EXHIBIT 99.2

HON INDUSTRIES 	P.O. Box 1109, Muscatine, Iowa  52761-7109

News Release

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:  David Stuebe, Vice President and CFO
                          (319) 264-7400
                         	Beth Coronelli, Investor Relations Manager 
                          (319) 264-7992

    HON INDUSTRIES INC. ANNOUNCES	SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS PLAN

Muscatine, Iowa (August 13, 1998) -- HON INDUSTRIES Inc. (NYSE:HNI) 
announced today board action adopting a new share purchase rights plan.  
Under the plan, rights will be issued to stockholders of record on 
August 20, 1998.  The new plan replaces HON INDUSTRIES' existing rights 
plan that expired on August 12, 1998.

"This action was taken after long and careful study," said Jack D. 
Michaels, Chairman, President and CEO of HON INDUSTRIES.  "Like the 
company's existing rights plan, the new plan is intended to protect the 
company and its stockholders from potentially coercive takeover 
practices or takeover bids which are not in the interest of the company 
and its stockholders."

"The inclusion of a share purchase rights plan has become common 
practice in major American companies and a well-accepted approach to 
ensure that all stockholders receive a fair price and are treated 
equally in the event of a takeover," Michaels added.  "The adoption of a 
new rights plan is not in response to any pending takeover or proposed 
change in control of the company."  

The rights will trade together with the common stock and will not be 
exercisable, initially. The rights generally will become exercisable, in 
the absence of further board action, if a person or group acquires 20 
percent or more of the outstanding shares of HON INDUSTRIES' common 
stock.  Once the rights are exercisable, the stockholder, other than the 
acquiring person or group, may purchase common stock at a discount.  
Under certain circumstances, the rights will entitle the stockholder to 
buy shares in an acquiring entity at a discount.

The plan also includes an exchange option.  After the rights become 
exercisable, the Board of Directors has an option to exchange part or 
all of the rights for shares of HON INDUSTRIES' common stock.  Under 
this option, HON INDUSTRIES would issue one share of common stock for 
each right, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. This 
exchange would not apply to shares held by the person or group whose 
actions trigger the exercisability.

HON INDUSTRIES' Board of Directors may redeem all rights for $.01 per 
right, generally at any time before the rights become exercisable.  The 
rights will expire August 20, 2008, unless redeemed, exchanged or 
amended by the Board of Directors.

The issuance of the rights is not a taxable event; will not affect HON 
INDUSTRIES' reported financial condition or results of operations, 
including earnings per share; and will not change the way in which HON 
INDUSTRIES' common stock is currently traded.  Shareholders will receive 
additional details regarding the plan.

HON INDUSTRIES Inc. is the largest producer of value-priced office 
furniture and the fourth largest manufacturer and marketer of office 
furniture in the U.S.  It is also the nation's largest manufacturer and 
marketer of gas- and wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.  HON 
INDUSTRIES' common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under 
the symbol HNI. 
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