UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                  SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant To Section 14(A) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
                              (Amendment No.     )

  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))

  [ ]  Definitive Proxy Statement
  [ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
  [X]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-12

                             KATY INDUSTRIES, INC.

                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


     (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

  Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

  [X]  No fee required.

  [ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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:

  [ ]  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:


                                    KATY NEWS
                                    ---------
                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                           ---------------------

                             KATY INDUSTRIES, INC.
              ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR 2000
                 AND DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT FOR RECAPITALIZATION

ENGLEWOOD, CO - March 30, 2001 -- Katy Industries, Inc. (NYSE: KT) today
reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2000 of ($2,275,000) or ($.28) per
diluted share, compared to net income of $4,459,000, or $.49 per diluted share,
in the fourth quarter of 1999.  Fourth quarter results of 2000 include unusual
charges totaling ($706,000) after-tax, or ($.08) per share, while the same
period results of 1999 include unusual income of $2,238,000 after-tax, or $.22
per diluted share.  Unusual items are detailed on a schedule accompanying this
release.

For the full year 2000, the Company reported a net loss of ($5,458,000) or
($.65) per diluted share, compared to net income of $10,455,000, or $1.21 per
diluted share, in 1999.  The year 2000 results include unusual charges totaling
($3,237,000) after-tax, or ($.39) per share, while 1999's results include
unusual income of $1,848,000 after-tax, or $.18 per diluted share.

Katy indicated that it expects a loss for the first quarter of 2001 from its
continuing segments which is estimated to be in the range of ($.20) to ($.30)
per share, excluding unusual charges.

Katy also announced that the Board had determined to suspend payments of
quarterly dividends and that the Company has obtained waivers from its existing
bank lenders for compliance with certain financial covenants through June 30,
2001.

Katy further announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with an
affiliate of Kohlberg Investors IV, L.P. an affiliate of Kohlberg & Co. L.L.C.
("Kohlberg") for a recapitalization of Katy.  Under the agreement, the Kohlberg
affiliate would commence a tender offer for up to 2,500,000 shares of Katy
common stock at a price of $8.00 per share and would purchase at least 400,000
shares of newly issued convertible preferred stock at $100 per share for not
less than $40,000,000.  Proceeds from the newly issued convertible preferred
stock would principally be used to reduce Katy's existing debt and would also be
used to partially redeem a third party's preferred interest in a Katy
subsidiary.

Each preferred share would be convertible into 12.5 shares of common stock. The
common stock underlying the preferred, together with the common stock to be
purchased in the tender offer, would represent a majority of the outstanding
common stock after giving effect to the conversion of the preferred.

The Kohlberg affiliate has obtained a commitment letter from Deutsche Banc Alex.
Brown to provide Katy up to $150 million of senior secured term and revolving
loans to refinance the balance of the Company's existing debt.

Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including
affirmative vote of Katy's shareholders to authorize the convertible preferred
stock and to elect six Kohlberg designees as directors of the Company, who will
then represent a majority of the Board, and completion of the sale of an
operating subsidiary pursuant to an existing letter of intent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              KATY INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                  HEADQUARTERS
            6300 S. SYRACUSE WAY, SUITE 300, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80111-6723
              TELEPHONE: (303) 290-9300 * FACSIMILE: (303) 290-9344
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


KATY NEWS
---------
Page 2




Shareholder approval of the transaction will be the subject of a proxy statement
expected to be mailed to Katy shareholders in April for a shareholders' meeting
to be held in May, 2001.  The tender offer will not be commenced until the proxy
statement is mailed.

Mr. Robert M. Baratta, Katy's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "This
transaction will increase Katy's financial strength.  Shareholders will have the
opportunity to tender shares in the tender offer at a substantial premium over
our recent market price.  Through the shares they keep, they will also be able
to participate in the future of a financially stronger Katy."

Katy Industries, Inc. is a diversified corporation with interests primarily in
Electrical/Electronics and Maintenance Products.

Kohlberg is a private merchant banking firm with offices in New York and
California.  Founded in 1987, Kohlberg has completed more than 70 acquisitions
and recapitalization transactions in a variety of industries.

Company contact:
Stephen Nicholson, Vice President of Finance, in Englewood at (303) 290-9300, or
at www.katyindustries.com
   ----------------------

Where You Can Find Additional Information:

Katy strongly advises all Katy shareholders to read Katy's proxy statement,
which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Katy's proxy statement will contain important information that you should
consider before making any decision about the proposals to be voted on at Katy's
shareholder meeting.  When completed, Katy's proxy statement will be mailed to
all Katy shareholders and will be available, together with the annual report,
quarterly reports, current reports and other documents filed by Katy, at no
charge at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov or from Katy by contacting
Stephen Nicholson at (303) 290-9300.

Katy and certain other persons named below may be deemed to be participants in
the solicitation of proxies under the rules of the SEC.  Participants may
include (1) the current directors of Katy: William F. Andrews, Robert M.
Baratta, Amelia M. Carroll, Daniel B. Carroll, Wallace E. Carroll, Jr., Arthur
R. Miller, Charles W. Sahlman, Jacob Saliba and Glenn W. Turcotte, (2) the
nominees to the board who are not currently directors: C. Michael Jacobi,
Christopher Anderson, Samuel P. Frieder, James A. Kohlberg and Christopher
Lacovara and (3) the executive officers of Katy who are not directors: Roger G.
Engle, Larry D. Hudson, Michael H. Kane, Stephen P. Nicholson and William J.
Wagner.  A description of any interests that these persons have in proposals to
be voted on at Katy's shareholder meeting will be available in the proxy
statement.

This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer
to sell shares of Katy.  At the time the tender offer is commenced, the
acquiring entity will file a tender offer statement and Katy will file a
solicitation/recommendation statement with the SEC with respect to the tender
offer.  The tender offer statement (including the offer to purchase, the related
letter of transmittal and the other offer documents attached as exhibits

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              KATY INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                  HEADQUARTERS
            6300 S. SYRACUSE WAY, SUITE 300, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80111-6723
              TELEPHONE: (303) 290-9300 * FACSIMILE: (303) 290-9344

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


KATY NEWS
---------
Page 3

thereto) and the solicitation/recommendation statement will contain important
information which should be read carefully before any decision is made with
respect to the tender offer.  The offer to purchase, the related letter of
transmittal and certain other offer documents, as well as the
solicitation/recommendation statement, will be made available to all Katy
shareholders at no expense to them.  The tender offer statement (including the
offer to purchase, the related letter of transmittal and all other offer
documents filed with the SEC) and the solicitation/recommendation statement will
also be available at no charge at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.


Some of the foregoing communications constitute "forward-looking statements".
Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties
and Katy claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements include all statements regarding the timing, completion and
effect of the proposed recapitalization of Katy.  Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors,
including risks of consummation of the sale of the subsidiary of the Company
referred to above, the ability to consummate the new financing with Bankers
Trust Company and the ability to obtain the needed shareholder approvals on a
timely basis, that, together with other risks and uncertainties detailed from
time to time in Katy's filings with the SEC, may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Katy to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements.  The safe harbor is not applicable to the foregoing communications
to the extent that they constitute tender offer materials and has not been
judicially determined to be applicable to such communications to the extent that
they constitute soliciting materials in connection with the tender offer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              KATY INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                  HEADQUARTERS
            6300 S. SYRACUSE WAY, SUITE 300, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80111-6723
              TELEPHONE: (303) 290-9300 * FACSIMILE: (303) 290-9344
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)




                                                                        Twelve Months Ended
                                                                     -------------------------     $                 %
                                                                     December 31, December 31,   Change           Change
                                                                        2000         1999       Inc/(Dec)        Inc/(Dec)
                                                                     ------------ ------------  ---------        ---------
     
Sales                                                                $ 553,249    $ 565,941     ($12,692)          (2.24%)
Cost of goods sold                                                     399,315      391,382        7,933            2.03%
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
        Gross profit                                                   153,934      174,559      (20,625)         (11.82%)
Selling, general & administrative expenses                             144,839      146,788       (1,949)          (1.33%)
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
        Operating income                                                 9,095       27,771      (18,676)         (67.25%)
Equity in loss of operations  to be disposed of                           (853)        (206)        (647)        (314.08%)
Interest and other, net                                                (14,011)     (10,515)      (3,496)         (33.25%)
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
        (Loss) income before provision for income taxes                 (5,769)      17,050      (22,819)        (133.84%)
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes                                2,022       (3,217)       5,239          162.85%
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
        (Loss) income before distributions on preferred securities      (3,747)      13,833      (17,580)        (127.09%)
Distributions on preferred interest of subsidiary, net of tax           (1,711)      (1,678)         (33)          (1.97%)
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
        (Loss) income from continuing operations                        (5,458)      12,155      (17,613)        (144.90%)
Discontinued operations                                                     --       (1,700)          --              N/M
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
        Net (loss) income                                              ($5,458)   $  10,455     ($15,913)        (152.20%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock - Basic
  Continuing segments - businesses to be retained                       ($0.19)   $    1.25       ($1.44)        (115.20%)
  Unusual items (1)                                                      (0.39)        0.22        (0.61)        (277.27%)
  Operations to be disposed of                                           (0.07)       (0.02)       (0.05)        (250.00%)
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
    Income from continuing operations                                   ($0.65)   $    1.45       ($2.10)        (144.83%)
  Discontinued operations                                                   --        (0.20)        0.20          100.00%
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
    Net (loss) income                                                   ($0.65)   $    1.25       ($1.90)        (152.00%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock - Diluted
  Continuing segments - businesses to be retained                       ($0.19)   $    1.21       ($1.40)        (115.70%)
  Unusual items (1)                                                      (0.39)        0.18        (0.57)        (316.67%)
  Operations to be disposed of                                           (0.07)       (0.01)       (0.06)        (600.00%)
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
    Income from continuing operations                                   ($0.65)   $    1.38        (2.03)        (147.10%)
  Discontinued operations                                                   --        (0.17)        0.17          100.00%
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
    Net (loss) income                                                   ($0.65)   $    1.21       ($1.86)        (153.72%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========

Average shares outstanding - Basic                                       8,404        8,366
                                                                     ===========  =========
Average shares outstanding - Diluted                                     8,404       10,015
                                                                     ===========  =========

Dividends paid per share                                             $   0.300    $   0.300
                                                                     ===========  =========

Other Information
-----------------

Working capital, including current maturities of
        indebtedness in 2000 of $133,067                             ($ 28,265)   $ 120,893    ($149,158)        (123.38%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========

Preferred interest in subsidiary                                     $  32,900    $  32,900    $       0            0.00%
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========
Stockholders' equity                                                 $ 150,333    $ 160,311    ($  9,978)          (6.22%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========
Capital expenditures                                                 $  14,196    $  21,066    ($  6,870)         (32.61%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========
Operating income by segment:
        Electrical/Electronics                                       $   8,055    $   8,303    ($    248)          (2.99%)
        Maintenance Products                                            10,298       29,458      (19,160)         (65.04%)
        Corporate                                                       (9,258)      (9,990)         732            7.33%
                                                                     -----------  ---------    ---------        ---------
               Total                                                 $   9,095    $  27,771    ($ 18,676)         (67.25%)
                                                                     ===========  =========    =========        =========





N/M  Not meaningful

(1)  See attached Schedule of Unusual Items


KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)






                                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                                   ------------------------------       $                %
                                                                    December 31,     December 31,    Change           Change
                                                                        2000             1999       Inc/(Dec)        Inc/(Dec)
                                                                   ------------        ---------    ----------      -----------
     

Sales                                                                $ 139,783         $ 164,570    ($ 24,787)         (15.06%)
Cost of goods sold                                                     104,716           118,025      (13,309)         (11.28%)
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
        Gross profit                                                    35,067            46,545      (11,478)         (24.66%)
Selling, general & administrative expenses                              34,413            39,252       (4,839)         (12.33%)
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
        Operating income                                                   654             7,293       (6,639)         (91.03%)
Equity in income of operations  to be disposed of                           44               716         (672)         (93.85%)
Interest and other, net                                                 (3,554)           (2,114)      (1,440)         (68.12%)
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
        (Loss) income before income taxes                               (2,856)            5,895       (8,751)        (148.45%)
Benefit from income taxes                                                1,011               687          324           47.16%
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
        (Loss) income before distributions on preferred securities      (1,845)            6,582       (8,427)        (128.03%)

Distributions on preferred interest of subsidiary, net of tax             (430)             (423)          (7)          (1.65%)
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
        (Loss) income from continuing operations                        (2,275)            6,159       (8,434)        (136.94%)
Discontinued operations                                                     --            (1,700)          --               N/M
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
        Net (loss) income                                              ($2,275)        $   4,459      ($6,734)        (151.02%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock - Basic
  Continuing segments - businesses to be retained                       ($0.20)        $    0.41       ($0.61)        (148.78%)
  Unusual items (1)                                                      (0.08)             0.27        (0.35)        (129.63%)
  Operations to be disposed of                                            0.00              0.05        (0.05)        (100.00%)
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
    Income from continuing operations                                   ($0.28)        $    0.73       ($1.01)        (138.36%)
  Discontinued operations                                                   --             (0.20)        0.20          100.00%
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
    Net (loss) income                                                   ($0.28)        $    0.53       ($0.81)        (152.83%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock - Diluted
  Continuing segments - businesses to be retained                       ($0.20)        $    0.39       ($0.59)        (151.28%)
  Unusual items (1)                                                      (0.08)             0.22        (0.30)        (136.36%)
  Operations to be disposed of                                            0.00              0.05        (0.05)        (100.00%)
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
    Income from continuing operations                                   ($0.28)        $    0.66        (0.94)        (142.42%)
  Discontinued operations                                                  --              (0.17)        0.17          100.00%
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
    Net (loss) income                                                   ($0.28)        $    0.49       ($0.77)        (157.19%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========

Average shares outstanding - Basic                                       8,396             8,380
                                                                     =========         =========
Average shares outstanding - Diluted                                     8,396             9,972
                                                                     =========         =========
Dividends paid per share                                             $   0.075         $   0.075
                                                                     =========         =========

Other Information
-----------------

Working capital, including current maturities of
        indebtedness in 2000 of $133,067                              ($28,265)        $ 120,893    ($149,158)        (123.38%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========

Preferred interest in subsidiary                                     $  32,900         $  32,900    $       0            0.00%
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========
Stockholders' equity                                                 $ 150,333         $ 160,311      ($9,978)          (6.22%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========
Capital expenditures                                                 $   2,468         $   9,810      ($7,342)         (74.84%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========
Operating income by segment:
        Electrical/Electronics                                       $   2,968         $   3,667        ($699)         (19.06%)
        Maintenance Products                                              (513)            5,433       (5,946)        (109.44%)
        Corporate                                                       (1,801)           (1,807)           6            0.33%
                                                                     ---------         ---------    ---------         --------
              Total                                                  $     654         $   7,293      ($6,639)         (91.03%)
                                                                     =========         =========    =========         =========




N/M  Not meaningful


(1)  See attached Schedule of Unusual Items


KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. SUMMARY OF UNUSUAL ITEMS

(In thousands, except per share data)
(all items after-tax)





                                               Three Months Ended                             Twelve Months Ended
                                      --------------------------------              --------------------------------------
                                      December 31,         December 31,             December 31,              December 31,
                                         2000                 1999                     2000                       1999
                                      ----------           ------------             ------------              ------------
                                                 Diluted                Diluted                     Diluted                 Diluted
                                        Amount  Per Share    Amount    Per Share      Amount       Per Share      Amount   Per Share


     
Severance and other restructuring     ($300)     ($0.03)     ($363)     ($0.04)       ($1,723)     ($0.21)        ($753)    ($0.07)

Product recall                           --          --         --          --           (523)      (0.06)           --         --

LIFO inventory adjustments              162        0.02       (669)      (0.07)          (423)      (0.05)         (669)     (0.07)

Inventory adjustments                  (892)      (0.11)        --          --           (892)      (0.11)           --         --
Proceeds on previously written-off
notes and investments                   324        0.04        520        0.05            324        0.04           520       0.05

Reduction of income tax reserves         --          --      2,750        0.28             --          --         2,750       0.27

                                      ----------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------------
                                      ($706)     ($0.08)   $ 2,238       $0.22        ($3,237)     ($0.39)      $ 1,848      $0.18
                                      ========================================      ==============================================