<PAGE>


                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                                      1934

     Filed by the registrant [X]

     Filed by a party other than the registrant [_]

   Check the appropriate box:

     [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement

     [_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
  14a-6(e)(2))

     [X] Definitive Proxy Statement

     [_] Definitive additional materials

     [_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                          REPUBLIC GROUP INCORPORATED
                    --------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                                 Not Applicable
                    --------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

   Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):

     [_] No fee required.

     [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
  0-11.

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


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

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


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

     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
  pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
  filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

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

     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


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

     (5) Total fee paid:


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

     [X] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

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

     (1) Amount previously paid:

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

     (2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:

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

     (3) Filing party:

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

     (4) Date filed:

                       --------------------------------
<PAGE>

                          REPUBLIC GROUP INCORPORATED
                                 P.O. Box 1307
                         Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-1307

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

                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                                   TO BE HELD

                             NOVEMBER 9, 2000

   A Special Meeting of the stockholders of Republic Group Incorporated
("Republic") will be held on November 9, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. local time at The
Fairmont Hotel, Executive Room, 1717 North Akard Street, Dallas, Texas for the
following purposes:

  1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an Agreement and Plan of
     Merger dated as of August 11, 2000 among Premier Construction Products
     Statutory Trust, its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Construction
     Products Acquisition Corp., and Republic, pursuant to which Premier
     Construction Products Acquisition Corp. will be merged into Republic,
     with Republic continuing as the surviving corporation after the merger
     and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Construction Products
     Statutory Trust. If the merger is approved by the stockholders of
     Republic, each share of common stock of Republic (including the common
     stock share purchase right associated with each share of common stock)
     will be converted into the right to receive $19.00 in cash, without
     interest, except shares held by stockholders who properly exercise their
     dissenters' rights under Delaware law.

  2. To vote on motions to adjourn the Special Meeting, from time to time as
     required, in order to solicit additional proxies.

  3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special
     Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

   The board of directors has fixed the close of business on September 21, 2000
as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the
Special Meeting. As of September 21, 2000, Republic's outstanding voting
securities consisted of 11,849,037 shares of common stock. A majority of the
outstanding shares of common stock must be present in person or by proxy in
order to have a quorum and to conduct business at the Special Meeting.

   The accompanying Proxy Statement describes the merger and other actions to
be taken in connection with the merger. It is important that your shares be
represented at the Special Meeting, whether or not you plan to attend in
person. Accordingly, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy
card in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the
United States. You may revoke your proxy in the manner described in the
accompanying proxy statement at any time before the proxy has been voted at the
Special Meeting. Executed proxies with no instructions indicated thereon will
be voted "FOR" adoption of the merger agreement and the merger and "FOR" any
motions to adjourn the Special Meeting.

   Please do not send in your common stock certificates at this time. If the
merger is consummated, you will be sent instructions regarding the surrender of
your certificates.

Hutchinson, Kansas                        By Order of the Board of Directors,

September 25, 2000


                                          JANEY L. RIFE
                                          Vice President, Treasurer and
                                          Secretary
<PAGE>


                          REPUBLIC GROUP INCORPORATED

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                     FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                        TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 9, 2000

   This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you by the board of directors of
Republic Group Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("Republic"), in connection
with a Special Meeting of Stockholders of Republic to be held on November 9,
2000 at 9:00 a.m. local time at The Fairmont Hotel, Executive Room, 1717 North
Akard Street, Dallas, Texas.

   At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal to adopt an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 11, 2000
among Premier Construction Products Statutory Trust ("Premier Trust"), its
wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp.
("Premier Acquisition Corp."), and Republic, pursuant to which Premier
Acquisition Corp. will be merged into Republic, with Republic continuing as the
surviving corporation after the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary
of Premier Trust (Premier Trust and Premier Acquisition Corp. are sometimes
individually or collectively referred to as "Premier" in this Proxy Statement).

   If the merger is approved by the stockholders of Republic, each share of
common stock of Republic (including the associated common stock share purchase
right) will be converted into the right to receive $19.00 in cash, without
interest, except shares held by stockholders who properly exercise their
dissenters' rights under Delaware law.

   The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Republic common stock is required to approve the merger. All of the
executive officers and directors of Republic, including our Chairman, Phil
Simpson, and some members of Mr. Simpson's family, who collectively own
approximately 27.3% of the outstanding shares of Republic common stock, have
agreed, among other things, to vote all of their shares in favor of the merger.
See "The Merger--Stockholder Agreements."

   If you do not vote in favor of the merger and you otherwise comply with the
applicable statutory procedures of the Delaware General Corporation Law, then
you will be entitled to dissenters' rights. A summary of the requirements with
which you must comply in order to assert dissenters' rights is set forth in
this Proxy Statement under the heading "Dissenters' Rights" and the full text
of the applicable requirements of Delaware law is reproduced in Appendix D of
this Proxy Statement.

   The board of directors of Republic has unanimously approved the merger and
declared its advisability, and believes that the merger is fair to and in the
best interest of Republic and its stockholders. The board of directors of
Republic unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger
agreement.

   The common stock of Republic is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "RGC." On September 21, 2000, the latest practicable date, the last
reported sales price for the common stock was $18.06.

   This Proxy Statement is dated September 25, 2000 and is first being mailed
to stockholders on or about September 27, 2000.

   Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved the transaction described in the Proxy Statement or
determined that the Proxy Statement is truthful or complete. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER...................................   1

SUMMARY..................................................................   3
  Summary Terms of the Proposed Merger...................................   3
  The Companies Involved in the Merger...................................   3
  What Republic Securityholders will Receive in the Merger...............   4
  Republic's Reasons for the Merger......................................   4
  Opinion of Republic's Financial Advisor................................   5
  Recommendation of Republic's Board of Directors........................   5
  The Special Meeting....................................................   5
  Record Date; Voting at the Special Meeting.............................   5
  Some Republic Stockholders Have Entered into Agreements Obligating Them
   to Vote in Favor of the Merger........................................   6
  Republic's Back-Up Agreement with Centex Construction Products, Inc....   6
  Interests of Some Persons in the Merger May be Conflicts of Interest...   6
  Conditions to the Merger...............................................   7
  Termination of the Merger Agreement....................................   8
  Termination Fees and Expenses..........................................   8
  No Solicitation........................................................   9
  Rights of Dissenting Stockholders......................................   9
  Material Federal Income Tax Consequences...............................   9
  Market Prices of Republic Common Stock.................................  10

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................................  11

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE..........................  12

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF REPUBLIC......................................  12

THE SPECIAL MEETING......................................................  13
  General................................................................  13
  Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting........................  13
  Record Date and Voting.................................................  13
  Proxies; Revocation of Proxies.........................................  14
  Solicitation of Proxies................................................  15

THE MERGER...............................................................  16
  Background of the Merger...............................................  16
  Republic's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Board of
   Directors.............................................................  19
  Opinion of Republic's Financial Advisor................................  22
  Structure of the Merger................................................  26
  Merger Consideration...................................................  26
  Treatment of Stock Options.............................................  27
  Amendment and Termination of Rights Agreement..........................  27
  Management.............................................................  27
  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws................................  28
  SEC Filings and Public Reports.........................................  28
  Stockholder Agreements.................................................  28
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger.............................  29
  Financing..............................................................  31
  Accounting Treatment...................................................  31
</TABLE>

                                      (i)
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                     <C>
  Material Federal Income Tax Consequences.............................  31
  Antitrust Matters....................................................  32
  Procedures for Exchange of Certificates..............................  32
  Provisions of the Merger Agreement...................................  33
  Representations and Warranties.......................................  33
  Covenants............................................................  34
  No Solicitation......................................................  37
  Indemnification of Officers and Directors............................  38
  Conditions Precedent.................................................  39
  Termination of the Merger Agreement..................................  40
  Termination Fees and Expenses........................................  41
  Amendment of the Merger Agreement....................................  42

BACK-UP AGREEMENT WITH CENTEX CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS, INC...............  42

DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.....................................................  43

THE COMPANIES..........................................................  46
  Republic Group Incorporated..........................................  46
  Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp. and Premier
   Construction Products Statutory Trust...............................  47

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF REPUBLIC.....................................  49
</TABLE>

APPENDICES
    A  Agreement and Plan of Merger
    B  Form of Stockholder Agreement
    C  Opinion of J. P. Morgan Securities Inc.
    D  Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


                                      (ii)
<PAGE>

                     QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

Q:  What am I being asked to vote upon?

A:  The board of directors of Republic asks that you vote upon the adoption of
    the merger agreement between Republic and Premier. If the merger is
    approved, Republic will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier and
    will no longer be a publicly-held corporation.

Q:  What will I receive in the merger?

A:  If the merger is completed, you will receive $19.00 in cash, without
    interest, for each share of Republic common stock (including the associated
    common stock share purchase right) that you own.

Q:  What will happen to present members of Republic's management?

A:  At or prior to the merger, each of the members of Republic's board of
    directors will resign, and the current directors of Premier Acquisition
    Corp. will become the initial directors of the surviving corporation. The
    current officers of Republic will become the initial officers of the
    surviving corporation. However, it is likely that, upon consummation of the
    merger, new officers will be appointed to the surviving corporation.

    Existing officers and directors of Republic will exchange their Republic
    shares and options for cash in the merger. Some of the officers and
    directors may also receive retention bonuses and severance payments as a
    result of the merger.

Q:  What do I need to do now?

A:  After reading this Proxy Statement, please complete, sign and mail your
    proxy card in the enclosed return envelope as soon as possible so that your
    shares may be represented at the Special Meeting. Alternatively, you may
    submit your proxy by telephone or over the Internet as described below.

Q:  Can I submit my proxy by telephone or over the Internet?

A:  Yes. Please refer to the proxy card included with your proxy materials for
    instructions about how to vote by telephone or over the Internet. If you
    vote by telephone or over the Internet, you do not need to complete and
    mail your proxy card.

Q:  May I change my vote after I deliver my proxy?

A:  Yes. Send in a later-dated, signed proxy card or other written instrument
    to Janey L. Rife, Republic's Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary,
    before the Special Meeting, deliver different instructions as to your
    changed vote by telephone or the Internet or attend the Special Meeting and
    advise Ms. Rife of your changed vote.

Q:  What vote is required to approve the merger?

A:  The approval of the merger requires that the holders of a majority of the
    outstanding shares of Republic common stock vote in favor of the merger.
    Holders of approximately 27.3% of the Republic common stock have already
    agreed to vote in favor of the merger agreement.

Q:  Who can vote at the Special Meeting?

A:  Holders of outstanding shares of Republic common stock at the close of
    business on September 21, 2000 may vote at the Special Meeting.

                                       1
<PAGE>

Q:  If my shares are held in "street name" by my broker, will my broker vote
    them for me?

A:  Your broker will vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how
    to vote. Any broker who holds your shares in "street name" is prohibited
    from voting your shares without specific instructions from you. Your broker
    should contact you regarding the procedures necessary to vote your shares.
    Please instruct your broker how you would like your shares voted. Your
    failure to provide specific instructions to your broker with respect to the
    voting of your shares will have the same effect as voting "AGAINST" the
    approval of the merger.

Q:  What is the effect if I do not deliver my proxy and do not vote in person
    at the Special Meeting?

A:  If you do not deliver your proxy and do not vote in person at the Special
    Meeting, or if you abstain from voting, then this will have the same effect
    as a vote "AGAINST" the adoption of the merger agreement.

Q:  What rights do I have if I oppose the merger?

A:  If you do not vote to approve the merger and you properly exercise your
    dissenters' rights as described under "Dissenters' Rights" and in Appendix
    D then you may receive a court-determined "fair value" of your Republic
    common stock. The fair value could be equal to, less than or more than
    $19.00 per share.

Q:  When do you expect the merger to be completed?

A:  We are working toward completing the merger as quickly as possible. We hope
    to complete the merger by mid-November 2000.

Q:  How do I get paid for my Republic common stock?

A:  If the merger is approved and consummated, you will be mailed instructions
    that will explain how to exchange your share certificates for the merger
    consideration.

Q:  Should I send in my stock certificates now?

A:  No. You should not send in your stock certificates now. After the merger is
    completed, you will receive written instructions for exchanging your stock
    certificates for cash.

                       Who Can Help Answer My Questions?

   If you have additional questions about the merger or would like additional
copies of this Proxy Statement or the proxy card, you should contact:

                               Ms. Janey L. Rife
                    Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
                          Republic Group Incorporated
                                 P.O. Box 1307
                         Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-1307
                           Telephone: (316) 727-2711

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                    SUMMARY

   This summary highlights selected information from this Proxy Statement and
may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand
the proposal fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of
the merger, you should read this entire document carefully, including the
documents we have referred you to and the Appendices. We have included page
references to the Proxy Statement to direct you to a more complete description
of each topic presented in this summary.

Summary Terms of the Proposed Merger

   You are being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to merge Republic
with Premier Acquisition Corp., with Republic continuing after the merger as a
wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Trust. In connection with the merger:

  .  You will be entitled to receive $19.00 in cash, without interest, in
     exchange for each share of Republic common stock and associated common
     stock share purchase right that you own at the time of the merger. (See
     Page 26)

  .  The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
     shares of Republic common stock is required to approve the merger; all
     of the executive officers and directors of Republic, including our
     Chairman, Phil Simpson, and some members of Mr. Simpson's family, who
     collectively own approximately 27.3% of the outstanding shares of
     Republic common stock, have agreed, among other things, to vote all of
     their shares in favor of approving the merger. (See Pages 13 and 28)

  .  Republic's board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR"
     adoption of the merger agreement. (See Page 19)

  .  If you do not deliver a proxy, do not vote in person at the Special
     Meeting, abstain from voting at the Special Meeting, or otherwise fail
     to instruct your broker how you would like your shares to be voted, this
     will have the effect of a vote "AGAINST" adoption of the merger
     agreement. (See Page 13)

  .  If you do not vote in favor of approving the merger and you properly
     elect to exercise your dissenters' rights, as described under
     "Dissenters' Rights" and in Appendix D, then you will be entitled to
     receive a court-determined "fair value" for your shares of Republic
     common stock. The fair value that you receive could be equal to, less
     than or more than $19.00 per share. (See Page 43)

  .  The merger will be taxable to you, and you will recognize a gain or loss
     in an amount equal to the difference between the adjusted tax basis of
     your shares and the amount of cash you receive in the merger. You should
     consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax
     consequences of the merger to you. (See Page 31)

The merger agreement is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. We
encourage you to read the merger agreement in its entirety.

The Companies Involved in the Merger (Page 46)

   Republic. Founded in 1961, Republic is an integrated manufacturer and
distributor of recycled paperboard and gypsum wallboard. We own and operate a
large gypsum wallboard plant in Duke, Oklahoma. We also own and operate
recycled paperboard mills in: Commerce City, Colorado; Hutchinson, Kansas;
Lawton, Oklahoma; and Halltown, West Virginia. Construction of the Lawton,
Oklahoma recycled paperboard mill was completed during the Spring of 2000, and
that mill recently commenced commercial operation. We also own and operate
paper fiber recycling centers in: Denver, Colorado; Topeka, Kansas; and Kansas
City, Missouri.

                                       3
<PAGE>


   Premier Acquisition Corp. Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp.,
sometimes referred to as Premier Acquisition Corp. in this Proxy Statement, is
a recently formed Delaware corporation, organized for the purpose of
effectuating the merger. Premier Acquisition Corp.'s principal executive office
is located at 220 Jackson Street, Suite 2000, San Francisco, California 94111,
(415) 986-6266. Douglas H. Wolf is the President of Premier Acquisition Corp.,
and Richard Buckingham is the Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-President. As a
result of the merger, Premier Acquisition Corp. will cease its corporate
existence and be merged with and into Republic. At that time, the current
directors of Premier Acquisition Corp. will become the directors of the
surviving corporation. The current officers of Republic will be the initial
officers of the surviving corporation. However, it is likely that upon
consummation of the merger, new officers will be appointed to the surviving
corporation. Prior to the merger, Premier Acquisition Corp. will not have any
significant assets or liabilities, other than its rights and obligations in
connection with the merger agreement and the financing necessary to consummate
the merger. All of the outstanding capital stock of Premier Acquisition Corp.
is owned by Premier Trust.

   Premier Trust. Premier Construction Products Statutory Trust, sometimes
referred to in this Proxy Statement as Premier Trust, is a Connecticut
statutory trust whose purpose is to effectuate the merger. First Union National
Bank is the trustee of Premier Trust. The trustor and sole beneficiary of
Premier Trust is Premier Construction Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
First Union National Bank is a diversified banking institution, and its
principal office relating to Premier Trust is located at 10 State House Square,
Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3698. Premier Trust has received a commitment
letter, which is subject to certain conditions, for a term loan of up to $550
million to be used to complete the merger with Republic, including the
repayment of outstanding Republic debt.

What Republic Securityholders will Receive in the Merger (Page 26)

   Republic Stockholders. Under the terms of the merger agreement, holders of
shares of Republic common stock will receive $19.00 in cash, without interest,
for each share of Republic common stock and the associated right. Based on the
number of outstanding shares of Republic common stock on September 21, 2000,
holders of Republic common stock will in the aggregate receive approximately
$225.1 million.

   Republic Optionholders. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the holder
of each outstanding option to purchase a share of Republic common stock having
a per share exercise price of less than $19.00 will be entitled to receive an
amount in cash equal to the difference between $19.00 and the per share
exercise price of the option, less any applicable withholding tax. A holder of
an option will not receive any consideration for that option if the per share
exercise price for the option equals or exceeds $19.00. Based on the 585,902
outstanding options to purchase shares of Republic common stock as of September
21, 2000 that have a per share exercise price of less than $19.00, which have a
weighted average exercise price of approximately $15.62, it is anticipated that
Republic optionholders will in the aggregate receive approximately $2.0 million
as a result of the merger.

Republic's Reasons for the Merger (Page 19)

   In reaching its determination to recommend the adoption of the merger
agreement, Republic's board of directors considered a number of factors,
including the following:

  .  The opportunity for you to receive in the merger $19.00 cash for each
     share of common stock held by you, which represents a premium of
     approximately 43.5% over the average closing sale price of Republic
     common stock for the 52 weeks preceding the date of execution of the
     merger agreement.

  .  The $19.00 per share cash consideration payable in the merger represents
     the highest offer received after a bidding process designed to elicit
     proposals to acquire Republic from the industry participants believed by
     management and Republic's financial advisor to be the most likely to
     place a high value on Republic and its assets.

                                       4
<PAGE>


  .  As more fully described below, the opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities
     Inc.

  .  Although Premier is a newly organized entity, Premier's advisor has
     successfully structured, financed and completed a number of transactions
     similar to the merger. The board of directors also considered the fact
     that Premier was willing to agree to a liquidated damages provision
     backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $12
     million should it be unable to consummate the transaction due to a lack
     of financing or under other circumstances and that there is no financing
     condition to Premier's obligations.

  .  The current market and operating environment for Republic's gypsum
     wallboard and recycled paper businesses, including industry trends
     toward consolidation.

  .  The possible alternatives to a sale of Republic, including the prospects
     of continuing to operate Republic as an independent company and the sale
     of specific assets of Republic, the value to Republic stockholders of
     these alternatives and the likelihood of achieving additional value from
     these alternatives that would be recognized in Republic's stock price.

  .  The existence of the back-up transaction with Centex Construction
     Products, Inc., should the merger not be consummated.

Opinion of Republic's Financial Advisor (Page 22)

   In deciding to approve the merger, the board of directors considered, among
other things, the oral opinion of Republic's financial advisor, J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc., that, as of August 11, 2000, the merger consideration of
$19.00 for each share of Republic common stock and associated right is fair,
from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of Republic. That oral
opinion was confirmed in writing by J.P. Morgan as of August 11, 2000. The
written opinion of J. P. Morgan is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy
Statement. We encourage you to read J.P. Morgan's opinion in its entirety.

Recommendation of Republic's Board of Directors (Page 19)

   The board of directors of Republic has unanimously approved the merger and
declared its advisability, and believes that the merger is fair to and in the
best interests of Republic and its stockholders. The board of directors
unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger
agreement.

The Special Meeting (Page 13)

   The Special Meeting will be held on November 9, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. local time
at The Fairmont Hotel, Executive Room, 1717 North Akard Street, Dallas, Texas.
At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to vote on the adoption of the merger
agreement between Republic and Premier pursuant to which Republic will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of Premier. You may also be asked to vote upon a
motion, to be made if a quorum is not present or there are not sufficient votes
to adopt the merger agreement, to adjourn the Special Meeting for the purpose
of soliciting additional proxies in favor of the merger.

Record Date; Voting at the Special Meeting (Page 13)

   You are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting if you owned shares of
Republic common stock as of the close of business on the record date of
September 21, 2000. On the record date, there were 11,849,037 shares of common
stock outstanding. Stockholders will have one vote for each share of Republic
common stock they owned on the record date. The affirmative vote of a majority
of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date is required to
adopt the merger agreement. If you do not deliver a proxy or vote in person at
the Special Meeting, or if you abstain from voting or otherwise fail to
instruct your broker how you would like your shares voted, then this will have
the effect of a vote "AGAINST" the merger.

                                       5
<PAGE>


Some Republic Stockholders Have Entered into Agreements Obligating Them to Vote
in Favor of the Merger (Page 28)

   All of the executive officers and directors of Republic, including its
Chairman, Phil Simpson, and some members of Mr. Simpson's family, who
collectively own approximately 27.3% of the outstanding shares of Republic
common stock, have executed stockholder agreements pursuant to which they have
agreed in their capacity as Republic stockholders:

  .  to vote their shares of Republic common stock in favor of the merger and
     against other competing proposals, subject to some exceptions;

  .  to grant proxies to so vote their shares to nominees of Premier;

  .  not to dispose of or encumber their shares of Republic common stock
     pending the completion of the merger; and

  .  not to engage in activities prohibited by the nonsolicitation provisions
     of the merger agreement.

The stockholder agreements will terminate upon a termination of the merger
agreement in accordance with the terms of that agreement.

Republic's Back-Up Agreement with Centex Construction Products, Inc. (Page 42)

   In addition to the agreement and plan of merger with Premier Trust and
Premier Acquisition Corp., Republic entered into an agreement with Centex
Construction Products, Inc., which we sometimes refer to in this Proxy
Statement as CXP. Pursuant to its agreement with CXP, if the merger agreement
with Premier is terminated under some circumstances, then CXP would enter into
a merger agreement providing for the acquisition of Republic. In such an event,
CXP would pay $17.50 per share in cash to all Republic stockholders, plus a
cash amount equal to a proportionate share of any liquidated damages paid to
Republic by Premier Trust if the Premier merger agreement is terminated under
some circumstances. You are not being asked to approve or reject the agreement
with CXP in connection with this solicitation, or at the Special Meeting.

Interests of Some Persons in the Merger May be Conflicts of Interest (Page 29)

   In considering the recommendation of our board of directors with respect to
the merger, you should be aware that the directors and executive officers of
Republic have some interests in the merger that are different from, or in
addition to, your interests. Our board of directors was aware of these
interests and considered them, among other factors, in approving the merger
agreement. Some of these interests are derived from changes made to several
employee benefit plans at the time that our board of directors decided to
commence an exploration of strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value,
as our board of directors recognized that these employees would be critical to
Republic during the process of exploring strategic alternatives and, if a
transaction were to result from that exploration, would be valuable to a
successor during a transition period after consummation of that transaction.
These interests include the following:

  .  Republic has a retention bonus plan for executive officers and key
     management employees that provides for the payment of bonuses to these
     participants in the plan in two installments, 50% due upon the date of a
     change of control transaction and the remaining 50% due on the date that
     is six months following a change of control transaction, subject to
     earlier payment upon a termination of employment in some cases. The
     total bonuses to be paid in connection with the merger will equal up to
     approximately $2.7 million.

  .  Republic's key employee continuation plan provides for a severance
     payment to be paid to a participant if his employment terminates under
     some circumstances within a period of one year following a change of
     control transaction. The severance payment equals the employee's average
     annual cash compensation for the five years preceding the change of
     control transaction, multiplied

                                       6
<PAGE>

     by a termination factor established by the board of directors between
     100% and 150%, subject to a substantial offset in the event the employee
     receives a retention bonus payment. The maximum aggregate amount of
     payments under the key employee continuation plan is estimated at
     $700,000.

  .  Officers, directors and employees holding stock options with a per share
     exercise price less than $19.00 will be entitled to receive in the
     merger, for each share subject to such an option, an amount in cash
     equal to the difference between $19.00 and the per share exercise price
     of such option, less any applicable withholding taxes. The merger will
     result in the acceleration of the exercisability of options held by such
     persons. A holder of an option will not receive any consideration for
     that option if the per share exercise price for such option equals or
     exceeds $19.00.

  .  Republic's non-employee directors who have served on the board of
     directors for three or more years will be entitled to receive a lump sum
     retirement payment within 180 days after their service on the board of
     directors terminates. The total retirement payments to be made to
     Republic's non-employee directors are estimated to aggregate $177,500.

  .  Under the merger agreement, the surviving corporation, as well as any
     successor, will for a period of six years after the effective time of
     the merger continue to provide directors' and officers' indemnification
     and liability insurance protection.

Conditions to the Merger (Page 39)

   The merger will be completed if a number of conditions are met, including
the following:

  .  the stockholders of Republic adopt the merger agreement by approval of a
     majority of the shares of Republic common stock outstanding as of the
     record date; and

  .  the absence of any restraining order or injunction by any court of
     competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory restraint
     prohibiting the consummation of the merger.

   The obligations of Premier Trust and Premier Acquisition Corp. to complete
the merger are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:

  .  the representations and warranties of Republic set forth in the merger
     agreement are true and correct, without regard to any materiality
     qualification, as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the
     effective time of the merger, except where a material adverse effect on
     Republic and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or other adverse
     effects on the consummation of the merger, would not result;

  .  Republic has performed in all material respects all obligations required
     to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to the
     effective time of the merger; and

  .  no litigation or proceeding has been instituted by a governmental agency
     that would:

    -- restrain the consummation of the merger or the other transactions
       contemplated by the merger agreement; or

    -- prevent or interfere with Premier's ownership or operation of the
       business or assets of Republic.

  Republic's obligation to complete the merger is subject to the satisfaction
     of the following conditions:

  .  the representations and warranties of Premier Trust set forth in the
     merger agreement being true and correct, without regard to any
     materiality qualification, as of the closing date of the merger, except
     where a material adverse effect on Premier Trust would not result;

                                       7
<PAGE>


  .  Premier Trust having performed in all material respects all obligations
     required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to
     the closing date of the merger; and


In some instances, a condition to completion of the merger can be waived, but
only if the party entitled to assert that condition agrees to waive it.

Termination of the Merger Agreement (Page 40)

   Premier Trust and Republic can mutually agree to terminate the merger
agreement at any time before or after stockholder approval. In addition, either
party may terminate the merger agreement under specified circumstances,
including the following:

  .  the parties do not complete the merger by January 31, 2001, unless
     extended in some events and unless the terminating party is in material
     breach of any of its covenants, obligations or agreements under the
     merger agreement;

  .  the stockholders of Republic do not adopt the merger agreement;

  .  a governmental body permanently prohibits or enjoins the merger;

  .  the other party breaches any covenant or agreement contained in the
     merger agreement that would cause the party to fail to satisfy the
     condition that it shall have performed its obligations under the merger
     agreement in all material respects as of the effective time of the
     merger and does not or cannot cure the breach within 45 days, unless the
     terminating party is also in material breach of any of its obligations
     under the merger agreement; or

  .  the other party fails to close following the second business day after
     all applicable conditions to the other party's obligation to close have
     been satisfied or waived, unless the terminating party is in breach in
     any material respect of any of its obligations under the merger
     agreement.

The merger agreement can be terminated in other circumstances as well, which
are more fully described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, including by the
board of directors of Republic in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to
Republic's stockholders under applicable law in the event a superior proposal
is received from a third party that meets specified conditions.

Termination Fees and Expenses (Page 41)

   Except as described below, whether or not the merger is completed, all fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the merger, the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be paid by the party
incurring those fees or expenses.

   Republic is required to pay Premier Trust a termination fee of $10 million
if the merger agreement is terminated:

  .  in specified circumstances involving an acquisition or proposed
     acquisition of Republic by a party other than Premier; or

  .  in specified circumstances involving Republic's breach of the merger
     agreement or failure to close the merger.

   Premier Trust is required to pay Republic liquidated damages of $12 million
if the merger agreement is terminated by Republic because:

  .  Premier Trust fails to deliver a financing commitment, which commitment
     was delivered prior to the date of this Proxy Statement, or fails to
     finalize definitive loan agreements within the time periods specified in
     the merger agreement;

                                       8
<PAGE>


  .  all conditions to Premier Trust's obligation to close the merger are
     satisfied, but any condition to Premier Trust obtaining the necessary
     funds to pay the merger consideration is not satisfied in the time
     period specified in the merger agreement; or

  .  in specified circumstances involving Premier Trust's breach of the
     merger agreement or failure to close the merger.

No Solicitation (Page 37)

   Under the merger agreement, Republic has agreed not to solicit, initiate or
encourage a third-party takeover proposal. Republic may, however, respond to an
unsolicited inquiry if it determines in good faith that the takeover proposal,
if consummated, would provide greater value to Republic's stockholders than
provided for in the merger agreement and the fiduciary duties of the board of
directors require a response. Republic must keep Premier Trust advised of any
such unsolicited inquiry. See "The Merger--No Solicitation."


Rights of Dissenting Stockholders (Page 43)

   Under Delaware law, you have the right to dissent from the merger and to
have the appraised fair value of your shares of Republic common stock paid to
you in cash. In order to dissent and receive the appraised fair value of your
shares, you must:

  .  make a proper demand for appraisal in accordance with Delaware law;

  .  hold your shares of Republic common stock until the merger is completed;

  .  not vote to approve the merger (including by appointing a proxy to vote
     your shares in favor of the merger); and

  .  otherwise comply with Delaware law.

   Within ten days after the merger, if you have satisfied the applicable
requirements of Delaware law, the surviving corporation of the merger will give
you written notice of the completion of the merger. Within 120 days after the
merger, you, any other dissenting stockholder or the surviving corporation may
file a court petition demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares
of Republic common stock held by dissenting stockholders. The fair value that
the court determines you are entitled to receive could be equal to, less than
or more than the cash consideration provided for in the merger agreement. You
can withdraw your demand for appraisal by delivering written notice to Republic
or to the surviving corporation within 60 days after the merger. If a petition
for appraisal is not filed within 120 days after the merger, your right to an
appraisal will cease, and you will be entitled to receive only the cash merger
consideration. Appendix D contains a copy of the applicable section of the
Delaware General Corporation Law.

Material Federal Income Tax Consequences (Page 31)

   Your receipt of cash pursuant to the merger will generally be a taxable
transaction for federal income tax purposes and may also be taxable under
applicable state, local and foreign income and other tax laws. Generally, you
will recognize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the
adjusted tax basis
of your Republic common stock and the amount of cash that you receive in the
merger. This gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if your Republic
common stock is classified as a capital asset and will be a long-term capital
gain or loss if the holding period applicable to your shares of Republic common
stock exceeds one year. This tax treatment may not apply to every stockholder.
Determining your actual tax consequences may be complicated and will depend on
your specific situation and variables not within our control. You should
consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences
of the merger to you. See "The Merger--Material Federal Income Tax
Consequences."

                                       9
<PAGE>

Market Prices of Republic Common Stock

   Republic's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol "RGC." On July 5, 2000, the last full trading day before
Republic's announcement that it had engaged J. P. Morgan to assist it in
exploring strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value, the closing sale
price of Republic common stock was $10.38. On August 11, the last full trading
day before the announcement of the merger, the closing sale price of Republic
common stock was $17.00. On September 21, 2000, the latest practicable date,
the closing sale price of Republic common stock was $18.06.

   The following table sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, the high
and low closing sales prices of a share of Republic common stock as reported by
the New York Stock Exchange:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Fiscal 2001
     (Ending June 30, 2001)                                        High   Low
     ----------------------                                       ------ ------
     <S>                                                          <C>    <C>
     First Quarter (through September 21, 2000).................. $18.06 $ 9.75

<CAPTION>
     Fiscal 2000
     (Ending June 30, 2000)
     ----------------------
     <S>                                                          <C>    <C>
     Fourth Quarter.............................................. $12.00 $ 7.69
     Third Quarter............................................... $16.25 $10.31
     Second Quarter.............................................. $18.50 $13.25
     First Quarter............................................... $19.75 $13.75

<CAPTION>
     Fiscal 1999
     (Ending June 30, 1999)
     ----------------------
     <S>                                                          <C>    <C>
     Fourth Quarter.............................................. $19.75 $14.69
     Third Quarter............................................... $21.25 $12.88
     Second Quarter.............................................. $20.94 $13.00
     First Quarter............................................... $20.88 $13.25
</TABLE>

   Stock prices can fluctuate dramatically. You are urged to obtain a current
market quotation for Republic common stock.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any reports,
statements or other information that we file at the public reference facilities
of the Securities and Exchange Commission at its principal office at Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington DC 20549, and its regional
offices at CitiCorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661, and at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048. You may call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference rooms. Our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are also available to the public from
commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the
Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

   The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by
reference" information into this Proxy Statement. Incorporation by reference
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document that we filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of
this Proxy Statement, except for any information superseded by information in
this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement incorporates by reference the
documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These documents contain important information about
Republic and its finances.

Republic's Securities and Exchange Commission Filings (File No. 1-7210):

  .  Republic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
     2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12,
     2000, as amended by the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on September
     25, 2000; and

  .  Republic's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities Exchange
     Commission on August 21, 2000, as amended by the Current Report on Form
     8-K/A filed on September 12, 2000.

   We also hereby incorporate by reference all other reports that we may
subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
between the date of this Proxy Statement and the date of the Special Meeting.

   We are sending to you, together with this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000. You can obtain additional copies of
our Annual Report from Republic or the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge,
excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated by reference an
exhibit in this Proxy Statement. You may obtain documents incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement by requesting them in writing at the
following address:

                          Republic Group Incorporated
                                 P.O. Box 1307
                         Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-1307
                            Attention: Janey L. Rife

   If you would like to request documents from us, please do so by November 2,
2000 to receive them before the Special Meeting.

   Information contained in this Proxy Statement about Premier Trust or Premier
Acquisition Corp. was provided by them.

   You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement to vote your shares at the Special Meeting.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different
from what is contained in this Proxy Statement. Our world wide web home page is
located at http://www.republic-group.com. Information contained on our website
does not constitute, and shall not be deemed to constitute, part of this Proxy
Statement. This Proxy Statement is dated September 25, 2000. You should not
assume that the information contained in the Proxy Statement is accurate as of
any date other than that date, and the mailing of this Proxy Statement to you
will not create any implication to the contrary.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE

   We have made statements in this Proxy Statement and the documents
incorporated herein by reference that include forward-looking statements about
Republic and the proposed merger within the meaning of Section 29A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, without
limitation, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events of performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are
other than statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements may be
identified, preceded by, followed by or otherwise include, without limitation,
words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates" or
similar expressions. Republic's expectations, beliefs and projections are
expressed in good faith and are believed by Republic's management to have a
reasonable basis. We cannot assure you that management's expectations, beliefs
or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished.

   A number of factors exist that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements, including
factors identified in this Proxy Statement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, as amended (a copy of which
accompanies this Proxy Statement).

                      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF REPUBLIC

   The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for
Republic as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The financial data for
each of the five fiscal years ended June 30, 2000 are derived from Republic's
audited financial statements. The data set forth below in this table is
qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the
consolidated financial statements of Republic and the related notes thereto
included in Republic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2000, as amended. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Since you
will not own any interest in Premier Trust or Premier Acquisition Corp., and as
both companies are newly formed and have no operating history, no historical
financial information is presented for either company, and no pro forma
financial information giving effect to the merger is presented.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                     1996     1997     1998     1999     2000
                                   -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                     (dollars in thousands, except per share
                                                      data)
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net sales........................  $117,902 $123,697 $128,285 $137,942 $190,510
Income before income taxes (1)...    23,974   31,141   28,182   24,940    4,603
Net income (1)...................    14,912   19,663   17,799   15,232    2,761
Total capital employed (2).......    96,716   88,289  110,214  243,307  324,785
Stockholders' equity, at year-
 end.............................    62,664   77,845   92,179  104,015  102,912
Total assets.....................   106,124  100,400  125,475  268,168  349,163
Interest bearing debt (including
 current portion)................    24,840      --     5,950  125,000  200,000
Basic weighted-average shares
 outstanding (3).................    11,640   11,698   11,705   11,771   11,825
Diluted weighted-average shares
 outstanding (3).................    11,736   11,795   11,798   11,851   11,852

Per Share Data:
Basic earnings per share (3).....  $   1.28 $   1.68 $   1.52 $   1.29 $   0.23
Diluted earnings per share (3)...      1.27     1.67     1.51     1.29     0.23
Common dividends (3).............     0.259    0.344    0.360    0.360    0.360
Stockholders' equity, at year-end
 (3).............................      5.34     6.60     7.81     8.78     8.68
</TABLE>
--------
(1) During fiscal year 2000, Republic wrote down the assets of the Halltown,
    West Virginia recycled paperboard mill. Republic incurred a non-cash charge
    of approximately $16.7 million, or $10.0 million after taxes. Additionally,
    pre-operating costs associated with the start up of the Lawton mill in
    fiscal year 1999 and 2000 were $1.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
(2) Total capital employed is equivalent to total assets less noninterest-
    bearing current liabilities.
(3) All references to share amounts and per share amounts reflect a 10% stock
    dividend distributed in March 1997.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                              THE SPECIAL MEETING

General

   This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the board of directors of Republic
for use at the Special Meeting to be held on November 9, 2000 at 9:00 a.m.
local time at The Fairmont Hotel, Executive Room, 1717 North Akard Street,
Dallas, Texas, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting

   At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal to adopt the merger agreement. Republic's board of directors has
unanimously approved the merger and declared its advisability, and believes
that the merger is fair to and in the best interests of Republic and its
stockholders. Accordingly, Republic's board of directors unanimously recommends
that you vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement.

   In the event that there are not sufficient votes to constitute a quorum or
approve the adoption of the merger agreement at the time of the Special
Meeting, the merger agreement could not be approved unless the Special Meeting
was adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies. In order to
allow proxies which have been received by Republic at the time of the Special
Meeting to be voted for such adjournment, if necessary, Republic has submitted
the question of adjournment under such circumstances to its stockholders as a
separate matter for their consideration.

   The board of directors of Republic recommends that stockholders vote their
proxies in favor of the adjournment proposal so that their proxies may be used
for this purpose in the event it becomes necessary. Properly executed proxies
will be voted in favor of the adjournment proposal, unless otherwise indicated
thereon. In the absence of a quorum, the Special Meeting may be adjourned from
time to time by the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the
Special Meeting in person or by proxy. If it is necessary to adjourn the
Special Meeting, and the adjournment is for a period not exceeding 30 days and
a new record date is not set, then no notice of the time and place of the
adjourned Special Meeting is required to be given to stockholders other than an
announcement of such time and place at the Special Meeting.

   As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the board of directors of Republic
is not aware of any matters other than the adoption of the merger agreement and
the adjournment of the Special Meeting that may be brought before the Special
Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Special Meeting, the
persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote the shares represented
by all properly executed proxies on such matters in such manner as they
determine.

   You are requested to complete, date, sign and return the accompanying proxy
card promptly to Republic in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You may also
vote by telephone or over the Internet by following the instructions included
with your proxy card.

Record Date and Voting

   September 21, 2000 has been fixed as the record date for the determination
of the holders of shares of Republic common stock entitled to receive notice
of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the
close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the Special Meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, a total of
11,849,037 shares of Republic common stock were outstanding.

   You are entitled to one vote per share of Republic common stock that you
own. Your vote is exercisable in person or by properly executed proxy. The
presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of at least a
majority of the outstanding shares of Republic common stock entitled to vote at
the Special Meeting

                                       13
<PAGE>

shall constitute a quorum. Broker non-votes and shares held by persons
abstaining will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present at the
Special Meeting. However, if a holder of shares of Republic common stock does
not submit a proxy and does not vote in person at the Special Meeting
(including abstentions and "broker non-votes"), then this will have the same
effect as a vote "AGAINST" the merger.

   The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Republic
common stock outstanding as of the record date is required to adopt the merger
agreement. Because some officers and directors of Republic, including our
Chairman, Phil Simpson, and some members of Mr. Simpson's family, who
collectively own approximately 27.3% of the outstanding shares of Republic
common stock, have already agreed to vote in favor of the merger, the requisite
vote will be obtained if the holders of an additional 22.7% of the outstanding
shares of Republic common stock vote in favor of the merger.

Proxies; Revocation of Proxies

   Because many of you will be unable to attend the Special Meeting, Republic's
board of directors is soliciting proxies to give you an opportunity to vote on
the proposal to approve the merger. You are urged to read the material in this
Proxy Statement carefully, to indicate your vote on each proposal by marking
the appropriate box on the enclosed proxy card and to sign, date and return the
card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You may also vote by telephone or
over the Internet by following the instructions included with your proxy card.

   The proxy card has separate provisions for indicating your vote for or
against adoption of the merger agreement and for granting separate authority to
the proxyholders to vote for or against adjournment of the Special Meeting in
order to solicit additional proxies. Each line on the proxy card should be
separately completed. All properly executed proxies received and not duly and
timely revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in
them. In the absence of any instructions, such shares will be voted "FOR" the
adoption of the merger agreement and "FOR" authority to adjourn the Special
Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies.

   A proxy may be revoked prior to its being voted in any of the following
ways:

  .  by delivering to Republic at or before the Special Meeting a written
     instrument bearing a later date than the proxy, that by its terms,
     revokes the proxy,

  .  by duly executing a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares and
     delivering it to the Secretary of Republic at or before the Special
     Meeting,

  .  by delivering different instructions by telephone or Internet, or

  .  by attending the Special Meeting and giving notice of revocation to the
     Secretary of Republic prior to the proxy being voted.

Attendance at the Special Meeting without taking other affirmative action will
not constitute a revocation of a proxy. Any written instrument revoking a proxy
should be sent to:

                          Republic Group Incorporated
                                 P.O. Box 1307
                         Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-1307
                            Attention: Janey L. Rife

   You should not forward any certificates representing common stock with your
proxy card. If the merger is consummated, we will deliver written instructions
to you that set forth the procedures by which you should deliver your stock
certificates. These instructions will be sent to you promptly after the

                                       14
<PAGE>

effective time of the merger or in accordance with the dissenters' rights
requirements prescribed by Delaware law.

Solicitation of Proxies

   If it is necessary to assure adequate representation at the Special Meeting,
our board of directors may make a further solicitation by mail, telephone
and/or personal interview. Such solicitation may be made by the officers or
regular employees of Republic and its subsidiaries. We will pay all costs of
soliciting proxies from our stockholders. Arrangements will be made with
brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward
solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of Republic common stock held
of record by such persons, and we will reimburse such brokerage firms,
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them in connection with these services.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                   THE MERGER

Background of the Merger

   Republic, from time to time, has received indications of interest from other
companies with respect to a possible acquisition of Republic or certain of its
assets. Most of the parties expressing an interest in acquiring Republic or its
assets were other gypsum wallboard manufacturers, some of whom were already
customers of Republic's paperboard business or were potential customers for
paperboard to be produced at the Lawton mill. Because of those customer or
potential customer relationships, Republic has had regular contacts with these
parties in the normal course of its business. During the course of these
contacts, several of these parties raised the possibility of an acquisition of,
or business combination with, Republic or an acquisition of particular assets.
In general, the level of interest in Republic expressed by these parties
increased after the announcements in 1997 and 1998 of the planned expansion of
the Duke plant and the planned construction of the Lawton mill, plans which
would increase the scale of Republic's operations and make Republic a more
attractive acquisition candidate.

   On several occasions prior to May 2000 management and the board of directors
of Republic consulted with its financial advisor, J.P. Morgan, regarding
strategic alternatives potentially available to Republic, including a potential
sale of Republic or some of its assets as well as remaining as an independent
company, and with its counsel regarding the board of directors'
responsibilities in respect of approaches from third parties concerning the
possible acquisition of Republic. The board of directors was generally of the
view throughout this period that the interests of stockholders would be best
served by Republic's pursuing its business strategy as an independent company,
completing the expansion of the Duke plant and the construction of the Lawton
mill, and operating those and its other facilities. As a consequence, Republic
did not pursue any of such indications of interest beyond the preliminary
stages.

   With the substantial completion of the Lawton mill, the last of the two
major projects described above, in the Spring of 2000, and in light of
continued recent interest in Republic by potential purchasers, management of
Republic decided to initiate a process to reassess Republic's strategic
alternatives, and consulted with J.P. Morgan and counsel. A number of factors
considered by management in its reassessment caused it to decide to recommend
to the board of directors that Republic conduct an active exploration of the
strategic alternatives potentially available to Republic. Among the factors
leading to this recommendation were the general outlook for, and trends in, the
building industry sector, the market's valuation of companies in that sector,
including Republic, the effect of Republic's size on the market's perception of
it, the trend toward consolidation in the gypsum wallboard and paperboard
industries, the potential strategic value of Republic and its assets to others
in its industries, the significant potential future revenue from the Duke and
the Lawton projects, and the managerial, technical and financial resources
necessary to optimize production at those facilities.

   At a special meeting of the board of directors held on June 6, 2000,
management discussed with the board the recent indications of interest in
Republic and the factors management had considered in its reassessment of
Republic's strategic alternatives. Management also presented its analysis of
the present operating and financial results and outlook for Republic. Counsel
then advised the board on the duties of the directors under these
circumstances. J.P. Morgan presented its analysis concerning the building
sector of the economy at that time and discussed actual and potential valuation
of Republic in the market. J.P. Morgan then discussed various strategic
alternatives potentially available to Republic and the procedures that could be
utilized, including the possible solicitation of bids, in a review of strategic
alternatives.

   After extensive discussion, the board of directors determined that it was
advisable and in the best interests of Republic and its stockholders for
Republic to explore strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value and
authorized the executive officers of Republic to do so. Among the alternatives
that management was authorized to explore were the sale of Republic, sales of
particular assets and remaining as an independent entity. The board of
directors also expressly stated that no decision had been made with respect to
any possible transaction or other course of action.

                                       16
<PAGE>

   Following the June 6, 2000 board meeting, management, with the assistance of
J.P. Morgan, identified a group of potentially interested parties to whom
invitations to bid would be sent. These generally consisted of companies
involved in the production of gypsum wallboard who were believed by management
and J.P. Morgan to be the most likely to be able to offer the highest value to
Republic's stockholders because of their potential interest in Republic as a
strategic asset and the synergies and efficiencies that could be taken
advantage of by them, and who were believed to have the highest level of
interest in acquiring Republic.

   A number of companies in the gypsum wallboard business were contacted by
J.P. Morgan on Republic's behalf. Six of those companies signed confidentiality
agreements, or amendments of existing confidentiality agreements, with
Republic. The six companies with confidentiality agreements with Republic were
delivered a descriptive memorandum concerning Republic and its business and
related bid materials, were given access to additional information and data
concerning Republic and were given an opportunity to meet with and ask
questions of Republic's executive officers and key operational management. The
materials provided to each bidder by Republic included a form of merger
agreement for review and comment.

   On July 6, 2000, Republic issued a press release stating that J.P. Morgan
was assisting Republic in exploring strategic alternatives, including a
possible sale of Republic, sales of particular assets or remaining as an
independent company.

   Prior to August 1, 2000, several additional parties contacted J.P. Morgan
and management to express potential interest in an acquisition of Republic,
but, after discussions with J.P. Morgan or management, ultimately did not
participate in the bidding process.

   Following extensive discussions between J.P. Morgan and the participants
concerning their anticipated proposals, three of the participants submitted
formal proposals. On July 27, 2000, a special meeting of Republic's board of
directors was held to advise the board of the proposals received. Management
reported on current operations and results of operation and reviewed Republic's
outlook. J.P. Morgan advised the board on the proposals received. After
considering the proposals and the views of management and J.P. Morgan, the
board authorized management to continue the process with each of the three
bidders with a view to obtaining the greatest possible value for stockholders
of Republic. Each of the remaining bidders was then allowed to conduct facility
tours of Republic's plants and mills and conduct additional investigations, and
was requested to submit a final proposal between August 8 and 9, 2000.

   While such additional investigations were in process, Republic determined to
commence preliminary discussions with CXP, who was the bidder that at that
point had submitted the proposal with the highest range of potential values,
with respect to its proposed form of merger agreement. Although CXP had not yet
submitted a final proposal as to price, Republic and CXP then met to commence
negotiation of the merger agreement.

   On August 1, 2000, a representative of Integrated Capital Associates, Inc.
("ICA"), an investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions,
contacted J.P. Morgan indicating a willingness to propose a transaction in
which an affiliate of ICA would acquire Republic in an all cash transaction at
$19.00 per share. Republic and J.P. Morgan conducted a preliminary
investigation of ICA, including conversations with representatives of ICA,
which indicated that ICA had successfully structured, financed and completed a
number of other acquisitions. In the course of those initial conversations, ICA
informed Republic that it would intend to arrange a transaction in which a
newly organized financial buyer affiliated with ICA would purchase Republic.

   Based on the cash consideration proposed by ICA and the results of the
preliminary investigation of ICA undertaken by Republic and J.P. Morgan,
management of Republic determined to explore further the proposal made by ICA
and entered into a confidentiality agreement with ICA on August 4, 2000.
Representatives of ICA then commenced an investigation of Republic, reviewed
the data furnished to other bidders and met with members of management of
Republic.

   On August 7, 2000, ICA submitted a written proposal on behalf of its
affiliate, Premier, to acquire all of the capital stock of Republic in a merger
transaction at a price of $19.00 per share in cash. ICA indicated in its

                                       17
<PAGE>

proposal that Premier would require all of the officers and directors of
Republic to execute an agreement to vote their shares in favor of the merger
and to be subject to certain transfer restrictions. In addition, ICA stated
that Premier would be willing to provide a letter of credit in the amount of
$12 million to secure payment of any termination fee that would become due from
Premier to Republic if the merger agreement were terminated under specified
circumstances. The proposal submitted by ICA was accompanied by the form of
merger agreement that Premier would be willing to execute, which was based on
the form originally circulated by Republic.

   In light of the proposal from Premier, Republic engaged in further
discussion with CXP, in which CXP indicated that it would not match or exceed
ICA's proposal of $19.00 per share. CXP also stated, however, that if Republic
entered into a transaction with Premier, CXP would be prepared to enter into a
back-up or standby agreement under which it would purchase Republic at $17.50
per share plus a pro rata portion of any escrow or deposit forfeited by Premier
on a failure to close that transaction, which could approximate $1.00 per share
based on the proposal submitted by ICA.

   During this period, J.P. Morgan also had continuing discussions with the
other two remaining participants in the process in an effort to persuade them
to increase the consideration each was prepared to offer for Republic.
Ultimately, the other participants indicated that they were not prepared to
increase their bids to or above the level of the bid received from Premier, and
one of them formally withdrew from the bidding.

   On August 8, 2000, management of Republic briefed the directors,
individually, on the proposal received from Premier, the current status of the
CXP proposal, and the status of the other remaining proposal. Based on that
briefing, management of Republic determined to proceed with negotiations with
both Premier and CXP in order to attempt to achieve the highest value in the
transaction. The decision to continue to negotiate with CXP was intended to
give Republic and its stockholders additional assurance that a transaction at a
price approaching Premier's price would occur if negotiations toward the
transaction with Premier were unsuccessful. In addition, management of Republic
considered that it might be desirable, in view of the fact that Premier was a
financial bidder with limited assets, to have in place a back-up arrangement
with a well capitalized strategic bidder in case the Premier transaction were
not consummated.

   Commencing August 9, 2000, management of Republic, representatives of J.P.
Morgan and counsel held discussions and negotiations with representatives of
Premier. Counsel for ICA and Premier submitted a revised draft of a proposed
merger agreement and a proposed form of stockholder agreement pursuant to which
Republic's officers and directors and Phil Simpson and members of his family
would be bound by voting and transfer restrictions in favor of Premier and
submitted them to Republic.

   On August 9, 2000, management of Republic, representatives of J.P. Morgan
and counsel also met separately with representatives of CXP with respect to its
proposal for a back-up agreement.

   On August 9, 2000, a regular meeting of Republic's board of directors was
held. At the meeting representatives of J.P. Morgan reviewed the process by
which indications of interest had been received from potentially interested
parties and the current status of the process and also reviewed in detail the
financial aspects of the proposals that had been received. The directors
discussed generally the financial aspects of the proposals. Counsel for
Republic then discussed the tax and other aspects of the proposals and reviewed
the principal legal issues involved in the forms of contract that had been
submitted, and the board discussed these issues. The board then discussed the
merits of each of the proposals and other alternatives available to Republic.
The board unanimously authorized management to proceed with discussions with
each of the parties submitting proposals to seek to improve their terms,
subject to further approval by the board. The board expressly declared that no
decision had been made with respect to any possible transaction or other course
of action pursuant to such review of strategic alternatives or otherwise.

   Representatives of Republic continued their discussions and negotiations
with Premier and separately with CXP from August 9 through 11, 2000 to resolve
open legal issues on their respective proposals. During the course of those
discussions and negotiations, CXP prepared and delivered to Republic a draft of
its proposed

                                       18
<PAGE>

form of letter agreement for a back-up or standby transaction, which, subject
to certain conditions, provided that CXP and Republic would execute a merger
agreement on substantially similar terms to the Premier merger agreement, but
at a lower price equal to $17.50 per share, plus a pro rata share of any break-
up fee received from Premier, if the Premier merger did not occur for specified
reasons.

   Republic's board of directors held a special meeting commencing on August
10, 2000 to consider the proposed Premier and CXP agreements. The directors
heard a detailed report by management on the current operations and prospects
of Republic. Management also reported on the results of the negotiations to
date with Premier, CXP and the other remaining participant in the process and
the major remaining open issues in the Premier merger agreement and the CXP
letter agreement. Management then again reviewed the strategic reasons for the
proposed transactions and its view of the material considerations in favor of
and against the proposed transactions. J.P. Morgan also reported on the process
by which bids were obtained, the bids received, and the negotiations with the
bidders and presented its analysis of the proposed Premier and CXP
transactions, including the financial analysis performed in its evaluation of
the consideration to be received by the stockholders of Republic. Counsel for
Republic then reviewed for the board of directors the principal terms and
provisions of the proposed merger agreement with Premier and of the proposed
CXP letter agreement. Counsel also again advised the board with respect to the
responsibilities of directors in reference to the proposed agreements with
Premier and CXP. The meeting was recessed until the following morning, and
discussions continued with Premier and CXP to resolve certain outstanding open
issues.

   The special meeting continued the following morning, August 11, 2000. The
open issues had been resolved with Premier and CXP, subject to approval by the
board of directors, and a report on the resolution of such issues was given to
the board, which then discussed the two possible transactions. J.P. Morgan
delivered its oral opinion to the board of directors to the effect that the
Premier merger was fair to the stockholders of Republic from a financial point
of view and delivered a separate oral opinion that the transactions
contemplated by the CXP letter agreement were also fair to the stockholders of
Republic from a financial point of view. The board, after additional
discussion, unanimously approved the merger agreement with Premier and the
transactions contemplated thereby and also unanimously approved the CXP letter
agreement as a back-up transaction. The board then approved certain amendments
to its Rights Plan to permit the stockholder agreements to be executed and the
Premier merger or the CXP transaction to occur, and adopted resolutions
approving the Premier merger and CXP transaction for purposes of Section 203 of
the Delaware Code, relating to voting and other requirements for interested
party transactions, and for purposes of a "fair price" provision contained in
Republic's certificate of incorporation.

   On August 11, 2000, Republic and Premier then executed and delivered the
Premier merger agreement, and the directors and executive officers of Republic
and Phil Simpson and some of his family members executed and delivered the
Stockholder Agreements. Republic and CXP then executed and delivered the CXP
letter agreement. A public announcement of the proposed transactions and the
execution of such agreements was then made.

Republic's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

   The board of directors of Republic has unanimously approved the merger and
declared its advisability, and believes that the merger is fair to and in the
best interests of Republic and its stockholders. The board of directors
unanimously recommends that Republic's stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of
the merger agreement. In reaching its determination to recommend the merger
agreement, the board of directors considered a number of factors, including the
following:

  .  The board of directors considered the $19.00 value to be received by
     Republic's stockholders in the merger in cash. The board considered the
     historical market prices and trading information for Republic's common
     stock, the price per share offered by Premier, and the fact that the
     price of $19.00 per share payable in the merger represents a significant
     premium over the market prices for

                                       19
<PAGE>

     Republic's common stock prior to Republic's announcement that it had
     engaged J.P. Morgan to assist it in exploring strategic alternatives to
     enhance stockholder value. In particular, the $19.00 per share price
     then represented a premium of 43.5% over the average closing price for
     the preceding 52 weeks.

  .  The board of directors considered that the $19.00 per share cash
     consideration in the Premier merger agreement represents the highest
     offer received after a bidding process designed to elicit proposals to
     acquire Republic from the industry participants believed by management
     and its financial adviser to be the most likely to place a high value on
     Republic and who had access to substantial due diligence information.

  .  The board also considered the oral opinion of J.P. Morgan, subsequently
     confirmed in writing by J.P. Morgan, that the consideration to be
     provided in the merger to the holders of Republic's common stock is fair
     to such holders from a financial point of view. The board also
     considered the related financial analyses performed by J.P. Morgan as
     described below under "Opinion of Republic's Financial Advisor," and
     considered the amount and structure of the compensation arrangements
     with J.P. Morgan.

  .  The board of directors considered the recommendation of Republic's
     management in favor of the merger as well as information provided by
     management regarding Republic's recent financial performance, financial
     condition, business and prospects.

  .  The board of directors considered the current market and operating
     environment for Republic's gypsum wallboard and recycled paper
     businesses, including industry trends toward consolidation. The board
     also considered the potential risks and benefits of continuing to
     operate as an independent company in this market and operating
     environment, the current operations at Republic's facilities and the
     prospects for achieving "commercial production" under the Hardie
     paperboard supply agreement. The board also considered Republic's
     capital structure and the management, financial and technical resources
     available at Republic to deal with these matters.

  .  The board of directors considered the terms and conditions of the merger
     agreement, including, particularly, the existence and amount of the
     liquidated damages provision in favor of Republic, the letter of credit
     supporting Premier's obligations under that provision, and the
     circumstances under which the liquidated damages would be payable to
     Republic. The board also considered the conditions to the obligations of
     the parties to consummate the merger (including the absence of a
     financing condition to Premier's obligations) and the termination
     provisions available to the parties.

  .  The board also considered the restrictions in the merger agreement with
     respect to solicitation by Republic of third party proposals, the
     circumstances under which the board of directors could elect to pursue
     another acquisition proposal instead of the merger, the amount of the
     $10 million termination fee in favor of Premier and the circumstances
     under which it would become payable by Republic. The board recognized
     that the provisions limiting Republic from soliciting or encouraging
     alternative proposals and the termination fee and other provisions
     limiting termination of the merger agreement by Republic could decrease
     the likelihood that a third party would offer to acquire Republic.
     However, the board believed that such provisions would not be likely to
     preclude an interested party from making a superior proposal to
     Republic. The board also considered that the negotiations with Premier
     indicated that in order to procure a substantial liquidated damages
     provision, which the board felt was critical to its approval of the
     merger agreement, Republic would have to offer in exchange a substantial
     termination fee approaching in size the amount of liquidated damages
     Premier would potentially be obligated to pay. In that connection the
     board also considered that the industry parties it believed most likely
     to be in a position to pay the highest consideration had had an
     opportunity to participate in the bidding process, and that the proposal
     from Premier represented the greatest value, despite efforts by Republic
     and its advisors to increase the bids of other participants in the
     process to or above the level of the proposal received from Premier.

  .  The board considered the fixed nature of the cash consideration payable
     in the Premier merger, the certainty of value it provided to Republic's
     stockholders, and the fact that it would not be adjusted in

                                       20
<PAGE>

     the event of changes in the market price of Republic's common stock as
     might be the case in a transaction offering stock as the form of
     consideration. The board also considered that a cash transaction would
     have the effect of precluding Republic's stockholders from participating
     in the future growth of Republic's businesses by retaining an equity
     interest in the merged entity.

  .  The board of directors considered the fact that Premier was a newly
     organized entity with very limited assets and that the consideration to
     be paid to stockholders would come largely from borrowings by Premier.
     In that connection the board also considered that ICA, Premier's
     advisor, had successfully structured, financed and completed a number of
     transactions similar to the merger and that the merger agreement does
     not contain a financing condition. The board also considered the fact
     that Premier was willing to agree to a liquidated damages provision
     backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $12
     million should it be unable to consummate the transaction due to a lack
     of financing, a breach of its covenants in a material respect or its
     failure to close the merger if the conditions to its obligations to do
     so were satisfied.

  .  The board of directors considered the possibility that the merger might
     not be consummated, and in that regard, considered the existence of the
     backup transaction with CXP, the circumstances under which CXP and
     Republic would be obligated to proceed with that transaction and the
     consideration payable in that transaction, including an amount equal to
     the value of any liquidated damages payment received from Premier should
     the Premier merger agreement be terminated under certain circumstances.
     In this connection, the board also considered the recommendation of
     Republic's management in favor of the CXP transaction if the Premier
     merger should not be consummated and the oral opinion of J.P. Morgan,
     subsequently confirmed in writing by J.P. Morgan, that the consideration
     that would be paid by CXP in the back-up transaction is fair, from a
     financial point of view, to the holders of Republic's common stock.

  .  The board of directors considered the possible alternatives to a sale of
     Republic, including the prospects of continuing to operate Republic as
     an independent company and the sale of specific assets of Republic, the
     value to stockholders of such alternatives and the likelihood that any
     value from these alternatives would be recognized in Republic's stock
     prices.

  .  The board of directors considered the potential disruption to Republic's
     business that might result from the announcement of the Premier merger,
     including the effect on employees, customers and suppliers.

  .  The board of directors considered that the stockholders of Republic
     would be entitled to vote on the merger agreement and that appraisal
     rights would be available to stockholders of Republic under the
     applicable provisions of Delaware law.

  .  The board of directors considered the tax consequences to stockholders
     of Republic.

  .  The board of directors was also cognizant of the potential conflicts of
     interest resulting from the benefits that the directors and executive
     officers would receive in connection with the merger under various
     employee benefit arrangements, including the recently adopted Retention
     Bonus Plan as well as the existing Key Employee Continuation Plan. The
     board believed that the amounts potentially payable under these plans,
     as well as a result of the acceleration of existing outstanding stock
     options, were well within the norm for similar companies and
     transactions and that such programs were important in preserving
     employee morale, keeping Republic's work force intact and providing for
     a transition to a buyer.

   The foregoing discussion of the factors and information considered by the
board of directors is not meant to be exhaustive, but the board believes that
it includes all material factors considered by the board. The board did not
find it practical to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign
relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its
determination. Rather the board considered its determination and recommendation
as being based on the total information presented to and considered by it.

                                       21
<PAGE>

Opinion of Republic's Financial Advisor

   Pursuant to an engagement letter dated February 2, 1999 Republic retained
J.P. Morgan to act as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with any
sale, merger or business combination. At the Republic board meeting on August
11, 2000, J.P. Morgan gave its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing,
to the board that as of that date and on the basis of and subject to the
matters described in the opinion, the cash consideration of $19.00 per share,
to be received by holders of Republic common stock in the proposed merger with
Premier was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders. The
cash consideration to be paid to Republic's holders of common stock in the
merger was determined through negotiations between the managements of Republic
and Premier Trust. J.P. Morgan was not asked by, and did not recommend to,
Republic that any specific amount constituted the appropriate amount of
consideration to be paid in the merger.

   The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan dated August 11, 2000,
which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the
review undertaken, is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement. J.P.
Morgan has consented to the use of its written opinion in this Proxy Statement.
No limitations were imposed by Republic on J.P. Morgan with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed by it in furnishing its opinion.
Republic encourages you to read the opinion carefully and in its entirety.

   J.P. Morgan's opinion is addressed to the Republic board of directors, is
directed only to the consideration to be received by holders of Republic common
stock in the proposed merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any
stockholder as to how to vote with respect to the proposed merger. The summary
of the opinion of J.P. Morgan set forth in this Proxy Statement is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion.

   In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan reviewed, among other things:

  .  the merger agreement and the stockholder agreements of certain holders
     of 27.3% in the aggregate of the Republic common stock;

  .  the form of irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $12 million
     furnished to Republic by Premier Trust to support certain of its
     obligations under the merger agreement;

  .  the confident letter relating to the financing contemplated by Premier
     Trust;

  .  certain publicly available information concerning the business of
     Republic and of certain other companies engaged in businesses comparable
     to those of Republic, and the reported market prices for certain other
     companies' securities J.P. Morgan deemed comparable;

  .  publicly available terms of certain transactions involving companies
     comparable to Republic and the consideration received for such
     companies;

  .  then-current and historical market prices of Republic common stock;

  .  Republic's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June
     30, 2000;

  .  certain agreements with respect to Republic's outstanding indebtedness
     or obligations;

  .  certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by Republic
     and its management;

  .  the letter agreement separately entered into by Republic and CXP
     relating to a proposed back-up business combination between them; and

  .  the terms of various other business combinations that J.P. Morgan deemed
     relevant.

   In addition, J.P. Morgan has held separate discussions with certain members
of the management of Republic and Premier Trust with respect to certain aspects
of the proposed merger, and the past and current business operations of
Republic, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of
Republic, the

                                       22
<PAGE>

effects of the proposed merger on the financial condition and future prospects
of Republic, and certain other matters J.P. Morgan believed necessary or
appropriate to its inquiry. J.P. Morgan visited certain representative
facilities of Republic, and reviewed such other financial studies and analyses
and considered such other information as J.P. Morgan deemed appropriate for the
purposes of its opinion.

   In giving its opinion, J.P. Morgan relied upon and assumed, without
independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that
was publicly available or was furnished to J.P. Morgan by Republic or Premier
Trust or otherwise reviewed by J.P. Morgan, and has not assumed any
responsibility or liability therefor. J.P. Morgan did not conduct any valuation
or appraisal of any assets or liabilities of Republic, nor were any such
valuations or appraisals provided to J.P. Morgan. In relying on financial
analyses and forecasts provided to it, J.P. Morgan assumed that they were
reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of Republic's management as to the expected
future results of operations and financial condition to which such analyses or
forecasts relate. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the proposed merger will have
the tax consequences that are described in this Proxy Statement, and which were
described to J.P. Morgan in its discussions with, as well as materials
furnished by, representatives of Republic. J.P. Morgan further assumed that the
other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be consummated as
described in the merger agreement and this Proxy Statement. The projections
furnished to J.P. Morgan were prepared by Republic's management. Republic does
not publicly disclose internal management projections of the type provided to
J.P. Morgan in connection with J.P. Morgan's analysis of the proposed merger,
and such projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure.
These projections were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are
inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of management, including,
without limitation, factors related to general economic and competitive
conditions and prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, actual results could
vary significantly from those set forth in such projections.

   J.P. Morgan based its opinion on economic, market and other conditions as in
effect on, and the information made available to J.P. Morgan, as of August 11,
2000. Subsequent developments may affect J.P. Morgan's opinion, and J.P. Morgan
does not have any obligation to Republic to update, revise or reaffirm its
opinion.

   In accordance with customary investment banking practices, J.P. Morgan
employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The
following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by J.P.
Morgan in connection with its opinion. This summary contains all material
financial analyses, but is not a complete description of all of the analyses
underlying J.P. Morgan's opinion.

   Historical Common Stock Performance. J.P. Morgan conducted an analysis of
the historical closing price of Republic's common stock based on closing prices
on the New York Stock Exchange relative to the performance of an index of
comparable companies consisting of Armstrong Holdings Inc., Centex Construction
Products, Inc., James Hardie Industries Limited, Johns Manville Corporation,
Owens Corning Inc., USG Corporation and the Standard & Poor's 400 index over
the time periods from August 7, 1997 to August 7, 2000. J.P. Morgan noted that
Republic's common stock has performed in line with the index of comparable
companies over the time period from August 6, 1999 to August 7, 2000. J.P.
Morgan also observed that Republic's common stock has underperformed the S&P
400 over both observed time periods. Republic's 52 week trading performance
ranged from a low of $7.69 to a high of $18.50 per share with an average price
of $13.24 per share. Republic's three year trading performance ranged from a
low of $7.69 to a high of $22.00 per share with an average of $16.51 per share.
J.P. Morgan noted that Republic's stock price 5 days prior to the public
announcement that it had hired J.P. Morgan to review strategic alternatives was
$9.00 per share.

   Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. J.P. Morgan conducted a discounted cash flow
analysis for the purpose of determining the implied fully diluted equity value
per share for Republic's common stock. J.P. Morgan reviewed three scenarios,
which included management's current forecast which reflected management's
latest estimates for fiscal 2001 and management's forecast for the fiscal years
2002 through 2008. In addition two other cases were analyzed, based on
management's projections assuming changes in net gypsum selling price.

                                       23
<PAGE>

One case assumed a consistent $10 per thousand square foot decrease in the net
selling price of gypsum for fiscal years 2001 through 2008 below management's
current forecast. The other case assumed a consistent $10 per thousand square
foot increase over management's current forecast.

   For each scenario, J.P. Morgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that
Republic is expected to generate during fiscal years 2001 through 2008. J.P.
Morgan also calculated a range of terminal asset values of Republic at the end
of fiscal 2008 based upon a range of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization) terminal value multiples from 4.0x to 6.0x,
which J.P. Morgan selected based upon Republic's historical performance. The
unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal asset values were then
discounted to present values using a range of discount rates from 10.00% to
11.00%, which were chosen by J.P. Morgan based upon an analysis of Republic's
weighted average cost of capital. The present value of the unlevered free cash
flows and the range of terminal asset values were then adjusted for estimated
July 31, 2000 excess cash, option exercise proceeds and total debt. Based on
the projections and a range of discount rates from 10.00% to 11.00%, the
discounted cash flow analysis of management's current forecast indicated a
range of equity values of between $8.50 and $15.00 per share of Republic's
common stock. Utilizing the scenario in which net gypsum selling prices were
increased by $10 per thousand square feet per annum, the discounted cash flow
analysis indicated a range between $12.50 and $20.50 per share of Republic's
common stock. Utilizing the scenario in which net gypsum selling prices were
decreased by $10 per thousand square feet per annum, the discounted cash flow
analysis indicated a range between $4.00 and $10.00 per share of Republic's
common stock. Each of these scenarios was used to develop a range of values for
Republic on a stand-alone basis.

   Public Trading Multiples. Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan
compared selected financial data, ratios and multiples of Republic with similar
data, ratios and multiples for selected publicly traded companies engaged in
businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be analogous to Republic.

   The companies selected by J.P. Morgan were:

   Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
   Caraustar Industries Inc.
   Centex Construction Products, Inc. (CXP)
   James Hardie Industries Limited
   Owens Corning Inc.
   Rock-Tenn Co.
   Sonoco Products
   USG Corporation

   The public trading analysis for all of these companies was based on publicly
available information for the twelve months ended March 31, 2000 except for
James Hardie whose information for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999
was used. In addition, J.P. Morgan derived estimates of EBITDA and net income
for calendar year 2000 and 2001 from public equity analyst estimates. The
analysis produced a range of multiples for firm value (which J.P. Morgan
defined for purposes of its analyses as market value of common equity and
preferred stock as of August 7, 2000 plus latest reported debt, net of cash and
marketable securities and minority interests) over various estimated financial
benchmarks, including sales and EBITDA, and for the market value of common
equity (price) over net income (the price-to-net income (earnings) multiple or
P/E ratio). The analysis indicated firm value to last twelve months EBITDA
multiples ranging from 1.7x to 6.3x and firm value to projected 2000 EBITDA
ranging from 1.9x to 7.7x. The analysis also indicated 2000 P/E ratios ranging
from 4.3x to 14.3x and 2001 P/E ratios ranging from 5.5x to 15.1x.

   Comparable Transactions Analysis. Using publicly available information, J.P.
Morgan examined selected transactions in the building products and recycled
paperboard industries having a transaction value of less than $750 million.

                                       24
<PAGE>

   Specifically, J.P. Morgan reviewed the following transactions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Acquirer                  Target                                      Year
   --------                  ------                                      ----
   <C>                       <S>                                         <C>
   CSR Limited               Florida Crushed Stone                       2000
   CSR Limited               American Limestone                          2000
   BPB plc                   Celotex Corporation (selected assets)       2000
   Masco Corporation         Masterchem Corporation (Williams plc)       2000
   Gilde Investment          Armstrong Insulation                        2000
   CRH plc                   Shelly Company                              2000
   Cementos Portland         Giant Cement                                1999
   CRH plc                   Scancem Subsidiaries                        1999
   Onex Corp.                ABCO                                        1999
   Caraustar Industries Inc. Sprague Mill (International Paper)*         1999
   Louisiana-Pacific         ABT Building Products                       1999
   Martin Marietta Materials Redland Stone Products                      1998
   GE Investments            Atrium Companies                            1998
   Shaw Industries, Inc.     Queen Carpets                               1998
   Lafarge Corp.             Redland NA assets                           1998
   Nortek Inc.               NuTone (Williams)                           1998
   NCI Building Systems      MBCI (BTR)                                  1998
   Rock-Tenn Co.             Waldorf*                                    1997
   Caraustar Industries Inc. Tenneco Inc. (recycled paperboard mills)*   1996
   Republic                  Halltown Paperboard*                        1995
   Caraustar Industries Inc. Manchester Board*                           1993
   Rock-Tenn Co.             Specialty Paperboard*                       1991
</TABLE>
--------
*  Indicates that the target is a recycled paperboard manufacturer.

   J.P. Morgan calculated a range of multiples of firm value to EBITDA (for the
twelve month periods prior to the respective transaction announcements) implied
in these transactions. J.P. Morgan noted that the range of EBITDA multiples
implied by these transactions ranged from 4.5x to 10.1x. J.P. Morgan observed
that the multiples were impacted by the timing of each transaction due to the
cyclicality of the building products and paperboard industries. As a result,
J.P. Morgan calculated that based on a more representative multiple range of
6.0x to 7.5x average EBITDA for the period 1993--2000E and assuming a value for
the Lawton mill based on its construction costs, the implied equity value was
between $12.00 and $18.00 per share for Republic's common stock.

   The summary set forth above is not a complete description of the analyses or
data presented by J.P. Morgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or
summary description. J.P. Morgan believes that you must consider its opinion,
the summary and its analyses as a whole. Selecting portions of this summary and
these analyses, without considering the analyses as a whole, would create an
incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses and opinion. In
arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan considered the results of all of the
analyses as a whole. No single factor or analysis was determinative of J.P.
Morgan's fairness determination. Rather, the totality of the factors considered
and analyses performed operated collectively to support its determination. J.P.
Morgan based its analysis on assumptions that it deemed reasonable, including
assumptions concerning general business and economic conditions and industry
specific factors. This summary sets forth under the description of each
analysis the other principal assumptions upon which J.P. Morgan based that
analysis. Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are inherently
uncertain, as they are subject to numerous factors or events beyond the control
of the parties and their advisors. Accordingly, these projections and analyses
are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than suggested by those analyses.
Therefore, neither Republic nor J.P. Morgan nor any other person assumes
responsibility if future results are materially different from those
forecasted.

                                       25
<PAGE>

   J.P. Morgan is an internationally recognized investment bank offering a full
range of financial services including advisory, capital raising and risk
management services globally. As a part of its investment banking business,
J.P. Morgan and its affiliates are continually engaged in the valuation of
businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings,
secondary distribution of listed and unlisted securities, private placements,
and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. Republic selected J.P.
Morgan to advise Republic with respect to the proposed merger and deliver an
opinion to the Republic board on the basis of such experience and the firm's
specific experience in the building products and broader industrial sectors and
its familiarity with Republic.

   J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisor to Republic and the Republic board
with respect to the proposed merger and the back-up transaction with CXP. The
amount of fees to be paid to J.P. Morgan in connection with its engagement was
negotiated with Republic and set forth in its engagement letter. J.P. Morgan
will receive a total fee of approximately $4.9 million upon closing of the
proposed merger. In addition, Republic has agreed to reimburse J.P. Morgan for
its expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and
disbursements of counsel, and will indemnify J.P. Morgan against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the federal securities laws.

   J.P. Morgan acted as underwriter to Republic in respect of an offering of
its debt securities in July 1998 for which J.P. Morgan received customary
compensation. In addition, on August 11, 2000 J.P. Morgan issued to the
Republic board of directors a separate opinion addressing its views with
respect to the back-up CXP transaction. J.P. Morgan has no other financial
advisory or other relationships with Republic, Premier Trust (or any of its
affiliates) or CXP. In the ordinary course of their businesses, J.P. Morgan and
its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of Republic or
CXP for their own account or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly,
they may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.

Structure of the Merger

   Pursuant to the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger,
Premier Acquisition Corp. will merge into Republic, and Premier Acquisition
Corp. will cease to exist. Following the effective time of the merger, Republic
will be the surviving corporation and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Premier Trust.

   The effective time of the merger will be at the time a certificate of merger
is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, which is expected to occur after
the last of the conditions precedent to the merger set forth in the merger
agreement has been satisfied or waived. See "The Merger--Conditions Precedent."

   The merger will have the effect provided by Delaware law. Specifically, at
the effective time of the merger, all of the property, rights, privileges,
powers and franchises of Republic and Premier Acquisition Corp. will be vested
in the surviving corporation, and all of the debts, liabilities and duties of
Republic and Premier Acquisition Corp. will become the debts, liabilities and
duties of the surviving corporation.

Merger Consideration

   At the effective time of the merger, by virtue of the merger and without any
separate action on the part of any stockholder, each issued and outstanding
share of Republic common stock (including the common stock share purchase right
under Republic's Amended and Restated Rights Plan, as amended, associated with
each outstanding share) held by Republic stockholders will be canceled and
converted into the right to receive $19.00 in cash, without interest, except
for treasury shares and shares as to which dissenters' rights are perfected by
a dissenting stockholder.

                                       26
<PAGE>

   At the effective time of the merger, all existing shares of Republic common
stock will cease to be outstanding, will automatically be canceled and will
cease to exist. At the effective time of the merger, all of Republic's treasury
shares will automatically be canceled and will cease to exist. Each holder of
Republic common stock other than holders who properly exercise their
dissenters' rights under Delaware law will cease to have any rights with
respect to those shares, except the right to receive the merger consideration
in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement.

   At the effective time of the merger, each share of capital stock of Premier
Acquisition Corp. issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective
time of the merger will be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable
share of common stock of the surviving corporation.

   No dissenting stockholder will be entitled to any portion of the merger
consideration unless and until the dissenting stockholder fails to perfect or
otherwise effectively withdraws or loses his or her dissenter's rights under
Delaware law. Shares of Republic common stock as to which dissenters' rights
have been exercised will be treated in accordance with Section 262 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Any shares of Republic common stock held by a
dissenting stockholder who fails to perfect, or who otherwise effectively
withdraws or loses, his or her dissenter's rights with respect to those shares
will be treated as though they had been converted as of the effective date of
the merger into the right to receive the merger consideration set forth above.
See "Dissenters' Rights."

Treatment of Stock Options

   At or immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each employee
or director stock option to purchase Republic common stock that is outstanding
under any stock option or compensation plan or arrangement of Republic will be
canceled. Each holder of such an option with a per share exercise price less
than $19.00 will be entitled to receive, for each share subject to such option,
an amount in cash equal to the difference between $19.00 and the per share
exercise price of such option, subject to any applicable withholding tax. A
holder of an option will not receive any consideration for that option if the
per share exercise price for such option equals or exceeds $19.00.

Amendment and Termination of Rights Agreement

   Republic's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement was amended to provide that
as a result of the merger agreement, the stockholder agreements or other
related documents or the transactions contemplated by such agreements and
documents:

  .  none of Premier and its affiliates will be deemed to be an "Acquiring
     Person,"

  .  no "Distribution Date" will be deemed to have occurred,

  .  no "Stock Acquisition Date" will be deemed to have occurred, and

  .  no holder of rights will be entitled to any benefits,

under the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement. However, this amendment will
terminate if Premier and its affiliates become the beneficial owners of 15% or
more of Republic's outstanding stock in a manner other than as provided for in
the merger agreement or stockholder agreements. The Amended and Restated Rights
Agreement was also amended to provide that it will terminate as of the
effective time of the merger, immediately after conversion of Republic's common
stock (and associated rights) into the right to receive cash pursuant to the
merger agreement.

Management

   The directors of Premier Acquisition Corp. immediately prior to the
effective time of the merger will be the directors of the surviving corporation
and shall serve until their respective successors are duly elected. The

                                       27
<PAGE>

current officers of Republic will become the initial officers of the surviving
corporation. However, it is likely that, upon consummation of the merger, new
officers will be appointed to the surviving corporation.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

   The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Premier Acquisition Corp.
will be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving
corporation until duly amended in accordance with applicable law, except that
the name of the surviving corporation will continue to be Republic Group
Incorporated and the provisions of Republic's certificate of incorporation and
bylaws relating to indemnification of officers and directors shall replace in
their entirety the comparable provisions in the certificate of incorporation
and bylaws of Premier Acquisition Corp. See "The Merger--Indemnification of
Officers and Directors."

SEC Filings and Public Reports

   If the merger is consummated, and subject to some Republic contractual
obligations (including those under the indenture for its senior subordinated
notes), Republic may elect not to continue filing periodic reports under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the filing of annual reports on Form
10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other nonperiodic reports, such as
Forms 8-K, or continue complying with the proxy rules under the Securities
Exchange Act. In the event that Republic elects not to continue making filings
under the Securities Exchange Act, officers and directors and beneficial owners
of 10% of the common stock will be relieved of the reporting requirements and
restrictions on insider trading under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act.

Stockholder Agreements

   In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, Republic's
executive officers and directors, including the Chairman, Phil Simpson, and
some members of Mr. Simpson's family, entered into stockholder agreements with
Premier Trust. The form of stockholder agreement is attached to this Proxy
Statement as Appendix B. Based on the number of shares of Republic common stock
outstanding on September 21, 2000, the executive officers, directors and other
individuals that signed stockholder agreements beneficially own approximately
27.3% of Republic's outstanding common stock. Each stockholder agreement
provides, among other things, that all shares of Republic common stock
beneficially owned by the applicable signatory will be voted:

  .  in favor of the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions
     contemplated by it;

  .  against any takeover proposal or any agreement, arrangement or
     transaction relating to any takeover proposal; and

  .  against any other action or agreement that is inconsistent with the
     merger agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or that is
     reasonably likely:

    -- to interfere with or postpone the merger or the other transactions
       contemplated by the merger agreement,

    -- to result in a breach of any agreement, representation or warranty
       of Republic under the merger agreement, or

    -- to cause any of the conditions to the obligations of the parties
       under the merger agreement not to be fulfilled.

   Under the stockholder agreements, each person signing an agreement has
granted to some officers of Premier Acquisition Corp. a proxy to vote that
person's shares in respect of the foregoing matters. The persons signing
stockholder agreements are also restricted from taking any action that if taken
by Republic would be prohibited under the provisions of the merger agreement
described under "The Merger --No Solicitation."

                                       28
<PAGE>

Finally, the stockholder agreements prohibit the persons bound by their terms
from disposing of or otherwise encumbering or entering into any other voting
arrangement with respect to the shares covered by the agreements. The
stockholder agreements terminate if the merger agreement is terminated prior to
consummation in accordance with its terms. Thus, if Republic's board of
directors exercises its right under the merger agreement to terminate the
merger agreement and to approve a superior proposal, the persons who signed
stockholder agreements will not be bound to vote for the merger agreement and
may vote in favor of the superior proposal. See "The Merger--No Solicitation."

Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger

   In considering the recommendation of our board of directors with respect to
the merger, you should be aware that the directors and executive officers of
Republic have some interests in the merger that may be different from, or in
addition to, your interests. Our board of directors was aware of these
interests and considered them, among other factors, in approving the merger.
These interests are summarized below.

   General. In connection with its decision to commence an exploration of
strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value, the board of directors
recognized that that process would be potentially disruptive to its employees,
would place significant additional burdens upon them, would create
uncertainties among them as to their future employment and could adversely
affect morale at a critical time for Republic. Many of such employees would
potentially have other opportunities for employment and might be recruited by
other employers. In order to increase the likelihood that key employees would
remain with Republic during the process of exploring strategic alternatives
and, if a transaction were to result from that exploration, would be available
to a successor during a transition period after consummation of that
transaction, the board of directors adopted a retention bonus plan for
executive officers and key management employees and a retention bonus program
for some non-executive employees, amended an existing severance plan, and
amended the change of control definitions in several of its employee benefit
plans to cover a consensual transaction, like the merger.

   Retention Bonus Plan. The retention bonus plan was adopted effective June 6,
2000 and provides that participants will receive bonuses, provided they remain
in the employ of Republic through the completion of a change of control, such
as the merger, and for a six-month period thereafter. The retention bonus is
payable in two installments, 50% upon the date of a change of control, and the
remaining 50% upon the date that is six months following a change of control.
Payment of the retention bonus is accelerated upon the involuntary termination
of employment of such employee by Republic or a successor for any reason other
than for cause, or the employee's resignation for good reason.

   Twenty-seven employees have been selected to participate in the retention
bonus plan, and the total bonuses equal approximately $2.7 million. The
retention bonus payments for the chief executive officer and the next four most
highly compensated executive officers are estimated to be as follows:

<TABLE>
           <S>                                       <C>
           Phil Simpson.............................      -0-
           Doyle R. Ramsey.......................... $382,000
           Geary D. Cribbs.......................... $247,500
           Todd T. Brown............................ $162,000
           Lon D. Lewis............................. $163,000
</TABLE>

   Key Employee Continuation Plan. The key employee continuation plan, adopted
by Republic in 1990, was amended effective June 15, 2000 to change the
definition of change of control to cover consensual transactions like the
merger and to provide for the 50% offset discussed below. Each of Republic's
executive officers is a participant. The key employee continuation plan
provides for a severance payment to a participant if his employment terminates
(other than for cause, disability, death, retirement or voluntary resignation)
within a period of one year following a change of control. The severance
payment will equal the employee's average annual cash compensation for the five
years preceding the change of control, multiplied by a termination factor
established by the board of directors between 100% and 150%. If a participant
in the key employee continuation plan is also a participant in the retention
bonus plan, the amount of the severance payment is reduced by 50% of the
retention bonus under the retention bonus plan.

                                       29
<PAGE>

   The maximum payments under the key employee continuation plan are estimated
at $700,000 if the employment of all participants were terminated under
circumstances triggering the payments and they had already received full
bonuses under the retention bonus plan. Individual payments, after giving
effect to the 50% offset, for the chief executive officer and the next four
most highly compensated executive officers are estimated to be as follows:

<TABLE>
           <S>                                        <C>
           Phil Simpson..............................     -0-
           Doyle R. Ramsey........................... $65,687
           Geary D. Cribbs........................... $61,811
           Todd T. Brown............................. $86,366
           Lon D. Lewis.............................. $99,806
</TABLE>

   Stock Options. As of September 21, 2000, the executive officers and
directors of Republic held options to purchase an aggregate of 421,700 shares
of Republic common stock, of which 175,129 were immediately exercisable. The
merger will result in the acceleration of the exercisability of the remainder
of such options, and, upon the consummation of the merger, each option holder
will be entitled to receive, for each share subject to such an option with a
per share exercise price of less than $19.00, an amount in cash equal to the
difference between $19.00 and the per share exercise price of such option, less
any applicable withholding tax. A holder of an option will not receive any
consideration for that option if the per share exercise price for such option
equals or exceeds $19.00. Of the 421,700 shares subject to options held by
Republic's executive officers and directors on September 21, 2000, 411,159 are
at exercise prices below $19.00 per share, and based upon our expectation that
the merger will be completed in mid-November, the merger would accelerate the
exercisability of options covering 163,525 of those shares. See "The Merger--
Treatment of Stock Options."

   The following table sets forth for the chief executive officer and for the
next four most highly compensated executive officers of Republic the number of
shares covered by options with a per share exercise price below $19.00, and the
amount such person will receive as a result of the merger with respect to such
options.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Number of Shares
                                        Covered by Options Amount to be Received
                                          with Exercise        in Respect of
                                           Price below     such Options Pursuant
   Name                                      $19.00*          to the Merger*
   ----                                 ------------------ ---------------------
   <S>                                  <C>                <C>
   Phil Simpson........................       61,959             $165,940
   Doyle R. Ramsey.....................       85,850             $129,151
   Geary D. Cribbs.....................       36,800             $110,077
   Todd T. Brown.......................       26,800             $ 81,952
   Lon D. Lewis........................       23,400             $ 54,874
</TABLE>
--------

*  Of such shares, the number of option shares the exercisability of which will
   be accelerated as a result of the merger and amounts payable in respect to
   such accelerated options as a result of the merger are: Phil Simpson--30,000
   shares/$55,209; Doyle R. Ramsey--53,250 shares/$70,375; Geary D. Cribbs--
   15,250 shares/$35,250; Todd T. Brown--9,000 shares/$19,313; and Lon D.
   Lewis--9,000 shares/$19,313.

   Non-Employee Director's Retirement Compensation Arrangement. Non-employee
directors of Republic who have served on the board of directors for three or
more years will be paid a lump sum retirement payment 180 days after their
service on the board of directors terminates. Pursuant to the terms of the
merger agreement, each of the directors will be replaced at the effective time
of the merger, and will be entitled to receive a retirement payment. The total
retirement payments are estimated to aggregate $177,500.

   Indemnification and Insurance. Pursuant to the merger agreement, the
indemnification provisions of Republic's certificate of incorporation and
bylaws will be included in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the
surviving corporation. The merger agreement provides that the surviving
corporation (and any successor) will for a period of six years after the
effective time of the merger indemnify present and former

                                       30
<PAGE>

directors and officers of Republic and its subsidiaries to the fullest extent
permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law and such provisions of the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws for matters arising prior to or at the
effective time of the merger, including any claim based upon the merger
agreement or the transactions contemplated by it. The merger agreement also
generally requires the surviving corporation to maintain Republic's existing
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy for a period of not less
than six years after the merger. See "The Merger--Indemnification of Officers
and Directors."

Financing

   On August 15, 2000, Premier Trust received a commitment letter for a term
loan of up to $550 million from Utrecht-America Finance Co. to be used to
complete the merger of Republic, including the repayment of outstanding
Republic debt. The commitment is conditioned on the completion of the loan
documents. The term loan is expected to be secured by the assets of Republic
and to contain representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and
other terms that are customary for a transaction of this type. The merger
agreement is not subject to Premier Trust and Premier Acquisition Corp.
obtaining financing as a condition to closing. However, Republic has the right
to terminate the merger agreement if any of the conditions to Premier Trust
obtaining funds necessary to pay the merger consideration in full remain
unsatisfied 48 hours after Republic's stockholders have approved the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated therein and some other conditions
are met. Upon such a termination and subject to some conditions, Republic would
be entitled to recover liquidated damages in the amount of $12 million. See
"The Merger--Termination" and "TheMerger--Termination Fees and Expenses."

Accounting Treatment

   The merger will be accounted for by Premier Trust as a "purchase" in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Consequently, the
aggregate consideration paid by Premier Trust in connection with the merger
will be allocated to Republic's assets and liabilities based upon their fair
values, with any excess being treated as goodwill.

Material Federal Income Tax Consequences

   The following discussion describes material United States federal income tax
consequences relevant to the merger. The discussion is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing and proposed Treasury regulations,
rulings, administrative pronouncements and judicial decisions, changes to which
could materially affect the tax consequences described herein and could be made
on a retroactive basis.

   The receipt of cash in exchange for shares of Republic common stock pursuant
to the merger will be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes and
also may be a taxable transaction under applicable state, local and foreign
income and other tax laws. The tax consequences may vary depending upon, among
other things, your particular circumstances. In general, you will recognize a
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between
the adjusted tax basis of your Republic common stock and the amount of cash
received in exchange for your Republic common stock in the merger. Such gain or
loss generally will be:

  .  calculated separately for each block of shares (i.e., shares acquired at
     the same cost in a single transaction) sold pursuant to the merger;

  .  a capital gain or loss if the Republic common stock is a capital asset
     of yours; and

  .  a long-term gain or loss if the holding period for your Republic common
     stock is more than one year at the effective time of the merger.

   Your receipt of cash pursuant to the merger may be subject to backup
withholding at the rate of 31% unless you provide a certified taxpayer
identification number on Form W-9 and you otherwise comply with the backup
withholding rules or demonstrate an exemption from backup withholding. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax; any amounts withheld may be credited
against your federal income tax liability subject to the withholding.

                                       31
<PAGE>

   The foregoing discussion does not address all aspects of federal income
taxation that may be relevant to you and may not apply to you if you:

  .  acquired your Republic common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee
     stock options or other compensation arrangements with Republic;

  .  are not a citizen or resident of the United States;

  .  exercise your dissenters' rights under Delaware law; or

  .  are subject to special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code
     (such as if you are a dealer in securities, a tax-exempt entity, an
     insurance company, another financial institution, or a regulated
     investment company or you hold your shares as part of a hedge, straddle,
     conversion or other special transaction).

   This tax discussion is for your general information only. Due to the
individual nature of tax consequences, you are strongly urged to consult with
your tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the merger to you,
including the effects of applicable state, local or foreign income or other tax
laws or federal tax laws other than those pertaining to income tax.

Antitrust Matters

   The consummation of the merger is subject to the requirements of the Hart-
Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"),
and the rules and regulations thereunder. The HSR Act provides that some
acquisition transactions may not be consummated until some information has been
furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the
Federal Trade Commission and until the applicable waiting period has been
terminated or has expired. Early termination of the applicable waiting period
under the HSR Act was granted on September 20, 2000.

   The expiration or termination of the HSR Act waiting period does not
preclude the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade
Commission or any state from challenging the merger on antitrust grounds either
before or after the waiting period has expired or been terminated. Accordingly,
at any time before or after the effective time of the merger, the Antitrust
Division of the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission or any
state could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or
desirable in the public interest, or some other persons, including private
parties, could take action under the antitrust laws. Such action could include
seeking to enjoin the merger.

   Based on information available to them, Republic, Premier Trust and Premier
Acquisition Corp. believe the merger can be effected in compliance with federal
and state antitrust laws. We cannot assure you, however, that a challenge to
the merger will not be made or that, if such a challenge is made, Republic,
Premier Trust and Premier Acquisition Corp. will prevail.

Procedures for Exchange of Certificates

   Promptly after the effective time, Premier Trust will deposit with UMB Bank,
N.A., who has been selected as the paying agent in connection with the merger,
for the benefit of the holders of shares of Republic common stock, cash in such
amounts and at times as is necessary for the prompt payment of the merger
consideration in exchange for outstanding shares of Republic common stock. As
soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time, the paying agent will
mail a letter of transmittal to former stockholders of Republic. The letter of
transmittal will be accompanied by instructions with respect to the surrender
of stock certificates formerly representing shares of Republic common stock to
be exchanged in the merger. Stockholders should not return stock certificates
with the enclosed proxy card.


                                       32
<PAGE>

   Upon the surrender of each certificate by Republic stockholders together
with a duly completed letter of transmittal and such other documents as the
paying agent may request, the holder of such certificate will be entitled to
receive in exchange for each share of Republic common stock represented by such
certificate cash in an amount equal to the merger consideration, without
interest, after giving effect to any required withholding tax. Any surrendered
certificate will be canceled.

   At or after the effective time, no transfers of Republic common stock will
be permitted on the stock transfer books of the surviving corporation. The
instructions accompanying the letter of transmittal will include instructions
for exchanging shares that have been transferred but not reflected in
Republic's stock transfer records.

   Any portion of the exchange fund that remains undistributed to former
stockholders of Republic for nine months after the effective time will be
delivered to the surviving corporation. After that time, a holder of a
certificate representing Republic common stock may look only to the surviving
corporation for payment of the merger consideration.

   Any amounts unclaimed by former stockholders of Republic three years after
the effective time (or such earlier date that such amounts would otherwise
escheat to any governmental authority) shall become, to the extent permitted by
law, the property of the surviving corporation free and clear of any claims or
interests of former stockholders of Republic or any other person previously
entitled to such amounts.

   None of Premier Trust, the surviving corporation or the paying agent will be
liable to any holder of shares of Republic common stock or any other person in
respect of any amount paid to a public official under any applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar law.

Provisions of the Merger Agreement

   The following sections of the Proxy Statement summarize material provisions
of the merger agreement that are not discussed above. The summary of the merger
agreement contained in this Proxy Statement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is
attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement. You are urged to review the
merger agreement carefully and in its entirety.

Representations and Warranties

   The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties by
Republic, Premier Trust and Premier Acquisition Corp. These representations and
warranties relate, among other things, to:

  .  the organization, standing, power and qualification of Republic, its
     subsidiaries, Premier Trust and Premier Acquisition Corp.;

  .  the capital structure of Republic;

  .  each of Republic's, Premier Trust's and Premier Acquisition Corp.'s
     authority to enter into, and the noncontravention of its organizational
     documents, other agreements and documents and applicable legal
     requirements upon the execution of, the merger agreement;

  .  documents filed by Republic with the Securities and Exchange Commission
     and other regulatory entities, including this Proxy Statement, and the
     accuracy of information contained therein;

  .  Republic's financial statements and the absence of undisclosed material
     liabilities with respect to Republic;

  .  the absence of some material changes or events with respect to Republic
     since June 30, 2000;

  .  Republic's material compliance with applicable laws and the absence of
     material undisclosed litigation;

                                       33
<PAGE>

  .  matters relating to Republic's benefit plans and its material compliance
     with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended;

  .  Republic's tax matters;

  .  the vote required by the stockholders of Republic in connection with the
     merger agreement; and the nonapplicability of both Section 203 of the
     Delaware General Corporation Law, dealing with transactions with some
     interested stockholders, and the "fair price" provisions of Republic's
     Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation;

  .  the amendment of Republic's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement to
     prevent the merger agreement, the stockholder agreements and related
     agreements and transactions from triggering some provisions of the
     Amended and Restated Rights Agreement;

  .  the engagement by Republic and Premier Trust of, and payment of fees to,
     brokers, investment bankers, finders and financial advisors in
     connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

  .  the approval by Republic's board of directors of the merger, the merger
     agreement, the stockholder agreements and the transactions contemplated
     thereby;

  .  the unanimous recommendation by Republic's board of directors that
     Republic's stockholders approve the merger agreement and the
     transactions contemplated therein;

  .  the absence of defaults by Republic under its organizational documents,
     its material agreements and applicable legal requirements;

  .  environmental matters affecting Republic;

  .  some of Republic's material contracts and indebtedness;

  .  Republic's intellectual property matters;

  .  some labor agreements and material labor disputes of Republic;

  .  the title to Republic's real and personal property and the validity of
     any leases to which Republic is or its subsidiaries are a party;

  .  Republic's insurance matters;

  .  transactions by Republic with its affiliates;

  .  the opinion of J.P. Morgan;

  .  the nonapplicability of state takeover statutes;

  .  the availability and existence of financing sufficient for Premier Trust
     to fund the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and

  .  the absence of business activities by Premier Trust and Premier
     Acquisition Corp. prior to the transactions contemplated in the merger
     agreement.

Covenants

   Pursuant to the merger agreement, Republic has agreed that, except as
consented to by Premier Trust, during the period from the date of the merger
agreement to the effective time of the merger, Republic will carry on its
business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice. To the extent
consistent with the previous sentence, Republic will use reasonable best
efforts to preserve intact its and its subsidiaries' business, to keep the
services of its current officers and other employees available and to preserve
relationships with persons having business dealings with Republic.


                                       34
<PAGE>

   More specifically, the merger agreement provides that, prior to the
effective time of the merger, Republic and its subsidiaries generally will not:

  .  declare or pay dividends, other than dividends by a subsidiary to its
     parent, or recapitalize, or purchase or redeem its capital shares;

  .  issue, sell or encumber any shares of capital stock or other voting
     securities or any options to acquire any shares of capital stock, other
     than the issuance of shares of Republic common stock upon the exercise
     of outstanding options;

  .  amend its organizational documents;

  .  merge with any person or acquire any interest in the material assets of
     another person;

  .  sell, lease or encumber any material assets;

  .  issue or sell any debt securities or incur or guarantee any indebtedness
     other than borrowings for working capital or general corporate purposes
     under Republic's existing credit agreement;

  .  make any loans or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other
     person;

  .  subject to some notice requirements, enter into capital commitments of
     more than $250,000 individually or $3 million in the aggregate, unless
     Republic was contractually bound to make such commitment at the time the
     merger agreement was signed and except for reasonable emergency
     expenditures of no greater than $80,000;

  .  make any tax election, settle or compromise any material tax liability
     or take any action with respect to the computation of taxes or the
     preparation of tax returns that is inconsistent with past practice;

  .  adopt, enter into or amend any employee benefit plan or increase any
     compensation or bonus opportunity of any employee or officer, except for
     changes in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice, or grant additional equity-based compensation to officers or
     employees;

  .  enter into any contract involving the payment or receipt of more than
     $300,000 or alter or terminate any material contract;

  .  pay, settle or discharge material claims, liabilities or obligations
     other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice;

  .  settle any material litigation or proceeding;

  .  fail to maintain appropriate insurance;

  .  fail to maintain in force all material permits or dispose of any rights
     under such permits;

  .  make any change to its accounting methods or practices, except as may be
     required by generally accepted accounting principles;

  .  commit or agree to do any of the foregoing; or

  .  take any action that could reasonably be expected to result in any of
     its representations and warranties becoming untrue or any of the
     conditions to the parties' obligations not being satisfied.

   The merger agreement also contains several affirmative covenants with which
Republic must comply. Among other things, Republic must:

  .  obtain consents from its option holders and amend its option plans as
     necessary to cancel the options and permit cash to be paid in lieu
     thereof pursuant to the merger;

  .  take all necessary actions to amend its Rights Agreement to prevent its
     provisions from being triggered by the merger and to terminate the
     Rights Agreement as of the effective time of the merger, and not amend
     the Rights Agreement without the prior written consent of Premier Trust;


                                       35
<PAGE>

  .  suspend or terminate the purchases of its common stock under its
     Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

  .  subject to the fiduciary duty of the board of directors of Republic,
     recommend that the stockholders approve the merger agreement and the
     transactions it contemplates and to use reasonable efforts to obtain
     approval and adoption of the merger agreement and transactions it
     contemplates;

  .  provide Premier Trust and its representatives with reasonable access to
     Republic's records, personnel and property and with copies of any
     documents filed pursuant to federal or state securities laws and such
     other information about its business as Premier Trust may reasonably
     request;

  .  consult with Premier Trust before issuing any press release or other
     public statement regarding the merger;

  .  use its reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary or
     advisable to consummate the merger, including obtaining all necessary
     governmental approvals making all necessary filings with governmental
     bodies and obtaining all necessary approvals from third parties,
     defending legal proceedings challenging the merger, ensuring that state
     anti-takeover statutes do not apply to the merger or that the merger may
     be consummated under such statute;

  .  update the disclosure schedules previously delivered to Premier pursuant
     to the merger agreement as events occur that, if known at the date of
     the merger agreement, would have been required to be reflected on the
     original disclosure schedules, but such additional information is not to
     be considered for purposes of determining whether the condition to
     Premier's obligations under the merger agreement relating to the
     continued accuracy of Republic's representations and warranties has been
     satisfied except where not material to Republic and its subsidiaries as
     a whole; and

  .  allow Premier Trust to participate in the defense or settlement of any
     stockholder litigation.

   The merger agreement provides that the surviving corporation will honor all
of Republic's obligations under its existing bank credit agreement and
indenture for its senior subordinated notes, including making a change of
control offer for its senior subordinated notes to the extent the offer is
required by the indenture.

   The merger agreement also provides that Premier Trust will:

  .  provide, and cause the surviving corporation to provide, for a period of
     no less than one year after consummation of the merger, employee pension
     and welfare plans (other than equity-based plans) for the benefit of
     employees of Republic that, in the aggregate, are not materially less
     favorable than those currently available to Republic's employees;

  .  provide for credit for service for determining eligibility to
     participate in, and rights to nonforfeitable benefits under, such plans;
     and

  .  waive pre-existing conditions and waiting periods under welfare plans
     made available to employees and former employees to the extent satisfied
     under Republic's plans and credit deductibles and co-payments.

   The merger agreement also provides that Republic and Premier Trust will
cooperate with respect to press releases and public announcements relating to
the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and will each notify the
other if:

  .  its representations and warranties in the merger agreement become untrue
     or inaccurate;

  .  it fails to comply with or satisfy any agreement or condition to be
     complied with or satisfied by it under the merger agreement; or

  .  there is any change or event having, or which could reasonable be
     expected to have, a material adverse effect on it, on the truth of its
     representations or warranties or on the ability of the conditions of the
     parties to be satisfied.

                                       36
<PAGE>

No Solicitation

   The merger agreements contains a number of provisions that are designed to
curtail Republic's ability to solicit takeover proposals from, or discuss
takeover proposals with, third parties. A takeover proposal means any inquiry,
proposal or offer relating to any of the following:

  .  a merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
     liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving Republic or
     any of its subsidiaries;

  .  the acquisition of 15% or more of the assets of Republic and its
     subsidiaries;

  .  the acquisition of 15% or more of any class of equity securities of
     Republic or any of its subsidiaries; or

  .  a tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in
     any person beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of equity
     securities of Republic or any of its subsidiaries.

   Under the merger agreement, a superior proposal means a bona fide written
takeover proposal made by a third party on terms the board of directors
determines in its good faith judgment, after consultation with its financial
advisors and after taking into account all the terms and conditions of the
proposal,

  .  provides greater value to Republic's stockholders than the merger; and

  .  for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which
     the board of directors has reasonably determined can be obtained by such
     third party.

   The merger agreement provides that Republic will not, and will not permit
any of its subsidiaries to nor will it authorize or permit its officers,
directors or employees or any representative retained by it or any of its
subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

  .  solicit or initiate (including by means of furnishing information), or
     take any other action designed and intended to facilitate or encourage,
     any inquiries or the making of any takeover proposal;

  .  participate or engage in any discussions or negotiations regarding any
     takeover proposal; or

  .  disclose any nonpublic information relating to Republic or any of its
     subsidiaries to any person.

However, if Republic's board of directors determines in good faith after
consultation with its legal counsel that it is necessary to do so in order to
comply with its fiduciary duties to Republic's stockholders under applicable
law and after consultation with its financial advisors, that the takeover
proposal, if consummated, would be a superior proposal, then Republic may in
response to a bona fide written takeover proposal not solicited by it:

  .  furnish information about Republic and its subsidiaries to the party
     making the takeover proposal, and

  .  participate in negotiations regarding such takeover proposal.

   Any information provided to a third party in response to a takeover proposal
must be furnished pursuant to an existing confidentiality agreement or a
confidentiality agreement with terms no less favorable to Republic than the
confidentiality agreement that Republic and Integrated Capital Associates,
Inc., Premier's financial advisor, signed in connection with the merger.

   The merger agreement also provides that the Republic board of directors may
not:

  .  withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to withdraw or modify, in a
     manner adverse to Premier Trust, its approval or recommendation of the
     merger agreement, the stockholders agreements, the merger and the other
     transactions contemplated by them;

  .  approve or recommend, or publicly propose to approve or recommend, any
     takeover proposal, or

  .  cause Republic to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in
     principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement or fee
     arrangement or other agreement related to, any takeover proposal.

                                       37
<PAGE>

However, if Republic's board of directors receives an unsolicited takeover
proposal which the board of directors determines in good faith after
consultation with its financial advisors constitutes a superior proposal and
after consultation with its legal counsel that it is necessary to do so in
order to comply with its fiduciary duties to Republic's stockholders under
applicable law, then Republic's board of directors may:

  .  withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of the merger
     agreement, the stockholder agreements, the merger or the transactions
     contemplated by them,

  .  approve or recommend the superior proposal, or

  .  terminate the merger agreement, and, if it so chooses, cause Republic to
     enter into an agreement with respect to the superior proposal,

but, in each case, only (1) after providing written notice to Premier Trust
advising it that the board of directors has received a superior proposal,
specifying the material terms and conditions of the superior proposal and
identifying the person making the superior proposal and (2) if Premier Trust
does not, within 3 business days of such notice, make a definitive binding
offer that provides Republic's stockholders with equal or greater value than
the superior proposal. If Republic so terminates the merger agreement, it must
pay Premier Trust the termination fee that is provided for under the merger
agreement at or prior to such termination. The termination fee is also payable
upon a termination by Premier Trust under the circumstances described under
"The Merger- Termination Fees and Expenses."

   Republic must promptly notify Premier Trust of any proposal or inquiry
concerning a takeover proposal, provide Premier Trust with materials related
thereto and keep Premier Trust informed of the status of such proposal. Without
the consent of Premier Trust, Republic may not:

  .  amend or terminate the Rights Agreement or redeem the rights; or

  .  modify or release any person from a confidentiality or standstill
     agreement if it would have the purpose or effect of permitting or
     facilitating the submission of a takeover proposal by such person.

Republic was required to, and did, immediately upon executing the merger
agreement, cease all activities, discussions and negotiations with any person
conducted prior to the execution of the merger agreement with respect to, or
seeking to obtain, any takeover proposal.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

   The merger agreement provides that for six years after the effective time of
the merger, the surviving corporation will indemnify, defend and hold harmless
any person who, prior to the effective time of the merger, was a director or
officer of Republic or any of its subsidiaries against all losses, damages,
liabilities, costs and expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in
settlement paid in connection with any claim to the extent that such claim is
based on such person's services as an officer or director and pertains to any
matter arising prior to the effective time of the merger.

   The merger agreement also requires the surviving corporation to maintain
Republic's existing directors' and officers' liability insurance policy for a
period of not less than six years after the effective time of the merger. The
surviving corporation has the right, however, to provide a substitute policy of
similar coverage and amounts containing terms no less advantageous to
Republic's officers and directors during this 6-year period. If Republic's
existing directors' and officers' insurance expires or is canceled during the
6-year period, the surviving corporation must use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy that is
substantially similar to Republic's existing policy. However, if the annual
premium of the new policy exceeds 100% of the annual premium paid by Republic
as of the date of the merger agreement for its existing insurance policy, then
the surviving corporation shall be obligated to provide only such coverage as
shall be available for that amount.


                                       38
<PAGE>

Conditions Precedent

   Republic's and Premier Trust's obligation to effect the merger is subject to
the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the effective date of the merger of
the following closing conditions:

  .  Republic stockholders holding a majority of the shares of Republic's
     common stock shall have adopted the merger agreement;

  .  any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the merger
     under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
     amended (HSR Act), shall have been terminated or shall have expired; and

  .  no judgment, decree, statute, law, regulation, restraining order or
     injunction by any court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental
     entity or other legal or regulatory restraint that prohibits the
     consummation of the merger shall be in effect.

   On September 20, 2000, Republic and Premier were notified that early
termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act had been granted with
respect to the merger.

   In addition, Premier Trust's obligation to effect the merger is subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

  .  Republic's representations and warranties set forth in the merger
     agreement being true and correct, without regard to any materiality
     qualifications, as of the date of the merger agreement and the closing
     date of the merger, except where a material adverse effect on Republic
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would not result, its ability to
     perform its obligations under the merger agreement would not be
     materially impaired as a result and the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated by the merger agreement would not be prevented or
     materially delayed as a result;

  .  Republic having performed in all material respects all obligations
     required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to
     the closing date of the merger;

  .  the absence of any pending or threatened suit, action or proceeding by
     any governmental authority, or any judgment, decree, statute, law,
     regulation, that would restrain the consummation of the merger or any of
     the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or that
     would prevent or interfere in other respects with Premier's ownership
     and operation of Republic's assets and business; and

  .  Republic having delivered to James Hardie Gypsum, Inc., on or before
     October 1, 2000, notice of the commencement of "commercial production"
     at Republic's recycled paperboard mill in Lawton, Oklahoma, as provided
     for in the Hardie paperboard supply agreement. On September 15, 2000,
     Republic delivered notice of commencement of commercial production at
     the Lawton mill to Hardie.

   In addition, Republic's obligation to effect the merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

  .  the representations and warranties of Premier Trust set forth in the
     merger agreement being true and correct, without regard to any
     materiality qualifications, as of the closing date of the merger, except
     where a material adverse effect on Premier Trust and its subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole, would not result, its ability to perform its
     obligations under the merger agreement would not be materially impaired
     as a result and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
     merger agreement would not be prevented or materially delayed as a
     result; and

  .  Premier Trust having performed in all material respects all obligations
     required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to
     the closing date of the merger.

                                       39
<PAGE>

Termination of the Merger Agreement

   Premier Trust and Republic can mutually agree to terminate the merger
agreement at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, whether before
or after stockholder approval. In addition, and subject to some exceptions,
either Republic or Premier Trust may terminate the merger agreement if:

  .  the parties do not consummate the merger by January 31, 2001, unless
     extended in some events and unless the terminating party is in material
     breach of any of its obligations under the merger agreement;

  .  the merger agreement is not adopted by the holders of a majority of
     Republic's common stock at the Special Meeting;

  .  any governmental entity issues a final, nonappealable decree, order or
     injunction that prevents the merger;

  .  the other party breaches any covenant or agreement contained in the
     merger agreement that would cause such party to fail to satisfy the
     condition that it shall have performed its obligations under the merger
     agreement in all material respects as of the effective time of the
     merger and does not or cannot cure the breach within 45 days, unless the
     terminating party is in material breach of any of its obligations under
     the merger agreement; or

  .  the other party fails to close following the second business day after
     all applicable conditions to the other party's obligation to close have
     been satisfied or waived, unless the terminating party is in breach in
     any material respect of any of its obligations under the merger
     agreement.

   Subject to some exceptions, Premier Trust may also terminate the merger
agreement if:

  .  Republic's board of directors withdraws or modifies in a manner adverse
     to Premier Trust its approval of the merger, the merger agreement or the
     transactions contemplated by it or fails to affirm its recommendation of
     the merger, the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated by it
     within three business days of a request to do so from Premier Trust;

  .  Republic enters into, or publicly announces its intention to enter into,
     an agreement with respect to a takeover proposal; or

  .  Republic or its subsidiary, Republic Paperboard Company, fails to
     deliver to James Hardie Gyspum, Inc. notice of the commencement of
     commercial production at the Lawton mill on or before October 1, 2000.
     On September 15, 2000 Republic delivered notice of commencement of
     commercial production at the Lawton mill to Hardie.

   Subject to some exceptions, Republic may also terminate the merger
agreement:

  .  by action of its board of directors, in order to comply with its
     fiduciary duties to Republic's stockholders under applicable law, in the
     event of a superior proposal if Republic complies with the provisions of
     the non-solicitation covenant and pays the prescribed termination fee;

  .  if Premier Trust fails to deliver a financing commitment within the time
     period allotted in the merger agreement;

  .  as of the date of the Special Meeting, if Premier Trust has not
     finalized loan agreements enabling it to pay in full the merger
     consideration; or

  .  if any of the conditions to Premier Trust obtaining funds necessary to
     pay the merger consideration in full remain unsatisfied 48 hours after
     Republic's stockholders have approved and adopted the merger, the merger
     agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. See "The Merger--No
     Solicitation" and "The Merger--Termination Fees and Expenses."

   If either Republic or Premier Trust terminates the merger agreement, the
merger agreement will become void, without any liability or obligation on the
part of the parties thereto. However, the representations and warranties of the
parties relating to the payment of fees to brokers, investment advisors and
financial advisors,

                                       40
<PAGE>

the obligation of Premier Trust to keep all non-public information connected
with the merger confidential pursuant to its confidentiality agreement and the
obligation of Republic and Premier Trust to pay their own fees and, in some
circumstances, specified termination fees or liquidated damages, shall each
survive any termination of the merger agreement.

Termination Fees and Expenses

   Except as described below, whether or not the merger is completed, all fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the merger, the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring the
fees or expenses.

   Republic must pay Premier Trust a termination fee of $10 million if the
merger agreement is terminated:

  .  by the board of directors of Republic, in order to comply with its
     fiduciary duties to Republic's stockholders under applicable law, in the
     event of a superior proposal;

  .  by either party because the merger has not been consummated on or before
     January 31, 2001 or the extended date discussed above, and a takeover
     proposal has been made or announced;

  .  by either party if the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
     of Republic's common stock do not approve the merger at the Special
     Meeting and a takeover proposal has been made or announced; or

  .  by Premier Trust because:

    -- Republic breaches any agreement or covenant in the merger agreement
       that prevents the closing condition relating to the performance of
       its obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects
       from being fulfilled and such breach cannot be or has not been cured
       within 45 days after Premier Trust gives Republic notice thereof,
       provided that Premier Trust is not in material breach of its
       obligations under the merger agreement;

    -- Republic fails to close the merger following the second business day
       after the conditions to its obligation to close have been satisfied
       or waived and Premier Trust waiver any unsatisfied conditions to its
       obligation to close, provided that Premier Trust is not in material
       breach of its obligations under the merger agreement;

    -- Republic has entered into, or publicly announced its intention to
       enter into, an agreement with respect to a takeover proposal; or

    -- Republic's board of directors withdraws or modifies, in a manner
       adverse to Premier Trust, its approval of the merger, the merger
       agreement or the transactions contemplated by it or fails to affirm
       its recommendation of the merger, the merger agreement or the
       transactions contemplated by it within three business days of a
       request to do so from Premier Trust.

   Premier Trust must pay Republic liquidated damages of $12 million if the
merger agreement is terminated by Republic because:

  .  Premier Trust breaches any agreement or covenant in the merger agreement
     that prevents the closing condition relating to the performance of its
     obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects from
     being fulfilled and such breach cannot be or has not been cured within
     45 days after Republic gives notice thereof, provided that Republic is
     not in material breach of its obligations under the merger agreement
     (this commitment was delivered prior to the date of this Proxy
     Statement);

  .  Premier Trust fails to deliver a financing commitment within the time
     period allotted in the merger agreement;

  .  Premier has not, as of the date of the Special Meeting, finalized
     definitive loan agreements enabling it to pay in full the merger
     consideration and Republic is not in material breach of its obligations
     under the merger agreement;

                                      41
<PAGE>

  .  any of the conditions to Premier Trust obtaining funds necessary to pay
     the merger consideration in full remain unsatisfied 48 hours after
     Republic's stockholders have approved and adopted the merger, the merger
     agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, the conditions to
     Premier Trust's obligations to consummate the merger have been
     satisfied, and Republic is not in material breach of its obligations
     under the merger agreement; or

  .  Premier Trust fails to close the merger following the second business
     day after the conditions to its obligation to close have been satisfied
     or waived and Republic waives any unsatisfied conditions to it's
     obligation to close, provided that Republic is not in material breach of
     its obligations under the merger agreement.

Amendment of the Merger Agreement

   The merger agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before or
after the adoption of the merger agreement by Republic's stockholders. After
approval, however, the parties may not, without the approval of Republic's
stockholders, make any amendment that by law requires further approval by
Republic's stockholders.

           BACK-UP AGREEMENT WITH CENTEX CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS, INC.

   The following section of this Proxy Statement summarizes material provisions
of the agreement between Republic and CXP regarding the back-up or standby
agreement, which, subject to certain conditions discussed below, provides for
Republic and CXP to execute a merger agreement if the merger between Premier
and Republic does not occur. This summary is being provided for your
information. You are not being asked to approve or reject the back-up agreement
with CXP in connection with this solicitation, or at the Special Meeting. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the
CXP agreement, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to Republic's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, as amended.
See "Where You Can Find More Information" for more information on how to obtain
a copy of the exhibit.

General

   The CXP back-up agreement provides that Republic and CXP will enter into a
merger agreement, in a form substantially similar to the Premier merger
agreement, if the Premier merger agreement terminates without the Premier
merger having been consummated, except if the Premier merger agreement is
terminated:

  .  by Republic's board of directors, in order to comply with its fiduciary
     duties to Republic's stockholders under applicable law, in the event of
     a superior proposal; or

  .  by either Republic or Premier Trust because the Premier merger agreement
     is not adopted by the holders of a majority of Republic's common stock
     at the Special Meeting and no takeover proposal has been made or
     announced.

   Pursuant to the CXP merger agreement, a subsidiary of CXP would be merged
into Republic, and Republic would become a wholly owned subsidiary of CXP.

Conditions Precedent

   CXP's obligation to enter into the CXP merger agreement is subject to the
following conditions:

  .  Republic must make the same representations and warranties to CXP that
     it has made to Premier Trust in the Premier merger agreement, except
     where not material to Republic; and

  .  the stockholders of Republic who have entered into stockholder
     agreements with Premier Trust must enter into identical stockholder
     agreements with CXP.

   Republic is obligated to use its reasonable best efforts and to take all
actions within its control to cause these conditions to be satisfied.


                                       42
<PAGE>

Form of CXP Merger Agreement

   The CXP merger agreement would be in substantially the same form as the
Premier merger agreement except for the following:

  .  CXP and a wholly owned subsidiary of CXP will be parties to the
     agreement;

  .  the price per share to be paid by CXP to all stockholders will be $17.50
     in cash plus a cash amount equal to a proportionate share (based on
     common stock and common stock equivalent shares) of any liquidated
     damages paid to Republic by Premier Trust;

  .  prior to any merger with Republic, CXP will make a cash tender offer to
     acquire all of the outstanding shares of Republic's common stock,
     subject to certain conditions, including the condition that the holders
     of at least 80% of Republic's common stock tender in such offer;

  .  CXP will make certain representations to Republic regarding its ability
     to provide or obtain funds to consummate the transaction;

  .  CXP will not be required to pay liquidated damages to Republic, or to
     provide any escrow deposit or other assurance of performance;

  .  either Republic or CXP may terminate the CXP merger agreement if the
     merger with CXP is not consummated by April 30, 2001; and

  .  other changes that CXP and Republic may mutually agree upon.

Miscellaneous

   Pursuant to the CXP back-up agreement, Republic has also agreed to notify
CXP in writing two days before terminating the Premier merger agreement and
immediately upon receiving any notice of Premier's termination. In addition,
Republic has agreed not to pay any dividend or make any distribution to
stockholders or violate any other covenant in the Premier merger agreement
during the period after termination of the Premier merger agreement and prior
to entering into the CXP merger agreement.

   The CXP back-up agreement terminates two business days after the termination
of the Premier merger agreement.

                               DISSENTERS' RIGHTS

   When the merger becomes effective, stockholders of Republic who comply with
the procedures prescribed in Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law will potentially be entitled to a judicial appraisal of the fair value of
their shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment
or expectation of the merger, and to receive from the surviving corporation
payment of the fair value of their shares in cash.

   The following is a brief summary of the statutory procedures that you must
follow in order to perfect your appraisal rights under the Delaware General
Corporation Law. This summary is not intended to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to Section 262. The text of Section 262 is
attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix D, and we incorporate that text
into this Proxy Statement by reference. If you are considering a demand for
appraisal, you should review the text of Section 262 carefully and should
consult legal counsel.

   If you elect to exercise your appraisal rights under Section 262, you must
not vote, either in person or by proxy, in favor of the merger. However, you
should be aware that a vote or proxy against the merger will not constitute a
demand for appraisal rights. If you wish to exercise your appraisal rights
under Section 262, you must do so by a separate written demand to Republic. If
you timely demand appraisal in accordance with the provisions Section 262, you
will not, after the effective time of the merger, be entitled to vote your
shares of

                                       43
<PAGE>

Republic common stock subject to such demand for any purpose or to receive
payment of dividends or other distributions on that common stock, except for
dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date
prior to the effective time of the merger.

   Dissenters' appraisal rights under Delaware law may be exercised by
stockholders of record who continuously hold such shares through the effective
date of the merger. In order to exercise your appraisal rights, you must demand
an appraisal of your shares of Republic common stock in writing. This demand
must be delivered to Republic before the Special Meeting. Your written demand
will be sufficient if it reasonably informs Republic of your identity and that
you intend to demand an appraisal of the fair value of your shares of Republic
common stock. If you fail to demand appraisal rights before the Special
Meeting, you will lose your rights to appraisal. Your written demand for
appraisal rights should be delivered to the following address:

                          Republic Group Incorporated
                                 P.O. Box 1307
                         Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-1307
                              Attn: Janey L. Rife

   You should not expect to receive any additional notice with respect to the
deadline for demanding appraisal rights.

   You will have the right to withdraw your demand for appraisal and to accept
the right to receive $19.00 in cash for each share of Republic common stock
(including the right under Republic's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, as
amended, associated with such outstanding share) that you hold at any time
within 60 days after the effective date of the merger. After this 60-day
period, you may withdraw your demand for appraisal only with our written
approval.

   A record owner who holds Republic common stock as a nominee for other
beneficial owners of the shares may exercise appraisal rights with respect to
the Republic common stock held for all or less than all beneficial owners of
the Republic common stock for which the holder is the record owner. In that
case, the written demand must state the number of shares of Republic common
stock covered by the demand. Where the number of shares of Republic common
stock is not expressly stated, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares
of Republic common stock registered in the name of that record owner.
Beneficial owners who are not record owners and who intend to exercise
appraisal rights should instruct the record owner to comply strictly with the
requirements of Section 262 with respect to the delivery of a written demand
for appraisal.

   Within 10 days after the effective date of the merger, Republic will notify
each of its stockholders who has complied with the provisions of Section 262
and who has not voted in favor of the merger of the date that the merger became
effective.

   Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, if you have complied
with the provisions of Section 262, you will be entitled, upon written request,
to receive a statement from us setting forth the aggregate number of shares of
Republic common stock that did not vote in favor of the merger and with respect
to which we received demands for appraisal and the aggregate number of holders
of those shares. This statement will be mailed to you within 10 days after we
receive your written request or within 10 days after the date of the Special
Meeting, whichever is later.

   Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, either we or any
dissenting stockholder may file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery
demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares of Republic common
stock held by all dissenting stockholders. Because we have no obligation to
file a petition, if you desire a petition to be filed, you are advised to file
it on a timely basis. If you file a petition for an appraisal on timely basis,
then, after a hearing on the petition, the Delaware Court of Chancery will
determine which Republic stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights.
Thereafter, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the fair value of the
shares of Republic common stock owned by those stockholders and the fair rate

                                       44
<PAGE>

of interest to be paid, if any, on the amount determined to be the fair value
of those shares. The fair value of the shares of Republic common stock held by
dissenting stockholders will exclude any element of value arising from the
accomplishment or expectation of the merger. If neither we nor any dissenting
stockholder files a petition for appraisal with the Delaware Court of Chancery
within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, then your rights to
appraisal shall cease, and, thereafter, you shall be entitled only to receive
$19.00 in cash for each share of Republic common stock (including the right
under Republic's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, as amended, associated
with such outstanding share) that you hold. No petition timely filed in the
Delaware Court of Chancery demanding appraisal shall be dismissed as to any
Republic stockholder without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery,
and this approval may be conditioned on any terms the Delaware Court of
Chancery deems just.

   The cost of the appraisal proceeding may be determined by the Delaware Court
of Chancery and taxed upon the parties as the court deems equitable in the
circumstances. You may request the Delaware Court of Chancery to order that all
or a portion of the expenses incurred by you in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the
fees and expenses of experts, be charged pro rata against the value of all
shares entitled to appraisal. If the Delaware Court of Chancery does not grant
this request, you will be required to bear your own expenses.

                                       45
<PAGE>

                                 THE COMPANIES

Republic Group Incorporated

   Founded in 1961, Republic is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of
recycled paperboard and gypsum wallboard. We operate a large gypsum wallboard
plant at Duke, Oklahoma. We estimate that our share of the U. S. gypsum
wallboard market is between 2% to 3%. Our management believes that Republic is
one of the leading producers in the U. S. of some grades of recycled paperboard
sold to manufacturers of consumer and industrial paperboard products. We
produce paperboard primarily used in the manufacture of tubes, cans, cores,
spools, drums, partitions, puzzles and games as well as gypsum-grade recycled
paperboard sold primarily to independent gypsum wallboard producers. In
addition, we sell reclaimed paper fiber for use in our recycled paperboard
business, as well as for sale to third parties. We sell our products to
customers located in 44 states. In addition to the Duke, Oklahoma gypsum
wallboard plant, we have recycled paperboard mills at Commerce City, Colorado;
Hutchinson, Kansas; Lawton, Oklahoma and Halltown, West Virginia. During fiscal
2000, we completed construction and commenced commercial operations at the
Lawton mill. Republic also operates paper fiber recycling centers at Denver,
Colorado, Topeka, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. We had net sales and net
income of $190,510,000 and $2,761,000, respectively, in fiscal 2000. Before
intercompany eliminations, our recycled paperboard (which includes reclaimed
paper fiber) and gypsum wallboard businesses accounted for approximately 47%
and 53%, respectively, of our total net sales during fiscal 2000.

   The following table summarizes our businesses:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Percent of Fiscal
                                                                                  2000 Consolidated
                                                                                      Net Sales
                                                                                     (Including
Business          Product               End-Use Market          Site(s)             Intercompany)
--------          -------               --------------          -------           -----------------
<S>               <C>                   <C>                     <C>               <C>
Recycled          Gypsum-grade          Internal                Commerce City,           14%
Paperboard        recycled paperboard   (approximately 9% of    Colorado;
                                        fiscal 2000 recycled    Hutchinson,
                                        paperboard net sales)   Kansas;
                                        and third-party use in  Lawton, Oklahoma
                                        the manufacture of
                                        gypsum wallboard

                  Recycled paperboard   Sale to manufacturers   Commerce City,           27%
                  rolls and sheets      of paperboard tubes,    Colorado;
                                        cans, cores, spools,    Hutchinson,
                                        drums, partitions,      Kansas;
                                        puzzles and games for s Halltown, West
                                        ale to third-parties    Virginia;
                                                                Lawton, Oklahoma

                  Reclaimed paper fiber Internal                Denver, Colorado;         6%
                                        (approximately 64% of   Topeka, Kansas;
                                        fiscal 2000 reclaimed   Kansas City,
                                        paper fiber net sales)  Missouri
                                        and third-party use in
                                        the manufacture of
                                        recycled paperboard

Gypsum Wallboard  Gypsum wallboard      Gypsum wallboard        Duke, Oklahoma           53%
                                        distributors and
                                        residential and
                                        commercial builders
                                        and remodelers
</TABLE>

                                       46
<PAGE>

   We have implemented a number of important strategic initiatives designed to
increase our production capabilities over the last two fiscal years. During
fiscal 2000, we completed construction of a new recycled paperboard mill in
Lawton, Oklahoma and commenced commercial operations in March, 2000. We intend
to use the Lawton mill primarily for the production of gypsum-grade recycled
paperboard with weight and surface characteristics superior to that currently
available in the United States. Our management believes that the operation of
the Lawton mill will position Republic as one of the largest third-party
suppliers of gypsum-grade recycled paperboard in North America. The Lawton mill
is expected to increase its production rate to the mill's annual design
capacity of approximately 220,000 tons gradually through the remainder of
fiscal year 2001. Such an increase in production will approximately double our
recycled paperboard capacity. During the last half of fiscal 2001, we intend to
sell approximately 40% to 50% of the Lawton mill's output pursuant to a long-
term paperboard supply agreement with Hardie. We intend to use approximately
20% to 25% of the Lawton mill's output to source our own gypsum wallboard
operations and to market the remainder to other gypsum wallboard producers. The
Lawton mill cost approximately $179,000,000, inclusive of capitalized interest.

   In late January 1999, we completed the second phase of a two-phase expansion
of the Duke plant that increased its theoretical design capacity from 570
million to 1.2 billion square feet per year. Theoretical design capacity
assumes operating at optimum-rated production line speeds over industry
standard operating days producing only 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard. Based on the
mix of actual products produced, we believe that the Duke Plant's annual
practical capacity is approximately 1.0 to 1.1 billion square feet. Although
fiscal 2000 production and shipments increased 25% and 23%, respectively, from
fiscal 1999 levels, the Duke plant operated at less than design capacity
primarily due to operating inefficiencies and a softer demand for its product
during the last half of the fiscal year. We expect improvements in production
rates and efficiencies during fiscal 2001.

Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp. and Premier Construction
Products Statutory Trust

   Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, was
recently organized for the purpose of consummating the merger. Premier
Acquisition Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Construction Products
Statutory Trust, a statutory trust formed under the laws of Connecticut, with
First Union National Bank as trustee and Premier Construction Products, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, as beneficiary. Premier Construction Products, Inc. is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Construction Acquisition, L.L.C., a Delaware
limited liability company, which is owned 50% by The D. H. Wolf Baseline Trust,
a California trust, and 50% by The R.G. Buckingham Baseline Trust, a New York
trust. Richard Idell serves as the sole trustee of The D. H. Wolf Baseline
Trust, and David S. Brown serves as the sole trustee of The R. G. Buckingham
Baseline Trust.

   Douglas H. Wolf serves as President and a Director of Premier Acquisition
Corp. as well as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Premier Construction
Products, Inc. Mr. Wolf is also Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Capital
Associates, Inc., an investment banking firm based in San Francisco and New
York that specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Richard Buckingham is the
Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and a Director of Premier Acquisition
Corp., President and a Director of Premier Construction Products, Inc., and is
also the President and a director of Integrated Capital Associates, Inc.
Integrated Capital Associates, Inc. is acting as an investment banker and
advisor to Premier Acquisition Corp. in this transaction. Neither Premier
Acquisition Corp. nor Premier Trust currently have any significant assets or
liabilities, other than their respective beneficial interests in the merger or
each other.

   After consummation of the merger, Premier Acquisition Corp. and its
affiliates will review their investment in Republic and may enter into
definitive plans or proposals regarding Republic including, without limitation:

  .  an extraordinary corporate transaction involving Republic or any of its
     subsidiaries,

  .  a material change in the Republic's capitalization,

  .  any other material change in the Republic's business or corporate
     structure,

                                       47
<PAGE>

  .  a sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of
     Republic or any of its lines of business or subsidiaries, or

  .  any action similar to any of those enumerated above.

   Premier Acquisition Corp. and its affiliates are also currently exploring
possible strategic alternatives (including those described above) relating to
its ownership of Republic following the merger.

   On August 15, 2000, Premier Trust received a commitment letter for a term
loan of up to $550 million from Utrecht-America Finance Co. to be used to
complete the merger of Republic, including the repayment of outstanding
Republic debt. The commitment is conditioned on the completion of the loan
documents. The term loan is expected to be secured by the assets of Republic
and to contain representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and
other terms that are customary for a transaction of this type.

                                       48
<PAGE>

                       PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF REPUBLIC

   The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of Republic's common stock as of September 21, 2000 by (i) each
person known to Republic to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any
class of Republic's voting securities, (ii) each director of Republic, (iii)
Republic's chief executive officer and four most highly compensated executive
officers, and (iv) all of Republic's directors and executive officers as a
group:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Amount and Nature
                                                      Of Beneficial   Percent
   Name of Beneficial Owner(1)                        Ownership(2)    Of Class
   ---------------------------                      ----------------- --------
   <S>                                              <C>               <C>
   T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3)
    P. O. Box 17218
    Baltimore, Maryland 21297......................       721,300       6.09%
   Todd T. Brown...................................        47,640          *
   Geary D. Cribbs.................................        60,186          *
   Lon D. Lewis....................................        19,475          *
   Bert A. Nelson..................................        25,132          *
   Doyle R. Ramsey.................................        58,562          *
   Gerald L. Ray...................................       308,240(4)    2.55%
   Robert F. Sexton................................        23,650          *
   Phil Simpson(5).................................     2,325,429(6)   19.22%
   David P. Simpson................................       139,193(7)    1.15%
   L. L. Wallace...................................        29,994          *
   All directors and executive officers as a group
    (15 persons)...................................     3,146,777      26.01%
</TABLE>
--------
 *  The percentage of shares beneficially owned is less than 1% of issued and
    outstanding shares of Republic common stock.
(1) Messrs. Brown, Cribbs, Lewis and Ramsey are executive officers of Republic;
    Mr. Phil Simpson is an executive officer and director of Republic and
    beneficial owner of more than 5% of Republic's common stock; Mr. David
    Simpson is an executive officer and director of Republic; and Messrs.
    Nelson, Ray, Sexton, and Wallace are directors of Republic.

(2) Includes shares with respect to which executive officers, directors, or
    their estates have the right to acquire beneficial ownership pursuant to
    the exercise of stock options exercisable at, or within 60 days after
    September 21, 2000, as follows: Mr. Brown--17,800, Mr. Cribbs--21,550, Mr.
    Lewis-- 14,400, Mr. Nelson--11,000, Mr. Ramsey--32,600, Mr. Ray--11,000,
    Mr. Sexton--22,550, Mr. P. Simpson-- 39,750, Mr. D. Simpson--2,875, Mr.
    Wallace--11,000, and all directors and executive officers as a group--
    250,025. Also includes shares in the accounts established under Republic's
    Employee Stock Ownership Plan for persons who are salaried employees of
    Republic and with respect to which each executive officer named in the
    table above has voting power, as follows: Mr. Brown--16,141, Mr. Cribbs--
    21,430, Mr. Lewis--1,180, Mr. Ramsey--10,300, Mr. P. Simpson--91,975, and
    all Executive Officers as a Group--167,881. Unless otherwise indicated, all
    other shares are owned directly and the owner has sole voting and
    investment power.
(3) These securities are owned by various individual and institutional
    investors, for which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. serves as investment
    adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the
    securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is deemed to be a
    beneficial owner of such securities; however, T. Rowe Price Associates,
    Inc. expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such
    securities.
(4) Includes 209,510 shares owned by Gerald L. Ray & Associates, Inc. of which
    Mr. Ray is the principal owner, 12,163 shares owned by Gerald L. Ray IRA
    R/O, 20,900 shares owned by Gerald L. Ray IRA R/O Defined Benefit Plan, of
    which Mr. Ray is trustee, and 54,667 shares in the Gerald L. Ray IRA, of
    which Mr. Ray is trustee.
(5) Phil Simpson's address is P. O. Box 750, Dallas, Texas 75221.

                                       49
<PAGE>


(6) Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Simpson excludes 466,983 shares of
    Republic common stock held by Mr. Simpson's son and two daughters, who are
    not members of Mr. Simpson's household. Mr. Simpson disclaims beneficial
    ownership of such shares. Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Simpson also
    excludes 185,339 shares of Republic common stock owned by other relatives
    who are not members of Mr. Simpson's household, as to which he disclaims
    beneficial ownership. Shares beneficially owned includes 66,990 shares of
    Republic common stock owned by Mr. Simpson's spouse, with whom he shares
    voting and investment power.
(7) Includes 6,000 shares of Republic common stock owned by David P. Simpson's
    spouse and children with respect to which he shares voting and investment
    power.

   Each of the individuals listed in the table above has entered into a
stockholder agreement with respect to the shares beneficially owned by such
individual, except that Phil Simpson's stockholder agreement does not cover
66,990 shares of Republic common stock that are held by Phil Simpson's wife,
Lorraine Simpson, as to which shares Lorraine Simpson has executed her own
stockholder agreement, and except that David Simpson's stockholder agreement
does not cover 1,000 shares of Republic common stock that are held by David
Simpson's wife, Susan P. Simpson, as to which shares Susan P. Simpson has
executed her own stockholder agreement. In addition, the following executive
officers have executed stockholder agreements covering the indicated numbers of
shares of Republic common stock: James M. Britz--18,476; Michael W. Dirks--
3,240; Susan G. Hall--38,363; James A. Nelson--2,303; and Janey L. Rife--
21,836. Talbot Rain, who resigned from Republic's board of directors on August
15, 2000, has also executed a stockholder agreement covering the 12,155 shares
of Republic common stock beneficially owned by him. See "The Merger--
Stockholder Agreements."

                                       50
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                          DATED AS OF AUGUST 11, 2000,

                                     AMONG

                 PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS STATUTORY TRUST,

                PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS ACQUISITION CORP.

                                      AND

                          REPUBLIC GROUP INCORPORATED
<PAGE>

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

   This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of August 11, 2000, is among
PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS STATUTORY TRUST, a statutory trust ("the Trust"),
PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust ("Acquisition Sub"), and REPUBLIC GROUP
INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                   RECITALS:

   WHEREAS, the beneficiary of the Trust and the Boards of Directors of
Acquisition Sub and the Company have approved the merger (the "Merger") of
Acquisition Sub with and into the Company upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein, whereby each issued and outstanding share of
common stock, par value $1.00 per share (other than shares owned by the Company
and other than Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 2.1(d)) and the
associated Right (as defined herein) ("Company Common Stock"; shares of Company
Common Stock being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Shares") will
be converted into the right to receive in cash $19.00 per Share, without
interest; and

   WHEREAS, the beneficiary of the Trust and the respective Boards of Directors
of Acquisition Sub and the Company have each approved and adopted this
Agreement and the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein; and

   WHEREAS, the Trust and Acquisition Sub have agreed to cause the Letter of
Credit (as defined below) to be issued on the date hereof as set forth in
Section 7.2(b) and have delivered same to the Company; and

   WHEREAS, the Company's Board of Directors has unanimously determined that
the consideration to be paid for each Share in the Merger is fair to the
holders of such Shares and recommends that the holders of such Shares approve
and adopt this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby; and

   WHEREAS, as an inducement to the willingness of each of the Trust and
Acquisition Sub to enter into this Agreement, each of the Company's executive
officers and directors (collectively, the "Officers and Directors") have
entered into an agreement with the Trust and Acquisition Sub (individually, a
"Stockholder Agreement" and collectively, the "Stockholders Agreements")
pursuant to which each such person (and any entity controlled by such person)
has agreed, among other things, (i) to vote their Shares for approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at the
Company Stockholder Meeting (as defined below), (ii) to grant a proxy to
certain designated persons to so vote their Shares and (iii) to certain
restrictions on the transfer of their Shares; and

   WHEREAS, the Trust, Acquisition Sub and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger;

   NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as
follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                                   The Merger

Section 1.1 The Merger.

   Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), at
the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3)

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

Acquisition Sub shall be merged with and into the Company and the separate
corporate existence of Acquisition Sub shall cease. The Company shall continue
as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") and shall possess
all the rights, powers, privileges and franchises, and be subject to all of the
obligations, liabilities, restrictions and disabilities, of the Company and
Acquisition Sub in accordance with the DGCL.

Section 1.2 Closing.

   Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the
"Closing") will take place at 10:00 a.m. on a date to be specified by the
parties (the "Closing Date"), which shall be no later than the second business
day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, at
the offices of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., 4200 Chase Tower, Houston, Texas 77002,
unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto.

Section 1.3 Effective Time.

   Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the
Company and Acquisition Sub shall file a certificate of merger (the
"Certificate of Merger") executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of
the DGCL and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the
DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Certificate of
Merger is duly filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, or at such
subsequent time as the Trust and the Company shall agree and as is specified in
the Certificate of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective being
hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Time").

Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger.

   The Merger shall have the effects specified in Section 259 of the DGCL.

Section 1.5 Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws.

    (a) The certificate of incorporation of Acquisition Sub, as in effect
        immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the certificate
        of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
        changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law, except
        that (i) the name of the Surviving Corporation shall continue to be
        Republic Group Incorporated and (ii) the terms of Article TENTH of
        the Company's Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be
        included in the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving
        Corporation (and shall supersede and replace in its entirety any
        provision in the certificate of incorporation of Acquisition Sub
        with respect to indemnification of directors or officers or former
        directors or officers).

    (b) The by-laws of Acquisition Sub as in effect immediately prior to
        the Effective Time shall be the by-laws of the Surviving
        Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein
        or by applicable law, except that at the Effective Time Article VI
        of the Company's by-laws shall replace the provision(s), if any, on
        indemnification included in the by-laws of Acquisition Sub.

Section 1.6 Directors.

   From and after the Effective Time, the directors of Acquisition Sub
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving
Corporation, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be. Each
of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company shall tender his
resignation to be effective immediately at the Effective Time.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

Section 1.7 Officers.

   From and after the Effective Time, the officers of the Company immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

                                   ARTICLE 2

                          Effect of the Merger on the
                 Capital Stock of the Constituent Corporations

Section 2.1 Effect on Capital Stock.

   As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of the holder of any shares of Company Common Stock:

    (a) Capital Stock of Acquisition Sub. Each issued and outstanding share
        of capital stock of Acquisition Sub shall be converted into and
        become one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock of
        the Surviving Corporation with the same rights, powers and
        privileges as the share so converted and shall constitute the only
        outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

    (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock
        owned by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall
        automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
        no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

    (c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Except as otherwise provided
        herein, each share of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately
        prior to the Effective Time (other than shares to be cancelled in
        accordance with Section 2.1(b) and other than Dissenting Shares)
        shall be cancelled and automatically converted into the right to
        receive $19.00 in cash, without interest, from the Trust or, in
        accordance with Section 2.1(f), the Surviving Corporation.

    (d) Shares of Dissenting Stockholders. Notwithstanding anything in this
        Agreement to the contrary but only to the extent required by the
        DGCL, shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and
        outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a
        person (a "Dissenting Stockholder") who shall not have voted to
        approve and adopt this Agreement or consented thereto in writing
        and who shall have complied with all of the provisions of the DGCL
        to dissent from the Merger and to demand appraisal for such shares
        in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL ("Dissenting Shares")
        shall not be converted as described in Section 2.1(c), unless such
        holder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses his right
        to appraisal, but shall instead become the right to receive such
        consideration as may be determined to be due such Dissenting
        Stockholder pursuant to the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time,
        such Dissenting Stockholder fails to perfect or withdraws or
        otherwise loses his right to appraisal, then such Dissenting
        Stockholder's shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be
        considered Dissenting Shares for the purposes of this Agreement and
        shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into and to have
        become exchangeable for, at the Effective Time, the right to
        receive for each such share the amount in cash, without interest,
        that a holder of a share (a "Nondissenting Share") of Company
        Common Stock who had not demanded appraisal would have received
        with respect to such Nondissenting Share. The Company shall give
        Acquisition Sub (i) prompt notice of any demands for appraisal of
        shares of Company Common Stock received by the Company and (ii) the
        opportunity to participate in and direct all negotiations and
        proceedings with respect to any such demands. The Company shall
        not, without the prior written consent of Acquisition Sub, make any
        payment with respect to, or settle, offer to settle or otherwise
        negotiate, any such demands, or agree or commit to do any of the
        foregoing.

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

    (e) Cancellation of Company Common Stock. As of the Effective Time, all
        shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
        Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and shall
        automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder
        of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time
        represented any such shares of Company Common Stock (a
        "Certificate") shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto,
        except the right to receive the amount per Share specified in
        Section 2.1(c) upon surrender of such Certificate in accordance
        with Section 2.2, without interest, or, in the case of Dissenting
        Stockholders, if any, the rights, if any, accorded under Section
        262 of the DGCL.

Section 2.2 Exchange of Certificates.

    (a) Prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement (as defined in Section
        3.1(d)), the Trust shall enter into an agreement with a bank or
        trust company mutually acceptable to the Company and the Trust, to
        act as Paying Agent (the "Paying Agent") for the payment of the
        amount per share specified in Section 2.1(c).

    (b) Stock Options.

        (i)      At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, each employee or
                 director stock option to purchase Company Common Shares
                 outstanding under any stock option or compensation plan or
                 arrangement of the Company shall be cancelled, and the Company
                 or the Surviving Corporation shall pay each holder of any such
                 option at or promptly after the Effective Time for each such
                 option an amount in cash determined by multiplying (A) the
                 excess, if any, of $19.00 over the applicable exercise price of
                 such option by (B) the number of shares of Company Common Stock
                 such holder could have purchased (assuming full vesting and
                 exercisability of all options) had such holder exercised such
                 option in full immediately prior to the Effective Time.

        (ii)     Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall (A) use its best
                 efforts to obtain any consents from holders of options to
                 purchase Company Common Stock granted under the Company's stock
                 option or compensation plans or arrangements and (B) make any
                 amendments to the terms of such stock option or compensation
                 plans or arrangements that, in the case of either clauses (A)
                 or (B), are necessary to give effect to the transactions
                 contemplated by part (b)(i) of this Section. Notwithstanding
                 any other provision of this Section, payment may be withheld in
                 respect of any employee stock option until such necessary
                 consents are obtained. Except as provided in part (b)(i) of
                 this Section 2.2, the Company shall not make any payment in
                 respect of or in connection with the cancellation of any stock
                 option.

    (c) Deposit with the Paying Agent. Promptly after the Effective Time,
        the Trust shall deposit with the Paying Agent, for the benefit of
        the holders of shares of Company Common Stock, for payment through
        the Paying Agent, cash in such amounts and at times necessary for
        the prompt payment of the per Share amount specified in Section
        2.1(c) (such cash being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange
        Fund") pursuant to Section 2.1 in exchange for outstanding shares
        of Company Common Stock upon surrender of Certificates therefor.

    (d) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practical after the
        Effective Time, the Paying Agent shall mail to each holder of
        record of a Certificate or Certificates, (i) a letter of
        transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected,
        and risk of loss and title to such Certificates shall pass, only
        upon delivery of such Certificates to the Paying Agent, and which
        letter shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the
        Trust and the Company may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions
        for use in effecting the surrender of such Certificates in exchange
        for the amount per Share specified in Section 2.1(c). Upon
        surrender of such a Certificate for cancellation to the Paying
        Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by the

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

        Trust, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and
        such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Paying
        Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in
        exchange therefor cash which such holder has the right to receive
        pursuant to this Article 2, and the Certificate so surrendered shall
        forthwith be cancelled. Upon a transfer of ownership of Company
        Common Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the
        Company, cash may be paid to a person other than the person in whose
        name the Certificate so surrendered is registered, if such
        Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form
        for transfer and the person requesting such cash to be paid shall (i)
        have paid any transfer or other Taxes (as defined in Section 3.1(m))
        required by reason of the payment of cash to a person other than the
        registered holder of such Certificate or (ii) establish to the
        satisfaction of the Trust that such Tax has been paid or is not
        applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2(d),
        each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time
        to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the amount
        per Share specified in Section 2.1(c) which the holder thereof has
        the right to receive in respect of such Certificate pursuant to the
        other provisions of this Article 2. No interest will be paid or will
        accrue on any cash payable to holders of Certificates pursuant to the
        provisions of this Article 2. The Trust shall pay the charges and
        expenses of the Paying Agent and of such other agent or agents as it
        may appoint.

    (e) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All cash paid
        shall be deemed to have been paid and issued in full satisfaction of
        all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock
        theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject, however, to
        the Surviving Corporation's obligation to pay any dividends or make
        any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective
        Time that may have been declared or made by the Company on such
        shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this
        Agreement or prior to the date of this Agreement and which remain
        unpaid at the Effective Time, and as of the Effective Time, the
        stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and there shall
        be no further registration of transfers of the shares of Company
        Common Stock. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are
        presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent for any
        reason, then they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in
        this Article 2, except as otherwise provided by law.

    (f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund that
        remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for nine
        months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving
        Corporation, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who
        have not theretofore complied with this Article 2 shall thereafter
        look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of the cash
        amount per Share due pursuant to this Article 2. Any amounts
        remaining unclaimed by holders of Company Common Stock three years
        after the Effective Time (or such earlier date immediately prior to
        such time when the amounts would otherwise escheat to or become
        property of any governmental authority) shall become, to the extent
        permitted by applicable law, the property of the Surviving
        Corporation free and clear of any claims or interest of any person
        previously entitled thereto. Any cash amounts made available to the
        Paying Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(c) (or otherwise constituting a
        part of the Exchange Fund) to pay for shares of Company Common Stock
        constituting Dissenting Shares for which appraisal rights have been
        perfected shall be returned to the Surviving Corporation upon
        demand.

    (g) No Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
        none of the Trust, the Company or the Paying Agent shall be liable
        to any person in respect of any amount paid to a public official
        pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar
        law.

    (h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Paying Agent shall invest any cash
        included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by the Trust, on a daily
        basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments
        shall be paid to the Trust.

                                      A-6
<PAGE>

    (i) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
        or destroyed, then upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by
        the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or
        destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the
        posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the
        Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim
        that may be made against the Surviving Corporation with respect to
        such Certificate, the Paying Agent will pay in exchange for such
        lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the amount per share to be
        paid pursuant to Section 2.1(c) in respect of the shares of Company
        Common Stock represented by such Certificate, as contemplated by
        this Agreement.

    (j) Withholding Rights. Each of the Trust, the Surviving Corporation
        and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from
        the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to a
        holder of shares of Company Common Stock such amounts as the Trust,
        the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent is required to deduct
        and withhold with respect to such consideration under the Internal
        Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any provision of
        Federal, state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that
        amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing
        authority by the Trust, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying
        Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of
        this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of
        Company Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and
        withholding was made by the Trust, the Surviving Corporation or the
        Paying Agent, as the case may be.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                         Representations and Warranties

Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company.

   Except as set forth with respect to an identified representation and
warranty on the Disclosure Schedule delivered by the Company to the Trust at
the execution of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Schedule"), the
Company represents and warrants to the Trust and Acquisition Sub as follows:

    (a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. The Company is a
        corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
        under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite
        corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being
        conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business
        and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
        its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes
        such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such
        jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or
        to be in good standing individually or in the aggregate would not
        reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect (as
        defined in Section 9.3) on the Company. The Company has heretofore
        made available to the Trust true and correct copies of the
        certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, as
        currently in effect.

    (b) Subsidiaries. The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and
        complete list of each subsidiary of the Company and its respective
        jurisdiction of incorporation. Each such subsidiary is a
        corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
        under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and
        has the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its
        business as now being conducted. Each such subsidiary is duly
        qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in
        each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
        ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or
        licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the
        failure to be so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing
        individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected
        to have a material adverse effect on the Company. All the
        outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have
        been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are
        owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all
        pledges, claims, mortgages, liens, charges,

                                      A-7
<PAGE>

        encumbrances, adverse claims and security interests of any kind or
        nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens"). Except for the capital
        stock of its subsidiaries, the Company does not own, directly or
        indirectly, any capital stock or other ownership interest in any
        corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture
        or other entity.

    (c) Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of the Company
        consists of 35,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, par value
        $1.00 per share, and 487,410 shares of Preferred Stock, without par
        value. At the close of business on August 9, 2000, (i) 11,846,837
        shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) no
        shares of Company Common Stock were held by the Company in its
        treasury, (iii) 1,811,307 shares of Company Common Stock were
        reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's 1989 Long-Term
        Incentive Plan (as amended effective August 16, 1996), the
        Company's Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the Company's
        Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Company's Dividend
        Reinvestment Plan (collectively, the "Company Stock Plans"), (iv)
        employee and director stock options to purchase an aggregate of
        600,843 shares of Company Common Stock ("Outstanding Stock
        Options") were outstanding, (v) rights (the "Rights") to purchase
        shares of Company Common Stock (and in certain instances to receive
        fractional shares of Preferred Stock of the Company in lieu of
        shares of Company Common Stock) issuable pursuant to the Amended
        and Restated Rights Agreement dated September 19, 1996 (as amended
        from time to time, the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and
        UMB Bank, N.A., as rights agent, were outstanding and (vi) 47,250
        shares of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
        constituting a series of Preferred Stock, have been designated and
        authorized for issuance pursuant to the Rights Agreement, but no
        shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding. Except as set forth
        above, and for changes since the close of business on August 9,
        2000 resulting from the exercise or vesting of employee and
        director stock options outstanding on such date, (i) no shares of
        capital stock or other voting securities, of or ownership interests
        in the Company were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding,
        (ii) there were no securities of the Company convertible into or
        exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities and
        (iii) there were no outstanding stock appreciation rights, stock
        options or rights to receive shares of Company Common Stock on a
        deferred basis granted under the Company Stock Plans or otherwise.
        All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all
        shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding employee or director
        stock options will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
        issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive
        rights. There are no notes, bonds, debentures or other indebtedness
        of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or
        exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any
        matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote. Except as
        set forth above and except for the Company's Dividend Reinstatement
        Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as to which purchases of
        Shares shall have been suspended pursuant to Section 4.1(d) hereof,
        there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls,
        rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings to
        which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was a party or by
        which any of them was bound obligating the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
        delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other
        voting securities of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or
        obligating the Company or any of its subsidiaries to issue, grant,
        extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call,
        right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are
        no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares
        of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. There
        are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company to vote
        or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock of any of its
        subsidiaries.

    (d) Authority; Noncontravention. The Company has all requisite
        corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and,
        subject to the Company Stockholder Approval (as defined in
        Section 3.1(n)), to consummate the transactions contemplated by
        this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this
        Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the

                                      A-8
<PAGE>

        Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been
        duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
        Company, subject, in the case of the approval and adoption of this
        Agreement, to the Company Stockholder Approval. This Agreement has
        been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the
        legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
        against the Company in accordance with its terms. The execution,
        delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Stockholders
        Agreements do not, and the consummation of the transactions
        contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with the provisions of
        this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreements will not, conflict
        with, or result in any violation of, breach of or default (with or
        without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a
        right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation
        or to loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation or
        imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the
        Company or any of its subsidiaries under, (i) the certificate of
        incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the comparable
        organizational documents of any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any loan or
        credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other
        agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license
        applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their
        respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental
        filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence, any
        judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
        applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their
        respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses
        (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights,
        losses or Liens that individually or in the aggregate would not have
        a material adverse effect on the Company. No consent, approval, order
        or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any
        Federal, state or local government or any court, administrative or
        regulatory agency or commission or other governmental authority or
        agency, domestic or foreign (a "Governmental Entity"), is required by
        or with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries in
        connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the
        Stockholders Agreements by the Officers and Directors or of this
        Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the
        transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (1) the
        filing of a premerger notification and report form by the Company
        under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
        amended (the "HSR Act"); (2) the filing with the Securities and
        Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of (A) a proxy statement relating to
        the Company Stockholders Meeting (such proxy statement (as provided
        for in Section 5.1(a)), as amended or supplemented from time to time,
        being the "Proxy Statement"), and (B) such reports under Section
        13(a), 13(d) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
        amended (the "Exchange Act"), as may be required in connection with
        the Stockholders Agreements and this Agreement and the transactions
        contemplated by this Agreement; (3) the filing of the Certificate of
        Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and appropriate documents
        with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is
        qualified to do business; (4) such filings as are listed on Schedule
        3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; and (5) such consents,
        approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
        filings the failure to make or obtain which would not reasonably be
        expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

    (e) SEC Documents. The Company has filed all required reports,
        schedules, forms, statements and other documents with the SEC since
        July 1, 1997 (the "SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates,
        the SEC Documents complied or will comply in all material respects
        with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
        "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the
        rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable
        to such SEC Documents, and, as of their respective dates, none of
        the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact
        or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
        necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
        circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except to
        the extent that information contained in any SEC Document has been
        revised or superseded by a later Filed

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

        SEC Document, none of the SEC Documents contains, and no SEC
        Documents filed after the date of this Agreement and prior to the
        Effective Time will contain, any untrue statement of a material fact
        or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
        necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
        circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
        financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents
        (including, in each case, any notes thereto) comply or will comply as
        to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
        requirements of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared or
        will be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
        principles as in effect at the time of application thereof ("GAAP")
        (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form
        10-Q of the SEC and other SEC rules and regulations) applied on a
        consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
        indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present in all material
        respects, or will fairly present in all material respects, the
        consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries
        as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their
        operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the
        case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

    (f) Other Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements as
        of and for the year ended June 30, 2000 furnished by the Company to
        the Trust and Acquisition Sub, which consist of a balance sheet as
        of such date (the "Company Balance Sheet") and a statement of
        operations and a statement of cash flows for the year then ended
        (including the notes thereto), and the report of Arthur Andersen LLP
        with respect thereto, was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied
        on a consistent basis during the periods involved and fairly
        presents in all material respects the consolidated financial
        position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates thereof
        and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for
        the period then ended.

    (g) No Undisclosed Material Liabilities. At the date of this Agreement,
        there are no liabilities or obligations of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent,
        absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, other than (i)
        liabilities or obligations disclosed in or reserved against in the
        Company Balance Sheet, (ii) liabilities and obligations of a type
        not required to be disclosed in or reserved against in the Company
        Balance Sheet that are (A) referred to in the Company's Annual
        Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999 or any SEC
        Documents filed thereafter (including obligations under agreements,
        plans and other documents filed therewith or incorporated by
        reference therein) or (B) contained in the Disclosure Schedule, and
        (iii) liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
        business consistent with past practice that would not reasonably be
        expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material
        adverse effect on the Company.

    (h) Information Supplied. None of the information included or
        incorporated by reference in any documents filed or to be filed with
        the Commission or any other Governmental Entity in connection with
        the transactions contemplated hereby, including in the Proxy
        Statement will, the respective times such documents are filed or are
        first published, sent or given to stockholders, and also, in the
        case of the Proxy Statement, at the date such document is first
        mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the time of the Company
        Stockholders Meeting or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue
        statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
        required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
        statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
        are made, not misleading, and the Proxy Statement and any such
        information statement will comply at all relevant times in all
        material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the
        rules and regulations thereunder, except that no representation or
        warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements made or
        incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied to
        the Company by the Trust or Acquisition Sub in writing specifically
        for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

                                     A-10
<PAGE>

    (i) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in the
        Company Disclosure Schedule and the SEC Documents filed and
        publicly available after the date of the Company Balance Sheet,
        since the date of the Company Balance Sheet, the Company has
        conducted its business only in the ordinary course, consistent with
        past practice and there has not been (i) any event, occurrence,
        development or state of circumstances or facts that has had or is
        reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company,
        except for any such event, occurrence, development or state of
        facts or circumstances attributable to conditions affecting the
        paperboard or wallboard industries or the U.S. economy as a whole,
        (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or
        other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with
        respect to any of the Company's capital stock, (iii) any granting
        by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any director, officer
        or other employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries of (x)
        any options or rights to acquire equity securities of the Company,
        (y) any increase in compensation, bonuses or other benefits, except
        the vesting of benefits and for normal awards, increases and other
        payments in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
        practice or as was required under employment agreements and Company
        Plans in effect as of the date of the most recent audited financial
        statements included in the Filed SEC Documents or (z) severance or
        termination pay or increase thereof, (iv) any incurrence,
        assumption or guarantee by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
        of any indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the ordinary
        course of business and in amounts and on terms consistent with past
        practice (it being agreed that the aggregate indebtedness for
        borrowed money of the Company and its subsidiaries at any time will
        be no more than $215 million), (v) any creation or other incurrence
        by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any Lien on any
        material asset other than in the ordinary course of business
        consistent with past practice, (vi) any damage, destruction or
        other casualty loss (whether or not covered by insurance) affecting
        the business or the assets of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a
        material adverse effect on the Company, (vii) any material labor
        dispute involving the employees of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries, (viii) any transaction or commitment made, or any
        contract or arrangement entered into, by the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries (including the acquisition or disposition of any
        assets) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
        with past practice except for the disposition of certain assets of
        the Company as set forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule, or
        (ix) any amendment of any term of any outstanding security of the
        Company or any of its subsidiaries.

    (j) Litigation. There is no suit, action, investigation or proceeding
        pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or
        affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
        respective properties before any court or arbitrator or before any
        foreign or domestic Governmental Entity that individually or in the
        aggregate would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
        effect on the Company, nor is there any judgment, order or decree
        of any Governmental Entity outstanding against the Company or any
        of its subsidiaries having, or which would reasonably be expected
        to have, such a material adverse effect on the Company.

    (k) Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans. Except as disclosed in the
        Company Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the Company Balance
        Sheet there has not been any adoption or amendment in any material
        respect (except as required by applicable law), or any agreement to
        adopt or amend in any material respect, by the Company or any of
        its subsidiaries of any collective bargaining agreement or
        employment contract or any bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred
        compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock
        purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation,
        severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, medical or
        other plan, arrangement or understanding (whether or not legally
        binding) providing benefits to any current or former director,
        officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the
        "Company Plans"). Without limiting the foregoing, except as
        disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the
        Company Balance Sheet, there has not been any change in any
        actuarial or other assumption used to calculate funding obligations
        with respect to

                                      A-11
<PAGE>

       any Pension Plan (as defined in Section 3.1(l)) of the Company, or
       in the manner in which contributions to any Pension Plan of the
       Company are made or the basis on which such contributions are
       determined. Except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule,
       there exist no employment, consulting, severance, termination or
       indemnification agreements, arrangements or understandings between
       the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any current or former
       director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its
       subsidiaries.

   (l) ERISA Compliance.

       (i)   The Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list of each
             "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(2) of
             the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
             ("ERISA")) (sometimes referred to herein as a "Pension Plan"),
             each "employee welfare benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1)
             of ERISA) (sometimes referred to herein as a "Welfare Plan"),
             each employment contract, stock option, stock purchase, deferred
             compensation plan or arrangement and each other employee fringe
             benefit plan or arrangement maintained, contributed to or
             required to be maintained or contributed to by the Company, any
             of its subsidiaries or any other person or entity that, together
             with the Company, is or was treated as a single employer under
             Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each, a "Commonly
             Controlled Entity") for the benefit of any current or former
             directors, officers, employees or independent contractors of the
             Company or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, "Company
             Benefit Plans"). The Company has delivered or made available to
             the Trust true, complete and correct copies of (w) each Company
             Benefit Plan, (x) the two most recent annual reports on Form
             5500 filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to
             each Company Benefit Plan (if any such report was required), (y)
             the most recent summary plan description for each Company
             Benefit Plan for which such summary plan description is
             required, and (z) each currently effective trust agreement,
             insurance or group annuity contract and each other funding or
             financing arrangement relating to any Company Benefit Plan.

       (ii)  Except as disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule, (1)
             each Company Benefit Plan has been administered in accordance
             with its terms and the Company, its subsidiaries and all the
             Company Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable
             provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws and
             the terms of all applicable collective bargaining agreements,
             except for any failure to so administer or any non-compliance
             that has not and, if continued, would not, individually or in
             the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company,
             (2) there are no pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
             threatened, (A) investigations by any Governmental Entity, (B)
             termination proceedings or other claims (except routine claims
             for benefits payable under the Company Benefit Plans), (C)
             suits or (D) proceedings against or involving any Company
             Benefit Plan or asserting any rights or claims to benefits
             under any Company Benefit Plan, and (3) all reports, returns
             and similar documents with respect to the Company Benefit Plans
             required to be filed with any governmental agency or
             distributed to any Company Benefit Plan Participant have been
             duly, timely, and accurately filed or distributed.

       (iii) Except as described on Schedule 3.1(l) of the Company
             Disclosure Schedule, (1) all contributions to, and payments
             from, the Company Benefit Plans that may have been required to
             be made in accordance with the terms of the Company Benefit
             Plans, any applicable collective bargaining agreement and,
             when applicable, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the
             Code, have been timely made, except for any such untimely
             payment that has not and, if continued, would not,
             individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
             effect on the Company, (2) there has been no application for
             waiver or waiver of the minimum funding standards imposed by
             Section 412 of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan of
             the Company, (3) no Pension Plan of the Company has or had at
             any time during the current plan year an "accumulated funding
             deficiency" within the meaning of

                                      A-12
<PAGE>

             Section 412(a) of the Code and (4) there is no liability under
             Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Company Benefit Plan
             (except for insurance premiums payable to the Pension Benefit
             Guaranty Corporation which are not yet due) that has not been
             satisfied as of the date hereof.

      (iv)   Each Pension Plan of the Company that is intended to be a tax-
             qualified plan has been the subject of a determination letter
             from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such
             Pension Plan and related trust is qualified and exempt from
             U.S. Federal income Taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a),
             respectively, of the Code; no such determination letter has
             been revoked; and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such
             revocation has been threatened. No such Pension Plan has been
             amended since the effective date of its most recent
             determination letter in any respect that would adversely affect
             its qualification, materially increase its costs or require
             security under Section 307 of ERISA. Furthermore, each Pension
             Plan of the Company that is intended to be tax qualified has
             been timely and properly amended since each respective Pension
             Plan's effective date to comport with any changes in the Code,
             ERISA, or other applicable federal or state law which might
             otherwise effect such Pension Plan's tax qualified status. The
             Company has delivered or made available to the Trust a copy of
             the most recent determination letter received with respect to
             each Pension Plan of the Company.

      (v)    Each Welfare Plan of the Company may be amended or terminated
             without material liability to the Surviving Corporation at any
             time after the Effective Time.

      (vi)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(l) of the Company
             Disclosure Schedule, no director, independent contractor or
             employee of the Company will be entitled to any additional
             benefits or any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
             of any benefits under any Company Benefit Plan as a result of
             the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      (vii)  Schedule 3.1(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a
             list of all Company Benefit Plans which provide for
             accelerated vesting or payment of any benefits as a result of
             a change in control.

    (m) Taxes.

      (i)    Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has filed all Federal
             and all material state and local Tax returns and reports
             required to be filed by it or requests for extensions to file
             such returns or reports have been timely filed, granted and have
             not expired. All Federal and all material state and local Tax
             returns and reports filed by the Company and each of its
             subsidiaries are complete and accurate in all material respects.
             The Company and each of its subsidiaries has paid (or the
             Company has paid on its behalf) all Taxes shown as due on such
             returns and reports and all material Taxes otherwise due, and
             the Company Balance Sheet adequately provides for Taxes payable
             by the Company and its subsidiaries for taxable periods and
             portions thereof accrued through the date of such financial
             statements.

      (ii)   No deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or
             assessed against the Company or any of its subsidiaries that
             are not adequately provided for on the financial statements,
             and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such
             Taxes have been granted or are pending. There is no audit,
             examination, deficiency or refund litigation pending with
             respect to Taxes and during the past three years no taxing
             authority has given written notice of the intent to commence
             any such examination, audit deficiency or refund litigation.
             None of the assets or properties of the Company or any of its
             subsidiaries is subject to any material Tax lien, other than
             any such liens for Taxes which are not due and payable, which
             may thereafter be paid without penalty or the validity of which
             are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
             and for which adequate provisions are being maintained in
             accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
             ("Permitted Tax Liens").

                                      A-13
<PAGE>

      (iii) Schedule 3.1(m) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all
            federal, state, local, and foreign income Tax returns for
            which an extension to file has filed and for which the related
            Tax return has not been filed.

      (iv)  None of the payments or benefits which may be triggered under
            any Company Benefit Plan or other agreement or arrangement by
            the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby
            (either alone or in combination with a second event following
            the Merger such as termination of employment) will not be
            deductible under Code (S)280G.

      (v)   As used in this Agreement, "Taxes" shall include all Federal,
            state and local income, franchise, use, property, sales, excise
            and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any nature
            whatsoever, domestic or foreign, including any interest,
            penalties or additions with respect thereto.

    (n) Inapplicability of DGCL Section 203 and Article THIRTEENTH of the
        Company Charter; Voting Requirements. The Company's Board of
        Directors (including, without limitation the requisite approval of
        "Continuing Directors" to the extent necessary under Article
        THIRTEENTH of the Company's Second Restated Certificate of
        Incorporation) has taken all actions necessary and appropriate to
        render the limitations on business combinations contained in
        Section 203 of the DGCL and the 66 2/3% voting provisions in
        Article THIRTEENTH of the Company's Second Restated Certificate of
        Incorporation inapplicable to this Agreement, the Stockholders
        Agreements and the consummation of the Merger and the other
        transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The affirmative vote
        of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
        Company Common Stock (the "Company Stockholder Approval") is the
        only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company's
        capital stock necessary to approve and adopt this Agreement, the
        Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
        and the Stockholders Agreements.

    (o) Rights Agreement. The Rights Agreement has been amended as of the
        date hereof (the "Rights Amendment") to the extent necessary (i) to
        render the Rights Agreement inapplicable to this Agreement, the
        Stockholders Agreements, the Merger, and the other transactions
        contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreements (ii)
        to ensure that (y) neither the Trust nor any of its subsidiaries
        (including Acquisition Sub) is an Acquiring Person (as defined in
        the Rights Agreement) pursuant to the Rights Agreement and (z) a
        Stock Acquisition Date or Distribution Date (in each case as
        defined in the Rights Agreement) does not occur solely by reason of
        the execution of this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreements or
        the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions
        contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreements and
        (iii) to terminate the Rights Agreement effective as of the
        Effective Time.

    (p) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
        person, other than J.P. Morgan & Co., Incorporated (copies of whose
        engagement agreement have been provided to the Trust), is entitled
        to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee
        or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by
        this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the
        Company.

    (q) Opinion of Financial Advisor; Board Findings and
        Recommendation. The Company has received the opinion of J.P. Morgan
        & Co. Incorporated, dated as of the date of this Agreement, to the
        effect that, as of such date, the cash amount per Share specified
        in Section 2.1(c) to be paid in accordance with Article 2 is fair
        to the holders of the Company's Common Stock from a financial point
        of view. A copy of such opinion has heretofore been delivered to
        the Trust. The Company has been authorized by J.P. Morgan & Co.
        Incorporated to permit the inclusion of such opinion in its
        entirety in the Proxy Statement, so long as such inclusion is in
        form and substance reasonably satisfactory to J.P. Morgan & Co.
        Incorporated and its counsel. The Company's Board of Directors (i)
        has unanimously approved and adopted the Stockholders Agreements,
        this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
        the Merger, and thereby, (ii) has

                                      A-14
<PAGE>

        unanimously determined that this Agreement and the transactions
        contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to and
        in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company and (iii)
        unanimously recommends (subject to Section 4.2(b)) that the
        stockholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement and the
        transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.

    (r) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Each of the Company and its
        subsidiaries holds all Federal, state and local governmental
        approvals, authorizations, certificates, permits, filings,
        franchises, licenses, notices and rights, domestic or foreign
        ("Permits") necessary for it to own, lease or operate its properties
        and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and all
        such Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where
        the failure to have, or the suppression or cancellation of, or the
        failure of any such Permits to be valid and in full force and effect
        individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse
        effect on the Company. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are
        in compliance with all applicable judgments, orders, decrees,
        statutes, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of any
        Governmental Entity, except for possible noncompliance which
        individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse
        effect on the Company. As of the date hereof, no investigation or
        review by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any
        of its subsidiaries is pending, or to the Company's knowledge
        threatened, other than those which individually or in the aggregate
        would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

    (s) No Default. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
        breach, default or violation (and no event has occurred, which, with
        notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach,
        default or violation) of any term, condition or provision of (i) the
        certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the
        comparable organizational documents of any of its subsidiaries, (ii)
        any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease
        or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or
        license applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
        their respective properties or assets, or (iii) any judgment, order,
        decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to
        the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective
        properties or assets, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)
        for breaches, defaults or violations which individually or in the
        aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

    (t) Environmental Laws and Regulations. Except as described in Schedule
        3.1(t) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and each of
        its subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Federal,
        state and local laws and regulations (including common law) relating
        to pollution or protection of human health or the environment
        (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or
        subsurface strata) (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), which,
        except for any such non-compliance as has not and, if continued,
        would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
        effect on the Company. For purposes of the immediately preceding
        sentence, compliance with Environmental Laws includes, but is not
        limited to, the possession by the Company and each of its
        subsidiaries of all permits and other governmental authorizations
        required under applicable Environmental Laws. The Company is in
        material compliance with the terms and conditions thereof. Except as
        described in Schedule 3.1(t) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
        neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received written
        notice of, or is the subject of any facts, circumstances or
        conditions that could reasonably be expected to result in, any
        actions, causes of action, claims, investigations, demands or
        notices by any person alleging liability under or non-compliance
        with any Environmental Law ("Environmental Claims") that has had or,
        if continued, would have, individually or in the aggregate, a
        material adverse effect on the Company.

    (u) Contracts; Indebtedness. (a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(u)
        of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no contracts,
        agreements that are material to the business, properties, assets,
        financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its
        subsidiaries

                                     A-15
<PAGE>

        taken as a whole. All of such disclosed contracts are valid and
        legally binding obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries, as
        the case may be, and, to the knowledge of the Company, of each of the
        other parties thereto, and are enforceable in accordance with the
        terms thereof. No such contract contains any provision which
        prohibits or restricts, or provides that the other party thereto may
        terminate such contract in the event or by reason of, the Merger or
        the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or contains
        any other provision that would be altered or otherwise become
        applicable by reason of such transaction. The Company has provided
        true and correct copies of all such contracts to the Trust. Schedule
        3.1(u) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) a list of
        each agreement, instruments and other obligation pursuant to which
        any indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in a
        principal amount in excess of $1,000,000 is outstanding or may be
        incurred other than any that may be entered into after the date of
        this Agreement in compliance with Sections 4.1(a) and (ii) the
        respective principal amounts outstanding thereunder as of June 30,
        2000.

    (v) Intellectual Property. The Company and its subsidiaries (i) own, or
        are validly licensed or otherwise have the right to use, all
        patents, patent rights, trademarks, trade names, service marks,
        copyrights, know how and other proprietary intellectual property
        rights and computer programs (collectively, "Intellectual Property
        Rights") that are material to the conduct of the business of the
        Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (ii) has taken
        such steps to preserve such Intellectual Property Rights as the
        Company has determined to be appropriate. Schedule 3.1(v) of the
        Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a description of all
        Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the conduct of the
        business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and,
        to the Company's knowledge, all such Intellectual Property Rights
        are valid and enforceable. No claims are pending or, to the
        knowledge of the Company, threatened that the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries is infringing or otherwise adversely affecting the
        intellectual property rights of any person, and the Company is not
        aware of any basis for any such claims. To the knowledge of the
        Company, no person is infringing the rights of the Company or any of
        its subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual Property Right.
        None of the Company's Intellectual Property Rights are licensed to
        any third party. Except as disclosed in the Company Disclosure
        Schedule, no material Intellectual Property Right is subject to any
        outstanding judgment, injunction, order, decree, or agreement
        restricting the use thereof by the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries or restricting the licensing thereof by the Company or
        any of its subsidiaries.

    (w) Labor Matters. Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(w) of the Company
        Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
        is party to any collective bargaining agreement, memorandum of
        understanding, settlement or other labor agreement with any union or
        labor organization and no union or labor organization has been
        recognized by the Company or any of its subsidiaries as an exclusive
        bargaining representative for employees of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(w) of the Company
        Disclosure Schedule, to the Company's knowledge, there is no current
        union representation question involving employees of the Company or
        any of its subsidiaries, nor does the Company have knowledge of any
        significant activity or proceeding of any labor organization (or
        representative thereof) or employee group to organize any such
        employees. Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(w) of the Company
        Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
        has made any commitment that would require the application of the
        terms of any collective bargaining agreements entered into by the
        Company or any of its subsidiaries to the Trust, to any joint
        venture of the Trust, or to any subsidiary of the Trust.

           Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(w) of the Company Disclosure
      Schedule there is no material labor dispute, strike, picketing or
      work stoppage, or any lockout, involving employees of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
      threatened against or involving the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries.

                                     A-16
<PAGE>

        Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(w) of the Company Disclosure
        Schedule, (i) there is no grievance, arbitration, unfair labor
        practice, investigation, employment discrimination or other labor or
        employment related charge, complaint or claim against the Company or
        any of its subsidiaries pending before any court, arbitrator,
        mediator or governmental agency or tribunal, or, to the Company's
        knowledge, threatened, and (ii) there has been no adjudication by
        any court, arbitrator, mediator or governmental agency or tribunal
        that, in the case of either (i) or (ii), has or that would
        reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
        Company or otherwise limit or affect the business operations of the
        Company.

          To the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company, any of its
        subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives or employees
        has committed any unfair labor practice in connection with the
        operation of the respective businesses of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries that has not been resolved, and there is no charge or
        complaint against the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

           As of the date of this Agreement, (i) the Company is in
        compliance with all applicable laws relating to the employment of
        labor, including those related to wages, hours, collective
        bargaining worker classification and the payment and withholding of
        taxes and other sums as required by the appropriate governmental
        authority and has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental
        authority or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental
        authority all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the
        Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties
        or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing; (ii)
        the Company has paid in full to all employees, or adequately accrued
        for in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, all wages,
        salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation due
        to or on behalf of such employees; (iii) there is no claim with
        respect to payment of wages, salary or overtime pay that has been
        asserted or is now pending or threatened before any governmental
        authority with respect to any persons currently or formerly employed
        by the Company; (iv) the Company is not a party to, or otherwise
        bound by, any consent decree with, or citation by, any governmental
        authority relating to employees or employment practices; and (v)
        there is no charge of discrimination in employment or employment
        practices, for any reason, including, without limitation, age,
        gender, race, religion or other legally protected category, which
        has been asserted or is now pending or threatened before the United
        States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other
        governmental authority in any jurisdiction in which the Company has
        employees except in the case of clauses (i), (iii) and (v) above,
        where the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
        material adverse effect on the Company.

    (x) Assets Other than Real Property Interests. The Company or a
        subsidiary of the Company has good and valid title to all material
        assets owned by them, in each case free and clear of all pledges,
        claims, charges, mortgages, liens, security interests or
        encumbrances of any kind except (i) mechanics', carriers',
        workmen's, repairmen's or other like liens arising or incurred in
        the ordinary course of business, liens arising under original
        purchase price conditional sales contracts and equipment leases
        with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business
        if the underlying obligations are not overdue for a period of more
        than 90 days, and liens for Taxes which are not yet due and
        payable, (ii) mortgages, liens, security interests and encumbrances
        which secure debt that is reflected as a liability on the Balance
        Sheet and the existence of which is indicated in the notes thereto
        and (iii) other imperfections of title or encumbrances, if any,
        which do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair
        the continued use and operation or the marketability of the assets
        to which they relate in the business of the Company and its
        subsidiaries as presently conducted (the mortgages, liens, security
        interests, encumbrances and imperfections of title described in
        clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above are hereinafter referred to
        collectively as "Permitted Liens").

           All the material tangible personal property of the Company and
        its subsidiaries has been maintained in all material respects in
        accordance with the past practice of the Company and its

                                      A-17
<PAGE>

         subsidiaries and generally accepted industry practice. Each item of
         material tangible personal property of the Company and its
         subsidiaries is in all material respects in good working order and
         is adequate and sufficient for the Company's intended purposes,
         ordinary wear and tear excepted.

           This Section 3.1(x) does not relate to real property or
         interests in real property, such items being the subject of Section
         3.1(y).

    (y)  Title to Real Property. Schedule 3.1(y) sets forth a complete list
         of all real property owned in fee by the Company and its
         subsidiaries other than any real property disposed of after the
         date of this Agreement in compliance with Section 4.1(a)
         (individually, an "Owned Property"). Schedule 3.1(y) sets forth a
         complete list of all real property and interests in real property
         leased by the Company and its subsidiaries (other than any real
         property disposed of after the date of this Agreement in compliance
         with Section 4.1(a) (individually, a "Leased Property") and
         identifies any material leases relating thereto. The Company or a
         subsidiary has (i) good and marketable fee title to all Owned
         Property insurable at regular rates and (ii) good and valid title
         to the leasehold estates in all Leased Property (an Owned Property
         or Leased Property being sometimes referred to herein,
         individually, as a "Company Property" and, collectively, as
         "Company Properties"), in each case free and clear of all
         mortgages, liens, security interests, encumbrances, leases,
         assignments, subleases, easements, covenants, rights-of-way and
         other similar restrictions of any nature whatsoever, except (A)
         leases, subleases and similar agreements set forth in Schedule
         3.1(y), (B) Permitted Liens, (C) easements, covenants, rights-of-
         way and other similar restrictions of record, (D) any conditions
         that would be shown by a current, accurate survey or physical
         inspection of any Company Property made prior to Closing and (E)
         (I) zoning, building and other similar restrictions, (II)
         mortgages, liens, security interests, encumbrances, easements,
         covenants, rights-of-way and other similar restrictions that have
         been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on
         property over which the Company or any subsidiary thereof has
         easement rights or on any Leased Property and subordination or
         similar agreements relating thereto, and (III) unrecorded
         easements, covenants, rights-of-way and other similar restrictions,
         none of which items set forth in clauses (C), (D) and (E),
         individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the value or
         the continued use and operation of the property to which they
         relate in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as
         presently conducted. No local zoning or similar land use or
         government regulations materially impairs the current use by the
         Company and its subsidiaries of the plants, offices and other
         facilities located on Company Property.

    (z)  Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain policies of
         directors' and officers' liability insurance, fire and casualty,
         liability and other forms of insurance (including self-insurance)
         in such amounts, with such deductibles and against such risks and
         losses as are reasonable for the operation of the business and
         ownership of assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The
         insurance policies owned and maintained by the Company and its
         subsidiaries are listed in Schedule 3.1(z). All such policies are
         in full force and effect, all premiums due and payable thereon have
         been paid (other than retroactive or retrospective premium
         adjustments that are not yet, but may be, required to be paid with
         respect to any period ending prior to the Closing Date under
         comprehensive general liability and workmen's compensation
         insurance policies), and no notice of cancellation or termination
         has been received with respect to any such policy which has not
         been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of
         such cancellation. To the knowledge of the Company, the activities
         and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries have been
         conducted in a manner so as to conform in all material respects to
         all applicable provisions of such insurance policies. The coverages
         provided by such policies of insurance with respect to events
         occurring prior to the Effective Time will not be affected in any
         manner by, and will not terminate or lapse by reason of, any of the
         Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

    (aa) Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in Sections
         3.1(k), 3.1(l), 3.1(u) and 3.1(aa) of the Company Disclosure
         Schedule, there is no material agreement, contract or other
         arrangement between the Company or any subsidiary, on the one
         hand, and any officer, director or affiliate

                                      A-18
<PAGE>

         (other than the Company or a subsidiary), on the other hand. Officer,
         director or affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary (other than
         the Company or any subsidiary) has any material interest in any
         property (real or personal, tangible or intangible) or contract used
         in or pertaining to the business of the Company or a subsidiary. No
         affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary (other than the Company or
         any subsidiary) has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any
         person in which the Company or a subsidiary has any direct or
         indirect ownership interest or with which the Company or a subsidiary
         competes or has a business relationship.

    (bb) State Takeover Statutes. Except for Section 203 of the DGCL (which,
         as described in Section 3.1(n), the Board of Directors of the
         Company has taken all actions to render the limitations on business
         combinations therein inapplicable to this Agreement, the
         Stockholders Agreements and the consummation of the Merger and the
         other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby), no other state
         takeover statute or similar statute or regulation applies or
         purports to apply to this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreements,
         the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby or
         thereby.

Section 3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Trust.

   Except as set forth with respect to an identified representation and
warranty on the Disclosure Schedule delivered by the Trust to the Company upon
the execution of this Agreement (the "Trust Disclosure Schedule"), the Trust
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

    (a)  Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. The Trust is a statutory
         trust duly formed and validly existing under the laws of Connecticut
         and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business
         as now being conducted. Acquisition Sub is a corporation duly
         organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
         Delaware and has the requisite corporate power and authority to
         carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Trust and
         Acquisition Sub is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is
         in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions which recognize such
         concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or
         the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
         or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the
         failure to be so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing
         individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse
         effect on the Trust.

    (b)  Authority; Noncontravention. Each of the Trust and Acquisition Sub
         has all requisite trust or corporate power and authority to enter
         into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
         by this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this
         Agreement by the Trust and Acquisition Sub and the consummation by
         the Trust and Acquisition Sub of the transactions contemplated by
         this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary trust or
         corporate action (as the case may be) on the part of such person.
         This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the
         Trust and Acquisition Sub and constitutes the legal, valid and
         binding obligation of such persons, enforceable against each such
         person in accordance with its terms. The execution, delivery and
         performance of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreements do
         not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and
         the Stockholders Agreements by the Trust and Acquisition Sub will
         not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, breach of, or
         default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or
         give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of
         any obligation or to loss of a material benefit under (i) trust
         agreement of the Trust or the certificate of incorporation or by-
         laws of Acquisition Sub, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note,
         bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument,
         permit, concession, franchise or license applicable to the Trust or
         Acquisition Sub or their respective properties or assets or (iii)
         subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in
         the following sentence, any judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
         ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Trust or Acquisition
         Sub or their respective properties or assets,

                                     A-19
<PAGE>

        other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such
        conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that
        individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse
        effect on the Trust. No consent, approval, order or authorization
        of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental
        Entity is required by or with respect to the Trust or Acquisition
        Sub in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of
        this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreements by the Trust or
        Acquisition Sub or the consummation by the Trust and Acquisition Sub
        of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
        Stockholders Agreements, except for (1) the filing of a premerger
        notification and report form by the Trust or Acquisition Sub under
        the HSR Act, to the extent required thereby; (2) the filing of the
        Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and
        appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states
        in which the Trust is qualified to do business; and (3) such
        consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
        declarations and filings the failure to make or obtain which would
        not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
        Trust.

    (c) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
        supplied by the Trust or Acquisition Sub in writing specifically
        for inclusion or incorporation by reference in any documents filed
        or to be filed with the SEC or any other governmental entity in
        connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
        Proxy Statement will, at the respective times such document is
        filed, and also, in the case of the Proxy Statement, at the date
        the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's stockholders
        or at the time of the meeting of the Company's stockholders held to
        vote upon the approval and adoption of this Agreement, contain any
        untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
        fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
        the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
        they are made, not misleading (or necessary to correct any
        statement in any earlier communication).

    (d) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
        person, other than Salomon Smith Barney, the fees and expenses of
        which will be paid by the Trust, is entitled to any broker's,
        finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in
        connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
        based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Trust.

    (e) Financing Commitment. The Trust has received an executed letter,
        dated as of August 8, 2000 (the "Lender Letter"), from Cooperative
        Centrale Raiffeisen--Boeremleembank B.A., "Rabobank--Nederland",
        New York (the "Lender"), a true and correct copy of which has been
        furnished to the Company, indicating that the Lender, subject to
        obtaining internal credit approval, is confident that it can
        provide the funds necessary to fund in full the payment of the
        merger consideration payable by the Trust in accordance with
        Article 2. The Trust agrees that within 30 days after the execution
        of this Agreement it will furnish to the Company an executed
        commitment (the "Commitment") from the Lender or from another
        financial institution(s) reasonably acceptable to the Company in a
        form customary for a financial buyer under similar circumstances
        with respect to the funds required by the Trust to consummate the
        transactions contemplated hereby, subject to customary conditions
        precedent for such a commitment, including, without limitation, the
        negotiation and execution of definitive documentation for such
        funding and final Lender approvals. Concurrently with the execution
        of this Agreement, the Trust has caused the Lender to issue an
        irrevocable direct draw letter of credit in the form attached
        hereto as Annex I (the "Letter of Credit"), pursuant to which the
        Company shall have the right, on the terms and subject to the
        conditions set forth therein, to draw in full to receive payment of
        $12,000,000 in accordance with Section 7.2(b).

    (f) No Prior Activities of the Trust and Acquisition Sub. Each of the
        Trust and Acquisition Sub was formed solely for the purpose of
        engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, and has engaged
        in no other business activities and has conducted its operations
        only as contemplated hereby.

                                      A-20
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 4

                   Covenants Relating to Conduct of Business

Section 4.1 Conduct of Business.

    (a) Conduct of Business by the Company. Except as set forth in Section
        4.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except with the written
        consent of the Trust, during the period from the date of this
        Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause
        its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the
        usual, and ordinary course consistent with past practice and in
        compliance in material respects with all applicable laws and
        regulations and use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact
        their current business organizations, keep available the services
        of their current officers and employees and preserve their
        relationships with those persons having business dealings with
        them. Except as set forth in Section 4.1 of the Company Disclosure
        Schedule, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during
        the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time,
        the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries
        to, without the written consent of the Trust:

        (i)   (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any
              other distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock,
              other than dividends and distributions by a direct or indirect
              wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to its parent, (y) split,
              combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
              authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in
              lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or
              (z) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital
              stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other
              securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire
              any such shares or other securities (except for the redemption
              of the Rights (as defined in the Rights Agreement) as and in the
              manner provided for in the Rights Agreement);

        (ii)  issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares
              of its capital stock, any other voting securities or any
              securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options
              to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible
              securities (other than the issuance of Company Common Stock
              upon the exercise of stock options outstanding on the date of
              this Agreement and in accordance with their present terms or in
              accordance with the present terms of the Stock Plans);

        (iii) amend its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, articles of
              incorporation, or other comparable organizational documents,
              as applicable;

        (iv)  merge or consolidate with any other person or acquire any
              interest in material assets of any other person other than
              pursuant to existing contract or commitments which have been
              disclosed to the Trust on the Company Disclosure Schedule;

        (v)   sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject
              to, or permit the creation or other incurrence of, any material
              Lien or otherwise dispose of any material properties or assets;

        (vi)  (x) incur indebtedness for borrowed money, assume or guarantee
              any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt
              securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt
              securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, guarantee
              any debt securities of another person, enter into any "keep
              well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement
              condition of another person or enter into any arrangement
              having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for
              working capital borrowings or general corporate purpose
              borrowings under the Bank Credit Agreement, in either case
              incurred in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate
              amount not in excess of $115 million less outstanding
              borrowings under the Bank Credit Agreement, or (y) make any
              loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in,
              any other person, other than to the Company

                                      A-21
<PAGE>

             or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company or to
             officers and employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
             for travel, business or relocation expenses in the ordinary
             course of business and for computer loans to employees in the
             ordinary course of business pursuant to existing programs;

      (vii)  make or agree to make any new capital expenditure or capital
             expenditures other than capital expenditures which (a) are the
             subject of contractually committed purchase orders as of the
             date hereof with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or
             (b) individually are not in excess of $250,000 and in the
             aggregate are not in excess of $3,000,000, provided that at
             any time aggregate capital expenditures exceed $1,000,000 the
             Company shall give written notice to the Trust at least 14
             days in advance prior to the commitment for any capital
             expenditures that individually will exceed $100,000, or (c)
             constitute reasonable expenditures not to exceed $80,000 made
             by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in connection with
             any emergency or other force majeure events affecting the
             Company or any of its subsidiaries;

      (viii) make any Tax election or settle or compromise any material
             Tax liability or take any action with respect to the
             computation of Taxes or the preparation of Tax returns or
             reports that is inconsistent with past practice;

      (ix)   pay, discharge, settle or satisfy material claims, liabilities
             or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
             contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge,
             settlement or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business
             consistent with past practice or in accordance with their
             terms, of liabilities (x) reflected or reserved against in, or
             contemplated by, the most recent consolidated financial
             statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in
             the Filed SEC Documents or (y) incurred since the date of such
             financial statements in the ordinary course of business
             consistent with past practice;

      (x)    (x) enter into or adopt any new Company Benefit Plan or amend
             (other than as required by applicable law) any Company Benefit
             Plan in any material respect, (y) increase the compensation or
             bonus opportunity of any officer or employee of the Company or
             its subsidiaries, except for increases in the ordinary course of
             business consistent with past practice and except for benefits
             required to be paid under Company Benefit Plans as in effect on
             the date of this Agreement, or (z) grant additional equity-based
             compensation to any officer or employee of the Company or its
             subsidiaries;

      (xi)   enter into any contracts or agreements in the ordinary course
             of business requiring the payment, or receipt of payment, of
             consideration in excess of $300,000, or modify, amend or
             terminate any existing material contract that is material to
             the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
             whole, other than (a) modifications, amendments or terminations
             in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
             practice, (b) contracts, agreements or purchase orders for
             capital expenditures permitted under this Section 4.1(a), and
             (c) contracts, agreements or purchase orders entered into in
             the ordinary course of business with customers and suppliers
             for the sale of the Company's or any of its subsidiary's
             products or the purchase of raw materials, supplies, fuel,
             utilities and other goods or services, used or consumed in the
             ordinary course of business.

      (xii)  settle any material action, suit, investigation or proceeding
             other than any action, suit, investigation or proceeding which
             involves only the payment of damages in an immaterial amount
             and does not involve injunctive or other equitable relief;

      (xiii) fail to maintain with financially responsible insurers
             insurance in such amounts and against such risks and losses
             as are customary for companies engaged in their respective
             businesses;

      (xiv)  fail to maintain in full force and effect all material Permits
             that are required in connection with the conduct of the
             businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries or sell,
             transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any rights or
             interests under such Permits;

                                      A-22
<PAGE>

        (xv) make any change to its accounting methods, tax accounting or
             accounting principles or practices, except as may be required
             by GAAP; or

        (xvi) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing
              actions.

    (b) Other Actions. The Company and the Trust shall not, and shall not
        permit any of their respective subsidiaries to, take any action
        that would, or that could reasonably be expected to, result in (i)
        any of the representations and warranties of such party set forth
        in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality becoming
        untrue, (ii) any of such representations and warranties that are
        not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect or (iii)
        any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 6 not
        being satisfied.

    (c) Advice of Changes. The Company and the Trust shall promptly advise
        the other party orally and in writing of (i) any representation or
        warranty made by it contained in this Agreement becoming untrue or
        inaccurate (ii) the failure by it to comply with or satisfy any
        covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied
        by it under this Agreement or (iii) any change or event having, or
        which could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse
        effect on such party or on the truth of their respective
        representations and warranties or the ability of the conditions set
        forth in Article 6 to be satisfied; provided, however, that no such
        notification shall affect the representations, warranties,
        covenants, Disclosure Schedules or agreements of the parties or the
        conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.

    (d) DRIP; ESPP. On the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause
        purchases of Company Common Stock under the Dividend Reinvestment
        Plan and its Employee Stock Purchase Plan to be suspended or
        terminated and to continue such suspension or termination while
        this Agreement is in effect. In connection with any such suspension
        or termination, the Company may return any unspent contributed
        funds to the contributing participants in such plans.

Section 4.2 No Solicitation.

    (a) From the date hereof until the Effective Time, the Company shall
        not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, nor shall it
        authorize or permit any of its directors, officers or employees or
        any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or
        other representative retained by it or any of its subsidiaries (the
        "Representatives") to, directly or indirectly through another
        person, (i) solicit or initiate (including by way of furnishing
        information), or take any other action designed and intended to
        facilitate or encourage, any inquiries or the making of any
        proposal that constitutes any Takeover Proposal (as defined below),
        (ii) participate or engage in any discussions or negotiations
        regarding any Takeover Proposal, or (iii) disclose any nonpublic
        information relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries to
        any person; provided, however, that if, at any time prior to the
        approval and adoption of this Agreement by the holders of
        outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, the Board of Directors
        of the Company determines in good faith, (i) after consultation
        with outside counsel, that it is necessary to do so in order to
        comply with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders
        under applicable law and (ii) after consultation with the Company's
        financial advisors, that such Takeover Proposal, if consummated,
        would be a Superior Proposal (as defined below), then the Company
        may, in response to a bona fide written Takeover Proposal that was
        not solicited by it, and subject to compliance with Section 4.2(c),
        (x) furnish information with respect to the Company and its
        subsidiaries to any person submitting such Takeover Proposal (which
        person may also be a person who participated in discussions with
        the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement and with whom
        the Company ceased discussions in accordance with Section 4.2(e)),
        provided such information is furnished pursuant to an existing
        confidentiality agreement or a confidentiality agreement with terms
        no less favorable to the Company than those contained in the
        Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2000, between the
        Company and Integrated Capital Associates, Inc., (including,
        without limitation, the standstill provisions thereof) and (y)

                                      A-23
<PAGE>

        participate in negotiations regarding such Takeover Proposal. For
        purposes of this Agreement, "Takeover Proposal" means any inquiry,
        proposal or offer from any person relating to any direct or indirect
        acquisition or purchase of 15% or more of the assets of the Company
        and its subsidiaries or 15% or more of any class of equity securities
        of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any tender offer or
        exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person
        beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of equity securities of
        the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any merger, consolidation,
        business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or
        similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
        in all cases other than the transactions contemplated by this
        Agreement.

    (b) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 4.2, neither the Board
        of Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall (i)
        withdraw or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a
        manner adverse to the Trust, the approval or recommendation by such
        Board of Directors or such committee of this Agreement, the
        Stockholders Agreements, the Merger and the other transactions
        contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) approve or recommend, or
        propose publicly to approve or recommend, any Takeover Proposal or
        (iii) cause the Company to enter into any letter of intent,
        agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar
        agreement or fee arrangement or other agreement (each, an
        "Acquisition Agreement") related to any Takeover Proposal.
        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if prior to the approval and adoption
        of this Agreement by the holders of Company Common Stock, the Board
        of Directors of the Company receives an unsolicited Takeover
        Proposal which the Board of Directors determines in good faith (i)
        after consultation with the Company's financial advisors,
        constitutes a Superior Proposal, and (ii) after consultation with
        outside counsel, that it is necessary to do so in order to comply
        with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under
        applicable law, the Board of Directors of the Company may (x)
        withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of this Agreement,
        the Stockholders Agreements, the Merger or the transactions
        contemplated hereby or thereby, (y) approve or recommend such
        Superior Proposal or (z) terminate this Agreement and concurrently
        with or after such termination, if it so chooses, cause the Company
        to enter into any Acquisition Agreement with respect to any Superior
        Proposal subject to payment of the Termination Fee prior to or
        concurrently with the termination hereof, but only (i) if the
        Company has complied with Section 4.2(a), (ii) if such action is
        taken at a time that is after the third business day following the
        Trust's receipt of written notice from the Company advising the
        Trust that the Board of Directors of the Company has received a
        Superior Proposal, specifying the material terms and conditions of
        such Superior Proposal and identifying the person making such
        Superior Proposal and (iii) the Trust does not make prior to the
        lapse of such time period a definitive, binding offer which provides
        equal or greater value to the stockholders of the Company as the
        Superior Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Superior
        Proposal" means any bona fide written Takeover Proposal made by a
        third party on terms that the Board of Directors of the Company
        determines in its good faith judgment, after consultation with its
        financial advisors and after taking into account all the terms and
        conditions of such proposal, provides greater value to the Company's
        stockholders than the Merger and for which financing, to the extent
        required, is then committed or which the Board of Directors of the
        Company has reasonably determined can be obtained by such third
        party.

    (c) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth in
        paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.2, the Company shall
        immediately (within 24 hours) advise the Trust of any Takeover
        Proposal or Superior Proposal, the material terms and conditions
        known to the Company of such Takeover Proposal or Superior Proposal,
        a copy of any offer or other written communications and the identity
        of the person making such request, Takeover Proposal or Superior
        Proposal. The Company shall keep the Trust fully informed of the
        status and details of any such request or proposal and the status of
        any discussions and negotiations in relation thereto.

                                     A-24
<PAGE>

    (d) Nothing contained in this Section 4.2 shall prohibit the Company
        from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position
        contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or
        from making any disclosure to the Company's stockholders if, in the
        good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, after
        consultation with outside counsel, failure so to disclose would be
        a breach of its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders
        under applicable law; provided, however, that neither the Company
        nor its Board of Directors nor any committee thereof shall, except
        as permitted by Section 4.2(b), withdraw or modify, or propose
        publicly to withdraw or modify, its position with respect to this
        Agreement, the Merger or approve or recommend, or propose publicly
        to approve or recommend, a Takeover Proposal.

    (e) Without the prior consent of the Trust, the Company shall not (i)
        except to the extent contemplated by this Agreement, amend or
        modify the Rights Agreement or redeem or terminate the Rights
        Agreement or (ii) modify or release any person from any
        confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company is a
        party if such action would have the purpose or effect of permitting
        or facilitating the submission of a Takeover Proposal by such
        person. Immediately upon the execution of this Agreement, the
        Company shall, and the Company shall cause its subsidiaries and
        Representatives to, cease and cause to be terminated all
        activities, discussions and negotiations, if any, with any person
        conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to, or seeking to
        obtain, any Takeover Proposal.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                             Additional Agreements

   Section 5.1 Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Company Stockholders
Meeting. The Company, acting through its Board of Directors, shall, in
accordance with applicable law, its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and its Bylaws:

    (a) As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement,
        the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy
        Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to have the Proxy
        Statement cleared by the SEC and thereafter mailed to the Company's
        stockholders at the earliest practical date. The Trust and its
        counsel shall be given the reasonable opportunity to review and
        comment upon the Proxy Statement (and any supplements thereto)
        prior to the time they are filed with the SEC. The Company shall
        provide the Trust and its counsel with a copy of any written
        comments or telephonic notification of any verbal comments that are
        received by the Company from the SEC or its staff with respect to
        the Proxy Statement and shall further provide the Trust and its
        counsel with a copy of any written response and telephonic
        notifications of any verbal responses by the Company. If at any
        time prior to the Closing Date any fact, event or development is
        discovered by the Company which is required under applicable law to
        be set forth in a supplement to the Proxy Statement, the Company
        shall prepare and file with the SEC any such supplement or
        amendment and shall disseminate the same to its stockholders in the
        manner required by applicable law.

    (b) As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement,
        subject to Section 4.2, the Company will, as soon as practicable
        following the date of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of,
        convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the "Company
        Stockholders Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the Company
        Stockholder Approval. Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Company will,
        through its Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders the
        approval and adoption of this Agreement, the Merger and the
        consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby and
        shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such approval by
        its stockholders.

    (c) The Trust shall vote, or cause to be voted, all of the Shares then
        owned by it, Acquisition Sub or any of its other subsidiaries in
        favor of the approval and adoption of this Agreement, the Merger
        and the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      A-25
<PAGE>

Section 5.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality.

   From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, the Company shall,
and shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries (i) to afford to the Trust
and to its officers, employees, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and
other representatives and to any other person that the Trust or the Acquisition
Sub has advised the Company is or may be interested in purchasing from the
Surviving Corporation after the Merger any of the assets, facilities or
operations of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, reasonable access during
normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective Time to all
their respective properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and
records, (ii) instruct its counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other
authorized representatives of the Company and its subsidiaries to cooperate
with the Trust in its investigation of the Company and its subsidiaries, and
(iii) to furnish promptly to the Trust (a) a copy of each report, schedule,
form, statement and other document filed by it during such period pursuant to
the requirements of U.S. Federal or state securities laws and (b) other
information concerning its business, properties and personnel as such other
party may reasonably request. The Trust will hold, and will cause its officers,
employees, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and other representatives
and affiliates to hold, any nonpublic information in accordance with the terms
of that certain Confidentiality Agreement dated August 3, 2000 by and between
Integrated Capital Associates, Inc. and the Company (the "Confidentiality
Agreement").

Section 5.3 Reasonable Best Efforts.

   Subject to Section 4.2(b), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be
done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most
expeditious manner practical, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) the obtaining of all necessary
actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental
Entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings (including
filings with Governmental Entities, such as those referred to in Sections
4.1(d)(1)-(4) and 4.2(b)(1)-(3)) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may
be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or
proceeding by, any Governmental Entity, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary
waivers, consents or approvals from third parties, (iii) the defending of any
lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative,
challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining
order entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed and
(iv) the execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out the
purposes of, this Agreement.

   Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Company and
the Trust shall, to the extent required under the HSR Act, promptly file or
cause to be filed with the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the
Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division")
notification and report forms pursuant to the HSR Act relating to the merger
and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement. The Company and the
Trust shall promptly respond to any request for additional information or
documenting material by the FTC or Antitrust Division and shall cooperate with
each other to effect the expiration of any waiting periods applicable thereto
as promptly as practicable. The Company and the Trust shall each consult with
the other and use their reasonable best efforts to coordinate any
communications or filings with the FTC and the Antitrust Division.

   In connection with and without limiting the foregoing, the Company and its
Board of Directors shall (i) take all reasonable action necessary to ensure
that no state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes
applicable to this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreements, the Merger or any of
the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and (ii) if any state
takeover statute or similar statute or regulation becomes applicable to this
Agreement, the Stockholders Agreements, the Merger or any other transaction
contemplated hereby or thereby, take all action necessary to ensure that the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Stockholders Agreements may be consummated as promptly as

                                      A-26
<PAGE>

practical on the terms contemplated herein and therein and otherwise to
minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreements.

   In addition, the Trust undertakes and agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts and to take all reasonable actions necessary to obtain the Commitment
within the 30-day period specified in Section 3.2(e), to finalize the
definitive documentation as promptly as practicable thereafter for the funding
in full of the merger consideration that will become payable at the Effective
Time and to cause the conditions to funding thereunder to be satisfied.

Section 5.4 Employee Matters

    (a) The Trust agrees that the Company shall honor in accordance with
        their respective terms and, on and after the Effective Time, the
        Trust shall cause the Surviving Corporation to honor all Company
        Benefit Plans and all other written employment, severance,
        termination and retirement agreements to which the Company is a
        party as of the Effective Time, and which are set forth on the
        Company Disclosure Schedule. Subject to the preceding sentence, the
        Trust agrees to cause the Surviving Corporation, after consummation
        of the Merger, to pay all amounts provided under such Company
        Benefit Plans and agreements in accordance with their respective
        terms and to honor, and to cause the Surviving Corporation to
        honor, all rights and privileges to or with respect to any such
        Company Benefit Plans or agreements that are vested at the
        Effective Time or vested as a result of the Merger.

    (b) The Trust agrees that, for a period of no less than one year after
        the Effective Time, it shall, and shall cause the Surviving
        Corporation to, provide employee pension and welfare plans (other
        than stock options, restricted stock units and other equity-based
        or phantom equity-based awards) for the benefit of employees and
        former employees of the Company, that, in the aggregate, are not
        materially less favorable than the Pension Plans and Welfare Plans
        in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time. To the extent
        any benefit plan of the Trust (or any plan of the Surviving
        Corporation) shall be made applicable to any employee or former
        employee of the Company, the Trust shall, or shall cause the
        Surviving Corporation to, grant to employees and former employees
        of the Company credit for service with the Company prior to the
        Effective Time for the purposes of determining eligibility to
        participate and the employee's nonforfeitable interest in benefits
        thereunder. In addition, to the extent any benefit plan of the
        Trust (or any plan of the Surviving Corporation) that constitutes a
        "Welfare Plan," as defined in Section 4.1(l) hereof, shall be made
        applicable to any employee or former employee of the Company, the
        Trust shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, (i) waive
        all preexisting condition exclusions and waiting periods otherwise
        applicable to employees and former employees of the Company, except
        to the extent any such limitations or waiting periods in effect
        under comparable Welfare Plans have not been satisfied as of the
        date such plan is made so applicable and (ii) credit each employee
        and former employee of the Company for any co-payments and
        deductibles paid by such employee or former employee under
        comparable Welfare Plans during the current year. Nothing in this
        Agreement shall be interpreted as limiting the power of the
        Surviving Corporation to amend or terminate any Company Benefit
        Plan or any other employee benefit plan, program, agreement or
        policy or as requiring the Surviving Corporation or the Trust to
        continue (other than as required by its terms) any written
        employment contract.

Section 5.5 Rights Agreement.

   The Board of Directors of the Company shall take all further action (in
addition to that referred to in Section 3.1(o)) necessary (including redeeming
the Rights immediately prior to the Effective Time or amending the Rights
Agreement) in order to render the Rights inapplicable to the execution of this
Agreement and the Stockholders Agreements and the consummation of the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

                                      A-27
<PAGE>

Section 5.6 Continuance of Existing Indemnification Rights.

    (a) For six years after the Effective Time, and during the pendency
        thereafter of any Claim (as defined below) asserted or made within
        such six year period, the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify,
        defend and hold harmless any person who is now, or has been at any
        time prior to the date hereof, or who becomes prior to the
        Effective Time, a director or officer (an "Indemnified Person") of
        the Company or any of its subsidiaries against all losses, claims,
        damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees
        and expenses), judgments, fines, losses and amounts paid in
        settlement in connection with any actual or threatened action,
        suit, claim, proceeding or investigation (each a "Claim") to the
        extent that any such Claim directly or indirectly is based on, or
        arises out of the fact that: such Indemnified Person is or was a
        director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
        including any claim based in whole or in part on this Agreement or
        any of the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case, to the
        extent that any such Claim pertains to any matter or fact arising,
        existing or occurring prior to or at the Effective Time, regardless
        of whether such Claim is asserted or claimed prior to, at or after
        the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL,
        the Company's Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation and by-
        laws and any indemnification agreement to which the Company and an
        Indemnified Party are parties, including provisions relating to
        advancement of expenses incurred in the defense of any such Claim;
        provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be
        required to indemnify any Indemnified Person in connection with any
        proceeding (or portion thereof) involving any Claim initiated by
        such Indemnified Person unless the initiation of such proceeding
        (or portion thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of
        the Surviving Corporation or unless such proceeding is brought by
        an Indemnified Person to enforce rights under this Section 5.6 and
        provided, further, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be
        liable for any settlement effected without its prior written
        consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). Any
        Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under this
        Section 5.6 upon learning of any such Claim shall notify the
        Company (or after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation),
        but the failure to so notify shall not relieve a party from any
        liability that it may have under this Section 5.6, except to the
        extent that such failure prejudices such party. The Indemnified
        Parties as a group may retain only one law firm to represent them
        with respect to each such matter unless there is, under applicable
        standards of professional conduct, a conflict or a potential
        conflict on any significant issue between the positions of any two
        or more Indemnified Parties. Without limiting the generality of the
        foregoing, if any Indemnified Person becomes involved in any Claim,
        after the Effective Time, then the Surviving Corporation shall
        periodically advance to such Indemnified Person its legal and other
        expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation
        incurred in connection therewith), subject to such Indemnified
        Person providing an undertaking to reimburse all amounts so
        advanced in the case of a final nonappealable determination by a
        court of competent jurisdiction that such Indemnified Person is not
        entitled to be indemnified therefor.

    (b) The Trust and the Company agree that all rights to indemnification,
        to defense, and being held harmless (including rights to
        advancement of expenses), existing in favor of any Indemnified
        Person, as provided in the Company's Second Restated Certificate of
        Incorporation or by-laws and any indemnification agreement in
        effect at the date hereof, shall survive the Merger and shall
        continue in full force and effect, without any amendment thereto
        that would be adverse to any Indemnified Person unless, as to any
        such Indemnified Person, such Indemnified person consents thereto.
        The obligations of the Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section
        5.6(a) and this Section 5.6(B) shall be assigned in accordance with
        Section 8.10.

    (c) The Surviving Corporation shall maintain the Company's existing
        directors' and officers' liability insurance policy (the "D&O
        Insurance") for a period of not less than six years after the
        Effective Time; provided, however, that (i) upon the sale by the
        Surviving Corporation of all or substantially all of its assets to
        an unaffiliated person, which person provides a substitute policy

                                      A-28
<PAGE>

        of similar coverage and amounts containing terms no less advantageous
        to such former directors or officers than the D&O Insurance and
        agrees to maintain such coverage for a period of not less than six
        years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation's
        obligation hereunder shall cease, (ii) the Company or such
        unaffiliated person, as the case may be, may substitute therefor
        policies of similar coverage and amounts containing terms no less
        advantageous to such former directors or officers and (iii) if the
        existing D&O Insurance expires or is canceled during such period,
        then the Surviving Corporation or such unaffiliated person, as the
        case may be, shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain a
        directors' and officers' liability insurance policy substantially
        similar to the D&O Insurance; provided, further, that if the
        aggregate annual premiums for such insurance pursuant to this Section
        5.6(c) at any time during such period shall exceed 100% of the per
        annum rate of premium paid by the Company and its subsidiaries as of
        the date hereof for such insurance, the Surviving Corporation shall
        provide only such coverage as shall then be available for such
        amount.

Section 5.7 Fees and Expenses.

    (a) Except as set forth in this Section 5.7, all fees and expenses
        incurred in connection with the Merger, this Agreement and the other
        transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the
        party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Merger is
        consummated.

    (b) If this Agreement is terminated by (i) either the Trust or the
        Company pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(i) or Section 7.1(b)(ii) and
        prior to the termination hereof a Takeover Proposal has been made by
        any person or any person publicly announces its intent to make a
        Takeover Proposal, unless, in the case of a termination by the
        Company, the failure to consummate the Merger is the result of a
        material breach of this Agreement by the Trust or Acquisition Sub or
        a material failure by the Trust or Acquisition Sub to fulfill any
        obligation under this Agreement, (ii) the Trust pursuant to Section
        7.1(b)(iv), 7.1(d), 7.1(e) or 7.1(h), or (iii) the Company pursuant
        to Section 7.1(c), then the Company shall promptly pay the Trust a
        fee equal to $10,000,000 (the "Termination Fee"), which Termination
        Fee shall be payable by wire transfer of same day funds not later
        than the date of termination of this Agreement.

Section 5.8 Public Announcements.

   The Trust and the Company will consult with each other before issuing, and
provide each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press
release or other public statements with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, and shall not issue any
such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation, except as may be required by applicable law, stock exchange
requirements or court process. If either the Company or the Trust determines
that a public announcement is required by applicable law, stock exchange
requirement or court process, prior to making such announcement, it will
consult and coordinate with the other party regarding the substance thereof.
The parties agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in the form
heretofore agreed upon by the parties.

Section 5.9 Stockholder Litigation.

   The Company shall give the Trust the opportunity to participate in the
defense or settlement of any stockholder litigation against the Company and
its directors relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
provided, however, that no such settlement shall be agreed to without the
Trust's consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Section 5.10 Bank Credit Agreement and Indenture.

   The Surviving Corporation shall honor, on and after the Effective Time, the
obligations of the Company under the Bank Credit Agreement and the Indenture.
The Trust acknowledges that (a) under the Bank Credit

                                     A-29
<PAGE>

Agreement the change in beneficial ownership of the Company resulting from the
Merger will constitute an Event of Default (as defined in the Bank Credit
Agreement) and (b) for purposes of the Indenture, the Merger will constitute a
Change of Control (as such term is defined in Section 3.17 of the Indenture).
The Surviving Corporation shall, after consummation of the Merger, pay, as and
when due, all amounts provided for under the Bank Credit Agreement and the
Senior Subordinated Note Indenture in accordance with their respective terms
(including by making a Change of Control Offer (as defined in Section 3.17 of
the Indenture) under the Indenture, to the extent such offer is required by the
Indenture).

Section 5.11 Amendment of Disclosure Schedules.

   Each party agrees that, with respect to the representations and warranties
of such party contained in this Agreement, such party shall have the continuing
obligation until the Effective Time to supplement or amend promptly the
Schedules to such party's Disclosure Schedule with respect to any matter
hereafter arising or discovered which, if existing or known at the date of this
Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in such
party's Disclosure Schedule. For all purposes of this Agreement, including for
purposes of determining whether the conditions set forth in Article 6 have been
fulfilled, the Schedules to a party's Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to
include only that information contained therein on the date of this Agreement
and shall be deemed to exclude all information contained in any supplement or
amendment thereto, but if the Effective Time shall occur, then all matters
disclosed pursuant to any such supplement or amendment at or prior to the
Effective Time shall be waived and no party shall be entitled to make a claim
thereon pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                              Conditions Precedent

Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Merger.

   The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to
the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:

    (a) Stockholder Approvals. The Company Stockholder Approval shall have
        been obtained to the extent required by the DGCL, the Company's
        Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Company's by-
        laws.

    (b) HSR Act. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable
        to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall
        have expired.

    (c) No Injunctions or Restraints. No judgment, decree, statute, law,
        ordinance, rule, regulation, temporary restraining order,
        preliminary or permanent injunction or other order enacted,
        entered, promulgated, enforced or issued by any court of competent
        jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity or other legal restraint
        or prohibition (collectively, "Restraints") preventing the
        consummation of the Merger shall be in effect; provided, however,
        that each of the parties shall have used all reasonable best
        efforts to prevent the enactment, promulgation, entry, issuance or
        enforcement of any such Restraints and to appeal as promptly as
        possible any such Restraints that may be entered or issued.

Section 6.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Trust and Acquisition Sub.

   The obligations of the Trust and Acquisition Sub to effect the Merger are
further subject to satisfaction or waiver (by the Trust) on or prior to the
Closing Date of the following conditions:

    (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
        of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be true and
        correct (without regard to any materiality qualifications or
        references to material adverse effect contained in any specific
        representation or warranty) as of

                                      A-30
<PAGE>

        the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made
        on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such
        representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date
        (in which case as of such date); provided, however, that this
        paragraph (a) shall be deemed satisfied so long as the failure of all
        such representations and warranties to be true and correct would,
        collectively, not result in a material adverse effect on the Company,
        and the Trust shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
        the Company by its chief executive officer and chief financial
        officer to such effect.

    (b) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have
        performed in all material respects all obligations required to be
        performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
        Date, and the Trust shall have received a certificate signed on
        behalf of the Company by its chief executive officer and chief
        financial officer to such effect.

    (c) No Litigation. There shall not be pending or threatened by any
        Governmental Entity any suit, action or proceeding (i) challenging
        the acquisition by the Trust or Acquisition Sub of any shares of
        capital stock of the Company or the Surviving Corporation, seeking
        to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the Merger or any of the
        other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) seeking to
        prohibit or limit the ownership or operation by the Trust or any of
        its subsidiaries of any material portion of the business or assets
        of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, or to compel the Trust
        or any of its subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate any
        material portion of the business or assets of the Company or any of
        its subsidiaries, as a result of the Merger or any of the other
        transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) seeking to impose
        limitations on the ability of the Trust to acquire or hold, or
        exercise full rights of ownership of, any shares of capital stock of
        the Company or the Surviving Corporation, or (iv) seeking to
        prohibit the Trust or any of its subsidiaries from effectively
        controlling in any material respect the business or operations of
        the Company or its subsidiaries. In addition there shall not be any
        judgment, order, decrees, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
        regulation, enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced that is
        reasonably likely to result, directly or indirectly, in any of the
        consequences referred to in clauses (ii) through (iv) of the
        immediately preceding sentence.

    (d) Commercial Production at Lawton Mill. On or before October 1, 2000,
        the Company or its subsidiary Republic Paperboard Company ("RPC")
        shall have delivered to James Hardie Gypsum, Inc. ("Hardie"), the
        "Commencement Notice" (as such term is defined in Section 3(b) of
        the Paperboard Supply Agreement dated as of May 14, 1998, among RPC,
        the Company and Hardie (the "Hardie Contract")).

Section 6.3 Conditions to Obligation of the Company.

   The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further subject to
satisfaction or waiver (by the Company) on or prior to the Closing Date of the
following conditions:

    (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
        of the Trust set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct
        (without regard to any materiality qualifications or references to
        material adverse effect contained in any specific representation or
        warranty) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
        Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and
        warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case as of
        such date); provided, however, that this paragraph (a) shall be
        deemed satisfied so long as the failure of all such representations
        and warranties to be true and correct would, collectively, not
        result in a material adverse effect on the Trust, and the Company
        shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Trust by
        its trustee to such effect.

    (b) Performance of Obligations of the Trust. The Trust shall have
        performed in all material respects all obligations required to be
        performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
        Date, and the Company shall have received a certificate signed on
        behalf of the Trust by its trustee to such effect.


                                     A-31
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 7

                       Termination, Amendment and Waiver

Section 7.1 Termination.

   This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval:

    (a) by mutual written consent of the Trust and the Company; or

    (b) by either the Trust or the Company if:

        (i)   the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before January
              31, 2001, unless the failure to consummate the Merger is the
              result of a material breach of this Agreement or a material
              failure to fulfill any obligation under the Agreement by the
              party seeking to terminate this Agreement; provided, however,
              that the passage of such period shall be tolled for any part
              thereof (but not exceeding 20 calendar days in the aggregate)
              during which any party shall be subject to a nonfinal order,
              decree, ruling, injunction or action restraining, enjoining or
              otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger or the
              calling or holding of the Company Stockholder Meeting;

        (ii)  the Company Stockholder Meeting has been duly convened but the
              Company Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at
              such Company Stockholder Meeting (or any adjournment thereof);

        (iii) any Governmental Entity shall have issued an order, decree,
              ruling or injunction or taken any other action permanently
              enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and
              such order, decree, ruling, injunction or other action shall
              have become final and nonappealable;

        (iv)  the other party breaches any covenant or other agreement
              contained in this Agreement that (A) would give rise to the
              failure of such party to satisfy any condition set forth in
              Section 6.2(a) or (b) or Section 6.3(a) or (b), as applicable,
              and (B) cannot be or has not been cured within 45 days after
              the giving of written notice to the breaching party of such
              breach (a "Material Breach") (provided that the terminating
              party is not then in breach in any material respect of any
              obligation, covenant or other agreement contained in this
              Agreement or in Material Breach of any representation or
              warranty contained in this Agreement); or

    (c) by the Company in accordance with Section 4.2(b), provided that it
        has complied with all provisions thereof and that it complies with
        the requirements, if then applicable, of Section 5.7; or

    (d) by the Trust if (i) the Board of Directors of the Company or any
        committee thereof shall have failed to recommend, withdrawn, or
        modified in a manner adverse to the Trust, its approval or
        recommendation of this Agreement, the Merger and the other
        transactions contemplated hereby or approved or recommended any
        Superior Proposal, (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company or
        any committee thereof shall have resolved to take any of the
        foregoing actions or (iii) failed to affirm its recommendation of
        this Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated
        hereby within three Business Days of a request to do so by the
        Trust; or

    (e) by the Trust, if the Company shall have entered into, or publicly
        announced its intention to enter into, a definitive agreement or an
        agreement in principle with respect to a Takeover Proposal or a
        Superior Proposal; or

    (f) by the Company if (i) the Trust fails to deliver a copy of the
        Commitment to the Company during the 30-day period specified in
        Section 3.2(e) (provided that as of the time of such termination
        pursuant to this clause (f)(i) such failure is continuing); or (ii)
        as of the date of the

                                      A-32
<PAGE>

        Company Stockholder Meeting, (A) the Trust has not finalized the
        definitive loan agreements pursuant to which the Trust will obtain
        the funds for the payment in full of the merger consideration in
        accordance with Article 2 (and such loan documents are not finalized
        as of the time of such termination pursuant to this clause (f)(ii)),
        and (B) the Company is not then in breach of any of its obligations,
        covenants or agreements hereunder, which breach has had or, if
        continued, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the
        Company; or (iii) not later than 48 hours after the Company's
        stockholders have approved and adopted this Agreement, the Merger and
        the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby at the
        Company Stockholder Meeting, all conditions (other than consummation
        of the Closing) to the Trust obtaining the funds necessary to pay in
        full the merger consideration in accordance with Article 2 have not
        been satisfied, provided that as of the time of such termination (A)
        such conditions to obtaining the funds remain unsatisfied, (B) all of
        the conditions to Closing set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 have been
        satisfied (and the officers of the Company specified in Section
        6.2(a) and (b) are prepared to deliver the certificates required
        thereby) and (C) the Company is not then in breach of any of its
        obligations, covenants or agreements hereunder, which breach has had
        or, if continued, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the
        Company; or

    (g) by the Company if the Trust fails to close after the second business
        day after (1) all of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and
        6.2 have been satisfied (and the officers of the Company specified
        in Sections 6.2(a) and (b) are prepared to deliver the certificates
        required thereby), (2) the Company is not then in breach in any
        material respect of any of its obligations, covenants or agreements
        hereunder and (3) the Company gives 2 business days' prior written
        notice of its satisfaction of all obligations under Sections 6.1 and
        6.2 and the waiver by the Company of any obligations of the Trust
        not satisfied under Section 6.3; or

    (h) by the Trust if the Company fails to close after the second business
        day after (1) all of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and
        6.3 have been satisfied (and the officers of the Trust specified in
        Sections 6.3(a) and (b) are prepared to deliver the certificates
        required thereby), (2) the Trust is not then in breach in any
        material respect of any of its obligations, covenants or agreements
        hereunder and (3) the Trust gives 2 business days' prior written
        notice of its satisfaction of all obligations under Sections 6.1 and
        6.3 and the waiver by the Trust of any obligations of the Company
        not satisfied under Section 6.2; or

    (i) by the Trust at any time after October 1, 2000 if the "Commencement
        Notice" (as such term is defined in Section 3(b) of Hardie Contract)
        was not given in accordance with the Hardie Contract on or before
        October 1, 2000.

Section 7.2 Effect of Termination.

    (a) Upon termination of this Agreement by either the Company or the
        Trust as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith
        become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation
        on the part of the Trust, Acquisition Sub or the Company, other than
        the provisions of Section 3.1(p), Section 3.2(d), the last sentence
        of Section 5.2, Section 5.7, this Section 7.2 and Article 8.

    (b) The Trust and Acquisition Sub agree that if this Agreement is
        terminated by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section
        7.1(b)(iv), Section 7.1(f) or Section 7.1(g), the Trust shall be
        obligated to pay to the Company $12,000,000 as liquidated damages,
        which payment (i) shall be funded by the Company drawing such amount
        under the Letter of Credit, (ii) shall constitute the exclusive
        remedy available to the Company at law or in equity in respect of
        any such termination by the Company or any breach of this Agreement
        by the Trust or Acquisition Sub, and (iii) shall constitute payment
        for all claims, damages, out-of-pocket expenses and fees arising out
        of or incurred by the Company in connection with this transaction.
        The Letter of Credit furnished to the Company by the Trust
        concurrently with the execution of this Agreement shall constitute
        the source for funding the $12,000,000 payment required from the
        Trust pursuant to this Section 7.2(b).

                                     A-33
<PAGE>

Section 7.3 Amendment.

   This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before or after the
Company Stockholder Approval; provided, however, that after any such approval,
there shall not be made any amendment which by law requires further approval by
the stockholders of the Company without the further approval of such
stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

Section 7.4 Extension; Waiver.

   At any time prior to the Effective Time, a party may (a) extend the time for
the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties,
(b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other
parties contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to
this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of Section 7.3, waive compliance
by the other parties with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this
Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver
shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its
rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such
rights.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                               General Provisions

Section 8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties.

   None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective
Time. This Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties
that by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.

Section 8.2 Notices.

   All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered
personally, telecopied (which is confirmed), sent by overnight courier
(providing proof of delivery) or mailed by registered or certified mail
(postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):

     (a) if to the Trust or Acquisition Sub, to

         Premier Construction Products Statutory Trust
         c/o First Union National Bank, as trustee
         10 State House Square
         Hartford, CT 06103
         Fax: (860) 247-1356
         Attention: W. Jeffrey Kramer

         with a copy to:

         Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp.
         220 Jackson Street
         San Francisco, California 94111
         Fax: (415) 986-5511
         Attention: General Counsel

         and
         Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
         4200 Chase Tower
         Houston, Texas 77002
         Fax: (713) 220-4285
         Attention: G. Michael O'Leary

                                      A-34
<PAGE>

         if to the Company, to

         Republic Group Incorporated
         811 East 30th Avenue
         Hutchinson, Kansas 67502
         Fax: (316) 727-2727
         Attention: Doyle R. Ramsey

         with a copy to:

         Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
         2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 2200
         Dallas, Texas 75201
         Fax: (214) 740-8800
         Attention: Bryan E. Bishop

Except as provided below, all such notices, requests and other communications
shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if
actually received prior to 5 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a
business day in the place or receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or
communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next
succeeding business day in the place of receipt. Any notice given exclusively
by registered or certified mail as provided above shall be deemed received on
the fifth business day.

Section 8.3 Definitions.

   For purposes of this Agreement:

    (a) "affiliate" of any person means another person that directly or
        indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
        controlled by, or is under common control with, such first person;

    (b) "Bank Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement dated
        as of July 15, 1998 among the Company, the banks party thereto, and
        Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, as amended;

    (c) "Filed SEC Documents" means SEC Documents filed by the Company
        pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

    (d) "Indenture" means that certain Indenture dated as of July 15, 1998
        between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee;

    (e) "material adverse effect" means, when used in connection with a
        party to this Agreement, any change, effect, event or occurrence
        that (i) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially
        adverse to the assets, business, condition (financial or otherwise)
        or results of operations of such party and its subsidiaries taken
        as a whole; (ii) impairs, or would reasonably be expected to
        impair, the ability of such party to perform its obligations under
        this Agreement in any material respect or (iii) prevents or
        materially delays, or would reasonably be expected to prevent or
        materially delay the consummation of any of the transactions
        contemplated by this Agreement.

    (f) "person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability
        company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust,
        unincorporated organization or other entity;

    (g) "subsidiary" of any person means another person, an amount of the
        voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership
        interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of
        its Board of Directors or other governing body (or, if there are no
        such voting interests, 50% or more of the equity interests, the
        holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of
        the board of directors or other governing body) is owned directly
        or indirectly by such first person;

                                      A-35
<PAGE>

    (h) "significant subsidiary" of any person means any subsidiary of such
        person that constitutes a significant subsidiary within the meaning
        of Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC;

    (i) "Takeover Proposal" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section
        4.2(a);

    (j) "Superior Proposal" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section
        4.2(b); and

    (k) "Taxes" has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.1(m)(iii).

Section 8.4 Interpretation.

   When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit
or Schedule, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit
or Schedule to, this Agreement, respectively, unless otherwise indicated. The
table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are
used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words
"without limitation." The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All terms defined
in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate
or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined
herein. All monetary sums herein are in United States of America dollars. The
definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well
as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the
feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute
defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is
referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to
time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or
instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession
of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and
instruments incorporated therein. References to a person are also to its
permitted successors and assigns.

Section 8.5 Counterparts.

   This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when
one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered
(including by facsimile transmission) to the other parties.

Section 8.6 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.

   This Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein),
the Stockholders Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute
the entire agreement, and supersede all prior written or oral and all
contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and (b) except for the
provisions of Article 2 and Section 5.6, are not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties any rights or remedies.

Section 8.7 Governing Law.

   This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise
govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

Section 8.8 Jurisdiction.

   Any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based
on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought in any federal court located
in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and each of the parties
hereby consents to

                                      A-36
<PAGE>

the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate
courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now
or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or
proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding
brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in
any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the
world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without
limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party
as provided in Section 8.2 shall be deemed effective service of process on such
party.

Section 8.9 Waiver of Jury Trial.

   EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 8.10 Assignment.

   Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under
this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or
otherwise by a party without the prior written consent of each other party,
except that either the Trust or Acquisition Sub may transfer or assign, in
whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right
to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but no such
transfer or assignment will relieve the Trust or Acquisition Sub of its
obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto agree
that (i) the Surviving Corporation shall, and the Trust shall cause the
Surviving Corporation to, assign the obligations of the Trust or the Surviving
Corporation, as the case may be, under Sections 5.4 and 5.6 to any person who
acquires all or substantially all of the assets of the Surviving Corporation,
and the Surviving Corporation shall cause, and the Trust shall cause the
Surviving Corporation to cause, such person to assume the obligations of the
Surviving Corporation, and any such assignment and assumption shall relieve the
Trust and Surviving Corporation of their obligations under Sections 5.4 and
5.6, or (ii) if the Surviving Corporation sells or otherwise disposes of
substantially all of its assets in a manner or manners such that no person
acquires all or substantially all of such assets, then the Surviving
Corporation shall, and the Trust shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, make
such provisions for the obligations of the Trust and the Surviving Corporation
under Sections 5.4 and 5.6 as the Surviving Corporation and a majority of the
persons presently serving as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President-Finance (or, if any such person is unavailable due
to illness or death, a majority of the specified persons then available)
determine to be appropriate, and upon making such provisions the Trust and the
Surviving shall be relieved of their obligations under Sections 5.4 and 5.6.
Any assignment in violation of the first sentence of this Section 8.10 shall be
void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their
respective successors and assigns.

Section 8.11 Disclosure Schedules.

   Matters reflected on the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Trust
Disclosure Schedule are not necessarily limited to matters required by this
Agreement to be reflected therein and the inclusion of such matters shall not
be deemed an admission that such matters were required to be reflected on the
Company Disclosure Schedule or the Trust Disclosure Schedule, as the case may
be. Such additional matters are set forth for informational purposes only and
do not necessarily include other matters of a similar nature.

Section 8.12 Severability.

   If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, then the remaining provisions hereof, or the
application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as
to which it has been held

                                      A-37
<PAGE>

invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no
way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon any such determination,
the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a mutually
acceptable, suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original
intent of the parties.

Section 8.13 Payments Constitute Liquidated Damages.

   The parties agree that the dollar amounts provided in Sections 5.7(b) and
7.2(b) payable upon the occurrence of the events specified therein have been
determined by negotiation and reflect their best estimate and judgement of the
monetary value of the losses and damages to be incurred in connection with, and
the time, effort, expense and cost of opportunity associated with, the
transactions contemplated in this Agreement, and the parties agree to accept
payment of such amount as liquidated damages in full and complete satisfaction
of all claims and expenses arising from the occurrence of such events
(including, but not limited to, claims for specific performance).

Section 8.14 Enforcement.

   The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur and that the parties
would not have any adequate remedy at law if any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties will be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any Federal
court located in the State of Delaware or in Delaware state court, the
foregoing being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at
law or in equity.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust, Acquisition Sub and the Company have caused
this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, all as of the date first written above.

                                          PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
                                           STATUTORY TRUST

                                          By: First Union National Bank, not
                                           in its individual capacity, but
                                           solely as Trustee

                                          By:   /s/ W. Jeffrey Kramer
                                              _________________________________
                                                    W. Jeffrey Kramer
                                                     Vice President

                                          PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
                                           ACQUISITION CORP.

                                          By:    /s/ Douglas H. Wolf
                                              _________________________________
                                                     Douglas H. Wolf
                                                        President

                                          REPUBLIC GROUP INCORPORATED

                                          By:     /s/ Phil Simpson
                                              _________________________________
                                          Phil Simpson Chairman, President and
                                                 Chief Executive Officer

                                      A-38
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

                         FORM OF STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

   This STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of August 11, 2000,
is among PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS STATUTORY TRUST, a Connecticut statutory
trust ("Trust"), PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Trust ("Merger Sub"), and
(the "Stockholder"), a stockholder of Republic Group Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").

                                  WITNESSETH:

   WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution hereof, Trust, Merger Sub and the
Company are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date
hereof, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of which Merger Sub will
be merged with and into the Company;

   WHEREAS, the Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of     shares of
Company Common Stock (collectively, the "Existing Shares"); and

   WHEREAS, in order to induce the Trust and Merger Sub to enter into the
Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, the
Stockholder is willing to enter into this Agreement in order to provide for,
among other things, (i) the obligation of Stockholder to vote, or cause the
record holder of the Shares to vote, the Shares that entitle the holder to vote
on any matter submitted to the stockholders of the Company (other than Shares
subject to unexercised options) (the "Voting Shares") in the manner specified
herein and, in connection therewith, to grant a proxy with respect to the
Voting Shares and (ii) certain restrictions on the sale, conveyance or transfer
of the Shares by the Stockholder; and

   NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and provisions
set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Defined Terms.

   (a) As used herein, the terms set forth below shall have the following
respective meanings:

   "beneficial owner" has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act, and the term "beneficial ownership" shall have a correlative
meaning.

   "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

   "Merger Agreement" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger of even date
herewith among the Trust, the Merger Sub and the Company, as the same may be
amended from time to time; provided, however, that such term shall not include
any amendment to such Agreement that decreases the price per share, or changes
the form of consideration, payable in respect of the Shares, unless the
Stockholder consents to the inclusion of such amendment in such term.

   "Shares" means the Existing Shares, together with all other shares of
capital stock or voting securities of the Company of which the Stockholder is a
direct or indirect beneficial owner as of the date of this Agreement, and any
other shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company of which the
Stockholder becomes the direct or indirect beneficial owner after the date
hereof, including, but not limited to, shares or voting securities received
pursuant to any stock splits, stock dividends or distributions, shares or
voting securities acquired by purchase or upon the exercise, conversion or
exchange of any option, warrant or convertible security or otherwise and shares
or voting securities received pursuant to any change in the capital stock of
the

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

Company by reason of any recapitalization, merger, reorganization,
consolidation, combination, exchange of shares or any transaction with like
purpose or effect.

   (b) Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the
respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

   Section 2. Agreement to Vote. For so long as this Agreement remains in
effect (the "Term"), the Stockholder shall, at any meeting of the stockholders
of the Company (including, but not limited to, the Company Stockholder
Meeting), and in any action by written consent of the stockholders of the
Company in lieu of a meeting, vote all of the Voting Shares (i) in favor of the
Merger Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement and (ii) against any Takeover Proposal or any agreement,
arrangement or transaction relating to any Takeover Proposal or required in
order to implement the same or any other action or agreement that, directly or
indirectly, is inconsistent with the Merger Agreement or the transactions
contemplated thereby or that is reasonably likely (a) to impede, interfere
with, delay or postpone the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, (b) to result in a breach of any covenant,
representation, warranty or any other obligation of Company under the Merger
Agreement or (c) to cause any conditions to the obligations of the parties
under the Merger Agreement not to be fulfilled.

   Section 3. PROXY. THE STOCKHOLDER HEREBY GRANTS TO, AND APPOINTS, EACH OF
DOUGLAS H. WOLF AND RICHARD G. BUCKINGHAM, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CAPACITIES AS
OFFICERS OF MERGER SUB, AND ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO SHALL HEREAFTER SUCCEED TO THE
OFFICE NOW HELD BY ANY SUCH OFFICER OF MERGER SUB, AND ANY OTHER PERSON
DESIGNATED IN WRITING BY MERGER SUB, EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY, STOCKHOLDER'S
PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT (WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION) DURING THE TERM TO
VOTE OR ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY AND SUBJECT
TO APPLICABLE LAW, WITH RESPECT TO THE VOTING SHARES IN RESPECT OF ANY MATTER
SPECIFIED IN CLAUSE (i) OR (ii) OF SECTION 2 HEREOF. THIS PROXY IS COUPLED WITH
AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE THROUGHOUT THE TERM. THE STOCKHOLDER WILL
TAKE SUCH FURTHER ACTION AND EXECUTE SUCH OTHER INSTRUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY
TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THIS PROXY AND HEREBY REVOKES ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY
GRANTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER WITH RESPECT TO THE VOTING SHARES.

   Section 4. Representations and Warranties. The Stockholder hereby represents
and warrants to the Trust and Merger Sub as follows:

   (a) The Stockholder has all necessary power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Stockholder and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Stockholder, enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with the terms
hereof.

   (b) The execution and delivery by the Stockholder of this Agreement, the
performance by it of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by it of
the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) conflict with, result in any
violation or breach of, or constitute a default under, any term or provision of
any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, franchise, permit, license,
contract or other instrument or document to which the Stockholder is a party or
by which its properties or assets are bound or (ii) conflict with, or result in
any violation of, any law, ordinance, statute, rule or regulation of any
Governmental Entity or of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of
any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Stockholder
or its properties or assets.

   (c) There is no requirement applicable to the Stockholder to obtain any
consent of, or to make or effect any declaration, filing or registration with,
any Governmental Entity for the valid execution and delivery by the Stockholder
of this Agreement, the due performance by it of its obligations hereunder or
the lawful consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, except
for any filings required to be made by the

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

Stockholder in connection with this Agreement pursuant to Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

   (d) As of the date hereof, the Stockholder is the record and beneficial
owner of the number of Existing Shares set forth opposite the name of the
Stockholder on Exhibit A. The Existing Shares set forth opposite the name of
the Stockholder on such exhibit are the only shares of capital stock or voting
securities of the Company of which the Stockholder is the record or beneficial
owner. Except as described on Exhibit A, the Shares are, or, if acquired after
the date hereof, will be, owned by the Stockholder free and clear of all liens,
claims, charges and encumbrances, except for those provided for under the
express terms of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement. The Stockholder has
not entered into any voting trust or other agreement with respect to any of the
Shares other than this Agreement and has not appointed or granted any proxy,
unless such appointment or grant is no longer effective, with respect to any of
the Shares.

   (e) There is no suit, action, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the
knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened against the Stockholder at law or in
equity before or by any Governmental Entity that could impair the ability of
Stockholder to perform its obligations hereunder on a timely basis, and there
is no agreement, commitment or law to which Stockholder is subject that could
impair the ability of Stockholder to perform its obligations hereunder on a
timely basis.

   Section 5. No Encumbrances on or Transfer of Shares. Except pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, for so long as this Agreement
remains in effect, the Stockholder shall not directly or indirectly sell,
convey or transfer record or beneficial ownership of any Shares by any means
whatsoever to any person, without the prior written consent of the Trust.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for so long as this Agreement
remains in effect, the Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
except pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, grant any proxy or enter into
any voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the Shares
or (ii) except pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, sell, assign,
transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract, option
or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the direct or indirect
sale, assignment, transfer, encumbrance or other disposition of, any Shares, in
each case without the prior written consent of the Trust. If requested by the
Trust, the Stockholder shall cause an appropriate legend referring to the
restrictions provided for in this Section 5 to be placed on the certificates
evidencing the Shares.

   Section 6. No Solicitation. For so long as this Agreement remains in effect,
and subject to Section 13 hereof, the Stockholder shall not, and shall not
permit any affiliates or, if applicable, any director, officer, employee,
consultant, agent, advisor or representative of Stockholder or any of
Stockholder's affiliates to, take or participate in any actions that, if taken
by the Company, would be prohibited under the terms of Section 4.2 of the
Merger Agreement.

   Section 7. Additional Shares. For so long as this Agreement remains in
effect, the Stockholder shall notify the Trust and Merger Sub promptly of the
number of any additional shares of Company Common Stock and the number and type
of any other Shares acquired by Stockholder, if any, after the date hereof.

   Section 8. Best Efforts. Each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable
best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to
be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations and which may be required under any agreements, contracts,
commitments, instruments, understandings, arrangements or restrictions of any
kind to which it is a party or by which it is or may be bound, in order to
effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to obtain all
necessary waivers, consents and approvals from, and effect all necessary
registrations and filings with, any Governmental Entities, and to rectify any
event or circumstances which could impede the effectuation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.


                                      B-3
<PAGE>

   Section 9. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any
principles of conflicts of laws that would result in the application of the
laws of any other jurisdiction.

   Section 10. Severability. If any provision contained herein shall be held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained in this
Agreement shall not be in any way impaired thereby. Upon a determination that
any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such term or
provision shall be modified, without any further action by any of the parties,
so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in
order that the terms of this Agreement remain as originally contemplated to the
fullest extent possible.

   Section 11. Expenses. All fees and expenses incurred by any of the parties
hereto in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be borne and paid solely by the party incurring such
fees and expenses.

   Section 12. Further Assurances. The Stockholder shall execute and deliver,
or cause to be executed and delivered, at the expense of the Trust, all such
other and further documents and instruments and take all such further actions
as may be reasonably necessary in order to effectuate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

   Section 13. Action in Stockholder Capacity Only. It is expressly understood
and agreed that the Stockholder makes no agreement or understanding under this
Agreement in his or her capacity as a director or officer of Company. The
Stockholder is entering into this Agreement solely in his or her capacity as a
record and beneficial owner of Shares, and nothing contained herein shall limit
or affect, or impose any obligations with respect to, any actions taken by the
Stockholder in his or her capacity as a director or officer of Company.

   Section 14. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further
force or effect (i) by the written mutual consent of all the parties hereto or
(ii) automatically and without any required action by the parties on the
earliest of (A) the Effective Time of the Merger and (B) the date upon which
the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with the express provisions of
Section 7.1 thereof. The representations and warranties set forth in Section 4
hereof shall not survive the termination of this Agreement.

   Section 15. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given by delivery in person, by registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested and with postage prepaid thereon) or by cable,
telex or facsimile transmission to (i) in the case of the Trust or Merger Sub,
the addresses set forth in Section 8.2 of the Merger Agreement and (ii) in the
case of the Stockholder, the address set forth in Exhibit A hereto (or at such
other address as any party shall have furnished to the others in accordance
with the terms of this Section 15). All notices and other communications
hereunder that are addressed as provided in or pursuant to this Section 15
shall be deemed duly and validly given (a) if delivered in person, upon
delivery, (b) if delivered by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested and with postage paid thereon), 72 hours after being placed in a
depository of the United States mails and (c) if delivered by facsimile
transmission, upon transmission thereof and receipt of the appropriate
answerback or confirmation.

   Section 16. Amendment; Waiver. The terms and provisions of this Agreement
may be modified or amended only by a written instrument executed by each of the
parties hereto, and compliance with any term or provision hereof may be waived
only by a written instrument executed by each party entitled to the benefits of
the same. No failure to exercise any right, power or privilege hereunder shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power or privilege granted hereunder.

   Section 17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibit hereto)
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior written or oral

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

agreements and understandings and all contemporaneous oral agreements and
understandings among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject
matter hereof.

   Section 18. Parties in Interest; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns (it being understood and agreed that nothing contained
in this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits or remedies of any
kind or character on any other person under or by reason of this Agreement). No
party may delegate any of its obligations or assign or otherwise transfer any
its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of each of
the other parties. Any attempted or purported assignment, delegation or other
transfer by any party in violation of this Section 18 shall be null and void.

   Section 19. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed by the Stockholder in accordance with the terms hereof.
Accordingly, the parties agree that the Trust and Merger Sub shall be entitled
to injunctive relief to prevent breaches of the terms of this Agreement and to
specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy now
or hereafter available at law or in equity, or otherwise.

   Section 20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date first above written.

                                          PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
                                           STATUTORY TRUST

                                          By: _________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Its Trustee:

                                          PREMIER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
                                           ACQUISITION CORP.

                                          By: _________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Its:

                                          _____________________________________
                                          Name of Stockholder

                                      B-5
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                Existing Shares
                            Owned by the Stockholder

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Name
                                                  Number         and
                                     Number         of         Address
                                       of         Shares         of
Stockholder         Address          Shares       Pledged      Pledgee
-----------         -------          -------      -------      -------
<S>                 <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>

</TABLE>

                                      B-6
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX C

August 11, 2000

The Board of Directors
Republic Group Incorporated
811 East 30th Avenue
Hutchinson, Kansas 67502-4341

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the stockholders of Republic Group Incorporated (the "Company") of the
consideration proposed to be paid to them in connection with the proposed
merger (the "Merger") of the Company with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Premier
Construction Products Statutory Trust (the "Buyer"). Pursuant to the Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 11, 2000 (the "Agreement"), among the
Company, the Buyer and Premier Construction Products Acquisition Corp. (the
"Merger Subsidiary"), the Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Buyer, and stockholders of the Company will receive for each share of Common
Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (other than shares owned by
the Company and other than Dissenting Shares) and the associated Right
(collectively, the "Common Stock") held by them cash consideration equal to
$19.00 per share. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Buyer has furnished the
Company with an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $12,000,000 (the
"Letter of Credit" and together with the Agreement, the "Transaction
Documents") which may be drawn upon by the Company upon the occurrence of
certain termination events specified in Section 7.2(b) of the Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings
provided in the Agreement.

   In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed (i) the Transaction Documents
and the respective Stockholder Agreements, each dated as of August 11, 2000,
among the Buyer, the Merger Subsidiary and certain holders of 27.3% of the
Common Stock, in the aggregate; (ii) the confident letter relating to the
financing contemplated by Premier Construction Products Statutory Trust; (iii)
certain publicly available information concerning the business of the Company
and of certain other companies engaged in businesses comparable to those of the
Company, and the reported market prices for certain other companies' securities
deemed comparable; (iv) publicly available terms of certain transactions
involving companies comparable to the Company and the consideration received
for such companies; (v) current and historical market prices of the common
stock of the Company; (vi) the audited financial statements of the Company for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000; (vii) certain agreements with respect to
outstanding indebtedness or obligations of the Company; (viii) certain internal
financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the Company and its management;
and (ix) the terms of other business combinations that we deemed relevant.

   In addition, we have held discussions with certain members of the management
of the Company and the Buyer with respect to certain aspects of the Merger, and
the past and current business operations of the Company, the financial
condition and future prospects and operations of the Company, the effects of
the Merger on the financial condition and future prospects of the Company, and
certain other matters we believed necessary or appropriate to our inquiry. We
have visited certain representative facilities of the Company, and reviewed
such other financial studies and analyses and considered such other information
as we deemed appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.

   In giving our opinion, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that was
publicly available or was furnished to us by the Company or the Buyer or
otherwise reviewed by us, and we have not assumed any responsibility or
liability therefor. We have not conducted any valuation or appraisal of any
assets or liabilities, nor have any such valuations or appraisals been provided
to us. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to us, we have
assumed that they have been reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments by management as to the
expected future results of operations and financial condition of the

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

Company to which such analyses or forecasts relate. We have also assumed that
the Merger will have the tax consequences described in discussions with, and
materials furnished to us by, representatives of the Company and the Buyer, and
that the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents will be
consummated as described therein. We have relied as to all legal matters
relevant to rendering our opinion upon the advice of counsel.

   Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as
in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof.
It should be understood that subsequent developments may affect this opinion
and that we do not have any obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm this
opinion.

   In connection with our opinion, we have also considered and reviewed the
letter agreement, dated as of August 11, 2000 (the "CXP Agreement"), separately
entered into by the Company and Centex Construction Products, Inc. ("CXP"),
pursuant to which the Company and CXP have agreed that if the Merger does not
occur under certain circumstances specified in paragraphs 1 through 3 of the
CXP Agreement, then CXP and a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof will enter into a
merger agreement with the Company with the terms specified in the CXP Agreement
and acquire, through a cash tender offer and subsequent cash merger, the
outstanding Common Stock (the "Alternate Transaction"), and stockholders of the
Company will receive for each share of Common Stock held by them cash
consideration equal to (i) $17.50 per share plus (ii) (A) the amount of any
drawings by the Company under the Letter of Credit, divided by (B) the total of
the aggregate number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and the number of
outstanding Common Stock equivalents. In that connection, we have also held
separate discussions with the members of management of CXP with respect to
certain aspects of the Alternate Transaction and have also relied upon and
assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all
information that was publicly available regarding CXP or that was furnished to
us by CXP or otherwise reviewed by us, and we have not assumed any
responsibility or liability therefor.

   We have acted as financial advisor to the Company with respect to the
proposed Merger and the Alternate Transaction and will receive a fee from the
Company for our services. We will also receive an additional fee if the
proposed Merger or the Alternate Transaction is consummated. We acted as
underwriter to the Company in respect of an offering of its debt securities in
July 1998 for which we received customary compensation. In addition, on the
date hereof we have issued to the Board of Directors a separate opinion
addressing our views with respect to the Alternate Transaction. Please be
advised that we have no other financial advisory or other relationships with
the Company, the Buyer (or any of its affiliates) or CXP. In the ordinary
course of their businesses, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates may actively trade
the debt and equity securities of the Company or CXP for their own account or
for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, they may at any time hold long
or short positions in such securities.

   On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion as of the
date hereof that the consideration to be paid to the Company's stockholders in
the proposed Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to such
stockholders.

   This letter is provided to the Board of Directors of the Company in
connection with and for the purposes of its evaluation of the Merger. This
opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company
as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger. This opinion
may not be disclosed, referred to, or communicated (in whole or in part) to any
third party for any purpose whatsoever except with our prior written consent in
each instance. This opinion may be reproduced in full in any proxy or
information statement mailed to stockholders of the Company but may not
otherwise be disclosed publicly in any manner without our prior written
approval and must be treated as confidential.

Very truly yours,

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

/s/ J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX D

              Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

   (a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock
on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this
section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through
the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied
with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the
merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to (S)228 of
this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the
fair value of the stockholder's shares of stock under the circumstances
described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section,
the word "stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation
and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words "stock" and
"share" mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also
membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and
the words "depository receipt" mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a
depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions
thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the
depository.

   (b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be
effected pursuant to (S) 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to (S)
251(g) of this title), (S) 252, (S) 254, (S) 257, (S) 258, (S) 263 or (S) 264
of this title:

       (1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall
    be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock,
    or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to
    determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
    meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
    consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or
    designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
    system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held
    of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no
    appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the
    constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require
    for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation
    as provided in subsection (f) of (S) 251 of this title.

       (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights
    under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series
    of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required
    by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to (S)(S)
    251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock
    anything except:

       a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from
    such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect
    thereof;

       b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts
    in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in
    respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the
    merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities
    exchange or designated as a national market system security on an
    interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities
    Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;

       c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository
    receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this
    paragraph; or

       d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and
    cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts
    described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this
    paragraph.

     (3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation
  party to a merger effected under (S) 253 of this title is not owned by the
  parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall
  be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.

                                      D-1
<PAGE>

   (c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a
provision, the procedures of this section, including those set forth in
subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is
practicable.

   (d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:

       (1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are
   provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of
   stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
   shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for
   such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are
   available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights
   are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations,
   and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder
   electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder's shares shall deliver
   to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or
   consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder's shares.
   Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of
   the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to
   demand the appraisal of such stockholder's shares. A proxy or vote against
   the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A
   stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written
   demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such
   merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall
   notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied
   with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the
   merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has
   become effective; or

       (2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to (S) 228 or
   (S) 253 of this title, each consitutent corporation, either before the
   effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days
   thereafter, shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of
   stock of such constitutent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights
   of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights
   are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of
   such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of
   this section; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the
   effective date of the merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given
   by the surviving or resulting corporation to all such holders of any class
   or series of stock of a constituent corporation that are entitled to
   appraisal rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective
   date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders
   of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder
   entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of mailing
   of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting
   corporation the appraisal of such holder's shares. Such demand will be
   sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
   stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
   appraisal of such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify
   stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either
   (i) each such constitutent corporation shall send a second notice before
   the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the
   holders of any class or series of stock of such constitutent corporation
   that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger
   or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send
   such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such
   effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more
   than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice
   need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights
   and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with
   this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of
   the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either
   notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be
   prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of
   determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each
   constitutent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be
   not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that
   if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or
   consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record
   date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the
   record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the
   day on which the notice is given.

                                      D-2
<PAGE>

   (e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with
subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal
rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination
of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw such
stockholder's demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the
merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger
or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of
subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to
receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the
consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not
voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands
for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such
shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10
days after such stockholder's written request for such a statement is received
by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of
the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) hereof,
whichever is later.

   (f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy
thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall
within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in
Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the
names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their
shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been
reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be
filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be
accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so
ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the
hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or
resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the
addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more
publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of
general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such
publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and
by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be
borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.

   (g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled
to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded
an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to
submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation
thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder
fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as
to such stockholder.

   (h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court
shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any
element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger
or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid
upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair
value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining
the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors,
including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation
would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding.
Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any
stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may,
in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may
proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the
stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the
list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f)
of this section and who has submitted such stockholder's certificates of stock
to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all
proceedings until it is finally determined that such stockholder is not
entitled to appraisal rights under this section.

   (i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares,
together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to
the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the
Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the
case of holders of

                                      D-3
<PAGE>

uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented
by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates
representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as other decrees in
the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting
corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.

   (j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed
upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon
application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the
expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the
fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all
the shares entitled to an appraisal.

   (k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no
stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of
this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive
payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or
other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior
to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that
if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in
subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to the
surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such stockholder's
demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation,
either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation
as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written
approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal
shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the
Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval
of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court
deems just.

   (l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares
of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to
the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued
shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.

                                      D-4
<PAGE>

                          REPUBLIC GROUP INCORPORATED

                        SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                               NOVEMBER 9, 2000

                            YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

YOU CAN VOTE IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:

  1. Vote by Internet

  2. Vote by Phone

  3. Vote by mailing your proxy in the enclosed envelope

                               VOTE BY INTERNET

   Your Internet vote is quick, convenient and your vote is immediately
submitted. Just follow these easy steps:

  1. Read the accompanying Proxy Statement.

  2. Visit our Internet Voting site at http://www.umb.com/proxy and follow the
     instructions on the screen.

   Please note that all votes cast by Internet must be submitted prior to 5:00
p.m. Central Time, November 8, 2000.

   Your Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares to the
same extent as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card.

IF YOU VOTE BY INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR PROXY BY MAIL.

                               VOTE BY TELEPHONE

   Your telephone vote is quick, easy and immediate. Just follow these easy
steps:

  1. Read the accompanying Proxy Statement.

  2. On a Touch-Tone Telephone call Toll Free 1-800-758-6973 and follow the
     instructions.

  3. When instructed, enter the Control Number, which is printed on the lower
     right-hand corner of your proxy card below.

  4. Follow the simple recorded instructions.

   Your telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares to the
same extent as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card.

IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR PROXY BY MAIL.

                            THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE
<PAGE>

                       Cut or tear along perforated edge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby (1) acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting
of Stockholders of Republic Group Incorporated to be held on November 9, 2000
and the Proxy Statement in connection therewith, and (2) constitutes and
appoints Phil Simpson, Gerald L. Ray and each of them (acting by majority, or if
only one be present, then by that one alone), his attorneys and proxies, with
full power of substitution and revocation to each, for and in the name, place
and stead of the undersigned, to vote, and act with respect to, all of the
shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Republic Group
Incorporated standing in the name of the undersigned or with respect to which
the undersigned is entitled to vote and act at said meeting and at any
adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, and especially to vote as designated
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                             <C>
1.  To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of       FOR [ ]     AGAINST [ ]      ABSTAIN [ ]
    August 11, 2000, pursuant to which Premier
    Construction Products Acquisition Corp. will be merged
    into Republic Group Incorporated, with Republic Group
    Incorporated continuing as the surviving corporation
    after the merger and becoming a wholly owned
    subsidiary of Premier Construction Products Statutory
    Trust.

2.  To adjourn the meeting, from time to time as required,      FOR [ ]     AGAINST [ ]      ABSTAIN [ ]
    in order to solicit additional proxies.
</TABLE>

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

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" PROPOSAL 1 AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 2. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE
AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.

                                        DATED                   , 2000
                                             -------------------

                                        PLEASE SIGN HERE
                                                        ------------------------

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

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

                                        Please date, and sign exactly as your
                                        name appears. If shares are held by
                                        joint tenants, both must sign. If
                                        signing as attorney, executor,
                                        administrator, trustee or guardian,
                                        please give full title as such. If a
                                        corporation, please sign in full
                                        corporate name by an authorized officer.
                                        If a partnership, please sign in
                                        partnership name by authorized person.



                                      62
<PAGE>

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Republic Group Incorporated:

   We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Republic
Group Incorporated (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of June 30,
2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and stockholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended June
30, 2000. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

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

   In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Republic Group Incorporated
and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
June 30, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States.

                                          /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                          -------------------------------------

                                          Arthur Andersen LLP

Dallas, Texas
July 28, 2000