sales and
Marketing, its Vice President-Operations and Vice President-Raw Materials. In
connection with this management realignment, the Company incurred special
pre-tax charges of approximately $3.5 million in the year ended December 31,
1996. The success of the Company depends to a large extent on this new
management team, including the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer,
Norman E. Wells, Jr. The Company does not maintain key-man life insurance on any
of its executive officers.

LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS

         The declaration and payment of dividends by the Company are subject to
the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. Any future
determination to pay dividends will depend on the Company's results of
operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions
and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. Presently, the
Senior Note Indenture and the Credit Agreement contain certain covenants which
limit Easco's ability to pay dividends to Easco, Inc. and therefore limit Easco,
Inc.'s ability to pay dividends. The Company intends to retain earnings to
retire indebtedness and support the growth of the Company's business. Although
the Company presently intends to continue its practice of paying a regular
quarterly dividend of $.01 per share, there can be no assurance that the Board
of Directors of the Company will declare or pay dividends on the Common Stock in
the future.

CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER

         American Industrial Partners Capital Fund, L.P. ("AIP") beneficially
owns 40.5% of Easco, Inc.'s outstanding Common Stock. Accordingly, AIP will have
substantial voting power in the election of the Board of Directors of Easco,
Inc. and, in general, the determination of any corporate transaction or other
matter submitted to the stockholders for approval, including mergers,
consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, and in preventing or causing a change in control of the Company.
American Industrial Partners Management Company ("AIPM") will continue to
provide advisory services to the Company on an ongoing basis pursuant to a
Services Agreement.


                                       15
<PAGE>   16


ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

         Certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Certificate") of Easco, Inc. may be deemed to have
anti-takeover effects and may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt that a
stockholder might consider to be in its best interest. These provisions (i)
classify Easco, Inc.'s Board of Directors into three classes, each of which will
serve for different three-year periods, (ii) authorize the issuance of up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock of Easco, Inc., the rights, preferences,
privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of which the Board of
Directors is authorized to fix without any further vote or action by the
stockholders, (iii) generally prohibit stockholder action by written consent and
stockholder-called special meetings unless approved by the Board of Directors,
(iv) prohibit removal of Easco, Inc.'s directors except upon the vote of a
majority of the Board of Easco, Inc. or upon a vote of the holders of 80% of the
Common Stock and (v) require a vote of the holders of 80% of the Common Stock to
amend the classified board and director removal provisions. Easco, Inc. is also
subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits
certain business combinations between Easco, Inc. and certain stockholders.

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales
of shares of Common Stock or availability of such shares for future sale will
have on the market price of the Common Stock prevailing from time to time. Sales
of substantial amounts of Common Stock (including shares issued upon the
exercise of stock options), or the perception that such sales could occur, could
adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock. Easco, Inc. has
approximately 10.4 million shares of Common Stock outstanding (net or treasury
shares), excluding approximately 1.2 million issuable upon the exercise of stock
options held by Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and management, and stock options
eligible for future grants. Such shares are generally freely tradeable subject
to the volume and other limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of
1933. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, certain existing stockholders
have "piggy-back" registration rights with respect to their shares in any future
registration of Common Stock by Easco, Inc.


                                       16
<PAGE>   17


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

         The Company operates three casting facilities, nine extrusion
facilities, one drawn tube facility, one fabrication facility, one vinyl
extrusion facility (sold in January,1998), a total of 21 aluminum extrusion
presses and four paint lines. The Company's facilities, which are located in
five states, are listed below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              NO. OF ACTIVE
                                                                                                ALUMINUM
                                                                                                EXTRUSION
LOCATION                          OPERATIONS                               BLDG. SQ. FT.         PRESSES
--------                          ----------                               -------------         -------
<S>                               <C>                                         <C>                  <C>
Connecticut:
   Berlin                         Extrusion/Paint                               100,000             2
Illinois:
   Dolton                         Extrusion/Casting                             348,000             2
Indiana:
   Elkhart                        Extrusion                                      80,000             2
   Kokomo(1)                       Extrusion                                     234,000            2

North Carolina:
   Ahoskie                        Casting                                        33,000            --
   Burlington                     Extrusion                                     180,000             4
   Winton                         Extrusion/Fabrication                         370,000             3
                                  Drawn Tube/Paint
Ohio:
   Fostoria                       Extrusion                                      33,000             1
   Girard                         Extrusion/Paint                               343,000             3
   Niles                          Extrusion                                      31,000             2
   Niles                          Casting                                        78,000            --
                                                                           ------------            --
Totals                                                                        1,993,000            21
                                                                           ============            ==
</TABLE>

---------------------
1/ The Kokomo facilities is leased. All other facilities are owned.

         None of the Company's owned facilities are mortgaged.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The Company is a party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary
course of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of
these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or
financial condition. Certain other lawsuits involving the Company relate to
environmental matters. See "Business --Environmental Matters."

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

         No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of fiscal year 1997 through a solicitation of proxies or
otherwise.


                                       17
<PAGE>   18


                                     PART II

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

         The information regarding market price and dividends on the Company's
Common Stock and related stockholder matters as required by this Item is
incorporated by reference to the inside back cover of the Company's 1997 Annual
Report to Stockholders.


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

         The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to
pages 8 through 12 of the Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to
pages 6 and 7 and pages 13 through 23 of the Company's 1997 Annual Report to
Stockholders.

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

         None


                                       18
<PAGE>   19


                                    PART III

ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY

         The information concerning the Company's directors required by this
Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under
the caption "Proposal I -- Election of Directors."

         The information concerning the Company's executive officers required by
this Item is incorporated by reference herein to the section in Part I, Item I
under the caption "Executive Officers."

         The information regarding compliance with Section 16 of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated by reference to the Company's 1997
Proxy Statement under the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance."

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation."

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the caption "Ownership of the Company's
Common Stock."

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's 1997 Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation --
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
                                     PART IV

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

1.  Financial Statements:

        (a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

         Independent Auditors' Report

         Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996

         Consolidated Statements of Operations and Stockholders' Equity for the
         years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
         1997, 1996 and 1995

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.  Financial Statement Schedules:

         None Required


                                       19
<PAGE>   20



3.  Exhibits:

           Exhibit
           Number          Description
           ------          -----------

           3.1(a)*         Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

           3.1(b)***       Certificate of Correction dated June 2, 1995

           3.2*            By-Laws of Easco, Inc.

           4.1*            Form of Common Stock Certificate

           4.2*            Indenture dated March 18, 1994 between Easco and
                           United States Trust Company, as Trustee, with respect
                           to 10% Senior Notes due 2001

           4.3(a)*         Credit Agreement dated March 18, 1994 between Easco
                           and Bank of America (formerly Continental Bank)

           4.3(b)*         First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated January 31,
                           1995

           4.3(c)****      Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February
                           18, 1997

           4.4*            Information and Registration Rights Agreement dated
                           as of May 15, 1992

           10.1**          Amended and Restated Services Agreement for general
                           management, financial and other services between
                           Easco and American Industrial Partners Management
                           Company, Inc.

           10.3(a)*        Option Agreement for the right to purchase stock of
                           Easco, Inc. between Easco, Inc. and Citicorp Venture
                           Capital

           10.3(b)*        Amendment to Option Agreement dated as of April 12,
                           1995

           10.5(a)****     Easco, Inc. Stock Option Plan dated December 17,
                           1993, as amended effective November 24, 1996+

           10.5(b)(i)      Form of Stock Option Agreement between Easco, Inc.
           ****            and each of Norman E. Wells,  Jr., Terry D.
                           Smith, Joseph M. Byers, Lawrence J. Sax and James R.
                           McKeithan+ ($3.00 exercise price)

                  (ii)     Form of Stock Option Agreement relating to Options
           ****            between Easco, Inc. and each of Norman E. Wells, Jr.,
                           Terry D. Smith, Joseph M. Byers, Lawrence J. Sax and
                           James R. McKeithan+ ($6.00 exercise price)

                  (iii)    Form of Stock Option Agreement relating to Options
           ****            between Easco, Inc. and each of Terry D. Smith,
                           Joseph M. Byers, James R. McKeithan and Lawrence J.
                           Sax+ ($5.75 exercise price except for Lawrence J. Sax
                           - $7.25 exercise price)

           10.5(c)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Norman E. Wells, Jr. Dated as of December 20, 1996+


                                       20
<PAGE>   21



           10.5(d)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Terry D. Smith dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(e)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Joseph M. Byers dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(f)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           James R. McKeithan dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(g)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Lawrence J. Sax dated as of December 30, 1996+

           10.8*           Easco Corporation Supplemental Executive Welfare
                           Benefit Plan+

           10.9****        Easco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement
                           Plan as amended effective 1996+

           11.1            Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

           12.1            Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings
                           to Fixed Charges (filed herewith)

           13.1            1997 Annual Report to Stockholders (filed herewith)
                           Only those portions of such Annual Report which are
                           expressly incorporated by reference in this Annual
                           Report on Form 10-K are deemed "filed" as part of
                           this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

           15.1            Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith)

           21.1*           Subsidiaries of Easco, Inc.

         *      Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                dated February 15, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto
                filed March 22, 1995, Amendment No. 2 filed March 28, 1995, and
                Amendment No. 3 filed April 12, 1995 (Registration Statement
                Number 33-89556).

         **     Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 1995.

         ***    Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to Form 10-Q filed November 13, 1995.

         ****   Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 31, 1997.

         +      Executive compensation plan or arrangement

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

         A Form 8-K was filed on September 15, 1997 to announce a restructuring
         at Dolton, an expansion at Ahoskie and management's intent to sell the
         vinyl operation.


                                       21
<PAGE>   22

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, on the 27th day of March
1998.

                                   EASCO, INC.


                                   By:       /s/  NORMAN E. WELLS, JR.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Norman E. Wells, Jr., President and
                                         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 indicated on the 27th day of March 1998.

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER (AND DIRECTOR)                DIRECTORS


<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
             /s/ NORMAN E. WELLS, JR.                                     /s/ ROBERT CIZIK
---------------------------------------------------       --------------------------------------------------
       Norman E. Wells, Jr., President and                                  Robert Cizik
             Chief Executive Officer

                                                                         /s/ RAYMOND E. ROSS
                                                          --------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER AND                                           Raymond E. Ross
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

                /s/ TERRY D. SMITH                                       /s/ ROBERT J. KLEIN
---------------------------------------------------       --------------------------------------------------
     Terry D. Smith, Executive Vice President                              Robert J. Klein
           and Chief Financial Officer


                                                                      /s/ LAWRENCE W. WARD, JR.
                                                          --------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Lawrence W. Ward, Jr.


                                                                         /s/ GENE E. LITTLE
                                                          --------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Gene E. Little


                                                                       /s/ THEODORE C. ROGERS
                                                          --------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Theodore C. Rogers


                                                                      /s/ SAMUEL H. SMITH, JR.
                                                          --------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Samuel H. Smith, Jr.
</TABLE>




                                       22
<PAGE>   23


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                   Description

           Exhibit
           Number          Description
           ------          -----------

           3.1(a)*         Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

           3.1(b)***       Certificate of Correction dated June 2, 1995

           3.2*            By-Laws of Easco, Inc.

           4.1*            Form of Common Stock Certificate

           4.2*            Indenture dated March 18, 1994 between Easco and
                           United States Trust Company, as Trustee, with respect
                           to 10% Senior Notes due 2001

           4.3(a)*         Credit Agreement dated March 18, 1994 between Easco
                           and Bank of America (formerly Continental Bank)

           4.3(b)*         First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated January 31,
                           1995

           4.3(c)****      Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February
                           18, 1997

           4.4*            Information and Registration Rights Agreement dated
                           as of May 15, 1992

           10.1**          Amended and Restated Services Agreement for general
                           management, financial and other services between
                           Easco and American Industrial Partners Management
                           Company, Inc.

           10.3(a)*        Option Agreement for the right to purchase stock of
                           Easco, Inc. between Easco, Inc. and Citicorp Venture
                           Capital

           10.3(b)*        Amendment to Option Agreement dated as of April 12,
                           1995


           10.5(a)****     Easco, Inc. Stock Option Plan dated December 17,
                           1993, as amended effective November 24, 1996+

           10.5(b)(i)      Form of Stock Option Agreement between Easco, Inc.
           ****            and each of Norman E. Wells, Jr., Terry D. Smith,
                           Joseph M. Byers, Lawrence J. Sax and James R.
                           McKeithan+ ($3.00 exercise price)

                  (ii)     Form of Stock Option Agreement relating to Options
           ****            between Easco, Inc. and each of Norman E. Wells, Jr.,
                           Terry D. Smith, Joseph M. Byers, Lawrence J. Sax and
                           James R. McKeithan+ ($6.00 exercise price)

                  (iii)    Form of Stock Option Agreement relating to Options
           ****            between Easco, Inc. and each of Terry D. Smith,
                           Joseph M. Byers, James R. McKeithan and Lawrence J.
                           Sax+ ($8.75 exercise price except for Lawrence J. Sax
                           - $7.25 exercise price)


                                       23
<PAGE>   24



           10.5(c)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Norman E. Wells, Jr. dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(d)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Terry D. Smith dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(e)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Joseph M. Byers dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(f)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           James R. McKeithan dated as of December 20, 1996+

           10.5(g)****     Employment Agreement between Easco Corporation and
                           Lawrence J. Sax dated as of December 30, 1996+

           10.8*           Easco Corporation Supplemental Executive Welfare
                           Benefit Plan+

           10.9****        Easco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement
                           Plan as amended effective 1996+

           11.1            Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

           12.1            Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings
                           to Fixed Charges (filed herewith) page

           13.1            1997 Annual Report to Stockholders (filed herewith)
                           follows page Only those portions of such Annual
                           Report which are expressly incorporated by reference
                           in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are deemed "filed"
                           as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

           15.1            Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith)

           21.1*           Subsidiaries of Easco, Inc.


         *      Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                dated February 15, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto
                filed March 22, 1995, Amendment No. 2 filed March 28, 1995, and
                Amendment No. 3 filed April 12, 1995 (Registration Statement
                Number 33-89556).

         **     Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 1995.

         ***    Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to Form 10-Q filed November 13, 1995.

         ****   Incorporated by reference to corresponding exhibit filed as an
                exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 31, 1997.

         +      Executive compensation plan or arrangement



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