EXHIBIT 32.1

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
            PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, John J. Holland, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Butler Manufacturing
Company, certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)    The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period
       ended June 30, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements
       of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15
       U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
       respects, the financial condition, and results of operations of the
       Company.

August 14, 2003                           /s/ John J. Holland
---------------                           -------------------------------------
Dated                                     John J. Holland
                                          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906 HAS BEEN
PROVIDED TO BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND WILL BE RETAINED BY THE COMPANY AND
FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.