UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 -------------------------------------- FORM 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report: April 15, 2004 BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY Butler Manufacturing Company 1540 Genessee Street P.O. Box 419917 Kansas City, Missouri 64102 Phone (816) 968-3000 Incorporated in the State of Delaware Commission File No. 001-12335 I.R.S. Employer Identification Number: 44-0188420 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On April 15, 2004, Butler Manufacturing Company, a Delaware corporation ("Butler"), filed a press release concerning an unsolicited proposal received by Butler on April 13, 2004 by Robertson-Ceco Corporation in connection with an acquisition of Butler. Butler's press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. ITEM 7. EXHIBITS 99.1 Press Release of Butler Manufacturing Company dated April 15, 2004. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY April 15, 2004 /s/ John W. Huey ----------------------- ---------------------------------- Date John W. Huey Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary EXHIBIT INDEX 99.1 Press release date April 15, 2004 - Butler Manufacturing Company Evaluates Proposal from Robertson-Ceco Corporation