EXHIBIT 99.2

                              [BUTLER LETTERHEAD]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS

 KANSAS CITY, MO, April 24, 2003 -- Butler Manufacturing Company, (NYSE:BBR)
reported sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2003 of $170 million, 7%
lower than a year ago. According to F.W. Dodge, domestic nonresidential
construction activity remained weak with total contract awards off 18% through
February. Price competition also remained intense and the unabsorbed capacity
costs associated with the lower volume resulted in a loss for the quarter of
$3.9 million, or $.62 per share, compared with a loss of $5.4 million, or $.85
per share last year. Costs are being well managed as evidenced by the lower
expenses for the quarter that more than offset rising health care, pension and
general insurance cost increases.

         Commenting on the results, John Holland, chairman and chief executive
officer said, "Sales in the North American Building Systems segment were
approximately $80 million, up nearly 3% compared with a year ago. Our
pre-engineered metal buildings sales were up and sales in our Lester wood frame
building business were down when compared with last year. Although the domestic
market was weaker, we were able to grow the top line and gain market share in
the metal building market. However, higher steel costs and continued price
competition resulted in an operating loss of $6.4 million compared with an
operating loss of $4.9 million last year. The metal building business accounted
for the increased loss. We recently announced the decision to build a
pre-engineered metal building facility in Northeast Mexico, a necessary step to
adjust our sourcing strategy. This investment will support the company's
successful historical growth in Mexico and Latin America and enhance our
competitiveness and growth prospects in these markets. In addition, the plant
will provide a source of lower cost production to serve the US market.

         "The International Building Systems segment sales, all from China in
the current year, were approximately $22 million, up 17% compared with a year
ago, excluding European sales as that business was sold in July 2002. Operating
income was $2.6 million compared with $0.4 million last year. The 2002 results
include a loss from Europe of $0.6 million. The market for our products in China
remains strong. We intend to build upon Butler's leadership position in the
pre-engineered metal building market in China investing in additional capacity,
as needed, to support growth and introduce new products to broaden the markets
served.



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         "The Vistawall Architectural Products segment sales were about $53
million, up 2.5% compared with last year. Operating earnings were $2.1 million
compared with $0.9 million a year ago with the improvement driven by increased
operating efficiencies and lower operating costs. We opened two additional
service centers during the quarter to support the growth strategies in this
segment and will use our capacity and low cost structure to continue to target
market share gains.

         "Butler Construction's sales were approximately $19 million compared
with $38 million last year and operating earnings were $0.3 million compared
with $0.8 million in 2002. The drop in earnings was volume related with costs
well managed. The Real Estate segment had no sales in the first quarter with
none last year as well. The business recorded a pretax loss of $0.6 million
compared with pretax earnings of $0.6 million last year. This turnabout was
related to lower rental income as well as recording $0.8 million in cumulative
depreciation on a project where the prospect for the sale has extended beyond
one year.

         "Domestic construction markets remain weak and challenging. Entering
April, our backlog was $277 million, down about 2% from a comparable backlog a
year ago. Price competition is expected to continue in the second quarter and
unabsorbed capacity costs will continue with the likely result of a loss for the
quarter. Our higher margin product backlog was approximately 1% lower and
construction backlog was down about 4%. We are striking a balance between tough
cost management and investment in new products and strategic investments that
will position the company for marked improvement when the economy turns around,"
Mr. Holland concluded.


Statements in this press release concerning the company's business outlook or
future economic performance; anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses or
other financial items, together with other statements that are not historical
facts, are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the
Federal Securities Laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
stated in such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, industry cyclicality, fluctuations in customer demand and order
pattern, the seasonal nature of the business, changes in pricing or other
actions by competitors, and general economic conditions, as well as other risks
detailed in the company's 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders on page 16.

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