NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORP
S-4/A, 1996-10-22
CONVERTED PAPER & PAPERBOARD PRODS (NO CONTANERS/BOXES)
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 22, 1996
    
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-8925
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>                          <C>
          DELAWARE                       2677                       23-2574778
(State or other jurisdiction       (Primary Standard             (I.R.S. Employer
             of                       Industrial               Identification No.)
      incorporation or        Classification Code Number)
       organization)
</TABLE>
 
                           --------------------------
                                 (314) 344-8000
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                           --------------------------
                               ROBERT B. WEBSTER
                            CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                          5775 PEACHTREE DUNWOODY ROAD
                                   SUITE C150
                             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30342
                            (404) 256-1123, EXT. 309
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                           --------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>
    Mr. David E. King            Frank L. Schiff, Esq.
  McCown De Leeuw & Co.              White & Case
   101 East 52nd Street       1155 Avenue of the Americas
        31st Floor           New York, New York 10036-2787
 New York, New York 10022           (212) 819-8752
      (212) 355-5500
</TABLE>
 
                           --------------------------
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance  with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
                           --------------------------
 
    The  Registrant hereby  amends this Registration  Statement on  such date or
dates as may  be necessary  to delay its  effective date  until the  Registrants
shall  file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective  in accordance with Section 8(a)  of
the  Securities Act  of 1933  or until  the Registration  Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section  8(a),
may determine.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K SHOWING
                           LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF
                               ITEMS OF FORM S-4
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>                                          <C>
       A.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION
       1.  Forepart of Registration Statement and       Outside  Front Cover  Page; Cross Reference
           Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus.....  Sheet; Inside Front Cover Page
       2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages    Inside Front Cover Page; Outside Back Cover
           of Prospectus..............................  Page
       3.  Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed     Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; Unaudited
           Charges and Other Information..............  Pro   Forma   Financial   Data;    Selected
                                                          Historical   Financial   Data   (National
                                                          Fiberstok Corporation); Selected
                                                          Historical  Consolidated  Financial  Data
                                                          (Transkrit Corporation)
       4.  Terms of the Transaction...................  Prospectus  Summary;  The  Exchange  Offer;
                                                          Certain United States Federal Income  Tax
                                                          Consequences; Description of the Notes
       5.  Pro Forma Financial Information............  Prospectus    Summary;   The   Transaction;
                                                        Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated  Financial
                                                          Data
       6.  Material Contacts with the Company Being     Not Applicable
           Acquired...................................
       7.  Additional Information Required for          Not Applicable
           Reoffering by Persons and Parties Deemed to
           be Underwriters............................
       8.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.....  Not Applicable
       9.  Disclosure of Commission Position on         Not Applicable
           Indemnification for Securities Act
           Liabilities................................
       B.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE
           REGISTRANT
      10.  Information with Respect to S-3              Not Applicable
           Registrants................................
      11.  Incorporation of Certain Information by      Not Applicable
           Reference..................................
      12.  Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3       Not Applicable
           Registrant.................................
      13.  Incorporation of Certain Information by      Not Applicable
           Reference..................................
      14.  Information with Respect to Registrant       Prospectus    Summary;   The   Transaction;
           Other Than S-2 or S-3 Registrant...........  Capitalization; Selected Historical
                                                          Financial   Data   (National    Fiberstok
                                                          Corporation); Selected Historical
                                                          Consolidated  Financial  Data  (Transkrit
                                                          Corporation); Management's Discussion and
                                                          Analysis  of   Financial  Condition   and
                                                          Results of Operations; Business;
                                                          Management; Certain Related Transactions;
                                                          Description  of the Notes; Description of
                                                          New  Credit  Facility;  Financial  State-
                                                          ments
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>                                          <C>
       C.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING
           ACQUIRED
      15.  Information with Respect to S-3              Not Applicable
           Companies..................................
      16.  Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3       Not Applicable
           Companies..................................
      17.  Information with Respect to Companies Other  Not Applicable
           Than S-2 or S-3 Companies..................
       D.  VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
      18.  Information if Proxies, Consents or          Not Applicable
           Authorizations are to be Solicited.........
      19.  Information if Proxies, Consents or          Management; Certain Related Transactions
           Authorizations are not to be Solicited or
           in an Exchange Offer.......................
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 22, 1996
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
 
                               OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                    11 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2002, SERIES B
          FOR ALL OUTSTANDING 11 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2002, SERIES A
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
                 WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
                   ON                 , 1996, UNLESS EXTENDED
                             ---------------------
 
    National Fiberstok  Corporation, a  Delaware corporation  (the "Company"  or
"NFC"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  DEC  International,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation ("DEC"), hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to conditions set
forth in  this Prospectus  (the  "Prospectus") and  the accompanying  Letter  of
Transmittal  (the  "Letter of  Transmittal"; together  with the  Prospectus, the
"Exchange  Offer"),  to  exchange  up  to  an  aggregate  principal  amount   of
$100,000,000  of its 11 5/8%  Senior Notes Due 2002,  Series B (the "New Notes")
for up  to an  aggregate principal  amount of  $100,000,000 of  its  outstanding
11  5/8% Senior Notes Due 2002, Series A (the "Old Notes"). The terms of the New
Notes are identical in all material respects  to those of the Old Notes,  except
for  certain transfer restrictions, registration  rights, and penalty provisions
relating to  the Old  Notes.  The New  Notes will  be  issued pursuant  to,  and
entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture (as defined) governing the Old Notes.
The  New Notes and the  Old Notes are sometimes  referred to collectively as the
"Notes."
 
    Interest on the New Notes will accrue from the date of issuance thereof (the
"Issue Date") at the rate of 11 5/8% PER ANNUM and will be payable semi-annually
in arrears on each June 15 and December 15, commencing on December 15, 1996. The
New Notes will be redeemable, at NFC's option,  in whole at any time or in  part
from  time to time, on or after June 15, 1999 at the redemption prices set forth
herein, plus  accrued  and unpaid  interest,  if any,  thereon  to the  date  of
redemption.  In addition, at any time or from  time to time, on or prior to June
15, 1999, NFC  may, at  its option, use  the net  cash proceeds of  one or  more
Public  Equity  Offerings (as  defined  herein) to  redeem  up to  $35.0 million
aggregate principal  amount of  New  Notes at  the  redemption price  set  forth
herein,  plus  accrued and  unpaid  interest, if  any,  thereon to  the  date of
redemption; provided that  at least  65% of the  principal amount  of New  Notes
originally  issued remains  outstanding immediately  after giving  effect to any
such redemption.
 
    The New Notes will be senior obligations of NFC ranking PARI PASSU in  right
of  payment with  all other senior  indebtedness of  NFC. The New  Notes will be
effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future  secured
indebtedness  of  NFC.  As  of  June  30,  1996,  after  giving  effect  to  the
Transactions (as defined herein), NFC  had approximately $2.8 million of  senior
secured  indebtedness  outstanding which  effectively ranks  senior in  right of
payment to the New Notes.
 
    As permitted under the Indenture, the Company's subsidiaries in existence as
of the issue date  of the Old  Notes have been  merged, directly or  indirectly,
with  and into  the Company  with the Company  surviving, and  therefore the New
Notes will neither be  guaranteed by such former  subsidiaries nor secured by  a
pledge of the capital stock thereof.
 
    Upon  the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein), each holder
of the New Notes will have the right to require NFC to purchase all or a portion
of such holder's New Notes  at a price equal to  101% thereof, plus accrued  and
unpaid  interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase. In addition, NFC will
be obligated to  offer to purchase  New Notes  at 100% of  the principal  amount
thereof,  plus  accrued and  unpaid interest,  if  any, thereon  to the  date of
purchase in the event of certain asset sales. See "Description of the Notes."
                            ------------------------    (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
 
    SEE "RISK FACTORS",  WHICH BEGINS AT  PAGE 10, FOR  A DISCUSSION OF  CERTAIN
FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PARTICIPANTS IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
                             ---------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE  COMMISSION
  OR  ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
     OF THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
                                    OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER   , 1996.
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM COVER)
 
    The Old  Notes  were originally  issued  and sold  on  June 28,  1996  in  a
transaction  not registered  under the Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended (the
"Securities Act"), in reliance  upon the exemptions provided  in Rule 144 A  and
Regulation  D under the  Securities Act. Accordingly,  the Old Notes  may not be
reoffered, resold  or  otherwise pledged,  hypothecated  or transferred  in  the
United  States unless so  registered or unless an  applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.
 
    The Company  will  accept for  exchange  any and  all  Old Notes  which  are
properly  tendered in the Exchange Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on            , 1996, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion (the
"Expiration Date"). The Expiration Date will not  in any event be extended to  a
date  later than            , 1996. Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any
time prior to  5:00 p.m., New  York City time,  on the Expiration  Date. In  the
event the Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept for exchange
any  Old Notes  with respect  to the Exchange  Offer, the  Company will promptly
return the  Old  Notes  to  the  holders thereof.  The  Exchange  Offer  is  not
conditioned  upon any minimum  principal amount of Old  Notes being tendered for
exchange, but  is otherwise  subject to  certain customary  conditions. The  Old
Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.
 
    The  New  Notes are  being  offered hereunder  in  order to  satisfy certain
obligations of the Company contained in the Registration Rights Agreement  dated
June  28, 1996 (the  "Registration Rights Agreement") by  and among the Company,
certain former Guarantors  and BT Securities  Corporation and Donaldson,  Lufkin
and  Jenrette Securities  Corporation, as  the initial  purchasers (the "Initial
Purchasers"), with  respect to  the initial  sale  of the  Old Notes.  Based  on
interpretations  by the  staff of  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission") rendered to third parties  in similar transactions, the New  Notes
issued  pursuant to the Exchange Offer in  exchange for Old Notes may be offered
for resale,  resold  and otherwise  transferred  by respective  holders  thereof
(other  than any such holder  which is an "affiliate"  of the Company within the
meaning of  Rule 405  under  the Securities  Act,  without compliance  with  the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act), provided
that the New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business
and  such  holder has  no  arrangement with  any  person to  participate  in the
distribution of such  New Notes and  is not engaged  in and does  not intend  to
engage  in a distribution of the New Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives New
Notes for its own account pursuant  to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge  that
it  will deliver a prospectus  in connection with any  resale of such New Notes.
The Letter of Transmittal  states that by so  acknowledging and by delivering  a
prospectus,  a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the  Securities Act. This Prospectus, as  it
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer
in  connection with resales of the New  Notes received in exchange for Old Notes
if  such  New  Notes  were  acquired  by  such  broker-dealer  as  a  result  of
market-making  activities or  other trading  activities. The  Company has agreed
that, for a  period of 180  days after the  Expiration Date, it  will make  this
Prospectus  available to any  broker-dealer for use in  connection with any such
resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
    There has  not previously  been any  public market  for the  New Notes.  The
Company  does not intend to list the New  Notes on any securities exchange or to
seek approval for quotation through any automated quotation system. There can be
no assurance that an active market for the New Notes will develop. To the extent
that an active market for  the New Notes does develop,  the market value of  the
New  Notes  will depend  on  market conditions  (such  as yields  on alternative
investments), general economic  conditions, the  Company's financial  condition,
and other factors. Such conditions might cause the New Notes, to the extent that
they  are actively traded, to  trade at a significant  discount from face value.
See "Risk Factors -- Absence of Public Market."
 
    The Company  will not  receive any  proceeds from  the Exchange  Offer.  The
Company has agreed to pay the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
    NO  PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THE  PROSPECTUS,
AND,  IF GIVEN OR  MADE, SUCH INFORMATION  OR REPRESENTATION MUST  NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS  HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  BY THE  COMPANY.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES  NOT
CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER TO SELL  OR A SOLICITATION OF AN  OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE NEW NOTES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY
PERSON IN ANY  JURISDICTION IN WHICH  IT IS UNLAWFUL  TO MAKE SUCH  AN OFFER  OR
SOLICITATION TO SUCH PERSON.
                            ------------------------
 
    Until              , 1996 (90 days after commencement of this offering), all
dealers effecting transactions in the New Notes, whether or not participating in
this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company has filed with the  Commission a registration statement on  Form
S-4 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act, with respect to the
New  Notes.  This  Prospectus,  which constitutes  a  part  of  the Registration
Statement, does not contain  all the information set  forth in the  Registration
Statement, certain items of which are contained in schedules and exhibits to the
Registration  Statement  as  permitted  by  the  rules  and  regulations  of the
Commission. Statements  made  in this  Prospectus  as  to the  contents  of  any
contract,  agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete.
With respect to  each such  contract, agreement or  other document  filed as  an
exhibit  to the Registration Statement,  reference is made to  the exhibit for a
more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement  shall
be  deemed qualified  in its  entirety by  such reference.  Items of information
omitted from this Prospectus but contained in the Registration Statement may  be
inspected  and  copied  at the  public  reference facilities  maintained  by the
Commission at Room 1024,  450 Fifth Street,  N.W., Judiciary Plaza,  Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at the following regional offices of the Commission: Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and
7  World Trade  Center, 13th  Floor, New  York, New  York 10048.  Copies of such
material can  be obtained  by mail  from  the Public  Reference Section  of  the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed   rates.  Electronic   registration  statements   filed  through  the
Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval ("EDGAR") system are publically
available through the Commission's web site at http:/www.sec.gov. All amendments
thereto  and  subsequent  periodic  reports  required  to  be  filed  under  the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act") have been and
will be filed through EDGAR.
 
    As a  result  of this  offering,  the Company  will  become subject  to  the
periodic  reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In
the  event  that  the  Company  ceases  to  be  subject  to  the   informational
requirements  of the Exchange Act,  the Company has agreed  that, so long as any
Notes remain outstanding,  it will file  with the Commission  and distribute  to
holders  of  the  Old Notes  or  the New  Notes,  as applicable,  copies  of the
financial information that would have been contained in such annual reports  and
quarterly  reports, including management's discussion  and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations, that  would have been required to be  filed
with  the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. See "Description of the Notes
- -- Certain Covenants -- Reports to Holders."
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION  WITH, THE MORE  DETAILED INFORMATION AND  FINANCIAL DATA, INCLUDING
THE  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AND  NOTES  THERETO,  APPEARING  ELSEWHERE  IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS.  UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, REFERENCES TO (A) "NFC"
SHALL  MEAN  NATIONAL  FIBERSTOK   CORPORATION,  A  DELAWARE  CORPORATION,   (B)
"TRANSKRIT"  SHALL MEAN THE  FORMER TRANSKRIT CORPORATION,  AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
AND (C) THE "COMPANY" SHALL  MEAN NFC AND TRANSKRIT  AFTER GIVING EFFECT TO  THE
TRANSACTIONS (AS DEFINED HEREIN). SEE "PROSPECTUS SUMMARY -- THE TRANSACTIONS."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
    The  Company  believes that  it is  a leading  designer and  manufacturer of
custom paper-based  products for  the mailer,  direct mail,  pressure  sensitive
label and certain custom envelope markets. The Company has pursued a strategy of
focusing on the rapidly growing markets for non-impact self-mailers, direct mail
products  and services and  custom pressure sensitive  labels, while maintaining
leading positions in more mature markets  such as impact mailers. The  Company's
products  are grouped into four principal  business areas that accounted for the
following percentages of pro forma 1995 net sales: impact and non-impact  mailer
products  (31%),  direct  mail  products  and  services  (13%),  custom pressure
sensitive labels (24%) and custom envelopes  (32%). For the latest twelve  month
period  ended June  30, 1996  ("LTM"), the  Company had  pro forma  net sales of
$168.0 million, pro forma net  income of $2.8 million  and pro forma EBITDA  (as
defined) of $22.5 million. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data."
 
    MAILER  PRODUCTS.  The Company believes it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of
spot carbon impact mailers and has the largest installed base of laser and other
non-impact printer compatible mailer systems. Impact mailers are  ready-to-mail,
multi-part  forms, which are widely used to print correspondence such as account
statements, invoices, tax notices and utility and medical bills without  opening
or  sealing  the  envelope.  Non-impact  mailers  are  laser  printer compatible
self-mailer forms  which  are printed,  folded,  sealed and  mailed  as  payroll
checks, direct deposit statements and vendor remittances. Sales of the Company's
non-impact  mailers are  experiencing rapid growth  due to  the proliferation of
laser and  ink-jet  printers  and  the  cost  effectiveness  of  mailers  versus
traditional  fold and insert mailing methods. Since 1968, when the Company began
manufacturing impact mailers, the Company has  been a leader in the  development
of mailer technology and, at June 30, 1996, held patents valued at approximately
$19.4    million.    In   1987,    the    Company   introduced    the   patented
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- self-mailer system, which led the industry in the
development of laser printer compatible mailers. InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-
is  an integrated,  turn-key mailer  system utilizing  a patented  form which is
printed and then processed by dedicated equipment that moistens an adhesive  and
folds  the  form  into  a  one-piece  mailer.  The  Company  believes  that  the
InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-  system  has  the  largest  installed  base   of
dedicated   self-mailer  office  equipment  with  over  1,400  units  installed.
Competitive mailer  systems  are available  in  the market  which  utilize  more
expensive  pressure seal  or more maintenance  intensive glue  vat systems. With
1995 net  sales  of  $9.5 million,  InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-  forms  have
achieved compound annual net sales growth of 56% over the past five years.
 
    DIRECT  MAIL  PRODUCTS AND  SERVICES.   The  Company  offers a  selection of
products sold exclusively to  the direct mail  industry, which includes  catalog
bind-in  order forms, advertising inserts and coupons. The Company also provides
customers with direct mail fulfillment  services. These direct mail  fulfillment
services  include art  and copy  preparation, prepress  services, printing, mail
list preparation and selection,  printed personalization, addressing,  stuffing,
labeling  and mail sorting, bundling and  drop off services. To complement these
products  and  services,  the  Company's  mailers,  envelopes  and  labels   are
customized  and sold for use in direct mail applications. The Company's array of
products and services is extensive and management believes the Company  provides
full  service  capability to  the direct  mail  industry, which  has grown  at a
compound annual rate of 6% over the past five years.
 
    CUSTOM PRESSURE  SENSITIVE LABELS.    According to  an October  1995  survey
contained in BUSINESS FORMS, LABELS AND SYSTEMS (the "1995 Survey"), the Company
is  the  largest  U.S. manufacturer  of  custom pressure  sensitive  labels sold
through independent distributors, as measured by revenues. In this segment,  the
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
Company  competes with other  larger national manufacturers  who are dominant in
other channels,  particularly  in the  direct  sales distribution  channel.  The
Company  differentiates itself  from its  competitors by  offering a  variety of
customized value-added label products aimed  at short and medium-run  customers.
Management  believes that the  Company is recognized  for high quality products,
excellent customer service and its ability to respond quickly to  time-sensitive
customer  orders. The Tag  and Label Manufacturers  Institute estimates that the
pressure sensitive  label  market  is  growing at  a  compound  annual  rate  of
approximately  10%, and the  Company's custom pressure  sensitive label products
have achieved compound annual  net sales growth  of 15%, on  a pro forma  basis,
over the past two years.
 
    CUSTOM  ENVELOPES.  According to the Envelope Manufacturers Association (the
"EMA"), the Company is the second  largest U.S. supplier of custom envelopes  in
the   growing   Southeastern   regional  market   (which   currently  represents
approximately 13%  of  the  overall  custom  envelope  market)  as  measured  by
revenues.  The Company has focused on the high value-added specialty segments of
the  envelope  market,   placing  particular  emphasis   on  the  direct   mail,
photo-finishing  and  banking industries,  where  it has  established leadership
positions. Almost all of the  Company's envelope products are specially  printed
or  manufactured to  end-user specifications  and generally  have higher margins
than plain  commodity  envelopes. The  Company  also produces  custom  expanding
envelopes,  pockets, wallets and other products for the professional office. Net
sales of the Company's custom envelopes have increased at a compound annual rate
of 7% over the  past two years.  The Company competes in  this market with  many
small regional suppliers and several larger national manufacturers which compete
aggressively. Certain of these larger competitors are less highly leveraged than
the Company and may have greater financing and operating flexibility.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                 THE INVESTORS
 
    The  controlling stockholder of NFC's parent, DEC,  is McCown De Leeuw & Co.
("McCown De  Leeuw"),  a private  investment  firm specializing  in  buying  and
building  middle market businesses such as the Company. McCown De Leeuw has made
28 separate  investments since  1983 and  has made  a number  of investments  in
businesses  and  markets  related  to those  of  the  Company.  Related industry
investments have included: DIMAC Corporation, a full service provider of  direct
marketing  products and services (now a division of Heritage Media Corporation);
Eastman Corporation, a contract office  products distributor (now a division  of
Office  Depot, Inc.); Graphics Art Center Inc., a specialty printer of marketing
communications products and direct  mail catalogs (now  a division of  Mail-Well
Inc.);  and  Specialty  Paperboard,  Inc.,  a  manufacturer  of  specialty paper
products.
 
                                THE TRANSACTIONS
 
    Pursuant to a  Stock Purchase  Agreement, dated  June 19,  1996 (the  "Stock
Purchase  Agreement"), NFC  purchased all  of the  outstanding capital  stock of
Transkrit from its stockholders  on June 28, 1996.  The purchase price paid  for
the capital stock of Transkrit was $86.5 million, and is subject to post-closing
adjustment for certain changes in Transkrit's working capital, other net assets,
and  capital  expenditures from  the  amounts estimated  at  the closing  of the
acquisition (the "Acquisition"). (See "The Transactions"). At the closing of the
Acquisition, Transkrit was merged with and into NFC.
 
    Concurrently with  the  consummation of  the  Acquisition, (i)  the  Company
issued  the  Old Notes  in an  aggregate principal  amount of  $100,000,000 (the
"Initial Offering");  (ii) DEC  issued $10.0  million in  aggregate  liquidation
preference  of preferred stock and  used a portion of  the proceeds therefrom to
make a capital contribution  to the Company of  approximately $7.8 million  (the
"Parent  Capital Contribution"), (iii) NFC repaid approximately $23.2 million of
existing long-term  debt  ("Prior  Debt") and  terminated  its  existing  credit
agreement  (together, the  "Refinancing") and  (iv) the  Company executed  a new
senior secured revolving credit facility (the "New Bank Credit Facility"), which
provides borrowing  availability  of up  to  $20.0 million.  The  Offering,  the
Acquisition,  the Parent Capital Contribution, the Refinancing and the execution
of the New Bank Credit Facility are referred to herein as the "Transactions."
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
The New Notes.......................  The forms and terms of the New Notes are identical in
                                      all material respects to the  terms of the Old  Notes
                                      for  which  they  may be  exchanged  pursuant  to the
                                      Exchange   Offer,   except   for   certain   transfer
                                      restrictions,   registration   rights   and   penalty
                                      interest  provisions  relating   to  the  Old   Notes
                                      described below under "-- Terms of the Notes."
The Exchange Offer..................  The   Company   is   offering  to   exchange   up  to
                                      $100,000,000 aggregate  principal amount  of the  New
                                      Notes  for  up  to  $100,000,000  aggregate principal
                                      amount of the Old Notes.  Old Notes may be  exchanged
                                      only in integral multiples of $1,000.
Expiration Date; Withdrawal of        The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York
 Tender.............................  City  time, on             , 1996, or such later date
                                      and time to which it is extended by the Company  (the
                                      "Expiration  Date"). The tender of Old Notes pursuant
                                      to the Exchange  Offer may be  withdrawn at any  time
                                      prior  to  the Expiration  Date. The  Expiration Date
                                      will not in  any event  be extended to  a date  later
                                      than              ,  1996. Any Old Notes not accepted
                                      for exchange for any reason will be returned  without
                                      expense  to the tendering  holder thereof as promptly
                                      as practicable after the expiration or termination of
                                      the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
Certain Conditions to the Note
 Exchange Offer.....................  The Exchange Offer  is subject  to certain  customary
                                      conditions,  which may be waived  by the Company. See
                                      "The Exchange  Offer  -- Certain  Conditions  to  the
                                      Exchange Offer."
Procedures for Tendering Old          Each  holder  of  Old  Notes  wishing  to  accept the
 Notes..............................  Exchange Offer  must  complete,  sign  and  date  the
                                      Letter  of  Transmittal, or  a facsimile  thereof, in
                                      accordance with the instructions contained herein and
                                      therein, and mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of
                                      Transmittal, or  such facsimile,  together with  such
                                      Old Notes and any other required documentation to the
                                      Exchange  Agent (as defined) at the address set forth
                                      herein. By executing the Letter of Transmittal,  each
                                      holder  will  represent  to the  Company  that, among
                                      other things, (i) any New Notes to be received by  it
                                      will  be  acquired  in  the  ordinary  course  of its
                                      business, (ii) it has no arrangement with any  person
                                      to  participate in the distribution  of the New Notes
                                      and (iii) it  is not  an "affiliate,"  as defined  in
                                      Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company or, if
                                      it   is  an  affiliate,  it   will  comply  with  the
                                      registration and prospectus delivery requirements  of
                                      the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
Interest on the New Notes...........  Interest  on the New Notes  will accrue from the date
                                      of issuance (the "Issue Date") at the rate of 11 5/8%
                                      per annum,  and  will  be  payable  semi-annually  in
                                      arrears  on each June 15  and December 15, commencing
                                      December 15, 1996. Holders of the New Notes will also
                                      on December 15, 1996 receive  an amount equal to  the
                                      accrued  interest on  the Old Notes.  Interest on the
                                      Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to  accrue
                                      upon issuance of the New Notes.
Special Procedures for Beneficial
 Owners.............................  Any  beneficial owner whose  Old Notes are registered
                                      in the  name of  a broker,  dealer, commercial  bank,
                                      trust  company  or other  nominee  and who  wishes to
                                      tender such Old  Notes in the  Exchange Offer  should
                                      contact such registered holder promptly instruct such
                                      registered   holder  to  tender  on  such  beneficial
                                      owner's behalf. If  such beneficial  owner wishes  to
                                      tender  on such owner's own  behalf, such owner must,
                                      prior to  completing  and  executing  the  Letter  of
                                      Transmittal and delivering his Old Notes, either make
                                      appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the
                                      Old  Notes in such owner's  name or obtain a properly
                                      completed bond power from the registered holder.  The
                                      transfer    of   registered    ownership   may   take
                                      considerable time and may not be able to be completed
                                      prior to the Expiration Date.
Guaranteed Delivery Procedure.......  Holders of Notes who wish  to tender their Old  Notes
                                      and  whose Old Notes are not immediately available or
                                      who cannot  deliver their  Old Notes,  the Letter  of
                                      Transmittal  or any  other documents  required by the
                                      Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent, prior to
                                      the Expiration  Date,  must tender  their  Old  Notes
                                      according  to the guaranteed  delivery procedures set
                                      forth in "The Exchange  Offer -- Guaranteed  Delivery
                                      Procedures."
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
Registration Requirements...........  The  Company has  agreed to  use its  best efforts to
                                      consummate  by  November  22,  1996,  the  registered
                                      Exchange  Offer pursuant to which  holders of the Old
                                      Notes will  be  offered an  opportunity  to  exchange
                                      their  Old  Notes for  the  New Notes  which  will be
                                      issued  without  legends  restricting  the   transfer
                                      thereof. In the event that applicable interpretations
                                      of  the  staff of  the Commission  do not  permit the
                                      Company to effect  the Exchange Offer  or in  certain
                                      other circumstances, the Company has agreed to file a
                                      Shelf  Registration Statement covering resales of the
                                      Old Notes and to use  its best efforts to cause  such
                                      Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective
                                      under  the  Securities  Act and,  subject  to certain
                                      exceptions, keep  such Shelf  Registration  Statement
                                      effective   until  three  years  after  the  original
                                      issuance of the  Old Notes. If  the Company fails  to
                                      consummate  the Exchange  Offer by  November 22, 1996
                                      or, if  the  Company  is required  to  file  a  Shelf
                                      Registration  Statement  and such  Shelf Registration
                                      Statement is  not  declared  effective  or  does  not
                                      remain  effective  under  the Securities  Act  as set
                                      forth under  "Old  Notes  Registration  Rights,"  the
                                      Company  will  be  subject to  certain  interest rate
                                      penalties.
Certain Federal Income Tax
 Considerations.....................  For  a  discussion  of  certain  federal  income  tax
                                      considerations  relating to  the exchange  of the New
                                      Notes for the Old Notes, see "Certain Federal  Income
                                      Tax Considerations."
Use of Proceeds.....................  There  will be  no proceeds  to the  Company from the
                                      exchange of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Exchange Agent......................  Wilmington Trust Company is  the Exchange Agent.  The
                                      address  and telephone  number of  the Exchange Agent
                                      are set  forth in  "The  Exchange Offer  --  Exchange
                                      Agent."
</TABLE>
 
                               TERMS OF THE NOTES
 
    The  form and terms of the  New Notes are the same  as the form and terms of
the Old Notes except that the New Notes are registered under the Securities  Act
and,  therefore, will  not bear  legends restricting  the transfer  thereof. See
"Description of the Notes."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    See "Risk Factors,"  which begins at  page 10, for  a discussion of  certain
factors that should be considered by participants in the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                   SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
                                  THE COMPANY
    The  following summary  unaudited pro forma  financial data  gives pro forma
effect in the manner  described under "Unaudited Pro  Forma Financial Data"  and
the notes thereto to the Transactions (including $2.3 million of annualized cost
savings   related  to  the  integration  of  NFC  and  Transkrit),  as  if  such
transactions had occurred  on January  1, 1995.  The Income  Statement Data  and
Other  Data do not purport to represent what the Company's results of operations
actually would have been  if the Transactions  had occurred as  of such date  or
what  such results will be for any  future periods. The information contained in
this table should  be read  in conjunction with  "Selected Historical  Financial
Data  --  National  Fiberstok  Corporation,"  "Selected  Historical Consolidated
Financial Data -- Transkrit Corporation," "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial  Data,"
"Management's  Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results of
Operations" the Financial Statements of  NFC and accompanying notes thereto  and
the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  Transkrit  and  the  notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                              PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA SIX MONTHS   LATEST TWELVE
                                                              YEAR ENDED       ENDED JUNE 30,       MONTHS ENDED
                                                             DECEMBER 31,  ----------------------     JUNE 30,
                                                                 1995         1995        1996          1996
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Net sales................................................   $  168,760   $   80,621  $   79,820   $    167,959
  Cost of products sold....................................      116,779       56,661      55,891        116,009
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
  Gross profit.............................................       51,981       23,960      23,929         51,950
  Selling, general and administrative expenses.............       38,977       20,095      20,478         39,360
  Relocation Expenses......................................          657          542          --            115
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
  Operating income.........................................       12,347        3,323       3,451         12,475
  Interest expense, net....................................       12,570        6,197       6,146         12,519
  Other (income) expense...................................         (871)        (963)       (306)          (214)
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
  Income (loss) before income taxes........................          648       (1,911)     (2,389)           170
  Income tax provision (benefit)...........................       (1,716)        (289)     (1,176)        (2,603)
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
  Net income (loss)........................................   $    2,364   $   (1,622) $   (1,213 (a)  $      2,773
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  --------------
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (b)...............................................   $   22,013   $    8,120  $    8,579   $     22,472
  Long-term debt to EBITDA.................................                                                4.56x
  EBITDA to interest expense...............................                                                1.80x
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(c)....................         1.05x      --          --               1.01x
  Depreciation and amortization............................   $   10,552        4,978       5,249         10,823
  Capital expenditures.....................................        6,480        3,269       5,043          8,254
  Dividends paid (d).......................................       --           --          --            --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(a)  The pro forma net income (loss) for the six months ended June 30, 1996 does
     not include the extraordinary loss on early retirement of debt of $798, net
     of income tax benefit  of $461, recorded  as a result  of the repayment  of
     certain Prior Debt upon the consummation of the Transactions.
 
(b)  EBITDA  is  provided because  it is  a  measure of  an issuer's  ability to
     service its indebtedness  commonly used  by certain  investors. EBITDA,  as
     defined  herein, is a financial measure under  the New Notes. The New Notes
     contain a covenant which requires  the Company to maintain certain  minimum
     levels  of EBITDA,  as defined.  EBITDA is  not a  measurement of financial
     performance under generally accepted  accounting principles and should  not
     be  considered an alternative to net income  as a measure of performance or
     to cash flow as a measure of liquidity.
 
     EBITDA is defined as operating  income, plus depreciation and  amortization
     and  reflects  (a) with  respect to  NFC, the  elimination of  the non-cash
     charges related  to  pension, deferred  financing  and change  in  vacation
     policy  and the elimination of  the gain on disposal  of equipment, and (b)
     with respect to Transkrit, the elimination of the non-cash charges  related
     to the pension plan.
 
(c)  The  ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by adding fixed charges
     (interest and amortization  of deferred financing  costs and discounts)  to
     income  before provision for income taxes and  dividing that sum by the sum
     of fixed  charges. Pro  forma  earnings were  insufficient to  cover  fixed
     charges  by $1,911 and  $2,389 for the  six months ended  June 30, 1995 and
     1996, respectively.
 
(d)  No dividends  were declared  or paid  on  common stock  during or  for  the
     periods  presented. The  Indenture restricts  the Company's  ability to pay
     dividends. (See "Risk Factors").
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    Prospective  participants should carefully consider the following factors in
addition  to  the  other  information  set  forth  in  this  Prospectus   before
participating in the Exchange Offer.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE AND ABILITY TO SERVICE AND REFINANCE DEBT; AMORTIZATION OF
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
    In  connection  with the  Transactions, the  Company incurred  a significant
amount of  indebtedness.  As  of June  30,  1996,  after giving  effect  to  the
Transactions,  the Company's  indebtedness was approximately  $102.8 million and
its stockholder's equity was approximately  $12.8 million. In addition,  subject
to  the restrictions  in the  New Bank  Credit Facility  and the  Indenture, the
Company  may  incur  additional  indebtedness  from  time  to  time  to  finance
acquisitions or capital expenditures or for other purposes.
 
    The level of the Company's indebtedness could have important consequences to
holders of the Notes, including: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's cash
flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service and will not be available
for  other  purposes;  (ii)  the Company's  ability  to  obtain  additional debt
financing  in  the   future  for  working   capital,  capital  expenditures   or
acquisitions may be limited; and (iii) the Company's level of indebtedness could
limit  its  flexibility in  reacting  to changes  in  the industry  and economic
conditions generally.
 
    The Company's ability to pay interest on the Notes and to satisfy its  other
debt obligations will depend upon its future operating performance which will be
affected  by prevailing  economic conditions  and financial,  business and other
factors, certain of which are beyond  its control. The Company anticipates  that
its  operating cash  flow, together  with borrowings  under the  New Bank Credit
Facility, will be sufficient to meet  its operating expenses and to service  its
interest  requirements as they become due.  The Company anticipates that it will
be required to refinance the Notes at  maturity. No assurance can be given  that
the Company will be able to refinance the Notes on terms acceptable to it, if at
all.  If the Company is unable to service its indebtedness, it will be forced to
adopt an  alternative strategy  that may  include actions  such as  reducing  or
delaying  capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing its
indebtedness, or seeking additional  equity capital. There  can be no  assurance
that any of these strategies could be effected on satisfactory terms, if at all.
See  "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Indenture will provide  that
upon  the occurrence of a  Change of Control (as  defined below) each Holder (as
defined below) will have the right to require that the Company purchase all or a
portion of such Holder's Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer (as defined
below) at a purchase price equal to  101% of the principal amount thereof,  plus
accrued  and unpaid  interest, if  any, thereon  to the  date of  purchase. If a
Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that the Company will
have available funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control purchase price  for
all the Notes that might be delivered by Holders seeking to accept the Change of
Control  Offer. In  the event  the Company  is required  to purchase outstanding
Notes pursuant to a Change of Control  Offer, the Company expects that it  would
seek  third party financing  to the extent  it does not  have available funds to
meet its  purchase obligations.  However, there  can be  no assurance  that  the
Company  would  be  able  to  obtain such  financing.  See  "Description  of the
Notes--Change of Control."
 
    After giving pro forma effect to the Transactions, the Company's net  income
(loss)   for  the  six  month  period  ended  June  30,  1996  would  have  been
approximately  $(1.2)  million  and  the  Company's  earnings  would  have  been
insufficient  to  cover fixed  charges (including  interest and  amortization of
deferred financing  costs and  discounts) by  approximately $2.4  million. As  a
result  of the consummation of the  Transactions, approximately $52.2 million of
the Company's assets  as of June  30, 1996 constituted  intangible assets,  and,
although the amortization changes associated therewith will not affect operating
cash  flow or EBITDA, such charges  will negatively affect the Company's results
of operations.
 
    The Company's business is subject to seasonal fluctuations in the volume  of
orders. Order volume typically decreases in the first half of the calendar year,
and  increases in  the second  half of the  calendar year.  Although the Company
incurred a net loss for the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 on  a
pro  forma basis,  the Company  generated pro-forma  net income  during both the
twelve month periods ended  December 31, 1995 and  June 30, 1996. The  Company's
pro-forma  EBITDA  for the  twelve month  period  ended June  30, 1996  of $22.5
million  would  be  adequate  to  cover  pro-forma  debt  service  payments   of
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
$8.7  million, pro-forma  payments for income  taxes of $0  and projected annual
capital expenditures  of  $5.2 million.  Although  management expects  that  the
effect  of seasonality will continue to create  lower EBITDA levels in the first
half of  each calendar  year, management  believes that  annual EBITDA  will  be
sufficient to meet projected debt service requirements. However, there can be no
assurance   that  future  EBITDA  will  be   sufficient  to  meet  debt  service
requirements, or that the effects of seasonality on the Company's business  will
not become more pronounced in the future.
 
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY TERMS OF THE COMPANY'S INDEBTEDNESS
 
    The  Indenture  and the  New Bank  Credit  Facility restrict,  the Company's
ability to incur  additional indebtedness,  incur liens, pay  dividends or  make
certain  other restricted payments,  consummate certain asset  sales, enter into
certain transactions with affiliates,  impose restrictions on  the ability of  a
subsidiary  to pay dividends or  make certain payments to  the Company, merge or
consolidate with any other  person or sell, assign,  transfer, lease, convey  or
otherwise  dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. See
"Description of the  Notes -- Certain  Covenants" and "Description  of New  Bank
Credit  Facility." A breach of any of  these covenants could result in a default
under the Indenture and/or the New Bank Credit Facility. Upon the occurrence  of
an  event of default under the New  Bank Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder
could elect  to  declare all  amounts  outstanding  under the  New  Bank  Credit
Facility,  together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. In
addition, an event  of default under  the Indenture would  constitute a  default
under  the  Company's  lease agreement  with  the  CIT Group  (the  "CIT Lease")
relating to the  financing of a  $2.6 million equipment  line (the  "Equipment")
enabling  the lessor thereunder to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to
be immediately  due and  payable. If  the  Company were  unable to  repay  those
amounts,  such lenders or lessor could proceed against the collateral granted to
them to  secure that  indebtedness. If  the lenders  under the  New Bank  Credit
Facility  or the  lessor under  the CIT  Lease accelerates  the payment  of such
indebtedness, there can be no assurance that the assets of the Company would  be
sufficient  to repay in full such indebtedness and the other indebtedness of the
Company,  including  the  Notes.  All  of  the  Company's  inventory,   accounts
receivable,  patents, trademarks and other  intangibles and the proceeds thereof
have  been  pledged  as  security  under  the  New  Bank  Credit  Facility.  See
"Description  of New  Bank Credit Facility."  The Equipment has  been pledged as
security under  the CIT  Lease. The  Company's obligations  under the  Indenture
would  be effectively subordinated  in right of  payment to the  New Bank Credit
Facility and  the  CIT  Lease  upon  the  occurrence  of  an  event  of  default
thereunder.
 
EXPOSURE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN PAPER COSTS AND SUPPLY
 
    The  Company's  principal raw  material is  paper. Paper,  which represented
approximately one-half  of the  Company's cost  of  goods sold  in 1995,  has  a
historical  pattern of cyclical price change based upon industry capacity versus
market demand. Supply has historically  been available; however, during  periods
of  increased  economic  activity  and  resultant  low  inventory  levels, paper
companies tend to  place customers on  allocation, which limits  the short  term
supply  available. Prices  during these  periods tend  to increase.  The Company
maintains multiple sources  of supply in  all grades of  paper which limits  the
risk of paper shortage due to isolated paper plant shut-downs and which provides
alternate  sources  during allocation  periods.  Because the  Company's customer
quotations are  honored for  a period  of 30  days from  quotation, the  Company
historically  has  been  able  to  pass through  paper  price  increases  to its
customers.  In  addition,  the  Company's  sales  contracts  generally   contain
provisions   permitting  escalation  of  prices  based  upon  increases  in  the
underlying paper cost.
 
COMPETITION AND CHANGING MARKETS
 
    The envelope,  mailer, label  and custom  office supply  industries,  within
which  the Company competes  are fragmented and  highly competitive. The Company
competes with other national and  local manufacturers in many product  segments.
Certain  of the Company's  principal competitors are  less highly-leveraged than
the Company and may have greater financing and operating flexibility. There  can
be no assurance that the Company will not encounter increased competition in the
future,  which could have  a material adverse effect  on the Company's business.
See "Business -- Competition."
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
EFFECTIVE SUBORDINATION OF NOTES TO SECURED INDEBTEDNESS
 
    The Notes and  the Guarantees  will be effectively  subordinated to  secured
indebtedness  of NFC, including indebtedness under the New Bank Credit Facility,
to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness. See "Description  of
the Notes" and "Description of New Bank Credit Facility."
 
    Subject  to  restrictions  under  the  New  Bank  Credit  Facility  and  the
Indenture, NFC may in the future incur additional secured indebtedness to  which
the  Notes  will be  effectively subordinated  to the  extent of  the collateral
securing such indebtedness. See "Description  of the Notes" and "Description  of
New Bank Credit Facility."
 
IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION; GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
 
    Like  similar companies, the Company's operations and properties are subject
to a wide variety  of federal, state and  local laws and regulations,  including
those  governing the  use, storage,  handling, generation,  treatment, emission,
release, discharge and disposal of certain materials, substances and wastes, the
remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater,  and the health and safety  of
employees.  As such, the  nature of the  Company's operations exposes  it to the
risk of claims with  respect to environmental protection  and health and  safety
matters  and there can be  no assurance that material  costs or liabilities will
not be  incurred in  connection with  such claims.  Pursuant to  these laws  and
regulations,  there  are  currently  pending investigations  at  certain  of the
Company's plants  and  sites  at  which they  may  have  disposed  of  hazardous
substances.  In  addition,  the Company  has  been designated  as  a potentially
responsible party under the  Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation
and  Liability Act  of 1980, as  amended ("Superfund") with  respect to off-site
disposal of hazardous substances at two  sites and may be jointly and  severally
liable for the costs of environmental remediation at those sites. Based upon its
experience  to  date,  management  of  NFC  believes  that  the  future  cost of
compliance with existing environmental protection and health and safety laws and
regulations, and  liability for  known claims  of  this type,  will not  have  a
material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company's  business  or  financial position.
However, future events,  such as  changes in  existing laws  and regulations  or
their  interpretation,  and  more vigorous  enforcement  policies  of regulatory
agencies, may give rise to additional expenditures or liabilities that could  be
material  to  the Company's  business or  financial  position. See  "Business --
Environmental, Health and Safety Matters."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY MANAGEMENT
 
    The Company's success will continue to depend to a significant extent on its
executives and other key  management personnel. There can  be no assurance  that
the  Company will be able to retain  its executive officers and key personnel or
attract additional qualified management in the future. In addition, the  success
of  certain of the Company's acquisitions may  depend, in part, on the Company's
ability to retain management  personnel and to integrate  the operations of  the
acquired companies.
 
CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER
 
    Certain  affiliates  of  McCown De  Leeuw  &  Co. (the  "MDC  Entities") own
substantially all of  the outstanding  voting stock of  DEC. By  virtue of  such
stock  ownership,  the  MDC  Entities  have the  power  to  control  all matters
submitted to stockholders  of NFC  and to  elect all  directors of  NFC and  its
subsidiaries. The interests of the MDC Entities as equityholders may differ from
the interests of holders of Notes. See "Security Ownership."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
    There has not previously been any public market for the New Notes. There can
be  no assurance as to the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the New
Notes, the ability  of holders  to sell  the New Notes,  or the  price at  which
holders  would be able to  sell the New Notes. Future  trading prices of the New
Notes will  depend on  many factors,  including among  other things,  prevailing
interest  rates,  the Company's  operating results  and  the market  for similar
securities. Historically, the market  for securities similar  to the New  Notes,
including  non-investment grade debt, has been  subject to disruptions that have
caused substantial volatility in the prices of such securities. There can be  no
assurance  that any market for the New  Notes, if such market develops, will not
be subject to similar disruptions.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                                THE TRANSACTIONS
 
THE ACQUISITION
 
    Pursuant to  the Stock  Purchase  Agreement, NFC  purchased the  issued  and
outstanding  capital stock of Transkrit  from Rogers Communications, Inc., Frank
Neubauer (Chairman and Chief  Executive Officer of  Transkrit) and Jack  Resnick
(Chief Operating Officer of Transkrit). The purchase price paid for Transkrit at
the  closing of the Acquisition was $86.5 million in cash. The purchase price is
subject to post-closing  adjustment for certain  changes in Transkrit's  working
capital, other net assets and capital expenditures from the amounts estimated at
the  closing of  the Acquisition and  management believes  that the post-closing
adjustment will result in  an increase in  the purchase price  of not more  than
$250,000.  At the closing of the Acquisition, Transkrit was merged with and into
NFC.
 
    Concurrently with the consummation of the Acquisition, (i) the Company  made
the  Initial Offering,  (ii) DEC issued  $10.0 million  in aggregate liquidation
preference of preferred stock  and used a portion  of the proceeds therefrom  to
make  the Parent Capital Contribution  of $7.8 million to  NFC, (iii) NFC repaid
the Prior  Debt and  terminated  its existing  credit  agreements and  (iv)  the
Company  executed  the  New  Bank  Credit  Facility,  which  provides  borrowing
availablilty of up to $20.0 million.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS FROM THE INITIAL OFFERING
 
    The gross proceeds of  $100.0 million from the  Initial Offering were  used,
together  with the  proceeds from  the Parent  Capital Contribution  and cash on
hand, to pay the  purchase price of the  Acquisition, refinance Prior Debt,  pay
fees  and  expenses  relating  to  the  Transactions  and  pay  certain  accrued
management fees.
 
                        USE OF PROCEEDS OF THE NEW NOTES
 
    This Exchange  Offer  is intended  to  satisfy certain  obligations  of  the
Company  under the Registration  Rights Agreement. The  Company will not receive
any proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes offered hereby. In consideration
for issuing the New Notes as  contemplated in this Prospectus, the Company  will
receive,  in exchange, Old Notes in like principal amount. The form and terms of
the New Notes are identical  in all material respects to  the form and terms  of
the Old Notes, except as otherwise described herein under "The Exchange Offer --
Terms  of the Exchange Offer." The Old Notes surrendered in exchange for the New
Notes will  be  retired  and  cancelled and  cannot  be  reissued.  Accordingly,
issuance  of the New  Notes will not  result in any  increase in the outstanding
debt of the Company.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
    The following  table sets  forth the  capitalization of  the Company  giving
effect  to the Transactions  as of June 28,  1996. This table  should be read in
conjunction with the "Selected Historical Financial Data -- National  Fiberstock
Corporation,"  "Selected  Historical  Consolidated Financial  Data  -- Transkrit
Corporation" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data" included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NFC     TRANSKRIT  ADJUSTMENTS   COMPANY
                                             ---------  ---------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Subordinated debt..........................  $   4,545  $      --   $  (4,545)(a) $       --
Revolving Credit facility..................      6,600         --      (6,600)(a)         --
Long-term debt.............................     10,951         --     (10,951)(a)         --
Capitalized lease obligations..............      2,796         --          --        2,796
Initial Offering...........................         --         --     100,000(a)    100,000
                                             ---------  ---------               ----------
    Total debt.............................     24,892         --                  102,796
                                             ---------  ---------               ----------
Common stock...............................          3          9          (9)(b)          3
Additional paid-in capital.................     14,532     12,123      (4,359)(c)     22,296
Retained earnings (deficit)................     (8,722)    44,211     (45,009)(d)     (9,520)
                                             ---------  ---------               ----------
    Total stockholders' equity.............      5,813     56,343                   12,779
                                             ---------  ---------               ----------
Total capitalization.......................  $  30,705  $  56,343               $  115,575
                                             ---------  ---------               ----------
                                             ---------  ---------               ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) Reflects the issuance of the Old Notes  and the application of a portion  of
    the proceeds to the repayment of the Company's Prior Debt.
 
(b) Reflects the elimination of Transkrit common stock.
 
(c) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Elimination of Transkrit additional paid-in capital...............  $ (12,123)
Parent Capital Contribution.......................................      7,764
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $  (4,359)
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
(d) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Elimination of Transkrit retained earnings........................  $ (44,211)
Payment of prepayment penalty associated with early retirement of
 debt(e)..........................................................       (150)
Eliminiation of debt discount upon debt retirement(e).............       (604)
Write-off of existing deferred financing fees and expenses upon
 early retirement of debt(e)......................................       (505)
Tax benefit from the above adjustments(e).........................        461
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $ (45,009)
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
(e) The  Company  recorded  an  extraordinary  loss  in  connection  with  early
    retirement of  debt, net  of  income tax  benefit,  upon completion  of  the
    Transactions, on June 28, 1996.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Pursuant  to the  Registration Rights  Agreement by  and among  the Company,
certain former Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, the Company has agreed (i)
to file a registration statement  with respect to an  offer to exchange the  Old
Notes  for  senior  debt  securities of  the  Company  with  terms substantially
identical to the Old  Notes (except that  the New Notes  will not contain  terms
with respect to transfer restrictions) within 30 days after the date of original
issuance  of  the  Old  Notes  and  (ii)  to  use  best  efforts  to  cause such
registration statement to become effective  under the Securities Act within  120
days  after such issue date. In the event that applicable law or interpretations
of the  staff  of  the  Commission  do  not  permit  the  Company  to  file  the
registration  statement  containing this  Prospectus or  to effect  the Exchange
Offer, or if certain holders of the  Old Notes notify the Company that they  are
not permitted to participate in, or would not receive freely tradeable New Notes
pursuant  to, the Exchange Offer, the Company will use its best efforts to cause
to become effective the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the  resale
of  the Old Notes and  to keep the Shelf  Registration Statement effective until
three years after the original issuance of  the Old Notes. The interest rate  on
the  Old Notes is subject to increase under certain circumstances if the Company
is not  in  compliance  with  its  obligations  under  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement. See "Old Notes Registration Rights."
 
    Each  holder of the Old Notes who wishes  to exchange such Old Notes for New
Notes in the Exchange  Offer will be required  to make certain  representations,
including  representations that (i) any  New Notes to be  received by it will be
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) it has no arrangement with
any person to participate in the distribution  of the New Notes and (iii) it  is
not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company
or,  if it is an affiliate, it  will comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act  to the extent applicable. See  "Old
Notes Registration Rights."
 
RESALE OF NEW NOTES
 
    Based  on  interpretations  by the  staff  of  the Commission  set  forth in
no-action letters issued to third-parties, the Company believes that, except  as
described below, New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for
Old  Notes may be  offered for resale,  resold and otherwise  transferred by any
holder thereof  (other than  a holder  which is  an "affiliate"  of the  Company
within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with
the  registration  and prospectus  delivery  provisions of  the  Securities Act,
provided that  such  New Notes  are  acquired in  the  ordinary course  of  such
holder's  business and  such holder  does not intend  to participate  and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the  distribution
of  such  New Notes.  Any  holder who  tenders in  the  Exchange Offer  with the
intention or for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the New Notes
cannot rely  on such  interpretation by  the staff  of the  Commission and  must
comply  with  the  registration  and  prospectus  delivery  requirements  of the
Securities Act  in connection  with a  secondary resale  transaction. Unless  an
exemption  from registration is otherwise available, any such resale transaction
should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the  selling
security  holders information required  by Item 507 of  Regulation S-K under the
Securities Act. This Prospectus may  be used for an  offer to resell, resale  or
other  retransfer  of New  Notes  only as  specifically  set forth  herein. Each
broker-dealer that receives New  Notes for its own  account in exchange for  Old
Notes,  where such Old Notes were acquired  by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading  activities, must acknowledge that  it
will  deliver a prospectus in connection with  any resale of such New Notes. See
"Plan of Distribution."
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Upon the terms and  subject to the conditions  set forth in this  Prospectus
and  in the Letter of Transmittal, the  Company will accept for exchange any and
all Old Notes properly tendered and not  withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New  York
City  time,  on the  Expiration Date.  The Company  will issue  $1,000 principal
amount of New Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of  outstanding
Old  Notes surrendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Old Notes may be tendered
only in integral multiples of $1,000.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    The form and terms of the New Notes  will be the same as the form and  terms
of  the Old Notes except  the New Notes will  be registered under the Securities
Act and hence will  not bear legends restricting  the transfer thereof. The  New
Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes. The New Notes will be issued
under  and entitled to the benefits of  the Indenture, which also authorized the
issuance of the Old  Notes, such that  both series will be  treated as a  single
class of debt securities under the Indenture.
 
    The  Exchange Offer is not conditioned  upon any minimum aggregate principal
amount of Old Notes being tendered for exchange.
 
    As of the date of this  Prospectus, $100 million aggregate principal  amount
of  the Old Notes are outstanding. This  Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is being sent to all registered holders of Old Notes. There will be
no fixed record date for determining registered holders of Old Notes entitled to
participate in the Exchange Offer.
 
    The Company intends  to conduct the  Exchange Offer in  accordance with  the
provisions  of the Registration Rights Agreement and the applicable requirements
of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Old Notes which are not tendered for exchange in the Exchange Offer will  remain
outstanding  and continue to accrue interest and  will be entitled to the rights
and benefits such holders have under  the Indenture and the Registration  Rights
Agreement.
 
    The  Company shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered
Notes when,  as and  if the  Company shall  have given  oral or  written  notice
thereof  to the Exchange Agent and complied  with the provisions of Section 2 of
the Registration Rights Agreement. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for  the
tendering  holders for the purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Company.
The Company expressly  reserves the  right to  amend or  terminate the  Exchange
Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Notes not theretofore accepted for
exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified below under "--
Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
 
    Holders  who tender Old Notes in the  Exchange Offer will not be required to
pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the  Letter
of  Transmittal,  transfer  taxes with  respect  to  the exchange  of  Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The  Company will pay all charges and  expenses,
other  than certain  applicable taxes  described below,  in connection  with the
Exchange Offer. "See -- Fees and Expenses."
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
 
    The term "Expiration  Date," shall  mean 5:00 p.m.,  New York  City time  on
          ,  1996,  unless  the Company,  in  its sole  discretion,  extends the
Exchange Offer, in which case the  term "Expiration Date" shall mean the  latest
date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
 
    In  order to extend the Exchange Offer, the Company will notify the Exchange
Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will mail to the registered
holders of Old Notes an announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New  York
City time, on the next business day after the then Expiration Date.
 
    The  Company  reserves  the right,  in  its  sole discretion,  (i)  to delay
accepting for  exchange  any Old  Notes,  to extend  the  Exchange Offer  or  to
terminate the Exchange Offer if any of the conditions set forth below under "The
Exchange  Offer -- Conditions" shall not have  been satisfied, by giving oral or
written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the Exchange Agent  or
(ii)  to amend the terms of the Exchange  Offer in any manner. Any such delay in
acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly  as
practicable  by oral or written notice thereof  to the registered holders of Old
Notes. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by the Company to
constitute a material change, the Company will promptly disclose such  amendment
by  means of a prospectus supplement that  will be distributed to the registered
holders, and the  Company will  extend the  Exchange Offer,  depending upon  the
significance  of the  amendment and the  manner of disclosure  to the registered
holders, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during such period.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
INTEREST ON THE NEW NOTES
 
    The New Notes will  bear interest at  a rate of 11  5/8% per annum,  payable
semi-annually,  on each June  15 and December 15,  commencing December 15, 1996.
Holders of New Notes will receive interest on December 15, 1996 from the date of
initial issuance of the New Notes, plus an amount equal to the accrued  interest
on  the Old Notes. Interest on the Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to
accrue upon issuance of the New Notes.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Notwithstanding any other term of the  Exchange Offer, the Company will  not
be  required to  accept for  exchange, or  exchange any  New Notes  for, any Old
Notes, and  may terminate  the  Exchange Offer  as  provided herein  before  the
acceptance of any Old Notes for exchange, if:
 
           (a)
           any  action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or
           by or before  any governmental  agency with respect  to the  Exchange
    Offer  which, in the Company's  reasonable judgment, might materially impair
    the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or
 
           (b)
           any law, statute, rule or regulation is proposed, adopted or enacted,
           or any existing law,  statute, rule or  regulation is interpreted  by
    the  staff of the  Commission, which, in  the Company's reasonable judgment,
    might materially  impair the  ability of  the Company  to proceed  with  the
    Exchange Offer; or
 
           (c)
           any  governmental approval has not  been obtained, which approval the
           Company shall, in its reasonable  discretion, deem necessary for  the
    consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby.
 
    The  Company expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time,
to extend  the period  of time  during which  the Exchange  Offer is  open,  and
thereby  delay  acceptance for  exchange of  any  Old Notes,  by giving  oral or
written notice  of  such extension  to  the  holders thereof.  During  any  such
extensions,  all  Old  Notes  previously tendered  will  remain  subject  to the
Exchange Offer and may be  accepted for exchange by  the Company. Any Old  Notes
not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned without expense to the
tendering  holder thereof  as promptly  as practicable  after the  expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
    The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the  Exchange
Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Notes not theretofore accepted for
exchange,  upon the occurrence  of any of  the conditions of  the Exchange Offer
specified above under "-- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer." The Company
will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance  or
termination  to the holders  of the Old  Notes as promptly  as practicable, such
notice in the case of  any extension to be issued  no later than 9:00 a.m.,  New
York  City  time,  on  the  next business  day  after  the  previously scheduled
Expiration Date.
 
    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may  be
asserted  by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by  the Company in whole or  in part at any time  and
from time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by the Company at any time
to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted
at any time and from time to time.
 
    In  addition,  the  Company  will  not accept  for  exchange  any  Old Notes
tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for any such Old Notes, if
at such time any stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect to the
Registration Statement  of  which this  Prospectus  constitutes a  part  or  the
qualification  of  the Indenture  under  the Trust  Indenture  Act of  1939 (the
"TIA").
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
 
    Only a holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in the Exchange  Offer.
To  tender in  the Exchange  Offer, a  holder must  complete, sign  and date the
Letter  of  Transmittal,  or  facsimile  thereof,  have  the  signature  thereon
guaranteed  if  required by  the Letter  of Transmittal,  and mail  or otherwise
deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile to the Exchange Agent prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
Expiration Date.  In addition,  either (i)  Old Notes  must be  received by  the
Exchange  Agent  along  with  the  Letter  of  Transmittal,  or  (ii)  a  timely
confirmation of book-entry  transfer (a "Book-Entry  Confirmation") of such  Old
Notes,  if such procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Depository Trust Company  (the "Book-Entry Transfer  Facility") pursuant to  the
procedure  for  book-entry  transfer described  below  must be  received  by the
Exchange Agent prior  to the Expiration  Date, or (iii)  the holder must  comply
with  the  guaranteed  delivery  procedures  described  below.  To  be  tendered
effectively, the  Letter of  Transmittal and  other required  documents must  be
received  by  the Exchange  Agent  at the  address  set forth  below  under "The
Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent" prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
 
    The tender by a holder which is  not withdrawn prior to the Expiration  Date
will  constitute an agreement between such  holder and the Company in accordance
with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the  Letter
of Transmittal.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED  DOCUMENTS TO  THE EXCHANGE AGENT  IS AT  THE ELECTION AND  RISK OF THE
HOLDER. INSTEAD  OF DELIVERY  BY MAIL,  IT IS  RECOMMENDED THAT  HOLDERS USE  AN
OVERNIGHT  OR HAND  DELIVERY SERVICE.  IN ALL  CASES, SUFFICIENT  TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.  NO
LETTER  OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD  NOTES SHOULD BE SENT  TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY
REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES  OR
OTHER NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
 
    Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered in the name of a broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender
should  contact  the registered  holder  promptly and  instruct  such registered
holder of  Old  Notes to  tender  on such  beneficial  owner's behalf.  If  such
beneficial  owner wishes to tender on such  owner's own behalf, such owner must,
prior to completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering  such
owner's Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of
the  Old Notes in  such owner's name  or obtain a  properly completed bond power
from the registered holder  of Old Notes. The  transfer of registered  ownership
may  take considerable  time and may  not be able  to be completed  prior to the
Expiration Date.
 
    Signatures on a Letter  of Transmittal or a  notice of withdrawal  described
below, as the case be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined
below)  unless the  Old Notes  tendered pursuant thereto  are tendered  (i) by a
registered holder  who has  not  completed the  box entitled  "Special  Issuance
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or
(ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event that signatures on
a Letter Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required
to  be guaranteed, such guarantor must be a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc.,
a  commercial bank  or trust  company having an  office or  correspondent in the
United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of  Rule
17Ad-15  under  the Exchange  Act which  is a  member of  one of  the recognized
signature guarantee  programs  identified  in  the  Letter  of  Transmittal  (an
"Eligible Institution").
 
    If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
holder  of any  Old Notes  listed therein,  such Old  Notes must  be endorsed or
accompanied by a properly completed bond power, signed by such registered holder
as such registered holder's  name appears on such  Old Notes with the  signature
thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
    If  the Letter of Transmittal or any Old  Notes or bond powers are signed by
trustees, executors, administrators,  guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers  of
corporations  or others acting  in a fiduciary  or representative capacity, such
persons should  so indicate  when signing,  and unless  waived by  the  Company,
evidence  satisfactory  to the  Company of  their  authority to  so act  must be
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
    All questions  as to  the  validity, form,  eligibility (including  time  of
receipt),  acceptance of tendered Old Notes and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes
will  be   determined   by  the   Company   in  its   sole   discretion,   which
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right
to  reject any  and all  Old Notes not  properly tendered  or any  Old Notes the
Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the  Company,
be  unlawful.  The  Company  also  reserves  the  right  to  waive  any defects,
irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes. The Company's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including  the
instructions  in the  Letter of  Transmittal) will be  final and  binding on all
parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders
of Old Notes  must be cured  within such  time as the  Company shall  determine.
Although the Company intends to notify holders of defects or irregularities with
respect to tenders of Old Notes, neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any
other  person shall incur  any liability for failure  to give such notification.
Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects  or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange
Agent   that  are  not  properly  tendered  and  as  to  which  the  defects  or
irregularities have not been  cured or waived will  be returned by the  Exchange
Agent  to  the tendering  holder,  unless otherwise  provided  in the  Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
    In all cases,  issuance of New  Notes for  Old Notes that  are accepted  for
exchange  pursuant to the Exchange Offer will  be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of Notes or  a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such  Old
Notes  into the Exchange Agent's account  at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a
properly completed  and  duly  executed  Letter of  Transmittal  and  all  other
required  documents. If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange for
any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if Old
Notes are submitted for  a greater principal amount  than the holder desires  to
exchange,  such unaccepted or  non-exchanged Old Notes  will be returned without
expense to the tendering holder thereof (or,  in the case of Old Notes  tendered
by  book-entry  transfer into  the Exchange  Agent's  account at  the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility  pursuant  to  the book-entry  transfer  procedures  described
below,  such non-exchanged Notes will be  credited to an account maintained with
such  Book-Entry  Transfer  Facility)  as  promptly  as  practicable  after  the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
    The  Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the  Old  Notes at  the  Book-Entry Transfer  Facility  for purposes  of  the
Exchange  Offer within two business days after  the date of this Prospectus, and
any financial  institution that  is  a participant  in the  Book-Entry  Transfer
Facility's  system  may make  book-entry delivery  of Old  Notes by  causing the
Book-Entry Transfer  Facility  to transfer  such  Old Notes  into  the  Exchange
Agent's  account at  the Book-Entry  Transfer Facility  in accordance  with such
Book-Entry  Transfer  Facility's  procedures  for  transfer.  However,  although
delivery  of Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility,  the Letter  of Transmittal  or facsimile  thereof, with  any
required  signature guarantees  and any other  required documents,  must, in any
case, be transmitted to and  received by the Exchange  Agent at the address  set
forth  below under "-- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or, if
the guaranteed  delivery procedures  described below  are to  be complied  with,
within  the time period provided under such procedures. Delivery of documents to
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility  does not constitute  delivery to the  Exchange
Agent.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
    Holders  who wish to tender their Old Notes  and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, the Letter  of
Transmittal  or any other required documents to  the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Dates, may effect a tender if:
 
           (a)
           The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
           (b)
           Prior to the Expiration Date,  the Exchange Agent receives from  such
           Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
    Guaranteed  Delivery  (by  facsimile transmission,  mail  or  hand delivery)
    setting forth the name and address  of the holder, the registered  number(s)
    of  such Old Notes and  the principal amount of  Old Notes tendered, stating
    that the tender is  being made thereby and  guaranteeing that, within  three
    (3)  New York  Stock Exchange  trading days  after the  Expiration Date, the
    Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the Old Notes  or
    a  Book-Entry  Confirmation, as  the case  may be,  and any  other documents
    required by the  Letter of  Transmittal will  be deposited  by the  Eligible
    Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
           (c)
           Such  properly  completed  and  executed  Letter  of  Transmittal (or
           facsimile thereof), as well as all tendered Notes in proper form  for
    transfer  or a Book-Entry  Confirmation, as the  case may be,  and all other
    documents required  by  the  Letter  of Transmittal,  are  received  by  the
    Exchange  Agent within three (3) New  York Stock Exchange trading days after
    the Expiration Date.
 
    Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will  be
sent  to holders who wish to tender  their Old Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
 
    Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders  of Old Notes may be  withdrawn
at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
    For  a withdrawal to  be effective, a  written notice of  withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange  Agent at one  of the addresses  set forth below  under
"Exchange  Agent." Any such  notice of withdrawal  must specify the  name of the
person having tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, identify the Old Notes  to
be  withdrawn (including  the principal  amount of  such Old  Notes), and (where
certificates for Old Notes have been transmitted) specify the name in which such
Old Notes were registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder.  If
certificates  for Old Notes  have been delivered or  otherwise identified to the
Exchange Agent, then, prior to the release of such certificates the  withdrawing
holder  must also submit the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be
withdrawn and a  signed notice of  withdrawal with signatures  guaranteed by  an
Eligible Institution unless such holder is an Eligible Institution. If Old Notes
have  been tendered pursuant to the  procedure for book-entry transfer described
above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the  account
at  the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Old Notes
and otherwise comply with the procedures  of such facility. All questions as  to
the  validity, form and eligibility (including  time of receipt) of such notices
will be  determined by  the  Company, whose  determination  shall be  final  and
binding  on all parties. Any  Old Notes so withdrawn will  be deemed not to have
been validly tendered for exchange for  purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any  Old
Notes  which have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any
reason will be returned to the holder  thereof without cost to such holder  (or,
in  the case  of Old  Notes tendered  by book-entry  transfer into  the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry  Transfer Facility pursuant to the  book-entry
transfer  procedures  described above,  such Old  Notes will  be credited  to an
account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility for the Old Notes)  as
soon  as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the
Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following  one
of  the procedures described under "-- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" above
at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    Wilmington Trust  Company  has  been  appointed as  Exchange  Agent  of  the
Exchange  Offer. Questions  and request  for assistance,  request for additional
copies of  this Prospectus  or of  the Letter  of Transmittal  and requests  for
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
    BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY                        BY HAND:
             OVERNIGHT COURIER:
          Wilmington Trust Company                       Wilmington Trust Company
       Corporate Trust Administration              c/o Harris Trust Company of New York,
          1100 North Market Street                               as Agent
             Rodney Square North                              75 Water Street
       Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001                   New York, New York 10004
 
                                       BY FACSIMILE:
                                  Wilmington Trust Company
                               Corporate Trust Administration
                                 Facsimile: (302) 651-1079
                            Confirm by Telephone: (302) 651-8864
 
</TABLE>
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
    The  expenses  of  soliciting tenders  will  be  borne by  the  Company. The
principal solicitation is being made  by mail; however, additional  solicitation
may  be  made by  telegraph,  telephone or  in  person by  officers  and regular
employees of the Company and its affiliates.
 
    The Company  has not  retained  any dealer-manager  in connection  with  the
Exchange  Offer  and will  not  make any  payments  to broker-dealers  or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
 
    The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer  will
be  paid by the Company  and are estimated in  the aggregate to be approximately
$300,000. Such  expenses include  registration fees,  fees and  expenses of  the
Exchange  Agent and Trustee,  accounting and legal fees  and printing costs, and
related fees and expenses.
 
    The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the  exchange
of  Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, certificates representing
Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to  be
delivered  to, or are  to be issued  in the name  of, any person  other than the
registered holder of Notes tendered, or if tendered Notes are registered in  the
name  of any person other than the  person signing the Letter of Transmittal, or
if a transfer tax  is imposed for  any reason other than  the exchange of  Notes
pursuant  to the  Exchange Offer,  then the  amount of  any such  transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be  payable
by  the tendering holder. If  satisfactory evidence of payment  of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the  amount
of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
    Holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay
any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who instruct the
Company  to register  New Notes in  the name of,  or request that  Old Notes not
tendered or not accepted in  the Exchange Offer be  returned to, a person  other
than  the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any
applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
    Holders of Old  Notes who  do not  exchange their  Old Notes  for New  Notes
pursuant  to the Exchange Offer will continue  to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer of  such Old  Notes, as set  forth (i)  in the legend  thereon as  a
consequence of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to the exemptions from, or
in  transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities
Act and applicable  state securities  laws and  (ii) otherwise  set forth  under
"Transfer   Restrictions"  in  the  Offering  Memorandum  dated  June  21,  1996
distributed in connection with the Initial  Offering. In general, the Old  Notes
may  not be offered or sold, unless  registered under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to  an  exemption  from,  or  in a  transaction  not  subject  to,  the
Securities  Act  and  applicable state  securities  laws. The  Company  does not
currently anticipate that it  will register the Old  Notes under the  Securities
Act.  Based on interpretations by the staff  of the Commission, New Notes issued
pursuant to the Exchange  Offer may be offered  for resale, resold or  otherwise
transferred  by  holders  thereof  (other  than  any  such  holder  which  is an
"affiliate" of the Company within the  meaning of Rule 405 under the  Securities
Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions
of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course  of  such  holders' business  and  such  holders have  no  arrangement or
understanding with respect to the distribution  of the New Notes to be  acquired
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Any holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer for
the  purpose of participating in  a distribution of the  New Notes (i) could not
rely on the applicable interpretations of  the staff of the Commission and  (ii)
must  comply with the  registration and prospectus  delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with  a secondary resale transaction. In  addition,
to  comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable, the
New Notes may not be  offered or sold unless they  have been registered or  such
securities laws have been complied with. The Company has agreed, pursuant to the
Registration  Rights  Agreement  and subject  to  certain  specified limitations
therein, to  register or  qualify the  New Notes  for offer  or sale  under  the
securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any holder of the New Notes
reasonably requests in writing.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of Income
give  effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 1995. The
unaudited pro  forma  financial  data  are based  on  the  historical  financial
statements of NFC and Transkrit and the assumptions and adjustments described in
the accompanying notes. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statements
of  Income  do  not (a)  purport  to  represent what  the  Company's  results of
operations actually would have been if  the Transactions had occurred as of  the
date  indicated or what such results will be  for any future periods or (b) give
effect  to  certain   non-recurring  charges   expected  to   result  from   the
Transactions.
 
    The  unaudited pro forma financial data  are based upon assumptions that the
Company believes  are reasonable  and should  be read  in conjunction  with  the
Financial  Statements  of  NFC  and  the  accompanying  notes  thereto  and  the
Consolidated Financial  Statements  of  Transkrit  and  the  accompanying  notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    HISTORICAL     ADJUSTED
                                         HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL     TRANSKRIT    HISTORICAL    TRANSACTION     COMPANY
                                             NFC       TRANSKRIT    ADJUSTMENTS    TRANSKRIT    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
Net Sales..............................   $  71,257    $  97,681   $    (178)(a)   $  97,503   $    --         $ 168,760
Cost of products sold..................      55,708       64,223      (1,629)(b)      62,594      (1,523)(e)     116,779
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Gross profit.......................      15,549       33,458       1,451          34,909       1,523          51,981
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses.............................      13,410       29,412      (3,641)(c)      25,771        (204)(f)      38,977
Relocation expenses....................      --              657        --               657        --               657
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
Operating income.......................       2,139        3,389       5,092           8,481       1,727          12,347
Interest (income) expense..............       3,179         (697)        765(d)           68       9,323(g)       12,570
Other (income) expense.................      --             (871)       --              (871)       --              (871)
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
    Income (loss) before income
     taxes.............................      (1,040)       4,957       4,327           9,284      (7,596)            648
Income tax provision (benefit).........      (1,900)       1,380       1,601(h)        2,981      (2,797)(h)      (1,716)
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
Net income.............................   $     860    $   3,577   $   2,726       $   6,303   $  (4,799)      $   2,364
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                         -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
     The Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended
 December 31, 1995 reflects the Transactions as if they had occurred on January
                              1, 1995 as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                                        <C>
(a)        Reflects the disposal of the Tax Forms product line, excluding continuing product sales
            transferred to another Transkrit division.
(b)        Reflects the following:
           Disposal of Tax Forms product line (see footnote (a))....................................  $    (227)
           Conversion of Transkrit inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO.....................     (1,402)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      $  (1,629)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      ---------
(c)        Reflects the following:
           Reversal of compensation plan expenses...................................................  $  (2,462)
           Disposal of Tax Forms product line (see footnote (a))....................................       (214)
           Eliminate rent expense at Transkrit related to former related-party transaction..........       (765)
           Additional annual management fees to be incurred upon consummation of the Acquisition....        100
           Reversal of management fees paid to previous affiliate...................................       (300)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      $  (3,641)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      ---------
(d)        Reflects the elimination of interest income at Transkrit related to former related-party
            transaction
(e)        Reflects the following:
           Reduction in depreciation expense due to conversion of Transkrit to straight-line method,
            net of depreciation on increased property basis due to purchase accounting adjustment...  $  (1,123)
           Reduction in raw material costs due to contractual commitments from suppliers based on
            higher volume of purchases..............................................................       (400)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      $  (1,523)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      ---------
(f)        Reflects the following:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                  <C>
           Reduction in headcount and operational expenses due to integration
            of Transkrit, as follows:.........................................
             --24 person reduction in staffing due to rationalization.........  $    (940)
             -- reduced property and casualty insurance premiums due to
             greater values insured...........................................       (200)
             --lower telecommunication cost per minute due to volume..........        (30)
             --consolidation of redundant data networks.......................        (30)
             --additional senior management rationalization/retirements.......       (350)
             --consolidation of logistics and transportation services.........       (100)
             --reduced employee benefit premiums..............................       (200)
                                                                                ---------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                                        <C>
                                                                                                      $  (1,850)
           Reduction in depreciation expense due to conversion of Transkrit to straight-line method,
            net of depreciation on increased property basis due to purchase accounting adjustment...       (454)
           Additional amortization of goodwill......................................................         36
           Provide additional amortization related to patents.......................................      2,064
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      $    (204)
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      ---------
(g)        Reflects the following:
           Additional debt cost amortization........................................................  $     613
           Additional interest expense on borrowings for working capital needs......................        185
           Additional interest expense associated with the Notes....................................      8,525
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      $   9,323
                                                                                                      ---------
                                                                                                      ---------
(h)        Reflects the net additional income tax provision (benefit) as a result of the above
            adjustments (except for the goodwill amortization adjustment as the amortization of
            goodwill resulting from the purchase of all of the outstanding capital stock of
            Transkrit will not be deductible for tax purposes), at an effective tax rate of 37%.
</TABLE>
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   HISTORICAL     ADJUSTED
                                        HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL     TRANSKRIT    HISTORICAL   TRANSACTION   COMPANY PRO
                                            NFC       TRANSKRIT    ADJUSTMENTS    TRANSKRIT   ADJUSTMENTS      FORMA
                                        -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
Net Sales.............................   $  31,816    $  48,004    $       0      $  48,004   $       0      $  79,820
Cost of products sold.................      25,260       30,685          736(a)      31,421        (790)(d)     55,891
                                        -----------  -----------      ------     -----------  ------------  -----------
    Gross profit......................       6,556       17,319         (736)        16,583         790         23,929
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses............................       6,450       14,381         (519)(b)     13,862         166(e)      20,478
                                        -----------  -----------      ------     -----------  ------------  -----------
Operating income......................         106        2,938         (217)         2,721         624          3,451
Interest (income) expense.............       1,557         (441)         244(c)        (197)      4,786(f)       6,146
Other (income) expense................           0         (306)           0           (306)          0           (306)
                                        -----------  -----------      ------     -----------  ------------  -----------
    Income (loss) before income
     taxes............................      (1,451)       3,685         (461)         3,224      (4,162)        (2,389)
Income tax provision (benefit)........        (537)       1,062         (171)(g)        891      (1,530)(g)     (1,176)
                                        -----------  -----------      ------     -----------  ------------  -----------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary
  item (h)............................   $    (914)   $   2,623    $    (290)     $   2,333   $  (2,632)     $  (1,213)
                                        -----------  -----------      ------     -----------  ------------  -----------
                                        -----------  -----------      ------     -----------  ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
     The Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Statement of Income for the six month
period ended June 30, 1996 reflects the Transactions as if they had occurred on
                          January 1, 1995 as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                                       <C>
(a)        Reflects the conversion of Transkrit inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO
(b)        Reflects the following:
           Reversal of compensation plan expenses..................................................  $    (121)
           Additional management fees to be incurred upon consummation of the Acquisition..........         50
           Reversal of management fees paid to previous affiliate..................................       (448)
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                          (519)
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
(c)        Elimination of interest income at Transkrit related to former related-party transaction.
(d)        Reflects the following:
           Reduction in depreciation expense due to conversion of Transkrit to straight-line
            method, net of depreciation on increased property basis due to purchase accounting
            adjustment.............................................................................  $    (590)
           Reduction in raw material costs due to contractual commitments from suppliers based on
            higher purchases.......................................................................       (200)
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     $    (790)
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
(e)        Reflects the following:
           Reduction in headcount and operational expenses due to integration of Transkrit, as
            follows:...............................................................................
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                  <C>
             --24 person reduction in staffing due to rationalization.........  $    (470)
             -- reduced property and casualty insurance premiums due to
             greater values insured...........................................       (100)
             --lower telecommunication cost per minute due to volume..........        (15)
             --consolidation of redundant data networks.......................        (15)
             --additional senior management rationalization/retirements.......       (175)
             --consolidation of logistics and transportation services.........        (50)
             --reduced employee benefit premiums..............................       (100)
                                                                                ---------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                                       <C>
                                                                                                     $    (925)
           Increase in depreciation expense due to depreciation on increased property bases due to
            purchase accounting adjustment, net of reduced depreciation expense resulting from the
            conversion of Transkrit to straight-line method........................................         32
           Additional amortization of goodwill.....................................................         27
           Provide additional amortization related to patents......................................      1,032
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     $     166
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
(f)        Reflects the following amounts:
           Additional debt cost amortization.......................................................  $     336
           Additional interest expense on borrowings for working capital needs.....................         93
           Additional interest expense associated with Notes.......................................      4,357
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     $   4,786
                                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                                     ---------
(g)        Reflects the net additional income tax benefit as a result of all transaction
            adjustments, (except for the goodwill amortization adjustment as the amortization of
            goodwill resulting from the purchase of all of the outstanding capital stock of
            Transkrit will not be deductible for tax purposes), at an effective tax rate of 37%.
(h)        Net income (loss) before extraordinary item does not include the extraordinary loss on
            early retirement of debt of $798, net of income tax benefit of $461 recorded as a
            result of the repayment of certain Prior Debt upon the consummation of the
            Transactions.
</TABLE>
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        HISTORICAL    ADJUSTED
                                              HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL    TRANSKRIT   HISTORICAL   TRANSACTION    COMPANY
                                                  NFC       TRANSKRIT   ADJUSTMENTS   TRANSKRIT   ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net Sales...................................   $  33,833    $  46,966    $    (178)(a)  $  46,788  $  --        $  80,621
Cost of products sold.......................      26,624       31,646         (851)(b)     30,795       (758)(e)     56,661
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Gross profit............................       7,209       15,320          673       15,993          758       23,960
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses...................................       6,666       14,888       (1,438)(c)     13,450        (21)(f)     20,095
Relocation expenses.........................      --              542       --              542       --              542
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Operating income............................         543         (110)       2,111        2,001          779        3,323
Interest (income) expense...................       1,582         (278)         399(d)  $     121       4,494(g)      6,197
Other (income) expense......................      --             (963)      --             (963)      --             (963)
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
    Income (loss) before income taxes.......      (1,039)       1,131        1,712        2,843       (3,715)      (1,911)
Income tax provision (benefit)..............      --              445          634(h)      1,079      (1,368)(h)       (289)
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net income (loss)...........................   $  (1,039)   $     686    $   1,078    $   1,764    $  (2,347)   $  (1,622)
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
    The  Pro Forma Combined  Consolidated Statement of Income  for the six month
period ended June 30, 1995 reflects the Transactions as if they had occurred  on
January 1, 1995 as follows:
 
(a) Reflects  the disposal  of the Tax  Forms product  line excluding continuing
    product sales
    transferred to another Transkrit division.
 
(b) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Disposal of Tax Forms product line (see footnote (a))....................  $    (227)
Conversion of Transkrit inventory valuation method from LIFO to FIFO.....       (624)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           $    (851)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
</TABLE>
 
(c) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
    Reversal of compensation plan expenses...............................  $    (725)
    Disposal of Tax Forms product line (see footnote (a))................       (214)
    Eliminate rent expense at Transkrit related to former related-party
     transaction.........................................................       (399)
    Additional management fees to be incurred upon consummation of the
     Acquisition.........................................................         50
    Reversal of management fees paid to previous affiliate...............       (150)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           $  (1,438)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
</TABLE>
 
(d) Reflects the elimination of interest  income at Transkrit related to  former
    related-party transaction.
 
(e) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
    Reduction in depreciation expense due to conversion of Transkrit to
     straight- line method, net of depreciation on increased property
     basis due to purchase accounting adjustment.........................  $    (558)
    Reduction in raw material costs due to contractual commitments from
     suppliers based on higher volume of purchases.......................       (200)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           $    (758)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
</TABLE>
 
(f) Reflects the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Reduction in headcount and operational expenses due to
 integration of Transkrit, as follows:.................
  --24 person reduction in staffing due to
    rationalization....................................  $    (470)
  --reduced property and casualty insurance premiums
    due to greater values insured......................       (100)
  --lower telecommunication cost per minute due to
    volume.............................................        (15)
  --consolidation of redundant data networks...........        (15)
  --additional senior management
    rationalization/retirements........................       (175)
  --consolidation of logistics and transportation
    services...........................................        (50)
  --reduced employee benefit premiums..................       (100)
                                                         ---------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
                                                                           $    (925)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Reduction in depreciation expense due to conversion of Transkrit to
 straight-line method, net of depreciation on increased property basis
 due to purchase accounting adjustment...................................       (145)
Additional amortization of goodwill......................................         17
Provide additional amortization related to patents.......................      1,032
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           $     (21)
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
(g) Reflects the following amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
    Additional debt cost amortization....................................  $     307
    Additional interest expense on borrowings for working capital
     needs...............................................................         93
    Additional interest expense associated with the Notes................      4,094
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           $   4,494
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
</TABLE>
 
(h) Reflects  the net additional  income tax provision (benefit)  as a result of
    the above transaction
    adjustments  (except  for  the  goodwill  amortization  adjustment  as   the
    amortization  of  goodwill  resulting  from  the  purchase  of  all  of  the
    outstanding capital  stock  of Transkrit  will  not be  deductible  for  tax
    purposes), at an effective tax rate of 37%.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
 
    The  following selected historical  financial data for each  of the years in
the three-year period ended  December 31, 1995 have  been derived from, and  are
qualified  by reference  to, the  audited Financial  Statements of  NFC included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The  selected historical financial data set  forth
below  for the years ended December 31, 1991 and 1992 have been derived from the
unaudited  financial  statements  of  NFC.  The  selected  historical  unaudited
financial data set forth below for the six month periods ended June 30, 1995 and
1996  have been derived from, and are qualified by reference to, NFC's unaudited
financial statements  included elsewhere  herein  and include  all  adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which management considers necessary
for  a fair presentation of the results of NFC for such periods. Results for the
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.
The selected  historical  financial data  set  forth  below should  be  read  in
conjunction  with, and are  qualified by reference  to, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Financial
Statements of  NFC and  accompanying notes  thereto included  elsewhere in  this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            SIX MONTHS
                                                                                                              ENDED
                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         JUNE 30,
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                               1991        1992(A)      1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                        (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                                            THOUSANDS)
 
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Net sales...............................   $   4,359    $  17,905   $  64,545  $  65,998  $  71,257  $  33,833  $  31,816
  Cost of products sold...................       3,789       14,145      51,384     52,610     55,708     26,624     25,260
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Gross profit..........................         570        3,760      13,161     13,388     15,549      7,209      6,556
  Selling, general and administrative
   expenses...............................       1,117        3,714      12,930     12,428     13,410      6,666      6,450
  Provision for plan shutdown cost........      --           --           2,251     --         --         --         --
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Operating income (loss).................        (547)          46      (2,020)       960      2,139        543        106
  Interest expense........................         213          803       2,873      2,975      3,179      1,582      1,557
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Income (loss) before income taxes.....        (760)        (757)     (4,893)    (2,015)    (1,040)    (1,039)    (1,451)
  Income tax provision (benefit)..........      --             (123)     (1,343)    --         (1,900)    --           (537)
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net loss before extraordinary item........        (760)        (634)     (3,550)    (2,015)       860     (1,039)      (914)
Extraordinary loss on early retirement of
  debt, net of income tax benefit of
  $461....................................      --           --          --         --         --         --           (798)
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income (loss).......................   $    (760)   $    (634)  $  (3,550) $  (2,015) $     860  $  (1,039) $  (1,712)
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                            -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (b)..............................   $    (355)   $   1,094   $   3,610  $   4,308  $   5,159  $   2,047  $   1,864
  Depreciation and amortization...........         192        1,078       3,521      3,685      4,005      1,705      1,976
  Capital expenditures....................          18          104       1,179        940      2,308        362      3,251
  Dividends paid (c)......................      --           --          --         --         --         --         --
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
   (d)....................................      --           --          --         --         --         --         --
BALANCE SHEET DATA, AT PERIOD END:
  Working capital.........................   $    (489)   $   9,670   $   7,190  $   7,202  $   7,182  $   6,930  $  20,003
  Total assets............................       2,819       42,044      39,607     37,837     38,116     37,175    137,619
  Long-term debt, less current
   maturities.............................         979       23,486      22,541     21,776     21,412     21,687    102,412
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(a)  Reflects   the   acquisition  of   Diversified   Assembly,  Inc.   and  DEC
     International Corporation,  including its  wholly-owned subsidiary,  Double
     Envelope Company, on March 27, 1992 and October 16, 1992, respectively. The
     acquisitions were accounted for as purchases.
 
(b)  EBITDA  is  provided because  it is  a  measure of  an issuer's  ability to
     service its indebtedness  commonly used  by certain  investors. EBITDA,  as
     defined  herein, is a financial measure under  the New Notes. The New Notes
     contain a covenant which requires the Company to maintain minimum levels of
     EBITDA, as defined. EBITDA  is not a  measurement of financial  performance
     under generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered
     an alternative to net income as a measure of performance or to cash flow as
     a measure of liquidity.
 
     EBITDA  is  defined as  operating  income plus  depreciation, amortization,
     non-cash charges related to the pension  plan and the charge for the  plant
     shutdown  costs related  to the  closing of  the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
     facility and reduced by the gain on disposal of equipment and the  non-cash
     gain due to change in vacation policy.
 
(c)  No  dividends  were declared  or paid  on  common stock  during or  for the
     periods presented.
 
(d)  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by adding fixed  charges
     (interest  and amortization of  deferred financing costs  and discounts) to
     income before provision for income taxes  and dividing that sum by the  sum
     of  fixed charges.  Earnings were  insufficient to  cover fixed  charges by
     $760, $757, $4,893, $3,015, $1,040, $1,039  and $1,451 for the years  ended
     December  31, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six months ended June
     30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                             TRANSKRIT CORPORATION
 
    The following selected  historical consolidated financial  data for each  of
the  years in the  three year period  ended December 31,  1995 have been derived
from, and  are qualified  by reference  to, the  audited consolidated  financial
statements  of  Transkrit included  elsewhere in  this Prospectus.  The selected
historical consolidated financial  data for each  of the years  in the two  year
period  ended December 31,  1992 have been derived  from the unaudited financial
statements of Transkrit. The selected historical consolidated financial data for
the six month periods ended  June 30, 1995 and June  28, 1996 have been  derived
from,  and are qualified by reference  to, the unaudited financial statements of
Transkrit, included elsewhere  herein, and include  all adjustments,  consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, which management considers necessary for a
fair  presentation of the results of Transkrit for such periods. Results for the
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The
selected historical consolidated financial data  set forth below should be  read
in conjunction with, and are qualified by reference to, "Management's Discussion
and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations"  and  the
Consolidated Financial Statements  of Transkrit and  accompanying notes  thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED                  YEAR ENDED               SIX MONTHS
                                                      DECEMBER 31,                DECEMBER 31,                 ENDED
                                                  --------------------  ---------------------------------  -------------
                                                    1991       1992       1993(A)      1994       1995     JUNE 30, 1995
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Net sales.....................................  $  86,637  $  88,464   $  96,003   $  98,124  $  97,681    $  46,966
  Cost of products sold.........................     59,763     61,829      64,921      64,851     64,223       31,646
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
    Gross profit................................     26,874     26,635      31,082      33,273     33,458       15,320
  Selling, general and administrative
   expenses.....................................     22,099     24,702      26,914      30,700     29,412       14,888
  Relocation expenses (b).......................     --            955       3,290         413        657          542
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Operating income (loss).......................      4,775        978         878       2,160      3,389         (110)
  Interest (income) expense, net................        262        268         471         713       (697)        (278)
  Gain on disposal of product lines and fixed
   assets (c)...................................        (21)       (54)        (71)     (2,852)      (558)        (819)
  Other (income) expense........................       (154)       (88)       (337)       (207)      (313)        (144)
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
    Income before income taxes..................      4,688        852         815       4,506      4,957        1,131
  Income taxes..................................      1,892        417         379       1,799      1,380          445
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
  Net income....................................  $   2,796  $     435   $     436   $   2,707  $   3,577    $     686
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                  JUNE 28, 1996
                                                  -------------
 
<S>                                               <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
  Net sales.....................................    $  48,004
  Cost of products sold.........................       30,685
                                                  -------------
    Gross profit................................       17,319
  Selling, general and administrative
   expenses.....................................       14,381
  Relocation expenses (b).......................       --
                                                  -------------
  Operating income (loss).......................        2,938
  Interest (income) expense, net................         (441)
  Gain on disposal of product lines and fixed
   assets (c)...................................         (306)
  Other (income) expense........................       --
                                                  -------------
    Income before income taxes..................        3,685
  Income taxes..................................        1,062
                                                  -------------
  Net income....................................    $   2,623
                                                  -------------
                                                  -------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (d) (as adjusted)......................  $   8,332  $   7,647     $10,194   $  12,045  $  15,556    $   5,668
  Depreciation and amortization.................      4,921      5,503       6,345       6,776      6,024        2,927
  Capital expenditures..........................     10,565      8,642       8,529       7,187      4,172        2,907
  Dividends paid................................      2,394      1,118         174         177     --           --
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (e)........       7.82x      2.88x       2.26x       5.89x     13.42x        5.34x
BALANCE SHEET DATA, AT PERIOD END:
  Working capital...............................  $  13,206  $  12,304   $   8,609   $   8,121  $  19,127    $  10,732
  Total assets..................................     51,076     54,976      63,151      72,702     67,042       69,778
  Long-term debt, less current maturities.......      5,578      8,009         343       7,944      2,036        6,543
 
<CAPTION>
OTHER DATA:
<S>                                               <C>
  EBITDA (d) (as adjusted)......................    $   5,640
  Depreciation and amortization.................        2,772
  Capital expenditures..........................        1,792
  Dividends paid................................       --
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (e)........       148.40x
BALANCE SHEET DATA, AT PERIOD END:
  Working capital...............................          n/a
  Total assets..................................          n/a
  Long-term debt, less current maturities.......          n/a
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(a)  Reflects  the acquisition and  results of Short Run  Labels, Inc. since the
     date of its acquisition on August 11, 1993.
(b)  Represents the  incremental costs  (including severance,  moving and  other
     relocation  costs) incurred  to move  the corporate  and related production
     facilities.
(c)  Includes the sale of  the Pegboard Accounting System  product line and  the
     Tax   Forms  product  line  on  December   2,  1994  and  April  19,  1995,
     respectively.
(d)  EBITDA is  provided because  it is  a  measure of  an issuer's  ability  to
     service  its indebtedness  commonly used  by certain  investors. EBITDA, as
     defined herein, is a financial measure  under the New Notes. The New  Notes
     contain a covenant which requires the Company to maintain minimum levels of
     EBITDA,  as defined. EBITDA  is not a  measurement of financial performance
     under generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered
     an alternative to net income as a measure of performance or to cash flow as
     a measure of liquidity.
 
     EBITDA is  defined as  operating  income plus  depreciation,  amortization,
     non-cash  pension  plan  charges and  non-cash  compensation  plan charges.
     EBITDA is further adjusted by the following items.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              SIX MONTHS
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              ENDED
                            -----------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------
                              1991       1992       1993       1994       1995      JUNE 30, 1995    JUNE 28, 1996
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>
  LIFO to FIFO inventory
   valuation change.......  $    (281) $     144  $    (272) $     (95) $   1,402     $     624        $    (736)
  Product line
   disposals..............     (1,610)      (347)      (564)       (41)       200           128           --
  Relocation and duplicate
   costs..................     --            955      3,290      1,320        951           743           --
  Parent charges..........        295        307        309        564        965           549              448
  Compensation plan
   charges paid in cash...     --         --         --         --         --            --                  121
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------        ------           ------
Total adjustments.........  $  (1,596) $   1,059  $   2,763  $   1,748  $   3,518     $   2,044        $    (167)
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------        ------           ------
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------        ------           ------
</TABLE>
 
(e)  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by adding fixed  charges
     (interest  and amortization of  deferred financing costs  and discounts) to
     income before provision for income taxes  and dividing that sum by the  sum
     of fixed charges.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                    OVERVIEW
 
    Pursuant  to  the  Stock  Purchase  Agreement,  NFC  purchased  all  of  the
outstanding capital stock of Transkrit. In connection with the Acquisition,  the
Company expects to realize approximately $2.3 million of annualized cost savings
through  raw material purchasing  efficiencies, and reductions  in headcount and
operating expenses (see detail of these savings in the pro-forma adjustments  on
page  26). The  Company believes  that its future  operating results  may not be
directly comparable to historical operating  results of either NFC or  Transkrit
due  to  the Company's  increased size,  integration of  the two  businesses and
related cost savings. Certain factors which have affected the operating  results
of the Company are discussed below.
 
    PURCHASE  ACCOUNTING.   The Acquisition was  accounted for as  a purchase of
Transkrit by NFC. As a result, the assets and liabilities of Transkrit have been
recorded at their estimated fair market value. An amount equal to the excess  of
the purchase price over the fair value of assumed liabilities has been allocated
to  inventories,  property  and equipment,  identifiable  intangible  assets and
goodwill. The Company's  patents will  be amortized over  their remaining  lives
(approximately  10  years),  and  goodwill  will  be  amortized  over  40 years.
Consequently, the post-Acquisition statements of income will be affected by  the
amortization  of such excess purchase price.  See "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Data."
 
    STRATEGIC ACQUISITION  AND  DISPOSITIONS.   On  August 11,  1993,  Transkrit
acquired  all of  the outstanding  capital stock of  Short Run  Labels, Inc. for
approximately $5.7 million, and consequently, 1993 results of operations reflect
only a portion of the financial results of Short Run Labels, Inc. On December 2,
1994, Transkrit  disposed of  its Pegboard  Accounting System  product line  for
approximately  $4.0 million. In addition, on  April 19, 1995, Transkrit disposed
of its Tax Forms product line for $0.4 million.
 
    RELOCATION OF OPERATIONS  AND CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.   Transkrit  relocated
its  corporate headquarters and  primary production facility  from Brewster, New
York to Roanoke, Virginia  between May 1994 and  April 1995. Transkrit  recorded
relocation expenses of $0.1 million, $0.7 million, $0.4 million and $3.3 million
during  the three months  ended 1995 and  the fiscal years  ended 1995, 1994 and
1993, respectively.
 
    NFC recorded a non-recurring  charge of $2.3 million  during the year  ended
December  31, 1993  relating to the  shutdown of  its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
facility.
 
    RAW MATERIALS.  Paper is the Company's primary raw material requirement, and
accounted for approximately 49% of the  Company's 1995 pro forma costs of  goods
sold.  Generally, when the price of  paper decreases, the Company has short-term
opportunity to improve  its operating  margins due  to delays  in passing  price
reductions  through to customers.  In the long-term,  however, since paper price
declines tend to occur in a weak  economy, net sales and operating margins  tend
to  decline due  to lower  levels of demand.  Conversely, when  paper prices are
increasing, operating margins may be negatively affected in the short-term since
it generally takes from 30 to 90 days to pass on such increases to customers. In
the longer-term, however, since paper price increases tend to occur in a  strong
economy,  the Company is generally able to pass through increases in its cost of
paper to customers and therefore maintain or improve operating margins.
 
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
 
    NFC has  three  principal  product  lines:  custom  envelopes,  direct  mail
products  and custom pressure  sensitive labels. The  following table summarizes
NFC's historical net sales by product line.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            FOR THE SIX
                                                                                            MONTHS ENDED
                                                       FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,
                                                       -------------------------------  --------------------
                                                         1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Custom Envelopes.....................................  $  47,964  $  49,585  $  54,527  $  26,006  $  25,549
Direct Mail Products.................................     13,492     13,558     13,087      6,100      4,683
Custom Pressure Sensitive Labels.....................      3,089      2,855      3,643      1,727      1,584
                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                       $  64,545  $  65,998  $  71,257  $  33,833  $  31,816
                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
    NET SALES  for the  six-month  period ended  June  30, 1996  decreased  $2.0
million to $31.8 million, or 5.9%, from the comparable 1996 period. In addition,
the  decrease in units shipped for the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and
1995 is consistent with  the historical seasonality the  Company and the  market
has experienced. Sales of direct mail products during the six-month period ended
June 30, 1996 declined 23.3% as compared to the comparable period of 1995 due to
historically  high paper costs  which caused customers to  defer or reduce order
sizes. As a result,  competition increased based mostly  on pricing due to  less
available  business in the market. The decrease in sales of direct mail products
is almost entirely attributable to units shipped as unit prices were  relatively
stable  period to period. During  the second quarter of  1996, paper prices were
not as volatile  as they  were during the  previous fifteen  months. The  recent
paper price stability has enabled the Company to increase its order volume since
June  30, 1996. Custom envelope unit shipments decreased by 9.6% during the 1996
period as compared to the  same period in 1995  due to unusually harsh  weather,
which  caused a  temporary shutdown  of certain  facilities of  NFC, as  well as
generally weak industry conditions. The decrease in envelope unit shipments  was
partially  offset by an increase of 7.3%  in the average unit sales price during
the same comparable periods.
 
    GROSS PROFIT,  as a  percentage of  net  sales, declined  to 20.6%  for  the
six-month  period ended June 30, 1996 from 21.3% for the comparable 1995 period,
primarily due to the reduction in  volume of direct mail products. Gross  profit
for the period decreased $.6 million to $6.6 million.
 
    SELLING,  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES for the six-month period ended
June 30,  1996  decreased  $.2  million  to $6.5  million,  or  3.2%,  from  the
comparable  1995  period. Selling,  general  and administrative  expenses,  as a
percentage of net sales increased to  20.3% for the six-month period ended  June
30,  1996  from  19.7%  for  the  comparable  1995  period.  While  general  and
administrative expenses decreased due to a reduction in administrative personnel
in  mid-1995,  selling  expenses  have  increased  due  to  a  change  in  sales
representative compensation.
 
    INCOME  FROM OPERATIONS for the six-month period ended June 30, 1996 was $.1
million or .3% of net sales as compared to $.5 million or 1.6% of net sales  for
the comparable 1995 period. The decrease in income from operations is the result
primarily  of the decrease in volume of  direct mail products and an increase of
certain noncash charges such as depreciation  and pension costs. EBITDA for  the
six-month period June 30, 1996 was $1.9 million or 5.9% of net sales as compared
to $2.0 million of 6.1% for the comparable 1995 period.
 
    INTEREST  EXPENSE for the six-month period ended  June 30, 1996 and 1995 was
$1.6 million. The average debt balances for the six-month period ended June  30,
1996 were $7.1 million, $13.0 million and $4.5 million for the revolving line of
credit,  long-term debt  and subordinated  debt, respectively,  compared to $7.0
million, $11.7  million and  $4.5  million for  the  revolving line  of  credit,
long-term  debt  and subordinated  debt, respectively,  for the  comparable 1995
period. The weighted average interest rate  for the six-month period ended  June
30,  1996 was 12.6%  as compared to  13.6% for the  comparable 1995 period. Even
though the average debt balances were higher for the six-month period ended June
30, 1996, the weighted average
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
interest rate was lower due  to a lower variable rate  on the revolving line  of
credit  and certain long-term  debt. During the six-month  period ended June 30,
1996,  $.1   million   of   long-term   debt   interest   was   capitalized   as
construction-in-progress.
 
    INCOME  TAX BENEFIT  for the  six-month period ended  June 30,  1996 was $.5
million due to  the recognition of  the tax  benefit of the  net operating  loss
generated  during this period.  The income tax benefit  for the six-month period
ended June 30, 1995 was reduced to  $0 due to the valuation allowance  recorded.
Therefore, the effective income tax rate was 37% and 0% for the six-month period
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
    THE  EXTRAORDINARY LOSS on early  retirement of debt of  $.8 million, net of
income tax benefit of $.5 million, for the six-month period ended June 30,  1996
was  the result of  certain costs recognized in  retiring certain long-term debt
and subordinated debt in connection with the Transactions.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
    NET SALES for  the year ended  December 31, 1995  increased $5.3 million  to
$71.3  million, or 8.0%,  from the comparable  1994 period. Net  sales of custom
envelopes increased 10.0%, or $4.9 million  from 1994 to 1995. This increase  in
net  sales was  due to  a rise in  the average  unit sales  price resulting from
passing on  a portion  of  paper cost  increases  while units  shipped  remained
stable.  While the average  unit sales price for  direct mail products increased
13.1% from 1994 to 1995, this was more than offset by a 14.6% decrease in  units
shipped  over the same period. The decrease in direct mail product units shipped
reflects a deferral or reduction in orders due to historically high paper costs.
The 27.6% increase  in net sales  of custom pressure  sensitive labels  resulted
from  a 14.1%  increase in units  shipped and  a 12.1% increase  in average unit
sales price. The increase  in units shipped represents  new business, while  the
increase  in average unit sales price  reflects the increase in underlying paper
costs.
 
    GROSS PROFIT as a percentage  of net sales increased  to 21.8% for the  year
ended  December 31,  1995 from  20.3% for  the comparable  1994 period  as gross
profit for the period increased $2.1 million to $15.5 million. This increase was
attributable to price increases for custom envelopes and direct mail products, a
portion of which reflected paper cost increases, and improved coverage of  fixed
costs due to increased production volumes of custom pressure sensitive labels.
 
    SELLING,  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSES as a  percentage of net sales
remained unchanged  at  18.8% for  the  year ended  December  31, 1995  and  the
comparable  1994 period.  Selling, general  and administrative  expense for 1995
increased to $13.4 million from $12.4  million in 1994 to support the  increased
level of net sales and higher corporate development expenditures.
 
    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $2.1 million
or 3.0% of net sales as compared to $1.0 million or 1.5% for the comparable 1994
period.  The increase in income from operations  is due to the increase in gross
profit  of  $2.1  million  offset  by  an  increase  in  selling,  general   and
administrative expenses of $1.0 million. The overall increase in sales is due to
increased  unit  sale prices  which more  than offset  the increase  in selling,
general and administrative  expenses to support  the sales growth.  EBITDA as  a
percentage  of net sales increased to 7.3%  for the year ended December 31, 1995
from 6.5% for  the comparable  1994 period. EBITDA  for 1995  increased to  $5.2
million from $4.3 million in 1994. The increase in EBITDA as a percentage of net
sales  is  attributable to  the  same factors  discussed  above for  income from
operations.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased $.2 million,
or 6.7%, to $3.2 million from $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1994.
The average  debt  balances for  the  year ended  December  31, 1995  were  $7.3
million,  $11.4 million and $4.5 million for the revolving line of credit, long-
term debt and subordinated debt,  respectively, compared to $6.7 million,  $12.4
million  and $4.4  million, respectively,  for the  comparable 1994  period. The
weighted average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 1995 was 13.8% as
compared to  12.6% for  the comparable  1994 period.  The increase  in  interest
expense  resulted from higher  working capital borrowing needs  and, to a lesser
extent, higher  average interest  rates in  1995  as compared  to 1994.  As  the
average  raw  material  paper  prices  rose during  1995  as  compared  to 1994,
borrowings to fund such purchases were greater during 1995 as compared to 1994.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    INCOME TAX BENEFIT for the  year ended December 31,  1995 and 1994 was  $1.9
million and $0, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 183% and 0%,
respectively.  The  income  tax  benefit  recorded  in  1995  is  the  result of
benefiting the  cumulative net  operating loss  as of  December 31,  1995. As  a
result,  a deferred  income tax asset  of $1.9  million has been  recorded as of
December 31, 1995.
 
    The Company recorded the  deferred tax asset in  the fourth quarter of  1995
based  upon the expected future reversals  of temporary differences and evidence
indicating that  the Company  would generate  taxable income  within the  period
prior  to the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards. Based upon the
projected loss for 1996, the cumulative temporary differences as of December 31,
1995 and the expected timing of when these items will impact taxable income, the
Company expects to generate taxable income for the year ended December 31, 1996.
In addition, based upon the reduction  in historical pretax losses ranging  from
$4.9  million for the year ended December 31,  1993 to $1.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995, as well  as the Company's financial plans and  forecast
for  the next ten years, the deferred tax asset is expected to be fully realized
by the year 2003. Taxable income of $6.7 million would have to be realized prior
to the year ended December 31, 2010 to ensure realizability of the net operating
loss carryforwards prior to  their expiration for  federal income tax  purposes.
The  cumulative  net operating  loss carryforward,  generated from  1989 through
1995, of $6.7 million will begin to expire in 2004 and continue through 2010.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
    NET SALES for  the year ended  December 31, 1994  increased $1.5 million  to
$66.0,  or 2.3%, from the comparable 1993  period. Net sales of custom envelopes
increased 3.4% or $1.6 million from 1993 to 1994. The increase in net sales  was
primarily  attributable to an increase in the number of units shipped while unit
sales prices  remained  relatively  stable.  This  increase  in  net  sales  was
partially  offset by the  discontinuance of certain  low margin custom expanding
envelope contract business which decreased net sales by $1.4 million.
 
    GROSS PROFIT as a percentage of net sales was essentially unchanged at 20.3%
for the year ended December 31, 1994 from 20.4% for the comparable 1993  period.
Gross  profit for  the period  increased $0.2  million to  $13.4 million. Custom
envelope gross profit increased  slightly with sales  volumes, but gross  margin
results for the rest of the Company remained largely unchanged.
 
    SELLING,  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSES as a  percentage of net sales
declined to  18.8% for  the year  ended December  31, 1994  from 23.5%  for  the
comparable  1993 period.  Selling, general  and administrative  expense for 1994
declined sharply to $12.4  million from the 1993  level of $15.2 million,  which
included  costs  associated  with  the  closure  of  the  Company's Philadelphia
manufacturing facility. If the $2.3  million of closure expenses were  excluded,
selling, general and administrative expenses would have declined by $0.5 million
from 1993 to 1994. This decline was attributable to personnel and other overhead
cost reductions.
 
    INCOME  (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $1.0
million or 1.5% of  net sales as  compared to $(2.0) million  or (3.1)% for  the
comparable 1993 period. The increase in income (loss) from operations was mostly
attributable  to  the  costs  associated  with  the  closure  of  the  Company's
Philadelphia manufacturing facility and a reduction in administrative  personnel
and overhead.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased $.1 million,
or  3.6% to $3.0 million from $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1993.
The average  debt  balances for  the  year ended  December  31, 1994  were  $6.7
million,  $12.4 million and $4.4 million for the revolving line of credit, long-
term debt and subordinated debt,  respectively, compared to $6.4 million,  $13.5
million  and $4.4  million, respectively,  for the  comparable 1993  period. The
weighted average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 1994 was 12.6% as
compared to  11.8% for  the comparable  1993 period.  The increase  in  interest
expense  was due to higher interest rates  during 1994 reduced somewhat by lower
levels of long-term debt as a result of scheduled principle payments.
 
    INCOME TAX BENEFIT for the  years ended December 31,  1994 and 1993 were  $0
and  $1.3 million, respectively,  resulting in an  effective tax rate  of 0% and
(27.5%), respectively. During 1993, an income  tax benefit was recorded for  the
1993 net operating loss incurred up to the previously recognized deferred income
tax liability.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $4.8 million, $(1.2)
million,  $(.2) million, $1.2 million and $1.8 million for the six month periods
ended June 30, 1996  and 1995 and  the years ended December  31, 1995, 1994  and
1993,  respectively. The decrease  in the cash  provided by operating activities
for each of the  three years ended  December 31, 1995  resulted from the  higher
profitability  each year reduced by  a greater amount used  for the reduction in
certain liabilities. Cash  provided by  operating activities for  the six  month
period  ended June 30, 1996 improved $6.0 million as compared to the same period
ended June 30, 1995.  This improvement is attributable  to better management  of
receivable collections and timing of inventory purchases.
 
    Net  cash used in investing activities  was $80.0 million, $.4 million, $1.9
million, $.3 million and $1.3 million, for the six month periods ended June  30,
1996   and  1995  and  the  years  ended  December  31,  1995,  1994  and  1993,
respectively. The cash used in investing activities for each of the three  years
ended  December 31,  1995 resulted  from purchases  of equipment.  For the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, the cash used in investing activities has been
reduced by the proceeds from the  sale of unutilized equipment. The increase  in
cash  used in investing  activities from June 30,  1995 to June  30, 1996 is due
primarily to the purchase of the outstanding stock of Transkrit Corporation  and
subsidiaries for $76.8 million, net of cash acquired.
 
    Capital  expenditures, excluding acquisitions (but including purchases under
capital leases), were $3.3 million, $.4  million, $2.3 million, $.9 million  and
$1.2  million for  the six month  periods ended June  30, 1996 and  1995 and the
years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $77.2 million,  $1.4
million,  $2.3  million, $(.9)  million  and $(1.2)  million  for the  six month
periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 and the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993, respectively. For  the years ended December  31, 1995, 1994 and  1993,
the Company used cash to pay down senior debt. During 1995, the Company borrowed
an  additional $1.0 million from  the senior lender to  fund deposits for future
equipment purchases. As a result, the cash used for financing activities in 1995
was much lower than 1994 and 1993. The net cash provided by financing activities
for the six month period  ended June 30, 1996  is primarily attributable to  the
$100  million Senior Notes  raised to retire  certain long-term and subordinated
debt instruments  and to  acquire  the outstanding  capital stock  of  Transkrit
Corporation and subsidiaries. The cash used for financing activities for the six
month period ended June 30, 1995 represents payments of borrowings to the senior
lender.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
TRANSKRIT CORPORATION
 
    Transkrit   has  three  principal  product  lines:  mailer  systems,  direct
marketing products and  custom pressure  sensitive labels.  The following  table
summarizes  Transkrit's historical net sales by product line. Transkrit's mailer
systems product line include impact and non-impact
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- mailer products and SelfLabel-TM- products.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               SIX MONTHS
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 ENDED
                                                     -------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                       1993       1994       1995     JUNE 30, 1995  JUNE 28, 1996
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
                                                                        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Mailer Systems (a).................................  $  54,778  $  50,707  $  52,159   $    24,816    $    24,213
Direct Mail Products and Services..................      6,055      6,476      8,624         3,422          5,282
Custom Pressure Sensitive Labels...................     27,568     34,378     36,720        18,728         18,509
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
  Total Net Sales (a)..............................  $  88,401  $  91,561  $  97,503   $    46,966    $    48,004
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(a)  Excludes net sales attributable to  the Pegboard Accounting System  product
     line  and the Tax Form product line. Prior to the effect of the sale of the
     Pegboard Accounting System  and the Tax  Form product lines,  net sales  of
     mailer systems for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for
     the  six months ended  June 30, 1995  would have been  $62.4 million, $57.3
     million, $52.3 million and $25.0  million, respectively, and net sales  for
     the  years ended December  31, 1993, 1994  and 1995 and  for the six months
     ended June 30,  1995 would have  been $96.0 million,  $98.1 million,  $97.7
     million and $47.2 million, respectively.
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1996 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
    NET  SALES for the six months ended June 28, 1996 increased by $1.0 million,
or 2.2% when compared to the six months ended June 30, 1995. The sales increment
was principally a result of an increase in direct mail products and services net
sales of $1.9 million, or  54.4%, when compared to  the prior year period  which
was  due  to  an  expanded  customer  base  and  increased  sales  from existing
customers. Mailer  system net  sales for  the  six months  ended June  28,  1996
declined by $0.6 million, or 2.4% from the prior year period as a result of weak
market  conditions for impact  mailer products. Custom  pressure sensitive label
net sales declined  by $0.2 million,  or 1.2%  when compared to  the prior  year
period as a result of harsh weather conditions in the northeastern United States
and the timing of orders by a few large customers.
 
    GROSS  PROFIT  for the  six months  ended  June 28,  1996 increased  by $2.0
million or 13.0%  when compared  to the  six months  ended June  30, 1995.  This
increase  was  primarily  due to  higher  paper  margins and  reduced  labor and
operating costs associated with  the Company's move from  Brewster, New York  to
Roanoke, Virginia.
 
    SELLING,  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES for  the six months ended June
28, 1996 declined  by $0.5 million,  or 3.4%, from  the comparable 1995  period.
Selling,  general and administrative  expenses expressed as  a percentage of net
sales, decreased from 31.7% for the six months ended June 30, 1995 to 30.0%  for
the six month period ended June 28, 1996. This decline was primarily a result of
higher  net  sales  and  cost  efficiencies  achieved  from  the  elimination of
duplicative expenses  as a  result of  the  closure of  the Brewster,  New  York
facility.
 
    OPERATING  INCOME for the six  months ended June 28,  1996 increased to $2.9
million compared to an operating loss of $.01 million for the comparable  period
in  1995.  This increase  is primarily  due  to higher  net sales,  higher paper
margins and elimination of  relocation and redundant  costs associated with  the
move  to Roanoke, Virginia and  the closure of the  Brewster, New York facility.
EBITDA for the six months ended June 28, 1996 was $5.6 million, or 11.7%, of net
sales compared to $5.7 million, or 12.1% for the comparable period last year.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE FOR THE  SIX MONTHS ended June  28, 1996 was $0.02  million
which  was $0.2 million less than the comparable period for 1995. This reduction
was due to the elimination of all debt during the second quarter of 1996.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    INCOME TAXES  for  the six  months  ended June  28,  1996 was  $1.1  million
compared  to $0.4 million for  the comparable period in  1995. The effective tax
rate for the six  months ended June 28,  1996 was 28.8% and  was lower than  the
statutory  tax rate  primarily as a  result of  the reversal of  $0.4 million of
income tax over-accruals from prior years.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
    NET SALES for the year ended December 31, 1995, decreased by $0.4 million to
$97.7 million, or 0.5%, from the comparable 1994 period. In 1994, Transkrit  net
sales  from the  Pegboard Accounting System  product line were  $5.7 million and
were $0.8 million for the Tax Form product line. The Pegboard Accounting  System
product  line was sold in late 1994. In 1995, net sales for the Tax Form product
line prior to its sale in early 1995  were $0.2 million. If the above net  sales
from  these disposed product lines were excluded from 1994 and 1995 results, net
sales would have been  $5.9 million, or  6.4%, higher in  1995 when compared  to
1994.  The growth in net sales is  primarily attributable to increased net sales
in all  three of  Transkrit's product  lines. Net  sales of  pressure  sensitive
labels  increased approximately 6.8%, or $2.3 million, from the prior period due
to increased net sales to existing customers. Net sales of direct mail  products
and  services increased  approximately 33.2%,  or $2.1  million, from  the prior
period as  a result  of increased  sales  to existing  customers. Net  sales  of
InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark- products  increased 23.2%, or  $1.8 million, for
the 1995 period as a result of increased raw materials prices which were  passed
on    to   customers   and    an   increase   in    the   installed   based   of
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- users. Transkrit's net  sales growth in 1995  was
offset by a decrease of $1.5 million, or 3.4%, in net sales of impact mailers.
 
    GROSS  PROFIT for the year ended December  31, 1995 was $33.5 million, which
was relatively unchanged  from $33.3  million for  the year  ended December  31,
1994.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 34.3% for the year
ended December 31, 1995 from 33.9% for the year ended December 31, 1994. If  the
Company's  Pegboard Accounting System and Tax Forms product lines were excluded,
gross profit  as  a percentage  of  net sales  would  not have  been  materially
different.  During  1995,  gross profit  from  mailer products  and  direct mail
products and services  was negatively  impacted as  a result  of rapidly  rising
paper  prices,  only  a  portion of  which  Transkrit  was able  to  pass  on to
customers. Relatively  stable  prices for  pressure  sensitive label  stock  and
increased sales volume during 1995 more than offset the decrease in gross profit
in  the  other product  areas.  In addition,  Transkrit's  gross profit  in 1995
benefited  from  $0.6  million  in  reduced  workers'  compensation  and  health
insurance claims.
 
    SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES for the year ended December 31,
1995,  decreased  by $1.3  million  to $29.4  million  from the  comparable 1994
period.  This  decline  was  due  to  savings  as  result  of  reduced  workers'
compensation  and health  insurance claims,  lower operating  and employee costs
associated with the  Roanoke, Virginia  facility relative to  the Brewster,  New
York  facility and  the reduction of  $0.6 million in  duplicate costs resulting
from the  shutdown of  the Brewster,  New York  facility in  April, 1995.  These
savings  were partially offset  by a $1.2 million  increase in deferred employee
compensation charges.
 
    OPERATING INCOME for  the year  ended December  31, 1995  increased by  $1.2
million to $3.4 million, or 3.5% of net sales, compared to $2.2 million, or 2.2%
of  net sales,  for the  comparable 1994 period.  This increase  was primarily a
result of the reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses.  EBITDA
for  the year ended December  31, 1995, increased $3.5  million to $15.6 million
from the comparable 1994 period.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE for the year ended December 31, 1995 decreased $0.5 million
to $0.4 million when compared to the prior year. This decrease was a result of a
net decrease in long term debt of $6.0 million during the calendar year 1995.
 
    INCOME TAXES for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $1.4 million  compared
to  $1.8 million in the  comparable 1994 period. The  effective tax rate for the
year ended December 31, 1995 was 27.8%,  which was lower than the statutory  tax
rate  primarily as a result of the reversal  of $0.5 million of income tax over-
accruals from prior years.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
    NET SALES in 1994 increased $2.1 million to $98.1 million, or 2.2%, from the
comparable 1993 period. If the Pegboard Accounting System and Tax Forms  product
lines were excluded from net sales in 1993 and
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
1994,  net sales of Transkrit would have  increased by $3.2 million or 3.6%. The
increase in net sales from December 31, 1993 to December 31, 1994 consisted of a
24.7%, or  $6.8 million,  increase in  net sales  of custom  pressure  sensitive
labels,  which more  than offset  a 7.4%,  or $4.1  million, decrease  in mailer
systems sales. The mailer systems net decline resulted from the general  decline
in  the impact mailer  market and the loss  of an InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-
customer. Growth  in the  custom pressure-sensitive  label business  was due  to
overall  volume increases and a full-year's  contribution from Short Run Labels,
Inc., which contributed  approximately $4.6 million  more in net  sales in  1994
than in 1993.
 
    GROSS  PROFIT for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased by $2.2 million
to $33.3 million from the comparable 1993  period. Gross profit as a percent  of
net sales increased to 33.9% for the year ended December 31, 1994 from 32.4% for
the   1993  period.   This  increase   was  primarily   due  to   higher  custom
pressure-sensitive label net sales and a shift in mix to higher margin products,
particularly those of the newly acquired Short Run Labels, Inc. If the Company's
Pegboard Accounting  System and  Tax Forms  product lines  were excluded,  gross
profit as a percentage of net sales would not have been materially different.
 
    SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES for the year ended December 31,
1994  increased $3.8 million  to $30.7 million from  the comparable 1993 period.
Selling, general and  administrative expense as  a percentage of  net sales  was
31.3% in 1994 compared to 28.0% in 1993. The components of the increase are $1.2
million of general and administrative expenses, $0.6 million sales and marketing
expenses,  $1.1  million  of  bonus  compensation  costs,  and  $0.9  million of
duplicate general and administrative costs as a result of Transkrit's relocation
of its Brewster, New York operations and headquarters to Roanoke, Virginia. $1.6
million of the above increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is
related to the full year effect of Short Run Label's costs for 1994.
 
    OPERATING INCOME for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased $1.3 million
to $2.2 million  compared to $0.9  million for  the prior period  in 1993.  This
increase  was primarily  attributable to a  reduction in  relocation expenses of
$2.9 million and  a higher  gross profit which  was partially  offset by  higher
selling,  general and administrative  expenses. For the  year ended December 31,
1994, EBITDA increased $1.9  million to $12.0 million  from the comparable  1993
period.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased $0.3 million
to  $0.9  million compared  to  the comparable  1993  period. This  increase was
primarily a result of interest expense incurred on the debt associated with  the
purchase of Short Run Labels on August 11, 1993.
 
    INCOME  TAXES for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $1.8 million compared
to $0.4 million for the  prior year. The effective tax  rate for 1994 was  39.9%
compared to an effective tax rate of 46.5% in 1993.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Net  cash provided by  operating activities was  $5.7 million, $2.7 million,
$8.2 million, $2.2 million and $8.9 million for the six month periods ended June
28, 1996 and June 30, 1995 and the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. For the six month periods ended  June 28, 1996 and June 30,  1995,
cash   flows  from  operations  were  primarily   provided  by  net  income  and
depreciation and amortization. The $3.0 million increase in net cash provided by
operating activities for the six months ended June 28, 1996 compared to June 30,
1995, resulted primarily from an increase in net income and accounts payable and
a decrease in deferred  income taxes offset by  decreases in bonus  compensation
liability  and income taxes  payable. Net cash  provided by operations increased
for the year ended December 31, 1995 by $6.0 million, when compared to the prior
year. This increase primarily resulted from a $8.0 million deferred tax  benefit
recorded  in 1994  and an  increase in  bonus compensation  liability, which was
offset by increases in  accounts payable and accrued  expenses and income  taxes
payable.  Net cash provided by operations decreased by $6.7 million for the year
ended December  31, 1994  when compared  to the  prior year.  This decrease  was
primarily  due to the $8.0  million deferred tax benefit  recorded in 1994 and a
decrease in accounts  payable and accrued  expenses offset by  increases in  net
income and income taxes payable.
 
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES for the six months ended
June  28, 1996 and June 30, 1995 and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993 was $3.3  million, ($1.4 million), ($2.6  million), ($6.5 million)  and
($13.2  million),  respectively.  In 1996,  $5.1  million was  received  from an
affiliate
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
relating to the sale of the Brewster, New York facility. In 1994 and 1993,  $7.0
million  was used for the construction of the Roanoke, Virginia facility, and in
August of 1993, $5.5 million was used to acquire Short Run Labels.
 
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES for the six months ended
June 28, 1996 and June 30, 1995, and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993 was ($1.6  million), ($1.6 million), ($6.0  million), $4.0 million  and
$4.7  million, respectively. All  net uses of  cash during the  six months ended
June 28, 1996, June 30, 1995 and the calendar year 1995 were related to the  net
payment  of long term debt obligations. During 1994, the Company received a $8.5
million capital contribution which was partially  offset by $3.9 million of  net
payments  of long term debt. In 1993,  the Company incurred $5.5 million of debt
to fund the acquisition of Short Run Labels and received a $1.7 million  capital
contribution.  These sources were offset  by a net payment  on long term debt of
$3.1 million.
 
                        LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
THE COMPANY
 
    Following the  Transactions,  the debt  service  costs associated  with  the
borrowings  under the New Bank Credit  Facility and the Notes will significantly
increase liquidity requirements. The Notes will  accrue interest at 11 5/8%  per
annum  and will be payable semi-annually commencing December 15, 1996. The Notes
will mature on June 15, 2002. The  Indenture to the Notes limits the  incurrence
of  additional debt  by the Company  and does not  allow the Company  to pay any
dividends or redeem any capital stock  and limits the Company's ability to  sell
its assets, as defined. The Company may incur additional indebtedness as long as
its  Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio, as  defined, is greater  than certain minimum
levels. The $20,000,000 New Bank Credit Facility bears interest at prime plus 1%
or LIBOR plus  2.25%. This  facility will  expire on  June 28,  2001. The  total
estimated  interest payments for the  period from June 28,  1996 to December 31,
1996  is  $6,000,000.  Management  believes  that  based  on  current  financial
performance and anticipated growth, cash flow from operations, together with the
available  sources  of  funds including  borrowings  under the  New  Bank Credit
Facility, will be  adequate, till the  maturity of the  Notes, to make  required
payments  of interest on the Company's indebtedness, to fund anticipated capital
expenditures and  working capital  requirements  and to  enable the  Company  to
comply  with the terms  of its debt agreements.  Actual capital requirements may
change, particularly  as a  result of  acquisitions the  Company may  make.  The
Company  expects that capital  expenditures (exclusive of  acquisitions) will be
approximately $5.2 million  annually from  1996 and 1999.  The Company  believes
that   these  capital  expenditure   levels  will  be   sufficient  to  maintain
competitiveness and to  provide sufficient manufacturing  capacity. The  Company
also anticipates that it will be required to refinance the Notes at maturity. No
assurance  can be given that the Company will  be able to refinance the Notes on
terms acceptable to it, if at all. The  ability of the Company to meet its  debt
service  obligations and reduce its total  debt will be dependent, however, upon
the future performance of the Company which, in turn, will be subject to general
economic conditions  and to  financial, business  and other  factors,  including
factors beyond the Company's control.
 
INFLATION
    The  Company believes that  inflation, exclusive of  paper prices increases,
has not had a material  impact on its result of  operations for the three  years
ended December 31, 1995 or the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996.
 
    The  Company currently  does not  nor does  it plan  to engage  in hedges to
offset potential charges in the cost of paper or charges in interest rates.
 
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
    Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and Long-Lived Assets  to Be Disposed  Of."
The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition
or results of operations.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
                                    INDUSTRY
 
MAILER INDUSTRY
    The  Company competes in the U.S.  mailer market, which includes both impact
mailers and non-impact  mailer systems. Mailers  are used by  a wide variety  of
businesses  and organizations as a substitute for the most commonly used mailing
method, a printed flatsheet which is folded and inserted into envelopes. Because
of their  convenience and  cost  advantages, mailers  are  widely used  for  the
preparation  and mailing of invoices, payroll checks, account and direct deposit
statements, W-2 forms  and university  grade reports.  Management believes  that
mailers  are popular with direct marketers due to the cost effectiveness of this
form of solicitation.  The introduction  of laser and  other non-impact  printer
compatible  mailers, which have numerous advantages relative to traditional spot
carbon impact  mailers, has  expanded the  range of  potential applications  for
customers  who are willing to substitute mailers for traditional fold and insert
methods. Management believes that  the growth of the  overall mailer market  has
been  relatively flat  over the past  five years  as a decline  in impact mailer
sales during that period  has been largely  offset by rapid  growth in sales  of
non-impact mailers.
 
    Impact  mailers are an  integrated mailing package  with addresses and other
data printed inside the  package using built-in carbonized  paper and an  impact
printer.  With estimated annual revenues of $180 million, this market has a core
group of customers  who use impact  mailers for the  preparation and mailing  of
payroll  checks, vendor payments, direct deposit statements, collection notices,
medical and utility bills  and tax notices. Since  the early 1990's, the  impact
mailer  market has decreased in  size due to the  rapid growth of laser, ink-jet
and other non-impact printers which are not compatible with impact mailers. This
contraction in the impact mailer market has resulted in industry  consolidation.
Management  believes that the decline in this market will continue, and that the
exit of certain manufacturers  provides further consolidation opportunities  for
focused competitors such as the Company.
 
    Responding  to the changes in office  printing technology, a small number of
manufacturers,  including  the  Company,   have  developed  mailers  which   are
compatible  with  laser  and  other non-impact  printer  systems.  Unlike impact
mailers, non-impact  mailers are  typically sold  as an  integrated system  with
mailer  forms  and dedicated  and patented  folding  and sealing  equipment. The
non-impact mailer offers the  cost advantages and convenience  of a mailer  form
and  the versatility  and image quality  of a laser  printed product. Non-impact
mailers have experienced  rapid acceptance  for the preparation  and mailing  of
payroll  checks, vendor payments, direct deposit statements and university grade
reports. Management  believes  that  non-impact mailer  technology  provides  an
attractive alternative to traditional mailing methods.
 
DIRECT MAIL INDUSTRY
 
    Direct marketing has become an increasingly important advertising medium and
an  integral  component of  many companies'  overall marketing  programs. Direct
marketing programs are  delivered to a  targeted audience through  a variety  of
channels,  including direct mail, telemarketing, print, radio and television. As
consumer data and marketing analyses have become more sophisticated, advertisers
have been able to target more specific audiences. As a result, advertisers  have
used  a greater number of more customized, feature-oriented marketing campaigns.
Manufacturers and fulfillment providers, such  as the Company, have  capitalized
on  this industry trend  as advertisers have  demanded more specialized products
and have outsourced the execution of these campaigns.
 
    Direct  mail  is  the  second   largest  direct  marketing  segment   (after
telemarketing)  with 1995  revenues of  approximately $30  billion, representing
approximately 23%  of total  industry expenditures.  Over the  past five  years,
direct  mail expenditures have grown at  a compound annual rate of approximately
6%. The Company competes in the highly fragmented direct mail segment, where the
majority of  industry  participants  are  small,  specialized  firms  formed  to
capitalize on the industry's growth. Most competitors offer customers a range of
services  including  strategic and  creative design,  information and  data base
management and  tracking and  fulfillment production.  Large corporations  often
undertake  direct mail campaigns internally and represent the other component of
the direct mail segment.
 
    The Company offers a selection of products, including catalog bind-in  order
forms,  advertising insert booklets  and coupons, which  are sold exclusively to
the   direct    mail    segment    of    the    direct    marketing    industry.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
The  Company  also provides  direct  mail fullfillment  services,  which include
personalization, addressing and  mailing. To complement  these direct  marketing
products,  mailers, envelopes and labels produced  by the Company are customized
and sold for use in direct marketing applications.
 
PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL INDUSTRY
 
    Management  estimates   that  the   total  U.S.   label  market   (excluding
non-customized  labels sold primarily in office supply stores) had 1994 revenues
of  approximately  $8.5  billion.  The  pressure  sensitive  label  segment  had
estimated  1994 revenues of $3.8 billion,  representing approximately 45% of the
overall U.S.  label market.  The Company  competes in  this segment  and is  the
largest  manufacturer selling  custom pressure  sensitive labels  to independent
distributors. The other major segment,  glue-applied labels, had estimated  1994
revenues  of $4.3 billion, representing approximately 50% of the overall market.
Management estimates that the more mature glue applied label segment is  growing
at  2%  annually,  while  pressure  sensitive label  market  is  growing  at 10%
annually. The rapid growth in this market is attributable to several  advantages
pressure  sensitive labels  have over  traditional glue-applied  labels, such as
reduced wrinkling and superior adhesion and durability.
 
    A number of other factors have  contributed to the rapid growth of  pressure
sensitive labels including: (i) new government regulations requiring an increase
in  the amount  of information  displayed on  consumer and  industrial products,
including food,  bulk  chemicals,  household appliances  and  automobiles;  (ii)
increased  use  of barcoding  to  track retail  sales  of consumer  products and
business inventories  in  a  wide variety  of  manufacturing  industries;  (iii)
continued demand from businesses of all types for targeted promotional material;
and   (iv)  continued  need  for   manufacturers  to  reduce  potential  product
liabilities by providing consumers with more information on the proper usage  of
products.  Pressure  sensitive  labels  are used  by  virtually  all industries,
including  airlines  (baggage  tags),  automotive  (warning  labels),   consumer
durables  (operating  instructions  and warnings),  food  and  beverage (product
labeling), health and  beauty (product labeling),  household chemicals  (product
labeling  and warnings), industrial  chemicals (hazard warnings), pharmaceutical
(dosage information), retail (price and  inventory data) and transportation  and
distribution (logistics).
 
    The  pressure  sensitive label  industry  is served  by  approximately 2,000
manufacturers, most of whom operate  one production facility and maintain  close
relationships  with local  and regional customers.  The fact  that many pressure
sensitive label  customers  are accustomed  to  conducting business  with  local
manufacturers,  has contributed  to the  fragmentation of  the industry.  Due to
significant economies of scale achieved through consolidation, however, national
manufacturers have  acquired  small  regional firms  and  integrated  them  into
national networks.
 
CUSTOM ENVELOPE INDUSTRY
 
    The  custom  envelope market  accounted  for 65%,  or  $1.9 billion,  of the
overall $3 billion U.S. envelope market. Custom envelopes are distinguished from
commodity envelopes by design, printing  and other finishing features which  are
tailored  to specific customer  needs. Custom envelope  features include special
shapes,  labels,  multiple  windows  and   flap  lengths,  often  designed   for
compatability with specific direct-mail insertion equipment, and a large variety
of  paper and printing  options designed to meet  specific customer needs. Major
customers in the custom  envelope segment include  direct mail firms,  financial
institutions,  publishers, utilities and  businesses using the  mail for billing
and advertising purposes.  Due to  the specific value-added  features of  custom
envelopes,  including  complex  graphics  and  envelope  enhancements,  products
generally have a higher average selling price, higher gross margins and are sold
to customers under one to three year fixed term contracts.
 
    Manufacturers of custom and specialty envelopes are generally separated into
two groups. The first group is composed  of a small number of large  multi-plant
companies  with sales in  excess of $50  million who produce  both commodity and
custom envelopes  for the  national market  or broadly  cover specific  regional
markets. The rest of the market consists of smaller one-plant manufacturers with
sales  ranging from $1 million to $25 million and which produce custom envelopes
for local and regional customers.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
HISTORY
 
    DEC's predecessor company was formed in  1989 by McCown De Leeuw, a  private
investment  firm specializing in  buying and building  middle market businesses.
Since its inception, DEC has pursued an acquisition strategy aimed at creating a
leading manufacturer of custom paper-based communications products targeting the
direct mail  and data  processing  industries. McCown  De Leeuw  initiated  this
investment  strategy with the acquisition of  NFC, a manufacturer of custom file
folders,  in  1989.  In  1992,  NFC  acquired  Diversified  Assembly,  Inc.,   a
manufacturer of expanding envelopes, pockets, wallets and other products for the
professional  office. In late 1992, NFC  acquired Double Envelope Corporation, a
manufacturer and distributor  of custom envelopes,  catalog bind-in order  forms
and  pressure sensitive  labels. NFC  is headquartered  in Atlanta,  Georgia and
operates five manufacturing facilities.
 
    Transkrit  was  established  in  1938  as  a  privately  owned  producer  of
spot-carbonized  sheets supplied to business  forms printers and binders. During
the following thirty years, Transkrit expanded  from a single plant and  product
company  into a multi-plant operation supplying the pressure sensitive label and
business forms markets. In 1968,  Transkrit began producing impact mailers  with
the  opening of  a rotary  press facility  in Mount  Vernon, New  York. In 1980,
Transkrit was  acquired  by  Maclean  Hunter  Ltd.,  a  Canadian  communications
company.  Transkrit diversified its  product line with  the acquisition of Label
Art, Inc.,  a leading  producer of  custom pressure  sensitive labels  in  1986.
Transkrit  increased its  presence in the  label market with  the acquisition of
Short Run  Labels,  Inc.,  a  24-hour turnaround  producer  of  custom  pressure
sensitive  labels in  1993. Transkrit increased  its leadership  position in the
impact mailer  market with  the acquisition  of the  mailer division  of  Wright
Business  Forms,  Inc. and  Bedinghaus Communications,  Inc.  in 1991  and 1992,
respectively. In 1994, Transkrit identified certain non-core product lines,  the
Pegboard Accounting and Tax Forms, which were subsequently sold. In an effort to
reduce  costs in  1995, Transkrit  closed its  Brewster, New  York manufacturing
facility and  relocated its  headquarters from  Brewster, New  York to  Roanoke,
Virginia. Transkrit has manufacturing facilities across the United States.
 
    Pursuant  to the  Stock Purchase Agreement,  NFC has  acquired Transkrit for
$86.5 million  on  June 28,  1996.  The purchase  price  is subject  to  certain
post-closing  adjustments for  certain changes  in Transkrit's  working capital,
other net assets  and capital  expenditures from  the amounts  estimated at  the
closing  of the  Acquisition. See "The  Transactions." The Company  is a leading
manufacturer of solution-oriented paper-based products primarily for the mailer,
direct mail, custom pressure  sensitive label and  custom envelope markets.  The
Company  had pro forma LTM net sales and  pro forma EBITDA of $168.0 million and
$22.5 million, respectively, for the twelve month period ended June 30, 1996.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company expects to strengthen its leadership position by focusing on the
following core business strategies:
 
    -EXPAND MARKET FOR  THE INFOSEAL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-  SYSTEM.   Management
     believes  that  the proliferation  of laser  and other  non-impact printing
     technologies has created  a significant new  marketing opportunity for  the
     Company's InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- mailer system.
     InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-, which  is compatible with  laser and other
     non-impact printers,  allows  customers to  address  a variety  of  mailing
     requirements  more  cost  effectively  than  traditional  fold  and  insert
     methods. Competitive  mailer  systems are  available  on the  market  which
     utilize more expensive pressure seal or more maintenance intensive glue vat
     systems.  To  further  broaden  InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-'s potential
     markets, the Company has  recently developed a  new desktop folder/  sealer
     which  it expects  will address  the needs  of a  broad range  of potential
     customers.
 
    -CONTINUED  INVESTMENT  IN  GROWING  MARKETS.    The  Company  has  invested
     significant capital resources to develop products serving high growth niche
     markets,  including an  estimated $8.0  million in  the development  of the
     InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-  system and  an  estimated $4.4  million  in
     state-of-the  art equipment  to enhance production  capabilities for custom
     pressure sensitive label products. Sales of these two product lines,  which
     accounted  for  30% of  the Company's  pro forma  1995 net  sales, achieved
     compound annual net sales growth of 13% over the past two years.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
    -EXPAND AND DEVELOP PRESENCE IN DIRECT MAIL INDUSTRY.  The Acquisition  will
     broaden  the Company's product and service  offerings to the growing direct
     mail industry. The Company intends to further develop its presence in  this
     market and has made significant capital investments designed to enhance its
     product  offerings  for direct  mail  customers. The  Company  has recently
     invested an estimated $5.9 million in state-of-the-art equipment to upgrade
     and increase production capacity of catalog bind-in order forms and  direct
     mail  personalization  capabilities.  These  investments  will  improve the
     Company's product and service offerings to its direct mail customers.
 
    -CROSS-SELL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.  The Company has a dedicated direct sales
     force through which it sells custom envelopes and direct mail products  and
     services  and has  strong relationships  with its  independent distributors
     through which  it  sells  mailer products  and  custom  pressure  sensitive
     labels.  As  a result  of  the Acquisition,  the  Company will  be  able to
     cross-sell  a  broader  range  of  products  through  both  of  these  well
     established distribution channels.
 
    -CONTINUED  COST REDUCTIONS.  The Company intends to continue to improve its
     financial results through the rationalization of operations. The  Company's
     current  management team  has a successful  track record  of achieving cost
     reductions through facility consolidation, improved management  information
     systems  and  the  elimination of  redundant  corporate  and administrative
     expenses. In  connection  with  the Acquisition,  the  Company  expects  to
     realize  approximately $2.3 million of  annualized cost savings through raw
     material purchasing efficiencies and reductions in headcount and  operating
     expenses.
 
    -PURSUE  COMPLEMENTARY  PRODUCT LINE  ACQUISITIONS.   The  Company  plans to
     pursue  acquisitions   which  complement   its  existing   product   lines.
     Specifically,  the Company intends  to acquire related  direct mail product
     and fulfillment businesses  in order to  expand the array  of products  and
     services  sold  to its  direct mail  customers.  To strengthen  its leading
     positions in other  key markets, the  Company plans to  continue to  pursue
     acquisitions  of small  impact mailer  and custom  pressure sensitive label
     manufacturers.
 
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
 
    The Company believes that its products and market presence distinguish it as
one of the leading designers and  manufacturers of mailer products, direct  mail
products  and services, custom  pressure sensitive labels  and custom envelopes.
The Company's position in these product segments and continued opportunities for
growth and operating profitability are attributable to the following competitive
strengths:
 
    -MARKET LEADER.  The Company believes that it is a market leader in most  of
     its   core  product  lines,  including  mailer  products,  custom  pressure
     sensitive labels and custom  envelopes. In the  mailer products and  custom
     pressure sensitive label markets, the Company believes that it is a leading
     supplier  of products  sold through independent  distributors. According to
     the EMA,  the  Company is  a  leading  supplier of  custom  envelopes  sold
     directly  to end-use customers  in the Southeastern region  of the U.S. The
     Company competes in its core product lines with larger national and smaller
     local manufacturers certain of which are less highly leveraged and may have
     greater financing and operating flexibility.
 
    -FOCUS ON HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS.   Almost all of the Company's  products
     have  a  high value-added  component which  differentiates them  from lower
     margin, commodity paper-based products. Substantially all of the  Company's
     pressure  sensitive label and envelope  products are customized to end-user
     specifications. Most mailer products and direct mail products and  services
     are  also customized to specific  customer design or printing requirements.
     The Company's patented  InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- self-mailer  system,
     which  generally uses customized forms,  provides a value-added, innovative
     and cost effective system for a wide variety of mail applications.
 
    -COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT MAIL PRODUCT LINE.  The Company produces a broad range
     of products  which  target  direct mail  customers,  including  impact  and
     non-impact mailers, catalog bind-in order forms,
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
     custom  pressure sensitive labels  and custom envelopes.  Combined with the
     Company's  direct  mail  fulfillment  services,  these  products  offer  an
     integrated  solution  to the  direct  mail industry  which  has grown  at a
     compound annual rate of 6% over the past five years.
 
    -PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EXPERTISE.  The Company has a record of successful  new
     product  introductions and service enhancements which distinguishes it as a
     provider  of  high   value-added  solution-oriented  technologies.   Recent
     examples  of this product  development expertise include  the new, patented
     InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-  desktop  folder/sealer  which  the  Company
     expects will significantly expand the market for the
     InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-  system by  targeting small  businesses and
     satellite offices of large companies. The  Company believes that it is  the
     first  manufacturer to develop a  self-mailer system targeting this market.
     The Company has also recently  introduced the Label Launch-TM- service,  an
     on-line  software package  enabling pressure  sensitive label  customers to
     electronically  process  orders  and  transfer  artwork  directly  to   the
     Company's pre-press and design facilities.
 
    -DIVERSE  DISTRIBUTION  CHANNELS.   The Company  sells its  products through
     distribution channels which optimize access to respective end-use  markets.
     In its mailer and pressure sensitive label businesses, the Company believes
     that   it  is   the  largest   manufacturer  selling   through  independent
     distributors who  provide  superior  coverage of  the  Company's  small  to
     medium-sized  customer  base. In  this segment,  the Company  competes with
     other larger manufacturers who are dominant in other distribution channels,
     particularly in  the  direct  sales  distribution  channel.  The  Company's
     catalog  bind-in  order forms  and custom  envelopes  are sold  directly to
     end-users who, due to exacting specifications and high volume requirements,
     prefer direct relationships with the manufacturer. The Company's  strategic
     partnership    with    Xerox   Corporation,    which    recently   selected
     InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-  as  the  non-impact  mailer  system  to  be
     marketed  by the Xerox  Supplies Group sales force,  is expected to enhance
     distribution to large companies.
 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
    The following chart displays pro forma  net sales of the Company by  product
category.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                                                 SALES BY PRODUCT
                                                                                     CATEGORY
                                                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                               ---------------------
                                                                                   $           %
                                                                               ----------  ---------
                                                                                    (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                    THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>
Mailer Products..............................................................  $   52,159       30.9
Direct Mail Products and Services............................................      21,711       12.9
Custom Pressure Sensitive Labels.............................................      40,363       23.9
Custom Envelopes.............................................................      54,527       32.3
                                                                               ----------  ---------
    Total Sales..............................................................  $  168,760      100.0%
                                                                               ----------  ---------
                                                                               ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
     MAILER PRODUCTS.  The Company believes it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of
spot carbon impact mailers and has the largest installed base of laser and other
non-impact  printer compatible  mailer systems  with approximately  1,400 units.
Impact mailers are ready-to-mail, multi-part spot carbon forms which are  widely
used  to print correspondence such as  account statements, invoices, tax notices
and utility and medical bills, and can be printed without opening or sealing the
envelope. Non-impact  mailers are  laser  printer compatible  self-mailer  forms
which  are printed, folded, sealed and  mailed as payroll checks, direct deposit
statements and vendor remittances. The  Company's ability to produce mailers  in
all popular sizes and with a wide variety of custom features enables it to offer
a broad line of high quality stock and custom mailers.
 
    The  Company believes that it offers one  of the most complete impact mailer
product lines  in the  industry. For  one-way (without  a return  envelope)  and
two-way  (with a  return envelope)  impact mailers,  customers can  have mailers
custom designed and manufactured utilizing any combination of colors, sizes  and
opening  features or can  select from an  inventory of over  150 different stock
products. Management believes that the Company's ability to provide high quality
color, complex  and  innovative designs  and  creative design  support  for  its
products is among the best in the industry.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
    With  its InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- product  line, the Company believes
that it  is a  leader in  the development  of non-impact  printed mailers  which
management    believes    represent    a    significant    growth   opportunity.
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-  offers  a  turn-key solution  using  a  patented
one-way  or two-way self-mailer form which  can be impact or non-impact printed,
then folded  and sealed  by  the end  user  utilizing dedicated  equipment.  Tab
Products  Co. currently markets the dedicated folding/sealing equipment which is
sold as part of the InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark- system sold to moderate  and
high-volume  users. The Company believes that  this equipment, which is the only
product currently available with easy-to-use water-based sealing technology  and
which  can only be  used with proprietary  InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- mailer
forms, enjoys an  installed base of  over 1,400 units.  The Company competes  in
this  market  with many  small regional  suppliers  and several  larger national
manufacturers who compete aggressively. Certain of these larger competitors  are
less  highly  leveraged than  the  Company and  may  have greater  financing and
operating flexibility. The  Company's InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark- end  users
include the United Parcel Service, NYNEX Corporation, Automatic Data Processing,
Inc. and Georgetown University Medical Center. Later this year, the Company will
begin  selling its new line  of patented desk-top InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-
machines, which the Company believes will  establish it as the sole provider  of
non-impact  printer technology to the currently untapped low volume user market.
Management expects the desktop unit to  significantly expand the market for  the
InfoSeal-Registered   Trademark-  system  by   targeting  small  businesses  and
satellite offices of large  companies. Management believes  that the market  for
non-impact printed mailer systems will experience significant growth in the near
future.  A  broad range  of corporations  and institutions  are expected  to use
non-impact self-mailer systems as a cost effective and laser printer  compatible
alternative   to   traditional  methods   for  various   information  processing
requirements such  as payment  remittances,  vendor invoicing,  payroll  checks,
direct deposit notices and monthly account statements.
 
    DIRECT  MAIL  PRODUCTS AND  SERVICES.   The  Company  offers a  selection of
products sold exclusively  to the  direct mail industry,  which include  catalog
bind-in order forms, advertising inserts, coupons and promotional mailers. Often
these  products include an  integrated envelope or are  structured such that the
order form can be folded into an envelope and mailed. The Company has  developed
extensive  customization capabilities enabling  it to produce  these inserts and
envelopes in a wide  variety of sizes  and styles on  coated and uncoated  paper
stock,  using  high quality  lithography  with options  for  complex multi-color
printing. The  Company also  provides direct  mail fulfillment  services.  These
direct  mail  fulfillment services  include art  and copy  preparation, prepress
services,   printing,   mail   list    preparation   and   selection,    printed
personalization, addressing, stuffing, labeling, mail sorting, bundling and drop
off  services. To complement these direct  mail products, the Company's mailers,
envelopes  and  labels  are  customized  and   sold  for  use  in  direct   mail
applications.  The  Company's direct  mail customers  include Bear  Creek Direct
(Harry & David),  Frederick's of  Hollywood, Inc.,  the American  Red Cross  and
American Bankers Insurance Group.
 
    CUSTOM PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELS.  According to the 1995 Survey, the Company
is  the largest  U.S. manufacturer of  custom pressure sensitive  labels sold to
independent distributors,  as  measured  by revenues.  The  Company  focuses  on
customized high value-added products rather than commodity labels. Operating out
of  five strategically  located manufacturing  facilities, the  Company offers a
variety of value-added products aimed  at short and medium-run customer  orders.
Management  believes that the Company is recognized in the industry for its high
quality products, excellent customer service  and an ability to respond  quickly
to  time-sensitive  customer  orders.  The  Company  recently  introduced  Label
Launch-TM- service,  an  on-line  software application  which  enables  pressure
sensitive  label customers to electronically process orders and transfer artwork
directly to the Company's  facilities, thereby reducing  pre-press set up  time,
order entry and shipping costs.
 
    The  Company's custom pressure  sensitive label products are  used by a wide
range of businesses and institutions in numerous end-use applications, including
mailing labels, promotional literature, inventory routing, packaging and  retail
pricing.  The  Company's  largest  end-user markets  are  the  retail,  food and
beverage, health  and beauty,  toy manufacturing  and chemical  industries.  The
Company  also provides  national 24-hour  order processing  for short production
runs requiring rapid  turnaround. The Company's  customers include  distributors
such   as  Bank-N-Business   Forms,  Taylor   Business  Products   and  Standard
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
Forms, Inc. Direct customers include  the Paralyzed Veterans of America,  Boston
Scientific  Corporation,  Hasbro, Inc.  and Sterilite,  Inc. No  single customer
represented greater than  10% of the  Company's pro forma  1995 custom  pressure
sensitive label net sales.
 
    CUSTOM  ENVELOPES.  According to the EMA,  the Company is the second largest
U.S. supplier  of custom  envelopes in  the growing  Southeastern U.S.  regional
market  (which  represents  approximately  13% of  the  overall  custom envelope
market) as measured by revenues. The Company has focused on the high value-added
specialty segments of the envelope market, placing a particular emphasis on  the
direct  mail,  photo-finishing  by  mail and  banking  industries  where  it has
established leadership positions. Almost all of the Company's envelope  products
are  specially printed or manufactured  to end-user specifications and generally
have higher margins than  blank commodity envelopes.  The Company also  produces
custom  expanding  envelopes,  pockets,  wallets  and  other  products  for  the
professional office. These products  are hand assembled,  medium to large  sized
folders  used to file legal documents or  store and carry artwork. From its five
production facilities,  the  Company  manufactures  in  excess  of  2.5  billion
envelopes per year.
 
SALES, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING
 
    MAILER  PRODUCTS.    The  Company  markets  mailers  to  approximately 5,000
independent distributors across the U.S.  through nine regional sales  managers.
Distributors,  in turn, sell these products to the end-user. In 1995 independent
distributors accounted for approximately 91% of the Company's mailer product net
sales with the balance  sold directly to end-use  customers. In addition to  the
independent distributor network, the Company benefits from the marketing efforts
of  its corporate  partners --  the Xerox Corporation  and Tab  Products Co. The
Xerox Supplies Group has recently selected the Company's
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-  system as  the non-impact  mailer system  to  be
marketed  by its sales force.  InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- equipment for high
and moderate volume users is marketed by Tab Products Co. which manufactures the
machines. Since InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- equipment  can only be used  with
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- forms, the Company expects to realize significant
repeat form sales as the installed base of these systems grows. The Company will
continue  to  look for  innovative, cost  effective  ways to  attract customers,
including a  plan  to cross-sell  products  to selected  customers  through  the
Company's direct sales force.
 
    DIRECT  MAIL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.   The Company primarily sells its direct
mail products  through its  seven  person in-house  sales force  which  solicits
business  from  direct marketing  companies. The  Company has  in excess  of 150
active customers. Given long term customer relationships and large average order
sizes, the  Company's  sales  professionals,  which average  over  15  years  of
industry experience, are compensated on a salaried basis.
 
    CUSTOM  PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELS.  The  Company markets its custom pressure
sensitive labels to  both independent  distributors and  directly to  end-users.
Over  the past 24  months the Company has  conducted business with approximately
26,000 independent  distributors, such  as  business forms  companies,  printing
brokers,   printers  and  quick  printers.  Sales  to  independent  distributors
collectively accounted for approximately  70% of pro forma  1995 net sales  with
the  top 20 distributor  accounts accounting for approximately  10% of pro forma
1995  custom  pressure  sensitive  label  net  sales.  Direct  sales   customers
constitute the remaining 30%.
 
    CUSTOM  ENVELOPES.    Due to  the  exacting specifications  and  high volume
requirements of the custom envelope  customer, the Company sells these  products
directly  to  end-users. The  Company maintains  a 34  person sales  force which
primarily covers  the  Southeastern  U.S.  and averages  12  years  of  industry
experience.   These  sales   people  receive   commissions  determined   by  the
relationship between  selling  price and  estimated  full production  cost.  The
Company  maintains a  diverse customer  base with  the top  20 envelope accounts
providing 43% of total 1995 envelope net sales. Expanding envelopes, pockets and
wallets are sold primarily through  independent distributors due to the  smaller
order size, which is typical of sales of these products.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The   markets  for  the   Company's  products  are   highly  fragmented  and
competitive. Competition  is  based  upon  product  breadth,  geographic  reach,
delivery    time,    product    quality   and    customer    service.   Customer
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
relationships in the markets in which the Company competes tend to be long-term,
and service  and  familiarity with  a  customer's  needs, as  well  as  personal
factors,   are  important  in  building   and  maintaining  such  relationships.
Competitors range from large manufacturers to regional and local firms.
 
    MAILER PRODUCTS.  Impact mailers are sold through two principal distribution
channels, direct  to  customers  and to  independent  distributors.  The  direct
channel  is  dominated by  large manufacturers,  which include  Wallace Computer
Services, Inc., Moore Corporation Limited, Uarco Business Forms and the Standard
Register Company. These manufacturers generally maintain long term relationships
and tend to offer a full range of business form products, with mailers generally
representing a small percentage of total  sales to customers. The Company  sells
its  products primarily to  independent distributors. See  "Business -- Products
and Services."  The  Company believes  that  it is  the  a leading  supplier  to
independent distributors.
 
    The  non-impact mailer market is comprised of three primary competitors: the
Company, Moore  Corporation Limited  and the  Standard Register  Company.  These
three competitors offer self-mailer systems, that consist of one piece forms and
dedicated  folder/sealer equipment and target  medium and high-volume customers.
Management believes that the Company, through its patented
Infoseal-Registered Trademark-  system, has  the  largest number  of  non-impact
self-mailer  installations with over 1,400. The Company has recently developed a
patented low cost desktop folder/sealer machine to specifically address the  low
volume  small  business  segment.  Management  believes  that  it  is  the first
manufacturer to  develop a  self-mailer system  targeting small  businesses  and
satellite offices of large companies.
 
    DIRECT  MAIL PRODUCTS AND  SERVICES.  Direct mail  products and services are
primarily sold  directly to  end-users.  Competitors which  manufacture  bind-in
catalog   order  forms  and  related   direct  mail  products  include  Webcraft
Technologies, Inc., the  Cyrill Scott Company,  American In-Line Graphics,  Inc.
(R.R. Donnelly & Sons Co.) and Web Inserts (World Color Press, Inc.). Other than
Webcraft,  most competitors are single plant operations. The Company believes it
is among the  four largest suppliers  of direct mail  inserts and other  bind-in
mailing  products.  The  Company's  direct  mail  fulfillment  business competes
primarily with  Communicolor  (the  Standard Register  Company)  and  ColorForms
(Wallace Computer Services, Inc.).
 
    CUSTOM  PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELS.   Competitors in  the custom label market
sell their  products either  directly  to end-use  customers or  to  independent
distributors.  Those  competitors that  sell directly  to end-users  include the
Standard Register Company, Moore Corporation  Limited, Uarco Business Forms  and
Wallace  Computer Services, Inc. These  companies primarily produce stock labels
but also compete in the market for  custom labels. The Company is recognized  as
the  market leader in the independent distribution channel. Major competitors in
this highly fragmented channel include Discount Labels, Inc., Data Labels, Inc.,
Continental  Datalabel,  Inc.,  Rittenhouse,   Inc.  and  Lancer  Labels,   Inc.
Competitors  in  this  channel  are  typically  small  regional, privately-owned
operators with a single production facility.
 
    CUSTOM ENVELOPES.   Due  to  the high  bulk  and weight  characteristics  of
envelopes, transportation and freight costs are generally an important component
of  the total cost  of envelope production.  With transportation costs typically
accounting for 3%  of total envelope  production costs, long  distance trade  is
often  limited to high value-added products. As a result, envelope manufacturers
generally focus production facilities on immediate regional markets. The Company
estimates it has approximately 14% market share of the custom envelope market in
the Southeastern  U.S.  The  Company's  major competitors  in  this  region  are
Atlantic Envelope Co. (National Service Industries, Inc.), Allen Envelope Corp.,
Tri State Envelope Corp., Oles Envelope Corp. and, to a lesser extent, Mail-Well
Inc.  and Westvaco Corp. Like the Company, most of these competitors maintain an
in-house sales force.
 
SUPPLIERS
 
    The Company  has a  broad  base of  high  quality, national  suppliers.  The
primary  raw  materials used  by  the Company  are  uncoated and  coated papers,
plastic films, inks and adhesives. Paper represents the Company's single largest
raw material. Union Camp Corp., International Paper Co., Georgia-Pacific  Corp.,
Kimberly-Clark  Corp. and Appleton Paper are the largest paper suppliers for the
Company's transactional mailers, direct mail  products and custom envelopes.  In
1995,  the  Company purchased  paper from  more than  nine major  suppliers. The
Company's custom pressure sensitive label business purchases paper and other key
substrates from Fasson and Flexcon Inc.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
MANUFACTURING
 
    MAILER PRODUCTS.    Mailers are  produced  in three  facilities  located  in
Roanoke,  Virginia, Fort  Smith, Arkansas  and Sparks,  Nevada, thereby allowing
cost-effective national distribution. In total, these facilities utilize 20  web
offset  presses ranging  in width  from 20 1/2"  to 30  1/2" to  create rolls of
printed materials which are  then further converted  on 18 high-speed  collators
into  multiple ply  mailer sets. Additional  major pieces of  equipment in these
plants include three MICR routing encryption and five
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- converting lines.
 
    DIRECT MAIL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.  Direct mail products are produced in two
facilities both of which are located  in Roanoke, Virginia. One of these  plants
utilizes  four high  volume heat-set, web  offset printing presses  to produce a
wide range of bind-in catalog order forms, advertising inserts and other  direct
mail  items. These presses range  in web width from 26"  to 38" and are equipped
with state-of-the-art,  in-line finishing  equipment to  functionally  customize
printed  products. The other facility includes six impact printers, multiple ion
deposition engines and in  jet printers to personalize  mailers for direct  mail
applications. This equipment is controlled by in-house software.
 
    CUSTOM PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELS.  Pressure sensitive labels are produced in
five  facilities  located  in  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas,  San  Carlos, California,
Linthicum, Maryland,  Wilton, New  Hampshire and  Roanoke, Virginia,  which  are
strategically  positioned throughout the U.S.  Three of these plants incorporate
28 traditional flexographic  presses ranging in  web width from  6 1/2" to  16",
which  produce a full  complement of label  graphics, including process printing
and foil stamping.  The other  two plants are  designed to  meet quick  response
label  orders and utilize  29 highly customized letter  presses designed to cost
effectively produce labels in small order quantities.
 
    CUSTOM ENVELOPES.   Custom  envelopes are  produced in  four plants  located
throughout  the Company's core Southeastern U.S. regional market in Gainesville,
Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, Greenville, South Carolina and Roanoke, Virginia.
Production equipment at the four  envelope plants includes eight high-speed  web
folding  machines with in-line flexographic  printing capacity which can produce
finished, customized envelopes in one pass.  In addition, these plants house  44
folding  machines which  convert die-cut  blanks into  finished envelopes. Other
equipment includes computer controlled high-speed  die-cutters and a variety  of
off-line  printing equipment.  Custom expanding envelopes,  pockets, wallets and
other products  for the  professional office  are produced  at the  facility  in
Austell, Georgia, which incorporates a wide array of specialized die-cutters and
assembly equipment.
 
    All  of the Company's mailer, direct  marketing and pressure sensitive label
facilities are supported by state of the art, electronic pre-press capabilities.
These services are also  available to the Company's  custom envelope plants  via
electronic  file  transfer  on the  Company's  frame relay  based  intranet. The
Company's pre-press design capability is  composed of Apple MacIntosh and  Mecca
hardware architecture.
 
FACILITIES
 
    As  of  June  30, 1996  the  Company operated  manufacturing,  warehouse and
distribution facilities in  the U.S. with  a total floor  area of  approximately
808,000  square feet.  Of this  footage, approximately  304,000 square  feet are
leased and approximately 504,000 square feet are owned.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
    The following table describes the manufacturing, warehouse and  distribution
facilities of the Company as of June 30, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SQUARE FEET
                 TRANSKRIT/                  OWNED/     EXPIRATION   -----------------
   LOCATION         NFC       PRODUCT(1)    LEASED(2)    OF LEASE
- ---------------  ----------  -------------  ---------  ------------   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>              <C>         <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>
ARKANSAS
  Fort Smith     Transkrit     M, SM, D         O                              125
  Fort Smith     Transkrit         L            L        12/31/1997             20
CALIFORNIA
  San Carlos     Transkrit         L            L           Monthly             24
FLORIDA
  Gainesville       NFC            E            O                               52
GEORGIA
  Atlanta           NFC            A            L         8/31/2000              5
  Austell           NFC            E            L          9/1/2001             39
KENTUCKY
  Louisville        NFC            E            L         3/31/2000             70
MARYLAND
  Linthicum      Transkrit         L            L         6/30/2000             15
NEW HAMPSHIRE
  Wilton         Transkrit         L            O                               79
NEVADA
  Sparks         Transkrit         M            L        11/30/1998             42
PENNSYLVANIA
  Norristown        NFC           D,S           L         4/30/2001             15
SOUTH CAROLINA
  Greenville        NFC            E            L         6/18/1997             46
VIRGINIA
  Roanoke           NFC        E, DMI, L        O                              137
  Roanoke        Transkrit       M, SM          O                              111
  Salem          Transkrit        DMF           L         1/31/1998             27
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
1.   DMF=Direct   Mail  Fulfillment;  DMI=Direct  Mail  Inserts;  D=Distribution
     Warehouse;  E=Envelopes;  L=Labels;  M=Mailers;  S=Sales  Office;  SM=Stock
     Mailers; A=Administrative
 
2.   O=Owned
     L=Leased
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As  of June  30, 1996, the  Company employed approximately  1,420 people, of
which   1,040   work   in   manufacturing    facilities   and   380   work    in
corporate/administrative   functions.  None  of   the  Company's  employees  are
unionized, and the Company believes its relations with employees are good.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company  is a  party to  various litigation  matters incidental  to  the
conduct of its business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of
the  matters in  which it  is currently  involved will  have a  material adverse
effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS
 
    Like similar companies, the Company's operations and properties are  subject
to  a wide variety of  federal, state and local  laws and regulations, including
those governing  the use,  storage, handling,  generation, treatment,  emission,
release, discharge and disposal of certain materials, substances and wastes, the
remediation  of contaminated soil and groundwater,  and the health and safety of
employees. As such,  the nature of  the Company's operations  exposes it to  the
risk  of claims with  respect to environmental protection  and health and safety
matters and there can  be no assurance that  material costs or liabilities  will
not be incurred in connection with such claims.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
    In January 1988, the Company was notified by the United States Environmental
Protection  Agency ("EPA") that  it and 11 other  parties are potentially liable
for costs incurred by the EPA in responding to the cleanup of the Dixie  Caverns
Landfill  Superfund  Site  in Roanoke  County,  Virginia.  Subsequently, Roanoke
County expended $2.0 million to clean up a portion of the Dixie Cavern  Landfill
Site  and  has filed  suit  against the  Company  and the  11  other potentially
responsible parties ("PRPs") for reimbursement of these cleanup costs. Although,
under Superfund, the PRPs may be jointly and severally liable for cleanup costs,
management believes that  the Company's potential  liability in connection  with
the County's claim is de minimis, based upon the amount of waste attributable to
it  in relation to the other parties.  Management believes that the Company will
have no liability in connection with the remaining portion of the site, and that
the ultimate outcome of this matter will  not have a material adverse impact  on
the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
    The  EPA has also named the Company as one of a number of PRPs in connection
with the alleged disposal  of hazardous substances at  the Smiths Farm  Landfill
Superfund  Site in Kentucky. In February 1992,  the Company and 35 other parties
entered into  an alternative  dispute resolution  process ("ADRP")  to  allocate
liability.  Subsequently, a number of the  PRPs responsible for contributions of
waste to  the site  dropped out  of the  ADRP group.  The remaining  ADRP  group
members,  including the  Company, have proposed  a de minimis  settlement to the
EPA, which, if  accepted, would  resolve the Company's  liability in  connection
with the site. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will
not  have a  material adverse  impact on  the financial  position or  results of
operations of the Company.
 
    Although the Company does not anticipate that material expenditures will  be
required  to achieve  or maintain compliance  with, or  resolve liability under,
environmental  protection   and  occupational   health  and   safety  laws   and
regulations,  changing laws and regulations might affect the industries in which
the Company participates. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that additional
environmental, health or  safety matters  resulting in  material liabilities  or
expenditures   will  not  be  discovered  or   that,  in  the  future,  material
expenditures for environmental, health or safety matters will not be required by
changes in applicable laws or regulations.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    Directors of NFC are elected annually by its shareholder to serve during the
ensuing  year  or until  a successor  is duly  elected and  qualified. Executive
officers of NFC are duly elected by its Board of Directors to serve until  their
respective  successors are elected and qualified. The following table sets forth
certain information with respect to the directors and executive officers of  NFC
following the Acquisition.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                         AGE                         POSITION
- ----------------------------------------  ---------  ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>
John D. Weil                                     48  Chairman of the Board of Directors
Robert M. Miklas                                 44  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
David E. De Leeuw                                52  Director
David E. King                                    37  Director
Glenn S. McKenzie                                43  Director
Calvin Ingram                                    62  Director
Robert B. Webster                                48  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                                                     Officer
William Britts                                   63  Senior Vice President/Sales and Marketing
Thomas J. Cobery                                 49  Senior Vice President/President-Label Art
Jack Resnick                                     49  Senior Vice President/President-Transkrit
</TABLE>
 
    John  D. Weil (48), Chairman of the  Board of Directors of NFC since October
1995. In 1995, Mr. Weil joined McCown  De Leeuw & Co. as an operating  affiliate
to  assist  in portfolio  management.  From 1991  to  1994, Mr.  Weil  served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of American Envelope Company. Between 1983
and  1994,  Mr.  Weil  served  as  a  director  of  the  Envelope  Manufacturers
Association  (the "EMA"), as Chairman of  the EMA's Public Affairs Committee and
has served on its Technical, Training, Plant Operations and Finance  Committees.
Mr.  Weil  also  serves  as  a director  of  Specialty  Paperboard,  Inc., Tiara
Motorcoach  Corporation,  International  Data  Response  Corporation  and   Sage
Enterprises, Inc.
 
    Robert  M. Miklas (44),  Director, President and  Chief Executive Officer of
NFC since June 1990. Mr. Miklas has been Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer of DEC since June 1990. Prior  to joining DEC, Mr. Miklas worked for  15
years  with the consumer packaging division of the Boise Cascade Corporation and
its successor, Sonoco Products Company.
 
    David E. De Leeuw (52), Director of  NFC since September 1989. Mr. De  Leeuw
is  a managing general partner of MDC  Management Company II, L.P., which is the
general partner  of  McCown  De  Leeuw  & Co.  II,  L.P.  and  McCown  De  Leeuw
Associates,  L.P.,  MDC Management  Company IIE,  L.P.,  the general  partner of
McCown De Leeuw &  Co. Offshore (Europe), L.P.  and MDC Management Company  IIA,
L.P.,  the general  partner of McCown  De Leeuw  & Co. Offshore  (Asia), L.P. He
currently serves as a  director of Victoria  Mortgage Corporation, OSI  Holdings
Corp.,  Nimbus  CD International,  Inc., Tiara  Motorcoach Corporation  and Papa
Gino's Inc.
 
    David E. King (37), Director of NFC since April 1991. Mr. King is a  general
partner  of MDC  Management Company  II, L.P., which  is the  general partner of
McCown De  Leeuw &  Co.  II, L.P.  and McCown  De  Leeuw Associates,  L.P.,  MDC
Management  Company IIE,  L.P., the  general partner  of McCown  De Leeuw  & Co.
Offshore (Europe),  L.P.  and MDC  Management  Company IIA,  L.P.,  the  general
partner  of  McCown De  Leeuw  & Co.  Offshore (Asia),  L.P.  Mr. King  has been
associated with McCown  De Leeuw  & Co.  since 1990.  He currently  serves as  a
director  of OSI Holdings Corp., International Data Response Corporation, Nimbus
CD International, Inc., Fitness Holdings, Inc. and ASC Networks, Inc.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
    Glenn S. McKenzie (43), Director of NFC since October 1992. Mr. McKenzie has
been President of Alpha Investments,  Inc., a management consulting firm,  since
October  1991. He currently serves as  a director of Specialty Paperboard, Inc.,
Nimbus  CD  International,  Inc.,  Exeter  Health  Resources,  Inc.  and   Tiara
Motorcoach Corporation.
 
    Calvin  Ingram  (62), Director  of NFC  since January  1995. Mr.  Ingram has
served as Chairman of AmeriComm Direct Marketing since January 1991. Mr.  Ingram
currently  serves  as  a  director  of  AmeriMarketing  Group,  AmeriComm Direct
Marketing,  Associated   Premium  and   National  Association   of   Advertising
Distributors.
 
    Robert B. Webster (48), Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of  NFC since June 1995.  Mr. Webster has been  the Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial  Officer of  DEC since  June 1995.  Mr. Webster  served as  Vice
President  and Chief Financial Officer of Sunds Defibrator North America, a pulp
and paper equipment manufacturing company from March 1991 to November 1994.
 
    William Britts (63), Senior Vice President/Sales and Marketing of NFC  since
October  1992.  From October  1992 to  June 1996,  Mr. Britts  served as  a Vice
President of Sales and Marketing for  DEC. He joined Double Envelope Company  in
1958.
 
    Thomas  J. Cobery (49),  Senior Vice President  of NFC since  June 1996. Mr.
Cobery has been President of Label Art, Inc. since November 1987.
 
    Jack Resnick  (49),  Senior  Vice  President of  NFC  since  June  1996  and
President  of  Transkrit since  January 1991.  Mr.  Resnick was  Chief Operating
Officer of Transkrit from January 1991 until June 1996.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation  paid
or  accrued for the year ended December 31, 1995 for the Chief Executive Officer
of NFC and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers  of
the  Company. The compensation of Messrs. Miklas, Webster and Britts was paid by
NFC and the compensation of Messrs. Resnick and Cobery was paid by Transkrit.
 
    SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               COMMON STOCK        ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                         SALARY ($)   BONUS ($)(1)  OPTIONS (#)    COMPENSATION ($)(2)
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  --------------  -------------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>          <C>             <C>
Robert M. Miklas ................................
  President and Chief Executive Officer                 169,937      14,559            -0-                696(3)
Robert B. Webster ...............................
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
  Officer                                                84,571      30,600            -0-                -0-
William Britts ..................................
  Senior Vice President/Sales and Marketing             149,512      12,729            -0-              4,138(4)
Thomas J. Cobery ................................
  Senior Vice President/President - Label Art           154,265      57,279            -0-             34,815(5)
Jack Resnick ....................................
  Senior Vice President/President - Transkrit           185,328      34,731            -0-             43,400(6)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Includes amounts earned and accrued in 1995.
 
(2) Represents  the   dollar  value   of   annual  compensation   not   properly
    characterized  as salary  or bonus. Following  Commission rules, perquisites
    and other personal benefits which do not exceed 25% of the total perquisites
    and other personal benefits  for each of the  named executive officers  have
    been omitted from these footnotes.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
(3) Consists  of the taxable  portion of group term  life insurance premiums for
    Mr. Miklas paid by NFC.
 
(4) Consists of the taxable portion of medical insurance premiums for Mr. Britts
    paid by NFC.
 
(5) Includes bonus payments to Mr. Cobery under the Label Art, Inc. Equity Share
    Plan (the  "Equity Share  Plan"). Pursuant  to the  Equity Share  Plan,  Mr.
    Cobery  has  received  138,468 equity  shares  ("Equity  Shares") simulating
    ownership in Label Art,  Inc. The Equity Share  Plan provides that if  Label
    Art, Inc. declares a dividend on its common stock at any time during which a
    participant  has been allocated Equity Shares, the participant shall receive
    a bonus, equal to the dividend he or  she would have received if his or  her
    Equity Shares were common stock of Label Art, Inc. The Equity Share Plan was
    terminated  concurrently  with  the consummation  of  the  Transactions. Mr.
    Cobery sold 4,898 Equity  Shares back to Label  Art, Inc. in February,  1994
    for which he received $22,114.
 
(6) Includes  $27,416  representing  dividends on  220.5  equity  shares ("Stock
    Credits") simulating economic ownership in  Transkrit issued to Mr.  Resnick
    under  his employment agreement  with Transkrit, dated  January 9, 1991 (the
    "Employment Agreement"). As holder of Stock Credits, Mr. Resnick is entitled
    to receive amounts equal to the  cash dividends that he would have  received
    had  he owned a number  of shares of common stock  of Transkrit equal to the
    number of  Stock  Credits  then  credited  to  Mr.  Resnick's  account.  The
    Employment  Agreement was  terminated concurrently with  consummation of the
    Transactions.  Also   includes   $15,984  representing   reimbursement   for
    relocation expenses.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    Mr.  Weil received $2,000 per  meeting of the Board  of Directors of NFC for
each of the  first two quarterly  meetings in  1995 and was  reimbursed for  his
travel  and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his attendance at
such meetings. Mr. Ingram received $2,000 per meeting of the Board of  Directors
of  NFC in  1995, plus reimbursement  for his travel  and out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with attendance at such meetings. Non-employee  directors
of  NFC are expected  to receive $2,000  per regularly scheduled  meeting of the
Board of Directors,  $1,000 per special  meeting of the  Board of Directors  and
$500  per Committee  meeting plus,  in each  case, reimbursement  for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses  incurred  in  connection with  attendance  at  all  such
meetings.  No other director of NFC is expected to receive compensation from NFC
for performance of services as a  director of NFC (other than reimbursement  for
travel  and  out-of-pocket expenses  incurred in  connection with  attendance at
Board of Director meetings.)
 
STOCK OPTION PLAN AND OTHER BENEFIT PLANS AND ARRANGEMENTS
 
               DEC INTERNATIONAL, INC. 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
    DEC adopted the DEC International, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1996
Plan") on  June 28,  1996. The  1996 Plan  is administered  by the  Compensation
Committee  of the Board of  Directors (the "Board") of  DEC (or such other Board
committee as may be designated by  the Board) (the "Committee"). Under the  1996
Plan,  the Committee may grant  or award (a) stock  options (which may be either
incentive stock  options ("ISOs"),  within the  meaning of  Section 422  of  the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended, or stock  options other than ISOs),
(b) stock  appreciation rights  granted  in conjunction  with stock  options  or
independently,  (c) restricted stock, (d)  bonuses or other compensation payable
in stock and/or (e) other stock-based awards to executive and other key salaried
employees, including  officers,  as  well  as to  consultants  of  NFC  and  its
subsidiaries  and  affiliates designated  by the  Committee, but  excluding non-
employee directors and members of the Committee.
 
                                RETIREMENT PLANS
 
    NFC sponsors two defined  benefit plans, the  Employees' Retirement Plan  of
National  Fiberstok  Corporation,  which  covers Mr.  Britts  and  the Transkrit
Corporation Employees' Pension Plan, which covers
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
Mr. Resnick.  In  addition,  NFC  has entered  into  a  Management  Supplemental
Retirement  Agreement with Mr. Britts, which  provides a supplemental benefit to
the Employees' Retirement Plan of National Fiberstok Corporation.
 
    EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN OF NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION  The Employees'
Retirement Plan of National Fiberstok  Corporation (the "NFC Plan") provides  an
annual retirement benefit equal to .75% of "final average monthly compensation,"
plus  .65% of "final average monthly compensation" in excess of monthly "covered
compensation," multiplied by years of credited  service up to 35. Final  average
monthly  compensation is  determined by  averaging a  participant's compensation
over the 60 consecutive months for which compensation was highest during the 120
months of  employment ending  on December  31,  1994 (or  the average  for  such
shorter  period of months  if less than 60).  Monthly covered compensation under
the NFC Plan is the average of the taxable wage base in effect under the  Social
Security  Act  over  the  35 year  period  ending  with the  year  in  which the
participant reaches  his  or her  social  security retirement  age,  divided  by
twelve.
 
    The  following  table  gives  the  estimated  annual  benefit  payable  upon
retirement for participants in the NFC Plan:
 
                                 NFC PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEARS OF SERVICE
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION                            15          20          25          30          35
- ----------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
125,000...........................      23,618      31,490      39,363      47,235      55,108
150,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
175,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
200,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
225,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
250,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
275,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
300,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
325,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
350,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
375,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
400,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
425,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
450,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
475,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
500,000...........................      28,868      38,490      48,113      57,735      67,358
</TABLE>
 
    Benefits shown above are computed as a single life annuity beginning at  age
65  and are not  subject to any  deduction for offset  amounts other than Social
Security as described above.
 
    Compensation for purposes of the NFC Plan is the total monthly earnings paid
to a participant, which includes salary and  bonus, as shown in columns (c)  and
(d) on the Summary Compensation Table; provided, however, compensation in excess
of $150,000 is disregarded.
 
    The estimated years of credited service for purposes of calculating benefits
under the NFC Plan for Mr. Britts is 35.
 
    MANAGEMENT  SUPPLEMENTAL  RETIREMENT  AGREEMENT    NFC  has  entered  into a
Management Supplemental Retirement Agreement ("SERP")  with Mr. Britts which  is
not  qualified under  Section 401(a)  of the Internal  Revenue Code  of 1986, as
amended ("Code"). The SERP provides an annual benefit equal to the benefit which
Mr. Britts would have been entitled to  receive under the terms of the NFC  Plan
in effect as of
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
December  31, 1988, if it had continued in effect until his benefit commencement
date, less the greater of (i) the benefit which Mr. Britts will actually receive
under the NFC Plan or (ii) the benefit which Mr. Britts would have been entitled
to receive on his benefit commencement date under the terms of the NFC Plan,  as
amended and restated as of January 1, 1989, with no further amendment.
 
    The  following  table  gives  the  estimated  annual  benefit  payable  upon
retirement to Mr. Britts under the SERP:
 
                                   SERP TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEARS OF SERVICE
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION                            15          20          25          30          35
- ----------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
125,000...........................       6,785       9,047      11,308       9,686       8,063
150,000...........................       9,035      12,047      15,058      12,936      10,813
175,000...........................      16,535      22,047      27,558      26,686      25,813
200,000...........................      24,035      32,047      40,058      40,436      40,813
225,000...........................      31,535      42,047      52,558      54,186      55,813
250,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
275,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
300,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
325,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
350,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
375,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
400,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
425,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
450,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
475,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
500,000...........................      32,339      43,119      53,898      55,660      57,421
</TABLE>
 
    Benefits shown above are computed as a single life annuity beginning at  age
65  and are not  subject to any  deduction for offset  amounts other than Social
Security, as described under the description of the NFC Plan above.
 
    Compensation covered by the SERP is  the same as compensation covered  under
the NFC Plan.
 
    The estimated years of credited service for purposes of calculating benefits
under the SERP for Mr. Britts is 35.
 
    TRANSKRIT  CORPORATION EMPLOYEES'  PENSION PLAN   The  Transkrit Corporation
Employees' Pension Plan (the "Transkrit Plan") provides an annual benefit  equal
to  .4% of "average final compensation"  multiplied by benefit service completed
before July 15,  1971, plus .7%  of "average final  compensation" multiplied  by
benefit service completed after July 15, 1971, plus an additional 3% of "average
final  compensation" multiplied by  benefit service earned  while an employee of
Short Run Labels,  Inc., if  any. Average  final compensation  is determined  by
averaging  a participant's compensation for  the five consecutive calendar years
during  the  ten   years  immediately  preceding   retirement,  termination   of
employment, or death that give the highest average.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
    The  following  table  gives  the  estimated  annual  benefit  payable  upon
retirement for participants in the Transkrit Plan:
 
                              TRANSKRIT PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      YEARS OF SERVICE
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION         15          20          25          30          35
- ---------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
100,000........      10,500      14,000      17,500      21,000      24,500
125,000........      13,100      17,500      21,900      26,300      30,600
150,000........      15,800      21,000      26,300      31,500      36,800
175,000........      18,000      24,200      30,300      36,400      42,500
200,000........      20,300      27,300      34,300      41,300      48,300
225,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
250,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
275,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
300,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
325,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
350,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
375,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
400,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
425,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
450,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
475,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
500,000........      22,000      29,700      37,400      45,100      52,700
</TABLE>
 
    Compensation covered by  the Transkrit Plan  is equal to  the annual  amount
paid  to a  participant by  Transkrit which  includes base  salary, overtime and
commissions, as shown in the  Summary Compensation Table, but excluding  bonuses
as  shown in the Summary Compensation  Table; provided, however, compensation in
excess of $150,000 is disregarded.
 
    The estimated years of credited service for purposes of calculating benefits
for Mr.  Resnick is  five. The  current amount  of compensation  covered by  the
Transkrit Plan for Mr. Resnick is $190,890.
 
    Benefits  shown above are computed as a single life annuity beginning at age
65 and are not subject to any offset amounts.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
    NFC and Robert M. Miklas entered into an agreement dated as of June 28, 1996
which sets forth certain terms of the employment of Mr. Miklas as President  and
CEO  of NFC and DEC. This agreement provides for an annual base salary which may
be increased pursuant  to an agreed  upon plan  subject to the  approval of  the
Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors  of DEC and NFC. Mr. Miklas is
eligible to receive bonus  compensation as determined from  time to time by  the
Board  of Directors of DEC and NFC. In the event that NFC terminates Mr. Miklas'
employment  under  certain  circumstances,  Mr.  Miklas  shall  be  entitled  to
continuation of his base compensation for a period of one year.
 
    NFC  and Jack Resnick  entered into an  agreement dated as  of June 28, 1996
which sets forth certain terms of the  employment of Mr. Resnick as Senior  Vice
President  of NFC and DEC and President  of Chief Executive Officer -- Transkrit
Division. This  agreement  provides for  an  annual  base salary  which  may  be
increased  pursuant  to an  agreed  upon plan  subject  to the  approval  of the
Compensation Committee of the  Board of Directors of  DEC or NFC. The  agreement
also  provides a plan  under which bonus  compensation is to  be awarded. In the
event that NFC terminates Mr. Resnick's employment under certain  circumstances,
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
Mr.  Resnick shall be  entitled to continuation  of his base  compensation for a
period of one year.  On June 28, 1996,  Mr. Resnick's 1991 employment  agreement
with  Transkrit was terminated and payment in the amount of $303,000 was made to
him in accordance with the terms of such employment agreement.
 
    Label Art and Thomas J. Cobery entered  into an agreement dated as of  March
13,  1986 which  sets forth  certain terms  of the  employment of  Mr. Cobery as
President of Label Art. The agreement  provides for base compensation and  bonus
compensation.  The rate of  such compensation is  subject to yearly modification
upon the agreement of Mr. Cobery and Label Art. If Mr. Cobery and Label Art  are
unable  to  agree by  March 30  of any  year  as to  any such  modification, the
agreement will cease  to be  in force. Termination  of employment  by Label  Art
under  certain  circumstances  will  entitle  Mr.  Cobery  to  receive  his base
compensation and  insurance  benefits  for  a period  of  six  months.  If  such
termination  occurs after the eighth month of  any year, Mr. Cobery will also be
entitled to his bonus payment  for that year. On June  28, 1996, the Label  Art,
Inc.  Equity  Share  Participation Plan  in  which Mr.  Cobery  participated was
terminated and payment in the amount of $1,500,000 was made to him in accordance
with the terms of such plan.
 
    NFC and Robert B. Webster  entered into an agreement  on June 9, 1995  which
sets  forth  certain  terms  of  employment of  Mr.  Webster  as  Executive Vice
President and Chief  Financial Officer  of NFC.  The agreement  provides for  an
annual base salary that is subject to annual upward adjustment at the discretion
of  the  Board  of Directors  of  NFC.  The agreement  also  provides  for bonus
compensation based upon an  agreed upon plan. In  the event that NFC  terminates
Mr. Webster's employment for any reason under certain circumstances, Mr. Webster
shall be entitled to his base compensation for a period of nine months.
 
    William  C. Britts and NFC are parties to  an agreement dated as of April 5,
1983 which sets forth certain  terms of the employment  of Mr. Britts as  Senior
Vice President of NFC. The agreement provides for base compensation which may be
increased  by the Board of  Directors of NFC. NFC  may not terminate Mr. Britts'
employment  without  cause  (as  defined  in  such  agreement).  Cause  included
misappropriation of funds, improper personal gain, neglect or change of control.
 
                               SECURITY OWNERSHIP
 
NFC
 
    The  authorized capital  stock of NFC  consists of 300,000  shares of common
stock, par  value  $.01  per share,  of  which  283,807 shares  are  issued  and
outstanding, all of which have voting rights and are presently held by DEC.
 
DEC
 
    The  authorized capital stock of the DEC consists of (i) 4,000,000 shares of
Class A common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of which 2,512,551 shares  are
issued  and  outstanding, and  which have  voting rights.  In addition,  DEC has
issued options  to  purchase 247,814  shares  of Class  A  common stock  to  the
management  of DEC and  NFC pursuant to  the 1996 Plan  and warrants to purchase
132,240 shares of Class A  common stock to certain  investors, all of which  are
outstanding;  (ii) 300,000 shares of Class B  common stock, par value $.0001 per
share, of which no shares are issued  and outstanding, and which have no  voting
rights;  and (iii) 250,000 shares of  Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par
value .0001 per share, of which 10,000 shares are issued and outstanding.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
    The following table sets  forth as of the  consummation of the  Transactions
the  number and percentage of  shares of DEC Class  A Common Stock capital stock
beneficially owned by (i) each person known to the Company to be the  beneficial
owner  of  more than  5%  of any  class of  DEC's  equity securities,  (ii) each
director of the Company or DEC,  and (iii) all directors and executive  officers
of DEC as a group.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     AMOUNT AND
                                                                                      NATURE OF
                                                                                     BENEFICIAL        PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                      OWNERSHIP         DEC CLASS A
                                                                                   OF DEC CLASS A      COMMON STOCK
                                                                                  COMMON STOCK (1)      OUTSTANDING
                                                                                 -------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                  <C>
McCown De Leeuw & Co. II, L.P.(2) .............................................        1,403,104              55.8%
 c/o McCown De Leeuw & Company
 3000 Sand Hill Road
 Building 3, Suite 290
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
McCown De Leeuw Associates, L.P.(2) ...........................................          755,603              30.1%
 c/o McCown De Leeuw & Company
 3000 Sand Hill Road
 Building 3, Suite 290
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
MDC/JAFCO Ventures, L.P.(3) ...................................................           52,174               2.1%
 c/o McCown De Leeuw & Company
 3000 Sand Hill Road
 Building 3, Suite 290
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
David E. De Leeuw(4) ..........................................................        2,210,881              88.0%
 c/o McCown De Leeuw & Company
 3000 Sand Hill Road
 Building 3, Suite 290
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
Glenn McKenzie ................................................................            9,294               0.4%
 24 Beach Plum Way
 Hampton, NH 03842
Robert Miklas .................................................................           57,736               2.3%
 4982 Carol Lane
 Atlanta, GA 30327
All directors and executive officers as a group................................          101,672               4.0%
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------
 
(1) Class  A Common Stock  is the only class  of capital stock  of DEC which has
    voting rights. Beneficial  ownership is  determined in  accordance with  the
    rules  of  the  Commission.  Shares of  capital  stock  subject  to options,
    warrants and convertible securities currently exercisable or convertible, or
    exercisable or  convertible  within  60 days,  are  deemed  outstanding  for
    computing  the percentage  of the  person holding  such options  but are not
    deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.  Except
    as  indicated by footnote,  the persons named  in the table  above have sole
    voting and investment  power with  respect to  all shares  of capital  stock
    indicated as beneficially owned by them.
 
(2) MDC  Management Company II, L.P.  ("MDC II") is the  general partner of both
    McCown De Leeuw & Co. II, L.P.  and McCown De Leeuw Associates, L.P.  George
    E.  McCown, David E. De Leeuw, Robert B. Hellman, Jr., Charles Ayres, Steven
    A. Zuckerman and David E.  King are the general partners  of MDC II. Mr.  De
    Leeuw is the managing general partner of MDC II.
 
(3) MDC Management Company ("MDC") is the general partner of MDC/JAFCO Ventures,
    L.P. George E. McCown and David E. De Leeuw are the general partners of MDC.
    Mr. De Leeuw is the managing general partner of MDC.
 
(4) Represents  shares of DEC Class A Common Stock held by McCown De Leeuw & Co.
    II, L.P., McCown De Leeuw Associates, L.P. and MDC/JAFCO Ventures, L.P.  Mr.
    De  Leeuw, a director of the Company,  may be deemed to own beneficially all
    of the  shares held  by McCown  De Leeuw  & Co.  II, L.P.,  McCown De  Leeuw
    Associates,  L.P. and  MDC/JAFCO Ventures, L.P.  because of  his position as
    managing general partner  of MDC  II and  MDC. Mr.  De Leeuw  has no  direct
    ownership  of  any Class  A  Common Stock  of  DEC and  disclaims beneficial
    ownership as to all of such shares, except to the extent of his proportional
    partnership interests.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
ACQUISITION ARRANGEMENTS
 
    In connection with the Acquisition,  certain members of management  received
substantial  payments for their equity  interests in Transkrit. Messrs. Neubauer
and Resnick received an aggregate of  approximately $9.7 million at the  closing
of  the  Acquisition  for  their  shares  of  Transkrit  and  pursuant  to other
equity-based arrangements.
 
ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT
 
    NFC  maintains  a  Advisory  Services  Agreement  (the  "Advisory   Services
Agreement")  with  MDC  Management  Company  II,  L.P.  ("MDC  Management"),  an
affiliate. Under  the  Advisory  Services  Agreement,  MDC  Management  provides
certain consulting, financial, and managerial functions to the Company for a fee
initially  in an amount not to exceed  $350,000 in any fiscal year, which amount
may be increased to an amount not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year with the
approval of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company who do not have
a direct financial  interest in  any person  receiving such  payments under  the
Advisory  Services Agreement. MDC Management has agreed to subordinate its right
to receive such fees in the event of an acceleration of maturity of the Notes or
a bankruptcy, liquidation  or insolvency  proceeding involving  the Company.  In
1995,  $187,500  was paid.  NFC  has recorded  a  liability of  $562,000  on its
consolidated balance sheet for the year  ended December 31, 1995 related to  the
unpaid  portion of these costs  as of December 31,  1995, which portion was paid
upon consummation of the Transactions.  The Advisory Services Agreement  expires
December 31, 2000 and is renewable annually thereafter, unless terminated by NFC
for  justifiable cause, as defined. NFC believes  that the fees received for the
professional services rendered are at least  as favorable to NFC as those  which
could be negotiated with a third party.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
                    DESCRIPTION OF NEW BANK CREDIT FACILITY
 
    The  Company  and its  subsidiaries  entered into  a  loan agreement  with a
financial institution (the "Lender")  pursuant to which  the Lender provides  to
the  Company and  its subsidiaries  a revolving  credit facility  (the "New Bank
Credit Facility"). Subject to borrowing base limitations and the satisfaction of
customary borrowing conditions, the Company  and its subsidiaries are  permitted
to  borrow up to $20.0 million under the  New Bank Credit Facility. The terms of
such New Bank Credit Facility are substantially as follows:
 
    The New Bank  Credit Facility enables  the Company and  its subsidiaries  to
obtain  revolving credit loans from time to time for working capital and general
corporate purposes in an aggregate amount  outstanding not to exceed the  lesser
of  (x) $20.0 million  and (y) 80%  of eligible accounts  receivable plus 50% of
eligible  inventory,  in  each  case  less  any  outstanding  letter  of  credit
liability.
 
    The  revolving  credit  loans  bear  interest,  depending  on  the Company's
election, at either (i) the Prime Rate (as defined therein) plus 1% per annum or
(ii) LIBOR (as defined therein) plus  2.25% per annum. The Company is  obligated
to  pay an  annual fee of  0.5% per  annum of the  amount of  the average unused
commitments, payable quarterly  in arrears.  The New Bank  Credit Facility  will
terminate  on  the fifth  anniversary of  the  date of  the consummation  of the
Initial Offering, unless terminated sooner upon an event of default (as  defined
therein), and outstanding revolving credit loans will be payable on such date or
such earlier date as may be accelerated following the occurrence of any event of
default.
 
    The  New Bank Credit Facility ranks PARI  PASSU in right of payment with the
Notes and is secured  by a lien  on all of the  Company's and its  subsidiaries'
accounts  receivable, inventory,  patents, trademarks and  other intangibles and
the proceeds thereof. The New Bank Credit Facility contains various  restrictive
covenants and events of default customary for a transaction of this type.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
    The  New  Notes will  be  issued, and  the Old  Notes  were issued  under an
Indenture dated as of June 15, 1996 (the "Indenture") among the Company, certain
former Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee").  For
purposes  of the  following summary, the  Old Notes  and the New  Notes shall be
collectively referred to as the "Notes."  The terms and conditions of the  Notes
include  those stated in the  Indenture and those made  part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939  as in effect on  the date of  the
Indenture. The following statements are summaries of the provisions of the Notes
and  the Indenture and do not purport to be complete. Such summaries make use of
certain terms defined in  the Indenture and are  qualified in their entirety  by
express reference to the Indenture. The definitions of certain capitalized terms
used   in  the  following  summary  are   set  forth  below  under  "--  Certain
Definitions." A copy of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
    The Notes will be senior obligations  of the Company, ranking PARI PASSU  in
right of payment with all other senior obligations of the Company.
 
    The  Notes will be issued in fully registered form only, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral  multiples thereof. Initially, the  Trustee
will act as paying agent and registrar for the Notes. The Notes may be presented
for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the registrar, which
initially  will be the Trustee's corporate  trust office. The Company may change
any paying  agent and  registrar without  notice to  holders of  the Notes  (the
"Holders"). The Company will pay principal (and premium, if any) on the Notes at
the  Trustee's corporate office in New York,  New York. At the Company's option,
interest may be paid at the Trustee's corporate trust office or by check  mailed
to  the  registered  addresses  of  the  Holders.  Any  Old  Notes  that  remain
outstanding after the completion  of the Exchange Offer,  together with the  New
Notes  issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, will be treated as a single
class of securities  under the  Indenture. See  "The Exchange  Offer; Old  Notes
Registration Rights."
 
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
 
    The Notes are limited in aggregate principal amount to $100,000,000 and will
mature  on June  15, 2002.  Interest on  the Notes  will accrue  at the  rate of
11 5/8% PER ANNUM and will be payable semi-annually in cash on each June 15  and
December  15, commencing on December 15, 1996, to the Persons who are registered
Holders at the close  of business on  the June 1  and December 1,  respectively,
immediately  preceding  the applicable  interest payment  date. Interest  on the
Notes will accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest  has
been  paid or,  if no  interest has been  paid, from  and including  the date of
issuance.
 
    The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund.
 
REDEMPTION
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
 
    The Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole at any  time
or  in part from time to time, on and after June 15, 1999, upon not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed  as
percentages of the principal amount thereof) if redeemed during the twelve-month
period  commencing on June 15 of the years  set forth below, plus, in each case,
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of redemption:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                                                                   PERCENTAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
1999.................................................................................................     105.813%
2000.................................................................................................     102.906%
2001 and thereafter..................................................................................     100.000%
</TABLE>
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION UPON PUBLIC EQUITY OFFERINGS.  At any time, or from time
to  time, on or prior to June 15, 1999,  the Company may, at its option, use the
net cash proceeds of one or more  Public Equity Offerings (as defined below)  to
redeem  up to $35.0 million aggregate principal  amount of Notes at a redemption
price equal to 111.625% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, thereon to the date of redemption; provided that at least  65%
of   the  principal  amount  of  Notes  originally  issued  remains  outstanding
immediately after giving effect to any  such redemption. In order to effect  the
foregoing  redemption  with  the proceeds  of  any Public  Equity  Offering, the
Company shall make such redemption not more than 60 days after the  consummation
of any such Public Equity Offering.
 
    As  used in  the preceding  paragraph, a  "Public Equity  Offering" means an
underwritten  public  offering  of  Qualified   Capital  Stock  of  either   DEC
International,  Inc.  ("Holdings") or  the  Company pursuant  to  a registration
statement filed with and declared effective by the Commission in accordance with
the Securities Act; PROVIDED that, in the  event of a Public Equity Offering  by
Holdings,  Holdings contributes to the capital of the Company the portion of the
net cash proceeds of such Public Equity Offering necessary to pay the  aggregate
redemption  price, plus accrued  and unpaid interest, if  any, to the redemption
date of the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to the preceding paragraph.
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
 
    In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time,
selection of such Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance
with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any,  on
which  the Notes are listed or,  if the Notes are not  then listed on a national
securities exchange,  on a  PRO RATA  basis, by  lot or  by such  method as  the
Trustee  shall deem fair and appropriate; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that no Notes of a
principal amount of  $1,000 or  less shall be  redeemed in  part; and  PROVIDED,
FURTHER,  that if  a partial redemption  is made  with the proceeds  of a Public
Equity Offering, selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall
be made by the Trustee only on a PRO RATA basis or on as nearly a PRO RATA basis
as is practicable (subject to the  procedures of The Depository Trust  Company),
unless such method is otherwise prohibited. Notice of redemption shall be mailed
by  first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption
date to each Holder of  Notes to be redeemed at  its registered address. If  any
Note  is to be redeemed  in part only, the notice  of redemption that relates to
such Note  shall  state  the portion  of  the  principal amount  thereof  to  be
redeemed.  A new  Note in  a principal  amount equal  to the  unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued in  the name of the  Holder thereof upon cancellation  of
the  original Note.  On and  after the redemption  date, interest  will cease to
accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption as long as the Company
has deposited with the paying agent for  the Notes funds in satisfaction of  the
applicable redemption price pursuant to the Indenture.
 
GUARANTEES
 
    Each  Guarantor will unconditionally  guarantee, on a  senior basis, jointly
and severally, to each Holder and  the Trustee, the full and prompt  performance
of  the Company's obligations  under the Indenture and  the Notes, including the
payment of  principal of  and interest  on the  Notes. The  obligations of  each
Guarantor  are limited to the  maximum amount which, after  giving effect to all
other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect
to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other  Guarantor
in  respect of the  obligations of such  other Guarantor under  its Guarantee or
pursuant to its contribution obligations under the Indenture, will result in the
obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a  fraudulent
conveyance  or fraudulent  transfer under Federal  or state  law. Each Guarantor
that makes a payment or distribution under its Guarantee shall be entitled to  a
contribution  from each other Guarantor in an  amount PRO RATA, based on the net
assets of each Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
    Each Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its assets to  the
Company  or  another  Guarantor that  is  a Wholly  Owned  Restricted Subsidiary
without limitation, or  with other  Persons upon  the terms  and conditions  set
forth  in the Indenture. See "--  Certain Covenants -- Merger, Consolidation and
Sale of Assets." In the event all of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor is sold by
the Company and/or one or  more of its Subsidiaries  and the sale complies  with
the provisions set forth in "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales,"
such Guarantor's Guarantee will be released.
 
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<PAGE>
SECURITY
 
    The  Notes will be secured by a first priority Lien on and security interest
in (a) all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of each Subsidiary of the
Company that becomes a Guarantor after the Issue Date to the extent owned by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (b)  so long as a Default or an Event  of
Default  shall have occurred and be  continuing, all dividends and distributions
with respect to Capital Stock of a Guarantor.
 
    The Indenture and the Security Documents will provide that the Capital Stock
of a Guarantor will be released from the Lien of the Indenture and the  Security
Documents in the event all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor is sold by the
Company  and/or one or more  of its Subsidiaries and  the sale complies with the
provisions set forth in "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales."
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
    The Indenture will provide that upon the occurrence of a Change of  Control,
each  Holder will have the  right to require that the  Company purchase all or a
portion of  such Holder's  Notes  pursuant to  the  offer described  below  (the
"Change  of Control Offer"), at a purchase  price equal to 101% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of
purchase.
 
    Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control occurred,
the Company must send, by first class mail, a notice to each Holder, with a copy
to the Trustee, which  notice shall govern  the terms of  the Change of  Control
Offer.  Such notice  shall state, among  other things, the  purchase date, which
must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 45 days from the date such notice
is mailed, other than as may be required by law (the "Change of Control  Payment
Date").  A Change of Control Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 business
days or such longer period as may be required by law. Holders electing to have a
Note purchased  pursuant  to a  Change  of Control  Offer  will be  required  to
surrender  the Note, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase"
on the reverse of the Note completed, to  the paying agent for the Notes at  the
address  specified in  the notice prior  to the  close of business  on the third
business day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.
 
    A Change of  Control can  occur in  certain circumstances  (pursuant to  the
definition thereof) upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company  or Holdings. In connection therewith,  the phrase "all or substantially
all"  as  used  in  the  Indenture  (including  as  set  forth  under   "Merger,
Consolidation  or Sale  of Substantially  All Assets")  varies according  to the
facts and circumstances of the  subject transaction, has no clearly  established
meaning  under New  York law  (which governs  the Indenture)  and is  subject to
judicial interpretation. Accordingly,  in certain circumstances  there may be  a
degree  of uncertainty  in ascertaining  whether a  particular transaction would
involve a disposition of "all  or substantially all" of  the assets of a  person
and  therefore it may be unclear as to  whether a Change of Control has occurred
and whether the Notes are subject to a Change of Control Offer.
 
    If a Change of  Control Offer is  made, there can be  no assurance that  the
Company  will  have available  funds  sufficient to  pay  the Change  of Control
purchase price for all the Notes that  might be delivered by Holders seeking  to
accept  the Change  of Control Offer.  In the  event the Company  is required to
purchase outstanding Notes pursuant  to a Change of  Control Offer, the  Company
expects  that it would seek third party financing to the extent it does not have
available funds  to meet  its purchase  obligations. However,  there can  be  no
assurance that the Company would be able to obtain such financing.
 
    Neither  the Board of Directors of the Company nor the Trustee may waive the
covenant relating to the Company's obligation to make a Change of Control Offer.
Restrictions in the Indenture described herein on the ability of the Company and
the Restricted Subsidiaries to incur additional Indebtedness, to grant liens  on
their  property, to make  Restricted Payments and  to make Asset  Sales may also
make more difficult or discourage a takeover of the Company, whether favored  or
opposed  by the management of the  Company. Consummation of any such transaction
in certain circumstances may require repurchase  of the Notes, and there can  be
no  assurance  that the  Company  or the  acquiring  party will  have sufficient
financial resources  to  effect  such  repurchase.  Such  restrictions  and  the
restrictions on transactions with Affiliates may, in certain circumstances, make
more  difficult  or  discourage  any  leveraged buyout  of  the  Company  by the
management
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
of the Company.  While such restrictions  cover a wide  variety of  arrangements
which  have traditionally been used to effect highly leveraged transactions, the
Indenture may not afford  the Holders of Notes  protection in all  circumstances
from  the  adverse aspects  of a  highly leveraged  transaction, reorganization,
restructuring, merger or similar transaction.
 
    The Company  will comply  with  the requirements  of  Rule 14e-1  under  the
Exchange  Act and  any other securities  laws and regulations  thereunder to the
extent  such  laws  and  regulations  are  applicable  in  connection  with  the
repurchase  of Notes pursuant to  a Change of Control  Offer. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws  or regulations conflict with the  "Change
of  Control"  provisions of  the Indenture,  the Company  shall comply  with the
applicable securities  laws and  regulations and  shall not  be deemed  to  have
breached  its  obligations  under  the "Change  of  Control"  provisions  of the
Indenture by virtue thereof.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
    The Indenture will contain, among others, the following covenants:
 
    LIMITATION ON INCURRENCE OF ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS.  The Company will  not,
and  will  not  permit  any  of  the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  to,  directly or
indirectly,  create,   incur,  assume,   guarantee,  acquire,   become   liable,
contingently  or otherwise, with respect to, or otherwise become responsible for
payment of  (collectively,  "incur")  any  Indebtedness  (other  than  Permitted
Indebtedness);  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if no  Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred  and be  continuing at  the time  of or  as a  consequence of  the
incurrence  of any  such Indebtedness,  the Company  or any  Guarantor may incur
Indebtedness (including,  without  limitation, Acquired  Indebtedness)  and  any
Restricted  Subsidiary may incur Acquired Indebtedness,  in each case, if on the
date of  the  incurrence  of  such Indebtedness,  after  giving  effect  to  the
incurrence  thereof, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company
is greater than (a) 1.75 to 1.0, if  the date of such incurrence is on or  prior
to  June 15, 1997, (b) 2.00 to 1.0, if the date of such incurrence is after June
15, 1997 and on or prior  to June 15, 1998, or (c)  2.25 to 1.0, if the date  of
such incurrence is after June 15, 1998.
 
    Indebtedness  of  a  Person  existing  at the  time  such  Person  becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or which is secured by a Lien on an asset acquired by  the
Company  or a Restricted Subsidiary (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed
by the acquiring Person) shall be deemed incurred at the time the person becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of the asset acquisition, as the case may
be.
 
    The Company  will  not, and  will  not permit  any  Guarantor to  incur  any
Indebtedness (other than Acquired Indebtedness which is subordinated in right of
payment  to other Acquired Indebtedness which is incurred in connection with the
same Asset Acquisition as such subordinated Acquired Indebtedness) which by  its
terms  (or  by  the  terms  of any  agreement  governing  such  Indebtedness) is
subordinated in right  of payment to  any other Indebtedness  of the Company  or
such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms (or by the terms of
any  agreement governing such Indebtedness)  made expressly subordinate in right
of payment to the Notes or the Gurantee  of such Guarantor, as the case may  be,
pursuant  to subordination  provisions that  are substantively  identical to the
subordination provisions of such Indebtedness (or such agreement) that are  most
favorable  to  the holders  of any  other  Indebtedness of  the Company  or such
Guarantor, as the case may be.
 
    LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.  The Company will not, and will not cause
or permit any  of the Restricted  Subsidiaries to, directly  or indirectly,  (a)
declare  or pay any dividend  or make any distribution  (other than dividends or
distributions payable  in Qualified  Capital  Stock of  the  Company) on  or  in
respect of shares of the Company's or Holding's Capital Stock to holders of such
Capital Stock, (b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Capital  Stock of the Company or Holdings  or any warrants, rights or options to
purchase or acquire  shares of any  class of  such Capital Stock,  (c) make  any
principal  payment on, purchase, defease,  redeem, prepay, decrease or otherwise
acquire or retire for  value, prior to any  scheduled final maturity,  scheduled
repayment  or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Indebtedness of the Company or
a Guarantor that is subordinate  or junior in right of  payment to the Notes  or
such  Guarantor's Guarantee,  as the  case may  be, or  (d) make  any Investment
(other than a Permitted Investment) (each of the foregoing actions set forth  in
clauses (a), (b) (c) and (d) being referred to as a "Restricted Payment"), if at
the  time of such Restricted Payment or immediately after giving effect thereto,
(i) a Default or an Event of
 
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Default shall have occurred and be continuing or (ii) the Company is not able to
incur  at  least  $1.00  of   additional  Indebtedness  (other  than   Permitted
Indebtedness)  in compliance with the covenant described under "-- Limitation on
Incurrence  of  Additional  Indebtedness"  or  (iii)  the  aggregate  amount  of
Restricted Payments (including such proposed Restricted Payment) made subsequent
to the Issue Date (the amount expended for such purposes, if other than in cash,
being  the fair market  value of such  property as determined  reasonably and in
good faith by the Board  of Directors of the Company)  shall exceed the sum  of:
(w) 50% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or if cumulative Consolidated
Net  Income shall  be a  loss, minus 100%  of such  loss) of  the Company earned
subsequent to the Issue Date and on or prior to the date the Restricted  Payment
occurs  (the  "Reference Date")  (treating such  period  as a  single accounting
period); PLUS  (x) 100%  of the  aggregate  net cash  proceeds received  by  the
Company  from  any Person  (other than  a  Subsidiary of  the Company)  from the
issuance and sale subsequent to the Issue Date and on or prior to the  Reference
Date  of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company; PLUS (y) without duplication of
any amounts included in  clause (iii)(x) above, 100%  of the aggregate net  cash
proceeds of any equity contribution received by the Company from a holder of the
Company's Capital Stock (excluding, in the case of clauses (iii)(x) and (y), any
net cash proceeds from (A) a Public Equity Offering to the extent used to redeem
the  Notes and (B) the Parent Capital Contribution); PLUS (z) an amount equal to
the consolidated net Investments on the  date of Revocation made by the  Company
and/or  any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in any Subsidiary of the Company that
has been designated  an Unrestricted Subsidiary  after the Issue  Date upon  its
redesignation  as  a  Restricted  Subsidiary  in  accordance  with  the covenant
described under "-- Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions  set forth in the  immediately
preceding  paragraph  shall not  prohibit: (1)  the payment  of any  dividend or
redemption payment within 60 days after the date of declaration of such dividend
or the applicable redemption if the dividend or redemption payment, as the  case
may  be, would have been permitted on the date of declaration; (2) if no Default
or Event of Default  shall have occurred and  be continuing, the acquisition  of
any  shares of Capital  Stock of the  Company or Holdings,  either (A) solely in
exchange for shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (B) through the
application of net proceeds of a  substantially concurrent sale for cash  (other
than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the
Company;  (3)  if no  Default or  Event of  Default shall  have occurred  and be
continuing, the acquisition of  any Indebtedness of the  Company or a  Guarantor
that  is  subordinate  or  junior in  right  of  payment to  the  Notes  or such
Guarantor's Guarantee, as  the case may  be, either (A)  solely in exchange  for
shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, or (B) through the application
of  net proceeds of  a substantially concurrent  sale for cash  (other than to a
Subsidiary of  the Company)  of (I)  shares of  Qualified Capital  Stock of  the
Company  or (II)  Refinancing Indebtedness;  (4) the  making of  payments by the
Company to Holdings in an amount not  in excess of the federal, state and  local
income  tax  liability that  the Company  and its  Subsidiaries would  have been
liable for  if  the Company,  together  with  its Subsidiaries,  had  filed  its
consolidated  tax return  on a  stand-alone basis;  PROVIDED that  such payments
shall be made  by the Company  no earlier than  five days prior  to the date  on
which  Holdings is required to make its payments to the Internal Revenue Service
or state or  local taxing authorities,  as the case  may be; (5)  the making  of
payments  by the Company  to Holdings to  pay operating expenses,  not to exceed
$500,000 in any  fiscal year;  (6) the  making of  payments, by  the Company  to
Holdings  to purchase Capital Stock of Holdings beneficially owned by directors,
officers and employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the
terms of employment contracts or employee benefit plans of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries not to exceed $250,000 in any fiscal year; (7) if no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred  and be continuing, the making of  payments
by  the Company to Holdings to pay regularly scheduled dividends on the Holdings
Preferred Stock; and (8) if no Default  or Event of Default shall have  occurred
and  be continuing, the making  of other Restricted Payments  not to exceed $2.0
million in  the aggregate.  In determining  the aggregate  amount of  Restricted
Payments  made subsequent to the  Issue Date in accordance  with clause (iii) of
the immediately preceding paragraph, amounts  expended pursuant to clauses  (1),
(2), (6), (7) and (8) shall be included in such calculation.
 
    LIMITATION ON ASSET SALES.  The Company will not, and will not permit any of
the  Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (a) the Company
or  the  applicable  Restricted  Subsidiary,  as  the  case  may  be,   receives
consideration  at the time of such Asset Sale  at least equal to the fair market
value of the
 
                                       64
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assets sold  or  otherwise disposed  of  (as determined  in  good faith  by  the
Company's Board of Directors), (b) at least 80% of the consideration received by
the  Company or the Restricted  Subsidiary, as the case  may be, from such Asset
Sale shall be in  the form of cash  or Cash Equivalents and  is received at  the
time  of such disposition; and  (c) upon the consummation  of an Asset Sale, the
Company shall apply, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to apply, the Net  Cash
Proceeds  relating to such Asset Sale within  270 days of receipt thereof either
(i) to the extent the properties or  assets that were the subject of such  Asset
Sale  secured Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indenture pursuant
to a Lien  permitted under the  Indenture, to prepay  any such Indebtedness  and
effect  a  permanent  reduction  in  the  availability  of  borrowing  under the
agreement(s)  governing  such  Indebtedness,  (ii)  to  make  an  investment  in
properties or assets that replace the properties or assets that were the subject
of  such Asset Sale or in properties or assets that will be used in the business
of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as existing on the Issue Date  or
in  businesses  reasonably related  thereto ("Replacement  Assets"), or  (iii) a
combination of  prepayment and  investment permitted  by the  foregoing  clauses
(c)(i)  and (c)(ii). On the 271st day after  an Asset Sale or such earlier date,
if any, as the Board of Directors of the Company determines not to apply the Net
Cash Proceeds  relating to  such Asset  Sale  as set  forth in  clauses  (c)(i),
(c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of the next preceding sentence (each, a "Net Proceeds Offer
Trigger  Date"), such aggregate amount of Net  Cash Proceeds which have not been
applied on  or before  such Net  Proceeds  Offer Trigger  Date as  permitted  in
clauses (c)(i), (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of the next preceding sentence (each a "Net
Proceeds  Offer  Amount") shall  be applied  by the  Company or  such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may  be, to make an offer  to purchase (a "Net  Proceeds
Offer")  on a date (the "Net Proceeds Offer  Payment Date") not less than 30 nor
more than 45 days following the applicable Net Proceeds Offer Trigger Date, from
all Holders on a PRO RATA basis, that principal amount of Notes equal to the Net
Proceeds Offer Amount at a  price equal to 100% of  the principal amount of  the
Notes  to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the
date  of  purchase;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  if  at  any  time  any  non-cash
consideration  received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, in connection with any Asset Sale is converted into or sold or otherwise
disposed of for  cash (other  than interest received  with respect  to any  such
non-cash  consideration), then such conversion or disposition shall be deemed to
constitute an Asset Sale  hereunder and the Net  Cash Proceeds thereof shall  be
applied in accordance with this covenant. The Company may defer the Net Proceeds
Offer  until there is an aggregate unutilized Net Proceeds Offer Amount equal to
or in excess of $5.0  million resulting from one or  more Asset Sales (at  which
time,  the entire unutilized Net Proceeds Offer  Amount, and not just the amount
in excess  of  $5.0 million,  shall  be applied  as  required pursuant  to  this
paragraph).
 
    In  the event  of the  transfer of  substantially all  (but not  all) of the
property and  assets  of the  Company  and  the Restricted  Subsidiaries  as  an
entirety  to a Person in a transaction permitted under "-- Merger, Consolidation
and Sale of Assets," the successor corporation shall be deemed to have sold  the
properties  and assets  of the  Company and  the Restricted  Subsidiaries not so
transferred for purposes of this covenant, and shall comply with the  provisions
of  this covenant with respect to such deemed  sale as if it were an Asset Sale.
In addition, the fair market value of such properties and assets of the  Company
or  the Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to be sold shall be deemed to be Net Cash
Proceeds for purposes of this covenant.
 
    Notwithstanding the two  immediately preceding paragraphs,  the Company  and
the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  will be  permitted  to consummate  an  Asset Sale
without complying with such  paragraphs to the  extent (a) at  least 80% of  the
consideration  for such Asset  Sale constitutes Replacement  Assets and (b) such
Asset Sale  is  for fair  market  value;  PROVIDED that  any  consideration  not
constituting Replacement Assets received by the Company or any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset Sale permitted to be consummated under
this  paragraph shall constitute Net Cash  Proceeds subject to the provisions of
the two immediately preceding paragraphs.
 
    Notice of each Net Proceeds  Offer will be mailed  to the record Holders  as
shown on the register of Holders within 25 days following the Net Proceeds Offer
Trigger  Date, with a copy to the  Trustee, and shall comply with the procedures
set forth in  the Indenture. Upon  receiving notice of  the Net Proceeds  Offer,
Holders  may  elect  to tender  their  Notes in  whole  or in  part  in integral
multiples of $1,000 in exchange for cash. To the extent Holders properly  tender
Notes    with    an    aggregate   principal    amount    exceeding    the   Net
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
Proceeds Offer Amount,  Notes of tendering  Holders will be  purchased on a  PRO
RATA  basis (based  on principal amounts  tendered). A Net  Proceeds Offer shall
remain open for a  period of 20 business  days or such longer  period as may  be
required by law.
 
    The  Company  will comply  with  the requirements  of  Rule 14e-1  under the
Exchange Act and  any other securities  laws and regulations  thereunder to  the
extent  such  laws  and  regulations  are  applicable  in  connection  with  the
repurchase of Notes pursuant  to a Net  Proceeds Offer. To  the extent that  the
provisions  of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the "Asset Sale"
provisions of  the  Indenture, the  Company  shall comply  with  the  applicable
securities  laws and regulations  and shall not  be deemed to  have breached its
obligations under  the  "Asset  Sale"  provisions of  the  Indenture  by  virtue
thereof.
 
    LIMITATION  ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER  PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company  will not, and  will not cause or  permit any of  the
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or
permit  to  exist or  become  effective any  encumbrance  or restriction  on the
ability of any  Restricted Subsidiary  to (a) pay  dividends or  make any  other
distributions  on or in respect of its Capital Stock; (b) make loans or advances
or to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Company or any  other
Restricted  Subsidiary; or  (c) transfer  any of its  property or  assets to the
Company or  any other  Restricted Subsidiary,  except for  such encumbrances  or
restrictions  existing  under or  by  reason of:  (i)  applicable law;  (ii) the
Indenture; (iii)  customary non-assignment  provisions of  any contract  or  any
lease  governing a  leasehold interest  of any  Restricted Subsidiary;  (iv) any
instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction  is
not  applicable to any Person, or the  properties or assets of any Person, other
than the Person  or the  properties or  assets of  the Person  so acquired;  (v)
agreements  existing on  the Issue  Date to  the extent  and in  the manner such
agreements are  in effect  on the  Issue Date;  or (vi)  an agreement  governing
Refinancing  Indebtedness incurred to Refinance the Indebtedness issued, assumed
or incurred pursuant to  an agreement referred  to in clause  (ii), (iv) or  (v)
above;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  the provisions relating  to such encumbrance or
restriction contained in any such Refinancing Indebtedness are no less favorable
to the Holders in any material respect  as determined by the Board of  Directors
of  the Company in their reasonable and  good faith judgment than the provisions
relating  to  such  encumbrance  or  restriction  contained  in  the  applicable
agreement referred to in such clause (ii), (iv) or (v).
 
    LIMITATION  ON PREFERRED STOCK OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company will
not permit  any of  the Restricted  Subsidiaries to  issue any  Preferred  Stock
(other than to the Company or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or permit
any  Person (other than the Company or  a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) to
own any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
    LIMITATION ON LIENS.  The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any
of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume
or permit or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind against or upon any  property
or assets of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, whether owned on
the  Issue Date or acquired after the  Issue Date, or any proceeds therefrom, or
assign or otherwise  convey any  right to  receive income  or profits  therefrom
unless  (a)  in  the  case  of Liens  securing  Indebtedness  that  is expressly
subordinate or junior in  right of payment  to the Notes  or any Guarantee,  the
Notes  or such  Guarantee as  the case  may be,  are secured  by a  Lien on such
property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens and (b) in
all other cases, the Notes and  the Guarantees are equally and ratably  secured,
except  for (i) Liens  existing as of  the Issue Date  to the extent  and in the
manner such  Liens  are  in  effect  on the  Issue  Date  (and  any  extentions,
replacements  or renewals  thereof covering property  or assets  secured by such
Liens on the  Issue Date);  (ii) Liens securing  the Notes  and the  Guarantees;
(iii)  Liens  of  the  Company  or a  Restricted  Subsidiary  on  assets  of any
Restricted Subsidiary;  (iv) Liens  securing Refinancing  Indebtedness which  is
incurred  to  Refinance  any  Indebtedness  which has  been  secured  by  a Lien
permitted under the Indenture and which has been incurred in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Liens (x) are no  less
favorable  to the  Holders and  are not more  favorable to  the lienholders with
respect to  such Liens  than the  Liens  in respect  of the  Indebtedness  being
Refinanced  and (y)  do not  extend to or  cover any  property or  assets of the
Company or any of the Restricted  Subsidiaries not securing the Indebtedness  so
Refinanced; and (v) Permitted Liens.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
    MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND SALE OF ASSETS.  The Company will not, in a single
transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into
any Person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of (or
cause  or permit  any Restricted  Subsidiary to  sell, assign,  transfer, lease,
convey or otherwise dispose of) all or substantially all of the Company's assets
(determined  on  a  consolidated  basis  for  the  Company  and  the  Restricted
Subsidiaries),  whether as  an entirety or  substantially as an  entirety to any
Person unless: (a) either (i) the  Company shall be the surviving or  continuing
corporation  or  (ii) the  Person (if  other  than the  Company) formed  by such
consolidation or into which the Company  is merged or the Person which  acquires
by  sale,  assignment,  transfer,  lease, conveyance  or  other  disposition the
properties  and  assets   of  the  Company   and  the  Restricted   Subsidiaries
substantially as an entirety (the "Surviving Entity") (x) shall be a corporation
organized  and validly existing under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof or  the  District  of  Columbia  and  (y)  shall  expressly  assume,  by
supplemental  indenture  (in form  and substance  satisfactory to  the Trustee),
executed and  delivered to  the Trustee,  the due  and punctual  payment of  the
principal  of,  premium,  if any,  and  interest on  all  of the  Notes  and the
performance of  every  covenant  of  the  Notes,  the  Indenture,  the  Security
Documents  to which the Company is a party and the Registration Rights Agreement
on the part of the  Company to be performed  or observed; (b) immediately  after
giving  effect to  such transaction  and the  assumption contemplated  by clause
(a)(ii)(y) above  (including  giving  effect to  any  Indebtedness  incurred  or
anticipated   to  be  incurred  in  connection   with  or  in  respect  of  such
transaction), the Company  or such  Surviving Entity, as  the case  may be,  (i)
shall  have a Consolidated Net  Worth equal to or  greater than the Consolidated
Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction and (ii) shall be
able to incur at  least $1.00 of additional  Indebtedness (other than  Permitted
Indebtedness)  pursuant  to  the  covenant  described  under  "--  Limitation on
Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness";  (c) immediately before and  immediately
after  giving  effect to  such transaction  and  the assumption  contemplated by
clause (a)(ii)(y) above  (including, without  limitation, giving  effect to  any
Indebtedness  incurred or  anticipated to  be incurred  and any  Lien granted in
connection with  or in  respect of  the  transaction), no  Default or  Event  of
Default  shall  have occurred  or  be continuing;  and  (d) the  Company  or the
Surviving Entity, as the  case may be,  shall have delivered  to the Trustee  an
officers'  certificate  and  an  opinion  of  counsel,  each  stating  that such
consolidation, merger, sale,  assignment, transfer, lease,  conveyance or  other
disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such
transaction,  such supplemental indenture comply  with the applicable provisions
of the Indenture and that all conditions precedent in the Indenture relating  to
such transaction have been satisfied.
 
    For  purposes of the foregoing, the  transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or
otherwise, in  a  single  transaction  or series  of  transactions)  of  all  or
substantially  all  of  the  properties  or assets  of  one  or  more Restricted
Subsidiaries the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all  of
the  properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed to be the transfer of
all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.
 
    Upon any consolidation,  combination or  merger or  any transfer  of all  or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with the foregoing,
in  which the  Company is not  the continuing corporation,  the successor Person
formed by such consolidation  or into which  the Company is  merged or to  which
such  conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted
for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the  Indenture
and the Notes with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named as
such.
 
    Each  Guarantor (other than any Guarantor  whose Guarantee is to be released
in accordance with the  terms of the Guarantee  and the Indenture in  connection
with  any transaction complying  with the provisions  of the Indenture described
under "-- Limitation on Asset Sales") will  not, and the Company will not  cause
or  permit any Guarantor to,  consolidate with or merge  with or into any Person
other than the Company or another Guarantor unless: (a) the entity formed by  or
surviving  any such consolidation or merger (if  other than the Guarantor) or to
which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made  is
a  corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any
state  thereof  or  the  District  of  Columbia;  (b)  such  entity  assumes  by
supplemental  indenture  all  of  the obligations  of  the  Guarantor  under its
Guarantee and any  Security Documents to  which such Guarantor  is a party;  (c)
immediately  after giving  effect to  such transaction,  no Default  or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
(d) immediately after giving effect to such  transaction and the use of any  net
proceeds  therefrom  on  a  PRO  FORMA  basis,  the  Company  could  satisfy the
provisions of clause (b) of the first paragraph of this covenant. Any merger  or
consolidation  of a Guarantor with and into  the Company (with the Company being
the surviving entity) or another Guarantor  need only comply with clause (d)  of
the first paragraph of this covenant.
 
    LIMITATIONS  ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  (a) The Company will not, and
will not permit any of the  Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or  indirectly,
enter  into or permit to exist any transaction or series of related transactions
(including, without limitation,  the purchase,  sale, lease or  exchange of  any
property  or the rendering of  any service) with, or for  the benefit of, any of
their respective Affiliates  (each an "Affiliate  Transaction"), other than  (i)
Affiliate  Transactions permitted under paragraph (b)  of this covenant and (ii)
Affiliate Transactions on terms that are no less favorable to the Company on the
applicable Restricted  Subsidiary than  those that  might reasonably  have  been
obtained  in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm's-length basis from
a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company or such Restricted  Subsidiary.
All  Affiliate Transactions (and  each series of  related Affiliate Transactions
which are similar  or part  of a common  plan) involving  aggregate payments  or
other  property with  a fair  market value  in excess  of $1.0  million shall be
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, such approval to be evidenced
by a Board Resolution stating that  such Board of Directors has determined  that
such  transaction complies with the foregoing  provisions. If the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary  enters into  an  Affiliate Transaction  (or a  series  of
related  Affiliate  Transactions  related to  a  common plan)  that  involves an
aggregate fair market value of more than $5.0 million, the Company shall,  prior
to  the consummation thereof, obtain  a favorable opinion as  to the fairness of
such transaction  or  series of  related  transactions  to the  Company  or  the
relevant  Restricted Subsidiary, as the  case may be, from  a financial point of
view, from an Independent Financial Advisor and file the same with the Trustee.
 
    (b)   The restrictions  set  forth in  clause (a)  shall  not apply  to  (i)
reasonable  fees and compensation  paid to and indemnity  provided on behalf of,
officers, directors, employees or consultants  of the Company or any  Restricted
Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors; (ii)
transactions  exclusively between or among the Company and any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries or  exclusively  between  or among  such  Restricted  Subsidiaries,
provided  such transactions are not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture; (iii)
Restricted Payments permitted by the Indenture; (iv) payments by the Company  to
MDC  Entities pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Services Agreement initially
in an amount  not to exceed  $350,000 in any  fiscal year, which  amount may  be
increased  to  an amount  not to  exceed $500,000  in any  fiscal year  with the
approval of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company who do not have
a direct financial  interest in  any Person  receiving such  payments under  the
Advisory  Services  Agreement; and  (v)  the purchase  by  the Company  of notes
payable by shareholders of Holdings from MDC Entities in an aggregate amount not
to exceed  $685,000; PROVIDED  that  any such  purchase  shall be  a  Restricted
Payment  for  purposes  of  the  covenant  described  under  "--  Limitation  on
Restricted Payments."
 
    ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES.  If the  Company or any of the  Restricted
Subsidiaries  transfers or  causes to  be transferred,  in one  transaction or a
series of related transactions, any  property to any Restricted Subsidiary  that
is  not a  Guarantor, or if  the Company  or any of  the Restricted Subsidiaries
shall organize, acquire or otherwise invest in or hold an Investment in  another
Restricted  Subsidiary having  total consolidated  assets with  a book  value in
excess of  $500,000,  then  such  transferee or  acquired  or  other  Restricted
Subsidiary shall (a) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture
in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted
Subsidiary  shall  unconditionally guarantee  all  of the  Company's obligations
under the Notes and the  Indenture on the terms set  forth in the Indenture  and
(b)  deliver  to  the  Trustee  an opinion  of  counsel  that  such supplemental
indenture has been duly  authorized, executed and  delivered by such  Restricted
Subsidiary and constitutes a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of
such  Restricted Subsidiary. Thereafter,  such Restricted Subsidiary  shall be a
Guarantor for all purposes of the Indenture.
 
    REPORTS TO HOLDERS.  The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 15  days
after  the filing of the  same with the Commission,  copies of the quarterly and
annual reports and  of the  information, documents  and other  reports, if  any,
which the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13
or
 
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<PAGE>
15(d)  of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding that  the Company may not be subject
to the reporting requirements of  Section 13 or 15(d)  of the Exchange Act,  the
Company  will file with the Commission, to the extent permitted, and provide the
Trustee and Holders with such annual reports and such information, documents and
other reports  specified in  Sections 13  and  15(d) of  the Exchange  Act.  The
Company will also comply with the other provisions of 314(a) of the TIA.
 
    LIMITATION  ON DESIGNATIONS OF  UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.   The Company may
designate any Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Subsidiary of the  Company
which  owns  Capital  Stock  of a  Restricted  Subsidiary)  as  an "Unrestricted
Subsidiary" under the Indenture (a "Designation") only if:
 
           (a)
           no Default shall have  occurred and be continuing  at the time of  or
           after giving effect to such Designation; and
 
           (b)
           the  Company  would  be  permitted under  the  Indenture  to  make an
           Investment at the time of Designation (assuming the effectiveness  of
    such  Designation) in an amount (the  "Designation Amount") equal to the sum
    of (i) fair market value  of the Capital Stock  of such Subsidiary owned  by
    the  Company  and the  Restricted  Subsidiaries on  such  date and  (ii) the
    aggregate amount  of other  Investments of  the Company  and the  Restricted
    Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary on such date; and
 
           (c)
           the   Company  would  be  permitted  to  incur  $1.00  of  additional
           Indebtedness (other  than  Permitted Indebtedness)  pursuant  to  the
    covenant   described  under  "--  Limitation  on  Incurrence  of  Additional
    Indebtedness" at the time of Designation (assuming the effectiveness of such
    Designation).
 
    In the event of any  such Designation, the Company  shall be deemed to  have
made  an Investment constituting  a Restricted Payment  pursuant to the covenant
described under "-- Limitation on Restricted  Payments" for all purposes of  the
Indenture in the Designation Amount. The Indenture will further provide that the
Company  shall not, and  shall not permit  any Restricted Subsidiary  to, at any
time (x) provide direct  or indirect credit  support for or  a guarantee of  any
Indebtedness  of  any  Unrestricted Subsidiary  (including  of  any undertaking,
agreement or  instrument  evidencing  such Indebtedness),  (y)  be  directly  or
indirectly  liable for any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or (z) be
directly or  indirectly liable  for  any Indebtedness  which provides  that  the
holder  thereof  may (upon  notice, lapse  of  time or  both) declare  a default
thereon or cause the payment thereof to  be accelerated or payable prior to  its
final  scheduled maturity upon the  occurrence of a default  with respect to any
Indebtedness of  any  Unrestricted  Subsidiary  (including  any  right  to  take
enforcement action against such Unrestricted Subsidiary), except, in the case of
clause  (x) or (y), to  the extent permitted under  the covenant described under
"-- Limitation on Restricted Payments."
 
    The  Indenture  will  further  provide  that  the  Company  may  revoke  any
Designation  of  a Subsidiary  as an  Unrestricted Subsidiary  (a "Revocation"),
whereupon such Subsidiary shall then constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, if:
 
           (a)
           no Default shall have occurred and  be continuing at the time of  and
           after giving effect to such Revocation; and
 
           (b)
           all   Liens   and  Indebtedness   of  such   Unrestricted  Subsidiary
           outstanding immediately following such Revocation would, if  incurred
    at  such time, have  been permitted to  be incurred for  all purposes of the
    Indenture.
 
    All Designations and Revocations must  be evidenced by Board Resolutions  of
the  Company delivered to  the Trustee certifying  compliance with the foregoing
provisions.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    The following  events  will  be  defined in  the  Indenture  as  "Events  of
Default":
 
           (a)
           the  failure to pay interest  on any Notes when  the same becomes due
           and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;
 
           (b)
           the failure to pay  the principal on any  Notes, when such  principal
           becomes  due and payable,  at maturity, upon  redemption or otherwise
    (including the failure to make a payment to purchase Notes tendered pursuant
    to a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer);
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
           (c)
           a default in the observance or  performance of any other covenant  or
           agreement  contained in the Indenture or the Security Documents which
    default continues for a period of 30 days after the Company receives written
    notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be  remedied)
    from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal
    amount  of the Notes  (except in the case  of a default  with respect to the
    covenant described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Merger, Consolidation  and
    Sale  of Assets", which will constitute an Event of Default with such notice
    requirement but without such passage of time requirement);
 
           (d)
           a default under  any mortgage,  indenture or  instrument under  which
           there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any
    Indebtedness  of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment
    of which is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), whether
    such Indebtedness  now exists  or is  created after  the Issue  Date,  which
    default  (i) is caused by a failure to  pay principal of or premium, if any,
    or interest on such Indebtedness after any applicable grace period  provided
    in  such Indebtedness on the  date of such default  (a "payment default") or
    (ii) results in the acceleration of  such Indebtedness prior to its  express
    maturity  and, in each case, the  principal amount of any such Indebtedness,
    together with  the principal  amount of  any other  such Indebtedness  under
    which  there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so
    accelerated, aggregates at least $5.0 million;
 
           (e)
           one or  more judgments  in  an aggregate  amount  in excess  of  $5.0
           million  shall have been  rendered against the Company  or any of the
    Restricted Subsidiaries and  such judgments remain  undischarged, unpaid  or
    unstayed  for a period  of 60 days  after such judgment  or judgments become
    final and non-appealable;
 
           (f)
           certain events  of bankruptcy  affecting the  Company or  any of  its
           Significant Subsidiaries;
 
           (g)
           any  Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force
           and effect or any Guarantee  of a Significant Subsidiary is  declared
    to  be null  and void  and unenforceable or  any Guarantee  of a Significant
    Subsidiary is found to  be invalid or any  Guarantor which is a  Significant
    Subsidiary denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of
    release of such Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture); or
 
           (h)
           except  as contemplated by their terms, any of the Security Documents
           ceases to be in full force or  effect or ceases to give the  Trustee,
    in  any material respect, the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported
    to be created thereby.
 
    If an Event of Default (other than  an Event of Default specified in  clause
(f) above) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least
25%  in  principal amount  of outstanding  Notes may  declare the  principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due  and
payable  by notice  in writing  to the  Company and  the Trustee  specifying the
respective Event of Default and that it  is a "notice of acceleration", and  the
same  shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified
in clause (f) above occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of,  and
premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the outstanding Notes
shall  IPSO  FACTO  become  and  be  immediately  due  and  payable  without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
 
    The Indenture  will  provide  that,  at any  time  after  a  declaration  of
acceleration  with respect to the Notes as described in the preceding paragraph,
the Holders of  a majority  in principal  amount of  the Notes  may rescind  and
cancel  such declaration  and its consequences  (a) if the  rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree, (b) if all existing Events of Default have
been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has  become
due  solely because of the  acceleration, (c) to the  extent the payment of such
interest is lawful,  interest on  overdue installments of  interest and  overdue
principal,   which  has  become  due  otherwise  than  by  such  declaration  of
acceleration, has  been  paid, (d)  if  the Company  has  paid the  Trustee  its
reasonable   compensation  and   reimbursed  the   Trustee  for   its  expenses,
disbursements and advances  and (e) in  the event of  the cure or  waiver of  an
Event of Default of the type described in clause (f)
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
of  the description of Events of Default  above, the Trustee shall have received
an officers' certificate and  an opinion of counsel  that such Event of  Default
has been cured or waived. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default
or impair any right consequent thereto.
 
    The  Holders of a  majority in principal  amount of the  Notes may waive any
existing Default or Event of Default under the Indenture, and its  consequences,
except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Notes.
 
    Holders  of the Notes may not  enforce the Indenture, the Security Documents
or the Notes except as provided in  the Indenture and under the TIA. Subject  to
the  provisions of  the Indenture  relating to  the duties  of the  Trustee, the
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture or the Security Documents at the request, order or direction of any of
the Holders,  unless  such  Holders  have  offered  to  the  Trustee  reasonable
indemnity.  Subject to all  provisions of the Indenture  and applicable law, the
Holders of a  majority in  aggregate principal  amount of  the then  outstanding
Notes  have the  right to direct  the time,  method and place  of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy  available to the Trustee  or exercising any trust  or
power conferred on the Trustee.
 
    Under  the  Indenture,  the  Company is  required  to  provide  an officers'
certificate to the Trustee promptly upon any such officer obtaining knowledge of
any Default or Event of Default (provided that such officers shall provide  such
certification at least annually whether or not they know of any Default or Event
of Default) that has occurred and, if applicable, describe such Default or Event
of Default and the status thereof.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
    The  Company  may,  at  its  option  and at  any  time,  elect  to  have its
obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to the
outstanding Notes ("Legal  Defeasance"). Such  Legal Defeasance  means that  the
Company  shall be  deemed to  have paid  and discharged  the entire indebtedness
represented by the outstanding Notes, and satisfied all of its obligations  with
respect  to the Notes, except for (a)  the rights of Holders to receive payments
in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes  when
such  payments are due, (b) the Company's  obligations with respect to the Notes
concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Notes and  the maintenance of an  office or agency for  payments,
(c)  the rights,  powers, trust,  duties and immunities  of the  Trustee and the
Company's obligations  in  connection therewith  and  (d) the  Legal  Defeasance
provisions  of the Indenture. In addition, the Company may, at its option and at
any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company released with respect  to
certain  covenants that are  described in the  Indenture ("Covenant Defeasance")
and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute
a Default or Event of Default with  respect to the Notes. In the event  Covenant
Defeasance  occurs,  certain  events  (not  including  non-payment,  bankruptcy,
receivership, reorganization and insolvency  events) described under "--  Events
of  Default" will no longer  constitute an Event of  Default with respect to the
Notes.
 
    In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (a) the
Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit  of
the Holders cash in United States dollars, non-callable United States government
obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
the  opinion of a nationally recognized  firm of independent public accountants,
to pay the  principal of,  premium, if  any, and interest  on the  Notes on  the
stated  date for payment  thereof or on  the applicable redemption  date, as the
case may  be; (b)  in  the case  of Legal  Defeasance,  the Company  shall  have
delivered  to the Trustee an opinion of  counsel in the United States reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (i) the Company has received from,  or
there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since
the  date of the  Indenture, there has  been a change  in the applicable federal
income tax  law, in  either case  to the  effect that,  and based  thereon  such
opinion  of counsel shall  confirm that, the Holders  will not recognize income,
gain or  loss  for  federal income  tax  purposes  as a  result  of  such  Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same  manner and at  the same times  as would have  been the case  if such Legal
Defeasance had not occurred; (c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an  opinion of counsel in the United  States
reasonably  acceptable  to  the Trustee  confirming  that the  Holders  will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be  subject
to  federal income tax on the  same amounts, in the same  manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not  occurred;
(d)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the
date of  such  deposit  or insofar  as  Events  of Default  from  bankruptcy  or
insolvency  events are concerned, at  any time in the  period ending on the 91st
day after the date of deposit; (e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant  Defeasance
shall  not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the
Indenture or any other agreement  or instrument to which  the Company or any  of
its  Subsidiaries is a party or by which  the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is bound;  (f) the  Company shall  have delivered  to the  Trustee an  officers'
certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of  preferring the Holders over  any other creditors of  the Company or with the
intent of defeating, hindering,  delaying or defrauding  any other creditors  of
the  Company or others; (g)  the Company shall have  delivered to the Trustee an
officers'  certificate  and  an  opinion  of  counsel,  each  stating  that  all
conditions  precedent provided  for or relating  to the Legal  Defeasance or the
Covenant Defeasance,  as the  case may  be,  have been  complied with;  (h)  the
Company  shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect
that after the  91st day  following the  deposit, the  trust funds  will not  be
subject  to the effect of  any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws  affecting creditors'  rights generally; and  (i) certain  other
customary conditions precedent are satisfied.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
    The  Indenture will  be discharged  and will cease  to be  of further effect
(except as to surviving  rights of registration of  transfer or exchange of  the
Notes,  as expressly provided for in the  Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes
when (a)  either  (i) all  the  Notes theretofore  authenticated  and  delivered
(except  lost, stolen or  destroyed Notes which  have been replaced  or paid and
Notes for  whose  payment money  has  theretofore  been deposited  in  trust  or
segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company
or  discharged  from  such  trust)  have  been  delivered  to  the  Trustee  for
cancellation or (ii)  all Notes  not theretofore  delivered to  the Trustee  for
cancellation  have  become  due  and payable  and  the  Company  has irrevocably
deposited or  caused  to  be deposited  with  the  Trustee funds  in  an  amount
sufficient  to  pay  and discharge  the  entire  Indebtedness on  the  Notes not
theretofore delivered  to  the  Trustee  for  cancellation,  for  principal  of,
premium,  if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit together with
irrevocable instructions from the  Company directing the  Trustee to apply  such
funds  to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; (b)
the Company has paid all other sums payable under the Indenture by the  Company;
and (c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an officers' certificate and an
opinion  of counsel  stating that all  conditions precedent  under the Indenture
relating to the satisfaction and discharge  of the Indenture have been  complied
with.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
    From  time to time, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, without the
consent of the Holders, may amend  the Indenture and the Security Documents  for
certain   specified   purposes,   including  curing   ambiguities,   defects  or
inconsistencies, so long as such change does not, in the opinion of the Trustee,
adversely affect the rights of  any of the Holders  in any material respect.  In
formulating its opinion on such matters, the Trustee will be entitled to rely on
such  evidence as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, solely on
an opinion of counsel. Other modifications  and amendments of the Indenture  and
the Security Documents may be made with the consent of the Holders of a majority
in  principal amount of  the then outstanding Notes  issued under the Indenture,
except that, without the consent of  each Holder affected thereby, no  amendment
may:  (a) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(b) reduce the rate  of or change or  have the effect of  changing the time  for
payment  of interest, including defaulted interest, on any Notes; (c) reduce the
principal of or change or have the effect of changing the fixed maturity of  any
Notes,  or change the  date on which any  Notes may be  subject to redemption or
repurchase, or reduce the redemption or repurchase price therefor; (d) make  any
Notes  payable in money other than that stated in the Notes; (e) make any change
in provisions of the  Indenture protecting the right  of each Holder to  receive
payment  of principal  of and  interest on such  Note on  or after  the due date
thereof or to bring  suit to enforce  such payment, or  permitting Holders of  a
majority  in principal amount of  Notes to waive Defaults  or Events of Default;
(f) amend, change or modify in any
 
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material respect the obligation of the  Company to make and consummate a  Change
of  Control Offer in the event  of a Change of Control  or make and consummate a
Net Proceeds Offer with respect to any  Asset Sale that has been consummated  or
modify  any of the provisions or definitions with respect thereto; (g) modify or
change any  provision of  the  Indenture or  the related  definitions  affecting
ranking  of the Notes or  any Guarantee in a  manner which adversely affects the
Holders; (h)  release  any Guarantor  from  any  of its  obligations  under  its
Guarantee  or the Indenture otherwise  than in accordance with  the terms of the
Indenture or (i) release or adversely affect  the ranking of any Lien on  assets
or  property securing the Notes except in  compliance with the provisions of the
Indenture and the Security Documents.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
    The Indenture and the  Security Documents will  provide that the  Indenture,
the  Security Documents, the Notes  and the Guarantees will  be governed by, and
construed in accordance  with, the laws  of the  State of New  York but  without
giving  effect to applicable principles  of conflicts of law  to the extent that
the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
    The Indenture will provide that, except  during the continuance of an  Event
of  Default, the Trustee will  perform only such duties  as are specifically set
forth in the Indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee
will exercise such rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use  the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent man would exercise or
use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
 
    The  Indenture and the provisions of  the TIA contain certain limitations on
the rights of  the Trustee,  should it  become a creditor  of the  Company or  a
Guarantor,  to  obtain payments  of claims  in  certain cases  or to  realize on
certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.
Subject  to  the  TIA,  the  Trustee  will  be  permitted  to  engage  in  other
transactions;  PROVIDED that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as
described in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
    Set forth below is a summary of certain  of the defined terms to be used  in
the  Indenture.  Reference  is  made  to the  form  of  Indenture  for  the full
definition of all such terms, as well  as any other terms used herein for  which
no definition is provided.
 
    "ACQUIRED  INDEBTEDNESS"  means  Indebtedness  of a  Person  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or
at the time it merges or consolidates with the Company or any of the  Restricted
Subsidiaries  or assumed by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection
with the acquisition of assets from such Person and in each case not incurred in
connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming  a
Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition, merger or consolidation.
 
    "ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT" means the Advisory Services Agreement dated as
of  October  16, 1992  among  MDC Management  Company  II, L.P.,  MDC Management
Company and the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time.
 
    "AFFILIATE" means, with respect  to any specified  Person, any other  Person
who  directly or indirectly  through one or more  intermediaries controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. The  term
"control"  means the possession, directly or  indirectly, of the power to direct
or cause  the direction  of the  management and  policies of  a Person,  whether
through  the ownership of  voting securities, by contract  or otherwise; and the
terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative of the foregoing.
 
    "AFFILIATE  TRANSACTION"  has  the  meaning  set  forth  under  "--  Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates."
 
    "ASSET ACQUISITION" means (a) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary  in any  other Person  pursuant to which  such Person  shall become a
Restricted Subsidiary,  or shall  be merged  with  or into  the Company  or  any
Restricted  Subsidiary, or (b) the acquisition  by the Company or any Restricted
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
Subsidiary of the  assets of  any Person  (other than  a Restricted  Subsidiary)
which  constitute  all or  substantially all  of  the assets  of such  Person or
comprises any  division  or  line  of  business of  such  Person  or  any  other
properties  or  assets of  such  Person other  than  in the  ordinary  course of
business.
 
    "ASSET SALE"  means  any  direct or  indirect  sale,  issuance,  conveyance,
transfer, lease (other than operating leases entered into in the ordinary course
of  business), assignment or other  transfer for value by  the Company or any of
the Restricted Subsidiaries  (including any Sale  and Leaseback Transaction)  to
any  Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of (a) any Capital
Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary; or (b)  any other property or assets of  the
Company  or  any Restricted  Subsidiary  other than  in  the ordinary  course of
business;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  Asset  Sales  shall  not  include  (i)   a
transaction  or  series of  related transactions  for which  the Company  or the
Restricted Subsidiaries receive aggregate  consideration of less than  $350,000,
(ii)  the  sale, lease,  conveyance,  disposition or  other  transfer of  all or
substantially all of the  assets of the Company  as permitted under "--  Certain
Covenants  --  Merger,  Consolidation and  Sale  of Assets"  (iii)  disposals or
replacements of obsolete equipment in the  ordinary course of business and  (iv)
the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer by the Company or any
Restricted   Subsidiary  of  assets  or  property  to  one  or  more  Restricted
Subsidiaries.
 
    "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means, as to any Person, the board of directors of such
Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.
 
    "BOARD RESOLUTION" means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person to have been
duly adopted by the Board  of Directors of such Person  and to be in full  force
and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
    "CAPITALIZED  LEASE OBLIGATION" means, as to  any Person, the obligations of
such Person under a lease that are  required to be classified and accounted  for
as  capital lease obligations under GAAP, and  the amount of such obligations at
any date  shall be  the capitalized  amount of  such obligations  at such  date,
determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "CAPITAL  STOCK" means (a) with respect to any Person that is a corporation,
any and  all shares,  interests, participations  or other  equivalents  (however
designated  and whether or not voting)  of corporate stock, including each class
of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of  such Person and (b) with respect to  any
Person  that  is not  a corporation,  any  and all  partnership or  other equity
interests of such Person.
 
    "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means  (a) marketable  direct obligations  issued by,  or
unconditionally  guaranteed by,  the United States  Government or  issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,  in
each  case maturing within  one year from  the date of  acquisition thereof; (b)
marketable direct  obligations issued  by  any state  of  the United  States  of
America   or  any  political  subdivision  of  any  such  state  or  any  public
instrumentality thereof maturing within  one year from  the date of  acquisition
thereof  and, at the time of acquisition,  having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable  from  either  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  ("S&P")  or  Moody's
Investors  Service, Inc. ("Moody's"); (c) commercial paper maturing no more than
one year from  the date of  creation thereof  and, at the  time of  acquisition,
having  a rating  of at least  A-1 from  S&P or at  least P-1  from Moody's; (d)
certificates of deposit or  bankers' acceptances maturing  within one year  from
the  date of acquisition thereof issued by  any bank organized under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or
any United States branch  of a foreign  bank having at  the date of  acquisition
thereof  combined  capital  and  surplus  of  not  less  than  $250,000,000; (e)
repurchase obligations with a  term of not more  than seven days for  underlying
securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any bank
meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above; and (f) investments in
money  market funds which invest substantially all their assets in securities of
the types described in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition.
 
    "CHANGE OF CONTROL"  means the occurrence  of one or  more of the  following
events: (a) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a
series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company  or Holdings to any  Person or group of  related Persons for purposes of
Section 13(d)  of the  Exchange Act  (a "Group")  (whether or  not otherwise  in
compliance with the provisions of the Indenture) other than Permitted Holder(s);
(b)   the   approval  by   the  holders   of  Capital   Stock  of   the  Company
 
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<PAGE>
or Holdings, as the case may be, of any plan or proposal for the liquidation  or
dissolution  of the  Company or Holdings,  as the  case may be,  (whether or not
otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture); (c) any Person or
Group (other than the Permitted Holders(s)) shall become the owner, directly  or
indirectly,  beneficially or of record, of  shares representing more than 50% of
the aggregate ordinary voting  power represented by  the issued and  outstanding
Capital  Stock of the Company or Holdings;  or (d) the replacement of a majority
of the Board of Directors of the Company or Holdings over a two-year period from
the directors who constituted the Board of Directors of the Company or Holdings,
as the case may be, at the beginning of such period, and such replacement  shall
not  have  been approved  by a  vote  of at  least a  majority  of the  Board of
Directors of the Company or Holdings, as  the case may be, then still in  office
who  either were  members of such  Board of  Directors at the  beginning of such
period or whose election as a member  of such Board of Directors was  previously
so approved.
 
    "CHANGE  OF CONTROL  OFFER" has  the meaning set  forth under  "-- Change of
Control."
 
    "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT DATE" has the meaning set forth under "--  Change
of Control."
 
    "COMMON  STOCK" of any Person  means any and all  shares, interests or other
participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether  voting
or  non-voting) of such Person's common  stock, whether outstanding on the Issue
Date or  issued after  the Issue  Date, and  includes, without  limitation,  all
series and classes of such common stock.
 
    "COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
    "COMPANY" means National Fiberstok Corporation.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  EBITDA" means, for any  period, the sum (without duplication)
of (a) Consolidated Net Income and (b) to the extent Consolidated Net Income has
been reduced thereby,  (i) all income  taxes of the  Company and the  Restricted
Subsidiaries paid or accrued in accordance with GAAP for such period (other than
income  taxes attributable  to extraordinary,  unusual or  nonrecurring gains or
losses or  taxes attributable  to  sales or  dispositions outside  the  ordinary
course  of business), (ii) Consolidated  Interest Expense and (iii) Consolidated
Non-cash Charges, LESS any non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for
such period, all as determined on a  consolidated basis for the Company and  the
Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  FIXED  CHARGE  COVERAGE  RATIO" means,  with  respect  to the
Company, the ratio of  Consolidated EBITDA of the  Company during the four  full
fiscal  quarters (the "Four Quarter  Period") ending on or  prior to the date of
the transaction giving  rise to  the need  to calculate  the Consolidated  Fixed
Charge  Coverage Ratio (the "Transaction Date") to Consolidated Fixed Charges of
the Company for the Four Quarter  Period. In addition to and without  limitation
of  the foregoing,  for purposes of  this definition,  "Consolidated EBITDA" and
"Consolidated Fixed Charges" shall  be calculated after giving  effect on a  PRO
FORMA (including any PRO FORMA expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis
consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) basis for the period of
such  calculation to (a) the incurrence or  repayment of any Indebtedness of the
Company or  any of  the  Restricted Subsidiaries  (and  the application  of  the
proceeds  thereof) giving  rise to  the need  to make  such calculation  and any
incurrence or  repayment  of other  Indebtedness  (and the  application  of  the
proceeds thereof), other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the
ordinary  course of  business for working  capital purposes  pursuant to working
capital facilities, occurring  during the  Four Quarter  Period or  at any  time
subsequent  to the last  day of the Four  Quarter Period and on  or prior to the
Transaction Date, as if such  incurrence or repayment, as  the case may be  (and
the  application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four
Quarter Period and (b) any Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions (including, without
limitation, any  Asset  Acquisition  giving  rise  to  the  need  to  make  such
calculation  as a result  of the Company  or one of  the Restricted Subsidiaries
(including any Person  who becomes a  Restricted Subsidiary as  a result of  the
Asset  Acquisition) incurring, assuming  or otherwise being  liable for Acquired
Indebtedness and  also including  any Consolidated  EBITDA attributable  to  the
assets  which are the subject of the  Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale during the
Four Quarter Period)  occurring during the  Four Quarter Period  or at any  time
subsequent  to the last  day of the Four  Quarter Period and on  or prior to the
Transaction Date, as  if such  Asset Sale  or Asset  Acquisition (including  the
incurrence, assumption or liability for any such Acquired Indebtedness) occurred
on  the first  day of  the Four  Quarter Period.  If the  Company or  any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly guarantees
 
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Indebtedness of a third Person, the preceding sentence shall give effect to  the
incurrence  of such guaranteed Indebtedness as  if the Company or the Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, had directly incurred or otherwise assumed  such
guaranteed   Indebtedness.  Furthermore,  in   calculating  "Consolidated  Fixed
Charges" for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator)  of
this  "Consolidated Fixed  Charge Coverage  Ratio," (i)  interest on outstanding
Indebtedness determined on a  fluctuating basis as of  the Transaction Date  and
which  will continue  to be  so determined  thereafter shall  be deemed  to have
accrued at  a fixed  rate  PER ANNUM  equal  to the  rate  of interest  on  such
Indebtedness  in  effect  on  the  Transaction Date;  (ii)  if  interest  on any
Indebtedness actually  incurred  on  the  Transaction  Date  may  optionally  be
determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a
eurocurrency  interbank offered rate, or other  rates, then the interest rate in
effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during  the
Four  Quarter Period;  and (iii) notwithstanding  clause (i)  above, interest on
Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis,  to the extent such interest  is
covered  by agreements relating to Interest Swap Obligations, shall be deemed to
accrue at the rate PER ANNUM resulting  after giving effect to the operation  of
such agreements.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  FIXED CHARGES"  means, with  respect to  the Company  for any
period, the  sum,  without duplication,  of  (a) Consolidated  Interest  Expense
(including  any premium or penalty paid in connection with redeeming or retiring
Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the  stated
maturity  thereof pursuant to the  agreements governing such Indebtedness), plus
(b) the product  of (i)  the amount  of all  dividend payments  on the  Holdings
Preferred  Stock and any  series of Preferred  Stock of the  Company (other than
dividends paid in Qualified Capital Stock) paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid
or accrued during such period times (ii)  a fraction, the numerator of which  is
one  and  the denominator  of  which is  one  minus the  then  current effective
consolidated federal, state and local income tax rate of such Person,  expressed
as a decimal.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  INTEREST EXPENSE" means, with respect  to the Company for any
period, the  sum of,  without duplication:  (a) the  aggregate of  the  interest
expense  of  the  Company  and  the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  for  such  period
determined on a consolidated  basis in accordance  with GAAP, including  without
limitation,  (i) any amortization of original issue discount, (ii) the net costs
under Interest Swap  Obligations, (iii)  all capitalized interest  and (iv)  the
interest  portion  of  any deferred  payment  obligation; and  (b)  the interest
component of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to  be
paid  or  accrued by  the Company  and the  Restricted Subsidiaries  during such
period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, with respect to the Company for any period,
the  aggregate  net  income  (or  loss)  of  the  Company  and  the   Restricted
Subsidiaries  for such period on a  consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP; PROVIDED that there shall  be excluded therefrom (a) after-tax  gains
from  Asset Sales  or abandonments or  reserves relating  thereto, (b) after-tax
items classified as extraordinary or nonrecurring  gains, (c) the net income  of
any Person acquired in a "pooling of interests" transaction accrued prior to the
date  it becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary or is merged  or consolidated with the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (d) the  net income (but not loss) of  any
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar
distributions  by that Restricted  Subsidiary of that income  is restricted by a
contract, operation of law or otherwise, (e) the net income of any Person, other
than a  Restricted  Subsidiary,  except  to the  extent  of  cash  dividends  or
distributions  paid to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary by such Person,
(f) income or loss attributable  to discontinued operations (including,  without
limitation,  operations  disposed  of during  such  period whether  or  not such
operations were classified as discontinued), and (g) in the case of a  successor
to  the Company by consolidation  or merger or as  a transferee of the Company's
assets, any net  income (or  loss) of the  successor corporation  prior to  such
consolidation, merger or transfer of assets.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  NET WORTH" of any Person means the consolidated stockholders'
equity of such  Person, determined on  a consolidated basis  in accordance  with
GAAP,  less (without  duplication) amounts attributable  to Disqualified Capital
Stock of such  Person; PROVIDED that  the Consolidated Net  Worth of any  Person
shall  exclude the effect  of any non-cash charges  relating the acceleration of
stock options or similar securities of such Person or another Person with  which
such Person is merged or consolidated.
 
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<PAGE>
    "CONSOLIDATED  NON-CASH CHARGES" means, with respect to the Company, for any
period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses  of
the  Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of
the Company for such  period, determined on a  consolidated basis in  accordance
with GAAP (excluding any such charges constituting an extraordinary item or loss
or  any such charge which  requires an accrual of or  a reserve for cash charges
for any future period).
 
    "COVENANT DEFEASANCE" has the meaning  set forth under "-- Legal  Defeasance
and Covenant Defeasance."
 
    "DEFAULT"  means an event or  condition the occurrence of  which is, or with
the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
 
    "DESIGNATION" has  the meaning  set  forth under  "-- Certain  Covenants  --
Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
    "DESIGNATION  AMOUNT" has the meaning set  forth under "-- Certain Covenants
- -- Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
    "DISQUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" means that portion of any Capital Stock  which,
by  its terms (or by the  terms of any security into  which it is convertible or
for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a  sinking fund obligation or otherwise,  or
is  redeemable at the sole option of the holder thereof on or prior to the final
maturity date of the Notes.
 
    "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor statute or statutes thereto.
 
    "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to any asset or property, the  price
which could be negotiated in an arm's-length, free market transaction, for cash,
between  a willing seller  and a willing  buyer, neither of  whom is under undue
pressure or compulsion to complete the  transaction. Fair market value shall  be
determined  by the Board  of Directors of  the Company acting  reasonably and in
good faith and shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution of the Company delivered
to the Trustee.
 
    "GAAP" means  generally  accepted accounting  principles  set forth  in  the
opinions  and pronouncements of the Accounting  Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants  and statements and pronouncements  of
the  Financial Accounting  Standards Board or  in such other  statements by such
other entity  as may  be approved  by a  significant segment  of the  accounting
profession of the United States, which are in effect as of the Issue Date.
 
    "GUARANTOR"  means each  of the  Company's Subsidiaries  that in  the future
executes a supplemental indenture in which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by
the terms of the Indenture as a Guarantor; provided that any Person constituting
a Guarantor as described  above shall cease to  constitute a Guarantor when  its
Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
 
    "HOLDINGS"  has  the  meaning set  forth  under "--  Redemption  -- Optional
Redemption upon Public Equity Offerings."
 
    "HOLDINGS PREFERRED  STOCK" means  the $10.0  million aggregate  liquidation
preference of 9.0% Preferred Stock of Holdings issued on the Issue Date.
 
    "INCUR"  has the meaning set forth under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation
on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness."
 
    "INDEBTEDNESS" means with  respect to any  Person, without duplication,  (a)
all  Obligations of such Person for borrowed  money, (b) all Obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,  notes or other similar instruments,  (c)
all  Capitalized Lease Obligations  of such Person, (d)  all Obligations of such
Person issued  or  assumed as  the  deferred  purchase price  of  property,  all
conditional  sale  obligations and  all  Obligations under  any  title retention
agreement (but excluding  trade accounts payable  and other accrued  liabilities
arising  in the ordinary course of business that  are not overdue by 120 days or
more or are being  contested in good faith  by appropriate proceedings  promptly
instituted and diligently conducted), (e) all
 
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Obligations  for  the reimbursement  of  any obligor  on  any letter  of credit,
banker's acceptance  or similar  credit transaction,  (f) guarantees  and  other
contingent  obligations in  respect of Indebtedness  referred to  in clauses (a)
through (e) above and clause (h) below, (g) all Obligations of any other  Person
of  the type referred to  in clauses (a) through (f)  above which are secured by
any Lien on any property or asset of such Person, the amount of such  Obligation
being deemed to be the lesser of the fair market value of such property or asset
or  the amount of the Obligation so  secured, (h) all Obligations under currency
agreements and interest swap agreements of such Person and (i) all  Disqualified
Capital  Stock issued by such Person with the amount of Indebtedness represented
by such Disqualified Capital Stock being  equal to the greater of its  voluntary
or  involuntary liquidation preference  and its maximum  fixed repurchase price.
For purposes hereof, the  "maximum fixed repurchase  price" of any  Disqualified
Capital  Stock which does not have a  fixed repurchase price shall be calculated
in accordance  with the  terms of  such Disqualified  Capital Stock  as if  such
Disqualified  Capital Stock  were purchased  on any  date on  which Indebtedness
shall be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture, and if such  price
is  based  upon, or  measured by,  the  fair market  value of  such Disqualified
Capital Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
    "INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR" means a firm  (a) which does not, and  whose
directors,  officers  and  employees or  Affiliates  do  not, have  a  direct or
indirect material  financial interest  in  the Company  and  (b) which,  in  the
judgment  of the Board of Directors of the Company, is otherwise independent and
qualified to perform the task for which it is to be engaged.
 
    "INITIAL PURCHASERS"  means,  collectively, BT  Securities  Corporation  and
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.
 
    "INTEREST  SWAP OBLIGATIONS" means the obligations of any Person pursuant to
any arrangement with  any other  Person, whereby, directly  or indirectly,  such
Person  is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments calculated by
applying either a  floating or a  fixed rate  of interest on  a stated  notional
amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such other Person calculated by
applying  a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same notional amount and
shall include, without  limitation, interest rate  swaps, caps, floors,  collars
and similar agreements.
 
    "INVESTMENT"  means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect loan
or other extension  of credit  (including, without limitation,  a guarantee)  or
capital  contribution to (by means of any  transfer of cash or other property to
others or  any payment  for  property or  services for  the  account or  use  of
others),  or any purchase  or acquisition by  such Person of  any Capital Stock,
bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued
by, any Person.  "Investment" shall exclude  extensions of trade  credit by  the
Company  and  the Restricted  Subsidiaries on  commercially reasonable  terms in
accordance with  normal  trade  practices  of the  Company  or  such  Restricted
Subsidiary,  as the  case may  be. If the  Company or  any Restricted Subsidiary
sells or otherwise disposes  of any Capital Stock  of any Restricted  Subsidiary
such  that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, it ceases to be
a Subsidiary  of the  Company,  the Company  shall be  deemed  to have  made  an
Investment  on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market
value of the Capital  Stock of such Restricted  Subsidiary not sold or  disposed
of.
 
    "ISSUE DATE" means the date of original issuance of the Notes.
 
    "LEGAL  DEFEASANCE" has the meaning set forth under "-- Legal Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance."
 
    "LIEN" means any lien, mortgage,  deed of trust, pledge, security  interest,
charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title
retention  agreement, any lease in the nature  thereof and any agreement to give
any security interest).
 
    "MDC ENTITIES"  means  collectively McCown  DeLeeuw  & Co.  II,  LP,  McCown
DeLeeuw  Associates, LP and MDC/JAF  CO Vendors, LP and  any of their respective
Affiliates.
 
    "NET CASH PROCEEDS" means, with respect  to any Asset Sale, the proceeds  in
the  form of cash or Cash Equivalents  including payments in respect of deferred
payment obligations when received in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents (other
than  the  portion   of  any  such   deferred  payment  constituting   interest)
 
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received  by the Company or  any of the Restricted  Subsidiaries from such Asset
Sale net of  (a) reasonable  out-of-pocket expenses  and fees  relating to  such
Asset  Sale  (including, without  limitation,  legal, accounting  and investment
banking fees and sales commissions), (b) taxes paid or payable after taking into
account any reduction in consolidated tax liability due to available tax credits
or deductions and any  tax sharing arrangements,  (c) repayment of  Indebtedness
that  is  required to  be  repaid in  connection with  such  Asset Sale  and (d)
appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary,
as  the case  may be, as  a reserve, in  accordance with GAAP,  against any post
closing adjustments or liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and  retained
by  the Company  or any Restricted  Subsidiary, as  the case may  be, after such
Asset Sale,  including, without  limitation, pension  and other  post-employment
benefit   liabilities,   liabilities  related   to  environmental   matters  and
liabilities under  any indemnification  obligations associated  with such  Asset
Sale.
 
    "NET  PROCEEDS OFFER" has the meaning  set forth under "-- Certain Covenants
- -- Limitation on Asset Sales."
 
    "NET PROCEEDS OFFER  AMOUNT" has  the meaning  set forth  under "--  Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales."
 
    "NET  PROCEEDS  OFFER PAYMENT  DATE"  has the  meaning  set forth  under "--
Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales."
 
    "NET PROCEEDS  OFFER TRIGGER  DATE"  has the  meaning  set forth  under  "--
Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales."
 
    "OBLIGATIONS"  means  all  obligations  for  principal,  premium,  interest,
penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities
payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
 
    "PARENT CAPITAL  CONTRIBUTION"  means  the equity  capital  contribution  of
approximately  $7.4 million made  by Holdings to  the Company on  the Issue Date
with a  portion of  the proceeds  from the  issuance of  the Holdings  Preferred
Stock.
 
    "PERMITTED  HOLDER" means  each of  the general  partners of  MDC Management
Company II, LP, MDC Management Company  IIE, LP and MDC Management Company  IIA,
LP and any Person controlled by one or more of such general partners.
 
    "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS" means, without duplication, each of the following:
 
         (a)
       Indebtedness under the Notes, the Indenture and the Guarantees;
 
         (b)
       Indebtedness  incurred pursuant  to the  Revolving Credit  Facility in an
       aggregate principal  amount at  any time  outstanding not  to exceed  the
greater of (i) the sum of (x) 80.0% of the net book value of accounts receivable
of  the Company and  its Restricted Subsidiaries  and (y) 60.0%  of the net book
value of the inventory of the  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and  (ii)
$20.0 million, in each case, reduced by any required permanent repayments (which
are accompanied by a corresponding permanent commitment reduction) thereunder;
 
         (c)
       Interest  Swap  Obligations  of  the  Company  or  a  Guarantor  covering
       Indebtedness of the  Company or  any of the  Restricted Subsidiaries  and
Interest  Swap Obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor)
covering Indebtedness  of such  Restricted Subsidiary;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that
such  Interest Swap Obligations are entered into  to protect the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries  from fluctuations  in  interest rates  on  Indebtedness
incurred  in accordance with the Indenture  to the extent the notional principal
amount of such Interest Swap Obligation does not exceed the principal amount  of
the Indebtedness to which such Interest Swap Obligation relates;
 
         (d)
       Indebtedness  of a  Restricted Subsidiary  to the  Company or  to another
       Restricted Subsidiary for  so long as  such Indebtedness is  held by  the
Company  or a Restricted Subsidiary,  in each case subject to  no Lien held by a
Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if as of
any date any
 
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Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns or holds any  such
Indebtedness or holds a Lien in respect of such Indebtedness, such date shall be
deemed the incurrence of Indebtedness not constituting Permitted Indebtedness by
the issuer of such Indebtedness;
 
         (e)
       Indebtedness  of the  Company to a  Restricted Subsidiary for  so long as
       such Indebtedness  is  held by  a  Restricted Subsidiary,  in  each  case
subject  to no Lien;  PROVIDED that (i)  any Indebtedness of  the Company to any
Restricted Subsidiary that  is not  a Guarantor is  unsecured and  subordinated,
pursuant  to  a  written  agreement,  to  the  Company's  obligations  under the
Indenture and the  Notes and  (ii) if as  of any  date any Person  other than  a
Restricted  Subsidiary owns or  holds any such  Indebtedness or holds  a Lien in
respect of  such Indebtedness,  such  date shall  be  deemed the  incurrence  of
Indebtedness not constituting Permitted Indebtedness by the Company;
 
         (f)
       Indebtedness  arising  from the  honoring by  a  bank or  other financial
       institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except
in the case  of daylight  overdrafts) drawn  against insufficient  funds in  the
ordinary  course  of  business;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that  such  Indebtedness is
extinguished within two business days of incurrence;
 
         (g)
       Indebtedness of  the  Company  or  any  of  the  Restricted  Subsidiaries
       represented  by letters of credit for the  account of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as  the case  may be, in  order to  provide security  for
workers'   compensation   claims,   payment  obligations   in   connection  with
self-insurance or similar requirements in the ordinary course of business;
 
         (h)
       Refinancing Indebtedness;
 
         (i)
       Capitalized Lease Obligations  of the  Company outstanding  on the  Issue
       Date;
 
         (j)
       Capitalized  Lease  Obligations and  Purchase  Money Indebtedness  of the
       Company or  any  of the  Restricted  Subsidiaries (and  any  refinancings
thereof) not to exceed $7.5 million at any one time outstanding; and
 
         (k)
       additional  Indebtedness of  the Company or  any of the  Guarantors in an
       aggregate principal amount  not to exceed  $5.0 million at  any one  time
outstanding  (which  Indebtedness  may,  but need  not,  be  incurred  under the
Revolving Credit Facility).
 
    "PERMITTED  INVESTMENTS"  means  (a)  Investments  by  the  Company  or  any
Restricted  Subsidiary in  any Person that  is or will  become immediately after
such Investment a Restricted Subsidiary or  that will merge or consolidate  into
the  Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary, (b) Investments in  the Company by any
Restricted Subsidiary;  PROVIDED  that  any  Indebtedness  evidencing  any  such
Investment  held by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is unsecured
and subordinated, pursuant to a written agreement, to the Company's  obligations
under the Notes and the Indenture; (c) investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(d)  loans and advances to  employees and officers of the  Company or any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries  in  the  ordinary  course of  business  for  bona  fide
business purposes not in excess of $1.0 million at any one time outstanding; (e)
Interest  Swap Obligations entered into in  the ordinary course of the Company's
or the Restricted Subsidiaries' businesses and otherwise in compliance with  the
Indenture;  (f)  Investments in  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries not  to  exceed $1.5
million at  any one  time outstanding;  (g) Investments  in Persons  other  than
Subsidiaries not to exceed $500,000 at any one time outstanding; (h) Investments
in  securities of trade creditors or customers  received pursuant to any plan of
reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of  such
trade  creditors or customers;  and (i) Investments  made by the  Company or the
Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of consideration received in connection with
an Asset Sale made in compliance  with the covenant described under "--  Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant.
 
    "PERMITTED LIENS" means the following types of Liens:
 
         (a)
       Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (i)
       not delinquent or (ii) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and  as to  which the Company  or a Restricted  Subsidiary, as the  case may be,
shall have set aside on its books  such reserves as may be required pursuant  to
GAAP;
 
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<PAGE>
         (b)
       statutory  Liens  of  landlords  and  Liens  of  carriers,  warehousemen,
       mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen  and other Liens imposed  by
law  incurred in the ordinary course of  business for sums not yet delinquent or
being contested in good faith, if  such reserve or other appropriate  provision,
if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;
 
         (c)
       Liens  incurred or  deposits made in  the ordinary course  of business in
       connection with workers' compensation,  unemployment insurance and  other
types  of social security, including any  Lien securing letters of credit issued
in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practice in  connection
therewith,  or  to secure  the  performance of  tenders,  statutory obligations,
surety and appeal  bonds, bids,  leases, government  contracts, performance  and
return-of-money  bonds and  other similar obligations  (exclusive of obligations
for the payment of borrowed money);
 
         (d)
       judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;
 
         (e)
       easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions  and other similar  charges
       or  encumbrances  in  respect of  real  property not  interfering  in any
material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any
of the Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
         (f)
       any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease Obligation;
       provided that such Liens do not extend to any property or assets which is
not leased property subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligation;
 
         (g)
       Liens  securing  Purchase  Money  Indebtedness  of  the  Company  or  any
       Restricted  Subsidiary; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that  (i) the  Purchase Money
Indebtedness shall not be secured  by any property or  assets of the Company  or
any  Restricted Subsidiary  other than the  property and assets  so acquired and
(ii) the Lien securing such Indebtedness shall be created within 90 days of such
acquisition;
 
         (h)
       Liens securing  reimbursement  obligations  with  respect  to  commercial
       letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to
such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;
 
         (i)
       Liens  encumbering  deposits  made  to  secure  obligations  arising from
       statutory, regulatory,  contractual,  or  warranty  requirements  of  the
Company  or any of  the Restricted Subsidiaries, including  rights of offset and
set-off;
 
         (j)
       Liens securing Interest Swap Obligations which Interest Swap  Obligations
       relate to Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted under the Indenture;
 
         (k)
       Lien  on accounts  receivable, inventory,  patents, trademarks  and other
       intangibles and  proceeds  thereof  of the  Company  and  the  Restricted
Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility; and
 
         (l)
       Liens  securing  Acquired Indebtedness  incurred  in accordance  with the
       covenant  described  under  "--   Certain  Covenants  --  Limitation   on
Incurrence  of Additional  Indebtedness;" PROVIDED  that (i)  such Liens secured
such Acquired Indebtedness at the  time of and prior  to the incurrence of  such
Acquired  Indebtedness by  the Company or  a Restricted Subsidiary  and were not
granted in  connection with,  or  in anticipation  of,  the incurrence  of  such
Acquired  Indebtedness by the  Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary and (ii) such
Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or of  any
of  the Restricted Subsidiaries  other than the property  or assets that secured
the Acquired Indebtedness prior  to the time  such Indebtedness became  Acquired
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and are no more favorable
to  the lienholders than  those securing the Acquired  Indebtedness prior to the
incurrence of  such  Acquired  Indebtedness  by  the  Company  or  a  Restricted
Subsidiary.
 
    "PERSON"  means  an  individual,  partnership,  corporation,  unincorporated
organization, trust  or joint  venture, or  a governmental  agency or  political
subdivision thereof.
 
    "PREFERRED  STOCK" of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person that
has preferential rights to any other  Capital Stock of such Person with  respect
to dividends or redemptions or upon liquidation.
 
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<PAGE>
    "PUBLIC  EQUITY OFFERING" has the meaning  set forth under "-- Redemption --
Optional Redemption upon Public Equity Offerings."
 
    "PURCHASE MONEY INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness  the net proceeds of  which
are used for the purchase of property or assets acquired in the normal course of
business by the Person incurring such Indebtedness.
 
    "QUALIFIED  CAPITAL STOCK" means any Capital  Stock that is not Disqualified
Capital Stock.
 
    "REFERENCE DATE" has the  meaning set forth under  "-- Certain Covenants  --
Limitation on Restricted Payments."
 
    "REFINANCE" means, in respect of any security or Indebtedness, to refinance,
extend,  renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease  or retire, or to issue a
security or  Indebtedness  in exchange  or  replacement for,  such  security  or
Indebtedness  in whole  or in  part. "Refinanced"  and "Refinancing"  shall have
correlative meanings.
 
    "REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS"  means  any Refinancing  by  the Company  or  any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness incurred in accordance with
the  covenant described under "-- Certain  Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence
of Additional Indebtedness" covenant  (other than pursuant  to clause (b),  (c),
(d),  (e), (f), (g), (j) or (k) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness), in
each case that does  not (i) result  in an increase  in the aggregate  principal
amount  of  Indebtedness  of  such  Person  as  of  the  date  of  such proposed
Refinancing (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the  terms
of  the instrument governing such Indebtedness and plus the amount of reasonable
expenses incurred by the Company  and the Restricted Subsidiaries in  connection
with  such Refinancing) or (ii) create  Indebtedness with (x) a Weighted Average
Life to Maturity that is less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of  the
Indebtedness  being Refinanced  or (y) a  final maturity earlier  than the final
maturity of  the  Indebtedness  being  Refinanced; PROVIDED  that  (1)  if  such
Indebtedness  being Refinanced  is Indebtedness of  the Company  or a Guarantor,
then such Refinancing Indebtedness shall  be Indebtedness solely of the  Company
and/or  such  Guarantor  and  (2)  if  such  Indebtedness  being  Refinanced  is
subordinate or  junior  to the  Notes  or  a Guarantee,  then  such  Refinancing
Indebtedness  shall be subordinate to  the Notes or such  Guarantee, as the case
may be, at least to the same extent  and in the same manner as the  Indebtedness
being Refinanced.
 
    "REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT"  means the  Registration  Rights Agreement
dated as of the  Issue Date among  the Company, the  Guarantors and the  Initial
Purchasers.
 
    "REPLACEMENT  ASSETS" has the meaning set  forth under "-- Certain Covenants
- -- Limitation on Asset Sales."
 
    "RESTRICTED PAYMENT" has the meaning  set forth under "-- Certain  Covenants
- -- Limitation on Restricted Payments."
 
    "RESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARY" means  any Subsidiary of  the Company  that has not
been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company, by a Board  Resolution
delivered  to  the Trustee,  as an  Unrestricted Subsidiary  pursuant to  and in
compliance with the covenant described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation
on Designations  of  Unrestricted Subsidiaries."  Any  such Designation  may  be
revoked  by a Board Resolution of the  Company delivered to the Trustee, subject
to the provisions of such covenant.
 
    "REVOCATION" has  the  meaning set  forth  under "--  Certain  Covenants  --
Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
    "REVOLVING  CREDIT FACILITY" means the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28,
1996, between the Company, one or  more of the Guarantors and Heller  Financial,
Inc.,   together  with   the  related  documents   thereto  (including,  without
limitation, any guarantee agreements  and security documents),  in each case  as
such  agreements  may  be  amended  (including  any  amendment  and  restatement
thereof), supplemented or otherwise  modified from time  to time, including  any
agreement  extending  the  maturity  of,  refinancing,  replacing  or  otherwise
restructuring  (including  increasing   the  amount   of  available   borrowings
thereunder  (PROVIDED  that  such increase  in  borrowings is  permitted  by the
covenant described under "-- Certain
 
                                       82
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Covenants -- Limitation  on Incurrence  of Additional  Indebtedness") or  adding
Subsidiaries  of the Company  as additional borrowers  or guarantors thereunder)
all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor  or
replacement  agreement and  whether by  the same or  any other  agent, lender or
group of lenders.
 
    "SALE AND LEASEBACK  TRANSACTION" means any  direct or indirect  arrangement
with  any Person  or to  which any  such Person  is a  party, providing  for the
leasing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any property, whether owned
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary at the Issue Date or later acquired,
which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary to such Person or  to any other Person from  whom funds have been  or
are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property.
 
    "SECURITY  DOCUMENTS"  means, collectively,  each  of the  securities pledge
agreements between the Company or one of  its Subsidiaries, as the case may  be,
and  the  Trustee pursuant  to which  capital  stock of  the Guarantors  will be
pledged to secure the Notes in  accordance with the provisions of the  Indenture
and  all other instruments evidencing or creating any security interest in favor
of the Trustee for the benefit of the  Holders, as the same may be amended  from
time to time in accordance with their terms.
 
    "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1.02(v) of
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
 
    "SUBSIDIARY", with respect to any Person, means (a) any corporation of which
the  outstanding Capital Stock having at least  a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast in  the election of directors  under ordinary circumstances shall  at
the  time be  owned, directly  or indirectly,  by such  Person or  (b) any other
Person of  which at  least a  majority  of the  voting interest  under  ordinary
circumstances is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person.
 
    "SURVIVING  ENTITY" has the meaning set forth under "-- Certain Covenants --
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets."
 
    "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of the Company designated  as
such pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described under "-- Certain
Covenants  -- Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Any such
designation may be revoked by a Board Resolution of the Company delivered to the
Trustee, subject to the provisions of such covenant.
 
    "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any  Indebtedness
at  any date, the number of years  obtained by dividing (a) the then outstanding
aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the sum of the total of
the products  obtained by  multiplying (i)  the amount  of each  then  remaining
installment,  sinking  fund,  serial  maturity  or  other  required  payment  of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii)  the
number  of  years  (calculated to  the  nearest one-twelfth)  which  will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment.
 
    "WHOLLY OWNED  RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY"  means  any Restricted  Subsidiary  of
which all the outstanding voting securities (other than in the case of a foreign
Restricted  Subsidiary, directors' qualifying shares  or an immaterial amount of
shares required to  be owned by  other Persons pursuant  to applicable law)  are
owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary.
 
                         OLD NOTES REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    Pursuant  to  the  Registration  Rights Agreement,  NFC  and  certain former
Guarantors  have  agreed  to  file  with  the  Commission  the  Exchange   Offer
Registration  Statement on  an appropriate  form under  the Securities  Act with
respect to  an offer  to exchange  the Old  Notes for  the New  Notes. Upon  the
effectiveness  of the Exchange  Offer Registration Statement,  NFC will offer to
the holders  of Old  Notes who  are  able to  make certain  representations  the
opportunity  to  exchange their  Old  Notes for  New Notes.  If  (a) NFC  is not
permitted to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the
Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law  or
Commission policy or (b) any holder of Old Notes notifies NFC on or prior to the
30th  day following the Issue Date that (i) due to a change in applicable law or
 
                                       83
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policy it is not entitled  to participate in the Exchange  Offer, (ii) due to  a
change  in applicable law or policy it may  not resell the New Notes acquired by
it in the Exchange Offer to the  public without delivering a prospectus and  the
prospectus  contained  in  the  Exchange  Offer  Registration  Statement  is not
appropriate or available for such  resales by such holder  or (iii) it owns  Old
Notes  acquired directly from NFC or an affiliate of NFC, NFC and the Guarantors
will file with the Commission the Shelf Registration Statement to cover  resales
of each Transfer Restricted Note (as defined) by the holder thereof. NFC and the
Guarantors  will use  their best  efforts to  cause the  applicable registration
statement to be declared  effective as promptly as  possible by the  Commission.
For  purposes of the foregoing, a "Transfer Restricted Note" means each Old Note
until (a) the date on which such Old  Note has been exchanged by a person  other
than  a broker-dealer for  a New Note  in the Exchange  Offer, (b) following the
exchange by a broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer of an Old Note for a New Note,
the date on which such  Old Note is sold to  a purchaser who receives from  such
broker-dealer  on or  prior to the  date of such  sale a copy  of the prospectus
contained in the Exchange  Offer Registration Statement, (c)  the date on  which
such  New  Note has  been effectively  registered under  the Securities  Act and
disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement, (d) the day  on
which  such Old Note is eligible for sale to the public without volume or manner
of sale restrictions under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, or (e) such Old
Note ceases to be outstanding.
 
    Under existing Commission interpretations, the New Notes would, in  general,
be  freely transferable  after the  Exchange Offer  without further registration
under  the  Securities  Act;  provided  that  in  the  case  of   broker-dealers
participating  in the Exchange  Offer, a prospectus  meeting the requirements of
the Securities  Act will  be  delivered upon  resale  by such  broker-dealer  in
connection  with resales of the  New Notes. NFC and  the Guarantors have agreed,
for a period  of 180  days after  consummation of  the Exchange  Offer, to  make
available  a prospectus  meeting the requirements  of the Securities  Act to any
such broker-dealer  for use  in connection  with  any resale  of any  New  Notes
acquired in the Exchange Offer. A broker-dealer which delivers such a prospectus
to  purchasers in connection with such resales will be subject to certain of the
civil liability provisions  under the Securities  Act and will  be bound by  the
provisions   of   the   Registration   Rights   Agreement   (including   certain
indemnification rights and obligations).
 
    Each holder of Notes who wishes to exchange such Old Notes for New Notes  in
the  Exchange Offer will be required  to make certain representations, including
representations that (a) any New Notes to be received by it will be acquired  in
the  ordinary course of its business, (b)  it has no arrangement with any person
to participate  in the  distribution of  the  New Notes  and (c)  it is  not  an
"affiliate,"  as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of NFC, or, if it is
an affiliate,  it will  comply  with the  registration and  prospectus  delivery
requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
 
    If  the holder is not a broker-dealer, it will be required to represent that
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of  the
New  Notes. If the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its
own account  in  exchange for  Old  Notes that  were  acquired as  a  result  of
market-making  activities or  other trading activities,  it will  be required to
acknowledge that it will deliver a  prospectus in connection with any resale  of
such New Notes.
 
    The  Registration Rights  Agreement provides  that: (a)  unless the Exchange
Offer would not be  permitted by applicable law  or Commission policy, NFC  will
file  the Exchange Offer Registration Statement  with the Commission on or prior
to the 30th day after the Issue Date, (b) unless the Exchange Offer would not be
permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, NFC will use its best  efforts
to  have the  Exchange Offer  Registration Statement  declared effective  by the
Commission on or prior  to the 120th  day after the Issue  Date, (c) unless  the
Exchange  Offer would not  be permitted by applicable  law or Commission policy,
NFC will commence the Exchange  Offer and use its best  efforts to issue, on  or
prior  to  20  business  days  after  the  date  on  which  the  Exchange  Offer
Registration Statement was declared  effective by the  Commission, New Notes  in
exchange  for all Old Notes tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer and (d)
if obligated to file the Shelf  Registration Statement, NFC will file the  Shelf
Registration Statement prior to the later of (i) 60 days after the Issue Date or
(ii)  30 days after  such filing obligation  arises and use  its best efforts to
cause  the  Shelf  Registration  Statement  to  be  declared  effective  by  the
Commission on or prior to 90 days after the filing thereof; PROVIDED that if NFC
has not commenced the Exchange Offer within 120 days of the Issue Date, NFC will
file  the Shelf Registration  with the Commission  on or prior  to the 121st day
after the
 
                                       84
<PAGE>
Issue Date.  NFC shall  use its  best efforts  to keep  such Shelf  Registration
Statement  continuously  effective,  supplemented and  amended  until  the third
anniversary of the Issue Date or such shorter prior that will terminate when all
the Transfer Restricted Notes covered  by the Shelf Registration Statement  have
been sold pursuant thereto.
 
    If  (a) NFC fails to file any of the registration statements required by the
Registration Rights Agreement on or before  the date specified for such  filing,
(b)  any  of such  registration  statements are  not  declared effective  by the
Commission on  or  prior to  the  date  specified for  such  effectiveness  (the
"Effectiveness  Target Date"),  (c) NFC fails  to consummate  the Exchange Offer
within 20 business  days of the  Effectiveness Target Date  with respect to  the
Exchange  Offer Registration Statement, or  (d) the Shelf Registration Statement
or  the  Exchange  Offer  Registration  Statement  is  declared  effective   but
thereafter,  subject to certain exceptions, ceases  to be effective or usable in
connection with the Exchange Offer or  resales of Transfer Restricted Notes,  as
the  case  may  be, during  the  periods  specified in  the  Registration Rights
Agreement (each  such event  referred to  in clauses  (a) through  (d) above,  a
"Registration  Default"), then  the interest  rate on  Transfer Restricted Notes
will increase ("Additional Interest"), with  respect to the first 90-day  period
immediately  following the occurrence  of such Registration  Default by 0.5% PER
ANNUM and will increase  by an additional  0.5% per annum  with respect to  each
subsequent 90-day period until such Registration Default has been cured, up to a
maximum  amount  of  1.0% PER  ANNUM.  Following  the cure  of  all Registration
Defaults, the accrual of  Additional Interest will cease  and the interest  rate
will revert to the original rate.
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
                  CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    The  following  summary  of  the  material  anticipated  federal  income tax
consequences of the issuance of New Notes  and the Exchange Offer is based  upon
the  provisions of  the Internal  Revenue Code of  1986, as  amended, the final,
temporary and proposed  regulations promulgated  thereunder, and  administrative
rulings and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change
(possibly  with retroactive effect) or  different interpretations. The following
summary is based on an opinion of counsel to the Company which is not binding on
the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and there can be no assurance that the  IRS
will  take a similar view with respect  to the tax consequences described below.
No ruling has been or will be requested  by the Company from the IRS on any  tax
matters  relating to the New  Notes or the Exchange  Offer. This discussion does
not purport to address  all of the possible  federal income tax consequences  or
any  state, local or foreign tax  consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of the Old Notes, the New Notes or the Exchange Offer. It is limited
to investors who will hold the Old Notes and the New Notes as capital assets and
does not address  the federal income  tax consequences that  may be relevant  to
particular  investors in light of their unique circumstances or to certain types
of investors  (such as  dealers in  securities, insurance  companies,  financial
institutions,    foreign   corporations,   partnerships,   trusts,   nonresident
individuals, and tax-exempt entities)  who may be  subject to special  treatment
under federal income tax laws.
 
INDEBTEDNESS
 
    The  Old Notes and  the New Notes  should be treated  as indebtedness of the
Company. In the unlikely event  the Old Notes or the  New Notes were treated  as
equity,  the amount treated as  a distribution on any such  Old Note or New Note
would first be taxable  to the holder  as dividend income to  the extent of  the
Company's  current  and  accumulated earnings  and  profits, and  would  next be
treated as a return of  capital to the extent of  the holder's tax basis in  the
Old  Notes or New  Notes, with any remaining  amount treated as  a gain from the
sale of  an  Old Note  or  a New  Note.  In addition,  in  the event  of  equity
treatment,  amounts received in retirement of an Old Note or a New Note might in
certain circumstances be treated as a dividend, and the Company could not deduct
amounts paid as interest on such Old  Notes or New Notes. The remainder of  this
discussion  assumes  that  the  Old  Notes and  the  New  Notes  will constitute
indebtedness.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    The exchange of the Old Notes for  New Notes pursuant to the Exchange  Offer
should  not be  treated as  an "exchange"  because the  New Notes  should not be
considered to differ materially  in kind or extent  from the Old Notes.  Rather,
the  New Notes  received by a  holder of  the Old Notes  should be  treated as a
continuation of the Old Notes  in the hands of such  holder. As a result,  there
should be no federal income tax consequences to holders exchanging the Old Notes
for  the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and the holding period of New
Notes in the  hands of a  holder should include  the holding period  of the  Old
Notes exchanged into such New Notes.
 
INTEREST
 
    A  holder of an  Old Note or  a New Note  will be required  to report stated
interest on the Old Note and the New Note as interest income in accordance  with
the  holder's method of accounting for tax  purposes. Because the Old Notes were
issued at par there  is no original  issue discount pursuant  to the de  minimis
exception to the "original issue discount" rules.
 
TAX BASIS IN OLD NOTES AND NEW NOTES
 
    A  holder's tax basis in an Old Note will generally be the holder's purchase
price for the Old Note. If a holder of an Old Note exchanges the Old Note for  a
New  Note  pursuant  to  the Exchange  Offer,  the  tax basis  of  the  New Note
immediately after such exchange should equal  the holder's tax basis in the  Old
Note immediately prior to the exchange.
 
DISPOSITION OF OLD NOTES OR NEW NOTES
 
    The  sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of an Old Note or a New
Note, except in the case of an exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer (see  the
above  discussion), generally will  be a taxable event.  A holder generally will
recognize gain or loss equal  to the difference between  (i) the amount of  cash
plus the
 
                                       86
<PAGE>
fair  market value of any property received upon such sale, exchange, redemption
or other taxable  disposition of the  Old Note or  the New Note  (except to  the
extent  attributable to  accrued interest)  and (ii)  the holder's  adjusted tax
basis in such debt instrument. Such gain  or loss will be capital gain or  loss,
and  will be long term if the Old Notes or the New Notes have been held for more
than one year at the time of the sale or other disposition.
 
PURCHASERS OF OLD NOTES AT OTHER THAN ORIGINAL ISSUANCE PRICE
 
    The foregoing does not discuss special rules which may affect the  treatment
of  purchasers  that  acquired Old  Notes  other  than at  par,  including those
provisions of the  Internal Revenue Code  relating to the  treatment of  "market
discount," and "amortizable bond premium." Any such purchaser should consult its
tax  advisor as to  the consequences to  him of the  acquisition, ownership, and
disposition of Old Notes.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
    Unless  a  holder  provides  its  correct  taxpayer  identification   number
(employer  identification number or  social security number)  to the Company and
certifies that such number  is correct, generally under  the federal income  tax
backup  withholding rules, 31% of (1) the interest paid on the Old Notes and the
New Notes, and (2) proceeds of sale of the Old Notes and the New Notes, must  be
withheld  and remitted  to the  United States  Treasury. Therefore,  each holder
should complete and sign the Substitute Form  W-9 included so as to provide  the
information  and certification  necessary to avoid  backup withholding. However,
certain holders (including, among others,  certain foreign individuals) are  not
subject  to these backup  withholding and reporting  requirements. For a foreign
individual holder to qualify  as an exempt foreign  recipient, that holder  must
submit  a  statement,  signed  under penalties  of  perjury,  attesting  to that
individual's exempt foreign  status. Such  statements can be  obtained from  the
Company.  For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions
for completing  the Substitute  Form W-9  (including how  to obtain  a  taxpayer
identification  number if you do not have one and how to complete the Substitute
Form W-9 if the Old Notes are held in more than one name), contact the Company's
assistant Secretary, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C150, Atlanta, GA 30342
or telephone number (404) 256-1123, Ext. 304.
 
    Backup withholding  is not  an additional  federal income  tax. Rather,  the
federal  income tax liability of a person  subject to backup withholding will be
reduced by  the amount  of tax  withheld. If  backup withholding  results in  an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.
 
                         BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
    The  New Notes initially  will be represented by  a single, permanent global
certificate in definitive, fully registered form (the "Global Note"). The Global
Note will be deposited on the Closing Date with, or on behalf of, The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.
 
    THE GLOBAL NOTES.   NFC expects that pursuant  to procedures established  by
DTC (a) upon the issuance of the Global Notes, DTC or its custodian will credit,
on  its  internal  system,  the  principal amount  of  Notes  of  the individual
beneficial interests represented by the Global Notes to the respective  accounts
of  persons who have accounts with DTC and (b) ownership of beneficial interests
in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to
interests of Participants (as defined  herein)) and the records of  Participants
(with  respect to interests  of persons other  than Participants). Such accounts
initially will  be designated  by or  on behalf  of the  Initial Purchasers  and
ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be limited to persons
who  have  accounts  with DTC  ("Participants")  or persons  who  hold interests
through Participants. Interests in the Global Notes may be held directly through
DTC,  by   Participants,  or   indirectly   through  organizations   which   are
Participants.
 
    So  long as DTC,  or its nominee, is  the registered owner  or holder of the
Global Notes, DTC or such  nominee, as the case may  be, will be considered  the
sole  owner or holder of the New Notes  represented by such Global Notes for all
purposes under the Indenture. No beneficial  owner of an interest in any  Global
Notes  will be able  to transfer that  interest except in  accordance with DTC's
procedures, in addition to those provided for under the Indenture.
 
                                       87
<PAGE>
    Payments of  the principal  of,  premium, if  any, and  interest  (including
Additional  Interest) on the Global Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as
the case may be, as  the registered owner thereof. None  of NFC, the Trustee  or
any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records  relating  to  or  payments  made  on  account  of  beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Notes or  for maintaining, supervising or reviewing  any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interest.
 
    NFC  expects  that  DTC or  its  nominee,  upon receipt  of  any  payment of
principal, premium,  if  any, or  interest  (including Additional  Interest)  in
respect of the Global Notes, will credit Participants' accounts with payments in
amounts  proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount of the Global Notes  as shown on the records  of DTC or its nominee.  NFC
also  expects that payments  by Participants to owners  of benefits interests in
the Global Notes  held through such  Participants will be  governed by  standing
instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for
the  accounts  of  customers  registered  in  the  names  of  nominees  for such
customers. Such payments will be the responsibility of such Participants.
 
    Transfers between  Participants will  be  effected in  the ordinary  way  in
accordance  with DTC  rules and  will be  settled in  clearinghouse funds.  If a
holder requires  physical  delivery  of  a Certificated  Note  for  any  reason,
including to sell New Notes to persons in states which require physical delivery
of  the New Notes, or  to pledge such securities,  such holder must transfer its
interest in a Global Note  in accordance with the  normal procedures of DTC  and
with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
 
    DTC  has advised NFC that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a
holder of New  Notes (including the  presentation of New  Notes for exchange  as
described  below) only  at the  direction of one  or more  Participants to whose
account the DTC interests in the Global  Notes are credited and only in  respect
of  such portion of the aggregate principal amount of New Notes as to which such
Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if  there
is  an Event of Default under the  Indenture, DTC will exchange the Global Notes
in whole for Certificated  Notes, which it will  distribute to the  Participants
and   which  will  be  legended  as   set  forth  under  the  heading  "Transfer
Restrictions."
 
    DTC has  advised NFC  as follows:  DTC is  a limited  purpose trust  company
organized  under the  laws of  the State of  New York,  a member  of the Federal
Reserve System,  a "clearing  corporation"  within the  meaning of  the  Uniform
Commercial Code and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section  17A  of  the Exchange  Act.  DTC  was created  to  hold  securities for
Participants  and  facilitate  the   clearance  and  settlement  of   securities
transactions  between  Participants  through  electronic  book-entry  changes in
accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of certificates.  Participants include  securities brokers  and dealers,  banks,
trust  companies  and  clearing corporations  and  certain  other organizations.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers  and  trust  companies  that  clear  through  or  maintain  a  custodial
relationship  with  a  Participant,  either  directly  or  indirectly ("Indirect
Participants").
 
    Although DTC has agreed to the  foregoing procedures in order to  facilitate
transfers  of interests in the  Global Notes among Participants,  it is under no
obligation to perform such procedures,  and such procedures may be  discontinued
at  any time. Neither NFC  nor the Trustee will  have any responsibility for the
performance by  DTC  or  the  Participants or  Indirect  Participants  of  their
respective   obligations  under   the  rules  and   procedures  governing  their
operations.
 
    CERTIFICATED NOTES.  If DTC is at  any time unwilling or unable to  continue
as a depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed
by  NFC within 90  days, Certificated Notes  will be issued  in exchange for the
Global Notes.
 
                                       88
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    Based on interpretations by the Staff set forth in no-action letters  issued
to  third parties, the  Company believes that  New Notes issued  pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in exchange for the Old  Notes may be offered for resale,  resold
and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any holder which is (i)
an  "affiliate"  of  the  Company  within the  meaning  of  Rule  405  under the
Securities Act,  (ii)  a broker-dealer  who  acquired Notes  directly  from  the
Company  or (iii) broker-dealers who acquired Notes as a result of market-making
or other  trading  activities)  without compliance  with  the  registration  and
prospectus  delivery provisions  of the  Securities Act  provided that  such New
Notes are acquired in  the ordinary course of  such holders' business, and  such
holders  are  not engaged  in,  and do  not  intend to  engage  in, and  have no
arrangement or understanding with any  person to participate in, a  distribution
of such New Notes; provided that broker-dealers ("Participating Broker-Dealers")
receiving  New  Notes in  the Exchange  Offer  will be  subject to  a prospectus
delivery requirement with  respect to resales  of such New  Notes. To date,  the
Staff has taken the position that Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their
prospectus  delivery  requirements  with respect  to  transactions  involving an
exchange of  securities such  as the  exchange pursuant  to the  Exchange  Offer
(other  than a resale of an  unsold allotment from the sale  of the Old Notes to
the Initial Purchasers)  with the  Prospectus, contained in  the Exchange  Offer
Registration  Statement.  Pursuant  to the  Registration  Rights  Agreement, the
Company has agreed to permit Participating Broker-Dealers and other persons,  if
any,  subject to similar prospectus delivery requirements to use this Prospectus
in connection with the resale  of such New Notes.  The Company has agreed  that,
for  a  period  of  180  days  after the  Expiration  Date,  it  will  make this
Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to this Prospectus, available to any
broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
    Each holder of the Old  Notes who wishes to exchange  its Old Notes for  New
Notes  in the Exchange Offer will be required to make certain representations to
the Company as set forth in "The  Exchange Offer -- Terms and Conditions of  the
Letter  of Transmittal." In addition, each holder who is a broker-dealer and who
receives New Notes  for its  own account  in exchange  for Old  Notes that  were
acquired  by  it  as  a  result of  market-making  activities  or  other trading
activities, will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale by it of such New Notes.
 
    The Company will  not receive any  proceeds from  any sale of  New Notes  by
broker-dealers.  New  Notes received  by  broker-dealers for  their  own account
pursuant to the  Exchange Offer may  be sold from  time to time  in one or  more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the  writing of  options on the  New Notes or  a combination of  such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related  to
such  prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to  purchasers or  to or  through brokers  or dealers  who may  receive
compensation   in  the  form  of  commissions   or  concessions  from  any  such
broker-dealer and/or the  purchasers of  any such New  Notes. Any  broker-dealer
that  resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a  distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities  Act  and  any  profit  on  any such  resale  of  New  Notes  and any
commissions or concessions  received by  any such persons  may be  deemed to  be
underwriting  compensation under the  Securities Act. The  Letter of Transmittal
states  that  by  acknowledging  that  it  will  deliver  and  by  delivering  a
prospectus,  a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incidental to the Exchange  Offer
other  than  commissions and  concessions  of any  brokers  or dealers  and will
indemnify holders  of  the  Old Notes  (including  any  broker-dealers)  against
certain  liabilities,  including liabilities  under the  Securities Act,  as set
forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
 
                                       89
<PAGE>
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The NFC balance sheets as of December  31, 1994 and 1995 and the  statements
of  operations, stockholder's equity and cash flows  for each of the three years
in the period  ended December  31, 1995 included  in this  Prospectus have  been
audited  by Arthur  Andersen LLP, independent  public accountants,  as stated in
their report with respect thereto, and are included herein on reliance upon  the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
    The  Transkrit consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995,
and the consolidated statements of  income, changes in shareholders' equity  and
cash  flows for each  of the years  in the three-year  period ended December 31,
1995 have been included in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement  in
reliance  upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, included herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts  in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The  validity of the  issuance of securities offered  hereby and certain tax
matters will be passed upon for the Company by White & Case, New York, New York.
 
                                       90
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................................................        F-2
Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and June 30, 1996 (unaudited).................................        F-4
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six months ended June
  30, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)............................................................................        F-6
Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995....................        F-7
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six months ended June
  30, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)............................................................................        F-8
Notes to Financial Statements..............................................................................        F-9
</TABLE>
 
                           TRANSKRIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Independent Auditors' Report...............................................................................       F-20
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and 1995..................................................       F-21
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six months
  ended June 30, 1995 and June 28, 1996 (unaudited)........................................................       F-23
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
  1995.....................................................................................................       F-24
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six
  months ended June 30, 1995 and June 28, 1996 (unaudited).................................................       F-25
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................       F-26
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Stockholder of National Fiberstok
Corporation:
 
    We  have  audited  the  accompanying balance  sheets  of  NATIONAL FIBERSTOK
CORPORATION (a Delaware corporation)  as of December 31,  1994 and 1995 and  the
related  statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for each
of the  three years  in the  period  ended December  31, 1995.  These  financial
statements   are   the   responsibility  of   the   Company's   management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion  on these financial statements based  on
our audits.
 
    We  conducted  our audits  in  accordance with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In  our opinion, the financial statements  referred to above present fairly,
in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  National   Fiberstok
Corporation  as of December 31, 1994 and  1995 and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December  31,
1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
May 24, 1996
(except with respect
to the matter discussed
in Note 10, as to which
the date is September 17,
1996)
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                 (This page has been left blank intentionally.)
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
            DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995 AND JUNE 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31
                                                                     ----------------------------
                                                                         1994           1995
                                                                     -------------  -------------  JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                                   --------------
                                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Current Assets:
  Cash.............................................................  $     283,322  $     444,422  $    1,135,872
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
   $141,841, $171,950, and $602,819, respectively..................      9,091,880      8,875,098      17,868,029
  Inventories......................................................      5,733,570      5,591,888      11,493,166
  Investment securities............................................       --             --             2,620,000
  Other............................................................        355,981        363,935       3,606,743
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
        Total current assets.......................................     15,464,753     15,275,343      36,723,810
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
Property and Equipment:
  Land.............................................................        360,369        335,982       1,852,581
  Buildings........................................................      1,759,649      1,762,147      12,560,395
  Machinery and equipment..........................................     10,982,694     11,247,136      33,889,475
  Office equipment, furniture and fixtures.........................        366,546        890,809       4,087,381
  Leasehold improvements...........................................         53,547         70,290       1,035,605
  Construction in progress.........................................       --            1,383,915       1,125,280
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
                                                                        13,522,805     15,690,279      54,550,717
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...................     (3,642,232)    (5,388,670)     (6,303,053)
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
        Net property and equipment.................................      9,880,573     10,301,609      48,247,664
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
Other Assets:
  Patents..........................................................       --             --            19,444,000
  Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $594,355, $830,468,
   and $948,524, respectively......................................      8,382,301      8,146,188      24,987,191
  Covenants not to compete, net of accumulated amortization of
   $3,242,741, $4,667,741, and $5,321,908, respectively............      2,407,292        982,292         868,609
  Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of
   $602,755, $833,339, and $0, respectively........................        819,038        588,454       5,062,512
  Prepaid pension cost (Note 8)....................................        742,126        922,436       1,885,164
  Deferred income taxes (Note 5)...................................       --            1,900,000        --
  Other............................................................        140,519       --               399,784
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
        Total other assets.........................................     12,491,276     12,539,370      52,647,260
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
        Total assets...............................................  $  37,836,602  $  38,116,322  $  137,618,734
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
            DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995 AND JUNE 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31
                                                                     ----------------------------
                                                                         1994           1995
                                                                     -------------  -------------  JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                                   --------------
                                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
 
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Current Liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt................................  $   1,473,064  $   2,105,935  $      384,295
  Bank overdraft...................................................       --            2,354,439       1,878,659
  Accounts payable.................................................      4,226,033      2,082,277       3,747,726
  Accrued transaction expenses.....................................       --             --             1,789,645
  Accrued expenses and other.......................................      2,563,747      1,550,494       8,920,058
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
    Total current liabilities......................................      8,262,844      8,093,145      16,720,383
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
 
Noncurrent Liabilities.............................................      1,930,517      1,883,713       5,707,135
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
 
Long-Term Debt (Note 4):
  Old Notes........................................................       --             --           100,000,000
  Long-term debt...................................................     10,322,488      9,847,535       2,411,999
  Revolving line of credit.........................................      7,000,000      7,050,000        --
  Subordinated debt................................................      4,453,524      4,514,710        --
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
    Total long-term debt...........................................     21,776,012     21,412,245     102,411,999
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)
 
Stockholder's Equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 283,807
   shares issued and outstanding...................................          2,838          2,838           2,838
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................     14,532,070     14,532,070      22,296,581
  Accumulated deficit..............................................     (8,667,679)    (7,807,689)     (9,520,202)
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
    Total stockholder's equity.....................................      5,867,229      6,727,219      12,779,217
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
 
    Total liabilities and stockholder's equity.....................  $  37,836,602  $  38,116,322  $  137,618,734
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
                                                                     -------------  -------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
       AND THE SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31                            JUNE 30
                                       -------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                           1993           1994           1995           1995           1996
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales............................  $  64,544,948  $  65,998,093  $  71,257,112  $  33,833,212  $  31,816,116
Cost of products sold................     51,383,635     52,610,089     55,708,018     26,623,751     25,259,694
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Gross profit.........................     13,161,313     13,388,004     15,549,094      7,209,461      6,556,422
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Operating expenses:
  Selling............................      5,887,840      5,936,621      6,760,438      3,336,311      3,618,696
  General and administrative.........      5,401,862      4,777,837      4,833,618      2,477,784      2,059,235
  Amortization:
    Covenants not to compete.........      1,396,133      1,425,000      1,439,607        712,500        654,167
    Goodwill.........................        195,946        240,433        236,113        114,974        118,056
    Other............................         48,000         48,000        140,000         24,001             --
  Provision for plant shutdown.......      1,595,277             --             --             --             --
  Provision for building disposal....        656,000             --             --             --             --
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
    Total operating expenses.........     15,181,058     12,427,891     13,409,776      6,665,570      6,450,154
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Income (loss) from operations........     (2,019,745)       960,113      2,139,318        543,891        106,268
Interest expense.....................      2,872,483      2,974,755      3,179,328      1,581,583      1,557,598
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net loss before income taxes and
 extraordinary item..................     (4,892,228)    (2,014,642)    (1,040,010)    (1,037,692)    (1,451,330)
Income tax benefit...................      1,342,723             --      1,900,000             --        536,579
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net loss before extraordinary item...     (3,549,505)    (2,014,642)       859,990     (1,037,692)      (914,751)
Extraordinary loss on early
 retirement of debt, net of tax
 benefit of $460,864.................             --             --             --             --       (797,762)
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income (loss)....................  $  (3,549,505) $  (2,014,642) $     859,990  $  (1,037,692) $  (1,712,513)
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
            AND THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 SHARES                  ADDITIONAL
                                                 COMMON      COMMON        PAID-IN      ACCUMULATED
                                                 STOCK        STOCK        CAPITAL        DEFICIT         TOTAL
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992...................     283,807   $   2,838   $  14,532,070  $  (3,103,532) $  11,431,376
Net loss.....................................      --          --            --           (3,549,505)    (3,549,505)
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1993...................     283,807       2,838      14,532,070     (6,653,037)     7,881,871
Net loss.....................................      --          --            --           (2,014,642)    (2,014,642)
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1994...................     283,807       2,838      14,532,070     (8,667,679)     5,867,229
Net income...................................      --          --            --              859,990        859,990
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995...................     283,807       2,838      14,532,070     (7,807,689)     6,727,219
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Capital contribution.........................      --          --           7,764,511       --            7,764,511
Net loss.....................................      --          --            --           (1,712,513)    (1,712,513)
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance, June 30, 1996.......................     283,807   $   2,838   $  22,296,581  $  (9,520,202) $  12,779,217
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                               ----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
       AND THE SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31
                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                      1993        1994        1995
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------          JUNE 30
                                                                                       ------------------------
                                                                                          1995         1996
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net (loss) income..............................  $(3,549,505) $(2,014,642) $  859,990 ($1,051,887) ($1,712,513)
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
  Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
    Extraordinary loss on early retirement of
     debt, net of income tax benefit.............      --          --          --          --          797,762
    Depreciation and amortization................   3,521,041   3,685,439   4,004,992   1,705,234    1,975,599
    Provision for plant shutdown.................   1,595,277      --          --          --           --
    Provision for building disposal..............     656,000      --          --          --           --
    Provision for deferred income taxes..........  (1,342,723)     --      (1,900,000)     --         (536,579)
    Net gain on disposal of property and
     equipment...................................      --         (86,604)   (173,646)     --         (237,536)
    Amortization of prepaid pension asset........     172,184     (77,853)   (180,310)    (90,158)     150,072
    Imputed interest.............................     117,344     134,501     130,172      65,086       56,039
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable........................    (593,182) (1,117,611)    216,782     226,282    1,562,029
      Inventories................................     281,347    (459,217)    141,682    (551,229)     785,188
      Other assets...............................     348,879    (257,594)     (7,436)   (278,642)    (401,217)
      Accounts payable...........................    (522,834)  2,563,236  (2,143,754)   (864,402)     (55,038)
      Accrued expenses and other.................   1,163,032  (1,166,381) (1,165,768)   (377,226)     132,331
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
        Total adjustments........................   5,396,365   3,217,916  (1,077,286)   (165,055)   4,228,650
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
        Net cash provided by (used in) operating
         activities..............................   1,846,860   1,203,274    (217,296) (1,216,942)   2,516,137
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment............  (1,179,251)   (940,387) (2,308,105)   (361,660)    (645,538)
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment...      --         546,959     369,194      --          422,041
  Restricted certificate of deposit..............     125,000     125,000      --          --           --
  Cash paid for assets acquired..................    (229,000)     --          --          --           --
  Cash paid for business acquired, net of cash
   acquired......................................      --          --          --          --       (79,421,557)
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
        Net cash used in investing activities....  (1,283,251)   (268,428) (1,938,911)   (361,660)  (79,645,054)
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft, net.....           0           0   2,354,437   1,618,800   (2,354,437)
  Borrowings (payments) on Term Loan B...........      --          --       1,000,000      --       (4,500,000)
  Payments on Term Loan A........................  (1,050,000) (1,250,000) (1,050,000)   (700,000)  (7,400,000)
  Payments on other long-term debt...............    (300,000)   (100,000)     --          --       (5,150,000)
  Payments on capital leases.....................      (7,924)     (8,206)    (37,130)    (17,398)     (26,840)
  Net borrowings (payments) on revolving line of
   credit........................................     200,000     500,000      50,000     500,000   (7,050,000)
  Additional capital contribution................      --          --          --          --        7,764,511
  Increase in deferred financing costs...........      --          --          --          --       (3,462,867)
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.......      --          --          --          --       100,000,000
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
        Net cash provided by (used in) financing
         activities..............................  (1,157,924)   (858,206)  2,317,307   1,401,402   77,820,367
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH..................    (594,315)     76,640     161,100    (177,200)     691,450
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD........................     800,997     206,682     283,322     283,322      444,422
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
CASH, END OF PERIOD..............................  $  206,682  $  283,322  $  444,422   $ 106,122    $1,135,872
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH PAID FOR
 INTEREST........................................  $2,470,000  $2,412,000  $2,821,000
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                         NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995 AND
         THE SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 (UNAUDITED)
 
1.  BACKGROUND
    National  Fiberstok  Corporation ("NFC"  or  the "Company"),  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of DEC  International, Inc. ("DEC"),  manufactures and distributes  a
broad  range  of  stationery  products,  including  envelopes,  catalog inserts,
labels, and  office supplies.  The  Company markets  its products  to  customers
throughout  the United States  through divisions in  Roanoke, Virginia; Austell,
Georgia; Louisville,  Kentucky;  Gainesville,  Florida;  and  Greenville,  South
Carolina.
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    For  purposes  of reporting  cash flows,  the  Company considers  all highly
liquid investments, principally with an original maturity of 90 days or less, to
be cash equivalents.
 
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
    Investment securities consist of zero-coupon municipal debt securities which
are classified as held-to-maturity  and are stated at  cost. Interest income  is
recognized when earned.
 
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
    A summary of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              -----------------------------------
                                                                                 1993        1994         1995
                                                                              ----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                                                           <C>         <C>          <C>
Balance, beginning of period................................................  $  237,330  $   148,084  $  141,841
Provisions..................................................................      --           83,602      78,089
Recoveries..................................................................       1,077       18,770      18,679
Write-offs..................................................................     (90,323)    (108,615)    (66,659)
                                                                              ----------  -----------  ----------
Balance, end of period......................................................  $  148,084  $   141,841  $  171,950
                                                                              ----------  -----------  ----------
                                                                              ----------  -----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories  are  stated  at the  lower  of  cost or  market.  Costs  of raw
materials are determined  using the first-in,  first-out ("FIFO") method.  Costs
(net  of  an  obsolescence reserve)  of  work  in process,  finished  goods, and
customized stock (consisting  of product which  has been produced  and held  for
certain customers under short-term delayed-shipping arrangements) are determined
using the average cost (which approximates FIFO) or FIFO method.
 
    Inventories consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30,
                                                                        --------------------------  -------------
                                                                            1994          1995          1996
                                                                        ------------  ------------  -------------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Raw materials.........................................................  $  3,342,522  $  2,764,452  $   6,010,949
Work in process.......................................................       799,460       968,671      1,326,026
Finished goods........................................................       414,393       556,649      2,968,527
Customized stock......................................................     1,177,195     1,302,116      1,187,664
                                                                        ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                        $  5,733,570  $  5,591,888  $  11,493,166
                                                                        ------------  ------------  -------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property  and equipment are  recorded at cost and  are depreciated using the
straight-line method over the following lives:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Buildings.....................................................................      30 years
<S>                                                                             <C>
Machinery and equipment.......................................................  5 to 7 years
Office equipment..............................................................  4 to 5 years
                                                                                     4 to 30
Leasehold improvements........................................................         years
</TABLE>
 
    Leasehold improvements are depreciated over  the lesser of the useful  lives
of the assets or the lease term.
 
    The  Company's policy is to remove  the cost and accumulated depreciation of
retirements from the accounts  and recognize the related  gain or loss upon  the
disposition of assets.
 
GOODWILL
 
    Goodwill  is stated at  cost less accumulated  amortization and is amortized
over 15  to 40  years  using the  straight-line  method. The  recoverability  of
goodwill is periodically reviewed by management based on current and anticipated
conditions.  The  amount of  goodwill considered  realizable, however,  could be
reduced in the near term if changes occur in anticipated conditions. Based  upon
management's  review  of projected  undiscounted cash  flow from  operations and
other pertinent information, management is of the opinion that there has been no
diminution in the value assigned to goodwill.
 
COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE
 
    Covenants not to compete have been recorded at cost and are being  amortized
on a straight-line basis over the terms (three to four years) of the agreements.
 
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS
 
    Deferred financing costs represent costs incurred to raise financing and are
amortized over the relevant terms of the borrowings (Note 4).
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    The  Company computes  its provision for  income taxes on  a separate return
basis. The  Company accounts  for income  taxes using  the asset  and  liability
method  for recognition of deferred tax  liabilities and assets. Under the asset
and  liability  method,  deferred  income  taxes  are  recognized  for  the  tax
consequences  of temporary differences, net operating losses, and tax credits by
applying enacted statutory tax rates  applicable to future years to  differences
between  the financial statement carrying amounts  and the tax bases of existing
assets and liabilities.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Sales are recorded  as products are  shipped, except for  certain sales  for
which  revenue is  recognized when  the customer is  billed based  on passage of
legal title at the date of billing. Such "bill and hold" sales are not  material
to the Company's results of operations.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The  preparation of  the financial  statements in  conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and
assumptions. These  estimates and  assumptions affect  the reported  amounts  of
assets  and liabilities and  disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at
the date of  the financial statements  as well as  during the reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
CONCENTRATION OF RISK
 
    During  1993, 1994, and 1995, the  Company's ten largest customers accounted
for 27%,  29%, and  25%, respectively,  of total  company sales.  No  individual
customer  accounted  for more  than 6%  of  sales in  any year.  In management's
opinion, a loss of any one individual customer would not have a material  impact
on the Company's financial position or operations.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    The  Company's largest  purchased raw material  is paper.  While the Company
utilizes multiple paper  suppliers, it obtained  44%, 49% and  67% of its  paper
from  two suppliers in  1993, 1994, and 1995,  respectively. Further, the supply
and price of paper are cyclical in  nature. As a result, the Company is  subject
to the risk that pricing may significantly impact results of operations and that
it  may be unable to purchase sufficient  quantities of paper to meet production
requirements during times of  tight supply. While the  Company believes that  it
could  obtain other suppliers of paper, industry conditions previously discussed
may have a material effect on the Company's results of operations.
 
VACATION POLICY
 
    In 1995, the  Company revised  its vacation policy,  whereby employees  must
take  vacation  earned during  the  year prior  to  December 31  or  forfeit the
balance. As a result of this change  in policy, a vacation accrual is no  longer
required as of December 31, 1995, and approximately $575,000 of accrued vacation
was  reversed and is reflected as a reduction  in cost of products sold in 1995.
Accrued vacation at December 31, 1994 was $557,000.
 
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The Company's  financial instruments  consist  primarily of  cash,  accounts
receivable,  accounts payable, and debt. The  carrying amounts of cash, accounts
receivable, and accounts payable  approximate their fair  values because of  the
short-term  maturity of such instruments. The carrying value of the debt, except
the Rice Note, (Note 4) approximates  its fair value, because interest rates  on
the  debt are  periodically adjusted and  approximate current  market rates. The
fair value of the Rice Note, discounted at 10.5%, which approximates market,  is
$5,648,000.
 
ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARD
 
    On  January 1, 1996,  the Company adopted  Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets
and  for  Long-Lived Assets  to Be  Disposed  Of," which  establishes accounting
standards  for  the  impairment  of  long-lived  assets,  certain   identifiable
intangibles, and goodwill related to those assets to be held and used as well as
long-lived  assets and certain  identifiable intangibles to  be disposed of. The
adoption of this standard was not  material to the Company's financial  position
or results of operations.
 
INTERIM UNAUDITED DATA FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996
 
    In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements contain all
the  normal and recurring adjustments necessary  to present fairly the financial
position of the Company  as of June  30, 1996 and the  results of the  Company's
operations and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 in
conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The  results  of
operations for the  six month  period ended June  30, 1996  are not  necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the year (Note 10).
 
3.  BUILDING DISPOSAL AND PLANT SHUTDOWN
    During  1993, the Company adopted a formal plan to discontinue operations at
the Philadelphia division and  move portions of that  operation to the  Austell,
Georgia  location. As part of such  plan, the Company discontinued production in
August 1994 and  moved a large  portion of  the equipment and  inventory to  the
Austell  location. As a result,  the Company recorded a  charge of $1,595,277 to
write down the division's  assets to their net  realizable values and to  accrue
for future operating lease commitments, severance costs, and costs of relocating
portions  of the Philadelphia operation to Austell, Georgia. In conjunction with
the relocation of certain  portions of the  Philadelphia operations to  Austell,
management  decided to sell the former Austell facility and relocate to a larger
facility in  Austell. Accordingly,  the net  book value  of the  building to  be
disposed  of was adjusted to the estimated  fair market value. The impact of the
asset write-down was $656,000 and is recorded as a charge to 1993 earnings.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
4.  LONG-TERM DEBT
    Long-term debt as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1994           1995
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>
Term Loan A payable to Heller Financial, Inc. ("Heller"), quarterly principal
 payments ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 for the period commencing December 31,
 1992 through September 30, 1999, bearing interest at a base rate plus 1.75%
 (10.25% at December 31, 1994 and 1995)............................................  $   8,450,000  $   7,400,000
Term Loan B payable to Heller, payable in four successive quarterly principal
 payments of $875,000 commencing the earlier of December 31, 1999 or upon full
 payment of Term Loan A and the balance due on December 31, 2000, bearing interest
 at a base rate plus 5% (13.5% at December 31, 1994 and 1995)......................      3,500,000      4,500,000
Revolving line of credit payable to Heller, principal payable in full upon the
 earlier of termination, as defined, or September 30, 2000, bearing interest at a
 base rate plus 1.75% (10.25% at December 31, 1994 and 1995).......................      7,000,000      7,050,000
Subordinated note payable to Rice Mezzanine Lenders, L.P. ("Rice"), principal
 balloon payment due on the earlier of termination, as defined, or September 30,
 2000, bearing interest at 14%.....................................................      5,000,000      5,000,000
Other..............................................................................         84,673        226,991
Less unamortized portion of discount due to value assigned to parent company
 warrants attached to Term Loans A and B and subordinated note payable.............       (785,597)      (658,811)
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                        23,249,076     23,518,180
Less current portion...............................................................     (1,473,064)    (2,105,935)
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                     $  21,776,012  $  21,412,245
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
                                                                                     -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Maturities of long-term debt and  capital lease obligations at December  31,
1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        LONG-TERM    SUBORDINATED
                                                                                          DEBT           DEBT
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
1996................................................................................  $   2,105,935   $   --
1997................................................................................      1,901,129       --
1998................................................................................      2,056,792       --
1999................................................................................      2,436,369       --
2000................................................................................     10,676,766    5,000,000
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
                                                                                      $  19,176,991   $5,000,000
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
                                                                                      -------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The  Company maintains a term loan and line-of-credit agreement (the "Credit
Agreement") with Heller. Under  the terms of the  Credit Agreement, as  amended,
the Company has an $11,000,000 term loan ("Term Loan A"), a $4,500,000 term loan
("Term Loan B"), and a $8,500,000 revolving line-of-credit facility (the "Line")
as  of December 31, 1995. As consideration  for the Credit Agreement, the parent
made available to the Company stock  warrants to purchase 254,435 shares of  DEC
Class B common stock. The warrants were transferred to Heller in connection with
the initiation of the Credit Agreement. The warrants were valued at $400,000 and
were  recorded as a discount to  the face value of Term  Loan A and Term Loan B.
The effect of the warrants at the inception  of Term Loan A and Term Loan B  was
to  cause effective  yields of  10.35% and  13.33%, respectively.  The effective
yield   for   Term    Loan   A   was    9.9%   and   10.6%    for   the    years
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
4.  LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
ended  December 31,  1994 and 1995,  respectively. The effective  yield for Term
Loan B was  14.0% and  13.8% for  the years ended  December 31,  1994 and  1995,
respectively.  Maximum borrowings under the Line  are $8,500,000, reduced by the
amount of the lender guaranty reserve, as defined, which was $0 at December  31,
1994  and 1995.  Borrowings under  the Credit  Agreement are  subject to certain
financial covenants that include, among others, limits on capital  expenditures,
a  minimum ratio  of fixed  charge coverages, and  a minimum  amount of earnings
before income taxes, depreciation, interest,  and amortization, as defined.  The
Company is in compliance with each of these covenants as of December 31, 1995.
 
    The  Company also maintains a $5,000,000  note purchase agreement (the "Rice
Note"), as  amended, with  Rice. The  Rice  Note is  subordinate to  the  Credit
Agreement.  As consideration for the Rice Note, the parent made available to the
Company stock warrants to purchase 413,457 shares of DEC's Class A common stock.
The warrants were transferred to  Rice with the issuance  of the Rice Note.  The
warrants  were valued at $649,954  and were recorded as  a discount to the debt.
The effective  interest  rate  on  the Rice  Note,  after  discounting  for  the
warrants,  is 17.12%.  The Rice Note  is subject to  certain financial covenants
which include, among others, limits  on capital expenditures, minimum levels  of
fixed  charge coverages, and minimum earnings before income taxes, depreciation,
interest, and amortization, as defined. The  Company is in compliance with  each
of  these covenants  as of  December 31,  1995. In  addition, the  Rice Note has
cross-default provisions with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Interest expense on  long-term debt and  capital leases in  1993, 1994,  and
1995  was  approximately $2,872,000,  $2,975,000, and  $3,179,000, respectively,
including approximately  $117,000,  $123,000,  and  $127,000,  respectively,  of
warrant-related  discount  amortization  and $314,000,  $259,000,  and $231,000,
respectively, of deferred finance cost amortization.
 
5.  INCOME TAXES
    The income tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995
represent the income tax benefit from operating losses. As a result, income  tax
beenfits for all periods presented consist of deferred tax benefits.
 
    The reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the Company's
effective  income tax rate for the 1993, 1994, and 1995 benefit for income taxes
is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1993          1994          1995
                                                                         -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>          <C>
Federal tax benefit at statutory rate..................................  $  (1,663,358) $  (684,978) $    (353,600)
State, net of federal benefit..........................................       (220,150)     --             (34,000)
Change in valuation allowance..........................................        533,242      612,467     (1,485,000)
Other, net.............................................................          7,543       72,511        (27,400)
                                                                         -------------  -----------  -------------
Actual income tax benefit..............................................  $  (1,342,723) $   --       $  (1,900,000)
                                                                         -------------  -----------  -------------
                                                                         -------------  -----------  -------------
Effective tax rate.....................................................            27%           0%           183%
                                                                         -------------  -----------  -------------
                                                                         -------------  -----------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
5.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Significant components  of  the Company's  net  deferred tax  assets  as  of
December 31, 1994 and 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          1994           1995
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
  Net operating loss carryforwards..................................................  $   2,059,000  $   2,692,000
  Book basis in property over tax basis.............................................     (2,473,000)    (2,710,000)
  Goodwill..........................................................................         12,000       (143,000)
  Prepaid pension cost..............................................................       (282,000)      (369,000)
  Employee benefit accruals.........................................................        711,000        490,000
  Accrued liabilities not currently deductible......................................      1,442,000      1,859,000
  Other, net........................................................................         16,000         81,000
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance..................................      1,485,000      1,900,000
Valuation allowance.................................................................     (1,485,000)      --
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Net deferred tax assets.............................................................  $    --        $   1,900,000
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    In  1993,  the  Company  recorded  the benefit  of  its  net  operating loss
carryforwards generated  in  that  year  reduced by  a  valuation  allowance  of
$533,000. The valuation allowance reduced the net deferred tax asset to zero, as
management  determined that, based upon its  expectations at that time regarding
future taxable income, realization  was not more likely  than not. In 1994,  the
Company  recorded an additional valuation  allowance of $612,000 consistent with
the 1993 treatment. The decrease in the valuation allowance in 1995 results from
benefiting net operating losses expected to  be realized in the future based  on
improvements  in operating results during  1995 and anticipated future earnings.
As a result, the Company has recorded  a deferred tax asset of $1,900,000 as  of
December 31, 1995 for income tax loss carryforwards.
 
    The  net operating loss carryforwards will  be used to offset future taxable
income, subject to their  expirations beginning in  2004 and continuing  through
2010.  Any future issuance of stock by  the Company could result in an ownership
change, as defined by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and could limit utilization of
net  operating  loss  carryforwards.  Also,  benefits  derived  from  using  net
operating  loss  carryforwards to  offset  any taxes  calculated  as alternative
minimum tax could be  less than the  recorded amount of  the net operating  loss
carryforwards.  Although realization is not assured, management believes it will
be realized.
 
6.  CAPITAL STOCK
    The Company has authorized 300,000 shares  of common stock with a par  value
of  $.01  per share.  As of  December 31,  1995, 283,807  shares are  issued and
outstanding.
 
7.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
MANAGEMENT FEE
 
    The Company maintains a Advisory  Services Agreement (the "Agreement")  with
MDC  Management Company II, L.P. ("MDC"), an affiliate. Under the Agreement, MDC
provides certain consulting, financial, and managerial functions for a  $250,000
annual  fee. In  1994 and  1995, $0 and  $187,500, respectively,  were paid. The
Company has recorded  a liability  of $500,000,  $562,000, and  $562,000 on  the
accompanying  balance sheets related to the unpaid  portion of these costs as of
December 31, 1994 and 1995 and June 30, 1996, respectively. No payments shall be
made by the Company to MDC under the Agreement if there is an event of  default,
as  defined, under the Credit Agreement (Note 4). As of June 30, 1996, there are
no such events of default. In addition, payments under the Agreement are limited
until certain events are  satisfied under the Credit  Agreement. As a result  of
and    concurrent   with   the   anticipated   transactions   (Note   10),   the
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
7.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
Company expects to  pay the  accrued management fees  and to  continue with  the
terms of the Agreement. The Agreement expires December 31, 2000 and is renewable
annually  thereafter, unless terminated by the Company for justifiable cause, as
defined.
 
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
    In 1992, certain NFC officers and former officers purchased an aggregate  of
298,150  shares of DEC common stock, representing 12% of the voting common stock
of DEC.  The stock  was  purchased at  $4.33,  the fair  value  at the  date  of
purchase, and were paid for with $620,000 of cash and $670,000 of 6% nonrecourse
notes.  All stockholders  of DEC  are subject  to the  terms of  a stockholders'
agreement. This agreement restricts the stockholders' ability to sell, transfer,
and assign the DEC common  stock, with DEC having  the first right of  purchase.
The  holders of the stock may be forced  to sell the shares to DEC under certain
conditions. In addition, on  expiration of a  stockholder's employment with  the
Company,  the Company has the option to  buy back the stockholder's common stock
at a specified price primarily based upon  either the cost of the shares or  the
book value of DEC.
 
8.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN
 
    The Company has a defined benefit pension plan (the "Plan") covering certain
employees.  On December 20,  1993, the Company again  amended the Plan, freezing
future participation to any new employees of the Company effective December  31,
1993.  Effective December 31, 1994, the Company again amended the Plan, freezing
future accrual  of  benefits for  all  participants. In  conjunction  with  this
amendment,  all participants  in the Plan  have been retroactively  vested. As a
result of these amendments, a curtailment gain of $399,333 was recorded in  1994
as a reduction to the related net periodic pension cost.
 
    The  funded  status of  the Plan  as of  December  31, 1994  and 1995  is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1994            1995
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
  Accumulated projected benefit obligation........................................  $  (16,035,066) $  (17,030,297)
  Plan assets at fair value.......................................................      16,777,196      17,345,512
Plan assets greater than projected benefit obligation.............................         742,130         315,215
Unrecognized net loss from past experience........................................        --               607,221
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
Prepaid pension cost..............................................................  $      742,130  $      922,436
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    The  weighted  average  discount  rates  used  to  measure  the  accumulated
projected   benefit  obligation  are   8.00%  and  7.75%   for  1994  and  1995,
respectively. The assumed rates  of increase in  future compensation levels  are
5%, and the expected long-term rates of return on assets are 8.75% for both 1994
and 1995.
 
    Net periodic pension costs for 1993, 1994, and 1995 include the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1993           1994           1995
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>
Service cost--benefits earned during the period......................  $     368,825  $     437,088  $    --
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation........................      1,316,812      1,388,943      1,230,610
Actual return on plan assets.........................................     (1,498,941)       521,415     (1,772,831)
Net amortization and deferral........................................        (14,512)    (2,025,970)       361,915
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                       $     172,184  $     321,476  $    (180,306)
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
8.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
    The Company has unfunded deferred compensation plans that provide retirement
benefits  to  a certain  officer  and former  key  employees. The  plans provide
retirement benefits generally based on the service provided by the employees  to
the  Company. Benefits are vested as service is provided. Plan participants have
the option of receiving  a lump-sum payment at  retirement or periodic  payments
after retirement, subject to approval from the Company's board of directors. The
Company  provides  for  these plans  during  the  related service  lives  of the
participants at  amounts sufficient  to  accrue the  present value  of  benefits
earned to their retirement dates. Effective December 31, 1994, the Company froze
future  benefit accruals under these  deferred compensation agreements. Included
in the accompanying balance sheets are liabilities of $550,000 and $426,000  for
these plans as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
 
    In July 1992, the Company instituted a retirement savings plan, (the "401(k)
Plan") for nonunion employees at certain locations. The 401(k) Plan provides for
employee  contributions  of  up  to 10%  of  employee  compensation  and company
matching contributions of  50% of employee  contributions up to  6% of  employee
compensation,  as defined.  Effective January 1,  1995, the  Company amended the
401(k) savings  plan  to  increase  company matching  contributions  to  60%  of
employee  contributions  and to  allow participation  by all  employees (meeting
eligibility requirements, as defined)  of the Company.  The Company recorded  an
expense  of approximately $21,000, $41,000, and $404,000 in 1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively, as a result of contributions to the 401(k) Plan.
 
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
    The Company provides  certain health  care and life  insurance benefits  for
certain  retired  individuals.  The  Company  accounts  for  these  benefits  in
accordance with SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits
Other Than  Pensions." This  statement  requires the  accrual  of the  costs  of
providing   postretirement  benefits,  including   medical  and  life  insurance
coverage, during the active service period of the employee. The plan was  frozen
in 1993 and all eligible participants of the plan are retired.
 
    Interest  cost, representing all of  the net periodic postretirement benefit
expense for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, was $37,000,  $0,
and  $56,000, respectively. In addition, the impact of the change in the assumed
discount rate was a benefit of $56,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
    The accrued postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 1994 and  1995
was $957,000 and $771,000, respectively.
 
    Assumptions  used in the  computation of postretirement  benefit expense and
the related obligation are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1994       1995
                                                                                ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>
Discount rate used to determine accumulated postretirement benefit
 obligation...................................................................         7%         8%
Initial health care cost trend rate...........................................        13%        13%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate..........................................         5%         5%
Year ultimate health care cost trend rate reached.............................       2003       2004
</TABLE>
 
    If the  health care  trend rates  increased  1% for  all future  years,  the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1995 would have
increased by 7%. The effect of such a change on the interest cost for 1995 would
have been an increase of approximately $55,000.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
OPERATING LEASES
 
    The  Company has certain noncancelable operating leases for office and plant
facilities  and  office  equipment.  The  total  rental  expense  was  $790,000,
$641,000,  and $351,000  in 1993, 1994,  and 1995,  respectively. Minimum annual
rental payments remaining  under noncancelable operating  leases as of  December
31, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31:
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
1996................................................................................................      $445,000
1997................................................................................................       411,000
1998................................................................................................       384,000
1999................................................................................................       393,000
2000................................................................................................       290,000
Thereafter..........................................................................................       127,000
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        $2,050,000
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                      ------------
</TABLE>
 
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES
 
    In January 1988, the Company was notified by the United States Environmental
Protection  Agency ("EPA') that  it and 11 other  parties are potentially liable
for costs incurred by the EPA in responding to the cleanup of the Dixie  Caverns
Landfill  Superfund  Site  in Roanoke  County,  Virginia.  Subsequently, Roanoke
County expended $2,000,000 to  clean up a portion  of the Dixie Cavern  landfill
site  and  has filed  suit  against the  Company  and the  11  other potentially
responsible parties ("PRPs")for reimbursement of these cleanup costs.  Although,
under Superfund, the PRPs may be jointly and severally liable for cleanup costs,
management  believes that the  Company's potential liability  in connection with
the County's claim is de minimis, based upon the amount of waste attributable to
it in relation to the other  parties. Management believes that the Company  will
have no liability in connection with the remaining portion of the site, and that
the  ultimate outcome of this matter will  not have a material adverse impact on
the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
    The EPA has also named the Company as one of a number of PRPs in  connection
with  the alleged disposal  of hazardous substances at  the Smiths Farm Landfill
Superfund Site in Kentucky. In February  1992, the Company and 35 other  parties
entered  into  an alternative  dispute resolution  process ("ADRP")  to allocate
liability. Subsequently, a number of  the PRPs responsible for contributions  of
waste  to  the site  dropped out  of the  ADRP group.  The remaining  ADRP group
members, including the  Company, have proposed  a de minimis  settlement to  the
EPA,  which, if  accepted, would resolve  the Company's  liability in connection
with the site. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will
not have  a material  adverse impact  on the  financial position  or results  of
operations of the Company.
 
EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION
 
    The  Company entered  into contracts  with various  vendors to  purchase and
construct a new  equipment line  (the "Equipment"). The  contracts commenced  in
October  1995,  and  installation was  completed  in April  1996.  The aggregate
purchase and installation costs are  approximately $3,600,000. The Equipment  is
being  financed with a $1,000,000 borrowing from  Heller under Term Loan B and a
$2,600,000 borrowing from The CIT Group ("CIT").
 
    Under the  CIT lease  agreement, CIT  will have  a first-perfected  security
interest in the Equipment. Upon completion of the installation of the Equipment,
monthly  principal and interest payments will  be made over five years. Interest
will be charged based on the base rental  factor, as defined. At the end of  the
lease term, the Company will have the option to purchase the Equipment at 20% of
the  original  cost of  the  Equipment, as  defined.  The CIT  loan  document is
cross-defaulted with the Credit Agreement if such default is not cured within 90
days following the default to the satisfaction of Heller.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    Through December 31, 1995, the Company expended $1,130,000 for the  purchase
and  installation of the Equipment included in the accompanying balance sheet in
construction in progress. This was financed through the $1,000,000 borrowed from
Heller on Term Loan B and the Company's working capital.
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On June 28,  1996, pursuant  to a Stock  Purchase Agreement  dated June  19,
1996,  the Company acquired all  of the issued and  outstanding capital stock of
Transkrit  Corporation  ("Transkrit")  for  $86.5  million,  subject  to   final
post-closing  adjustment  for certain  changes  in Transkrit's  working capital,
other net assets,  and capital expenditures  from the amounts  estimated at  the
closing  of the acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition, Transkrit and all of
its subsidiaries were merged into the Company.
 
    The acquisition  has  been  accounted  for  using  the  purchase  method  of
accounting  and accordingly,  the results of  operations of  Transkrit have been
included in the results of  operations of the Company  since June 29, 1996.  The
purchase  price was allocated to assets and liabilities based on their estimated
fair value as of the  date of the acquisition.  The excess of the  consideration
paid over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired currently estimated at
$16,959,000  has  been  recorded  as  goodwill and  is  being  amortized  on the
straight-line basis over 40  years. The following presents  on an unaudited  pro
forma  basis the Company's  results of operations as  though the acquisition and
related transactions discussed below had occurred on January 1, 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           FOR THE YEAR ENDED  FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1995   ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                           ------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                 <C>
Net sales................................................................   $    168,760,000     $    79,820,000
Operating income.........................................................         12,347,000           3,451,000
Net income (loss) before extraordinary item..............................          2,364,000          (1,213,000)
</TABLE>
 
    Concurrent with  the consummation  of the  acquisition, the  Company  issued
$100,000,000  aggregate principal amount  of unsecured 11  5/8% Senior Notes due
June 15, 2002 (the "Old Notes"). Principal and interest are payable semiannually
commencing on December  15, 1996. The  Old Notes are  senior obligations of  the
Company  and  will  be PARI  PASSU  in right  of  payment to  all  future senior
indebtedness. Under a registration rights agreement dated June 28, 1996  entered
into  by the Company, the initial purchasers of the Old Notes, and certain other
parties, the Company is undertaking an  offer of exchange whereby the Old  Notes
may  be exchanged, under certain  conditions and subject to  the approval of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, for new notes (the "New Notes") which may be
offered for  resale, resold  and otherwise  transferred by  respective  holders,
under certain conditions.
 
    The  purchase  of the  New  Notes is  subject  to certain  risks.  See "Risk
Factors" elsewhere in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
    Concurrent with  the  consummation  of the  acquisition,  DEC  issued  $10.0
million  in  aggregate  liquidation preference  of  preferred stock  and  used a
portion of the proceeds therefrom to make a capital contribution to the  Company
of $7.8 million.
 
    Concurrent   with  the  issuance  of  the  Old  Notes,  the  Company  repaid
approximately $23.2 million of existing long-term debt and terminated the Credit
Agreement and as a result, recorded an extraordinary loss on early retirement of
debt of $798,000 (net of income tax benefit of $461,000) related to the  payment
of  certain prepayment  penalties and unaccreted  discount and  the write-off of
related unamortized deferred financing costs.
 
    The Indenture to the Senior Notes  limits the incurrence of additional  debt
by  the Company does  not allow the Company  to pay any  dividends or redeem any
capital stock and limits the Company's  ability to sell its assets, as  defined.
The  Company  may incur  additional  indebtedness as  long  as its  Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio, as defined, is  greater than certain minimum levels.  Concurrent
with  the termination of the Credit Agreement, the merged Company entered into a
new senior secured revolving  credit facility (the  "New Bank Credit  Facility")
which  provides borrowings of up to $20,000,000 and bears interest at prime plus
1% or LIBOR plus 2.25%.  This facility will expire  on June 28, 2001.  Following
the  Transactions, the debt  service costs associated  with the borrowings under
the New Bank Credit Facility and the Notes will significantly increase liquidity
requirements.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
The total  estimated interest  payments for  the period  from June  28, 1996  to
December  31,  1996 is  $6,000,000. Management  believes  that based  on current
financial  performance  and  anticipated  growth,  cash  flow  from  operations,
together  with the available sources of funds including borrowings under the New
Bank Credit Facility, available cash will be adequate, until the maturity of the
Notes, to make required payments of  interest on the Company's indebtedness,  to
fund  anticipated capital expenditures  and working capital  requirements and to
enable the Company to comply with the terms of its debt agreements. The  Company
anticipates  that it  will be  required to refinance  the Notes  at maturity. No
assurance can be given that the Company  will be able to refinance the Notes  on
terms  acceptable to it, if at all. The  ability of the Company to meet its debt
service obligations and reduce its total  debt will be dependent, however,  upon
the future performance of the Company which, in turn, will be subject to general
economic  conditions  and to  financial, business  and other  factors, including
factors beyond the Company's control.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
TRANSKRIT Corporation:
 
    We  have audited the  accompanying consolidated balance  sheets of TRANSKRIT
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December  31, 1994 and 1995, and the  related
consolidated  statements of  income, changes  in shareholders'  equity, and cash
flows for each of the  years in the three-year  period ended December 31,  1995.
These  consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is  to express an  opinion on these  consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We  conducted  our audits  in  accordance with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance  about whether  the consolidated  financial statements  are
free  of material  misstatement. An audit  includes examining, on  a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An
audit  also includes  assessing the  accounting principles  used and significant
estimates made  by  management, as  well  as evaluating  the  overall  financial
statement  presentation. We believe  that our audits  provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
    In our  opinion, the  consolidated financial  statements referred  to  above
present  fairly, in all  material respects, the  financial position of TRANSKRIT
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December  31, 1994 and 1995, and the  results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
    As discussed in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
adopted  the provisions of Statement of  Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES, as of January 1, 1993.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Roanoke, Virginia
May 24, 1996
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                     TRANSKRIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                              --------------------
                                                                                                1994       1995
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                           <C>        <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................  $     759  $     280
  Accounts receivable, less allowance of $704 in 1994 and $495 in 1995......................     11,432     11,923
  Inventories...............................................................................      5,089      4,118
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................................................      1,560      1,407
  Deferred income taxes.....................................................................        662      1,649
  Notes and other receivables from affiliates, net..........................................     --          5,528
  Investment securities.....................................................................     --          2,508
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total current assets....................................................................     19,502     27,413
Investment securities.......................................................................      2,299     --
Property, plant and equipment, net..........................................................     25,822     23,735
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net...................................................      9,026      8,436
Notes receivable from affiliates............................................................      7,711     --
Deferred income taxes.......................................................................      7,994      7,117
Other assets................................................................................        348        341
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total assets............................................................................  $  72,702  $  67,042
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                     TRANSKRIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                              --------------------
                                                                                                1994       1995
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                           <C>        <C>
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt.........................................................  $      45  $       2
  Bank overdraft............................................................................      1,494      1,455
  Accounts payable..........................................................................      3,216      2,218
  Accrued relocation expenses...............................................................        754     --
  Other accrued expenses....................................................................      4,493      4,120
  Income taxes payable to parent............................................................      1,096     --
  Income taxes payable......................................................................        283        133
  Deferred gain from sale of real estate....................................................     --            358
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total current liabilities...............................................................     11,381      8,286
Long-term debt, excluding current portion...................................................      7,944      2,036
Deferred gain from sale of real estate......................................................      2,426     --
Compensation liability......................................................................      1,573      3,735
Other liabilities...........................................................................        205        256
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total liabilities.......................................................................     23,529     14,313
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $1 par value:
    Authorized shares, 10,000; issued and outstanding shares, 8,709 in 1994 and 8,897 in
     1995...................................................................................          9          9
  Class B common stock, $1 par value:
    Authorized shares, 10,000; issued and outstanding shares, none..........................     --         --
  Additional paid-in capital................................................................     11,622     12,122
  Notes receivable from shareholder.........................................................       (500)    (1,000)
  Retained earnings.........................................................................     38,042     41,598
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total shareholders' equity..............................................................     49,173     52,729
Commitments and contingencies
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity..............................................  $  72,702  $  67,042
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                     TRANSKRIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND
                SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND JUNE 28, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                     -------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                       1993       1994       1995     JUNE 30, 1995  JUNE 28, 1996
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Net sales..........................................  $  96,003  $  98,124  $  97,681   $    46,966    $    48,004
Cost of products sold..............................     64,921     64,851     64,223        31,646         30,685
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Gross profit.......................................     31,082     33,273     33,458        15,320         17,319
Operating expenses:
  Selling, general and administrative expenses.....     26,914     30,700     29,412        14,888         14,381
  Relocation expenses..............................      3,290        413        657           542        --
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Operating income (loss)............................        878      2,160      3,389          (110)         2,938
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense to parent, net..................       (560)      (820)    --           --             --
  Other interest expense...........................        (87)      (102)      (399)         (265)           (25)
  Interest income..................................        176        209      1,096           543            466
  Gain on disposal of product lines................     --          2,829        389           395        --
  Gain on disposal of property, plant and
   equipment.......................................         71         23        169           424            306
  Other, net.......................................        337        207        313           144        --
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Other income (expense), net........................        (63)     2,346      1,568         1,241            747
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Income before income taxes.........................        815      4,506      4,957         1,131          3,685
Income taxes.......................................        379      1,799      1,380           445          1,062
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Net income.........................................  $     436  $   2,707  $   3,577   $       686    $     2,623
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                     TRANSKRIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         NOTES
                                                                         ADDITIONAL   RECEIVABLE
                                                                           PAID-IN       FROM      RETAINED
                                                          COMMON STOCK     CAPITAL    SHAREHOLDER  EARNINGS     TOTAL
                                                          -------------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
Balances at December 31, 1992 (unaudited)...............    $       8     $     824    $  --       $  35,250  $  36,082
Net income..............................................       --            --           --             436        436
Dividends paid ($20.55 per share).......................       --            --           --            (174)      (174)
Capital contribution....................................       --             1,756       --          --          1,756
                                                                   --
                                                                         -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Balances at December 31, 1993...........................            8         2,580       --          35,512     38,100
Net income..............................................       --            --           --           2,707      2,707
Dividends paid ($20.90 per share).......................       --            --           --            (177)      (177)
Capital contributions...................................       --             8,543       --          --          8,543
Issuance of common stock (239 shares)...................            1           499         (500)     --         --
                                                                   --
                                                                         -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Balances at December 31, 1994...........................            9        11,622         (500)     38,042     49,173
Net income..............................................       --            --           --           3,577      3,577
Issuance of common stock (188 shares)...................       --               500         (500)     --         --
Other deductions........................................       --            --           --             (21)       (21)
                                                                   --
                                                                         -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Balances at December 31, 1995...........................    $       9     $  12,122    $  (1,000)  $  41,598  $  52,729
                                                                   --
                                                                   --
                                                                         -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                         -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                     TRANSKRIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND
                SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND JUNE 28, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                    -------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                      1993       1994       1995     JUNE 30, 1995  JUNE 28, 1996
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income......................................  $     436  $   2,707  $   3,577    $     686      $   2,623
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization of property,
     plant and equipment..........................      5,885      6,163      5,434        2,632          2,487
    Amortization of goodwill and other intangible
     assets.......................................        460        613        590          295            285
    Loss on disposal of product line fixed
     assets.......................................     --            131     --           --             --
    Gain on disposal of property, plant and
     equipment....................................        (71)       (23)      (169)        (424)          (282)
    Deferred income taxes.........................       (933)    (8,041)      (110)        (142)         2,002
    Accrued interest receivable on investment
     securities...................................       (176)      (191)      (209)        (105)          (112)
    (Increase) decrease in:
      Accounts receivable, net....................       (187)        (1)      (491)       1,092          1,407
      Inventories.................................       (146)       705        971         (389)          (572)
      Prepaid expenses and other assets...........        545       (686)       160          325            501
      Other receivables from affiliates, net......     --         --           (425)          19            425
    Increase (decrease) in:
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses.......      2,803     (1,022)    (2,125)      (1,705)         1,249
      Income taxes payable........................        367      1,007     (1,246)        (153)        (1,549)
      Due to parent...............................         32       (422)    --           --             --
      Compensation liability......................       (151)     1,072      2,162          557         (2,735)
      Other liabilities...........................     --            205         51       --                (13)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Net cash provided by operating activities.........      8,864      2,217      8,170        2,688          5,716
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment......     (8,529)    (7,187)    (4,172)      (2,907)        (1,792)
  Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and
   equipment......................................        908        338        327          260              7
  Proceeds from disposal of product line fixed
   assets.........................................     --            369     --           --             --
  Collections of notes receivable from
   affiliates.....................................     --         --          1,207        1,207          5,103
  Acquisition of Short Run Labels, Inc., net of
   cash acquired..................................     (5,532)    --         --           --             --
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
 activities.......................................    (13,153)    (6,480)    (2,638)      (1,440)         3,318
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft, net......        633       (607)       (39)        (171)           426
  Capital contribution............................      1,756      8,543     --           --             --
  Proceeds from long-term debt....................     --         17,486     18,188        9,404          5,236
  Principal payments on long-term debt............     (1,274)   (10,242)   (24,139)     (10,841)        (7,274)
  Long-term advances from parent..................      5,491     --         --           --             --
  Principal payments on long-term advances from
   parent.........................................     (1,700)   (10,973)    --           --             --
  Other deductions................................     --         --            (21)         (21)           (10)
  Dividends paid..................................       (174)      (177)    --           --             --
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
 activities.......................................      4,732      4,030     (6,011)      (1,629)        (1,622)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents......................................        443       (233)      (479)        (381)         7,412
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
 period...........................................        549        992        759          759            280
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period....  $     992  $     759  $     280    $     378      $   7,692
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                     TRANSKRIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                      DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND
                SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND JUNE 28, 1996
                        (INFORMATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS
              ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND JUNE 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
(1) OWNERSHIP AND CORPORATE REORGANIZATION
    TRANSKRIT  Corporation (the "Company") is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia
and is  a national  manufacturer of  business forms,  labels and  other  printed
products  for the  trade. The  Company has been  operating in  the United States
since 1938. Effective December 22, 1994, upon the acquisition of Maclean Hunter,
Ltd. (MHL), a Canadian corporation,  by Rogers Communications, Inc. (Rogers),  a
Canadian  corporation, the  Company became an  89.2 percent  owned subsidiary of
Rogers. Prior  to December  22, 1994,  the  Company was  an 89.2  percent  owned
subsidiary  of Maclean Hunter, Inc. (MHI),  a wholly-owned subsidiary of MHL. As
of December  31, 1995  Rogers owns  87.3 percent  of the  Company's  outstanding
common  shares.  The Company's  financial statements  have  been presented  on a
historical cost basis  and do not  reflect a basis  adjustment for the  purchase
method of accounting. The parent company did not incur any expenses on behalf of
the  Company. Accordingly, the consolidated statements  of income of the Company
reflect all of its costs of doing business.
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
    The Company's results  have been consolidated  with its subsidiaries,  Label
Art,  Inc.  (Label  Art),  InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-  International, Inc.,
Putnam Graphic Innovations,  Inc., and  Government Forms and  Systems, Inc.  All
significant  related intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated
in consolidation.
 
    CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    For purposes  of the  consolidated  statements of  cash flows,  the  Company
considers all highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity at date of purchase
of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
    The Company does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on
money  market funds  with commercial  banks because its  policy is  to make such
deposits only with highly rated institutions.
 
    INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are stated at  the lower of cost  or market. Cost is  determined
using the last-in, first-out method.
 
    INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
    Investment  securities at December 31, 1994  and 1995 consist of zero-coupon
municipal debt securities which  are classified as held-to-maturity.  Management
determines  the appropriate  classification of  debt securities  at the  time of
purchase. Debt securities  are classified as  held-to-maturity when the  Company
has  the positive  intent and  the ability to  hold the  securities to maturity.
Held-to-maturity securities are  stated at cost.  Interest income on  securities
classified as held-to-maturity is recognized when earned.
 
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property,   plant  and  equipment  are   stated  at  cost  less  accumulated
depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  is
calculated  using both straight-line and  accelerated methods over the estimated
useful lives  of the  assets. Estimated  useful lives  are 25  to 33  years  for
buildings,  8 years for  building improvements, 3  to 8 years  for machinery and
equipment and 5 to  7 years for furniture  and fixtures. Leasehold  improvements
are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated life of the asset.
Maintenance,  repairs and minor replacements are charged to expense as incurred;
major renewals and betterments are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated
depreciation or amortization  on property,  plant and  equipment are  eliminated
from  the accounts upon disposal, and any  resulting gain or loss is included in
the determination of net income.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES (CONTINUED)
    GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
    Goodwill, which represents the excess of  purchase price over fair value  of
assets  acquired, is amortized on a straight-line  basis over 15 to 40 years and
relates  to  the  acquisitions  of   subsidiaries.  The  Company  assesses   the
recoverability  of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization
of the  goodwill  balance over  its  remaining  life can  be  recovered  through
undiscounted  future  operating  cash  flows  of  the  acquired  operation.  The
assessment of  the recoverability  of  goodwill will  be impacted  if  estimated
future operating cash flows are not achieved.
 
    Other  intangible  assets include  various  noncompete agreements  which are
amortized  over  the  lives  of  the  agreements  (5  to  10  years)  using  the
straight-line method.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Sales  and cost of  products sold are recognized  primarily upon shipment of
products.
 
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
 
    Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended
December 31, 1993,  1994 and  1995, research  and development  costs charged  to
expense were approximately $289,000, $50,000 and $30,000, respectively.
 
    INCOME TAXES
 
    The  Company computes its provision for income taxes on a stand alone basis.
Income taxes are accounted  for under the asset  and liability method.  Deferred
tax  assets  and  liabilities are  recognized  for the  future  tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts  of
existing  assets and  liabilities and their  respective tax  bases and operating
loss and  tax credit  carryforwards.  Deferred tax  assets and  liabilities  are
measured  using enacted  tax rates  expected to apply  to taxable  income in the
years in  which those  temporary differences  are expected  to be  recovered  or
settled.  The effect on deferred  tax assets and liabilities  of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
    ADVERTISING COSTS
 
    Advertising  costs  consist   of  various   marketing  expenses,   including
advertisements, and are expensed as incurred.
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect the reported amounts  of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities  at the date  of the  financial
statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
    RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
    Certain reclassifications  have  been  made to  the  consolidated  financial
statements to place them on a comparable basis.
 
    UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION
 
    The financial information with respect to the six months ended June 30, 1995
and  June 28, 1996 is unaudited. In  the opinion of management, such information
contains all  adjustments,  consisting  only of  normal  recurring  adjustments,
necessary for a fair presentation of the results of such periods.
 
    The  results of operations  for the six  months ended June  28, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
(3) ALLOWANCE FOR ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
    A summary of the changes in the allowance for accounts receivable follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                                  1993       1994       1995
                                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
Balances, beginning of period.................................................  $     713  $     782  $     704
Provisions....................................................................        226        134         (3)
Recoveries....................................................................          9          6          6
Write-offs....................................................................       (166)      (218)      (212)
                                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
Balances, end of period.......................................................  $     782  $     704  $     495
                                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(4) INVENTORIES
    Inventories are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Raw materials and supplies...........................................................  $   2,341  $   1,880
Work in process......................................................................        560        843
Finished products....................................................................      2,188      1,395
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       $   5,089  $   4,118
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    If the first-in,  first-out method  of inventory accounting  had been  used,
inventories  would have been approximately $1,692,000 and $3,094,000 higher than
reported at December  31, 1994 and  1995, respectively. During  the years  ended
December  31,  1994 and  1995,  the Company  liquidated  a portion  of  its LIFO
inventory resulting  in a  liquidation  loss of  approximately $15,000,  net  of
income tax effect, in 1994 and a liquidation gain of approximately $245,000, net
of income tax effect, in 1995.
 
(5) INVESTMENT SECURITIES
    The following is a summary of held-to-maturity securities (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       GROSS
                                                                                    UNREALIZED     ESTIMATED
                                                                          COST         GAINS      FAIR VALUE
                                                                        ---------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>            <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
Debt securities.......................................................  $   2,299    $     111     $   2,410
                                                                        ---------        -----    -----------
                                                                        ---------        -----    -----------
DECEMBER 31, 1995
Debt securities.......................................................  $   2,508    $      69     $   2,577
                                                                        ---------        -----    -----------
                                                                        ---------        -----    -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The above securities mature in July 1996.
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
(6) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
    Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    --------------------
                                                                                      1994       1995
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>
Land..............................................................................  $   1,285  $   1,285
Buildings and improvements........................................................     12,411     12,479
Machinery and equipment...........................................................     45,479     41,564
Furniture and fixtures............................................................      2,506      2,395
Leasehold improvements............................................................      2,326      2,629
Construction in progress..........................................................      1,492      1,946
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
                                                                                       65,499     62,298
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization....................................     39,677     38,563
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
Property, plant and equipment, net................................................  $  25,822  $  23,735
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(7) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
    Goodwill  and  other  intangible assets,  net  of  accumulated amortization,
consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Goodwill.............................................................................  $   9,783  $   9,783
Noncompete agreements................................................................      1,161      1,161
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          10,944     10,944
Less accumulated amortization........................................................      1,918      2,508
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net............................................  $   9,026  $   8,436
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(8) LONG-TERM DEBT
    Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Note payable to financial institution................................................  $   7,943  $   2,036
Other................................................................................         46          2
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                           7,989      2,038
Less current portion.................................................................         45          2
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Long-term debt, excluding current portion............................................  $   7,944  $   2,036
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The note payable to financial institution represents an unsecured  revolving
credit  arrangement with First  Union National Bank of  Virginia (the "Bank") in
the original amount of $17,500,000 that  reduced to $16,250,000 on December  31,
1995,  reduces further to $15,000,000  on December 31, 1996,  and has a maturity
date of January  31, 1997. Interest  is based upon  the 30-day London  Interbank
Offered  Rate (LIBOR) plus .95  percent (6.92 percent at  December 31, 1995) due
and payable every 30  days in arrears.  The Company is  required to provide  the
Bank  with certain financial information on a  quarterly basis and has agreed to
certain financial covenants which  are also reported to  the Bank quarterly.  At
December 31, 1995, the Company was in violation of a debt covenant. The Bank has
waived  this specific  event of default  through January 31,  1997, the maturity
date of the note payable.
 
    Interest paid  for the  years ended  December 31,  1993, 1994  and 1995  was
$702,000, $920,000 and $424,000, respectively.
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
(9) INCOME TAXES
    Effective  January  1,  1993,  the Company  adopted  Statement  of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES. The adoption of  this
statement  did  not  have a  significant  effect on  the  Company's consolidated
financial statements.
 
    The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------
                                                                            1993       1994       1995
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal...............................................................  $   1,034  $   8,125  $   1,408
  State.................................................................        278      1,715         82
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                              1,312      9,840      1,490
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Deferred:
  Federal...............................................................       (729)    (6,614)      (134)
  State.................................................................       (204)    (1,427)        24
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                               (933)    (8,041)      (110)
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Total income taxes......................................................  $     379  $   1,799  $   1,380
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company's income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
and 1995, differed from amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax
rate of 34 percent to  the Company's income before income  taxes as a result  of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             -------------------------------
                                                                               1993       1994       1995
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
Computed "expected" income tax expense.....................................  $     277  $   1,532  $   1,685
Increase in (reduction of) income tax expense resulting from:
  Decrease in beginning-of-the-year balance of the valuation allowance for
   deferred tax assets.....................................................       (472)    (1,174)    --
  Expiration of state investment tax credit carryforwards..................        472      1,174     --
  State tax expense, net of federal impact.................................         49        232        242
  Adjustment of current tax liability......................................         87        (64)      (520)
  Tax-exempt interest income...............................................        (60)       (65)       (71)
  Goodwill amortization....................................................         43         43         43
  Nondeductible meals and entertainment....................................         20         52         44
  Other, net...............................................................        (37)        69        (43)
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
Reported income tax expense................................................  $     379  $   1,799  $   1,380
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
(9) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The  tax  effects of  temporary differences  that  give rise  to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets  and deferred tax liabilities are  presented
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Tax basis of InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- intangible assets in excess of book
   basis.............................................................................  $   6,617  $   6,073
  Deferred gain from sale of real estate.............................................        949        143
  Tax basis of receivables from affiliate in excess of book basis....................     --            541
  Equity share plan accruals and other compensation plans............................        694      1,604
  Relocation accrual.................................................................        291     --
  Accounts receivable allowance......................................................        160        124
  Inventories, due to additional costs inventoried for tax purposes..................         71         67
  Vacation accrual...................................................................        114        160
  Pension and welfare plans..........................................................         11         34
  Other..............................................................................        138        138
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Total gross deferred tax assets......................................................      9,045      8,884
Less valuation allowance.............................................................     --         --
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Net deferred tax assets..............................................................      9,045      8,884
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Depreciation......................................................  $    (270) $    (109)
  Pension and welfare plans.........................................       (118)        (9)
  Other.............................................................         (1)        --
                                                                      ---------  ---------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities................................       (389)      (118)
                                                                      ---------  ---------
Net deferred tax asset, including current net asset of $662 in 1994
 and $1,649 in 1995.................................................  $   8,656  $   8,766
                                                                      ---------  ---------
                                                                      ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Based  on the Company's  historical and current  pretax earnings, management
believes that is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets will
be realized.
 
    Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, for the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995 were $945,000, $8,833,000 and $2,736,000, respectively.
 
(10)PENSION AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN
 
    The  Company  maintains  a  noncontributory  defined  benefit  pension  plan
covering all eligible employees. Normal retirement age is 65, but a provision is
made for early retirement. Benefits are based on the employee's compensation and
years  of service. The Company  makes annual contributions to  the plan equal to
the maximum amount  that can be  deducted for income  tax purposes. Plan  assets
consist principally of equity and debt securities.
 
    The  1994  and  1995 projected  benefit  obligation was  computed  using the
"projected unit credit method," assuming a discount rate on benefit  obligations
of  8 and 7.25  percent, respectively, an  expected long-term rate  of return on
plan assets  of 9  percent  and annual  salary increases  of  5 and  4  percent,
respectively,  over  the average  remaining service  lives  of employees  in the
plans.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
(10)PENSION AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The following  sets  forth  the  funded  status  of  the  plan  and  amounts
recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
  Accumulated benefit obligations, including vested benefits of $2,832 and $2,011,
   respectively......................................................................  $   2,895  $   2,147
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Projected benefit obligations........................................................     (4,993)    (3,854)
Plan assets at fair value............................................................      5,802      5,107
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
Projected benefit obligation less than plan assets...................................        809      1,253
Unrecognized net gain................................................................       (253)      (945)
Unrecognized prior service cost......................................................        113        105
Unrecognized net asset at January 1, 1986 being amortized over 15 years..............       (558)      (465)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
(Accrued) prepaid pension costs included in other noncurrent (liabilities) assets....  $     111  $     (52)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Net pension cost included the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             -------------------------------
                                                                               1993       1994       1995
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
Service cost...............................................................  $     440  $     494  $     406
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation..............................        345        350        334
Return on assets...........................................................       (638)       386     (1,435)
Net amortization and deferral..............................................       (100)    (1,145)       858
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
Net pension cost...........................................................  $      47  $      85  $     163
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
 
    The  Company has  a salary  reduction plan  covering all  eligible employees
under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan includes a provision
which allows employees to make pretax contributions. The Company matches between
15 to  45  percent of  employee  contributions  up to  4  to 6  percent  of  the
employee's  salary.  The Company  recognized  contribution expense  of $315,000,
$303,000 and $260,000  for the  years ended December  31, 1993,  1994 and  1995,
respectively.
 
    HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
    The  Company's  independently administered  self-insurance  program provides
health  insurance   coverage   for  employees   and   their  dependents   on   a
cost-reimbursement basis. Under the program, the Company is obligated for claims
payments.  A stop  loss insurance  contract executed  with an  insurance carrier
covers claims in excess of $100,000 per covered individual per year. During  the
years  ended  December  31,  1993,  1994  and  1995,  total  claims  expense  of
$3,916,000,  $3,348,000  and  $2,658,000,  respectively,  was  incurred,   which
represents  claims  processed,  premium  expenses,  administration  fees  and an
estimate for claims incurred but not reported.
 
    The  Company  is  also  self-insured  for  workers'  compensation.  Workers'
compensation  expense was  $654,000, $687,000 and  $556,000 for  the years ended
December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
(11)COMPENSATION PLANS
 
    EQUITY SHARE PLAN
 
    The Company's Label  Art subsidiary has  an Equity Share  Plan which  awards
shares  simulating equity ownership to key employees. These equity shares do not
represent common stock or  any rights associated with  stock ownership of  Label
Art.  The units vest  immediately to the employees  and the value  of a share is
determined annually based on Label Art's operating performance or net worth,  as
defined  in the plan. At  December 31, 1994 and  1995, there were 345,944 shares
outstanding. Provisions of approximately $161,000,
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
(11)COMPENSATION PLANS (CONTINUED)
$1,271,000 and $2,138,000 were charged against  income related to this plan  for
the  years ended December 31, 1993, 1994  and 1995, respectively. As of December
31,  1994  and  1995,  the   compensation  liability  included  $1,358,000   and
$3,224,000, respectively, related to this plan.
 
    CLASS B COMMON STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
    The Company has a long-term incentive plan which provides for a cash payment
at retirement, death or disability based on the difference between (a) the entry
level  price per Class B common share adjusted for cumulative earnings per share
and (b) the price per  share paid to Class B  shareholders in connection with  a
1980  redemption of  Class B  common shares compounded  at 6  percent per annum.
Provision of $5,000 was charged against income related to this plan for the year
ended December 31, 1995. For the years  ended December 31, 1993 and 1994,  there
were  no charges to income for this plan.  As of December 31, 1994 and 1995, the
compensation liability included $215,000 and $220,000, respectively, related  to
this plan.
 
    STOCK CREDITS
 
    At  December 31,  1995, there  were 220.5  stock credits  outstanding to the
Company's President.  This executive  is entitled  to receive  additional  stock
credits,  if employed by the  Company, on March 1,  1997. These stock credits do
not represent common stock or any rights associated with stock ownership of  the
Company.  The calculation of stock credits  is determined by dividing 500,000 by
the product of  the preceding  fiscal year's  earnings per  share, as  adjusted,
multiplied by 13.
 
    Upon  death, disability or  other termination of  employment, other than for
cause, the Company shall redeem the stock  credits and pay the executive or  his
heirs  additional compensation  equal to  the appreciation  in the  value of the
stock credits, if  any. This  is calculated by  the product  of the  executive's
outstanding  stock credits and the most recent fiscal year's earnings per share,
as adjusted, multiplied by 13 less the cumulative value of the stock credits  at
the time they were awarded to the executive.
 
    In   addition,  the  executive  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  additional
compensation in lieu of dividends that would have been paid to the executive had
he owned a number of common shares equal to the number of stock credits credited
to his account.
 
    The interest  of the  executive in  and the  right to  redeem stock  credits
cannot  be assigned or pledged by the executive. For the year ended December 31,
1993, there were no  charges to income related  to stock credits. Provisions  of
$5,000  and $319,000 were charged against  income related to the appreciation of
the value of the stock credits and additional compensation in lieu of  dividends
for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively. As of December 31,
1995, the compensation liability included $291,000 related to stock credits.
 
    STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
    Under  the Stock  Purchase Agreement  described in  note 21,  the Company is
required  to  satisfy  all  liabilities   related  to  the  above   compensation
arrangements prior to the closing date of the transaction described in note 21.
 
(12)LEASES
    The  Company rents  facilities and  equipment under  noncancelable operating
lease agreements. Total rental  expense for all  operating leases was  $607,000,
$666,000  and $1,399,000 for the  years ended December 31,  1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
(12)LEASES (CONTINUED)
    Future minimum lease  payments under all  noncancelable operating leases  at
December 31, 1995 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>
 1996..........................................................................................  $     577
  1997.........................................................................................        523
  1998.........................................................................................        311
  1999.........................................................................................        122
  2000.........................................................................................         59
                                                                                                 ---------
                                                                                                 $   1,592
                                                                                                 ---------
                                                                                                 ---------
</TABLE>
 
(13)CORPORATE RELOCATION EXPENSES
    On  May  27, 1993,  the  Board of  Directors  decided to  relocate corporate
facilities from  Brewster, New  York  to Roanoke,  Virginia.  As a  result,  the
Company  has taken a charge to  operations of approximately $3,290,000, $413,000
and $657,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
The relocation charge for the six  months ended June 30, 1995 was  approximately
$542,000. The initial phase of this relocation occurred on February 18, 1994 and
was  substantially completed by the end of the first quarter, 1995. This process
contributed to the voluntary severance of approximately 163 employees.  Included
in  relocation charges  to operations are  $1,081,000, $413,000  and $514,000 in
1993, 1994 and 1995, which relates to severance for employees who elected not to
relocate to Roanoke, Virginia. The remaining relocation charges relate to moving
and other expenses incurred  by the Company and  its employees to relocate  from
Brewster, New York.
 
(14)RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
    In  accordance with the terms of certain  agreements with MHI and MHL, which
expired on December 22, 1994, the  Company charged interest on advances made  to
MHI,  paid  interest on  advances  from MHI  and  reimbursed MHL  for management
advisory services rendered to the Company. Net interest expense paid to MHI  was
$560,000  in 1993 and $820,000 in 1994. The rate of interest charged on advances
to MHI was based on independent  quotes of 30-day commercial paper. The  Company
paid  MHI the current prime  rate and the current prime  rate less 1 percent for
advances to the Company for 1993  and 1994, respectively. There were no  amounts
due to/from MHI as of December 31, 1994.
 
    The  Company paid $309,000  and $564,000 to  MHL for the  cost of management
services in  1993 and  1994. The  1994 expense  includes $286,000  related to  a
one-time charge related to the acquisitions of MHL by Rogers.
 
    Pursuant  to the  terms of certain  agreements with Rogers,  the Company was
charged an amount for management advisory services by Rogers on a monthly  basis
through December 31, 1995 based on the greater of $25,000 or a percentage of net
sales,  as defined. During 1995,  the Company incurred $300,000  for the cost of
management services, of which $25,000 payable to Rogers has been netted  against
other  receivables from affiliates at December  31, 1995. The cost of management
services was $150,000 and $448,000  for the six months  ended June 30, 1995  and
June  28, 1996, respectively. There were  no amounts directly due to/from Rogers
as of December 31, 1994.
 
    On December 22,  1994, the  Company sold  certain real  property located  in
Brewster,  New York  and Miami, Florida  to affiliated  real estate subsidiaries
(Rogers Realty Corporation of New York and Rogers Realty Corporation of Florida)
which are indirectly  owned by Rogers.  As a result  of these transactions,  the
Company  recorded notes  receivable of $7.7  million and deferred  gains of $2.4
million which  are not  reflected on  the 1994  consolidated statement  of  cash
flows.  These properties  were leased by  the Company on  a month-to-month basis
pursuant to sale and leaseback arrangements with these affiliates of Rogers. For
the six months ended June 30, 1995  and the year ended December 31, 1995,  total
rent  expense  incurred  on  these related  party  leases  totaled  $399,000 and
$765,000, respectively. Effective  December 31, 1995,  these lease  arrangements
were terminated.
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
(14)RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
    On  March  31, 1995,  Rogers  Realty Corporation  of  Florida sold  its real
property in Miami, Florida to an unrelated party. Consequently, the Company  was
paid in full for its outstanding note receivable of $1.2 million and all accrued
interest  thereon.  As a  result, the  deferred  gain on  the sale  of $667,000,
recorded in 1994 when such real  property was sold to Rogers Realty  Corporation
of Florida, has been recognized as income for the six months ended June 30, 1995
and  the year ended December  31, 1995. Total interest  income recorded on these
related party notes receivable totaled  $765,000, $399,000 and $244,000 for  the
year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1995 and June 28,
1996, respectively.
 
    During  1995, Rogers  Realty Corporation  of New  York entered  into a sales
agreement with  an unrelated  party  to purchase  the  Brewster, New  York  real
property.  In order to refurbish the  facility to improve its marketability, the
Company advanced $504,000 to Rogers Realty  Corporation of New York during  1995
to  pay for  building improvements and  environmental remediation  costs and has
recorded these advances as  a receivable from the  affiliate as of December  31,
1995. Based on the estimated net proceeds of approximately $5.6 million expected
from  the pending sale of the Brewster facility, the Company has determined that
a portion of the aggregate receivable from this affiliate will not be collected.
Accordingly, the  deferred gain  determined  as of  December  22, 1994  and  the
aggregate  receivable  have been  reduced by  approximately  $1.4 million  as of
December 31, 1995. This has not been reflected on the consolidated statements of
cash flows.
 
    Effective December 22, 1994, the Company formed a new operating  subsidiary,
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- International, Inc.
(InfoSeal-Registered  Trademark-), that is 99 percent  owned by the Company. The
Company transferred principally all of the tangible and intangible assets of its
InfoSeal-Registered Trademark- business  to InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-.  The
transfer  of assets to InfoSeal-Registered Trademark-  and sale of real property
to affiliated entities  described above resulted  in a taxable  event under  the
Internal Revenue Code.
 
    As  of December 31, 1994 and 1995, prepaid expenses and other current assets
includes $62,000 and $47,000, respectively, due from officers and employees, and
other noncurrent  assets includes  notes and  accrued interest  receivable  from
officers  in the amount of $107,000 and $235,000, respectively, of which $15,000
and $77,000,  respectively,  represents  accrued interest  receivable  on  notes
receivable from shareholder (see note 15).
 
(15)SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    On  July  11, 1994,  the Company  sold  239 common  shares to  the Company's
President and accepted a $500,000 note  receivable in return. On March 1,  1995,
the  Company  sold 188  shares  to the  same  Company executive  and  accepted a
$500,000 note receivable. These notes receivable are due and payable upon death,
disability or termination of  employment, bear interest compounded  semiannually
on  June 30 and December 31 at an annual  rate equal to the greater of 6 percent
or the applicable federal rate on each semiannual date per the Internal  Revenue
Code and are recorded as a reduction of shareholders' equity. These transactions
are  not reflected  on the accompanying  consolidated statements  of cash flows.
Included in interest income for the years  ended December 31, 1994 and 1995  was
$15,000 and $62,000, respectively, related to these notes.
 
    The  Company's  President, if  employed by  the Company,  has the  option of
purchasing additional common  shares for $500,000  during the three-year  period
commencing  March 1, 1998. The amount of shares that can be purchased during the
three-year period will  be calculated based  on a defined  formula. This  option
will terminate upon the closing of the transaction described in note 21.
 
    The  Company  has  a  Stock  Redemption  Agreement  with  its  two  minority
shareholders who own a total of 12.7 percent of the Company's outstanding common
stock. Under this agreement, the redemption price per share is calculated by the
average consolidated earnings per  share of the two  preceding fiscal years,  as
adjusted,  prior  to  the  date  of redemption  multiplied  by  13.  Upon death,
disability or termination, the minority  shareholders must sell to the  Company,
and  the Company must purchase, any and all option shares outstanding. The Stock
Redemption  Agreement  will  terminate  upon  the  closing  of  the  transaction
described in note 21.
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
(16)ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY AND DISPOSAL OF PRODUCT LINES
    On  August  11, 1993,  Label  Art, Inc.,  a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of the
Company, acquired Short Run  Labels, Inc. in exchange  for $5,736,000 cash.  The
acquisition  was  accounted  for  as a  purchase;  accordingly,  the  results of
operations for Short Run Labels, Inc. are included in the consolidated financial
statements only from the  date of acquisition. Pro  forma results of  operations
are  not  presented  because the  effect  is  not material  to  the consolidated
statements of income.  The goodwill arising  as a  result of the  excess of  the
purchase  price over the fair value of net assets acquired is being amortized on
the straight-line method over 15 years.
 
    The following table summarizes the acquisition:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                        THOUSANDS)
                                                                                   ---------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>
Purchase price...................................................................        $   5,736
                                                                                            ------
Cash.............................................................................              204
Accounts receivable..............................................................               66
Inventory........................................................................              151
Property, plant and equipment....................................................            1,100
Other assets.....................................................................              154
Accounts payable and accrued expenses............................................             (279)
Long-term debt...................................................................             (440)
                                                                                            ------
Net assets acquired (estimated fair market value)................................              956
                                                                                            ------
Excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill).......        $   4,780
                                                                                            ------
                                                                                            ------
</TABLE>
 
    On December 2, 1994,  the Company sold certain  assets of its Flat  Division
product  line to The  Reynolds and Reynolds Company  ("Reynolds") resulting in a
net gain of $2,829,000 in 1994. In 1995, the Company recognized additional costs
of $16,000 relating  to the disposal  of its Flat  Division. The asset  purchase
agreement provided, among other things, that the Company covenant not to compete
with  Reynolds in  the pegboard,  one-write accounting  system and  HCFA medical
claim form businesses for a period of five years from the date of sale.
 
    On April 19, 1995, the Company sold certain assets of its Tax Forms Business
product line  to  Taylor Corporation  ("Taylor")  resulting  in a  net  gain  of
$405,000.  The asset purchase  agreement provided, among  other things, that the
Company covenant not to compete with Taylor in the manufacturing or  imprinting,
and sale or distribution of generic or custom tax forms in the U.S. for a period
of five years from the date of sale. In addition, on April 19, 1995, the Company
entered  into a manufacturing agreement with Taylor whereby Taylor will purchase
no less than 75 percent of its tax form mailer requirements for a period of five
years up to an agreed-upon maximum dollar value.
 
(17)FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, DISCLOSURES ABOUT  FAIR
VALUE  OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, requires the Company to disclose estimated fair
values of  its financial  instruments. SFAS  107  defines the  fair value  of  a
financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in
a current transaction between willing parties.
 
    The  following methods and assumptions were  used to estimate the fair value
of each class  of financial instruments:  The carrying amounts  reported in  the
consolidated  balance  sheet  for  cash,  notes  receivable  and  long-term debt
approximate fair  value.  The fair  value  of  long-term debt  is  estimated  by
discounting  the future cash flows of each instrument at rates currently offered
to the Company  for similar  debt instruments  of comparable  maturities by  the
Company's  bank. The fair values of investment securities (see note 5) are based
on dealer quotes at the reporting date for those or similar investments.
 
(18)CONTINGENCIES
    In the normal  course of business,  the Company is  subject to  proceedings,
lawsuits  and other claims. Such matters  are subject to many uncertainties, and
outcomes are not predictable with assurance. There are
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
(18)CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
no legal proceedings, lawsuits or other claims pending against or involving  the
Company which, in the opinion of management, will have a material adverse impact
upon  the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of
the Company.
 
(19)BUSINESS AND CREDIT CONCENTRATIONS
    The Company provides credit, in the  normal course of business, to  industry
dealers  and distributors.  Concentration of credit  risk with  respect to trade
receivables is  limited due  to the  Company's large  number of  customers.  The
Company  also performs ongoing  credit evaluations of  its customers. Management
believes that credit risks  at December 31, 1994  and 1995 have been  adequately
provided for in the consolidated financial statements.
 
    The  Company's raw materials  are readily available, and  the Company is not
dependent on a single supplier or only a few suppliers.
 
(20)NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
    In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  121,  ACCOUNTING  FOR  THE  IMPAIRMENT OF
LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF. SFAS 121 requires
companies to review long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be
held, used  or  disposed  of,  for impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in
circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  may  not be
recoverable. The Company adopted this  statement effective January 1, 1996.  The
adoption  of this statement did  not have a significant  effect on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
 
(21)SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)
    On April 25, 1996, Rogers and National Fiberstock Corporation (the  "Buyer")
signed a letter of intent whereby the Buyer would acquire the Company. It is the
further  intention of both parties and  the Company's two minority shareholders,
to enter into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") which contemplates  a
transaction  in which the Buyer will purchase  from the Sellers, and the Sellers
will sell to the Buyer, all of  the outstanding capital stock of the Company  in
return  for cash. In addition, the Agreement  stipulates that on or prior to the
closing date of the transaction, the Company shall satisfy all liabilities under
and terminate each of the compensation arrangements described in note 11.
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
 
    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON,  OR OTHER  PERSON HAS  BEEN AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATIONS  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  OFFER
CONTAINED  HEREIN, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED  IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS  MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS  HAVING
BEEN  AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR THE SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER  TO BUY ANY SECURITY  OTHER THAN THOSE  TO
WHICH  IT RELATES, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO  BUY, TO ANY PERSON  IN ANY JURISDICTION IN  WHICH SUCH OFFER  OR
SOLICITATION  IS NOT  AUTHORIZED, OR  IN WHICH THE  PERSON MAKING  SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS  UNLAWFUL
TO  MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,  UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY  IMPLICATION
THAT  THERE HAS  BEEN NO  CHANGE IN THE  AFFAIRS OF  THE COMPANY  SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF OR  THAT THE  INFORMATION CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS CORRECT  AS OF  ANY  TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                           --------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PAGE
                                                 ---------
<S>                                              <C>
Available Information..........................         ii
Prospectus Summary.............................          1
Risk Factors...................................          7
The Transactions...............................         10
Use of Proceeds of the New Notes...............         10
Capitalization.................................         11
The Exchange Offer.............................         12
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data.............         20
Selected Historical Financial Data -- National
 Fiberstok Corporation.........................         28
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data
 -- Transkrit Corporation......................         29
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
 Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations....................................         30
Industry.......................................         39
Business.......................................         41
Management.....................................         50
Security Ownership.............................         56
Certain Relationships and Related
 Transactions..................................         58
Description of New Bank Credit Facility........         59
Description of Notes...........................         60
Old Notes Registration Rights..................         83
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences...         86
Transfer Restrictions..........................
Book-Entry; Delivery and Form..................         87
Plan of Distribution...........................         89
Experts........................................         90
Legal Matters..................................         90
Index to Financial Statements..................        F-1
</TABLE>
 
                                 --------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 --------------
 
                               NATIONAL FIBERSTOK
                                  CORPORATION
 
                               OFFER TO EXCHANGE
 
                    11 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2002, SERIES B
          FOR ALL OUTSTANDING 11 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2002, SERIES A
 
                                OCTOBER   , 1996
 
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------
                                ------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    The  Certificate of Incorporation  of the Company  provides that no director
shall be personally liable to the  Corporation or its stockholders for  monetary
damages  for  any breach  of  fiduciary duty  by  such director  as  a director.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent
provided by Delaware General Corporation Law,  (i) for breach of the  director's
duty  of  loyalty to  the  Corporation or  its  stockholders, (ii)  for  acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct of a knowing
violation of  law,  (iii)  pursuant  to Section  174  of  the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law  or (iv)  for  any tranaction  from  which director  derived an
improper prsonal benefit.
 
    Section 145 of the  Delaware General Corporation  Law (the "DGCL")  provides
that  a  corporation  may indemnify  directors  and  officers as  well  as other
employees  and  individuals  against   expenses  (including  attorneys'   fees),
judgments,  fines and  amounts paid in  settlement in  connection with specified
actions, suits  or  proceedings,  whether  civil,  criminal,  administrative  or
investigative  (other than an  action by or  in the right  of the corporation, a
"derivative action") if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,  and,
with  respect to any  criminal action or  proceeding, if they  had no reasonable
cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in
the case  of derivative  actions, except  that indemnification  only extends  to
expenses  (including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the defense or
settlememt of such actions, and the statute requires court approval before there
can be any  indemnification where  the person seeking  indemnification has  been
found  liable to the corporation. The statute  provides that it is not exclusive
of other  indemnification  that  may  be  granted  by  a  corporation's  bylaws,
disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.
 
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                                DESCRIPTION
- ---------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
    *1.    Purchase Agreement dated as of June 21, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc., Putnam Graphic
            Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc., Boharb
            Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc., BT Securities Corporation and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
            Securities Corporation.
    *2.    Certificate of Ownership and Merger merging Transkrit Corporation into the Company filed with the
            Secretary of State of Delaware on June 28, 1996.
    *3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date, filed with the Secretary of State
            of the State of Delaware on August 18, 1989.
    *3.2   By-laws of the Company.
    *4.1   Indenture dated as of June 15, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc., Putnam Graphic
            Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc., Boharb
            Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company (the "Indenture").
    *4.2   Specimen Certificate of 11 5/8% Series A Senior Note due 2002 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
    *4.3   Specimen Certificate of 11 5/8% Series B Senior Note due 2002 (the "New Notes") (included in
            Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
    *4.4   Form of Guarantee of securities issued pursuant to the Indenture (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
    *4.5   The Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc.,
            Putnam Graphic Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems,
            Inc., Boharb Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc., BT Securities Corporation and Donaldson, Lufkin
            & Jenrette Securities Corporation.
    *4.6   Securities Pledge Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between National Fiberstok Corporation and
            Wilmington Trust Company.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                                DESCRIPTION
- ---------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    *4.7   Securities Pledge Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Label Art, Inc. and Wilmington Trust
            Company.
<C>        <S>
    *4.9   Securities Pledge Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Boharb Corporation and Wilmington
            Trust Company.
    *5.1   Opinion of White & Case regarding the legality of the New Notes.
     8.1   Opinion of White & Case regarding certain tax matters.
   *10.1   Master Lease Agreement dated as of December 21, 1995 between the CIT Group Equipment Financing,
            Inc. and the Company.
   *10.2   Lease Agreement dated October 4, 1990 by and between Dermody Industrial Group as Landlord and the
            Company as Tenant for the property located at 855 Linda Way, Sparks, Nevada.
   *10.3   Lease Agreement dated September 1, 1988 by and between Klein Tools as Landlord and Label Art, Inc.
            as Tenant for the property located at 5721 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
   *10.4   Occupancy Agreement dated as of August 11, 1993 among Gailerd Smith and Eileen Ruder as Landlords
            and Short Run Labels, Inc. as Tenant for the property located at 1681 Industrial Road, San
            Carlos, California.
   *10.5   Lease Agreement dated as of May 23, 1995 between FRP Development Corp. as Landlord and Short Run
            Labels, Inc. as Tenant for the property located at 812 Oregon Avenue, Linthicum, Maryland.
   *10.6   Lease Agreement dated as of March 28, 1991 between the Company as Tenant and the Prudential Jimmie
            Taylor Realtors as Landlord for the property located at 4407 South 16th Street, Fort Smith,
            Arkansas.
   *10.7   Indenture of Lease dated as of June 19, 1992 between C.E. Runion as Landlord and the Company as
            Tenant for the property located at Highway 25, Travelers Rest, Greenville County, South Carolina.
   *10.8   Lease Agreement dated as of September 2, 1994 between Tornetta Realty Corp. as Landlord and the
            Company as Tenant for the property located at 2051A Potshop Lane, Norristown, PA.
   *10.9   Lease Agreement dated as of April 1, 1980 between C-S-K Louisville as Landlord and the Company as
            Tenant for the property located at 7707 National Turnpike, Louisville, Kentucky 40214.
   *10.10  Lease Agreement dated as of May 10, 1994 between Jadow Realty Company, L.P. as Landlord and the
            Company as Tenant for the premises located at 7990 Second Flag Drive, Cobb County, Georgia.
   *10.11  Office Building Lease dated as of June 20, 1995 between Peachtree Dunwoody Partners, L.P. as
            Landlord and the Company as Tenant for the property located at 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road,
            Atlanta, GA.
 
   *10.12  Transkrit Corporation, Employees' Pension Plan Restated as of January 1, 1989.
   *10.13  Management Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated as of January 1, 1990 between the Company and
            William C. Britts.
   *10.14  Employee's Retirement Plan of National Fiberstok Corporation.
   *10.15  Amended and Restated Advisory Services Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 among the Company, MDC
            Management Company II, L.P. and MDC Management Company.
   *10.16  Employment Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Robert M. Miklas and the Company.
   *10.17  Employment Agreement dated as of June 9, 1995, as amended, between Robert B. Webster and the
            Company.
   *10.18  Employment Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Jack Resnick and the Company.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                                DESCRIPTION
- ---------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *10.19  Employment Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Thomas J. Cobery and the Company.
<C>        <S>
   *10.20  Non-Competition Agreement dated as of March 13, 1986 between the Company and Thomas J. Cobery.
   *10.21  Employment Agreement dated as of April 5, 1983 between the Company and William C. Britts.
   *10.22  DEC International, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
   *10.23  Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc., Putnam Graphic
            Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc., Boharb
            Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc. and Heller Financial, Inc.
   *12.1   Statement re computation of ratios.
    23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
    23.2   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
   *23.3   Consent of White & Case (contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
    23.4   Consent of White & Case (contained in Exhibit 8.1 hereto).
   *24.1   Power of Attorney (see pages II-4 through II-11).
   *25.1   Statement of eligibility of trustee.
   *99.1   Form of Letter of Transmittal for New Notes.
   *99.2   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for New Notes.
   *99.3   Letter to Brokers.
   *99.4   Letter to Clients.
   *99.5   Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book Entry Transfer Participant from Beneficial Owner.
   *99.6   Guidelines for Certificate of Taxpayer Identification Number on substitute Form W-9.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 *Previously filed.
 
ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    (a)   The   undersigned  registrant   hereby   undertake  that   insofar  as
indemnification for liabilities  arising under  the Securities Act  of 1933,  as
amended  (the "Act")  may be  permitted to  directors, officers  and controlling
persons of the Registrants pursuant  to the foregoing provisions, or  otherwise,
the  Registrants have  been advised  that in the  opinion of  the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is  against public policy as  expressed
in  the  Act and  is, therefore,  unenforceable. In  the event  that a  claim of
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
registrant  of expenses incurred  or paid by a  director, officer or controlling
person of  the registrant  in the  successful  defense of  any action,  suit  or
proceeding)  is  asserted by  such director,  officer  or controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless  in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to  a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether such
indemnification by its is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    (b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests  for
information  that is incorporated by reference  into this prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11,  or 13 of this  Form, within one business  day of receipt  of
such  request, and  to send  the incorporated documents  by first  class mail or
other equally prompt  means. This  includes information  contained in  documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
 
    (c)  The undersigned  registrants hereby undertake  to supply by  means of a
post-effective amendment  all  information  concerning a  transaction,  and  the
company  being  acquired  involved therein,  that  was  not the  subject  of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused Amendment No. 3 to  this Registration Statement to be signed  on
its  behalf  by  the undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized, in  the  City of
Atlanta, State of Georgia, on October 22, 1996.
    
 
                                          NATIONAL FIBERSTOK CORPORATION
 
                                          By:       /s/ ROBERT M. MIKLAS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Robert M. Miklas
                                                    President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No.  3
to  this Registration Statement has been signed  by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on October 22, 1996.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       SIGNATURE                                                   TITLE
- --------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
 
                  /S/ ROBERT M. MIKLAS
      --------------------------------------------            Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
                    Robert M. Miklas                                   (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                           *
      --------------------------------------------               Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                   Robert B. Webster                            (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
                           *
      --------------------------------------------                                Director
                      John D. Weil
 
                           *
      --------------------------------------------                                Director
                   David E. De Leeuw
 
                           *
      --------------------------------------------                                Director
                     David E. King
 
                           *
      --------------------------------------------                                Director
                   Glenn S. McKenzie
 
                           *
      --------------------------------------------                                Director
                     Calvin Ingram
</TABLE>
 
*By:       /s/ ROBERT M. MIKLAS
    -----------------------------------
             Robert M. Miklas
             Attorney-in-fact
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
    *1.    Purchase Agreement dated as of June 21, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc., Putnam Graphic
            Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc., Boharb
            Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc., BT Securities Corporation and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
            Securities Corporation.
    *2.    Certificate of Ownership and Merger merging Transkrit Corporation into the Company filed with the
            Secretary of State of Delaware on June 28, 1996.
    *3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date, filed with the Secretary of State of
            the State of Delaware on August 18, 1989.
    *3.2   By-laws of the Company.
    *4.1   Indenture dated as of June 15, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc., Putnam Graphic Innovations,
            Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc., Boharb Corporation, Short
            Run Labels, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company (the "Indenture").
    *4.2   Specimen Certificate of 11 5/8% Series A Senior Note due 2002 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
    *4.3   Specimen Certificate of 11 5/8% Series B Senior Note due 2002 (the "New Notes") (included in Exhibit
            4.1 hereto).
    *4.4   Form of Guarantee of securities issued pursuant to the Indenture (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
    *4.5   The Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc.,
            Putnam Graphic Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc.,
            Boharb Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc., BT Securities Corporation and Donaldson, Lufkin &
            Jenrette Securities Corporation.
    *4.6   Securities Pledge Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between National Fiberstok Corporation and
            Wilmington Trust Company.
    *4.7   Securities Pledge Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Label Art, Inc. and Wilmington Trust
            Company.
    *4.9   Securities Pledge Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Boharb Corporation and Wilmington Trust
            Company.
    *5.1   Opinion of White & Case regarding the legality of the New Notes.
     8.1   Opinion of White & Case regarding certain tax matters.
   *10.1   Master Lease Agreement dated as of December 21, 1995 between the CIT Group Equipment Financing, Inc.
            and the Company.
   *10.2   Lease Agreement dated October 4, 1990 by and between Dermody Industrial Group as Landlord and the
            Company as Tenant for the property located at 855 Linda Way, Sparks, Nevada.
   *10.3   Lease Agreement dated September 1, 1988 by and between Klein Tools as Landlord and Label Art, Inc. as
            Tenant for the property located at 5721 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
   *10.4   Occupancy Agreement dated as of August 11, 1993 among Gailerd Smith and Eileen Ruder as Landlords and
            Short Run Labels, Inc. as Tenant for the property located at 1681 Industrial Road, San Carlos,
            California.
   *10.5   Lease Agreement dated as of May 23, 1995 between FRP Development Corp. as Landlord and Short Run
            Labels, Inc. as Tenant for the property located at 812 Oregon Avenue, Linthicum, Maryland.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *10.6   Lease Agreement dated as of March 28, 1991 between the Company as Tenant and the Prudential Jimmie
            Taylor Realtors as Landlord for the property located at 4407 South 16th Street, Fort Smith,
            Arkansas.
<C>        <S>
   *10.7   Indenture of Lease dated as of June 19, 1992 between C.E. Runion as Landlord and the Company as
            Tenant for the property located at Highway 25, Travelers Rest, Greenville County, South Carolina.
   *10.8   Lease Agreement dated as of September 2, 1994 between Tornetta Realty Corp. as Landlord and the
            Company as Tenant for the property located at 2051A Potshop Lane, Norristown, PA.
   *10.9   Lease Agreement dated as of April 1, 1980 between C-S-K Louisville as Landlord and the Company as
            Tenant for the property located at 7707 National Turnpike, Louisville, Kentucky 40214.
   *10.10  Lease Agreement dated as of May 10, 1994 between Jadow Realty Company, L.P. as Landlord and the
            Company as Tenant for the premises located at 7990 Second Flag Drive, Cobb County, Georgia.
   *10.11  Office Building Lease dated as of June 20, 1995 between Peachtree Dunwoody Partners, L.P. as Landlord
            and the Company as Tenant for the property located at 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA.
 
   *10.12  Transkrit Corporation, Employees' Pension Plan Restated as of January 1, 1989.
   *10.13  Management Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated as of January 1, 1990 between the Company and
            William C. Britts.
   *10.14  Employee's Retirement Plan of National Fiberstok Corporation.
   *10.15  Amended and Restated Advisory Services Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 among the Company, MDC
            Management Company II, L.P. and MDC Management Company.
   *10.16  Employment Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Robert M. Miklas and the Company.
   *10.17  Employment Agreement dated as of June 9, 1995, as amended, between Robert B. Webster and the Company.
   *10.18  Employment Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Jack Resnick and the Company.
   *10.19  Employment Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 between Thomas J. Cobery and the Company.
   *10.20  Non-Competition Agreement dated as of March 13, 1986 between the Company and Thomas J. Cobery.
   *10.21  Employment Agreement dated as of April 5, 1983 between the Company and William C. Britts.
   *10.22  DEC International, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
   *10.23  Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996 among the Company, Label Art, Inc., Putnam Graphic
            Innovations, Inc., InfoSeal International, Inc., Government Forms and Systems, Inc., Boharb
            Corporation, Short Run Labels, Inc. and Heller Financial, Inc.
   *12.1   Statement re computation of ratios.
   *23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
   *23.2   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
   *23.3   Consent of White & Case (contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
    23.4   Consent of White & Case (contained in Exhibit 8.1 hereto).
   *24.1   Power of Attorney (see pages II-4 through II-11).
   *25.1   Statement of eligibility of trustee.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *99.1   Form of Letter of Transmittal for New Notes.
<C>        <S>
   *99.2   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for New Notes.
   *99.3   Letter to Brokers.
   *99.4   Letter to Clients.
   *99.5   Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book Entry Transfer Participant from Beneficial Owner.
   *99.6   Guidelines for Certificate of Taxpayer Identification Number on substitute Form W-9.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 *Previously filed.

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 8.1
 
October 17, 1996
 
National Fiberstok Corporation
5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite C150
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    We  have acted as  your special counsel in  connection with the transactions
described in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.  333-8925)
(the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the  "Commission")  pursuant to  the Securities  Act of  1933, as  amended (the
"Securities Act"),  on  July  26,  1996 by  National  Fiberstok  Corporation,  a
Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  and described in  the Company's Offer to
Exchange 11 5/8%  Senior Notes  due 2002,  Series B  (the "New  Notes") for  all
outstanding  11 5/8% Senior Notes due 2002, Series A (the "Old Notes") set forth
in  the  Prospectus  (the   "Prospectus")  contained  within  the   Registration
Statement.  Capitalized terms used  but not otherwise  defined herein shall have
the meaning ascribed thereto in the Registration Statement.
 
    Our opinion is based  on an examination of  the Registration Statement,  the
Prospectus, and such other documents, corporate records and materials as we have
deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. We assume that
all transactions relating to the exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
carried  out in accordance with the terms of the governing documents without any
amendments thereto  or waiver  of any  terms thereof,  and that  such  documents
represent  the  entire  agreement  of the  parties  thereto.  We  understand the
relevant facts to be as follows:
 
    The Old  Notes  were originally  issued  and sold  on  June 21,  1996  in  a
transaction  not  registered  under the  Securities  Act, in  reliance  upon the
exemption provided  in Rule  144A and  Regulation D  under the  Securities  Act.
Accordingly,  the  Old  Notes  are  generally  subject  to  substantial transfer
restrictions unless such notes are registered or unless an applicable  exemption
from  the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Pursuant
to a Registration Rights Agreement dated June 28, 1996 (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the initial  purchasers
of  the Old Notes (the "Initial Purchasers")  with respect to the Old Notes, the
Company agreed to use its  best efforts to consummate  by November 22, 1996  the
registered  Exchange Offer pursuant to  which holders of the  Old Notes would be
offered an opportunity to exchange their Old Notes for the New Notes which would
be issued without legends restricting  the transfer thereof. Attentively,  under
certain circumstances, the Company agreed to file a Shelf Registration statement
covering resales of the Old Notes and to cause such Shelf Registration statement
to  be declared effective  under the Securities  Act. Failure of  the Company to
comply with the requirements of  the Registration Rights Agreement could  result
in  additional interest up to 1% payable with  respect to the Old Notes; the New
Notes will not be  subject to such contingent  additional interest. In  general,
the  New  Notes will  be freely  transferable after  the Exchange  Offer without
further registration under the Securities Act. Except as noted above, the  terms
of the New Notes are identical to those of the Old Notes.
 
    Based  on the foregoing  and subject to  the assumptions, qualifications and
limitations contained herein, we hereby confirm that the statements set forth in
the Prospectus  under  the heading  "Certain  Federal Income  Tax  Consequences"
constitute our opinion with respect to the material United States Federal income
tax  consequences  of  the exchange  pursuant  to  the Exchange  Offer,  and the
ownership and disposition of the Old Notes or the New Notes by holders who  hold
such notes as capital assets. The possibility exists that contrary positions may
be  taken by the Internal  Revenue Service and that a  court may agree with such
contrary position.
<PAGE>
WHITE & CASE
National Fiberstok Corporation
Page 2
 
    The foregoing  opinion is  specific to  the transactions  and the  documents
referred  to herein,  and is based  upon the  facts known to  us as  of the date
hereof.
 
    The  foregoing  opinion  is  predicated  upon  the  Code,  the   regulations
thereunder,  the  administrative and  judicial interpretations  of the  Code and
regulations, in  each case  as  in effect  on the  date  hereof. Any  change  in
applicable  law or in any  of the facts or other  assumptions upon which we have
relied, may adversely affect such opinion.
 
    We hereby consent to the filing with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
of  this opinion as an exhibit  to National Fiberstok Corporation's Registration
Statement on Form  S-4 relating to  the exchange of  the Old Notes  for the  New
Notes and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Certain Federal Income
Tax  Consequences" in the Prospectus. In giving  such consent, we do not thereby
admit that we are  in the category  of persons whose  consent is required  under
Section 7 of the Securities Act.
 
   
                                          Very truly yours,
                                          /s/ White & Case
    


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