RAYOVAC CORP
S-1/A, 1997-01-24
MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
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  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 1997 
    

                                                    Registration No. 333-17895 
================================================================================
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                            Washington, D.C. 20549 
                                ------------- 

   
                               AMENDMENT No. 1 
                                      to 
                                   FORM S-1 
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT 
                                    Under 
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 
                                 -------------
    


                             RAYOVAC CORPORATION 
            (Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                    <C>                                 <C>
          Wisconsin                                 3692                                22-2423556 
(State or other jurisdiction of        (Primary Standard Industrial        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 
   incorporation or organization)       Classification Code Number) 
</TABLE>

   
                              ROV HOLDING, INC. 
            (Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                    <C>                                <C>
          Delaware                               3692                               22-2423555 
(State or other jurisdiction of        (Primary Standard Industrial       (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 
 incorporation or organization)         Classification Code Number) 
</TABLE>

    
                              601 Rayovac Drive 
                         Madison,Wisconsin 53711-2497 
                                (608) 275-3340 
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of 
                  registrants' principal executive offices) 

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

                           JAMES A. BRODERICK, ESQ. 
                      Vice President and General Counsel 
                             Rayovac Corporation 
                              601 Rayovac Drive 
                        Madison, Wisconsin 53711-2497 
                                (608) 275-3340 
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area 
                         code, of agent for service) 
                                ------------- 

                                   Copy to: 
                            LOUIS A. GOODMAN, ESQ. 
                   Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 
                              One Beacon Street 
                         Boston, Massachusetts 02108 
                                (617) 573-4800 

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

       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 to be offered 
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act 
of 1933, check the following box. [ ]

    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering 
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following 
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier 
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) 
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act 
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement 
for the same offering. [ ]

   
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, 
please 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 registrant 
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 this registration 
statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting 
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. 

================================================================================
<PAGE> 

                             RAYOVAC CORPORATION 

                            CROSS REFERENCE SHEET 
                  Pursuant to Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Form S-1 Item No.                             Location in Prospectus 
<S> <C>                                             <C>
 1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and      Facing Page of Registration Statement and 
      Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus        Outside Front Cover of Prospectus 

 2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of    Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of 
      Prospectus                                    Prospectus 

 3. Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio     Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; Unaudited 
      of Earnings to Fixed Charges                  Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial 
                                                    Data; Selected Historical Combined 
                                                    Consolidated Financial Data 

 4. Use of Proceeds                                 Prospectus Summary; Use of Proceeds 

 5. Determination of Offering Price                 Not Applicable 

 6. Dilution                                        Not Applicable 

 7. Selling Security Holders                        Not Applicable 

 8. Plan of Distribution                            Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus; Plan 
                                                    of Distribution 

 9. Description of Securities to be Registered      Prospectus Summary; Description of the Notes 

10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel          Legal Matters; Experts 

11. Information With Respect to the Registrant      Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; The 
                                                    Recapitalization; Use of Proceeds; 
                                                    Capitalization; Unaudited Pro Forma 
                                                    Condensed Consolidated Financial Data; 
                                                    Selected Historical Combined Consolidated 
                                                    Financial Data; Management's Discussion and 
                                                    Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
                                                    of Operations; Business; Management; 
                                                    Ownership of Capital Stock; Certain 
                                                    Relationships and Related Transactions; 
                                                    Description of the Credit Agreement; 
                                                    Description of the Notes; Consolidated 
                                                    Financial Statements 

12. Disclosure of Commission Position on 
      Indemnification for Securities Act 
      Liabilities                                   Not Applicable 
</TABLE>

<PAGE> 

[red herring on left side of 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. 

[end red herring] 


                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION JANUARY 24, 1997 

   
PROSPECTUS 
                          Offer for all Outstanding 
                  10-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 
                               in Exchange for 
             10-1/4% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 
                                      of 
                             RAYOVAC CORPORATION 
                 The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., 
          New York City time, on            , 1997, unless extended 
    

   Rayovac Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation ("Rayovac" or the "Company"), 
hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this 
Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together 
constitute the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange an aggregate principal amount 
of up to $100,000,000 of 10-1/4% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 
of the Company (the "New Notes") for a like principal amount of the issued 
and outstanding 10-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 of the Company 
(the "Old Notes" and, together with the New Notes, the "Notes") with the 
holders thereof. The terms of the New Notes are identical in all material 
respects to the Old Notes, except that the terms of the New Notes do not 
include certain transfer restrictions and registration rights included in the 
terms of the Old Notes. 

   For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Old Note will 
receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered 
Old Note. The New Notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which 
interest has been paid on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid on 
the Old Notes, from October 22, 1996. Accordingly, if the relevant record 
date for interest payment occurs after the consummation of the Exchange 
Offer, registered holders of New Notes on such record date will receive 
interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid 
or, if no interest has been paid, from October 22, 1996. If, however, the 
relevant record date for interest payment occurs prior to the consummation of 
the Exchange Offer, registered holders of Old Notes on such record date will 
receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has 
been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from October 22, 1996. Old Notes 
accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date 
of consummation of the Exchange Offer, except as set forth in the immediately 
preceding sentence. Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for 
exchange will not receive any payment in respect of interest on such Old 
Notes otherwise payable on any interest payment date the record date for 
which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offer. 

   
   The Old Notes were issued on October 22, 1996 in connection with the 
financing of the recapitalization of the Company (the "Recapitalization"),
which resulted in a change in control of the Company. See "The 
Recapitalization". The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, general 
unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all 
existing and future Senior Debt (as defined herein), including borrowings 
under the Credit Agreement (as defined herein). The Old Notes are, and the 
New Notes will be, guaranteed by ROV Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary 
of the Company ("ROV Holding"), and may in the future be guaranteed by 
certain other subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the "Guarantors"). 
See "Description of the Notes-- Subsidiary Guarantees" and "Certain 
Covenants--Additional Guarantees." The Guarantees (as defined herein) are 
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt of 
the Guarantors, including guarantees under the Credit Agreement. The Old 
Notes, the Guarantees and borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, and the 
New Notes will be, effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of foreign 
subsidiaries of ROV Holding which effectively ranks senior in right of 
payment to the Notes and the Guarantees. The Indenture (as defined herein) 
permits the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, 
including Senior Debt, subject to certain limitations, and prohibits the 
incurrence of any indebtedness that is senior to the Notes and subordinated 
to any Senior Debt. As of September 30, 1996, the Company and its 
subsidiaries had $128.5 million of Senior Debt and $5.2 million of 
indebtedness and capitalized lease obligations of foreign subsidiaries which 
rank senior or effectively rank senior, as the case may be, in right of 
payment to the Notes. 
    

   
   The New Notes are being offered hereunder in order to satisfy certain 
obligations of the Company contained in the Registration Rights Agreement, 
dated October 17, 1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among the 
Company and the other signatories thereto. Based on interpretations by the 
staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), New Notes 
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may be 
offered for resale, resold and 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 of 1933, as amended (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 any person to participate in the 
distribution of such New Notes. If any holder of Old Notes is an affiliate of 
the Company, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement 
with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Notes to be 
acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (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 any resale transaction. 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 
New Notes received 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. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 
days after the date of this Prospectus, it will make this Prospectus 
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. 
See "Plan of Distribution." 
    
   The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The 
Company will pay all the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer. Tenders of 
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior 
to the Expiration Date (as defined herein). In the event the Company 
terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept for exchange any Old Notes, 
the Company will promptly return the Old Notes to the holders thereof. See 
"The Exchange Offer." 

   The Old Notes are eligible for trading in the Private Offerings, Resales 
and Trading through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") market of the National 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Prior to this Exchange Offer, there 
has been no public market for the New Notes. If a market for the New Notes 
should develop, the New Notes could trade at a discount from their principal 
amount. The Company does not currently intend to list the New Notes on any 
securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation on any automated 
quotation system. There can be no assurance that an active public market for 
the New Notes will develop. 
   
   See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 11 for a discussion of certain factors 
that should be considered in connection with an investment in the Notes 
offered hereby. 
    
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE 
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE 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            , 1997. 

<PAGE> 

                              [Insert Pictures] 



                                      3 


<PAGE>


                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

   
   The Company filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-1 
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the 
New Notes being offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain 
all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits 
and schedules thereto, to which reference is hereby made. Statements made in 
this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other 
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and referred to 
herein are not necessarily complete. Reference is made to the exhibit for a 
more complete description thereof. 
    

   
   The Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto may be 
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the 
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20549 and will also be available for inspection and copying at the 
regional offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, New York, 
New York 10048 and at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street 
(Suite 1400), Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may also be 
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth 
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Additionally, the 
Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information 
statements and other information regarding registrants that file 
electronically with the Commission at (http://www.sec.gov). Upon consummation 
of the Exchange Offer, the Company will become subject to the information 
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith will be required to file 
periodic reports and other information with the Commission. Whether or not 
the Company is required to be subject to the reporting requirements of the 
Exchange Act in the future, the Company and, if the Company is required to 
file financial statements for any Guarantor, such Guarantor will be required 
under the Indenture, dated as of October 22, 1996 (the "Indenture") by and 
among the Company, ROV Holding, Inc. and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee (the 
"Trustee"), pursuant to which the Old Notes were, and the New Notes will be, 
issued, to continue to file with the Commission for public availability 
(unless the Commission will not accept such filings) and to furnish holders 
of the New Notes with (i) all quarterly and annual financial information that 
would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 
10-Q and 10-K, if the Company and/or such Guarantor were required to file 
such forms, including a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations" and, with respect to annual information 
only, a report thereon by the Company's certified independent public 
accountants, and (ii) all financial information that would be required to be 
filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company and/or such Guarantor 
were required to file such reports. 
    

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

                             INDUSTRY MARKET DATA 

   External market information in this Prospectus is provided by the Company, 
based on data licensed from A.C. Nielsen. The two primary sources of market 
data are Nielsen Scanner Data (obtained from checkout scanners in selected 
food stores, drug stores and mass merchandisers) and Nielsen Consumer Panel 
Data (obtained from a group of representative households selected by A.C. 
Nielsen equipped with in-home scanners). Except as set forth below, specific 
market share references are obtained from Nielsen Scanner Data. Specific 
hearing aid battery market share references are obtained from Nielsen Scanner 
Data, as supplemented by National Family Opinion Purchase Diary Data. 
Information regarding the size (in terms of both dollars and unit sales) of 
the total U.S. retail battery market is based upon Nielsen Scanner Data, as 
supplemented by Nielsen Consumer Panel Data. 

   Other industry data used throughout this Prospectus has been obtained from 
a variety of industry surveys (including surveys forming a part of primary 
research studies conducted by the Company) and publications but has not been 
independently verified by the Company. The Company believes that information 
contained in such surveys and publications has been obtained from reliable 
sources, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy and completeness of 
such information. 

   Unless otherwise indicated, all market share estimates are Company 
estimates based on the foregoing, are for the U.S. market and reflect units 
sold. 

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


                                       i
<PAGE> 

   
   ROV Holding, the only Company subsidiary currently guaranteeing the 
Company's obligations under the Notes is a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company. ROV Holding's guarantee of the New Notes is full and unconditional. 
Separate financial statements of ROV Holding are not set forth in this 
Prospectus as the Company has determined that they would not be material to 
investors. 
    

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

   
The New Notes will be available initially in book-entry form, and the Company 
expects that the New Notes sold pursuant hereto will be issued in the form of 
a Global Note (as defined herein) which will be deposited with, or on behalf 
of, The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") and registered in its 
name or in the name of Cede & Co., its nominee, except with respect to 
institutional "accredited investors" (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), 
(2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), who will receive New Notes in 
certificated form. Beneficial interests in the Global Note will be shown on, 
and transfer thereof will be effected through, records maintained by the 
Depositary and its participants. After the initial issuance of the Global 
Note, New Notes in certificated form will be issued in exchange for the 
Global Note only under the limited circumstances set forth in the Indenture. 
See "Description of the Notes--Book-Entry, Delivery and Form." 
    

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

   Upon completion of the Recapitalization, the Company changed its fiscal 
year end from June 30 to September 30. For clarity of presentation and 
comparison, references herein to fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996 are 
to the Company's fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, June 30, 1995 and June 30, 
1996, respectively, and references to the "Transition Period ended September 
30, 1996" and the "Transition Period" are to the period from July 1, 1996 to 
September 30, 1996. 

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

   RAYOVAC, RENEWAL, LOUD'N CLEAR, POWER STATION, PROLINE, WORKHORSE, 
ROUGHNECK and SMART PACK are registered trademarks of the Company. LIFEX and 
SMART STRIP are trademarks of the Company. All other trademarks or tradenames 
referred to in this Prospectus are the property of their respective owners. 

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

   The Company is a Wisconsin corporation with its principal executive 
offices at 601 Rayovac Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711-2497. The Company's 
telephone number is (608) 275-3340. 


                                       ii

<PAGE> 

                     [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 

<PAGE> 

                                   SUMMARY 

   The following summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in 
its entirety by the more detailed information and Combined Consolidated 
Financial Statements of the Company, together with the notes thereto, and the 
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data of the Company, 
together with the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 
Except as otherwise set forth herein, references herein to "pro forma" 
financial data of the Company are to financial data of the Company which 
gives effect to the Recapitalization and the sale of the Old Notes. 

                                 The Company 

   Rayovac Corporation ("Rayovac" or the "Company") is the third largest 
domestic manufacturer of general batteries (D, C, AA, AAA and 9-volt sizes). 
Within the general battery market, the Company is the leader in the household 
rechargeable and heavy duty battery segments. The Company is also the leading 
domestic manufacturer of certain specialty batteries, including hearing aid 
batteries, lantern batteries and lithium batteries for personal computer 
memory back-up. In addition, the Company is a leading marketer of flashlights 
and other battery-powered lighting devices. Established in 1906, the Rayovac 
brand name is one of the oldest and best recognized names in the battery 
industry. The Company attributes the longevity and strength of its brand name 
to its high-quality product line and to the success of its marketing and 
merchandising initiatives. For fiscal 1996, the Company had net sales, net 
income and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined herein) of $399.4 million, $14.3 
million and $46.5 million, respectively. 

   The Company's broad line of products includes (i) general batteries 
(including alkaline, heavy duty and household rechargeable batteries), (ii) 
specialty batteries (including hearing aid, watch, lantern and personal 
computer memory back-up batteries) and (iii) flashlights and other 
battery-powered lighting devices. The Company's products are marketed under 
the names Rayovac, Renewal, Loud'n Clear, ProLine, Lifex, Power Station, 
Workhorse and Roughneck, as well as several private labels. 

   Since the early 1980s, the Company has implemented a number of important 
strategies that have greatly improved its competitive position. In the 
general battery market, the Company has become a leader in the mass 
merchandise retail channel by positioning its products as a value brand, 
offering batteries of substantially equivalent quality and performance at a 
discount to those offered by its principal competitors. The Company has also 
introduced industry-leading merchandising innovations such as the Smart Pack 
and Smart Strip merchandising systems, in which multiple battery packages are 
presented together in value-oriented formats. As a result of these programs, 
the Company had 27% and 26.6% market shares in the mass merchandise channel 
of the general battery market in fiscal 1996 in the Transition Period ended 
September 30, 1996, respectively. 

   The Company has complemented its general battery business with successful 
new product introductions and leading market positions in selected 
high-margin specialty battery lines. In the domestic hearing aid segment, the 
Company has achieved a 50% market share as a result of its products' 
technological capabilities, a strong distribution system and a well developed 
marketing program. The Company is also the leader in the hearing aid battery 
market in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Further, in 1993, the 
Company introduced the Renewal rechargeable battery, the first alkaline 
rechargeable battery sold in the United States. Renewal achieved 64% and 63% 
market shares in the rechargeable household battery category as of July 1996 
and September 1996, respectively, and the Company had domestic sales of 
Renewal products of $27.0 million in fiscal 1996. 

   The U.S. battery industry had aggregate sales in 1995 of $4.1 billion, 
including $2.3 billion of retail sales of general batteries. The Company 
estimates that retail sales of general batteries have experienced compound 
annual unit sales growth of approximately 5.3% since 1986. This growth has 
been largely due to (i) the proliferation and popularity of battery-powered 
devices (such as remote controls, personal radios and cassette players, 
pagers, portable compact disc players, electronic and video games and 
battery-powered toys), (ii) the miniaturization of battery-powered devices, 
which has resulted in consumption of a larger number of smaller batteries and 
(iii) increased purchases of multiple-battery packages for household "pantry" 
inventory. These factors have increased the average household usage of 
batteries from an estimated 23 batteries per year in 1986 to an estimated 33 
batteries per year in 1995. In addition, the hearing aid battery segment, in 
which the Company is the market leader, has experienced average annual dollar 
sales increases of 10.9% over the last four fiscal years, primarily as a 
result of the decreasing size of hearing aids and the increasing age of the 
U.S. population. The Company expects growth of this segment to continue in 
the United States as well as in Western Europe. See "Industry Market Data." 

                                      1 
<PAGE> 

                              Business Strategy 

   The Company's objective is to increase sales and profitability by pursuing 
the following strategies. 

   Produce High-Quality Battery Products.  In each of its battery product 
lines, the Company seeks to manufacture a high-quality product. In the 
alkaline segment, the Company manufactures high-performance battery products 
of substantially equivalent quality to those offered by its principal 
competitors. In some of its specialty product segments, such as hearing aid 
batteries, the Company believes its products have advantages over its 
competitors' products. The Company focuses its quality improvement efforts on 
lengthening service life and enhancing reliability and, in the case of 
hearing aid batteries, the Company also focuses on product miniaturization. 

   
   Leverage Value Brand Position.  The Company has established a position as 
the leading value brand in the U.S. general alkaline battery market, by 
focusing on the mass merchandise channel. The Company achieved this position 
by (i) offering batteries of substantially equivalent quality and performance 
to those offered by its principal competitors at a retail price discount, 
(ii) emphasizing innovative in-store merchandising programs and (iii) 
offering retailers attractive wholesale margins. The mass merchandise segment 
has generated significant growth in the U.S. retail battery market over the 
last five years and the Company's positioning in this segment should allow it 
to continue to take advantage of any future segment growth. 
    

   Expand Retail Distribution Channels. The Company plans to expand its 
presence in food stores, drug stores, warehouse clubs and other distribution 
channels on which the Company historically has not focused significant 
marketing and sales efforts. Food stores, drug stores and warehouse clubs 
accounted for 1.5 billion general battery units and $1.2 billion in revenues 
in the U.S. retail battery market in 1995. Management believes that Rayovac's 
value-oriented general battery products and merchandising programs make the 
Company an attractive supplier to these channels. 

   Focus on Niche Markets. The Company has developed leading positions in 
several important niche markets. Total net sales of batteries in these 
markets (including those for hearing aid, rechargeable, lantern and heavy 
duty batteries and for lithium coin cells for personal computer memory 
back-up) comprised 47.9% of the Company's fiscal 1996 net sales. The Company 
tailors its strategy in each of these market niches to accommodate each 
market's characteristics and competitive profile. 

   
   Expand Rechargeable Battery Market Segment. The Company intends to expand 
its leading share of the rechargeable household battery market through 
continued marketing of the economic benefit to consumers of Renewal, the 
Company's long-life alkaline rechargeable battery. Although approximately 
twice the retail price of a regular alkaline battery, a Renewal battery can 
be recharged at least 25 times, providing the approximate aggregate energy of 
10 regular alkaline batteries. Consequently, Renewal provides significant 
economic benefits to consumers over regular alkaline batteries. In addition, 
alkaline rechargeables are superior to nickel cadmium rechargeables because 
they are sold fully charged, retain their charge better and are 
environmentally safer. Management believes that as the Company educates 
consumers about these benefits, the Company will have a substantial 
opportunity to expand the rechargeable household battery segment and increase 
its market share. 
    

                             The Recapitalization 

   
   Effective as of September 12, 1996, the Company, all of the shareholders 
of the Company, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P. (the "Lee Fund") and 
other affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company ("THL Co.") completed a 
recapitalization of the Company (the "Recapitalization"), which resulted in a 
change in control of the Company, pursuant to which, among other things: (i) 
the Company obtained senior financing in an aggregate amount of $170.0 
million, of which $131.0 million was borrowed at the closing of the 
Recapitalization, including $26.0 million under a revolving credit facility 
(the "Revolving Credit Facility"); (ii) the Company obtained $100.0 million 
in financing through the issuance of senior subordinated increasing rate 
notes of the Company (the "Bridge Notes"); (iii) the Company redeemed a 
portion of the shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the 
Company (the "Common Stock") held by Thomas F. Pyle, Jr., the former 
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (iv) the Lee Fund and 
other affiliates of THL Co. purchased for cash shares of Common Stock owned 
by shareholders of the Company; and (v) the Company repaid certain of its 
outstanding indebtedness, including prepayment fees and penalties. As a 
result of the Recapitalization, the Lee Fund and other affiliates of THL Co., 
together with David A. Jones, the Company's new President and Chief 
    



                                       2
<PAGE>

Executive Officer, own 80.2% of the outstanding Common Stock, Mr. Pyle owns 
9.9% of the outstanding Common Stock and existing management and certain 
former employees of the Company own 9.9% of the outstanding Common Stock. See 
"The Recapitalization." 

   During the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996, the Company 
recorded charges of $12.3 million directly related to the Recapitalization 
and other special charges of $16.1 million. See "Management's Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." 

   
   The net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Old Notes 
together with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were used to 
repurchase the Bridge Notes plus accrued interest thereon. See "Use of 
Proceeds." 
    

                              The Exchange Offer 

The Exchange Offer  The Company is offering to exchange up to $100.0 million
                    aggregate principal amount of its 10-1/4% Series B Senior
                    Subordinated Notes due 2006 for a like principal amount of
                    its issued and outstanding 10-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
                    due 2006 that are properly tendered and accepted. The terms
                    of the New Notes and the Old Notes are identical in all
                    material respects, except that the terms of the New Notes do
                    not include certain transfer restrictions and registration
                    rights relating to the Old Notes described below under "--
                    Summary Description of the New Notes." See "The Exchange
                    Offer" for a description of the procedures for tendering Old
                    Notes. The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy obligations
                    of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement dated
                    as of October 17, 1996 among the Company, Donaldson Lufkin &
                    Jenrette Securities Corporation and BA Securities, Inc. 
                    (together, the "Initial Purchasers"). 

Tenders;            The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City  
Expiration Date;    Time, on [ ], 1997, or such later date and time to which it 
Withdrawal          is extended (the "Expiration Date"). The tender of Old Notes
                    pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time 
                    prior to the Expiration Date. 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.  
                    
                    
Federal Income Tax  The exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not result
Considerations      in any income,  gain or loss to holders exchanging Old 
                    Notes for New Notes pursuant thereto or to the Company for 
                    federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
                    Considerations." 

Exchange Agent      Marine Midland Bank is serving as Exchange Agent in 
                    connection with the Exchange Offer. 


                                       3
<PAGE>

                     Consequences of Exchanging Old Notes 
                        Pursuant to the Exchange Offer 

   
   Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission issued to third 
parties, holders of Old Notes (other than any holder who is an "affiliate" of 
the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who 
exchange their Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may 
offer such New Notes for resale, resell such New Notes and otherwise transfer 
such New Notes without compliance with the registration and prospectus 
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided such New Notes are 
acquired in the ordinary course of the holders' business and such holders do 
not intend, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person, to 
participate in a distribution of such New Notes. Each holder, other than a 
broker-dealer, must acknowledge that it is not engaged in, and does not 
intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes. If any holder is an 
affiliate of the Company, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any 
arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the New 
Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (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 any resale transaction. 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 New Notes received 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. The Company has agreed that, for a 
period of 180 days after the date on which the Exchange Offer is Consummated 
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), it will make this 
Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such 
resale. See "Plan of Distribution." To comply with the securities laws of 
certain jurisdictions, if applicable, it may be necessary to qualify for sale 
or register the New Notes prior to offering or selling such New Notes. The 
Company does not currently intend to take any action to register or qualify 
the New Notes for resale in any such jurisdiction. 
    

   If a holder of Old Notes does not exchange such Old Notes for New Notes 
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such Old Notes will continue to be subject to 
the restrictions on transfer contained in the legend thereon. 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 Old Notes under the Securities 
Act. See "Risk Factors--Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes." 

                     Summary Description of the New Notes 

   The terms of the New Notes and the Old Notes are identical in all material 
respects, except that the terms of the New Notes do not include certain 
transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the Old Notes. 

Securities Offered  $100.0 million principal amount of 10-1/4% Series B Senior
                    Subordinated Notes due 2006.

Use of Proceeds     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange
                    Offer. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the
                    Old Notes were approximately $97.0 million after deduction
                    of discounts, commissions and offering expenses. The Company
                    used such net proceeds, together with borrowings under the
                    Revolving Credit Facility, to repurchase the Bridge Notes
                    plus accrued interest thereon. See "The Recapitalization"
                    and "Use of Proceeds."


Issuer              Rayovac Corporation.


                                       4
<PAGE>

Maturity Date       November 1, 2006.

Interest Payment    The New Notes will bear interest at the rate of 10-1/4% per
Dates               annum, payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each
                    year commencing on May 1, 1997.

Optional            Except as set forth below, the New Notes are not redeemable
Redemption          prior to November 1, 2001. The New Notes may be redeemed at
                    the option of the Company, in whole or in part, on or after
                    November 1, 2001 at the redemption prices set forth herein,
                    plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
                    redemption. At any time during the first 36 months after the
                    date of the Indenture (as defined herein), the Company may
                    redeem up to 35% of the initial principal amount of the New
                    Notes originally issued with the net proceeds of one or more
                    public offerings of equity securities of the Company, at a
                    redemption price equal to 109.25% of the principal amount of
                    such New Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
                    Liquidated Damages (as defined herein), if any, to the date
                    of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the principal
                    amount of New Notes originally issued remains outstanding
                    immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and
                    that each such redemption occurs within 60 days following
                    the closing of each such public offering.


Mandatory           Except as set forth herein, the Company is not required to
Redemption          make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with
                    respect to the New Notes.

Guarantees          The New Notes will be guaranteed (the "Guarantees") on an
                    unsecured senior subordinated basis by ROV Holding, Inc., a
                    wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that owns the
                    Company's foreign operating subsidiaries ("ROV Holding"),
                    and by any other Subsidiary (as defined herein) of the
                    Company that executes a Guarantee in accordance with the
                    provisions of the Indenture, and by their respective
                    successors and assigns (collectively, the "Guarantors").


                                       5
<PAGE>

Ranking             The New Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the
                    Company, subordinated in right of payment to all existing
                    and future Senior Debt (as defined herein), including
                    borrowings under the Credit Agreement (as defined herein).
                    In addition, the New Notes will be effectively subordinated
                    to the indebtedness of foreign subsidiaries of the Company.
                    The New Notes will rank pari passu with the Old Notes. As of
                    September 30, 1996, the Company and its subsidiaries had
                    $128.5 million of Senior Debt and $5.2 million of
                    indebtedness and capitalized lease obligations of foreign
                    subsidiaries which would rank senior or effectively rank
                    senior, as the case may be, in right of payment to the New
                    Notes. The Indenture permits the incurrence of additional
                    Senior Debt by the Company, subject to certain limitations,
                    and prohibits the incurrence by the Company and its
                    subsidiaries of indebtedness that is subordinate in right of
                    payment to any Senior Debt and senior in any respect in
                    right of payment to the New Notes. See "Description of the
                    Notes--Subordination."


   
Change of Control   Upon a Change of Control (as defined herein), each holder of
                    New Notes shall have the right to require the Company to
                    repurchase all or any part of such holder's New Notes at a
                    purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
                    amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and
                    Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. There
                    can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient
                    funds to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control. See
                    "Description of the Notes--Repurchase at the Option of
                    Holders."
    


Certain Covenants   The Indenture contains covenants restricting or limiting the
                    ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other
                    things, (i) pay dividends or make other restricted payments,
                    (ii) incur additional indebtedness and issue preferred
                    stock, (iii) create liens, (iv) incur dividend and other
                    payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries, (v) enter into
                    mergers, consolidations or sales of all or substantially all
                    of the assets of the Company, (vi) make Asset Sales (as
                    defined herein), (vii) enter into transactions with
                    affiliates and (viii) issue or sell capital stock of wholly
                    owned subsidiaries of the Company. See "Description of the
                    Notes."


                                       6
<PAGE>

   
Amendment,          The Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantors and
Supplement          the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture and the 
and Waiver          Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the
                    holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
                    Notes then outstanding for certain limited purposes such as
                    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to make
                    any change that would provide additional rights or benefits
                    to holders. No amendment or waiver may, however, without the
                    consent of each holder affected, otherwise effect changes in
                    the terms of the Notes, such as the reduction of the
                    principal amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an
                    amendment, supplement or waiver or the reduction of
                    principal of or a change to the fixed maturity of any Note.
                    In addition, any amendment to the provisions of the
                    Indenture relating to subordination would require the
                    consent of holders of at least 75% in aggregate principal
                    amount of the Notes then outstanding if such amendment would
                    adversely affect the rights of holders. See "Description of
                    the Notes--Amendment, Supplement and Waiver."
    

                                 Risk Factors 

   
   Holders of Old Notes should carefully consider the information set forth 
under the caption "Risk Factors" and all other information set forth in this 
Prospectus before tendering their Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, although 
the risk factors set forth (other than "Risk Factors--Consequences of Failure 
to Exchange Old Notes") are generally applicable to the Old Notes as well as 
in the New Notes. 
    



                                       7
<PAGE>

               SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA 

   The following summary historical financial data for the three fiscal years 
ended June 30, 1996 and the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 and 
the balance sheet data as of September 30, 1996 are derived from the audited 
Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, together with the 
notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The summary historical 
financial data for the period July 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995 is derived 
from the Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of 
the Company, together with the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this 
Prospectus. The summary historical financial data of the Company for the two 
fiscal years ended June 30, 1993 is derived from audited combined 
consolidated financial statements of the Company which are not included 
herein. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                                                               Transition 
                                                                                                                 Period 
                                                       Fiscal Year Ended June 30,            July 1, 1995 to      Ended 
                                            -----------------------------------------------   September 30,    September 30, 
                                              1992      1993       1994      1995      1996         1995            1996 
                                                                                              ---------------  --------------- 
                                                          (Dollars in millions)                 (unaudited) 
<S>                                          <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>              <C>
Statement of Operations Data: 
Net sales                                    $332.2    $353.4     $386.2    $391.0    $399.4      $100.6            $95.0 
Gross profit                                  140.1     152.0      151.3     153.9     160.0        36.5             35.7 
Income (loss) from operations                  31.0      31.2       10.9 (1)   31.5     30.3         4.6            (23.7) 
Interest expense                               14.1       6.0        7.7       8.6       8.4         2.4              4.4 
Net income (loss)                               5.5      15.0        4.4      16.4      14.3      $  1.4           ($20.9)(2) 
Other Financial Data: 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (3)         2.1x      3.8x       1.4x      3.0x      2.9x         1.7x              -- (3) 
Depreciation                                 $  6.1    $  7.4     $ 10.3    $ 11.0    $ 11.9      $  3.2             $3.3 
Capital expenditures                           15.3      30.3(4)    12.5      16.9       6.6         1.1              1.2 
Cash flows from operating activities           23.4      15.8      (18.7)     35.5      17.8        (9.6 )           (1.1) 
Cash flows from investing activities          (15.3)    (30.3)     (12.4)     (16.8)     (6.3)       (1.1 )           (0.5) 
Cash flows from financing activities           (8.6)     13.7       30.8     (18.3)    (11.9)       10.5              3.7 
EBITDA (5)                                     37.6      39.3       21.2      41.3      42.2         7.7            (20.4) 
Adjusted EBITDA (6)                            39.7      41.6       24.0      44.2      46.5         8.5            (19.5) 
Pro forma cash interest expense (7)            21.8      21.8       21.8      21.8      21.8         5.3              5.3 
Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to pro forma cash 
  interest expense                             1.8x      1.9x       1.1x      2.0x      2.1x         1.6x               - (9) 
Ratio of net debt to Adjusted 
  EBITDA (8)                                   1.2x      1.7x       4.4x      1.9x      1.7x        11.4x               - (9) 
                                                                                                                   As of 
                                                                                                                September 
                                                                                                                    30, 
                                                                                                                    1996 
                                                                                                                ----------- 
                                                                                                                (Dollars in 
                                                                                                                 millions) 
  Balance Sheet Data: 
Working capital                                                                                                  $   63.2 
Total assets                                                                                                        245.3 
Total debt                                                                                                          233.7 
Shareholders' deficit                                                                                               (85.7) 
</TABLE>
    

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

   
(1) Income (loss) from operations in fiscal 1994 was impacted by increased 
    selling expenses due to higher advertising expenses related to the 
    Renewal Introduction (as defined herein) and non-recurring manufacturing 
    costs in connection with the Fennimore Expansion (as defined herein). See 
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
    of Operations--Introduction." 
    

   
(2) Net income (loss) in the Transition Period was impacted by charges 
    directly related to the Recapitalization and other special charges. See 
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
    of Operations." 
    

   
(3) For purposes of computing this ratio, earnings consist of income before 
    income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest 
    expense, amortization of deferred finance fees and one-third of the rent 
    expense from operating leases, which management believes is a reasonable 
    approximation of the interest factor of the 
    


                                       8
<PAGE>

   
    rent. Since earnings in the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 
    are inadequate to cover fixed charges by $28.2 million, the ratio is not 
    presented herein. 
    

   
(4) Fiscal 1993 capital expenditures include $19.7 million in connection with 
    the Fennimore Expansion. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Introduction." 
    

   
(5) EBITDA represents income from operations plus depreciation and reflects 
    an adjustment of income from operations to eliminate the establishment 
    and subsequent reversal of two reserves ($0.7 million established in 1993 
    and reversed in 1995, and $0.5 million established in 1992 and reversed 
    in 1995). The Company believes that EBITDA and related measures are 
    commonly used by certain investors and analysts to analyze and compare, 
    and provide useful information regarding, the Company's ability to 
    service its indebtedness, but holders tendering Old Notes in the Exchange 
    Offer should consider the following factors in evaluating such measures: 
    EBITDA and related measures (i) should not be considered in isolation, 
    (ii) are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with 
    generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), (iii) should not be 
    construed as alternatives or substitutes for income from operations, net 
    income or cash flows from operating activities in analyzing the Company's 
    operating performance, financial position or cash flows (in each case, as 
    determined in accordance with GAAP) and (iv) should not be used as 
    indicators of the Company's operating performance or measures of its 
    liquidity. Additionally, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA 
    and related measures in uniform fashion, the calculations presented in 
    this Prospectus may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures 
    of other companies. A similar concept to EBITDA, defined as "Consolidated 
    Cash Flow" in the Indenture and used in the calculation of certain 
    covenants therein, represents operating income plus depreciation, 
    amortization, any net loss realized in connection with an Asset Sale and 
    certain other non-cash charges and certain non-recurring expenses. See 
    "Description of the Notes--Certain Covenants" and "Description of the 
    Notes--Certain Definitions." Consolidated Cash Flow would not have been 
    significantly different from EBITDA in any of the periods presented other 
    than the Transition Period. The difference in measures for the Transition 
    Period result primarily from adjustments relating to the 
    Recapitalization. 
    

   
    Management interprets the general trend of EBITDA, with the exception of 
    EBITDA for fiscal 1994, as steadily increasing. In fiscal 1994, EBITDA 
    decreased due to costs incurred in connection with battery redesign, the 
    start-up of mercury-free alkaline battery production, temporary planned 
    increases in raw material costs associated with sourcing of raw material 
    from foreign vendors pursuant to the terms of certain agreements and 
    increased advertising expense associated with the Renewal Introduction. 
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
    Results of Operation." In the absence of such costs, EBITDA for fiscal 
    1994 would have fit within the otherwise prevailing trend. 
    

   
(6) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to add back certain 
    expenses related to (i) the Company's aircraft lease, in excess of the 
    estimated cost of commercial airline travel, which aircraft lease was 
    terminated in connection with the Recapitalization, (ii) certain 
    litigation expense accrued in 1996 for litigation initiated in a prior 
    period, (iii) compensation expense for the Company's pre-Recapitalization 
    senior management group, net of expected post-Recapitalization senior 
    management compensation including the Management Fee (as defined herein) 
    and the Consulting Fee (as defined herein) and (iv) advertising and 
    promotional expense associated with the Company's sponsorship of 
    professional race cars, the contracts for which have been terminated. 
    Adjusted EBITDA has been calculated as follows: 
    


                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 
                              ------------------------------------------ 
                                                                                             Transition 
                                                                                               Period 
                                                                            July 1, 1995        Ended 
                                                                          to September 30,  September 30, 
                                1992     1993     1994    1995     1996         1995             1996 
                               -------  -------  ------- -------  ------  ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                           <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>          <C>              <C>
EBITDA                          $37.6   $39.3    $21.2    $41.3   $42.2        $ 7.7            ($20.4) 
                                -----   -----    -----    -----   -----        -----            ------  
Plus: 
 Aircraft expenses                1.2     1.3      1.6      1.7     1.7          0.4              0.4 
 Race car expenses                0.8     0.9      1.0      1.0     1.6          0.4              0.5 
 Senior management expenses       0.1     0.1      0.2      0.2     0.2           --               -- 
 Litigation expense                --      --       --       --     0.8           --               -- 
                                 -----   -----    -----   -----    -----        -----            ----- 
Adjusted EBITDA                 $39.7   $41.6    $24.0    $44.2   $46.5        $ 8.5            ($19.5) 
                                 =====   =====    =====   =====    =====        =====            ===== 
</TABLE>

   
   Management is reviewing a number of categories of expenditures following 
   the Recapitalization, including advertising and promotional expenditure 
   levels. Post-Recapitalization expenditure levels have not yet been 
   determined. Adjusted EBITDA (i) should not be considered in isolation, 
   (ii) is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with 
   generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), (iii) should not be 
   construed as alternatives or substitutes for income from operations, net 
   income or cash flows from operating activities in analyzing the Company's 
   operating performance, financial position or cash flows (in each case, as 
   determined in accordance with GAAP) and (iv) should not be used as 
   indicators of the Company's operating performance or measures of its 
   liquidity. 
    

   
(7) Pro forma cash interest expense represents pro forma interest expense of 
    $23.4 million adjusted to exclude amortization of deferred finance costs 
    of $1.6 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1992 through 1996 and 
    pro forma interest expense of $5.7 million adjusted to exclude 
    amortization of deferred finance costs of $0.4 million for the period 
    July 1 to September 30, 1995 and the Transition Period ended September 
    30, 1996. 
    

   
(8) For purposes of computing this ratio, net debt represents borrowed money, 
    including capital lease obligations, less cash and cash equivalents. 
    

   
(9) Since Adjusted EBITDA is negative, no ratio is presented. 
    



                                       10
<PAGE>

                                 RISK FACTORS 

   Holders of Old Notes should carefully consider the following risk factors, 
as well as all other information set forth in this Prospectus, before 
tendering their Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, although the risk factors 
set forth below (other than "Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes") 
are generally applicable to the Old Notes as well as the New Notes. 

Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes 

   
   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 the Old Notes. 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 issued to third 
parties, New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old 
Notes 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 with any person to 
participate in the distribution of such New Notes. Each holder, other than a 
broker-dealer, must acknowledge that it is not engaged in, and does not 
intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes. If any holder is an 
affiliate of the Company, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any 
arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the New 
Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (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 any resale transaction. 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 New Notes received 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. The Company has agreed that, for a 
period of 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer is Consummated 
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), it will make this 
Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such 
resale. See "Plan of Distribution." In addition, to comply with the 
securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable, it may be necessary 
to qualify for sale or to register the New Notes prior to offering or selling 
such New Notes. The Company does not currently intend to take any action to 
register or qualify the New Notes for resale in any such jurisdiction. 
    

Substantial Leverage; Incurrence of Additional Senior Debt 

   As of September 30, 1996, the Company had $233.7 million of total 
indebtedness. See "Capitalization." 

   
   The Company's ability to make principal and interest payments on the New 
Notes will be dependent on the Company's future operating performance. The 
Company's future operating performance is dependent in part on certain 
external factors including prevailing economic conditions and financial, 
competitive, regulatory and similar factors that may affect the Company's 
business and operations. The Company's ability to make principal and interest 
payments on the New Notes may also be dependent on the availability of 
borrowings under the Credit Agreement (or any refinancing thereof) or other 
borrowings. Although the Company believes that, based on current levels of 
operations, its cash flow from operations, together with external sources of 
liquidity, will be adequate to make required payments of principal and 
interest on its debt (including the New Notes), whether at or prior to 
maturity, finance anticipated capital expenditures and fund working capital 
requirements, there can be no assurance in this regard. If the Company does 
not have sufficient available resources to repay any indebtedness under the 
Credit Agreement (or other indebtedness the Company may incur) when it 
becomes due and payable, the Company may find it necessary to refinance such 
indebtedness, and there can be no assurance that refinancing will be 
available, or available on reasonable terms. 
    

   Additionally, the Company's high degree of leverage could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company's future operating performance, including, but 
not limited to, the following: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's 


                                       11
<PAGE>

cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service payments, thereby 
reducing the funds available to the Company for other purposes; (ii) the 
Company's ability to obtain additional debt financing in the future for 
working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate 
purposes or other purposes may be impaired; (iii) the Company is 
substantially more leveraged than certain of its competitors, which may place 
the Company at a competitive disadvantage; (iv) the Company's high degree of 
leverage may limit its ability to expand capacity and otherwise meet its 
growth objectives; (v) the Company's high degree of leverage may hinder its 
ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions and could make it 
more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or 
its business; and (vi) the Company may not be able to sustain its value 
pricing strategy for alkaline batteries with its lower price points and 
attractive margins for retailers. 

   
   The Indenture and the Credit Agreement permit the incurrence of additional 
Senior Debt, subject to certain limitations. The Indenture prohibits the 
incurrence by the Company of subordinated debt which is senior in right of 
payment to the Notes. The Indenture also prohibits the incurrence by any 
Guarantor of subordinated debt which is senior in right of payment to any 
Guarantee. See "Description of the Notes." 
    

Subordination 

   The New Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and 
will be subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Debt, including all 
indebtedness under the Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 1996, the 
Company and its subsidiaries had $128.5 million of Senior Debt and $5.2 
million of indebtedness of foreign subsidiaries and capital lease 
obligations. The Indenture permits the Company and (under limited 
circumstances) its subsidiaries, to incur additional Senior Debt, subject to 
certain limitations, and the Company expects from time to time to incur 
additional indebtedness, including Senior Debt, subject to such limitations. 
By reason of the subordination provisions of the Indenture, in the event of 
the insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding-up 
of the Company, the lenders under the Credit Agreement and other creditors 
who are holders of Senior Debt must be paid in full before payment of amounts 
due on the New Notes. Accordingly, there may be insufficient assets remaining 
after such payments to pay amounts due on the New Notes. The Guarantees are 
subordinated to Senior Debt of each Guarantor to the same extent that the New 
Notes are subordinated to Senior Debt of the Company, and the ability to 
collect under any Guarantees may therefore be similarly limited. 

   In addition, the Company may not pay principal of, premium, if any, or 
interest on, or any other amounts owing in respect of, the New Notes, or 
purchase, redeem or otherwise retire the New Notes, or make any deposit 
pursuant to defeasance provisions for the New Notes, if Designated Senior 
Debt or Significant Senior Debt (as each term is defined in the Indenture) is 
not paid when due, unless such default is cured or waived or has ceased to 
exist or such Designated Senior Debt or Significant Senior Debt has been 
repaid in full. Under certain circumstances, no payments may be made for a 
specified period with respect to the principal of, premium, if any, and 
interest on, and any other amounts owing in respect of, the New Notes if a 
default, other than a payment default, exists with respect to Designated 
Senior Debt, including indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, unless such 
default is cured, waived or has ceased to exist or such indebtedness has been 
repaid in full. See "Description of the Notes-- Subordination." If any Event 
of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 
25% in principal amount of the then outstanding New Notes may declare all the 
New Notes to be due and payable immediately. However, such a continuing Event 
of Default also would permit the acceleration of all outstanding obligations 
under the Credit Agreement. In such an event, the subordination provisions of 
the Indenture would prohibit any payments to holders of the New Notes unless 
and until such obligations (and any other accelerated Senior Debt) have been 
repaid in full. See "Description of the Notes--Subordination." 

Competition 

   
   The industries in which the Company participates are very competitive. 
Competition is based upon price, quality, performance, brand name 
recognition, product packaging and product innovation, as well as creative 
marketing, promotion and distribution strategies. In the U.S. battery 
industry, the Company competes primarily with two well established companies, 
Duracell International Inc. ("Duracell") and Energizer, Inc., a subsidiary of 
Ralston Purina Company (formerly known as Eveready Battery Company) and 
producer of Energizer brand batteries ("Energizer"), each of which has 
substantially greater financial and other resources and greater overall 
market share than the Company. In addition, the Company believes that 
Duracell and Energizer may have lower costs of production and higher profit 
margins in certain product lines than the Company. On December 31, 1996, The 
Gillette 
    



                                       12
<PAGE>

   
Company completed its acquisition of Duracell. The Company cannot predict 
what effects, if any, this acquisition will have on Duracell's competitive 
position or business strategies or whether there will be any resulting impact 
on the Company. 
    

   Although foreign battery manufacturers historically have not been 
successful in penetrating the U.S. retail market to any significant extent, 
they have, from time to time, attempted to establish a significant presence 
in the U.S. battery market. There can be no assurance that these attempts 
will not be successful in the future or that the Company will be able to 
compete effectively with current or prospective participants in the U.S. 
battery industry. The battery-powered lighting device industry is also highly 
competitive and includes a greater number of competitors than the U.S. 
battery industry, some of which have greater capital and other resources than 
the Company. See "Business--Competition." 

   The Company's principal competitors in the U.S. battery industry have 
recently introduced an on-the-label battery tester for alkaline batteries 
which is located on the battery label and displays the approximate remaining 
percentage of the battery's charge. The Company's products do not currently 
include any testers. The Company is in the process of evaluating initial 
customer reaction to competitors' testers and is attempting to estimate any 
potential negative impact on sales if the Company fails to include such a 
tester with its products and the significance of the costs associated with 
placement of such a tester, including whether such a feature will infringe 
any valid U.S. patents. U.S. patents covering various aspects of on-the-label 
battery testers are owned or controlled by Duracell, Eastman Kodak Company, 
Energizer and Strategic Electronics. These entities are currently involved in 
an "interference" proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office to determine who has the right to patent the various aspects of the 
on-the-label battery tester and what the scope of such patents should be. 
Other U.S. patents covering various aspects of battery testers also exist. It 
appears likely that an attempt by a competitor, such as the Company, to 
market any tester covered by the existing patents would result in litigation 
by one or more of the current patent holders. The ultimate outcome of any 
such litigation would depend upon the outcome of the interference proceeding 
and the resolution of any challenges to the validity or enforceability of the 
existing patents which the Company might assert in its defense. The earliest 
the Company could market such a tester is Spring 1997. There can be no 
assurance that competitors' testers will not have a material adverse effect 
on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations, or 
that the Company could market a tester without significant litigation risk. 

Dependence on Key Customers 

   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ("Wal-Mart"), the Company's largest retailer 
customer, accounted for 19.0% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1996. In 
addition, the Company's three largest retailer customers, including Wal-Mart, 
together accounted for 28.5% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1996. The 
Company does not have long-term agreements with any of its major customers, 
and purchases are generally made through the use of individual purchase 
orders, consistent with industry practice. There can be no assurance that 
there will not be a significant reduction in purchases by any of the 
Company's three largest retailer customers, which could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of 
operations. See "Business--Marketing and Distribution." 

Battery Technology 

   The battery industry has experienced, and is expected to continue to 
experience, regular technological change. There can be no assurance that, as 
existing battery products and technologies improve and new, more advanced 
products and technologies are introduced, the Company's products will be able 
to compete effectively in any of its targeted market segments. The 
development and successful introduction of new and enhanced products and 
other competing technologies that may outperform the Company's batteries and 
technological developments by competitors may have a material adverse effect 
on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations, 
particularly in the context of the substantially greater resources of the 
Company's two principal competitors in the general battery market, Duracell 
and Energizer. See "--Competition." Similarly, in those market segments where 
the Company's battery products currently have technological advantages 
(including, for example, the hearing aid battery market), there can be no 
assurance that the Company's products will maintain such advantages. 

   The general battery industry historically has sustained unit sales growth 
even as battery life has increased with innovation (largely due to expansion 
in the use of and the number of applications for batteries); however, there 
can be no assurance that continued enhancements of battery performance 
(including rechargeable battery performance) will not have an adverse effect 
on unit sales. 


                                       13
<PAGE>

Limited Intellectual Property Protection 

   The Company relies upon a combination of patent, trademark and trade 
secret laws, together with licenses, confidentiality agreements and other 
contractual covenants, to establish and protect its technology and other 
intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that the steps taken 
by the Company will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of its technology 
or other intellectual property or that the Company's competitors will not 
independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or 
superior to the Company's technology. Moreover, although the Company believes 
that its current products do not infringe upon the valid proprietary rights 
of others, there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert 
infringement claims against the Company and that, in the event of an 
unfavorable ruling on any such claim, a license or similar agreement will be 
available to the Company on reasonable terms. See "--Competition" for issues 
associated with the marketing of an on-the-label battery tester. 

   
   Certain technology underlying the Company's Renewal line of alkaline 
rechargeable batteries is the subject of a non-exclusive license from a third 
party and could be made available to the Company's competitors after one 
year's prior notice to the Company (which has not been given). The licensing 
of such technology to a competitor could have an adverse effect on the 
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. The Company 
does not believe, however, that this effect would be material to the Company 
because revenues from sales of the Company's rechargeable alkaline batteries 
and rechargers account for less than 10% of the Company's total revenues. 
    

   The Company does not have any right to the trademark "Rayovac" in Brazil, 
where the mark is owned by an independent third-party battery manufacturer. 
In addition, the Company has granted exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free 
licenses for the use of certain of its technology, patents and trademarks in 
a number of countries, including in Latin America. See "Business--Patents, 
Licenses and Trademarks." 

Environmental Matters 

   The Company's facilities are subject to a broad range of federal, state, 
local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the environment, including 
those governing discharges to the air and water, the handling and disposal of 
solid and hazardous substances and wastes and the remediation of 
contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at Company 
facilities and at off-site disposal locations. Based on information currently 
available to Company management, the Company believes that it is 
substantially in compliance with applicable environmental regulations at its 
facilities, although no assurance can be provided with respect to such 
compliance in the future. 

   
   Several of the Company's manufacturing facilities have been in operation 
for decades and have utilized substances such as cadmium and mercury in the 
battery manufacturing process. The Company has not conducted invasive testing 
to identify all potential risks, and given the age of the Company's 
facilities and the nature of the Company's operations, there can be no 
assurance that material liabilities will not arise in the future in 
connection with its current or former facilities. In addition, the Company 
has been recently notified that its former manganese processing facility in 
Covington, Tennessee is being evaluated by the Tennessee Department of 
Environment and Conservation ("TDEC") for a determination as to whether the 
facility should be added to the National Priorities List as a Superfund site. 
Groundwater monitoring at the site conducted pursuant to the post-closure 
maintenance of solid waste lagoons on site, and recent groundwater testing 
beneath former process areas on site, indicate that there are elevated levels 
of certain inorganic contaminants, particularly (but not exclusively) 
manganese, in the groundwater underneath the site. The Company cannot predict 
the outcome of TDEC's investigation of the site. See "Business--Environmental 
Matters." 
    

   
   The Company has been and is subject to several proceedings related to its 
disposal of industrial and hazardous waste at off-site disposal locations, 
under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act ("CERCLA") or analogous state laws that hold persons who 
"arranged for" the disposal or treatment of such substances strictly liable 
for the costs incurred in responding to the release or threatened release of 
hazardous substances from such sites. Except for the matters specifically 
described below, the Company does not believe that any of its pending CERCLA 
matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material impact 
on the Company's operations, financial condition or liquidity. 
    

   
   The Company recently has been named as a defendant in two lawsuits in 
connection with a Superfund site located in Bergen County, New Jersey 
(Velsicol Chemical Corporation, et al. v. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, 
et al., and Morton International, Inc. v. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, 
et al., United States District 
    



                                       14
<PAGE>

   
Court for the District of New Jersey, filed July 29, 1996). These lawsuits 
involve contamination at a former mercury processing facility and nearby 
creek (the "Bergen County Site"). The Company is one of approximately 100 
defendants named in these lawsuits and is commencing a review to determine 
the extent of any potential liability it may have at the Bergen County Site. 
Preliminary information from the plaintiffs suggests that they will take the 
position that the Company is one of the largest volumetric contributors to 
the environmental conditions at the Bergen County Site. The cost to remediate 
the Bergen County Site has not been determined and the Company cannot predict 
the outcome of these proceedings. There can be no assurance that additional 
proceedings relating to off-site disposal locations will not arise in the 
future or that such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the 
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. See 
"Business--Environmental Matters." 
    

Fraudulent Transfer Considerations 

   Under relevant federal bankruptcy law or state fraudulent transfer laws, 
the New Notes and Guarantees may be subject to avoidance or may be 
subordinated to existing or future indebtedness of the Company or the 
Guarantors, as applicable (in addition to the Senior Debt to which the New 
Notes and Guarantees are expressly subordinated). If a court in a suit by an 
unpaid creditor or representative of creditors, such as a trustee in 
bankruptcy or the Company as debtor-in-possession, were to find that at the 
time the Bridge Notes were issued or after giving effect to the sale of the 
Old Notes or the New Notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom 
either (a) the Company received less than a reasonably equivalent value or 
fair consideration for the issuance of the Old Notes or the New Notes and 
either (i) was insolvent at the time of such issuance or was rendered 
insolvent thereby, (ii) was engaged in a business or transaction for which 
the assets remaining with the Company constituted unreasonably small capital 
or (iii) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its 
ability to pay as such debts matured or (b) the Company issued the Old Notes 
or the New Notes with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud its 
creditors, the court could avoid the New Notes and order that all or part of 
any payments on the New Notes be returned to the Company or to a fund for the 
benefit of its creditors, or subordinate the New Notes to all other 
indebtedness of the Company or take other action detrimental to the holders 
of the New Notes. 

   Similarly, if a court in a suit by an unpaid creditor or representative of 
creditors of ROV Holding or any other subsidiary of the Company were to find 
that at the time ROV Holding issued its guarantee of the Bridge Notes (the 
"Bridge Guarantee") or at the time when any subsidiary of the Company, 
including without limitation ROV Holding, issued or became liable under a 
Guarantee, including without limitation the ROV Holding Guarantee (or when 
such subsidiary was required to perform thereunder), any of the conditions 
set forth in clauses (a) or (b) above were satisfied with respect to such 
subsidiary, the court could avoid ROV Holding's obligations under the Bridge 
Guarantee or such subsidiary's obligations under the Guarantee, as 
applicable, and direct the repayment of any amounts paid thereunder to such 
subsidiary or to a fund for the benefit of its creditors. 

   The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing varies based upon 
the law of the jurisdiction applied. Generally, however, an entity would be 
considered insolvent if the sum of its debts (including contingent 
liabilities) is greater than all of its property at a fair valuation, or if 
the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount that 
will be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts 
(including contingent liabilities), as they become absolute and matured. In 
addition, an entity may be presumed insolvent under some fraudulent transfer 
laws if it is not generally paying its debts as they become due. The Company 
believes that, based upon forecasts and other financial information, the 
Company and ROV Holding were, at the time the indebtedness under the Bridge 
Notes and the Bridge Guarantee was incurred, and at the time the Old Notes 
and the ROV Holding Guarantee were issued, will be at the time the New Notes 
are issued and will continue to be, solvent, that they will have sufficient 
capital to carry on their business and are and will continue to be able to 
pay their debts as they mature. Accordingly, the Company believes that, in a 
bankruptcy case or a lawsuit by creditors of the Company or ROV Holding, none 
of the Bridge Notes, the Bridge Guarantee, the Old Notes, the New Notes nor 
the ROV Holding Guarantee should be held to have been issued in violation of 
applicable federal bankruptcy law or state fraudulent transfer laws. There 
can be no assurance, however, as to what standard a court would apply to 
determine whether the Company or ROV Holding was "insolvent" as of the date 
the indebtedness under the Bridge Notes and the Bridge Guarantee was incurred 
or the date the Old Notes, the New Notes or the ROV Holding Guarantee were 
issued or that, regardless of the method of valuation, a court would not 
determine that the Company or ROV Holding was insolvent on such relevant 
dates. Nor can there be any assurance that a court would not determine, 
regardless of whether the Company or ROV Holding was insolvent on the date 
the indebtedness under the Bridge 


                                       15
<PAGE>

Notes and the Bridge Guarantee was incurred or the date the Old Notes, the 
New Notes or the ROV Holding Guarantee were issued, that the payments 
constituted fraudulent transfers on another of the grounds listed above. 

Controlling Shareholders 

   Of the outstanding capital stock of the Company, 80.2% is held by the Lee 
Fund and certain other affiliates of THL Co. Consequently, the Lee Fund and 
such other affiliates, including the directors of the Company affiliated with 
the Lee Fund or THL Co. control the Company and have the power to elect the 
board of directors of the Company (the "Board") and to approve any action 
requiring shareholder approval, including the adoption of amendments to the 
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation and the approval of mergers or 
sales of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. See "Ownership of 
Capital Stock." The Company's ability to take certain of these actions is 
limited by certain terms of the New Notes. See "Description of the Notes." 

Lack of Public Market for the Notes; Volatility; Restrictions on Resale 

   
   The Old Notes are eligible for trading in the Private Offerings, Resales 
and Trading through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") market. The New Notes will 
be new securities, and there is no existing trading market for the New Notes. 
Accordingly, there can be no assurance regarding the future development of a 
trading market for the New Notes or the ability of the holders, or the price 
at which such holders may be able, to sell their New Notes. If such a market 
were to develop, the New Notes could trade at prices that may be higher or 
lower than the exchange tender price of the Old Notes. Prevailing market 
prices from time to time will depend on many factors, including then existing 
interest rates, the Company's operating results and cash flow and the market 
for similar securities. The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that 
they currently intend to make a market in the New Notes. The Initial 
Purchasers are not obligated to do so, however, and any market-making with 
respect to the New Notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. 
Accordingly, even if a trading market for the New Notes does develop, there 
can be no assurance as to the liquidity of that market. The Company does not 
intend to apply for listing or quotation of the New Notes on any securities 
exchange or in the over-the-counter market. 
    

   In addition, the liquidity of, and trading markets for, the New Notes may 
be adversely affected by declines in the market for high-yield securities 
generally. Such a decline may adversely affect liquidity and trading markets 
independent of the financial performance of, and prospects for, the Company. 


                                       16
<PAGE>

                             THE RECAPITALIZATION 

   
   Effective as of September 12, 1996, the Company, all of the shareholders 
of the Company, the Lee Fund and other affiliates of THL Co. completed the 
Recapitalization which resulted in a change of control of the Company pursuant 
to which, among other things: (i) the Company obtained senior financing under 
a Credit Agreement dated as of September 12, 1996 by and among the Company, 
Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association and DLJ Capital 
Funding, Inc. (the "Credit Agreement") in an aggregate amount of $170.0 
million, of which $131.0 million was borrowed at the closing of the 
Recapitalization, including $26.0 million under the Revolving Credit 
Facility; (ii) the Company obtained $100.0 million in financing through the 
issuance of the Bridge Notes; (iii) the Company redeemed a portion of the 
shares of Common Stock held by Thomas F. Pyle, Jr., the former President and 
Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (iv) the Lee Fund and other 
affiliates of THL Co. purchased for cash shares of Common Stock owned by 
shareholders of the Company (a group consisting of current and former 
directors and management of the Company and the Thomas Pyle and Judith Pyle 
Charitable Remainder Trust (the "Pyle Trust")); and (v) the Company repaid 
certain of its outstanding indebtedness, including prepayment fees and 
penalties. Immediately prior to the Recapitalization, Mr. Pyle, together with 
the Pyle Trust, owned 89.8% of the outstanding Common Stock. As a result of 
the Recapitalization, the Lee Fund and other affiliates of THL Co., together 
with David A. Jones, the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer, 
own 80.2% of the outstanding Common Stock, Mr. Pyle owns 9.9% of the 
outstanding Common Stock and existing management and certain former employees 
of the Company own 9.9% of the outstanding Common Stock. In addition to fees 
and expenses paid in connection with the closing of the Recapitalization as 
specified below, $3.9 million of additional fees and expenses related to the 
Recapitalization were paid subsequent to the closing of the Recapitalization. 
    

   The sources and uses of funds in connection with the Recapitalization are 
as follows: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Sources of Funds:                                                 (Dollars in millions) 
<S>                                                                        <C>
      Revolving Credit Facility                                            $ 26.0 
      Term Loan Facility                                                    105.0 
      Bridge Notes                                                          100.0 
      Equity from the Lee Fund and other affiliates of THL Co.               72.0 
      Continuing shareholders' equity investment                             18.0 
      Foreign debt and capital leases                                         5.5 
                                                                           ------ 
         Total sources                                                     $326.5 
                                                                           ====== 
Uses of Funds: 
      Purchases of Common Stock from existing shareholders by: 
        The Company                                                        $127.4 
        The Lee Fund and other affiliates of THL Co.                         72.0 
      Continuing shareholders' equity investment                             18.0 
      Repay existing Company debt                                            85.2 
      Fees and expenses paid at the closing of the 
       Recapitalization                                                      18.4 
      Foreign debt and capital leases                                         5.5 
                                                                           ------ 
         Total uses                                                        $326.5 
                                                                           ====== 
</TABLE>

                               USE OF PROCEEDS 

   The Company will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the New 
Notes offered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 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 terms of which are identical 
in all material respects to the New Notes except for certain transfer 
restrictions and registration rights. The Old Notes surrendered in exchange 
for New Notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. 
Accordingly, issuance of the New Notes will not result in any increase in the 
indebtedness of the Company. 

   The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Old Notes were 
approximately $97.0 million, after deduction of discounts, commissions and 
offering expenses. The Company used such net proceeds, together with $5.4 
million in borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, to repurchase the 
Bridge Notes and pay accrued interest thereon of $1.3 million. The Bridge 
Notes are senior subordinated increasing rate notes of the Company due 1997, 
the initial interest rate of which is the prime reference rate from time to 
time of The Bank of New York, plus 3.5%. The Bridge Notes were used to 
finance the Recapitalization in part. See "The Recapitalization." 


                                       17
<PAGE>

                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER 

Terms of the Exchange Offer, Period for Tendering Old Notes 

   The Old Notes were sold by the Company on October 22, 1996 to the Initial 
Purchasers pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated October 17, 1996 by and 
among the Company, ROV Holding and the Initial Purchasers. Upon the terms and 
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the 
accompanying Letter of Transmittal, the Company will accept for exchange Old 
Notes which are properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not 
withdrawn as permitted below. As used herein, the term "Expiration Date" 
means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [     ], 1997; provided, however, 
that if the Company, in its sole discretion, has extended the period of time 
for which the Exchange Offer is open, the term "Expiration Date" means the 
latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. 

   As of the date of this Prospectus, $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount 
of the Old Notes was outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter 
of Transmittal, is first being sent on or about the date set forth on the 
cover page to all holders of Old Notes at the addresses set forth in the 
security register with respect to Old Notes maintained by the Trustee. The 
Company's obligation to accept Old Notes for exchange pursuant to the 
Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions as set forth under "--Certain 
Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. 

   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 as described below. 
During any extension, 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. 

   Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer must be $1,000 in principal 
amount or any integral multiple thereof. 

   
   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 prior to the Expiration Date of 
any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer specified below 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 by means of a press release or other public 
announcement no later than 9:00 a.m. New York City time, on the next business 
day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. 
    

Procedure for Tendering Old Notes 

   
   The tender to the Company of Old Notes by a holder thereof as set forth 
below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a binding 
agreement between the tendering holder and the Company upon the terms and 
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the 
accompanying Letter of Transmittal. Except as set forth below, a holder who 
wishes to tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer must 
transmit a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, 
together with all other documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to 
Marine Midland Bank (the "Exchange Agent") at the address set forth below 
under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, (i) 
certificates for such Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along 
with the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) a timely confirmation of a 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. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD 
NOTES, LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE 
ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDERS. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS 
RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT 
REQUESTED, BE USED IN ALL CASES. SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE 
TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE 
COMPANY. 
    

   Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the 
case may be, must be guaranteed unless the Old Notes surrendered for exchange 
pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Old Notes who 
has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or 
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the 


                                       18
<PAGE>

Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution (as 
defined below). In the event that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a 
notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such 
guarantees must be by a firm which is an eligible guarantor institution 
(bank, stockbroker, national securities exchange, registered securities 
association, savings and loan association or credit union with membership in 
a signature medallion program) pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-15 
(collectively, "Eligible Institutions"). If Old Notes are registered in the 
name of a person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, the 
Old Notes surrendered for exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by 
a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory 
form as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, duly executed by 
the registered holder, with the signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible 
Institution. 

   All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of 
receipt) and acceptance of Old Notes tendered for exchange will be determined 
by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and 
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all 
tenders of any particular Old Notes not properly tendered or to not accept 
any particular Old Notes if acceptance might, in the judgment of the Company 
or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right in 
its sole discretion to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of 
the Exchange Offer as to any particular Old Notes either before or after the 
Expiration Date (including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder 
who seeks to tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer). The interpretation of 
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Old Notes 
either before or after the Expiration Date (including the Letter of 
Transmittal and the instructions thereto) by the Company shall be final and 
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in 
connection with tenders of Old Notes for exchange must be cured within such 
reasonable period of time as the Company shall determine. Neither the 
Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to 
give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of 
Old Notes for exchange, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure 
to give such notification. 

   If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person or persons other than 
the registered holder or holders of Old Notes, such Old Notes must be 
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case 
signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders that 
appear on the Old Notes. 

   If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or powers of attorney are 
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, 
officers of corporations or other acting in a fiduciary or representative 
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by 
the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority 
to so act must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal. 

   By tendering Old Notes, each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must 
acknowledge that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a 
distribution of New Notes. If any holder of Old Notes is an "affiliate" of 
the Company, as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or is engaged 
in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement with any person to 
participate in the distribution of the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to 
the Exchange Offer, such holder (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 any resale transaction. 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. 

Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes 

   Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to the Exchange Offer, 
the Company will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all Old Notes 
properly tendered and will issue the New Notes promptly after acceptance of 
the Old Notes. See "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. For 
purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted 
properly tendered Old Notes for exchange when, as and if the Company has 
given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. 

   For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Old Note will 
receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered 
Old Note. The New Notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which 
interest has been paid on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid on 
the Old Notes, from October 22, 1996. Accordingly, if the relevant record 
date for interest payment occurs after the consummation of the Exchange 
Offer, registered holders of New Notes on such record date will receive 
interest accruing from the most 



                                       19
<PAGE>

recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, 
from October 22, 1996. If, however, the relevant record date for interest 
payment occurs prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer, registered 
holders of Old Notes on such record date will receive interest accruing from 
the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has 
been paid, from October 22, 1996. Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease 
to accrue interest from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange 
Offer, except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. Holders of 
Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any 
payment in respect of interest on such Old Notes otherwise payable on any 
interest payment date the record date for which occurs on or after 
consummation of the Exchange Offer. 

   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 (i) certificates for such Old Notes or a 
timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's 
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, (ii) a properly completed and 
duly executed Letter of Transmittal and (iii) all other required documents. 
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the 
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if certificates representing 
Old Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder 
desires to exchange, certificates representing 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 Old 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 systems 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 Facility's procedure for transfer. ALTHOUGH 
DELIVERY OF OLD 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 THE GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES DESCRIBED BELOW MUST BE 
COMPLIED WITH. 

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures 

   
   If a registered holder of Old Notes desires to tender such Old Notes and 
the Old Notes are not immediately available, or time will not permit such 
holder's Old Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent 
before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot 
be completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if (i) the tender is 
made through an Eligible Institution, (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the 
Exchange Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a properly completed 
and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice 
of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Company (by 
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting 
forth the name and address of the holder of Old Notes and the amount of Old 
Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and 
guaranteeing that within five New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days 
after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the 
certificates for all physically tendered Old Notes, in proper form for 
transfer, 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 (iii) the certificates for 
all physically tendered Old 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 five 
NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed 
Delivery. 
    



                                       20
<PAGE>

Withdrawal Rights 

   Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration 
Date. 

   For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be 
received by the Exchange Agent at the address 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 amounts of such Old Notes), and (where 
certificates for Old Notes have been transmitted) specify the name in which 
such Old Notes are 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. Certificates for 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 "--Procedure for Tendering Old Notes" above at any time on or prior to 
the Expiration Date. 

Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer 

   
   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the Company 
shall not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Notes in 
exchange for, any Old Notes and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer if 
at any time prior to the Expiration Date any of the following events shall 
occur: 
    

   
     (a) there shall be threatened, instituted or pending any action or 
   proceeding before, or any injunction, order or decree shall have been 
   issued by, any court or governmental agency or other governmental 
   regulatory or administrative agency or commission (i) seeking to restrain 
   or prohibit the making or consummation of the Exchange Offer or any other 
   transaction contemplated by the Exchange Offer, or assessing or seeking 
   any damages as a result thereof, or (ii) resulting in a material delay in 
   the ability of the Company to accept for exchange or exchange some or all 
   of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; or any statute, rule, 
   regulation, order or injunction shall be sought, proposed, introduced, 
   enacted, promulgated or deemed applicable to the Exchange Offer or any of 
   the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer by any government or 
   governmental authority, domestic or foreign or any action shall have been 
   taken, proposed or threatened, by any government, governmental authority, 
   agency or court, domestic or foreign, that in the reasonable judgment of 
   the Company might directly or indirectly result in any of the consequences 
   referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or, in the reasonable judgment of 
   the Company, might result in the holders of New Notes having obligations 
   with respect to resales and transfers of New Notes which are greater than 
   those described in the interpretation of the Commission referred to on the 
   cover page of this Prospectus or would otherwise make it inadvisable to 
   proceed with the Exchange Offer; or 
    

     (b) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of or general 
   limitation on prices for, or trading in, securities on any national 
   securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (ii) any limitation 
   by any governmental agency or authority which may adversely affect the 
   ability of the Company to complete the transactions contemplated by the 
   Exchange Offer, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any 
   suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States or any 
   limitation by any governmental agency or authority which adversely affects 
   the extension of credit or (iv) a commencement of a war, armed hostilities 
   or other similar international calamity directly or indirectly involving 
   the United States or, in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the 
   time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, a material acceleration or 
   worsening thereof; or 


                                       21
<PAGE>

   
     (c) any change (or any development involving a prospective change) shall 
   have occurred or be threatened in the business, properties, assets, 
   liabilities, financial condition, operations, results of operations or 
   prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that, in 
   the reasonable judgment of the Company, is or may be adverse to the 
   Company, or the Company shall have become aware of facts that, in the 
   reasonable judgment of the Company, have or may have adverse significance 
   with respect to the value of the Old Notes or the New Notes; 
    

   
which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, in any case, and regardless 
of the circumstances (including any action by the Company) giving rise to any 
such condition, makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Exchange Offer 
and/or with such acceptance for exchange or with such exchange. 
    

   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 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, as 
amended. 

Exchange Agent 

   Marine Midland Bank has been appointed as the Exchange Agent for the 
Exchange Offer. All executed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the 
Exchange Agent at the address set forth below. Questions and requests for 
assistance, requests for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the 
Letter of Transmittal and requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery should 
be directed to the Exchange Agent, addressed as follows: 

   By Mail or by Hand: 

     Marine Midland Bank, Exchange Agent 
     Corporate Trust Operations 
     140 Broadway--A Level 
     New York, New York 10005-1180 

   By Facsimile: 

     (212) 658-2292 

   Confirm Facsimile by Telephone: 

     (212) 658-5931 

DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH 
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH 
ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF SUCH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 

Fees and Expenses 

   The Company will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others 
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. 

   
   The estimated 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 
$      . 
    

Transfer Taxes 

   Holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be obligated to 
pay any transfer tax 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. 


                                       22
<PAGE>

Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes 

   
   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 the Old Notes. 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 
registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state 
securities laws. The Company does not currently anticipate that it will 
register Old Notes under the Securities Act. Based on interpretations by the 
staff of the Commission issued to third parties, New Notes issued pursuant to 
the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, 
resold or otherwise transferred by Holders thereof (other than any 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 with any person to participate in the distribution of 
such New Notes. Each Holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge 
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution 
of New Notes. If any Holder is an affiliate of the Company, is engaged in or 
intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to 
the distribution of the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange 
Offer, such Holder (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 any 
resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own 
account in exchange for Old Notes must acknowledge that such Old Notes were 
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or 
other trading activities and that it will deliver a prospectus in connection 
with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." In addition, 
to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable, 
it may be necessary to qualify for sale or to register the New Notes prior to 
offering or selling such New Notes. The Company does not currently intend to 
take any action to register or qualify the New Notes for resale in any such 
jurisdiction. 
    



                                       23
<PAGE>

                                CAPITALIZATION 

   The following table sets forth as of September 30, 1996 the actual 
capitalization of the Company. This table should be read in conjunction with 
the Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, together with 
the notes thereto and the information contained in "Management's Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included 
elsewhere herein. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          As of September 30, 1996 
                                                         -------------------------- 
                                                            (Dollars in millions) 
Debt 
<S>                                                                <C>
 Revolving Credit Facility (1)                                     $ 23.5 
 Term Loan Facility (2)                                             105.0 
 Bridge Notes (3)                                                   100.0 
 Capitalized leases and foreign currency borrowings                   5.2 
                                                                    ------ 
  Total debt                                                        233.7 
                                                                    ------ 

Total shareholders' deficit (4)                                     (85.7) 
                                                                    ------ 
Total capitalization                                               $148.0 
                                                                    ====== 
</TABLE>

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

(1) The Revolving Credit Facility represents the outstanding portion under 
    the $65.0 million facility provided by Bank of America National Trust and 
    Savings Association and DLJ Capital Funding, Inc. to complete the 
    Recapitalization. Future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility 
    will be available for general corporate purposes. 

(2) For a description of the Term Loan Facility, see "Description of the 
    Credit Agreement." 

(3) The Bridge Notes were repurchased utilizing the net proceeds from the 
    sale of the Old Notes, together with borrowings under the Revolving 
    Credit Facility, on October 22, 1996. Old Notes will be exchanged for New 
    Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 

(4) See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data." 

   
In accounting for the Recapitalization, no fair value adjustments were made 
to the book value of the Company's assets (other than the write-off of 
deferred financing costs) and no goodwill was recognized. 
    



                                       24
<PAGE>

          UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA 

   The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data presented 
below is derived from the Company's Combined Consolidated Financial 
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus, as adjusted to give effect 
to the Recapitalization or the issuance of the Notes, as applicable. The 
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations data for 
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 gives effect to the Recapitalization and 
the issuance of the Notes as if they had occurred at the beginning of the 
period, and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of 
operations data for the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 gives 
effect to the issuance of the Notes as if it had occurred at the beginning of 
the period. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data 
gives effect to the issuance of the Notes as if it had occurred on September 
30, 1996. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available data and certain 
assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma 
condensed consolidated financial data does not purport to represent what the 
Company's results of operations or financial position would actually have 
been had the Recapitalization or the issuance of the Notes in fact occurred 
at such prior times or to project the Company's results of operations or 
financial position for or at any future period or date. The unaudited pro 
forma condensed consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction 
with the Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, together 
with the notes thereto, and the information contained in "Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" 
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 

   Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Data 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Transition Period Ended 
                                                     Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1996                 September 30, 1996 
                                                 -------------------------------------    ------------------------------------- 
                                                                   Pro Forma       Pro                      Pro Forma       Pro 
                                                 Historical (1)   Adjustments     Forma   Historical (1)   Adjustments     Forma 

                                                                      (In millions, except per share amounts) 
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>         <C>         <C>              <C>          <C>
 Net sales                                           $399.4              --      $399.4       $ 95.0             --        $ 95.0 
 Cost of goods sold                                   239.4              --       239.4         59.3             --          59.3
                                                     ------          ------      ------       ------          -----        ------ 
 Gross profit                                         160.0              --       160.0         35.7             --          35.7 
 Selling expense                                       92.6              --        92.6         20.9             --          20.9 
 General and administrative expense                    31.7              --        31.7          8.6             --           8.6 
 Research and development expense                       5.4              --         5.4          1.5             --           1.5 
 Recapitalization and other special charges              --              --          --         28.4 (2)         --          28.4 
 Income (loss) from operations                         30.3              --        30.3        (23.7)            --         (23.7) 
 Interest expense                                       8.4            15.0 (3)    23.4          4.4            1.3 (3)       5.7 
 Other expense, net                                     0.6              --         0.6          0.1             --           0.1 
                                                     ------          ------      ------       ------          -----        ------ 
 Income (loss) before income taxes and 
   extraordinary item                                  21.3           (15.0)        6.3        (28.2)          (1.3)        (29.5) 
 Income tax (benefit) expense                           7.0             (4.5)(4)        2.5         (8.9)       (0.5)(5)     (9.4) 
                                                     ------          ------      ------       ------          -----        ------ 
 Income (loss) before extraordinary item             $ 14.3          $(10.5)     $  3.8       $(19.3)         $(0.8)       $(20.1)
                                                     ======          ======      ======       ======          =====        ====== 

 Net income (loss) per common share 
   before extraordinary item                         $ 0.29                      $ 0.08       $(0.44)                      $(0.46) 
                                                     ======                      ======       ======                       ======  
 Weighted average shares of common 
   stock outstanding                                   49.5                        43.8         43.8                         43.8 
   
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (6)                                            1.2x                                        -- 
   
</TABLE>


                                       25
<PAGE>

 Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations 
                                     Data 

(1) The Company has historically presented its financial statements on a 
    combined consolidated basis with Rayovac International Corporation, a 
    domestic international sales corporation (the "DISC"). The DISC was an 
    entity established by shareholders of the Company prior to the 
    Recapitalization to capture favorable tax advantages related to sales to 
    foreign subsidiaries and export customers. The historical columns include 
    the accounts of the Company and the DISC. The DISC was terminated on 
    August 16, 1996 in connection with the Recapitalization. 

(2) During the Transition Period, the Company recorded charges of $12.3 
    million directly related to the Recapitalization and other special 
    charges of $16.1 million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations." 

(3) The pro forma adjustments to record the incremental interest expense 
    arising from the Recapitalization or the issuance of the Notes, as 
    applicable, is computed as follows: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Fiscal Year     Transition Period 
                                                     Ended              Ended 
                                                 June 30, 1996    September 30, 1996 
                                                ---------------- -------------------- 
                                                        (Dollars in millions) 
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>
  Interest expense related to new debt: 
   Revolving Credit Facility                         $ 2.1              $ 0.5 
   Term Loan Facility                                  8.5                2.1 
   Notes                                              10.3                2.6 
  Amortization of deferred financing costs             1.6                0.4 
  Interest on other debt, not refinanced               0.9                0.1 
                                                       ---                --- 
    Subtotal                                          23.4                5.7 
  Less historical interest expense                    (8.4)              (4.4) 
                                                      ----               ----  
  Pro forma adjustment                               $15.0              $ 1.3 
                                                     =====              ===== 
</TABLE>

    Interest related to the Revolving Credit Facility is determined based on 
    an annual average of $26 million of borrowings outstanding. Interest 
    expense was calculated using the following average rates: (a) Revolving 
    Credit Facility, 8.0%; (b) Term Loan Facility, 8.0% to 8.8%; and (c) 
    Notes, 10.3%. 

(4) Represents the reduction in income tax expense related to pro forma 
    income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item, which is 
    computed using an effective income tax rate of 39.0%. 

(5) Represents the increase in the income tax benefit related to the pro 
    forma adjustment for interest, which is computed using an effective 
    income tax rate of 39.0%. 

   
(6) For purposes of computing this ratio, earnings consist of income before 
    income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest 
    expense, amortization of deferred finance fees and one-third of the rent 
    expense from operating leases, which management believes is a reasonable 
    approximation of the interest factor of the rent. Since earnings for the 
    Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 are inadequate to cover fixed 
    charges by $28.2 million, the ratio for that period is not presented 
    herein. 
    



                                       26
<PAGE>

        Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              As of September 30, 1996 
                                                 -------------------------------------------------- 
                                                  Historical    Pro Forma Adjustments   Pro Forma 
Assets                                                         (Dollars in millions) 
<S>                                              <C>                   <C>               <C>    
   Current assets                                   $155.7             $    --            $155.7 
  Property, plant and equipment, net                  69.4                  --              69.4 
  Other                                               20.2                (2.0)(1)          18.2 
                                                    -------            -------            ------- 
    Total assets                                    $245.3             $  (2.0)           $243.3 
                                                    =======            =======            ======= 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit 
  Current liabilities                               $ 92.5             $  (0.8)(1)        $ 91.7 
  Long-term debt, net of current maturities: 
   Revolving Credit Facility                          23.5                  --              23.5 
   Term Loan Facility                                101.0                  --             101.0 
   Bridge Notes                                      100.0              (100.0)(2)            -- 
   Notes                                                --               100.0 (2)         100.0 
   Other                                               0.4                  --               0.4 
                                                    -------            -------            ------- 
     Total                                           224.9                  --             224.9 
  Other; noncurrent liabilities                       13.6                  --              13.6 
                                                    -------            -------            ------- 
     Total liabilities                               331.0                (0.8)            330.2 
                                                    -------            -------            ------- 
  Shareholders' deficit                              (85.7)               (1.2)(1)         (86.9) 
                                                    -------            -------            ------- 
  Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit       $245.3             $  (2.0)           $243.3 
                                                    =======            =======            ======= 
</TABLE>

(1) Represents or reflects the write-off of deferred financing costs of $2.0 
    related to the Bridge Notes or the related income tax benefit, computed 
    using an effective income tax rate of 39%. 

(2) Represents the repurchase of the Bridge Notes utilizing the net proceeds 
    from the sale of the Old Notes, together with borrowings under the 
    Revolving Credit Facility, on October 22, 1996. Old Notes will be 
    exchanged for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 


                                       27
<PAGE>

           SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA 

   The following table sets forth certain selected historical combined 
consolidated financial data of the Company. The selected historical combined 
consolidated financial data for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 1996 
and the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 have been derived from, 
and should be read in conjunction with, the audited Combined Consolidated 
Financial Statements of the Company, together with the notes thereto, 
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected historical combined 
consolidated financial data of the Company for the period July 1, 1995 to 
September 30, 1995 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction 
with, the Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of 
the Company, together with the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this 
Prospectus. The selected historical combined consolidated financial data of 
the Company for the two fiscal years ended June 30, 1993 have been derived 
from the audited combined consolidated financial statements of the Company 
which are not included herein. See "Independent Accountants" and the 
information contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
[CLEANUP TABLE]                                                                                                Transition 
                                                       Fiscal Year Ended June 30,                                 Period 
                                            -----------------------------------------------  July 1, 1995 to      Ended 
                                                                                               September 30,   September 30, 
                                              1992      1993       1994      1995      1996         1995            1996 
                                                                                              ---------------  --------------- 
                                                          (Dollars in millions)                 (Unaudited) 
<S>                                         <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>              <C>
Statement of Operations Data: 
  Net sales                                  $332.2     $353.4     $386.2    $391.0    $399.4       $100.6          $ 95.0 
  Cost of goods sold                          192.1      201.4      234.9     237.1     239.4         64.1            59.3 
                                             ------     ------     ------     ------   ------       ------           ------ 
  Gross profit                                140.1      152.0      151.3     153.9     160.0         36.5            35.7 
  Selling expense                              72.2       79.8      103.8      84.5      92.6         23.2            20.9 
  General and administrative expense           31.1       35.4       29.4      32.9      31.7          7.4             8.6 
  Research and development expense              5.8        5.6        5.7       5.0       5.4          1.3             1.5 
  Recapitalization and other special                                                                                  
   charges                                       --         --        1.5        --        --           --            28.4(1) 
                                             ------     ------    ------     ------   ------        ------           ------ 
  Income (loss) from operations                31.0       31.2      10.9(2)    31.5      30.3          4.6           (23.7) 
  Interest expense                             14.1        6.0       7.7        8.6       8.4          2.4             4.4 
  Other (income) expense, net                  (1.0)       1.2      (0.6)       0.3       0.6          0.1             0.1 
                                             ------     ------    ------     ------   ------        ------           ------ 
  Income (loss) before income taxes, 
   extraordinary item and cumulative 
   effect of change in accounting              17.9       24.0       3.8       22.6      21.3          2.1           (28.2) 
  Income tax expense (benefit)                  5.8        9.0      (0.6)       6.2       7.0          0.7            (8.9) 
                                             ------     ------    ------     ------   ------        ------           ------ 
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item
   and cumulative effect of change in 
   accounting                                  12.1       15.0       4.4       16.4      14.3          1.4           (19.3) 
                                                        ------    ------     ------   ------        ------           ------ 
  Extraordinary item, net                                                                                                
                                                 --         --        --         --        --           --             1.6(3) 
  Cumulative effect of change in   
  accounting                                    6.6(4)      --        --         --        --           --              -- 
                                             ------     ------    ------     ------   ------        ------           ------ 
  Net income (loss)                          $  5.5     $ 15.0     $ 4.4      $16.4    $ 14.3       $  1.4          ($20.9) 
                                             ======     ======    ======     ======   ======        ======           ====== 
  Net income (loss) per common 
   share before extraordinary item 
   and the cumulative effect of changes 
   in accounting                             $ 0.24     $ 0.30     $0.09     $ 0.33    $ 0.29       $ 0.28          ($ 0.44) 
                                             ======     ======    ======     ======   ======        ======           ====== 
Other Data: 
  Depreciation                               $  6.1     $  7.4     $10.3     $11.0    $ 11.9       $  3.2            $  3.3 
  Capital expenditures                         15.3       30.3(5)   12.5      16.9       6.6          1.1               1.2 
  Cash flows from operating activities         23.4       15.8     (18.7)     35.5      17.8         (9.6)             (1.1) 
  Cash flows from investing activities        (15.3)     (30.3)    (12.4)    (16.8)     (6.3)        (1.1)             (0.5) 
  Cash flows from financing activities         (8.6)      13.7      30.8     (18.3)    (11.9)        10.5               3.7 
  EBITDA (6)                                   37.6       39.3      21.2      41.3      42.2          7.7             (20.4) 
  Adjusted EBITDA (7)                          39.7       41.6      24.0      44.2      46.5          8.5             (19.5) 
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (8)       2.1x        3.8x      1.4x      3.0x      2.9x         1.7x               -- 
    


                                       28
<PAGE>

                                                       Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 
                                            ------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                 Transition 
                                                                                                                   Period 
                                                                                              July 1, 1995 to      Ended 
                                                                                               September 30,   September 30, 
                                              1992      1993       1994      1995      1996         1995            1996 
Balance Sheet Data: 
  Working capital                            $ 17.2     $ 31.6    $ 63.6    $ 55.9    $ 62.5       $ 68.5          $ 63.2 
  Total assets                                156.0      189.0     222.4     220.6     221.9        241.5           245.3 
  Long-term debt                               37.9       64.1      96.4      76.4      69.7         87.1           224.8 
  Shareholders' equity (deficit)               25.6       36.7      37.9      53.6      61.7         53.2           (85.7) 
</TABLE>

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

(1) During the Transition Period, the Company recorded charges of $12.3 
    million directly related to the Recapitalization and other special 
    charges of $16.1 million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations." 

   
(2) Income from operations in fiscal 1994 was impacted by increased selling 
    expenses due to higher advertising and promotion expenses related to the 
    Renewal Introduction and non-recurring manufacturing costs in connection 
    with the Fennimore Expansion. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis 
    of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Introduction." 
    

   
(3) The Recapitalization of the Company included repayment of certain 
    outstanding indebtedness, including prepayment fees and penalties. Such 
    prepayment fees and penalties of $2.4 million, net of income tax benefit 
    of $0.8 million, has been recorded as an extraordinary item in the 
    Combined Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Transition Period 
    ended September 30, 1996. 
    

   
(4) In fiscal 1992, the Company recorded a $6.6 million charge for the 
    cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 109 "Accounting For Income Taxes." 
    

   
(5) Fiscal 1993 capital expenditures include $19.7 million in connection with 
    the Fennimore Expansion. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Introduction." 
    

   
(6) EBITDA represents income from operations plus depreciation and reflects 
    an adjustment of income from operations to eliminate the establishment 
    and subsequent reversal of two reserves ($0.7 million established in 1993 
    and reversed in 1995, and $0.5 million established in 1992 and reversed 
    in 1995). The Company believes that EBITDA and related measures are 
    commonly used by certain investors and analysts to analyze and compare, 
    and provide useful information regarding, the Company's ability to 
    service its indebtedness, but holders tendering Old Notes in the Exchange 
    Offer should consider the following factors in evaluating such measures: 
    EBITDA and related measures (i) should not be considered in isolation, 
    (ii) are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with 
    generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), (iii) should not be 
    construed as alternatives or substitutes for income from operations, net 
    income or cash flows from operating activities in analyzing the Company's 
    operating performance, financial position or cash flows (in each case, as 
    determined in accordance with GAAP) and (iv) should not be used as 
    indicators of the Company's operating performance or measures of its 
    liquidity. Additionally, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA 
    and related measures in uniform fashion, the calculations presented in 
    this Prospectus may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures 
    of other companies. A similar concept to EBITDA, defined as "Consolidated 
    Cash Flow" in the Indenture and used in the calculation of certain 
    covenants therein, represents operating income plus depreciation, 
    amortization, any net loss realized in connection with an Asset Sale and 
    certain other non-cash charges and certain non-recurring expenses. See 
    "Description of the Notes--Certain Covenants" and "Description of the 
    Notes--Certain Definitions." Consolidated Cash Flow would not have been 
    significantly different from EBITDA in any of the periods presented other 
    than the Transition Period. The difference in measures for the Transition 
    Period result primarily from adjustments relating to the 
    Recapitalization. 

    Management interprets the general trend of EBITDA, with the exception of 
    EBITDA for fiscal 1994, as steadily increasing. In fiscal 1994, EBITDA 
    decreased due to costs incurred in connection with battery redesign, the 
    start-up of mercury-free alkaline battery production, temporary planned 
    increases in raw material costs associated with sourcing of raw material 
    from foreign vendors pursuant to the terms of certain agreements and 
    increased advertising expense associated with the Renewal Introduction. 
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
    Results of Operation." In the absence of such costs, EBITDA for fiscal 
    1994 would have fit within the otherwise prevailing trend. 


                                       29
<PAGE>

(7) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to add back certain 
    expenses related to (i) the Company's aircraft lease, in excess of the 
    estimated cost of commercial airline travel, which aircraft lease was 
    terminated in connection with the Recapitalization, (ii) certain 
    litigation expense accrued in 1996 for litigation initiated in a prior 
    period, (iii) compensation expense for the Company's pre-Recapitalization 
    senior management group, net of expected post-Recapitalization senior 
    management compensation including the Management Fee (as defined herein) 
    and the Consulting Fee (as defined herein) and (iv) advertising and 
    promotional expense associated with the Company's sponsorship of 
    professional race cars, the contracts for which have been terminated. 
    Adjusted EBITDA has been calculated as follows: 
    


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 
                              ------------------------------------------ 
                                                                                             Transition 
                                                                                               Period 
                                                                            July 1, 1995        Ended 
                                                                          to September 30,  September 30, 
                                1992     1993     1994    1995     1996         1995             1996 
                               -------  -------  ------- -------  ------  ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                           <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>          <C>              <C>
EBITDA                          $37.6   $39.3    $21.2    $41.3   $42.2        $ 7.7            ($20.4) 
                                -----   -----    -----    -----   -----        -----            ------  
Plus: 
 Aircraft expenses                1.2     1.3      1.6      1.7     1.7          0.4              0.4 
 Race car expenses                0.8     0.9      1.0      1.0     1.6          0.4              0.5 
 Senior management expenses       0.1     0.1      0.2      0.2     0.2           --               -- 
 Litigation expense                --      --       --       --     0.8           --               -- 
                                 -----   -----    -----   -----    -----        -----            ----- 
Adjusted EBITDA                 $39.7   $41.6    $24.0    $44.2   $46.5        $ 8.5            ($19.5) 
                                 =====   =====    =====   =====    =====        =====            ===== 
</TABLE>

   
   Management is reviewing a number of categories of expenditures following 
   the Recapitalization, including advertising and promotional expenditure 
   levels. Post-Recapitalization expenditure levels have not yet been 
   determined. Adjusted EBITDA (i) should not be considered in isolation, 
   (ii) is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with 
   generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), (iii) should not be 
   construed as alternatives or substitutes for income from operations, net 
   income or cash flows from operating activities in analyzing the Company's 
   operating performance, financial position or cash flows (in each case, as 
   determined in accordance with GAAP) and (iv) should not be used as 
   indicators of the Company's operating performance or measures of its 
   liquidity. 
    

   
(8) For purposes of computing this ratio, earnings consist of income before 
    income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest 
    expense, amortization of deferred finance fees and one-third of the rent 
    expense from operating leases, which management believes is a reasonable 
    approximation of the interest factor of the rent. Since earnings in the 
    Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 are inadequate to cover fixed 
    charges by $28.2 million, the ratio is not presented herein. 
    


                                       30
<PAGE>

                   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 
                FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

   The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Combined 
Consolidated Financial Statements, the Unaudited Condensed Combined 
Consolidated Financial Data and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated 
Financial Data of the Company, together with the notes thereto, included 
elsewhere herein. 

Introduction 

   Fiscal Periods. Upon completion of the Recapitalization, the Company 
changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to September 30. For clarity of 
presentation and comparison, references herein to fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995 
and fiscal 1996 are to the Company's fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, June 
30, 1995 and June 30, 1996, respectively, and references to the "Transition 
Period ended September 30, 1996" and the "Transition Period" are to the 
period from July 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996. 

   The Company is the third largest domestic manufacturer of general 
batteries (D, C, AA, AAA and 9-volt sizes). Within the general battery 
market, the Company is the leader in the household rechargeable and heavy 
duty battery segments. The Company is also the leading domestic manufacturer 
of certain specialty batteries, including hearing aid batteries, lantern 
batteries and lithium batteries for personal computer memory back-up. In 
addition, the Company is a leading marketer of flashlights and other 
battery-powered lighting devices. 

   The Company's operating performance depends on a number of factors, the 
most important of which are: (i) general retailing trends, especially in the 
mass merchandise segment of the retail market; (ii) the Company's overall 
product mix among various specialty and general household batteries and 
battery-powered lighting devices, which sell at different price points and 
profit margins; (iii) the Company's overall competitive position, which is 
affected by both the introduction of new products and promotions by the 
Company and its competitors and the Company's relative pricing and battery 
performance; and (iv) changes in operating expenses. Set forth below are 
specific developments that have impacted the Company's performance in recent 
years. 

   Expansion of Production Facility. The Company has modernized and expanded 
its production lines at its Fennimore, Wisconsin facility (the "Fennimore 
Expansion"). In connection with the Fennimore Expansion, the Company more 
than doubled its aggregate capacity for AA and AAA size alkaline batteries 
and replaced its capacity for C and D size alkaline batteries from fiscal 
1992 through fiscal 1995 by investing an aggregate of $36.7 million in new 
production lines. In addition to increased capacity, this investment resulted 
in better performing and higher quality alkaline batteries. Significant 
effects of the expansion on the Company's financial results include: $9.5 
million of non-recurring manufacturing costs in fiscal 1994 associated with 
battery redesign and the start-up of mercury-free alkaline battery 
production; and temporary planned increases in raw material costs associated 
with sourcing of raw material from foreign vendors pursuant to the terms of 
the production line equipment purchase agreements. These incremental costs 
decreased in fiscal 1996 as a result of the increased use of lower-cost 
domestic raw material sources to replace the foreign vendor sourcing, which 
replacement will be substantially completed by the end of fiscal 1997. 

   Renewal Product Line. In fiscal 1994, the Company introduced the Renewal 
rechargeable battery, the first alkaline rechargeable battery sold in the 
United States (the "Renewal Introduction"). In connection with the Renewal 
Introduction, the Company's advertising and promotional expense increased 
significantly to $26.0 million in fiscal 1994. By comparison, the Company 
spent $15.7 million in fiscal 1995 and $20.3 million in fiscal 1996 on 
Renewal advertising and promotion, with the fiscal 1996 increase largely due 
to the Company's new promotional campaign featuring basketball superstar 
Michael Jordan. The Renewal Introduction was responsible in significant part 
for the increase in working capital from 1993 to 1994. Management believes 
that continued improvement in consumer awareness of the benefits of Renewal 
over nickel-cadmium rechargeables and disposable alkaline batteries will be 
necessary to further expand the rechargeable segment. The Company recently 
began discounting the Power Station recharging unit for Renewal batteries to 
encourage more consumers to try Renewal products. See "--Recent 
Developments." 

   Management Incentives. The Company's historical financial results reflect 
the Company's former policy regarding payment of management bonuses. Under 
this policy, members of the Company's management earned cash incentive 
bonuses based on the achievement of certain targets based on the Company's 
income from operations. In 1994, 1996 and the Transition Period, no such cash 
incentive bonuses were paid. In fiscal 1992, 1993 and 1995, the Company paid 
bonuses of $2.5 million, $2.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively. 


                                       31
<PAGE>

   Seasonality.  The Company's sales are seasonal, with the highest sales 
occurring in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, during the Christmas 
holiday buying season. During the past four fiscal years, the Company's sales 
in the quarter ended December 31 have represented an average of 33% of annual 
net sales. As a result of this seasonality, the Company's working capital 
requirements and revolving credit borrowings are typically higher in the 
first and second fiscal quarters of each year. 

Results of Operations 

   The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain 
items in the Company's statement of operations to net sales for the periods 
presented: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Transition 
                                                                                         Period 
                                       Fiscal Year Ended June 30,   July 1, 1995 to       Ended 
                                      ----------------------------   September 30,    September 30, 
                                        1994      1995      1996         1995             1996 
                                                                    ---------------  --------------- 
<S>                                     <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>              <C>
Net sales                               100.0%    100.0%   100.0%        100.0%           100.0% 
Cost of goods sold                       60.8      60.6     59.9          63.7             62.4 
                                        ------    ------   ------        ------           ------ 
Gross profit                             39.2      39.4     40.1          36.3             37.6 
Selling expense                          26.9      21.6     23.2          23.1             22.0 
General and administrative expense        7.6       8.4      8.0           7.3              9.1 
Research and development expense          1.5       1.3      1.4           1.4              1.6 
Recapitalization and other special 
  charges                                 0.4        --       --            --             29.9 
                                        ------    ------   ------        ------           ------ 
Income (loss) from operations             2.8%      8.1%     7.5%          4.5%           (25.0%) 
                                        ======    ======   ======        ======           ====== 
</TABLE>

Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996 Compared to Three Months Ended
September 30, 1995

   Net Sales. The Company's total net sales decreased $5.6 million, or 5.6%, 
to $95.0 million in the Transition Period from $100.6 million in the three 
months ended September 30, 1995 (the "Prior Fiscal Year Period") primarily 
due to decreased sales to the food and drug store retail channels and the 
Company having made sales to certain retail customers in connection with 
promotional orders after the Transition Period which were made during the 
Prior Fiscal Year Period in fiscal 1995. 

   Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased $0.8 million, or 2.2%, to $35.7 
million in the Transition Period from $36.5 million in the Prior Fiscal Year 
Period, primarily as a result of decreased sales in the Transition Period, as 
discussed above. 

   Selling Expenses. Selling expense decreased $2.3 million, or 9.9% to $20.9 
million in the Transition Period from $23.2 million in the Prior Fiscal Year 
Period, primarily due to decreased advertising expense in the Transition 
Period. 

   General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense 
increased $1.2 million, or 16.2% to $8.6 million in the Transition Period 
from $7.4 million in the Prior Fiscal Year Period, primarily as a result of 
the Company having incurred certain expenditures during the Transition Period 
which were incurred subsequent to the Prior Fiscal Year Period in fiscal 
1995. 

   Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense 
increased $.1 million, or 7.1%, to $1.5 million in the Transition Period from 
$1.4 million in the Prior Fiscal Year Period, primarily as a result of 
increased product development efforts. 

   Recapitalization and Other Special Charges. During the Transition Period 
ended September 30, 1996, the Company recorded charges totaling $28.4 
million, including non-recurring charges related to the Recapitalization and 
other special charges. 

   Non-recurring charges of $12.3 million related to the Recapitalization: 

   (i) $5.0 million consisting primarily of $2.2 million in advisory fees 
paid to the financial advisor to the Company's selling shareholders and 
various legal and consulting fees of $2.8 million; and 


                                       32
<PAGE>

   (ii) $7.3 million of stock option compensation, severance payments and 
employment contract settlements for the benefit of certain present and former 
officers, directors and management of the Company. 

   Other special charges of $16.1 million: 

   (i) $2.7 million of charges related to the exit of certain manufacturing 
operations located in the United Kingdom; 

   (ii) $1.7 million of charges for deferred compensation plan obligations to 
officers leaving the Company resulting from the curtailment of the plan; 

   (iii) $1.5 million of charges reflecting the present value of lease 
payments for land which new management has determined will not be used for 
any future productive purpose; 

   (iv) $5.6 million in costs and asset writedowns principally related to 
changes in Renewal Power Station pricing strategies adopted by new management 
subsequent to the Recapitalization and prior to September 30, 1996; and 

   (v) $4.6 million of termination benefits and other charges. 

   Further, subsequent to September 30, 1996, the Company anticipates 
additional non-recurring charges of $2.7 million, primarily in connection 
with the exit of certain manufacturing operations located in the United 
Kingdom and organizational restructuring in the United States. In addition, 
the Company anticipates a write off of $2.0 million of unamortized debt 
issuance costs related to the Bridge Notes. 

   Income (loss) from Operations. Income (loss) from operations decreased 
$28.3 million to $(23.7) million in the Transition Period from $4.6 million 
in the Prior Fiscal Year Period for the reasons discussed above. 

   Net Income (loss). Net income (loss) for the Transition Period decreased 
$22.3 million to $(20.9) from $1.4 million in the Prior Fiscal Year Period, 
primarily because of non-recurring charges related to the Recapitalization 
and other special charges discussed above. In addition, amortization of 
deferred finance charges related to the Bridge Notes and an extraordinary 
loss on the early retirement of debt decreased net income in the Transition 
Period by $2.6 million, net of income taxes. 

Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 
30, 1996 

   Results of operations for the Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996 
include amounts for a three-month period, while results for the fiscal year 
ended June 30, 1996 include amounts for a twelve-month period. Results (in 
terms of dollar amounts) for these periods are not directly comparable. 
Accordingly, management's discussion and analysis for these periods is 
generally based upon a comparison of specified results as a percentage of net 
sales. 

   Net Sales. The Company's total net sales decreased $304.4 million, or 
76.2%, to $95.0 million in the Transition Period from $399.4 million in 
fiscal 1996 because the Transition Period included only three months of net 
sales as compared to twelve months in fiscal 1996. Overall pricing was 
relatively constant between the two periods. 

   Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased $124.3 million, or 77.7%, to $35.7 
million in the Transition Period from $160.0 million in fiscal 1996. As a 
percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 37.6% in the Transition 
Period from 40.1% in fiscal 1996, primarily because the products sold during 
the Transition Period carried a higher average unit cost than the overall 
average unit cost of products sold in fiscal 1996 due to seasonal sales 
trends. 

   Selling Expense. Selling expense decreased $71.7 million, or 77.4%, to 
$20.9 million in the Transition Period from $92.6 million in fiscal 1996. As 
a percentage of net sales, selling expenses decreased to 22.0% in the 
Transition Period from 23.2% in fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of 
decreased advertising expense in the Transition Period. 

   General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense 
decreased $23.2 million, or 73.0%, to $8.6 million in the Transition Period 
from $31.8 million in fiscal 1996. As a percentage of net sales, general and 
administrative expense increased to 9.1% in the Transition Period from 8.0% 
in fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of the effects of seasonal sales trends 
in the Transition Period. 

   Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense 
decreased $3.9 million, or 72.2%, to $1.5 million in the Transition Period 
from $5.4 million in fiscal 1996. As a percentage of net sales, research and 
development expense increased to 1.6% in the Transition Period from 1.4% in 
fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of increased support for ongoing product 
development efforts. 


                                       33
<PAGE>

   Recapitalization and Other Special Charges. During the Transition Period 
ended September 30, 1996, the Company recorded charges totalling $28.4 
million, including non-recurring charges related to the Recapitalization and 
other special charges. 

   Non-recurring charges of $12.3 million related to the Recapitalization: 

   (i) $5.0 million consisting primarily of $2.2 million in advisory fees 
paid to the financial advisor to the Company's selling shareholders and 
various legal and consulting fees of $2.8 million; and 

   (ii) $7.3 million of stock option compensation, severance payments and 
employment contract settlements for the benefit of certain present and former 
officers, directors and management of the Company. 

   Other special charges of $16.1 million: 

   (i) $2.7 million of charges related to the exit of certain manufacturing 
operations located in the United Kingdom; 

   (ii) $1.7 million of charges for deferred compensation plan obligations to 
officers leaving the Company resulting from the curtailment of the plan; 

   (iii) $1.5 million of charges reflecting the present value of lease 
payments for land which new management has determined will not be used for 
any future productive purpose; 

   (iv) $5.6 million in costs and asset writedowns principally related to 
changes in Renewal Power Station pricing strategies adopted by new management 
subsequent to the Recapitalization and prior to September 30, 1996; and 

   (v) $4.6 million of termination benefits and other charges. 

   Further, subsequent to September 30, 1996, the Company anticipates 
additional non-recurring charges of $2.7 million, primarily in connection 
with the exit of certain manufacturing operations located in the United 
Kingdom and organizational restructuring in the United States. In addition, 
the Company anticipates a write off of $2.0 million of unamortized debt 
issuance costs related to the Bridge Notes. 

   Income (loss) from Operations. Income (loss) from operations decreased 
$54.0 million, or 178.2%, to $(23.7) million in the Transition Period from 
$30.3 million in fiscal 1996. As a percentage of net sales, income (loss) 
from operations decreased to (25.0)% in the Transition Period from 7.5% in 
fiscal 1996 for the reasons discussed above. 

   Net Income (loss). Net income (loss) for the Transition Period decreased 
$35.2 million, or 246.2%, to (20.9) from $14.3 million in fiscal 1996. As a 
percentage of net sales, net income (loss) decreased to (22.0)% in the 
Transition Period from 3.6% in fiscal 1996, primarily because of 
non-recurring charges related to the Recapitalization and other special 
charges discussed above. In addition, amortization of deferred finance 
charges related to the Bridge Notes and an extraordinary loss on the early 
retirement of debt decreased net income in the Transition Period by $2.6 
million, net of income taxes. 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1996 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1995 

   Net Sales. The Company's total net sales increased $8.4 million, or 2.1%, 
to $399.4 million in fiscal 1996 from $391.0 million in fiscal 1995, 
primarily due to higher unit sales of hearing aid batteries, Renewal 
rechargeable batteries and alkaline batteries, offset in part by decreases in 
unit sales of heavy duty and lantern batteries. Overall pricing was 
relatively constant between the two periods. Sales of hearing aid batteries 
increased as a result of unit sales growth in the overall hearing aid battery 
market as well as increased penetration by the Company's Loud'n Clear line of 
hearing aid batteries and the introduction of a new miniature size battery, 
used in hearing aids that fit completely in the ear. Unit sales of Renewal 
rechargeable alkaline batteries increased as a result of increased consumer 
awareness of the benefits of Renewal over nickel-cadmium household 
rechargeable batteries and disposable batteries and as replacement sales 
increased to retailers who had sold through their high levels of fiscal 1995 
Renewal inventory. The Company's unit sales of alkaline batteries increased 
as the Company participated to a certain extent in the continued overall 
growth in the market for alkaline batteries. Unit sales of heavy duty 
batteries decreased due to the continued worldwide migration away from heavy 
duty batteries and toward alkaline batteries while unit sales of lantern 
batteries also decreased due to an overall decline in the lantern battery 
market. 

   Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $6.1 million, or 4.0%, to $160.0 
million in fiscal 1996 from $153.9 million in fiscal 1995. Gross profit 
increased as a percentage of net sales to 40.1% in fiscal 1996 from 39.4% in 
fiscal 1995. 


                                       34
<PAGE>

These increases are primarily attributable to increased sales of higher 
margin products such as Renewal rechargeable batteries and hearing aid 
batteries. In addition, the Company experienced manufacturing cost 
improvements, particularly for alkaline battery raw materials related to the 
Fennimore Expansion as discussed above. 

   Selling Expense. Selling expense increased $8.1 million, or 9.6%, to $92.6 
million in fiscal 1996 from $84.5 million in fiscal 1995. Selling expense as 
a percentage of net sales increased to 23.2% in 1996 from 21.6% in 1995. 
These increases are primarily attributable to increased advertising costs to 
promote the Renewal product line as discussed above. 

   General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense 
decreased $1.2 million, or 3.6%, to $31.7 million in fiscal 1996 from $32.9 
million in fiscal 1995. General and administrative expense as a percentage of 
net sales decreased from 8.4% in fiscal 1995 to 8.0% in fiscal 1996. These 
decreases occurred primarily because the $4.0 million payment of management 
incentives in 1995, as discussed above, was not repeated in fiscal 1996. 

   Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense 
increased $0.4 million, or 8.0%, to $5.4 million in fiscal 1996 from $5.0 
million in fiscal 1995 as a result of continued support for ongoing product 
development efforts. 

   Income from Operations. Income from operations decreased $1.2 million, or 
3.8%, to $30.3 million, or 7.5% of net sales in fiscal 1996, from $31.5 
million, or 8.1% of net sales, in fiscal 1995 for the reasons discussed above 
and as a result of an increase in depreciation expense, resulting primarily 
from the Fennimore Expansion. 

   Net Income. Net income for fiscal 1996 decreased $2.1 million, or 12.8%, 
to $14.3 million from $16.4 million in fiscal 1995, principally as a result 
of decreased income from operations and higher effective tax rates, which 
increased from 27.6% in 1995 to 32.9% in 1996. The Company's effective income 
tax rates in fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995 were impacted by the income tax 
benefits of the DISC, and fiscal 1995 was also impacted by the utilization of 
a foreign net operating loss carryforward. The termination of the DISC will 
result in higher effective tax rates for the Company in future years. 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1995 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1994 

   Net Sales. The Company's total net sales increased $4.8 million, or 1.2%, 
to $391.0 million in fiscal 1995 from $386.2 million in fiscal 1994, 
primarily due to higher unit sales of hearing aid batteries and alkaline 
batteries, offset in part by decreases in unit sales of Renewal rechargeable 
batteries and lighting products. Overall pricing was relatively constant 
between the two periods. Sales of hearing aid batteries increased as a result 
of unit sales growth in the overall hearing aid battery market and the 
success of a national advertising and promotional campaign by the Company 
featuring Arnold Palmer. Sales of alkaline batteries increased as a result of 
the overall unit increased in the market for alkaline batteries. Decreases in 
unit sales of Renewal rechargeable batteries were principally a result of 
inventory corrections relating to excess retail inventory accumulated at the 
time of Renewal's introduction in fiscal 1994 in anticipation of demand which 
materialized later than expected, and consequently delayed replacement sales. 
Unit sales of lighting devices decreased due primarily to the successful 
introduction in the retail flashlight market of a new flashlight product by a 
competitor. 

   Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $2.6 million, or 1.7%, to $153.9 
million in fiscal 1995 from $151.3 million in fiscal 1994. Gross profit 
increased as a percentage of net sales to 39.4% in fiscal 1995 from 39.2% in 
fiscal 1994. The comparison was favorable primarily because of the one-time 
$9.5 million manufacturing costs incurred in 1994 due to the Fennimore 
Expansion, as discussed above, the benefit of which was offset in part by a 
1995 increase in foreign sourced raw material costs resulting from the 
Fennimore Expansion. 

   Selling Expense. Selling expense decreased $19.3 million, or 18.6%, to 
$84.5 million in fiscal 1995 from $103.8 million in fiscal 1994 largely due 
to a $10.3 million decline in Renewal advertising and promotional expenses 
from fiscal 1994 when $26.0 million in initial advertising and promotional 
expenses were incurred in connection with the Renewal Introduction and 
reduced promotional expenses in other products. Selling expense decreased as 
a percentage of net sales to 21.6% in fiscal 1995 from 26.9% in fiscal 1994. 

   General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense 
increased $3.5 million, or 11.9%, to $32.9 million in fiscal 1995 from $29.4 
million in fiscal 1994. General and administrative expense as a percentage of 
net sales increased from 7.6% in fiscal 1994 to 8.4% in fiscal 1995. This 
increase occurred as a result of the payment of $4.0 million in management 
incentives in fiscal 1995. 


                                       35
<PAGE>

   Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense 
decreased $0.7 million, or 12.3%, to $5.0 million in fiscal 1995 from $5.7 
million in fiscal 1994 largely due to the temporary assignment of development 
resources and personnel to the Fennimore Expansion, in fiscal 1995, as 
discussed above. 

   Other Special Charges. In fiscal 1994, the Company recorded a charge of 
$1.5 million related to a head count reduction in connection with efforts to 
reduce cost and improve productivity. 

   Income from Operations. Income from operations in 1995 increased $20.6 
million to $31.5 million, or 8.1% of net sales in fiscal 1995, from $10.9 
million, or 2.8% of net sales, in fiscal 1994, for the reasons discussed 
above. 

   Net Income. Net income for fiscal 1995 increased $12.0 million, or 272.7%, 
to $16.4 million from $4.4 million in fiscal 1994, largely as a result of 
higher operating earnings (as described above), which were partially offset 
by increased income tax expense in comparison to a tax benefit in 1994. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

   During the Transition Period, cash provided by operations decreased $18.9 
million to $(1.1) million from $17.8 million in fiscal 1996 due primarily to 
lower net income (as discussed above) and the effect of increases in 
inventory to meet seasonal sales requirements. Cash provided by (used in) 
operating activities was $17.8 million, $35.5 million and $(18.7) million in 
fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The reduction in cash flow from 
operating activities in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995 and the increase 
in cash flow from operating activities in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994 
were primarily due to substantial inventory reductions in 1995 over 1994 
levels that were affected by the Renewal Introduction, and the rebuilding of 
those inventories in 1996. In addition, cash used in operations in fiscal 
1994 was impacted by costs associated with the Renewal Introduction and the 
Fennimore Expansion. See "--Introduction." 

   Capital expenditures during the Transition Period were $1.2 million, 
reflecting maintenance level spending. Capital expenditures in fiscal 1996, 
1995 and 1994 were $6.6 million, $16.9 million and $12.5 million, 
respectively. Capital expenditures in fiscal 1994 and 1995 reflect the 
acquisition of equipment used in the Company's improved alkaline production 
lines, as discussed above, and were therefore substantially in excess of 
maintenance level capital expenditure requirements. 

   During the Transition Period, net cash provided by financing activities 
increased $15.7 million to $3.7 million from $(12.0) million in fiscal 1996 
due primarily to the Recapitalization. Net cash used in financing activities 
was $12.0 million for fiscal 1996 as compared to $18.3 million in fiscal 
1995. The cash was used primarily to reduce the Company's indebtedness. 
During fiscal 1994, net cash provided by financing activities was $30.8 
million as a result of borrowings under the Company's prior revolving credit 
agreement to fund the working capital increases and capital expenditures 
discussed above. 

   Since the Recapitalization, the Company's primary capital requirements 
have been, and will continue to be, for debt service, working capital and 
capital expenditures. The Company believes that cash flow from operating 
activities and periodic borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be 
adequate to meet the Company's short-term and long-term liquidity 
requirements prior to the maturity of its credit facilities, although no 
assurance can be given in this regard. Under the Credit Agreement, the 
Revolving Credit Facility provides $65.0 million of revolving credit 
availability (of which $26.0 million was borrowed at September 13, 1996, and 
$2.3 million was utilized for outstanding letters of credit). See "Risk 
Factors--Substantial Leverage; Incurrence of Additional Senior Debt." 

   
   The Company estimates that capital expenditures for fiscal 1997 will be up 
to $15.0 million, and management is reviewing potential projects to increase 
manufacturing efficiencies, fund environmental, occupational safety projects 
and general and administrative projects and enhance the Company's 
competitiveness and profitability. 
    

   
   The Company has been named as a defendant in two lawsuits in connection 
with a Superfund site located in Bergen County, New Jersey (Velsicol Chemical 
Corporation, et al. v. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, et al., and Morton 
International, Inc. v. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, et al., United 
States District Court for the District of New Jersey, filed July 29, 1996. 
The Company is one of almost one hundred defendants named in the above-styled 
cases. Both cases involve contamination at a former mercury processing plant. 
One case was brought by the current owner and the other case by a former 
owner. The complaints in the two cases are identical, with four counts 
alleging claims for contribution under the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the New Jersey 
Spill Compensation and Control Act ("Spill Act"), the Federal 
    

                                       36
<PAGE>

   
Declaratory Judgment Act, and the common law. The plaintiffs allege that the 
Company arranged for the treatment or disposal of hazardous substances at the 
site. Consequently, the plaintiffs allege, the Company is liable to them for 
contribution towards the costs of investigating and remediating the site. 
    

   
   No ad damnum is specified in either complaint. Indeed, the Remedial 
Investigation and Feasibility Study ("RI/ FS") of the site has just begun. 
Plaintiff's counsel estimates the cost of the RI/FS to be $4 million. There 
is no estimate at this juncture as to the actual cost of remediation. The 
Company is one of approximately 75 defendants who allegedly arranged for 
treatment or disposal at the site. The remaining defendants are former owners 
or operators of the site and adjacent industrial facilities which allegedly 
contributed to the contamination. The plaintiff prepared and distributed to 
the defendants a "Nexus" memorandum, which described the operation of the 
facility and the alleged connection of these defendants to it. According to 
that document, the Company was a significant customer of the facility. 
However, the Company was not described, as were others, as "one of the 
largest" or a "major" customer. At this time, the Company is unable to form a 
judgment that the likelihood of an outcome that would have a material impact 
on the liquidity of the Company is probable or remote. The cost to remediate 
the Bergen County Site has not been determined and the Company cannot predict 
the outcome of these proceedings. 
    

                                   BUSINESS 

General 

   The Company is the third largest domestic manufacturer of general 
batteries (D, C, AA, AAA and 9-volt sizes). Within the general battery 
market, the Company is the leader in the household rechargeable and heavy 
duty battery segments. The Company is also the leading domestic manufacturer 
of certain specialty batteries, including hearing aid batteries, lantern 
batteries and lithium batteries for personal computer memory back-up. In 
addition, the Company is a leading marketer of flashlights and other 
battery-powered lighting devices. Established in 1906, the Rayovac brand name 
is one of the oldest and best recognized names in the battery industry. The 
Company attributes the longevity and strength of its brand name to its 
high-quality product line and to the success of its marketing and 
merchandising initiatives. For the fiscal 1996, the Company had net sales, 
net income and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined herein) of $399.4 million, $14.3 
million and $46.5 million, respectively. 

   The Company's broad line of products includes (i) general batteries 
(including alkaline, heavy duty and rechargeable household batteries), (ii) 
specialty batteries (including hearing aid, watch, lantern and personal 
computer memory back-up batteries) and (iii) flashlights and other 
battery-powered lighting devices. The Company's products are marketed under 
the names Rayovac, Renewal, Loud'n Clear, ProLine, Lifex, Power Station, 
Workhorse and Roughneck, as well as several private labels. 

   Since the early 1980s, the Company has implemented a number of important 
strategies that have greatly improved its competitive position. In the 
general battery market, the Company has become a leader in the mass 
merchandise retail channel by positioning its products as a value brand, 
offering batteries of substantially equivalent quality and performance at a 
discount to those offered by its principal competitors. The Company has also 
introduced industry-leading merchandising innovations such as the Smart Pack 
and Smart Strip merchandising systems, in which multiple battery packages are 
presented together in value-oriented formats. As a result of these programs, 
the Company had 27% and 26.6% market shares in the mass merchandise channel 
of the general battery market in fiscal 1996 and in the Transition Period 
ended September 30, 1996, respectively. 

   The Company has complemented its general battery business with successful 
new product introductions and leading market positions in selected 
high-margin specialty battery lines. In the domestic hearing aid segment, the 
Company has achieved a 50% market share as a result of its products' 
technological capabilities, a strong distribution system and a well developed 
marketing program. The Company is also the leader in the hearing aid battery 
market in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Further, in 1993, the 
Company introduced the Renewal rechargeable battery, the first alkaline 
rechargeable battery sold in the United States. Renewal achieved 64% and 63% 
market shares in the rechargeable household battery category as of July 1996 
and September 1996, respectively, and the Company had domestic sales of 
Renewal products of $27.0 million in fiscal 1996. 

   
   Rayovac markets and sells its products in the United States, Europe, 
Canada and the Far East through a wide variety of distribution channels, 
including retail, industrial, professional, original equipment manufacturer 
("OEM") and government channels. See note 12 to the Combined Consolidated 
Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere herein. 
    


                                       37
<PAGE>

   
   Rayovac's principal executive offices are located at 601 Rayovac Drive, 
Madison, Wisconsin 53711-2497, and its telephone number is (608) 275-3340. 
    

Business Strategy 

   The Company's objective is to increase sales and profitability by pursuing 
the following strategies. 

   Produce High-Quality Battery Products.  In each of its battery product 
lines, the Company seeks to manufacture a high-quality product. In the 
alkaline segment, the Company manufactures high-performance battery products 
of substantially equivalent quality to those offered by its principal 
competitors. In some of its specialty product segments, such as hearing aid 
batteries, the Company believes its products have advantages over its 
competitors' products. The Company focuses its quality improvement efforts on 
lengthening service life and enhancing reliability and, in the case of 
hearing aid batteries, the Company also focuses on product miniaturization. 

   
   Leverage Value Brand Position.  The Company has established a position as 
the leading value brand in the U.S. general alkaline battery market, by 
focusing on the mass merchandise channel. The Company achieved this position 
by (i) offering batteries of substantially equivalent quality and performance 
to those offered by its principal competitors at a retail price discount, 
(ii) emphasizing innovative in-store merchandising programs and (iii) 
offering retailers attractive wholesale margins. The mass merchandise segment 
has generated significant growth in the U.S. retail battery market over the 
last five years and the Company's positioning in this segment should allow it 
to continue to take advantage of any future segment growth. 
    

   Expand Retail Distribution Channels. The Company plans to expand its 
presence in food stores, drug stores, warehouse clubs and other distribution 
channels on which the Company historically has not focused significant 
marketing and sales efforts. Food stores, drug stores and warehouse clubs 
accounted for 1.5 billion general battery units and $1.2 billion in revenues 
in the U.S. retail battery market in 1995. Management believes that Rayovac's 
value-oriented general battery products and merchandising programs make the 
Company an attractive supplier to these channels. 

   Focus on Niche Markets. The Company has developed leading positions in 
several important niche markets. Total net sales of batteries in these 
markets (including those for hearing aid, rechargeable, lantern and heavy 
duty batteries and for lithium coin cells for personal computer memory 
back-up) comprised 47.9% of the Company's fiscal 1996 net sales. The Company 
tailors its strategy in each of these market niches to accommodate each 
market's characteristics and competitive profile. 

   
   Expand Rechargeable Battery Market Segment. The Company intends to expand 
its leading share of the rechargeable household battery market through 
continued marketing of the economic benefit to consumers of Renewal, the 
Company's long-life alkaline rechargeable battery. Although approximately 
twice the retail price of a regular alkaline battery, a Renewal battery can 
be recharged at least 25 times, providing the approximate aggregate energy of 
10 regular alkaline batteries. Consequently, Renewal provides significant 
economic benefits to consumers over regular alkaline batteries. In addition, 
alkaline rechargeables are superior to nickel cadmium rechargeables because 
they are sold fully charged, retain their charge better and are 
environmentally safer. Management believes that as the Company educates 
consumers about these benefits, the Company will have a substantial 
opportunity to expand the rechargeable household battery segment and increase 
its market share. 
    

Battery Industry 

   The U.S. battery industry had aggregate sales in 1995 of approximately 
$4.1 billion as set forth below. 

 1995 U.S. Battery Industry Sales   (Dollars in billions) 
Retail: 
 General                                    $2.3 
 Specialty: 
  Hearing aid                                0.2 
  Other specialty                            0.9 
Industrial, OEM and Government               0.7 
                                             --- 
                                            $4.1 
                                            ==== 

                                       38
<PAGE>

   Retail sales of general batteries represented $2.3 billion of aggregate 
U.S. battery industry sales in 1995. As set forth below, this segment has 
experienced steady growth, with compound annual unit sales growth since 1986 
of 5.3%. 


[LINE GRAPH]

   RETAIL GENERAL BATTERY MARKET 
   Total Retail General Batteries 

     Dollars       Units
      (Mil)        (Mil)
1985   1426         1805
1986   1538         1923
1987   1648         2030
1988   1740         2132
1989   1792         2106
1990   1834         2225
1991   1912         2358
1992   2003         2543
1993   2099         2715
1994   2192         2910
1995   2310         3071
1996   2497         3250

Source: A.C. Nielsen Scanner Data 
        A.C. Nielsen Consumer Panel Data 

[end line chart]

[/LINE CHART]


   Growth in retail battery industry sales has been largely due to (i) the 
proliferation and popularity of uses of battery- powered devices (such as 
remote controls, personal radios and cassette players, pagers, portable 
compact disc players, electronic and video games and battery-powered toys), 
(ii) the miniaturization of battery-powered devices, which has resulted in 
consumption of a larger number of smaller batteries, and (iii) increased 
purchases of multiple-battery packages for household "pantry" inventory. 
These factors have increased the average household usage of batteries from an 
estimated 23 batteries per year in 1986 to an estimated 33 batteries per year 
in 1995. 

   Retail sales of general and specialty batteries represent the largest 
portion of the U.S. battery industry, accounting for 82.9% of sales in 1995. 
Batteries are popular with many retailers because they enjoy attractive 
profit margins on battery products and are able to maximize overall battery 
sales by displaying batteries in several locations within each store to 
attract impulse purchases. 

   In line with general retailing trends, increased battery sales through 
mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs have driven the overall growth of 
retail battery sales. Mass merchandisers were responsible for 54.0% of the 
total increase in general battery retail dollar sales between 1991 and 1995 
and, together with warehouse clubs, accounted for 45.0% of total retail 
battery sales in 1995. 

   The U.S. battery industry is dominated by three manufacturers, including 
the Company, each of which manufactures and markets a wide variety of 
batteries. Together, Duracell, Energizer and Rayovac accounted for 90.3% and 
89.6% of the U.S. retail general battery market in fiscal 1996 and in the 
Transition Period ended September 30, 1996, respectively. 

Products 

   Rayovac develops, manufactures and markets a wide variety of batteries and 
battery-powered lighting devices. The Company's broad line of products 
includes (i) general batteries (including alkaline, heavy duty and 
rechargeable batteries), (ii) specialty batteries (including hearing aid, 
watch, lantern and personal computer clock and memory back-up batteries) and 
(iii) flashlights and other battery-powered lighting devices. General 
batteries (D, C, AA, AAA and 9-volt sizes) are used in devices such as 
flashlights, radios, remote controls, personal radios and cassette players, 
pagers, portable compact disc players, electronic and video games and 
battery-powered toys, as well as a variety of battery-powered industrial 
applications. 

   Of the Company's specialty batteries, button cells are used in smaller 
devices (such as hearing aids and watches), lithium coin cells are used in 
cameras, calculators, communication equipment, medical instrumentation and 
personal computer clocks and memory back-up systems, and lantern batteries 
are used almost exclusively in battery-powered lanterns. The Company's 
battery-powered lighting devices include flashlights, lanterns and similar 
portable products and related bulbs. 


                                       39
<PAGE>

   A description of the Company's battery products including their typical 
uses is set forth below. 


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           General Batteries                                             Specialty 
Technology:             Alkaline           Zinc             Lithium                Silver           Zinc Air      Zinc 
<S>               <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>         <C>
Types/            - Disposable        - Heavy Duty             --                    --                --       Lantern (Zinc 
Common Name:      - Rechargeable      (Zinc Chloride)                                                           Chloride and Zinc 
                                      - General                                                                 Carbon) 
                                      Purpose (Zinc 
                                      Carbon) 
Sizes:               D, C, AA, AAA, 9-volt(1) for         5 primary sizes     10 primary sizes      5 sizes     Standard lantern 
                        both Alkaline and Zinc 
Typical Uses:     All standard household applications     Personal computer   Watches               Hearing     Beam lanterns 
                  including pagers, personal radios and   clocks and memory                         aids        Camping lanterns 
                  cassette players, remote controls and   back-up 
                  a wide variety of industrial 
                  applications 
</TABLE>

(1) The Company does not produce 9-volt rechargeable batteries. 

   Net sales data for the Company's products for fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and 
the Transition Period are set forth below. 

   
                                              Percentage of    
                                            Company Net Sales  
                                            Fiscal Year Ended     Transition 
                                                 June 30,        Period Ended 
                                            ------------------   September 30, 
Product Type                                  1995     1996          1996 
                                                                --------------- 
General:   
Alkaline                                      42.2%     43.0%        40.6% 
Heavy Duty                                    14.2      12.3         12.6 
Rechargeable Batteries and Rechargers          5.5       7.0          5.1 
                                              -----     -----        ----- 
 Total                                        61.9      62.3         58.3 
Specialty Batteries: 
Hearing Aid                                   12.6      14.7         14.3 
Other Specialty Batteries                     16.9      13.9         16.3 
                                              -----     -----        ----- 
 Total                                        29.5      28.6         30.6 
Battery-Powered Lighting Devices/Other         8.6       9.1         11.1 
                                              -----     -----        ----- 
 Total                                       100.0%    100.0%       100.0% 
                                              =====     =====        ===== 
    

   
General Batteries 
    

   Alkaline Batteries.  Alkaline batteries are based on technology which 
first gained widespread application during the 1980s. Alkaline batteries 
provide greater average energy per cell and considerably longer service life 
than traditional zinc chloride (heavy duty) or zinc carbon (general purpose) 
batteries, the dominant battery types throughout the world until the 1980s. 
Alkaline performance superiority has resulted in alkaline batteries steadily 
displacing zinc chloride and zinc carbon batteries. In the domestic retail 
general battery market, for instance, alkaline batteries represented 86.0% 
and 86.3% of total battery unit sales in fiscal 1996 and in the Transition 
Period ended September 30, 1996, respectively, despite higher per battery 
prices than zinc batteries. 

   Rayovac produces a full line of alkaline batteries including D, C, AA, AAA 
and 9-volt size batteries for both consumers and industrial customers. The 
Company's alkaline batteries are sold primarily under the Rayovac name, 
although the Company also engages in limited private label manufacture of 
alkaline batteries. AA and AAA size batteries are often used with smaller 
electronic devices such as remote controls, photography equipment, personal 
radios and cassette players, pagers, portable compact disc players and 
electronic and video games. AA and AAA 


                                       40
<PAGE>

size batteries were the Company's best selling alkaline batteries in fiscal 
1996. C and D size batteries are generally used in devices such as 
flashlights, lanterns, radios, cassette players and battery-powered toys. 

   The Company regularly tests the performance of its alkaline batteries 
against those of its competitors across a number of applications and battery 
sizes using American National Standards Institute ("ANSI") testing criteria, 
the standardized testing criteria generally used by industry participants to 
evaluate battery performance. Although relative performance varies based on 
battery size and device tests, the performance of the Company's alkaline 
batteries and those of its competitors are substantially equivalent on 
average. The Company's performance comparison results are corroborated by 
recently published independent test results. 

   In fiscal 1996 and in the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996, the 
Company had 11.2% and 10.9% overall alkaline battery market shares, 
respectively, and, within the same period, the Company had 19.9% and 20.1% 
alkaline battery market shares, respectively, within the mass merchandise 
retail channel. 

   Heavy Duty Batteries.  Heavy duty batteries include zinc chloride 
batteries designed for low and medium- drain devices such as lanterns, 
flashlights, radios and remote controls. The Company produces a full line of 
heavy duty batteries, although AA, C and D size heavy duty batteries together 
accounted for 90% of the Company's heavy duty battery sales in fiscal 1996. 
The Company also produces zinc carbon ("general purpose") batteries which 
accounted for less than 1% of the Company's net sales. 

   The Company had 44.5% and 44.0% market shares in the heavy duty battery 
market in fiscal 1996 and in the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996, 
respectively. Generally, the size of the heavy duty battery market has been 
decreasing because of increased sales of alkaline batteries for uses 
traditionally served by non-alkaline batteries. 

   Rechargeable Batteries.  There are currently two types of rechargeable 
household batteries available to consumers. Traditional rechargeable 
batteries are based on a technology employing nickel and cadmium. Some states 
now impose costly and burdensome collection requirements on retailers of 
nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries due to their cadmium content, and a 
nationwide voluntary collection program is now being introduced for these 
batteries. Alkaline rechargeable batteries are based on more advanced 
alkaline technology. Rayovac is currently the only domestic manufacturer of 
alkaline rechargeable batteries. 

   
   In 1993, the Company introduced its rechargeable alkaline battery under 
the name Renewal. Renewal rechargeable batteries can be reused at least 25 
times when recharged in a Power Station, the proprietary recharging unit 
designed specifically for Renewal batteries. A Renewal rechargeable battery 
can thus provide the aggregate charge of approximately 10 regular alkaline 
batteries. The actual and potential benefits of Renewal rechargeable 
batteries are significant. Although twice the price of a regular alkaline 
battery, a Renewal battery is approximately half the price of a nickel-cadmium 
rechargeable battery, and its rechargeable feature gives it significant economic
benefits over regular alkaline batteries with similar performance features.
Moreover, unlike nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, which must be charged
before initial use and lose charge at a rate of approximately 1% per day, a
Renewal rechargeable battery comes fully charged before its first use and can
retain 85% of its initial charge for up to five years. Renewal batteries have no
cadmium or mercury added and are, therefore, exempt from legislation relating to
the collection and disposal of such substances. The Company believes that its
Renewal rechargeable battery is the best performing, most environmentally
responsible rechargeable battery for general household use on the market today.
    

   The Company is the market leader in the household rechargeable battery 
market segment with market shares of 64.2% and 63.1% in fiscal 1996 and in 
the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996, respectively. The Company 
believes there is significant opportunity to further expand this market 
segment and that the key to the long-term success of the Renewal product line 
is to raise awareness and understanding of its benefits over nickel- cadmium 
rechargeables and alkaline disposables and to persuade more consumers to use 
rechargeable batteries. 

Specialty Batteries 

   Hearing Aid Batteries.  The U.S. hearing aid battery industry had 
aggregate sales in 1995 of approximately $213 million. The Company estimates 
that there are currently 26 million hearing-impaired individuals in the 
United States and only 5.5 million hearing aid users. There are several sizes 
of hearing aid batteries which are designed for use with various types and 
sizes of hearing aids. The trend in the hearing aid industry is toward 
miniaturization. As hearing aids have become smaller, hearing aid use has 
increased and hearing aid battery consumption has increased significantly, as 
smaller batteries generally must be replaced more often than larger 
batteries. Consistent 


                                       41
<PAGE>

with this trend, the Company's hearing aid battery unit sales have increased 
from 134.5 million units in fiscal 1992 to 193.4 million units in fiscal 
1996, an average annual increase of 9.5%. As the appeal of hearing aids to 
potential users broadens with the decreasing size of hearing aids, and as the 
age of the U.S. and western European populations increases, the Company 
expects the hearing aid battery market to continue to grow. 

   The Company produces five sizes and two types of zinc air button cells for 
use in hearing aids, which are sold under the Loud'n Clear and ProLine brand 
names and under several private labels, including Beltone, Miracle Ear and 
Siemens. Zinc air is a highly reliable, high energy density, lightweight 
battery system with performance superior to that of traditional hearing aid 
batteries. The Company had the number one market position in the U.S. hearing 
aid battery market in fiscal 1996, with a market share of 50%. This strong 
market position is the result of hearing aid battery products with superior 
technological capabilities, consistent product performance, a strong 
distribution system and an extensive marketing program. The Company is 
currently the only manufacturer of the smallest (5A size) hearing aid battery 
and is one of only two manufacturers of the next smallest (10A size) hearing 
aid battery. The Company's zinc air button cells offer consistently superior 
performance, capacity and reliability based on ANSI testing criteria as 
applied by the Company. 

   Other Specialty Batteries.  The Company's other specialty battery products 
include non-hearing aid button cells, lithium coin cells and lantern 
batteries. 

   The Company produces button and coin cells for watches, cameras, 
calculators, communications equipment and medical instrumentation. The 
Company's market shares within each of these categories vary. 

   The Company's Lifex lithium coin cells are high-quality lithium batteries 
with certain performance advantages over other lithium battery systems. These 
products are used in calculators and personal computer clocks and memory 
back-up systems. Lifex lithium coin cells have outstanding shelf life and 
excellent performance. The Company believes that the market for lithium 
personal computer memory back-up batteries has significant potential to grow 
as the personal computer market grows. 

   The Company also produces a wide range of consumer and industrial lantern 
batteries. In fiscal 1996 and in the Transition Period ended September 30, 
1996, the Company held 47.2% and 44.9% market shares, respectively, in the 
retail lantern battery market, which has experienced declines in recent years 
with the increased popularity of alternate technologies to lanterns. 

Battery-Powered Lighting Devices/Other 

   The Company is a leading marketer of battery-powered lighting devices, 
including flashlights, lanterns and similar portable products and related 
bulbs for the retail and industrial markets. In fiscal 1996 and in the 
Transition Period ended September 30, 1996, the Company's products accounted 
for 9.9% and 14.2% of aggregate lighting product retail dollar sales in the 
mass merchandise retail market segment, respectively. Rayovac has established 
its position in this market based on consistent quality products and on 
innovative product packaging. The battery- powered lighting device industry 
is highly competitive and includes a greater number of competitors than the 
U.S. battery industry. 

Marketing and Distribution 

   General 
The Company promotes its batteries and lighting devices through a variety of 
means, including in-store displays, promotional programs and television 
advertising. The Company also sponsors various trade and consumer promotions 
intended to foster brand awareness and to maintain multiple, favorable 
display positions in retail stores. Generally, the Company tailors its 
marketing and distribution strategy to fit its respective products and the 
growth and competitive profiles of their respective markets. Rayovac 
maintains its own U.S. sales force and utilizes a network of independent 
brokers to service participants in selected distribution channels. 

   General Batteries 
Alkaline and Heavy Duty. The Company has positioned its alkaline general 
batteries as a value brand, offering batteries of substantially equivalent 
quality and performance at a discount to those offered by its principal 
competitors. Value pricing is also important to the Company because it spends 
significantly less in advertising than its competitors to market its 
products. Rather, in addition to pricing, the Company has relied on product 
quality, 


                                       42
<PAGE>

innovative in-store merchandising programs and attractive margins for 
retailers to build market share. Rayovac's introduction of Smart Pack 
multiple battery packages with user-friendly features such as cardboard 
zipper tops and display concepts such as promotional pallet programs and 
Smart Strip vending devices have enabled the Company to incrementally 
merchandise its products and take full advantage of the impulse nature of 
many battery purchases. The Company also works with individual retail channel 
participants to develop unique promotions and attempts to provide retailers 
with attractive profit margins to encourage retailer brand support. 

   Rechargeable Batteries. The Company's marketing strategy for its 
rechargeable battery product line focuses on generating consumer interest in 
Renewal rechargeable batteries. Under this strategy, the Company has made 
substantial advertising and marketing investments to establish the Renewal 
brand as the industry standard. From fiscal 1994 through fiscal 1996, the 
Company spent an aggregate of $62.0 million to promote Renewal battery 
products. 

   As part of its marketing strategy, the Company actively pursues OEM 
arrangements and other alliances with major electronic device manufacturers. 
To date, the Company has entered into agreements with thirteen such 
manufacturers including Phillips Consumer Electronics' Magnavox Division, 
Texas Instruments, Case Logic and Gerber Products. In each case, the 
particular consumer product is shipped with Renewal batteries and/or a rebate 
offer for a Power Station recharging unit. The Company expects to continue to 
enter into similar arrangements with other manufacturers of consumer 
products. 

   Specialty Batteries 
Hearing Aid Batteries. To market and distribute its hearing aid battery 
products, the Company has developed a highly successful national advertising 
campaign for its products, which features Arnold Palmer. A binaural wearer 
and user of Rayovac hearing aid batteries, Mr. Palmer has been extremely 
effective in promoting the use of hearing aids, expanding the market and 
communicating the specific product benefits of Rayovac hearing aid batteries. 
Additionally, the Company believes that it has developed strong relationships 
with hearing aid manufacturers and audiologists, the primary purveyors of 
hearing aids. The Company has also established relationships with major 
Pacific Rim hearing aid battery distributors to take full advantage of 
anticipated global market growth. 

   Other Specialty Batteries. The Company plans to continue to develop 
relationships with manufacturers of communications equipment and other 
products in an effort to expand its share of the non-hearing aid button cell 
market. 

   With regard to lithium coin cells, the Company plans to continue to 
penetrate further the OEM portable personal computer market, as well as to 
broaden its customer base by focusing additional marketing and distribution 
efforts on telecommunication and medical equipment manufacturers. 

   The Company's lantern battery strategy is to focus on profit maximization 
and to maintain sales volume. 

   Lighting Devices/Other 
The Company plans to further expand its lighting devices market share by 
focusing on non-mass merchandise retail channels such as hardware and home 
centers and warehouse clubs, and by using the strategies that have brought 
success to the Company in the mass merchandise retail channel. 

Manufacturing and Raw Materials 

   The Company has modernized many of its manufacturing lines and its 
manufacturing processes are highly automated and efficient. 

   During the past five years, Rayovac has spent significant resources on 
capital improvements, which have enabled Rayovac to increase the quality and 
service life of its alkaline batteries and to increase its manufacturing 
capacity. Management believes that Rayovac's manufacturing capacity is 
sufficient to meet its anticipated production requirements. 

   The most significant raw materials used by Rayovac in its manufacture of 
batteries are graphite, steel, zinc powder and electrolytic manganese dioxide 
powder. There are a number of worldwide sources for all necessary raw 
materials, and management believes that Rayovac will continue to have access 
to adequate quantities of such materials at competitive prices. The Company 
regularly engages in forward purchases and hedging transactions to 
effectively manage raw material costs and inventory relative to anticipated 
production requirements. 


                                       43
<PAGE>

   Rayovac manufactures batteries in the United States and the United 
Kingdom. 

Research and Development 

   The Company's research and development group includes approximately 110 
employees. The Company's research and development efforts focus primarily on 
performance and cost improvements of existing products and technologies and 
in recent years have led to advances in alkaline, heavy duty and lithium 
chemistries, as well as zinc air hearing aid batteries and enhancements of 
licensed rechargeable alkaline technology. The success of these efforts is 
most apparent with hearing aid battery products where the Company is the only 
manufacturer of the smallest (5A size) hearing aid battery and is one of only 
two manufacturers of the next smallest (10A size) hearing aid battery. 

   The Company continues to engage in research and development efforts in an 
attempt to assure that the Company's products remain technologically 
competitive in the future. 

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses 

   The Company's success and ability to compete is dependent in part upon its 
technology. The Company relies upon a combination of patent, trademark and 
trade secret laws, together with licenses, confidentiality agreements and 
other contractual covenants, to establish and protect its technology and 
other intellectual property rights. 

   Rayovac owns or licenses from third parties a considerable number of 
patents and patent applications throughout the world, primarily for battery 
product improvements, additional features and manufacturing equipment. The 
Company also uses a number of trademarks in its business, including 
Rayovac(R), Renewal(R), Loud' n Clear(R), ProLine(R), Lifex(tm), Smart 
Pack(R), Smart Strip(tm), Workhorse(R) and Roughneck(R). The Company relies 
on both registered and common law trademarks in the United States to protect 
its trademark rights. The Rayovac(R) mark is also registered in countries 
outside the United States, including in Europe and the Far East. The Company 
does not have any right to the trademark "Rayovac" in Brazil, where the mark 
is owned by an independent third-party battery manufacturer. 

   The Company has obtained a non-exclusive license to use certain technology 
underlying its Renewal rechargeable battery line to manufacture such 
batteries in the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico and to sell and 
distribute batteries based on the licensed technology worldwide. This license 
terminates with the expiration of the last-expiring patent covering the 
licensed technology and, although non-exclusive, the license provides that 
the source technology will not be licensed (i) to any new licensee for 
manufacturing rights within the United States, Puerto Rico or Mexico or (ii) 
to Duracell or Energizer anywhere in the world, pursuant to which the new 
licensee may commence manufacture of products employing such licensed 
technology before a period of 12 months has expired from the giving of 
written notice to the Company of the commencement of a manufacturing right 
under such a license. No such notice has been served. In addition, in the 
conduct of its business, the Company relies upon other licensed technology in 
the manufacture of its products. 

   Rayovac has granted exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free licenses for the 
use of certain of the Company's technology, patents and trademarks (including 
the "Rayovac" mark) in connection with zinc carbon and alkaline batteries and 
certain lighting devices in many countries outside the United States, 
including Latin America. 

Competition 

   The Company believes that the markets for its products are highly 
competitive. Duracell and Energizer are the Company's primary battery 
industry competitors. Although other competitors often seek to enter this 
market, the Company believes that the new market entrants will need 
significant financial and other resources to service the U.S. marketplace. 
Substantial capital expenditures would be required to establish battery 
manufacturing operations. Rayovac and its primary competitors enjoy 
significant advantages in having established brand recognition and 
distribution channels, which have historically been and will likely continue 
to be difficult for new market entrants to overcome. 

   Competition in the battery industry is based upon price, quality, 
performance, brand name recognition, product packaging and design innovation, 
as well as creative marketing, promotion and distribution strategies. 

   In comparison to the U.S. battery market, the international battery market 
generally has more competitors, is as highly competitive and has similar 
methods of competition. 


                                       44
<PAGE>

Employees 

   As of November 15, 1996, the Company had approximately 2,295 employees. 
The Company believes its relationship with its employees is good and there 
have been no work stoppages involving Company employees since 1981. A 
significant number of the Company's factory employees are represented by one 
of four labor unions. The Company has recently entered into a collective 
bargaining agreement with its Madison, Wisconsin employees which expires in 
2000. The Company's other collective bargaining agreements are scheduled to 
expire in 1997 and 1998. 

Properties and Equipment 

   The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's eight 
manufacturing sites in the United States and the United Kingdom: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Location                      Product                Owned/Leased    Square Feet 
<S>                    <C>                                     <C>            <C>
Fennimore, WI          Alkaline batteries and Renewal           Owned         176,000 
                       rechargeable batteries 
Kinston, NC            Battery-powered flashlights and          Owned         164,800 
                       lanterns 
Madison, WI            Heavy duty/general purpose batteries     Owned         158,000 
Portage, WI            Zinc air and silver button cells         Owned          62,000 
Appleton, WI           Lithium coin cells and alkaline          Owned          60,600 
                       computer batteries 
Wonewoc, WI            Battery-powered lanterns and lantern     Leased         60,000 
                       batteries 
Newton Aycliffe, UK    Alkaline and zinc carbon batteries       Leased         95,000 
Washington, UK         Mercuric oxide and zinc air button cells Leased         63,000 
</TABLE>

   Over the last four years the Company has invested in all of its major 
battery facilities. During this period, the Company invested $35.0 million in 
connection with the Fennimore Expansion. Additional investments in zinc air 
battery production have helped to increase output and precision of assembly 
as well as to increase the capacity of critical component manufacturing. 
Investments in lithium coin cell production have been used to build capacity 
for newly developed sizes of lithium coin cells as well as to increase 
capacity of the largest volume sizes of such cells. 

   The Company believes that its facilities, in general, are adequate for its 
present and currently foreseeable needs. 

Environmental Matters 

   The Company's facilities are subject to a broad range of federal, state, 
local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the environment, including 
those governing discharges to the air and water, the handling and disposal of 
solid and hazardous substances and wastes, and the remediation of 
contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at Company 
facilities and at off-site disposal locations. The Company has a proactive 
environmental management program, which program includes the use of periodic 
comprehensive environmental audits to detect and correct practices that are 
in violation of environmental laws or inconsistent with best management 
practices. Based on information currently available to Company management, 
the Company believes that it is substantially in compliance with applicable 
environmental regulations at its facilities, although no assurance can be 
provided with respect to such compliance in the future. There are no pending 
proceedings against the Company alleging that the Company is or has been in 
violation of environmental laws. 

   The Company has from time to time been required to address the impact of 
historic activities on the environmental condition of its properties, 
including without limitation the impact of releases from underground storage 
tanks. Several Company facilities have been in operation for many years and 
are constructed on fill that includes, among other materials, used batteries 
containing various heavy metals. The Company has accepted deed restrictions 
on certain of these properties as a means of providing notice to others of 
conditions on these properties. Although the Company is currently engaged in 
remedial projects at a few of its facilities, the Company does not expect 
that such projects will cause it to incur material expenditures. Nonetheless, 
the Company has not conducted invasive testing to identify all potential 
risks and, given the age of the Company's facilities and the nature of the 


                                       45
<PAGE>

Company's operations, there can be no assurance that the Company will not 
incur material liabilities in the future with respect to its current or 
former facilities. 

   
   The Company has recently been notified that its former manganese 
processing facility in Covington, Tennessee is being evaluated by TDEC for a 
determination as to whether the facility should be added to the National 
Priorities List as a Superfund site pursuant to CERCLA. Groundwater 
monitoring at the site conducted pursuant to the post-closure maintenance of 
solid waste lagoons on site, and recent groundwater testing beneath former 
process areas on site, indicate that there are elevated levels of certain 
inorganic contaminants, particularly (but not exclusively) manganese, in the 
groundwater underneath the site. The Company has completed closure of the 
aforementioned lagoons and has completed the remediation of a stream that 
borders the site. The Company cannot predict the outcome of TDEC's 
investigation of the site. 
    

   
   The Company has been and is subject to several proceedings related to its 
disposal of industrial and hazardous waste at off-site disposal locations, 
under CERCLA or analogous state laws that hold persons who "arranged for" the 
disposal or treatment of such substances strictly liable for the costs 
incurred in responding to the release or threatened release of hazardous 
substances from such sites. Current and former owners and operators of such 
sites, and transporters of waste who participated in the selection of such 
sites, are also strictly liable for such costs. Liability under CERCLA is 
generally "joint and several," so that a responsible party under CERCLA may 
be held liable for all of the costs incurred at a particular site. However, 
as a practical matter, liability at such sites generally is allocated among 
all of the viable responsible parties. Some of the most significant factors 
for allocating liabilities to persons that disposed of wastes at Superfund 
sites are the relative volume of waste such persons sent to the site and the 
toxicity of their waste streams. Except for the matters specifically described 
below, the Company does not believe that any of its pending CERCLA matters, 
either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material impact on the
Company's operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
    

   
   The Company has been named as a defendant in two lawsuits in connection
with a Superfund site located in Bergen County, New Jersey (Velsicol Chemical
Corporation, et al, v. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, et al., and Morton
International, Inc. v. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, et al., United States
District Court for the District of New Jersey, filed July 29, 1996. The Company
is one of almost one hundred defendants named in the above-styled cases. Both
cases involve contamination at a former mercury processing plant. One case was
brought by the current owner and the other case by a former owner. The
complaints in the two cases are identical, with four counts alleging claims for
contribution under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control
Act ("Spill Act"), the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act, and the common law. The
plaintiffs allege that the Company arranged for the treatment or disposal of
hazardous substances at the site. Consequently, the plaintiffs allege, the
Company is liable to them for contribution towards the costs of investigating
and remediating the site.
    

   
   No ad damnum is specified in either complaint. Indeed, the Remedial
Investigation and Feasibility Study ("RI/FS") of the site has just begun.
Plaintiff's counsel estimates the cost of the RI/FS to be $4 million. There is
no estimate at this juncture as to the actual cost of remediation. The Company
is one of approximately 75 defendants who allegedly arranged for treatment or
disposal at the site. The remaining defendants are former owners or operators of
the site and adjacent industrial facilities which allegedly contributed to the
contamination. The plaintiff prepared and distributed to the defendants a
"Nexus" memorandum, which described the operation of the facility and the
alleged connection of these defendants to it. According to that document, the
Company was a significant customer of the facility. However, the Company was not
described, as were others, as "one of the largest" or a "major" customer. The
cost to remediate the Bergen County Site has not been determined and the Company
cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings.
    

   
   There can be no assurances that additional proceedings relating to 
off-site disposal locations will not arise in the future or that such 
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business, financial condition or results of operations. See "Risk 
Factors--Environmental Matters." As of September 30, 1996, the Company has 
reserved $2.1 million for known on-site and off-site environmental 
liabilities. The Company believes these reserves are adequate, although there 
can be no assurance that this amount will be adequate to cover such matters. 
    



                                       46
<PAGE>



Legal Proceedings 
   
   In the ordinary course of business, various suits and claims are filed
against the Company. The Company is not party to any legal proceedings which, in
the opinion of management of the Company, will have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business or financial condition. The Company has been named as a
defendant in two lawsuits in connection with a Superfund site located in Bergen
County, New Jersey (Velsicol Chemical Corporation, et al. v. A.E. Staley
Manufacturing Company, et al. and Morton International, Inc. v. A.E. Staley
Manufacturing Company, et al., United States District Court for the District of
New Jersey, filed July 29, 1996). The cost to remediate the site that is the
subject of these lawsuits, and the Company's ultimate share (if any) of the
remedial costs for this site, have not been determined and the Company cannot
predict the outcome of these proceedings. See "Risk Factors--Environmental
Matters;" "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operation--Liquidity and Capital Resources;" and "Business--
Environmental Matters."
    



                                       47
<PAGE>

                                  MANAGEMENT 

Directors and Executive Officers 

   Set forth below is certain information regarding each director and 
executive officer of the Company: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Name           Age               Position and Offices 
<S>                      <C> <C>
David A. Jones           47  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer 
                             and President 
Kent J. Hussey           50  Executive Vice President of Finance and 
                             Administration and Chief Financial Officer 
Roger F. Warren          55  President/International and Contract Micropower 
                             and Director 
Trygve Lonnebotn         59  Executive Vice President of Operations and Director 
Merrell M. Tomlin        44  Senior Vice President Sales 
James A. Broderick       53  Vice President and General Counsel 
Kenneth V. Biller        48  Vice President and General Manager of Lighting 
                             Products & Industrial 
Scott A. Schoen          38  Director 
Thomas R. Shepherd       66  Director 
Warren C. Smith, Jr.     40  Director 
</TABLE>

   Mr. Jones is the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and 
President of the Company. Between February 1995 and March 1996, Mr. Jones was 
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of 
Directors of Thermoscan, Inc. From 1989 to 1994, he served as President and 
Chief Executive Officer of The Regina Company, a manufacturer of vacuum 
cleaners and other floor care equipment. Mr. Jones has over 25 years of 
experience working in the consumer durables industry, most recently in 
management of operations, manufacturing and marketing. 

   Mr. Hussey is a director of the Company and has served as Executive Vice 
President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer since 
October 1, 1996. Prior to that time and since 1994, Mr. Hussey was Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer of ECC International, a producer of 
industrial minerals and specialty chemicals, and from 1991 to 1994 he served 
as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Regina Company. 

   Mr. Warren is a director of the Company and has served as 
President/International and Contract Micropower of the Company since 1995. 
Since joining the Company in 1985, Mr. Warren has held several positions 
including Executive Vice President and General Manager and Senior Vice 
President and General Manager/International. 

   Mr. Lonnebotn is a director of the Company and, since 1985, has served as 
Executive Vice President of Operations. He joined Rayovac in 1965. 

   Mr. Tomlin is the Senior Vice President Sales of the Company. From March 
1996 to September 30, 1996, Mr. Tomlin served as Vice President Sales of 
Braun of North America/Thermoscan and from August 1995 to March 1996, he 
served as Vice President Sales of Thermoscan, Inc. Prior to that time, Mr. 
Tomlin was Vice President Sales of various divisions of Casio Electronics. 

   Mr. Broderick is Vice President and General Counsel for Rayovac and has 
held these positions since 1985. 

   Mr. Biller has been Vice President and General Manager of Lighting 
Products & Industrial since 1995. Mr. Biller joined the Company in 1972 and 
has held several positions, including Director of Technology/Battery 
Products, Madison Plant Manager and Vice President of Manufacturing. 

   Mr. Schoen is a Managing Director of THL Co., which he joined in 1986. In 
addition, Mr. Schoen is a Vice President of Thomas H. Lee Advisors I and 
Thomas H. Lee Advisors II. He is also a director of First Alert, Inc., Health 
o meter Products, Inc., LaSalle Re Holdings and various private corporations. 

   Mr. Shepherd is a Managing Director of THL Co. and has been engaged as a 
consultant to THL Co. since 1986. In addition, Mr. Shepherd is Executive Vice 
President of Thomas H. Lee Advisors I and an officer of various other THL Co. 
affiliates. He is also a director of General Nutrition Companies, Inc. and 
various private corporations. 


                                       48
<PAGE>

   Mr. Smith is a Managing Director of THL Co. and has been employed by THL 
Co. since 1990. In addition, Mr. Smith is Vice President of Thomas H. Lee 
Advisors II. He is also a director of Finlay Enterprises, Inc., Finlay Fine 
Jewelry Corporation and various private corporations. 

Board Committees 

   The Board has established an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. 
The members of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee are Messrs. 
Schoen, Shepherd and Smith. 

Executive Compensation 

   The following table sets forth compensation paid to the former Chief 
Executive Officer of the Company and the other four most highly compensated 
executive officers of the Company during fiscal 1996 and during the 
Transition Period ended September 30, 1996 (the "Named Executive Officers") 
for services rendered in all capacities to the Company. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Other 
                                                                               Annual       All Other 
                                                                               Compen-    Compensation 
   Name and Principal Position           Year         Salary ($)  Bonus ($)  sation ($)        ($) 
 --------------------------------  ----------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------------- 
<S>                               <C>                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Thomas F. Pyle, Jr., Former 
  Chairman, President and Chief          1996          $640,500                $25,300 
  Executive Officer               Transition Period     138,800                 26,900 
David A. Jones, Chairman, 
  President and Chief Executive 
  Officer                         Transition Period      19,700   $179,500 
Judith D. Pyle, Former Vice 
  Chairman and Senior Vice               1996           248,100                  6,500 
  President of Marketing          Transition Period      53,800                  8,200 
Marvin G. Siegert, Former 
  Executive Vice President of 
  Finance and Administration and         1996          231,000                 11,600 
  Chief Financial Officer         Transition Period      60,100                 10,800 
Roger F. Warren, Executive 
  Vice President and                     1996          248,100                 11,000 
  General Manager                 Transition Period      64,500                             $486,600 (1) 
Trygve Lonnebotn, 
  Executive Vice President               1996          231,000                  9,300 
  of Operations                   Transition Period      60,100                              377,800 (1) 
</TABLE>

- ------------- 
(1) Represents amounts paid by the Company in connection with the 
    Recapitalization. 

Option Grants and Exercises 

   In connection with the Recapitalization, the Board adopted the Rayovac 
Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Pursuant to the Plan, the 
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to which options may be granted 
equals 3,000,000. The Board has granted an aggregate of 1,464,339 options, 
911,577 of which have been granted to David A. Jones in accordance with the 
terms of his employment agreement. See "--Employment Agreement." 

   The following table discloses the grants of stock options during fiscal 
1996 to the Named Executive Officers. Other than Mr. Siegert, the Named 
Executive Officers did not receive any grant of stock options in fiscal 1996 
or in the Transition Period ended September 30, 1996. 


                                       49
<PAGE>

                    Option/SAR Grants in Fiscal Year 1996 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Potential realizable 
                                                                                      value at assumed 
                                                                                    annual rates of stock 
                                                                                   price appreciation for 
                                          Individual Grants                              option term 
                     ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- 
                       Number of    Percent of Total 
                       Securities     Options/SARs    Exercise 
                       Underlying      Granted to      or Base 
                      Options/SARs    Employees in      Price 
Name                  Granted (#)      Fiscal Year     ($/Sh)   Expiration Date      5% ($)       10% ($) 
<S>                     <C>                <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>        
Marvin G. Siegert       350,000            100%         $1.15       1/4/2006       $2,097,756   $3,579,569 
</TABLE>

   Mr. Siegert's options were exercised and the shares of Common Stock 
received upon such exercise were sold in connection with the 
Recapitalization. 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation 

   During fiscal 1996, the Compensation Committee of the Board was comprised 
of Benjamin Garmer, Judith D. Pyle and Marvin G. Siegert. During their fiscal 
1996 service on the Compensation Committee, Ms. Pyle was the Vice Chairman 
and Senior Vice President of Marketing of the Company and Mr. Seigert was the 
Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial 
Officer and Ms. Pyle and Mr. Siegert participated in all compensation 
decisions including those relating to their own compensation. Ms. Pyle is the 
wife of Thomas F. Pyle, Jr., former Chairman, President and Chief Executive 
Officer of the Company and currently a consultant to the Company. See 
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." 

Employment Agreement 

   Under the employment agreement between David A. Jones and the Company (the 
"Jones Employment Agreement"), Mr. Jones is entitled to a salary of $400,000 
per annum (which may be increased from time to time at the discretion of the 
Board) and an annual bonus based upon the Company achieving certain annual 
performance goals established by the Board. The Company has also granted Mr. 
Jones options to purchase 911,577 shares of Common Stock at $4.39 per share, 
half of which become exercisable at a rate of 20% per year over a five-year 
period and the other half of which become exercisable at the end of ten years 
with accelerated vesting over each of the next five fiscal years if the 
Company achieves certain performance goals. In connection with the 
Recapitalization, Mr. Jones individually also purchased 227,895 shares of 
Common Stock at approximately $4.39 per share. One-half of the purchase price 
was paid in cash and one-half with a promissory note. The Jones Employment 
Agreement (other than certain restrictive covenants of Mr. Jones and certain 
severance obligations of the Company) may be cancelled by either party by 
giving a sixty-day notice or may be cancelled immediately by the Company for 
Cause (as defined in the Jones Employment Agreement). The Jones Employment 
Agreement took effect September 12, 1996 and expires on September 30, 1999. 

Severance Agreements 

   Each of Kent J. Hussey, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Roger F. 
Warren, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Company, and 
Trygve Lonnebotn, Executive Vice President of Operations of the Company, has 
entered into a severance agreement (each, a "Severance Agreement") with the 
Company pursuant to which, in the event that his employment is terminated 
during the term of the Severance Agreement (a) by the Company without Cause 
(as defined in the Severance Agreement) or (b) by reason of death or 
Disability (as defined in the Severance Agreement), the Company shall pay him 
an amount in cash equal to the sum of (i) his base salary as in effect for 
the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the fiscal year in which such 
termination occurs and (ii) the annual bonus (if any) earned by him pursuant 
to any annual bonus or incentive plan maintained by the Company in respect of 
the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the fiscal year in which such 
termination occurs, such amount to be paid ratably monthly in arrears over 
the remaining term of the Severance Agreement. In the event of such 
termination, the Company shall also maintain for the twelve month period 
following such termination insurance benefits for such individual and his 
dependents similar to those provided immediately prior to such termination. 
Under the Severance Agreements, each of Messrs. Hussey, Warren and Lonnebotn 
has agreed that for one year following the later of the end of the term of 
the Severance Agreement or the date of termination, that 


                                       50
<PAGE>

he will not engage or have a financial interest in any business which is 
involved in the industries in which the Company is engaged. The initial term 
of each Severance Agreement is one year with automatic one-year renewals 
thereafter, subject to thirty days notice of non-renewal prior to the end of 
the then current term. 

Director Compensation 

   
   Directors who are employees of the Company receive no compensation for 
serving on the Board. Non- employee directors of the Company are reimbursed 
for their out-of-pocket expenses in attending meetings of the Board. Messrs. 
Schoen, Shepherd and Smith receive no fees in their capacities as directors. 
See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" for a description of 
certain other arrangements pursuant to which THL Co., of which they are 
managing directors, receives compensation from the Company. 
    

                          OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK 

   The following table sets forth share ownership information about persons 
known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding 
Common Stock, each director of the Company, each Named Executive Officer and 
all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, in each case 
as of October 15, 1996. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Shares Beneficially 
                                                      Owned (2) 
                                               ------------------------ 
   Name and Address (1) of Beneficial Owner       Number      Percent 
<S>                                            <C>            <C>
Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P. (3)         13,864,135       67.6% 
 75 State Street, Ste. 2600 
 Boston, MA 02109 
Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund III, L.P. (3)           858,950        4.2 
 75 State Street, Ste. 2600 
 Boston, MA 02109 
THL-CCI Limited Partnership (4)                  1,457,405        7.1 
 75 State Street, Ste. 2600 
 Boston, MA 02109 
Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.                              2,022,785        9.9 
 415 Farwell Drive 
 Madison, WI 53704 
David A. Jones (5)                                 232,025        1.1 
Judith D. Pyle                                           0        0.0 
Marvin G. Siegert                                  205,105        1.0 
Kent J. Hussey                                           0        0.0 
Roger F. Warren                                    569,735        2.8 
Trygve Lonnebotn                                   410,210        2.0 
Scott A. Schoen (3) (6)                             69,955       * 
Thomas R. Shepherd (6)                              36,435       * 
Warren C. Smith, Jr. (3) (6)                        58,305       * 
All directors and executive officers of the 
   Company as a group (10 persons) (3) (6)       1,672,930        8.2% 
</TABLE>

- ------------- 
*Less than 1%. 

(1) Addresses are given only for beneficial owners of more than 5% of the 
    outstanding shares of Common Stock. 

(2) Unless otherwise noted, the nature of beneficial ownership is sole voting 
    and/or investment power, except to the extent authority is shared by 
    spouses under applicable law. Shares of Common Stock not outstanding but 
    deemed beneficially owned by virtue of the right of a person or group to 
    acquire them within 60 days are treated as outstanding only for purposes 
    of determining the number and percent of shares of Common Stock owned by 
    such person or group, except that 40,000 immediately exercisable options 
    to purchase Common Stock of an employee of the Company who is not an 
    executive officer of the Company are included for all purposes. 

(3) THL Equity Advisors III Limited Partnership ("Advisors"), the general 
    partner of Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P. and Thomas H. Lee Foreign 
    Fund III, L.P., THL Equity Trust III ("Equity Trust"), the general 
    partner of Advisors, Thomas H. Lee, Scott A. Schoen, Warren C. Smith, Jr. 
    and other managing directors of THL Co., as Trustees of Equity Trust, and 
    Thomas H. Lee as sole shareholder of Equity Trust, may be deemed to be 


                                       51
<PAGE>

    beneficial owners of the shares of Common Stock held by such Funds. Each 
    of such persons maintains a principal business address at Suite 2600, 75 
    State Street, Boston, MA 02109. Each of such persons disclaims beneficial 
    ownership of all shares. 

(4) THL Investment Management Corp., the general partner of THL-CCI Limited 
    Partnership, and Thomas H. Lee, as director and sole shareholder of THL 
    Investment Management Corp., may also be deemed to be beneficial owners 
    of the shares of Common Stock held by THL-CCI Limited Partnership. Each 
    of such persons maintains a principal business address at Suite 2600, 75 
    State Street, Boston, MA 02109. 

(5) Includes 4,130 shares representing Mr. Jones' proportional interest in 
    Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P. 

(6) Includes 69,955 shares, 36,435 shares and 58,305 shares, representing the 
    proportional interests of Messrs. Schoen, Shepherd and Smith, 
    respectively, in THL-CCI Limited Partnership; and 13,680 shares which Mr. 
    Smith may be deemed to beneficially own as a result of Mr. Smith's 
    children's proportional beneficial interest in THL- CCI Limited 
    Partnership. 

                CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 

   
   The Company and THL Co. which, together with its affiliates own 80.2% of
the outstanding Common Stock, are parties to a Management Agreement pursuant to
which the Company has engaged THL Co. to provide consulting and management
advisory services for an initial period of five years through September 12,
2001. Under the Management Agreement and in connection with the closing of the
Recapitalization, the Company paid THL Co. and an affiliate an aggregate fee of
$3.25 million (the "THL Transaction Fee"). In consideration of the consulting
and management advisory services, the Company pays THL Co. and its affiliate an
aggregate annual fee of $360,000 plus expenses (the "Management Fee"). The
Company believes that this Management Agreement is on terms no less favorable to
the Company than could have been obtained from an independent third party.
    

   
   The Company and Thomas F. Pyle, Jr., the former President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company and the owner of 9.9% of the outstanding Common
Stock, are parties to a Consulting Agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") and a
Confidentiality, Non-Competition, No-Solicitation and No-Hire Agreement (the
"Non-Competition Agreement"). Under the Consulting Agreement, the Company has
engaged Mr. Pyle to provide consulting services for an annual fee of $200,000
plus expenses (the "Consulting Fee") for such period as Mr. Pyle is entitled to
the Consulting Fee. Mr. Pyle is not entitled to the Consulting Fee in the event
that (a) THL Co. or an affiliate of THL Co. no longer receives the Management
Fee or (b) Mr. Pyle (i) is no longer subject to the provisions of the Non-
Competition Agreement or (ii) ceases to retain at least 5% of the outstanding
capital stock of the Company (on a fully diluted basis). In the event that the
Management Fee is reduced or increased, the Consulting Fee shall also be reduced
or increased on a pro rata basis. Under the Non-Competition Agreement, Mr. Pyle
has agreed, among other things, to hold in strict confidence and to not disclose
to any person or use any confidential information or materials received by Mr.
Pyle from the Company. Additionally, Mr. Pyle has agreed not to engage or have a
financial interest in any business which is involved in industries in which the
Company is engaged, for a period of five years.
    

   The Company leases its corporate headquarters facilities and other 
properties from partnerships in which Thomas F. Pyle, Jr. is a partner. The 
Company has annual minimum rental commitments on its corporate headquarters 
facilities of approximately $3.0 million, subject to adjustment based upon 
changes in the consumer price index. 

   
   The Company and David A. Jones are parties to the Jones Employment 
Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Jones agreed to be the Chairman of the Board, 
Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Mr. Jones also 
purchased from the Company 227,895 shares of Common Stock with cash and a 
$500,000 promissory note held by the Company with interest payable at a rate 
of 7% per annum and principal payable on the earliest of the following to 
occur: (a) the fifth anniversary of the note; (b) the date on which (i) Mr. 
Jones terminates his employment for any reason other than a Constructive 
Termination (as defined in the Jones Employment Agreement) and (ii) he is no 
longer a director of the Company; or (c) the date the Company terminates Mr. 
Jones' employment for Cause (as defined in the Jones Employment Agreement). 
Proceeds from any sale of Mr. Jones' shares must be used to immediately 
prepay, in whole or in part, the principal amount of the promissory note 
outstanding and any accrued and unpaid interest on the portion prepaid or the 
holder of the promissory note may declare the entire principal amount of such 
note to be forthwith due and payable. See "Management--Employment Agreement." 
    



                                       52
<PAGE>

                     DESCRIPTION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT 

   Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, BA Securities, Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & 
Jenrette Securities Corporation and certain of its affiliates (collectively, 
the "Arrangers"), as Arrangers for a group of financial institutions and 
other accredited investors, have agreed to provide senior bank facilities in 
an aggregate amount of $170.0 million. The following summary describes 
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement. 

   
   The Credit Agreement provides for a six-year Tranche A term loan of up to 
$55.0 million, a seven-year Tranche B term loan of up to $25.0 million and an 
eight-year Tranche C term loan of up to $25.0 million (collectively the "Term 
Loan Facility"), and a six-year Revolving Credit Facility of up to $65.0 
million under which working capital loans may be made and with a $10.0 
million sublimit for letters of credit (the Revolving Credit Facility, and, 
together with the Term Loan Facility, referred to collectively as the "Bank 
Facilities"). On September 13, 1996 (the "Closing Date"), the Company 
borrowed an aggregate amount of $131.0 million comprised of $26.0 million of 
Revolving Loans, $55.0 million of Term A Loans, $25.0 million of Term B Loans 
and $25.0 million of Term C Loans. 
    

   As shown in the table below, quarterly amortization of the Tranche A loans 
is in aggregate amounts ranging from $1.0 million to $3.75 million beginning 
December 31, 1996. Amortization of the Tranche B loans is in aggregate 
quarterly amounts of $0.0625 million during each of the first six years and 
$5.875 million during the seventh year beginning December 31, 1996. 
Amortization of the Tranche C loans will be in aggregate quarterly amounts of 
$0.0625 million during each of the first seven years and $5.8125 million 
during the eighth year beginning December 31, 1996. The Revolving Credit 
Facility must be reduced for 30 consecutive days each year to no more than 
$10.0 million for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, $5.0 million for 
fiscal year ending September 30, 1998 and is not required to be reduced for 
any fiscal year thereafter. 

                       Term Loan Quarterly Amortization 
                            (Dollars in millions) 

 Year    Tranche A    Tranche B    Tranche C 
 1         $ 1.0       $  .0625     $ .0625 
 2           1.5          .0625       .0625 
 3           2.0          .0625       .0625 
 4           2.5          .0625       .0625 
 5           3.0          .0625       .0625 
 6           3.75         .0625       .0625 
 7          --           5.875        .0625 
 8          --          --           5.8125 

   Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, in each case at the 
Company's option, as follows: (i) with respect to the Tranche A loans and the 
Revolving Credit Facility, at Bank of America National Trust and Savings 
Association's base rate plus 1.50% per annum, or at LIBOR plus 2.50% per 
annum; (ii) with respect to the Tranche B loans, at Bank of America National 
Trust and Savings Association's base rate plus 2.00% per annum, or at LIBOR 
plus 3.00% per annum; and (iii) with respect to the Tranche C loans, at Bank 
of America National Trust and Savings Association's base rate plus 2.25% per 
annum, or at LIBOR plus 3.25% per annum. Performance- based reductions of the 
Tranche A and Revolving Credit Facility interest rates are available. The 
Company also incurs standard letter of credit fees to issuing institutions 
and other standard commitment fees. The Company obtained interest rate 
protection in the form of an interest rate swap for $62.5 million of the Term 
Loan Facility on October 7, 1996 . 

   The indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement has been 
guaranteed by ROV Holding and will be secured by all existing and 
after-acquired personal property of the Company and its domestic 
subsidiaries, including the stock of all domestic subsidiaries of the Company 
and any intercompany debt obligations and 65% of the stock of all foreign 
subsidiaries (other than dormant subsidiaries) held directly by the Company 
or its domestic subsidiaries, and, subject to certain exceptions, all 
existing and after-acquired real and intangible property. 

   The Credit Agreement contains financial and other restrictive covenants 
customary and usual for credit facilities of this type, including those 
involving maintenance of minimum coverage for fixed charges, a required 
minimum level of earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, 
a required minimum net worth and a required maximum leverage. Credit 
Agreement covenants also restrict the ability of the Company to incur 


                                       53
<PAGE>

additional indebtedness, create liens, make investments or specified 
payments, give guarantees, merge or acquire or sell assets, make capital 
expenditures and restrict certain other activities. 

   
   "Events of Default" under the Credit Agreement include, among other 
things, failure to make payments when due, defaults under certain other 
agreements or instruments of indebtedness, noncompliance with covenants, 
breaches of representations and warranties, certain bankruptcy or insolvency 
events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, pension plan defaults, 
impairment of security interests in collateral, invalidity of guarantees and 
certain "changes of control" (as defined in the Credit Agreement). 
    

                           DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES 

General 

   As used below in this "Description of the Notes" section, references to 
the "Notes" refer to the Old Notes and the New Notes, unless the context 
otherwise requires. 

   The Old Notes were issued and the New Notes will be issued pursuant to an
Indenture (the "Indenture") between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as
trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms 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 (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to all
such terms, and Holders of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust
Indenture Act for a statement thereof. The following discussion is a summary of
the material terms and provisions of the Indenture and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of
certain terms used below. Copies of the Indenture and the Registration Rights
Agreement are available as set forth under "--Additional Information." The
definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are set forth below
under "--Certain Definitions."

   The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated 
in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt, and ranking 
senior in right of payment to all future subordinated Indebtedness of the 
Company. The Company's payment obligations under the Notes are guaranteed on 
a senior subordinated basis by the Guarantors. The Guarantees are 
subordinated to the guarantees by the Guarantors of Senior Debt. See "-- 
Subordination"; "--Subsidiary Guarantees." 

   The operations of the Company are conducted in part through its 
Subsidiaries and, therefore, the Company is dependent in part upon the cash 
flow of its Subsidiaries to meet its obligations, including its obligations 
under the Notes. The Notes are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness 
and other liabilities and commitments (including trade payables and lease 
obligations) of the Company's Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors. Any right 
of the Company to receive assets of any of its Subsidiaries upon the latter's 
liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the Holders of the 
Notes to participate in those assets) are effectively subordinated to the 
claims of that Subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that the Company 
is itself recognized as a creditor of such Subsidiary, in which case the 
claims of the Company would still be subordinate to any security in the 
assets of such Subsidiary and any indebtedness of such Subsidiary senior to 
that held by the Company. 

Principal, Maturity and Interest 

   The Notes are limited in aggregate principal amount to $100.0 million and 
will mature on November 1, 2006. Interest on the Notes will accrue at the 
rate of 10-1/4% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 
1 and November 1, commencing on May 1, 1997, to Holders of record on the 
immediately preceding April 15 and October 15. Interest on the Notes will 
accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no 
interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance. Interest will be 
computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. 
Principal, premium and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes 
will be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such 
purpose within the City and State of New York or, at the option of the 
Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by 
check mailed to the Holders of the Notes at their respective addresses set 
forth in the register of Holders of Notes; provided that all payments with 
respect to Global Notes and Certificated Securities the Holders of which have 
given wire transfer instructions to the Company will be required to be made 
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by 
the Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company's 
office or agency in New York will be the office of the Trustee maintained for 
such purpose. The Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and 
integral multiples thereof. 


                                       54
<PAGE>

Subsidiary Guarantees 

   The Company's payment obligations under the Notes will be jointly and 
severally guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Guarantee of each Guarantor will 
be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of such 
Guarantor, which on a pro forma basis would have had no Senior Debt 
outstanding at June 30, 1996 (except the Guarantee of obligations under the 
Credit Agreement), and the amounts for which the Guarantors will be liable 
under the guarantees issued from time to time with respect to Senior Debt 
(including obligations under the Credit Agreement). The obligations of each 
Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited so as not to constitute a 
fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. 

Subordination 

   The payment of principal of, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated 
Damages, if any, on the Notes is subordinated in right of payment, as set 
forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full, in cash, of all 
Obligations with respect to Senior Debt, whether outstanding on the date of 
the Indenture or thereafter incurred. 

   Upon any payment or distribution to creditors of the Company or any 
Guarantor in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Guarantor or 
in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar 
proceeding relating to the Company or any Guarantor or its property, an 
assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of the assets and 
liabilities of the Company or any Guarantor, the holders of Senior Debt of 
the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, will be entitled to receive 
payment in full in cash of all Obligations due in respect of such Senior Debt 
(including interest accruing after the commencement of any such proceeding at 
the rate specified in the applicable Senior Debt) before the Holders of Notes 
will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution with respect to the 
Notes or the Guarantees, as applicable, and until all Obligations with 
respect to the Senior Debt are paid in full in cash, any payment or 
distribution to which the Holders of Notes would be entitled shall be made to 
the holders of Senior Debt (except that Holders of Notes may receive 
securities under a plan of reorganization that are subordinated at least to 
the same extent as the Notes to Senior Debt and any securities issued in 
exchange for Senior Debt and payments made from the trust described under 
"--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance"). 

   Neither the Company nor any Guarantor may make any payment or distribution 
upon or in respect of the Notes, including, without limitation, by way of 
set-off or otherwise, or redeem (or make a deposit in redemption of), defease 
or acquire any of the Notes, for cash, property or securities (except in such 
subordinated securities in such plan of reorganization) if (i) a default in 
the payment of any Obligation of the Company or such Guarantor, as 
applicable, with respect to (a) any Designated Senior Debt or (b) any Senior 
Debt permitted by clause (xiv) of the second paragraph of the covenant 
described under the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of 
Preferred Stock" and any other Senior Debt issued in a single transaction or 
a series of related transactions having an aggregate principal amount 
outstanding of $5.0 million or more ("Significant Senior Debt"), occurs and 
is continuing or (ii) any other default (or any event that, after notice or 
passage of time would become an event of default) occurs and is continuing 
with respect to any Designated Senior Debt and, in the case of clause (ii), 
the Trustee receives notice of such default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") 
from the holders (or the agent or representative of such holders) of any 
Designated Senior Debt. Payment on the Notes may and shall be resumed (i) in 
the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured 
or waived and (ii) in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of the date 
on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days after the 
date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the 
maturity of any such Designated Senior Debt or Significant Senior Debt has 
been accelerated. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced unless 
and until (i) 360 days have elapsed since the effectiveness of the 
immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice and (ii) all scheduled payments of 
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have come due have 
been paid in full in cash. No nonpayment default that existed or was 
continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the 
Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage 
Notice. 

   The Indenture further requires that the Company promptly notify holders of 
Senior Debt if payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of 
Default. 

   As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event 
of a liquidation or insolvency, Holders of Notes may recover less ratably 
than creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Debt. As of June 30, 
1996, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Recapitalization, including 
borrowings under the Credit Agreement, and the sale of the Notes, the Company 
and its subsidiaries would have had $131.0 million of Senior Debt and $5.2 
million of indebtedness and capitalized lease obligations of foreign 
subsidiaries which would rank senior or 


                                       55
<PAGE>

effectively rank senior, as the case may be, in right of payment to the 
Notes. The Indenture limits, subject to certain financial tests, the amount 
of additional Indebtedness, including Senior Debt, that the Company and its 
subsidiaries can incur. See "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness 
and Issuance of Preferred Stock." 

Optional Redemption 

   The Notes are not redeemable at the Company's option prior to November 1, 
2001. Thereafter, the Notes will be subject to redemption at the option of 
the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 
days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal 
amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated 
Damages, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed 
during the twelve-month period beginning on November 1 of the years indicated 
below: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Year                    Percentage 
<S>                       <C>
2001                      105.125% 
2002                      103.417 
2003                      101.708 
2004 and thereafter       100.000% 
</TABLE>

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time during the first 36 months 
after the date of the Indenture, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the 
initial principal amount of the Notes originally issued with the net proceeds 
of one or more public offerings of equity securities of the Company, at a 
redemption price equal to 109.250% of the principal amount of such Notes, 
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date 
of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes 
originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any 
such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 60 days following the 
closing of each such public offering. 

Mandatory Redemption 

   Except as set forth below under "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders," 
the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund 
payments with respect to the Notes. 

Repurchase at the Option of Holders 

 Change of Control 

   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes will have 
the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to 
$1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's 
Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") 
at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount 
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, 
thereon to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30 
calendar days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice 
to each Holder stating: (i) that the Change of Control Offer is being made 
pursuant to the covenant entitled "Change of Control" and that all Notes 
tendered will be accepted for payment; (ii) the purchase price and the 
purchase date, which will be no earlier than 30 calendar days nor later than 
60 calendar days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control 
Payment Date"); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue 
interest; (iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change 
of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of 
Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control 
Payment Date; (v) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant 
to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with 
the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the 
Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice 
prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change 
of Control Payment Date; (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their 
election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business 
on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a 
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of 
the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a 
statement that such Holder is withdrawing such Holder's election to have such 
Notes purchased; and (vii) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only 
in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased 
portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to 
$1,000 in principal amount or an integral 


                                       56
<PAGE>

multiple thereof. 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 the Notes in connection with a Change of 
Control. 

   On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent 
lawful, (i) accept for payment Notes or portions thereof properly tendered 
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent 
an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or 
portions thereof so tendered and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to 
the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate 
stating the aggregate principal amount of the Notes or portions thereof 
required to be purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will promptly mail 
to each Holder of Notes so accepted the Change of Control Payment for such 
Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be 
transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal 
amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided 
that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an 
integral multiple thereof. The Indenture provides that, prior to complying 
with the provisions of this covenant, but in any event within 90 calendar 
days following a Change of Control, the Company shall either repay all 
outstanding Senior Debt or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under all 
agreements governing outstanding Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of 
Notes required by this covenant. The Company will publicly announce the 
results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the 
Change of Control Payment Date. 

   
   The Change of Control provisions described above would be applicable
whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not
contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Notes to require that the
Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar restructuring, nor does it contain any other similar
"event risk" protections for Holders of the Notes. There can be no assurances
that sufficient funds will be available at the time of any Change of Control to
make any required repurchases. As of          , 1997, the Company had 
$     million in aggregate indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, the Old 
Notes and all Senior Indebtedness.
    

   Although the Change of Control provision may not be waived by the Company, 
and may be waived by the Trustee only in accordance with the provisions of 
the Indenture unless the Notes are defeased, there can be no assurance that 
any particular transaction (including a highly leveraged transaction) cannot 
be structured or effected in a manner not constituting a Change of Control. 

   
   The Credit Agreement currently prohibits the Company from prepaying or
redeeming any Notes prior to maturity (except that the Company may redeem up to
$35.0 million principal amount of the Notes with the net cash proceeds of an
initial public offering), and also provides that certain change of control
events with respect to the Company would constitute a default thereunder. Any
future credit agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Debt to which
the Company becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In
the event a Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited
from purchasing Notes, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the
purchase of Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such
prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing Notes. In such
case, the Company's failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute an Event
of Default under the Indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default under
the Credit Agreement. In such circumstances, the subordination provisions in the
Indenture would likely restrict payments to the Holders of Notes. Similarly, the
Company's failure to make any required repurchases of Notes in the event of a
Change of Control would constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture. See
"--Events of Defaults and Remedies."

   "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) (a) 
any transaction or series of otherwise unrelated transactions (including a 
merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" or "group"
(each within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act),
other than the Principals, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the
total voting power of all Capital Stock of the Company or a successor entity
normally entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees, as
applicable, calculated on a fully diluted basis, and (b) as a result of the
consummation of such transaction, any "person" or "group" (each as defined
above) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined above), directly or
indirectly, of more of the voting stock of the Company than is at the time
"beneficially owned" (as defined above) by the Principals, or (ii) the first day
on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not Continuing
Directors, or (iii) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition
(other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related
transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Principals or their Related
Parties. For purposes of this definition, any transfer of an Equity Interest of
an entity that was formed for the purpose of acquiring voting stock of the
Company shall be deemed
    


                                       57
<PAGE>

to be a transfer of such percentage of such voting stock as corresponds to 
the percentage of the equity of such entity that has been so transferred. 

   "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member 
of the Board of Directors who (i) was a member of such Board of Directors on 
the date of the Indenture or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to 
such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing 
Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or 
election. 

   "Principals" means Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P. and its 
co-investors, Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund III, L.P. and Thomas H. Lee Company, 
and any Affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company. 

   "Related Party" with respect to any Principal means (i) any controlling 
stockholder, 80% (or more) owned Subsidiary, or spouse or immediate family 
member (in the case of an individual) of such Principal or (ii) any trust, 
corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, 
partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling 
interest of which consist of such Principal and/or such other Persons 
referred to in the immediately preceding clause (i). 

 Asset Sales 

   The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any 
of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) sell, lease, convey or otherwise 
dispose of any assets (including by way of a sale and leaseback) other than 
sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business (provided that the 
sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of 
the assets of the Company is governed by the provisions of the Indenture 
described under the caption "--Change of Control" and/or the provisions 
described under the caption "--Certain Covenants-- Merger, Consolidation or 
Sale of Assets" and not by the provisions of this covenant), or (ii) issue or 
sell Equity Interests of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of 
either clause (i) or (ii) above, whether in a single transaction or a series 
of related transactions, (a) that have a fair market value in excess of $1.0 
million, or (b) for net proceeds in excess of $1.0 million (each of the 
foregoing, an "Asset Sale"), unless (x) the Company (or the Restricted 
Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of such 
Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (evidenced by an Officers' 
Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and for Asset Sales having a fair 
market value or net proceeds in excess of $5.0 million, evidenced by a 
resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate 
delivered to the Trustee) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of and (y) 
at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such 
Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided, 
however, that the amount of (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or 
such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet or in the notes 
thereto) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent 
liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes 
or any Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets 
pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such 
Restricted Subsidiary from further liability and (B) any notes or other 
obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from 
such transferee that are immediately converted by the Company or such 
Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) or Cash 
Equivalents, shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision; and 
provided, further, that the 75% limitation referred to in this clause (y) 
shall not apply to any Asset Sale in which the cash portion of the 
consideration received therefrom, determined in accordance with the foregoing 
proviso, is equal to or greater than what the after-tax proceeds would have 
been had such Asset Sale complied with the aforementioned 75% limitation. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) a transfer of assets by the Company to a 
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or by a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary 
to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) an 
issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) by a Wholly 
Owned Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Wholly Owned Restricted 
Subsidiary, (iii) issuances of Equity Interests by the Company pursuant to 
warrants outstanding on the date of the Indenture, (iv) a Restricted Payment 
that is permitted by the covenant described under the caption "--Certain 
Covenants--Restricted Payments," (v) the surrender or waiver of contract 
rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other 
claims of any kind (other than assignment of such rights or claims for value 
outside the ordinary course of business) or (vi) the grant in the ordinary 
course of business of any non-exclusive license of patents, trademarks, 
registration therefor and other similar intellectual property, is not deemed 
to be an Asset Sale. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company 
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may create or assume Liens (or permit 
any foreclosure thereon) securing Indebtedness to the extent that such Lien 
does not violate the covenant described under the caption "--Certain 
Covenants-- Liens". 


                                       58
<PAGE>

   Within 270 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale, 
the Company may apply such Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale to permanently 
reduce Senior Debt in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, if 
applicable, or to the extent not required to be applied thereunder, may, at 
its option, apply such Net Proceeds to repayment of Indebtedness of a 
Restricted Subsidiary (in the case of Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale 
effected by a Restricted Subsidiary) or to an investment in a Restricted 
Subsidiary or in another business or capital expenditure or other 
long-term/tangible assets, in each case, in the same or a similar line of 
business as the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries were engaged in 
on the date of the Indenture or in businesses reasonably related thereto. 
Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may 
temporarily reduce Senior Debt or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any 
manner that is not prohibited by the Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from an 
Asset Sale that are not applied or invested as provided in the first sentence 
of this paragraph will be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the 
aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $5.0 million, the Company will be 
required to make an offer to all Holders of Notes (an "Asset Sale Offer") to 
purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of 
the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of 
the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated 
Damages, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate 
amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the 
Excess Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for 
general corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes 
surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the 
Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon 
completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be 
reset at zero. 

Selection and Notice 

   If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of 
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 so listed, on a pro rata 
basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and 
appropriate; provided that no Notes of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in 
part. Notices 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 
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 ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of 
them called for redemption. 

Certain Covenants 

   Restricted Payments 
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or pay 
any dividend or make any distribution on account of the Company's or any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without limitation, 
any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the 
Company) or to any direct or indirect holders of the Company's Equity 
Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions 
payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or 
such Restricted Subsidiary or dividends or distributions payable to the 
Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); (ii) 
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity 
Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or other Affiliate of 
the Company (other than any such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any 
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor); (iii) 
purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value prior to a 
scheduled mandatory sinking fund payment date or final maturity date any 
Indebtedness that is pari passu with or subordinated to the Notes; or (iv) 
make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth 
in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as 
"Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to 
such Restricted Payment: 

     (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing 
   or would occur as a consequence thereof; and 

     (b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after 
   giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been 
   made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been 


                                       59
<PAGE>

   permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to 
   the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of 
   the covenant described under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and 
   Issuance of Preferred Stock;" and 

     (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other 
   Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries 
   after the date of the Indenture (including Restricted Payments permitted 
   by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than (w) 50% of the 
   Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one 
   accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter 
   commencing after the date of the Indenture to the end of the Company's 
   most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements 
   are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such 
   Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, 100% of such 
   deficit), plus (x) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the 
   Company from the issuance or sale after the date of the Indenture of 
   Equity Interests of the Company or of debt securities of the Company that 
   have been converted into such Equity Interests (other than Equity 
   Interests (or convertible debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary 
   of the Company and other than Disqualified Stock or debt securities that 
   have been converted into Disqualified Stock), plus (y) $2.0 million, plus 
   (z) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated to be a 
   Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value (as determined in good faith 
   by the Board of Directors) of the Company's Equity Interests in such 
   Subsidiary at the time of such designation. 

   The foregoing provisions do not prohibit: (i) the payment of any dividend 
or other distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, 
if at said date of declaration such payment would have complied with the 
provisions of the Indenture; (ii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or 
other acquisition of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or 
out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a 
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of other Equity Interests of the 
Company (other than any Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any 
such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, 
retirement or other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (c)(x) of the 
preceding paragraph; (iii) the defeasance, redemption or repurchase of pari 
passu or subordinated Indebtedness with the net proceeds from an incurrence 
of Refinancing Indebtedness or the substantially concurrent sale (other than 
to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company (other 
than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash 
proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement or 
other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (c)(x) of the preceding 
paragraph; (iv) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition prior to the 
stated maturity thereof of Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes in 
exchange for or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent 
issue and sale (other than to the Company or any of its Restricted 
Subsidiaries) of new Indebtedness; provided that (x) the principal amount of 
such new Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness 
so refinanced (plus the amount of such reasonable expenses incurred in 
connection therewith), (y) such new Indebtedness shall have a Weighted 
Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life 
to Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced, and (z) the new 
Indebtedness shall be subordinate in right of payment to the Notes; (v) the 
repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any 
Equity Interests of the Company held by any member of the Company's (or any 
of its Restricted Subsidiaries') management pursuant to any management equity 
subscription agreement or stock option agreement or in connection with the 
termination of employment of any employees or management of the Company or 
its Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such 
repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed 
$2.0 million in the aggregate plus the aggregate cash proceeds received by 
the Company after the date of the Indenture from any reissuance of Equity 
Interests by the Company to members of management of the Company and its 
Restricted Subsidiaries; (vi) Investments received by the Company and its 
Restricted Subsidiaries as non-cash consideration from Asset Sales to the 
extent permitted by the covenant described under the caption "--Repurchase at 
the Option of Holders--Asset Sales;" and (vii) the repurchase of Notes 
pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer; and no Default 
or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing immediately after 
any such transaction. 

   The Board of Directors may designate a Restricted Subsidiary to be an 
Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default. For 
purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments by the 
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid in cash 
or Government Securities) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to 
be Restricted Payments at the time of such designation and will reduce the 
amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of this 
covenant. Such designation will only be permitted if such Restricted Payment 
would be permitted at such time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise 
meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. 


                                       60
<PAGE>

   The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash or Government 
Securities) shall be the fair market value (evidenced by a resolution of the 
Board of Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the 
Trustee) on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) proposed to be 
transferred by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant 
to the Restricted Payment. Not later than the date of making any Restricted 
Payment, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate 
stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis 
upon which the calculations required by the covenant described under the 
caption "--Restricted Payments" were computed, which calculations may be 
based upon the Company's latest available financial statements. 

   Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock 
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, 
assume, guaranty or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, 
contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any 
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and that the Company will not issue 
any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 
to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company 
may incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock if the Fixed 
Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal 
quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately 
preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such 
Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on 
a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds 
therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the 
Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of 
such four-quarter period. 

   The foregoing limitations do not apply to: (i) the incurrence by the 
Company of Senior Bank Debt; (ii) Guarantees of the Senior Bank Debt 
permitted under or required by the Credit Agreement and Guarantees permitted 
under or required by the Indenture; (iii) the incurrence by the Company and 
its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness; (iv) the incurrence 
by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the Indenture, 
and the incurrence by Restricted Subsidiaries of Guarantees required or 
permitted to be incurred under the Indenture; (v) the incurrence by the 
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Capital Lease Obligations 
and/or additional Indebtedness constituting purchase money obligations in an 
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any time 
outstanding; (vi) the incurrence by the Company of additional Indebtedness 
for any corporate purposes in an outstanding principal amount (or accreted 
value, as applicable) at no time exceeding $25.0 million (which may, but need 
not be, borrowed under the Credit Agreement); (vii) the incurrence by any 
Foreign Subsidiary of Indebtedness, which when aggregated with the principal 
amount of Indebtedness of all Foreign Subsidiaries then outstanding and 
incurred pursuant to this clause (vii) does not exceed $5.0 million (or the 
equivalent thereof in any other currency) at any one time outstanding; (viii) 
the incurrence by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Acquired Debt 
in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20.0 million for all 
Restricted Subsidiaries (reduced by the amount of Acquired Debt repaid with 
the Net Proceeds of Asset Sales of any Restricted Subsidiary subject to such 
Acquired Debt) that (a) has not been incurred in connection with, or in 
contemplation of such Restricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, 
or a merger of a Person subject to such Acquired Debt with or into such 
Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) is without recourse to the Company or any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets (other than the 
Restricted Subsidiary subject to such Acquired Debt and its assets), and is 
not guaranteed by any such Person; provided that (A) after giving pro forma 
effect to the incurrence thereof as if incurred by the Company, the Company 
could incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness under the first paragraph of this 
"Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" covenant, (B) 
any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto may not be incurred by any 
Person other than the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on such 
Acquired Indebtedness, and (C) such Restricted Subsidiary becomes an 
Additional Guarantor upon incurrence of such Acquired Debt in accordance with 
the Indenture; (ix) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness in 
connection with the issuance of notes in payment of the repurchase, 
redemption, acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests of the Company or 
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent permitted by the 
covenant described under the caption "--Restricted Payments;" (x) Hedging 
Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest 
rate risk with respect to any floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by 
the terms of the Credit Agreement or the Indenture to be outstanding; (xi) 
Indebtedness arising out of letters of credit, performance bonds, surety 
bonds, guarantees resulting from endorsements of negotiable instruments and 
bankers' acceptances, incurred in the ordinary course of business; (xii) all 
Obligations with respect to the foregoing; (xiii) the incurrence by the 
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries 


                                       61
<PAGE>

of Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to 
repay, redeem, defease, extend, refinance, renew, replace or refund 
Indebtedness referred to in clauses (ii) through (xii) above, and this clause 
(xiii) (the "Refinancing Indebtedness"); provided that (a) the principal 
amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount 
of Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or 
refunded (plus the amount of fees, premiums, consent fees, prepayment 
penalties and expenses incurred in connection therewith); (b) in the case of 
Refinancing Indebtedness for Indebtedness permitted under clause (iii) or 
(viii) of this paragraph, the Refinancing Indebtedness shall have a Weighted 
Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life 
to Maturity of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced 
or refunded or shall mature after the scheduled maturity date of the Notes; 
(c) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances Indebtedness 
subordinate to the Notes, such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated 
in right of payment to the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the 
holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the 
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced or refunded; and 
(d) with respect to Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by a Guarantor, such 
Refinancing Indebtedness shall rank no more senior, and shall be at least as 
subordinated, in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor as the 
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced or refunded; (xiv) 
Indebtedness of the Company (A) not to exceed an aggregate principal amount 
of $8.0 million outstanding at any time arising as a result of the issuance 
of tax-exempt industrial development bonds or similar tax-exempt public 
financing, and (B) additional Indebtedness arising out of the issuance of 
additional tax-exempt public financing obligations, but only to the extent 
that Indebtedness owing under the Credit Agreement is prepaid, concurrently 
with the receipt of the net proceeds of such issuance, in an amount at least 
equal to the amount of such net proceeds, and term indebtedness or the 
availability of revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Agreement is 
permanently reduced by the amount of such net proceeds; and (xv) the 
incurrence of Indebtedness between (a) the Company and its Restricted 
Subsidiaries and (b) the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (x) any 
subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such 
Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Wholly Owned 
Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any sale or other transfer of any such 
Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Wholly Owned 
Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an 
incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, 
as the case may be. 

   Liens 
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume 
or suffer to exist any Lien on any of their property, assets or revenue now 
owned or hereafter acquired by them, or any income or profits therefrom or 
assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted 
Liens; provided, however, that in addition to creating Permitted Liens on its 
properties or assets, the Company may create any Lien upon any of its 
properties or assets if the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis 
with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligation is no 
longer secured by a Lien. 

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries 
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise 
cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction 
on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i)(a) pay dividends or make 
any other distributions to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 
(x) on its Capital Stock or (y) with respect to any other interest or 
participation in, or measured by, its profits, or (b) pay any indebtedness 
owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) make loans or 
advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) 
transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its 
Restricted Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions 
existing under or by reason of (a) Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the 
date of the Indenture, (b) the Credit Agreement and all related Senior Bank 
Debt documents as in effect as of the date of the Indenture, and any 
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, 
refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided that such 
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, 
refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive with respect 
to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the 
Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of the Indenture, (c) the 
Indenture, the Guarantee and the Notes, (d) applicable law, (e) any 
instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by 
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of 
such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in 
connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance 
or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets 
of any Person, other than 


                                       62
<PAGE>

the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided 
that the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person is not taken into account in 
determining whether such acquisition was permitted by the terms of the 
Indenture, (f) by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases 
entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past 
practices, (g) purchase money obligations or Capital Lease Obligations for 
property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions 
of the nature described in clause (iii) above on the property so acquired, 
(h) permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions 
contained in the agreements governing such Refinancing Indebtedness are no 
more restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing the 
Indebtedness being refinanced, (i) customary restrictions imposed on the 
transfer of copyrighted or patented materials and customary provisions in 
agreements that restrict the assignees of such agreements or any rights 
thereunder or (j) restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Company 
imposed pursuant to a binding agreement which has been entered into for the 
sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or 
assets of such Subsidiary. 

   Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets 
The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate or merge with or 
into (whether or not the Company is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, 
transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of 
its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another 
Person unless: (i) the Company is the surviving corporation or the entity or 
the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other 
than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, 
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation 
organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof 
or the District of Columbia; (ii) the entity or Person formed by or surviving 
any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the entity or 
Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other 
disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Company 
under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a 
form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; (iii) immediately after such 
transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iv) the Company or 
the entity or Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger 
(if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, 
lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made (a) will have 
Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction equal to or greater 
than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately preceding the 
transaction and (b) will, at the time of such transaction and after giving 
pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning 
of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 
of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test 
set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under the caption 
"--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;" provided, 
however, that this provision shall not prohibit any merger or consolidation 
among the Company and one or more of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries 
that is a Guarantor. The term "all or substantially all" is not defined in 
the Indenture. Accordingly, the term would likely be interpreted by reference 
to applicable state law at the time, and the interpretation will be dependent 
on the facts and circumstances existing at the time. As a result, under 
certain circumstances there could be uncertainty as to whether a particular 
transaction is prohibited by the Indenture. 

   Transactions with Affiliates 
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer 
or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to or enter into any 
other transaction with, or for the benefit of, an Affiliate of the Company 
(an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on 
terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted 
Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable 
transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated 
Person and (ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee (a) with respect to any 
Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving 
aggregate consideration in excess of $1.0 million, a resolution of the Board 
of Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such 
Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above and that such Affiliate 
Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of 
the Board of Directors and (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction 
involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, an opinion as to 
the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate 
Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal 
or investment banking firm of national standing; provided that (v) the 
Employment Agreement and any employment agreement entered into by the Company 
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and 
consistent with the past practice (other than past practice with respect to 
Thomas F. Pyle) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, (w) 
transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, 
(x) 


                                       63
<PAGE>

investment banking and management fees in an aggregate amount no greater than 
$360,000 per annum plus reimbursement of expenses to be paid by the Company 
to Thomas H. Lee Company, (y) payments to Thomas F. Pyle pursuant to the 
Consulting Agreements (whether or not Thomas F. Pyle would be considered an 
Affiliate) and (z) transactions permitted by the covenant described under the 
caption "--Restricted Payments," in each case, shall not be deemed Affiliate 
Transactions; further provided, however, that (A) the provisions of clause 
(ii) shall not apply to sales of inventory by the Company or any Restricted 
Subsidiary to any Affiliate in the ordinary course of business and (B) the 
provisions of clause (ii)(b) shall not apply to loans or advances to the 
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from, or equity investments in the 
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by, any Affiliate to the extent 
permitted by the covenant described under the caption "--Incurrence of 
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock." 

   No Senior Subordinated Debt 
The Indenture provides that (i) the Company will not incur, create, issue, 
assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is 
subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt of the Company 
and senior in any respect in right of payment to the Notes and (ii) the 
Company will not permit any Guarantor to incur, create, issue, assume, 
guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is 
subordinated or junior in right of payment to its Senior Debt and senior in 
any respect in right of payment to its Guarantee. 

   Limitations on Guarantees of Company Indebtedness by Restricted 
   Subsidiaries 
The Indenture provides that in the event that any Restricted Subsidiary, 
directly or indirectly, guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company other than 
the Notes (the "Other Indebtedness"), the Company shall cause such Restricted 
Subsidiary to deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to 
which such Restricted Subsidiary shall concurrently guarantee the Company's 
Obligations under the Indenture and the Notes to the same extent that such 
Restricted Subsidiary guaranteed the Company's Obligations under the Other 
Indebtedness (including waiver of subrogation, if any), provided that if such 
Other Indebtedness is Senior Debt, the Additional Guarantee shall be 
subordinated in right of payment to the guarantee of such Other Indebtedness, 
as provided by the provisions of the Indenture described under the caption 
"--Subordination," and such Additional Guarantee shall be on the same terms 
and subject to the same conditions as the initial Guarantee given by ROV 
Holding under the Indenture. Each Additional Guarantee shall by its terms 
provide that the Additional Guarantor making such Additional Guarantee will 
be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from its 
obligations under such Additional Guarantee upon the release or discharge of 
the guarantee of the Other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such 
Additional Guarantee, except a discharge or release by, or as a result of, 
any payment under the guarantee of such Other Indebtedness by such Additional 
Guarantor. 

   Additional Guarantees 
The Indenture provides that (i) if the Company or any of its Restricted 
Subsidiaries shall, after the date of the Indenture, transfer or cause to be 
transferred, including by way of any Investment, in one or a series of 
transactions (whether or not related), any assets, businesses, divisions, 
real property or equipment having an aggregate fair market value (as 
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) in excess of $1.0 million 
to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, (ii) if the Company or 
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall acquire another Restricted 
Subsidiary having total assets with a fair market value (as determined in 
good faith by the Board of Directors) in excess of $1.0 million, or (iii) if 
any Restricted Subsidiary shall incur Acquired Debt, then the Company shall, 
at the time of such transfer, acquisition or incurrence, (i) cause such 
transferee, acquired Restricted Subsidiary or Restricted Subsidiary incurring 
Acquired Debt (if not then a Guarantor) to execute a Guarantee of the 
Obligations of the Company hereunder in the form set forth in the Indenture 
and (ii) deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, in form reasonably 
satisfactory to the Trustee, that such Guarantee is a valid, binding and 
enforceable obligation of such transferee, acquired Restricted Subsidiary or 
Restricted Subsidiary incurring Acquired Debt, subject to customary 
exceptions for bankruptcy and equitable principles. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may make a 
Restricted Investment in any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the 
Company without compliance with this covenant provided that such Restricted 
Investment is permitted by the covenant described under the caption, 
"Restricted Payments." 

   The Indenture provides that no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge 
with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another 
Person (other than the Company) whether or not affiliated with such 


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Guarantor unless: (i) subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, 
the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other 
than such Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor pursuant 
to a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to 
the Trustee, under its Guarantee, the Notes and the Indenture; (ii) 
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of 
Default exists; and (iii) such Guarantor, or any Person formed by or 
surviving any such consolidation or merger, (a) would have Consolidated Net 
Worth (immediately after giving effect to such transaction), equal to or 
greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of such Guarantor immediately 
preceding the transaction and (b) would be permitted by virtue of the 
Company's pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to incur, immediately after 
giving effect to such transaction, at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness 
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first 
paragraph of the covenant described under the caption "--Incurrence of 
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock." 

   The Indenture provides that in the event of a sale or other disposition of 
all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or 
otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any 
Guarantor, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, 
by way of such a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital 
stock of such Guarantor) or the Person acquiring the property (in the event 
of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of such Guarantor) will 
be released and relieved of any obligations under its Guarantee; provided 
that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in 
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture. See "--Repurchase 
at the Option of Holders --Asset Sales." In the event the Board of Directors 
designates a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Guarantor will 
be released and relieved of any obligation under its Guarantee, provided that 
such designation is conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of 
the Indenture including, but not limited to, the covenant described under the 
caption "--Restricted Payments." 

Reports 

   The Indenture provides that, whether or not required by the rules and 
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), so 
long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company and, if the Company is 
required to file separate financial statements for any Guarantor, such 
Guarantor will furnish to the Trustee and to all Holders (i) all quarterly 
and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a 
filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company and/or any 
Guarantor were required to file such forms, including a "Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" 
and, with respect to the annual information only, a report thereon by the 
Company's and/or the Guarantor's certified independent accountants and (ii) 
all financial information that would be required to be filed with the 
Commission on Form 8-K if the Company and/or any Guarantor were required to 
file such reports. In addition, whether or not required by the rules and 
regulations of the Commission, the Company will file a copy of all such 
information with the Commission for public availability (unless the 
Commission will not accept such a filing) and promptly make such information 
available to all securities analysts and prospective investors upon written 
request. In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so 
long as any Notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and to 
securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the 
information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the 
Securities Act. 

Events of Default and Remedies 

   The Indenture provides that each of the following constitutes an Event of 
Default: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or 
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to, the Notes (whether or not 
prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture); (ii) default in 
payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes 
(whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture); 
(iii) failure by the Company to comply with the provisions described under 
the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control;" (iv) 
failure by the Company or any Guarantor for 60 days after notice to comply 
with any of its other agreements in the Indenture, the Notes or the 
Guarantees; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under 
which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any 
Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted 
Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now 
exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, if (a) such default 
results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express 
maturity or shall constitute a default in the payment of such Indebtedness at 
final maturity of such Indebtedness, and (b) the principal amount of any such 
Indebtedness that has been accelerated or not paid 


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<PAGE>

at maturity, when added to the aggregate principal amount of all other 
Indebtedness that has been accelerated or not paid at maturity, exceeds $5.0 
million; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to 
pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $5.0 million, which judgments 
are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (vii) certain 
events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its 
Restricted Subsidiaries; and (viii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any 
Guarantee issued by a Guarantor shall be held in any judicial proceeding to 
be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force 
and effect or any Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor 
shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Guarantee. 

   If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the 
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may 
declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, 
that if any Obligation with respect to Designated Senior Debt is outstanding 
upon a declaration of acceleration of the Notes, the principal, premium, if 
any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes will not be 
payable until the earlier of (i) the day which is five business days after 
written notice of acceleration is received by the Bank Agent or any other 
agent acting in a similar capacity with regard to any Designated Senior Debt, 
or (ii) the date of acceleration of any Designated Senior Debt. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising 
from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company 
or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary, the principal 
of, and premium, if any, and any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated 
Damages, if any, on all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without 
further action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture 
or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. In the event of a 
declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default has 
occurred and is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any 
Indebtedness described in clause (v) of the preceding paragraph, the 
declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if 
the holders of any Indebtedness described in clause (v) have rescinded the 
declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness within 30 days of 
the date of such declaration and if (a) the annulment of the acceleration of 
the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of 
competent jurisdiction, and (b) all existing Events of Default, except 
nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes that became due solely 
because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived. 

   In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful 
action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with 
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have 
had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to 
the optional redemption provisions of the Indenture, an equivalent premium 
shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted 
by law upon the acceleration of the Notes. If an Event of Default occurs 
prior to November 1, 2001 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken 
(or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding 
the prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to such date, then the 
premium specified in the Indenture shall also become immediately due and 
payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes. 

   The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then 
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of 
the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences 
under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the 
payment of the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, or 
interest on the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority 
in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in 
its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of 
the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a 
Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) 
if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. 

   The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement 
regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon 
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee 
a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default. 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders 

   No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company 
or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of 
the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture 
or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations 
or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note and the related 
Guarantees waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release 


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<PAGE>

are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Guarantees. 
Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal 
securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is 
against public policy. 

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance 

   The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its 
obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes ("Legal 
Defeasance") except for (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to 
receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and 
interest and Liquidated Damages on such Notes when such payments are due from 
the trust referred to below, (ii) 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 payment and money for security payments held in trust, (iii) 
the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the 
Company's obligations in connection therewith and (iv) 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 and insolvency events) described under 
"--Events of Default and Remedies" will no longer constitute an Event of 
Default with respect to the Notes. 

   In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) 
the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the 
benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable 
Government Securities, 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 
and Liquidated Damages on the outstanding Notes on the stated maturity or on 
the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must 
specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular 
redemption date; (ii) 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 (a) the Company has 
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a 
ruling or (b) 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 of the 
outstanding Notes 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; 
(iii) 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 of the outstanding Notes will not 
recognize income, gain or loss for federal 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; (iv) no Default or Event 
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit 
(other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of 
funds to be applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of Default from 
bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period 
ending on the 123rd day after the date of deposit; (v) such Legal Defeasance 
or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or 
constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than 
the Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or 
by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company 
must have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that 
after the 123rd 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; (vii) 
the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that 
the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the 
Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of 
defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or 
others; and (viii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' 
Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions 
precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant 
Defeasance have been complied with. 


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<PAGE>

Transfer and Exchange 

   A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. 
The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to 
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may 
require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by 
the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note 
selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or 
exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be 
redeemed. 

   The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for all 
purposes. 

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver 

   
  Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture
provides that the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or
supplement the Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer
or exchange offer for Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any
provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
(including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer
for Notes).
    

   Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may 
not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder) (i) reduce 
the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, 
supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed 
maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption 
of the Notes in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, (iii) reduce 
the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iv) 
waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or 
premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of 
acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate 
principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that 
resulted from such acceleration), (v) make any Note payable in money other 
than that stated in the Notes, (vi) make any change in the provisions of the 
Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of 
Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on 
the Notes, (vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other 
than a payment required by one of the covenants described under the caption 
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders"), (viii) except pursuant to the 
Indenture, release any Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee, or 
change any Guarantee in any manner that would adversely affect the Holders, 
or (ix) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions. In 
addition, any amendment to the provisions of Article 10 of the Indenture 
(which relate to subordination) will require the consent of the Holders of at 
least 75% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding if such 
amendment would adversely affect the rights of Holders. 

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, 
the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the 
Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for 
uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to 
provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to Holders of Notes 
in the case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would 
provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that 
does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such 
Holder, or to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect 
or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. 

Concerning the Trustee 

   The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, 
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in 
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any 
such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage 
in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it 
must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for 
permission to continue or resign. 

   The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding 
Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting 
any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to 
certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default 
shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the 
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the 
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee 
will be under no obligation to exercise any of 


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<PAGE>

its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any Holder of 
Notes, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and 
indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. 

Additional Information 

   Anyone who receives this Prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture and 
the Registration Rights Agreement without charge by writing to Rayovac 
Corporation, 601 Rayovac Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53711- 2497, Attention: 
Secretary. 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form 

   Except as set forth in the next paragraph, the Notes to be resold as set 
forth herein will initially be issued in the form of one Global Note (the 
"Global Note"). The Global Note will be deposited on the date of the closing 
of the sale of the Notes offered hereby (the "Closing Date") with, or on 
behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") and registered in 
the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary (such nominee being 
referred to herein as the "Global Note Holder"), or will remain in the 
custody of the Trustee pursuant to the FAST Balance Certificate Agreement 
between the Depositary and the Trustee. 

   In the case of Old Notes that were (i) originally issued to or transferred 
to "institutional accredited investors" who are not "qualified institutional 
buyers" (as such terms are defined under "Notice to Investors" elsewhere 
herein) (the "Non-Global Purchasers") or (ii) issued as described below under 
"Certificated Securities," New Notes will be issued in the form of registered 
definitive certificates (the "Certificated Securities"). Upon the transfer to 
a qualified institutional buyer of Certificated Securities initially issued 
to a Non-Global Purchaser, such Certificated Securities may, unless the 
Global Note has previously been exchanged for Certificated Securities, be 
exchanged for an interest in the Global Note representing the principal 
amount of Notes being transferred. 

   The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold 
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the 
"Participants" or the "Depositary's Participants") and to facilitate the 
clearance and settlement of transactions in such securities between 
Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its 
Participants. The Depositary's Participants include securities brokers and 
dealers (including the Initial Purchaser), banks and trust companies, 
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the 
Depositary's system is also available to other entities such as banks, 
brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the "Indirect 
Participants" or the "Depositary's Indirect Participants") that clear through 
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or 
indirectly. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities 
held by or on behalf of the Depositary only through the Depositary's 
Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants. 

   The Company expects that, pursuant to procedures established by the 
Depositary, (i) upon deposit of the Global Note, the Depositary will credit 
the accounts of Participants designated by the Initial Purchaser with 
portions of the principal amount of the Global Note and (ii) ownership of the 
Notes evidenced by the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of 
ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the 
Depositary (with respect to the interests of the Depositary's Participants), 
the Depositary's Participants and the Depositary's Indirect Participants. 
Prospective purchasers are advised that the laws of some states require that 
certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that 
they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer Notes evidenced by the Global 
Note will be limited to such extent. 

   So long as the Global Note Holder is the registered owner of any Notes, 
the Global Note Holder will be considered the sole Holder under the Indenture 
of any Notes evidenced by the Global Note. Beneficial owners of Notes 
evidenced by the Global Note will not be considered the owners or Holders 
thereof under the Indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the 
giving of any directions, instructions or approvals to the Trustee 
thereunder. Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility 
or liability for any aspect of the records of the Depositary or for 
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating 
to the Notes. 

   Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and 
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Notes registered in the name of the Global 
Note Holder on the applicable record date will be payable by the Trustee to 
or at the direction of the Global Note Holder in its capacity as the 
registered Holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the 
Company and the Trustee may treat the persons in whose names Notes, including 
the Global Note, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of 
receiving such payments. Consequently, neither the Company nor the Trustee 
has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such 
amounts 


                                       69
<PAGE>

to beneficial owners of Notes. The Company believes, however, that it is 
currently the policy of the Depositary to immediately credit the accounts of 
the relevant Participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to 
their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant security as 
shown on the records of the Depositary. Payments by the Depositary's 
Participants and the Depositary's Indirect Participants to the beneficial 
owners of Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary 
practice and will be the responsibility of the Depositary's Participants or 
the Depositary's Indirect Participants. 

Certificated Securities 

   Subject to certain conditions, any person having a beneficial interest in 
the Global Note may, upon request to the Trustee, exchange such beneficial 
interest for Notes in the form of Certificated Securities. Upon any such 
issuance, the Trustee is required to register such Certificated Securities in 
the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such person or persons 
(or the nominee of any thereof). All such certificated Old Notes will 
continue to be subject to the legend requirements described thereon. In 
addition, if (i) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the 
Depositary is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary and the 
Company is unable to locate a qualified successor within 90 days or (ii) the 
Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to 
cause the issuance of Notes in the form of Certificated Securities under the 
Indenture, then, upon surrender by the Global Note Holder of its Global Note, 
Notes in such form will be issued to each person that the Global Note Holder 
and the Depositary identify as being the beneficial owner of the related 
Notes. 

   Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the 
Global Note Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of 
Notes and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be 
protected in relying on, instructions from the Global Note Holder or the 
Depositary for all purposes. 

Same-Day Settlement and Payment 

   The Indenture requires that payments in respect of the Notes represented 
by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, interest and 
Liquidated Damages, if any) be made by wire transfer of immediately available 
funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holder. With respect to 
Certificated Securities, the Company will make all payments of principal, 
premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire transfer of 
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof 
or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder's 
registered address. Secondary trading in long-term notes and debentures of 
corporate issuers is generally settled in clearing-house or next-day funds. 
In contrast, the New Notes represented by the Global Note are expected to 
trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted 
secondary market trading activity in such Notes will, therefore, be required 
by the Depositary to be settled in immediately available funds. The Company 
expects that secondary trading in the Certificated Securities will also be 
settled in immediately available funds. 

Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages 

   Holders of New Notes are not entitled to any registration rights with 
respect to the New Notes. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, 
holders of Old Notes were entitled to certain registration rights. Under the 
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to file with the Commission 
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the 
Securities Act with respect to the New Notes. Upon the effectiveness of the 
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company will offer to the Holders 
of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer who are able 
to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their Transfer 
Restricted Securities for New Notes. If (i) the Company is not required to 
file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or permitted to consummate the 
Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law 
or Commission policy or (ii) any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities 
notifies the Company within the specified time period that (a) it is 
prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange 
Offer or (b) that 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 or (c) that it is a broker-dealer 
and owns Notes acquired directly from the Company or an affiliate of the 
Company, the Company will file with the Commission a Shelf Registration 
Statement to cover resales of the Notes by the Holders thereof who satisfy 
certain conditions relating to the provision of information in connection 
with the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company will use its reasonable 
best efforts to cause the applicable registration statement to be declared 
effective as promptly as possible by the Commission. For purposes 


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of the foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means each Old Note until 
(i) 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, (ii) following the 
exchange by a broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer of an Old Note for a New 
Note, the date on which such New 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, (iii) the 
date on which such Note has been effectively registered under the Securities 
Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or 
(iv) the date on which such Note is distributed to the public pursuant to 
Rule 144 under the Act. 

   The Registration Rights Agreement provides that (i) the Company will file 
an Exchange Offer Registration Statement with the Commission on or prior to 
December 21, 1996, (ii) the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to 
have the Exchange Offer Registration Statement declared effective by the 
Commission on or prior to March 7, 1997, (iii) unless the Exchange Offer 
would not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, the Company 
will commence the Exchange Offer and use its reasonable best efforts to 
issue, on or prior to 30 business days after the date on which the Exchange 
Offer Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission, New 
Notes in exchange for all Notes tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer 
and (iv) if obligated to file the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company 
will use its reasonable best efforts to file the Shelf Registration Statement 
with the Commission on or prior to 60 days after such filing obligation 
arises and to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective 
by the Commission on or prior to April 16, 1997. If (a) the Company 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 is not declared effective by the Commission on or 
prior to the date specified for such effectiveness (the "Effectiveness Target 
Date"), (c) the Company fails to consummate the Exchange Offer within 30 
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 
ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales of Transfer 
Restricted Securities 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 Company will pay Liquidated Damages to each 
Holder of Notes, with respect to the first 90-day period immediately 
following the occurrence of such Registration Default in an amount equal to 
$.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes held by such Holder. The 
amount of the Liquidated Damages will increase by an additional $.05 per week 
per $1,000 principal amount of Notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day 
period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum 
amount of Liquidated Damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 principal amount of 
Notes. All accrued Liquidated Damages will be paid by the Company on each 
Damages Payment Date to the Global Note Holder by wire transfer of 
immediately available funds or by federal funds check and to Holders of 
Certificated Securities by wire transfer to the accounts specified by them or 
by mailing checks to their registered addresses if no such accounts have been 
specified. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of 
Liquidated Damages will cease. 

   Holders of Old Notes will be required to make certain representations to 
the Company (as described in the Registration Rights Agreement) in order to 
participate in the Exchange Offer and will be required to deliver information 
to be used in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and to provide 
comments on the Shelf Registration Statement within the time periods set 
forth in the Registration Rights Agreement in order to have their Notes 
included in the Shelf Registration Statement and benefit from the provisions 
regarding Liquidated Damages set forth above. 

Certain Definitions 

   Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference 
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as 
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided. 

   "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) 
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is 
merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, 
including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, 
such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such 
specified Person, and (ii) Indebtedness encumbering any asset acquired by 
such specified Person. 


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   "Additional Guarantee" means any guarantee of the Company's obligations 
under the Indenture and the Notes issued after the Issue Date as described in 
"--Certain Covenants--Limitations on Guarantees of Company Indebtedness by 
Restricted Subsidiaries" and "--Certain Covenants--Additional Guarantees." 

   "Additional Guarantor" means any Subsidiary of the Company that guarantees 
the Company's obligations under the Indenture and the Notes issued after the 
Issue Date as described in "--Certain Covenants--Limitations on Guarantees of 
Company Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries" and "--Certain 
Covenants--Additional Guarantees." 

   "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or 
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common 
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, 
"control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," 
"controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any 
Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to 
direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, 
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or 
otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting 
securities of a Person shall be deemed to be control. 

   "Bank Agent" means Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, 
in its capacity as administrative agent for the lenders party to the Credit 
Agreement, or any successor or successors thereto in such capacity. 

   "Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday. 

   "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof is 
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that 
would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in 
accordance with GAAP. 

   "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, 
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, 
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) 
of corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests 
(whether general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation 
that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and 
losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person (including, 
without limitation, membership interests in a limited liability company). 

   "Cash Equivalents" means (i) securities issued or directly and fully 
guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or guaranteed by a 
government that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
Development ("OECD Country") or any agency or instrumentality thereof 
(provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America or 
such OECD Country, as applicable, is pledged in support thereof) having 
maturities of not more than three years from the date of acquisition of such 
security, (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any State of the 
United States of America or any local government or other political 
subdivision thereof rated (at the time of acquisition of such security) at 
least AA by Standard & Poor's Ratings Service, a division of the McGraw-Hill 
Companies, Inc. ("S&P") or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors 
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") having maturities of not more than one year from 
the date of acquisition of such security, (iii) U.S. dollar denominated time 
deposits, certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of (a) any 
domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in 
excess of $250 million or (b) any bank whose short- term commercial paper 
rating (at the time of acquisition of such security) by S&P is at least A-1 
or the equivalent thereof, in each case with maturities of not more than six 
months from the date of acquisition of such security, (iv) commercial paper 
and variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any industrial or 
financial company with a short-term commercial paper rating (at the time of 
acquisition of such security) of at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by 
S&P or at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's, or guaranteed by 
any industrial company with a long-term unsecured debt rating (at the time of 
acquisition of such security) of at least AA or the equivalent thereof by 
Moody's and in each case maturing within one year after the date of 
acquisition of such security and (v) repurchase agreements with any lender 
under the Credit Agreement or any primary dealer maturing within one year 
from the date of acquisition that are fully collateralized by investment 
instruments that would otherwise be Cash Equivalents; provided that the terms 
of such repurchase agreements comply with the guidelines set forth in the 
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Supervisory 
Policy--Repurchase Agreements of Depository Institutions With Securities 
Dealers and Others, as adopted by the Comptroller of the Currency on October 
31, 1985. 


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<PAGE>

   "Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period, 
the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without 
duplication, (i) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss 
realized in connection with an Asset Sale (to the extent such losses were 
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income), (ii) provision for taxes 
based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for 
such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was included in 
computing such Consolidated Net Income, (iii) consolidated interest expense 
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid 
or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, 
amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the 
interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest 
component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, 
commissions, discounts and other fees and other charges incurred in respect 
of letters of credit or bankers' acceptance financings and net payments (if 
any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense 
was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, (iv) depreciation, 
amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but 
excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior 
period and deferred finance charges) and other non- cash charges of such 
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (excluding non-cash 
charges to the extent that such non-cash charges represent an accrual of or 
reserve for cash charges to be incurred in any future period), to the extent 
that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges were deducted 
in computing such Consolidated Net Income, including without limitation 
non-cash charges recorded in the period ended September 30, 1996 for the 
write-offs or write-downs of assets related to (A) the rationalization of 
manufacturing operations located in the United Kingdom, and (B) adjustments 
of Renewal Power Station inventory valuation, and (v) the following 
non-recurring expenses related to the recapitalization of the Company 
consummated on September 13, 1996 (the "Recapitalization"): (A) up to $2.3 
milion of debt prepayment penalties incurred in connection with the 
prepayment of the Company's Indebtedness outstanding prior to the 
Recapitalization; (B) up to $2.2 million of advisory fees paid to the 
financial advisor to the Company's shareholders who sold shares in the 
Recapitalization; (C) legal and consulting fees incurred in connection with 
the Recapitalization of up to $4.2 million; and (D) up to $7.1 million of 
compensation expense paid to present and former officers of the Company with 
respect to obligations to such present and former officers arising as a 
result of the Recapitalization, in each case to the extent that such expenses 
were paid in cash during the period ended September 30, 1996 (or, in the case 
of up to $2.0 million of expenses incurred pursuant to clause (D) above, 
during the period ended September 30, 1998), and deducted in computing 
Consolidated Net Income for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 
provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and 
amortization and other non-cash charges of, a Subsidiary of the referent 
Person shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash 
Flow only to the extent (and in same proportion) that the Net Income of such 
Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such 
Person and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of 
determination to be dividended to the Company by such Subsidiary without 
prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct 
or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all 
agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and 
governmental regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders. 

   "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any period, the aggregate 
of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such 
period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided 
that (i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is 
accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to 
the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the 
Company or any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) the Net 
Income of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted 
Subsidiary shall only be included to the extent of the amount of dividends or 
distribution paid to the Company or any of its Wholly Owned Restricted 
Subsidiaries, provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if at 
least 80% of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power (without 
regard to the occurrence of any contingency) for the election of directors or 
other governing body of a Restricted Subsidiary is owned by the Company 
directly or indirectly through one or more of its Wholly Owned Restricted 
Subsidiaries, all of the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary shall be 
included, (iii) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary acquired directly 
or indirectly by the Company in a pooling of interests transaction for any 
period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be excluded, (iv) the 
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded, (v) 
the Net Income of any Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the 
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that 
Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted 
without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), 
directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any 
agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental 


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regulation applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders and (vi) the Net 
Income of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be excluded, whether or not 
distributed to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries. 

   "Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person as of any date, 
the sum of (i) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such 
Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) 
the respective amounts reported on such Person's balance sheet as of such 
date with respect to any series of preferred stock (other than Disqualified 
Stock) that by its terms is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless 
such dividends may be declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect 
of the year of such declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any 
cash received by such Person upon issuance of such preferred stock, less (a) 
all write-ups (other than write-ups resulting from foreign currency 
translations and write-ups of tangible assets of a going concern business 
made within 12 months after the acquisition of such business) subsequent to 
the date of the Indenture in the book value of any asset owned by such Person 
or a consolidated Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, and (b) all 
investments as of such date in unconsolidated Restricted Subsidiaries and in 
Persons that are not Restricted Subsidiaries (except, in each case, Permitted 
Investments), and (c) all unamortized debt discount and expense and 
unamortized deferred charges as of such date, all of the foregoing determined 
in accordance with GAAP. 

   "Consulting Agreements" means (i) the Consulting Agreement dated September 
12, 1996 between the Company and Thomas H. Pyle and (ii) the Confidentiality, 
Non-Competition, No Solicitation and No Hire Agreement between the Company 
and Thomas H. Pyle, each as in effect on the date of the Indenture and as 
amended from time to time in a manner no less favorable, taken as a whole, to 
the Company. 

   "Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of 
September 12, 1996, by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto, DLJ 
Capital Funding, Inc., as documentation and joint syndication agent, and the 
Bank Agent, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. 
References to the Credit Agreement shall also include any credit agreement or 
agreements entered into by the Company to replace, extend, renew, increase, 
refund or refinance all or a portion of the Indebtedness under the Credit 
Agreement; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness 
outstanding or available thereunder will not be increased except to the 
extent permitted by the covenant described above under the caption "--Certain 
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock." 

   "Default" means any event or condition that is or with the passage of time 
or the giving of notice or both would, unless cured or waived, be an Event of 
Default. 

   "Designated Senior Debt" means (i) so long as Senior Bank Debt is 
outstanding, the Senior Bank Debt and (ii) thereafter, any other Senior Debt 
permitted under the Indenture the principal amount of which is $25.0 million 
or more and which has been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior 
Debt." 

   "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the 
terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is 
exchangeable, mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon 
the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to 
a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the 
Holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date on which the 
Notes are scheduled to mature. 

   "Employment Agreement" means the Employment Agreement dated September 12, 
1996 between the Company and David A. Jones, as in effect on the date of the 
Indenture and as amended from time to time in a manner no less favorable, 
taken as a whole, to the Company. 

   "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other 
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is 
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock). 

   "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as 
amended. 

   "Existing Indebtedness" means (i) Indebtedness of the Company and its 
Subsidiaries (other than under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date 
of the Indenture, until such amounts are repaid, and (ii) Indebtedness 
incurred after the date of the Indenture pursuant to the following agreements 
in aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $7.0 million (or the 
equivalent thereof in any foreign currency), as each such agreement is in 
effect as of the date of the Indenture and as the same may be amended on 
terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Company: (a) the 
Credit Agreement between Rayovac Europe B.V. and ABN Amro Bank 


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<PAGE>

N.V.; (b) the Credit Agreement between Rayovac (UK), Ltd. and NatWest Bank 
plc (England); and (c) the Credit Agreement between Rayovac (UK), Ltd. and 
NationsBank, N.A. 

   "Financing Lease" means any lease of property, real or personal, the 
obligations of the lessee in respect of which are required in accordance with 
GAAP to be capitalized on a balance sheet of the lessee. 

   "Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum 
of (i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person for such period, 
whether paid or accrued, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing 
Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, 
non-cash interest payments and the interest component of any deferred payment 
obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital 
Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred 
in respect of letters of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net 
payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations, but excluding amortization 
of deferred financing fees) and (ii) the consolidated interest expense of 
such Person and its Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period, and 
(iii) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is 
Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on 
assets of such Person or one of its Subsidiaries (whether or not such 
Guarantee is called upon or Lien is enforced) and (iv) the product of (a) all 
cash dividend payments (and non-cash dividend payments in the case of a 
person that is a Subsidiary) on any series of preferred stock of such Person, 
times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of 
which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local 
statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a 
consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP. 

   "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means with respect to any Person for any 
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such 
period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that 
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees or redeems 
any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings) or issues preferred 
stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge 
Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which the event 
for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the 
"Calculation Date"), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated 
giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or 
redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of preferred 
stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable 
four-quarter reference period. In addition, for purposes of making the 
computation referred to above, (i) acquisitions that have been made by the 
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or 
consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the 
four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on 
or prior to the Calculation Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the 
first day of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for 
such reference period shall be calculated without giving effect to clause 
(iii) of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income, 
and (ii) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, 
as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed 
of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, and (iii) the Fixed 
Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance 
with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation 
Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving 
rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the referent Person or 
any of its Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date. 

   "Foreign Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or 
existing under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof, 
or the District of Columbia. 

   "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from time 
to time 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 agencies with 
similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. 
accounting profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the 
date of determination. 

   "Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations 
guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which 
guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of 
America is pledged. 

   "Guarantee" of a Person means any agreement by which such Person assumes, 
guarantees, endorses, contingently agrees to purchase or provide funds for 
the payment of, or otherwise becomes liable upon, the obligation of any other 
Person, or agrees to maintain the net worth or working capital or other 
financial condition 


                                       75
<PAGE>

of any other Person or otherwise assures any creditor of such other Person 
against loss, including, without limitation, any comfort letter, operating 
agreement or take-or-pay contract and shall include, without limitation, the 
contingent liability of such Person in connection with any application for a 
letter of credit or letter of guarantee. 

   "Guarantor" means, collectively, ROV Holding, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation, and each Subsidiary of the Company that has executed a Guarantee 
in accordance with the covenants described under the captions "--Certain 
Covenants--Limitations on Guarantees of Company Indebtedness by Restricted 
Subsidiaries" and "--Certain Covenants--Additional Guarantees," and their 
successors and assigns. 

   "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations 
of such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap 
agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other agreements or 
arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest 
rates. 

   "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication: (i) 
all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money; (ii) all obligations 
issued, undertaken or assumed by such Person as the deferred purchase price 
of property or services (other than trade payables entered into and accrued 
expenses arising in the ordinary course of business on ordinary terms); (iii) 
all non-contingent reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to 
surety instruments; (iv) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, 
bonds, debentures or similar instruments; (v) all indebtedness of such Person 
created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention 
agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to property 
acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or 
lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to 
repossession or sale of such property); (vi) all Capital Lease Obligations of 
such Person; (vii) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) 
above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an 
existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or 
in property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, 
even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of 
such Indebtedness; (viii) all Hedging Obligations of such Person; and (ix) 
all Guarantees of such Person in respect of indebtedness or obligations of 
others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) above. 

   "Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such 
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or 
indirect loans (including Guarantees), advances or capital contributions 
(excluding commission, travel and similar advances and loans and other 
arrangements, in each case made to officers and employees in the ordinary 
course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of 
Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities and all other items that 
are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in 
accordance with GAAP; provided that an acquisition of assets, Equity 
Interests or other securities by the Company for consideration consisting of 
common equity securities of the Company shall not be deemed to be an 
Investment. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells 
or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect 
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any 
such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted 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 
Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of. 

   "Joint Venture" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability 
company, joint venture or other similar legal arrangement (whether created by 
contract or conducted through a separate legal entity) which is not a 
Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and which is 
now or hereafter formed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 
with another Person in order to conduct a common venture or enterprise with 
such Person. 

   "Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial 
banks in the City of New York, Chicago or San Francisco or at a place of 
payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to 
remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, 
payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a 
Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. 

   "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit 
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security 
interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or 
preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without 
limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any 
Financing Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the 
foregoing (other than any option, call or similar right relating to treasury 
shares of the Company to the extent that such option, call or similar right 
is granted (i) under any employee stock option plan, employee stock ownership 


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plan or similar plan or arrangement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or 
(ii) in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness permitted under the 
covenant described under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of 
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock"). 

   "Liquidated Damages" means the additional amounts (if any) payable by the 
Company in the event of a Registration Default under, and as defined in, the 
Registration Rights Agreement. 

   "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of 
such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in 
respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however, (i) any gain (but 
not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but 
not loss), realized in connection with (a) any Asset Sale (including, without 
limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions) or (b) 
the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries 
or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its 
Subsidiaries and (ii) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), 
together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or 
nonrecurring gain (but not loss). 

   "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company 
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, which 
amount is equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the cash received by the 
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (including any cash payments received 
by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or monetization of, a note or 
installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) in 
connection with such disposition over (ii) the sum of (a) the amount of any 
Indebtedness which is secured by such asset and which is required to be 
repaid in connection with the disposition thereof, plus (b) the reasonable 
out- of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company or such Restricted 
Subsidiary, as the case may be, in connection with such disposition or in 
connection with the transfer of such amount from such Restricted Subsidiary 
to the Company, plus (c) provisions for taxes, including income taxes, 
reasonably estimated to be attributable to the disposition of such asset or 
attributable to required prepayments or repayments of Indebtedness with the 
proceeds thereof, plus (d) if the Company does not first receive a transfer 
of such amount from the relevant Restricted Subsidiary with respect to the 
disposition of an asset by such Restricted Subsidiary and such Restricted 
Subsidiary intends to make such transfer as soon as practicable, the 
out-of-pocket expenses and taxes that the Company reasonably estimates will 
be incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with 
such transfer at the time such transfer is expected to be received by the 
Company (including, without limitation, withholding taxes on the remittance 
of such amount). 

   "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company 
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any 
kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would 
constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a 
guarantor or otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender, and (ii) no default 
with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have 
to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit 
(upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of 
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on 
such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or 
payable prior to its stated maturity. 

   "Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, 
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under 
the documentation governing any Indebtedness. 

   "Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, 
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the 
Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the 
Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of 
such Person. 

   "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the 
Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal 
executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer, or the 
principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of 
the Indenture. 

   "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably 
acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of the Indenture. The 
counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company (or any Guarantor, if 
applicable), any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee. 

   "Permitted Investments" means: (i) any Investments in the Company or in a 
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which, with respect to any 
such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, has a fair market value which does 
not exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate, or any Investments in a Wholly 
Owned Restricted Subsidiary that (A) is a Guarantor, or (B) is not a 
Guarantor, but is a Foreign Subsidiary and the aggregate fair market value of 
all Investments 


                                       77
<PAGE>

made after the date of the Indenture in Foreign Subsidiaries does not exceed 
$3.0 million (or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies); 
(ii) any Investments in Cash Equivalents; (iii) Investments by the Company or 
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such 
Investment (a) such Person becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of 
the Company that is a Guarantor or (b) such Person is merged, consolidated or 
amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its 
assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted 
Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor; (iv) Investments in accounts 
and notes receivable acquired in the ordinary course of business; (v) notes 
from employees, officers, directors, and their transferees and Affiliates 
issued to the Company representing payment of the exercise price of options 
to purchase common stock of the Company; (vi) other Investments made as a 
result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was 
made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described under the 
caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales;" (vii) 
Investments by the Company and its Subsidiaries in Joint Ventures in the form 
of contributions of capital, loans, advances or Guarantees; provided that, 
immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (a) no Event 
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (b) the aggregate fair 
market value of all Investments pursuant to this clause (vii) shall not 
exceed $2.0 million in the aggregate; (viii) Hedging Obligations permitted by 
the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Indenture to be outstanding; and 
(ix) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value 
(measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect 
to subsequent changes in value) not to exceed $5.0 million at any time 
outstanding. For purposes of this definition, the aggregate fair market value 
of any Investment shall be measured on the date such Investment is made 
without giving effect to subsequent changes in value and shall be valued at 
the cash amount thereof, if in cash, the fair market value thereof as 
determined by the Board of Directors, if in property, and at the maximum 
amount thereof, if in Guarantees. 

   "Permitted Liens" means 

     (i) any Lien existing on property of the Company or any Subsidiary on 
   the date of the Indenture securing Indebtedness outstanding on such date; 

     (ii) any Lien securing obligations under the Senior Bank Debt and any 
   Guarantee thereof, which obligations or Guarantee are permitted by the 
   terms hereof to be incurred and outstanding; 

     (iii) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges 
   which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or which are 
   being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which 
   adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained; 

     (iv) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords', materialmen's, 
   repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of 
   business which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good 
   faith and by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of 
   preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto; 

     (v) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of pledges 
   or deposits required in the ordinary course of business in connection with 
   workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security 
   legislation; 

     (vi) Liens on property of the Company or any Subsidiary securing (a) the 
   non-delinquent performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for 
   borrowed money), leases and statutory obligations, (b) surety bonds 
   (excluding appeal bonds and bonds posted in connection with court 
   proceedings or judgments) and (c) other non-delinquent obligations of a 
   like nature, including pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of 
   business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance 
   and other types of social security legislation, in each case, incurred in 
   the ordinary course of business; 

     (vii) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment Liens and 
   Liens securing contingent obligations on appeal bonds and other bonds 
   posted in connection with court proceedings or judgments; provided that 
   the enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and all such Liens in 
   the aggregate at any time outstanding for the Company and its Subsidiaries 
   do not exceed $3.0 million; 

     (viii) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar 
   encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the 
   aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case 
   materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or 
   interfere with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the Company and 
   its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; 


                                       78
<PAGE>

     (ix) purchase money security interests on any property acquired by the 
   Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, securing 
   Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing all or any 
   part of the cost of acquiring such property; provided that (a) any such 
   Lien attaches to such property concurrently with or within 90 days after 
   the acquisition thereof, (b) such Lien attaches solely to the property so 
   acquired in such transaction, (c) the principal amount of the Indebtedness 
   secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such property and (d) 
   the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by all such purchase 
   money security interests shall not at any time exceed $5.0 million; 

     (x) Liens securing obligations in respect of Capital Lease Obligations 
   on assets subject to such leases, provided that such Capital Lease 
   Obligations are otherwise permitted hereunder; 

     (xi) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law 
   provision relating to banker's liens, rights of setoff or similar rights 
   and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a 
   creditor depository institution; provided that (a) such deposit account is 
   not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions 
   against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations 
   promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, and (b) such deposit account is 
   not intended by the Company or any Subsidiary to provide collateral to the 
   depository institution; 

     (xii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted 
   Subsidiary that is a Guarantor; 

     (xiii) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person 
   becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or such Person is merged into or 
   consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; 
   provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of 
   such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than 
   those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company; 

     (xiv) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by 
   the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that 
   such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such 
   acquisition; 

     (xv) extensions, renewals and replacements of Liens referred to in 
   clauses (i) through (xiv) above; provided that any such extension, renewal 
   or replacement Lien is limited to the property or assets covered by the 
   Lien extended, renewed or replaced and does not secure any Indebtedness in 
   addition to that secured immediately prior to such extension, renewal or 
   replacement; 

     (xvi) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by clause (xiv) of the 
   second paragraph of the covenant described under the caption "--Certain 
   Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;" 
   and 

     (xvii) Liens securing other Indebtedness of the Company and its 
   Subsidiaries not expressly permitted by clauses (i) through (xvi) above; 
   provided that the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness secured by Liens 
   permitted pursuant to this clause (xvii) does not exceed $3.0 million in 
   the aggregate. 

   "Person" means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, 
incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock 
company, government (or any agency or political subdivision thereof) or other 
entity of any kind. 

   "Restricted Investment" means any Investment other than a Permitted 
Investment. 

   "Restricted Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary 
of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. 

   "Senior Bank Debt" means all Obligations outstanding under or in 
connection with the Credit Agreement as such agreement may be restated, 
further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to 
time hereafter, together with any refunding or replacement of such 
Indebtedness, up to an aggregate maximum principal amount outstanding or 
available at any time of $170 million plus the aggregate principal amount of 
Indebtedness issued under the Credit Agreement pursuant to clause (vi) of the 
second paragraph of the covenant described under the caption "--Certain 
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock," less 
all outstanding Obligations with respect to Existing Indebtedness, less the 
aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness issued pursuant to clause (xiv) 
(B) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under the caption 
"--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred 
Stock," less, without duplication, the 


                                       79
<PAGE>

aggregate amount of all mandatory repayments of principal (which may not be 
reborrowed) of and/or mandatory permanent reductions of availability of 
Indebtedness under such Senior Bank Debt and any optional prepayments on any 
term loans under the Credit Agreement that have been made since the date of 
the Indenture (including, without limitation, the aggregate amount of all 
such mandatory payments and reductions made pursuant to the covenant 
described under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset 
Sales"). 

   "Senior Debt" means (i) the Senior Bank Debt and (ii) any other 
Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Company or any Guarantor, as the 
case may be, under the terms of the Indenture, unless the instrument under 
which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity 
with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided that the 
amount of any Guarantee of Senior Bank Debt that constitutes Senior Debt with 
respect to any Guarantor shall be determined without regard to any reduction 
in the amount of any Guarantee of such Senior Bank Debt necessary to cause 
such Guarantee not to be a fraudulent conveyance. Notwithstanding anything to 
the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Debt shall not include (a) any 
liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the 
Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries or 
other Affiliates, (c) any trade payables or (d) any Indebtedness that is 
incurred in violation of the Indenture. 

   "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant 
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated 
pursuant to the Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof. 

   "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, 
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total 
voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the 
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers 
or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or 
indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such 
Person or a combination thereof. 

   "Subsidiary Guarantee" means, individually and collectively, the 
guarantees given by ROV Holding, Inc. and any Additional Guarantor pursuant 
to the terms of the Indenture. 

   "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) Minera Vidaluz, S.A. de C.V., (ii) Zoe 
Phos International, N.V., (iii) any Subsidiary that is designated by the 
Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board 
Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary: (a) has no 
Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any agreement, 
contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted 
Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, 
arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such 
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company than those that might be obtained at the 
time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; (c) is a Person with 
respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 
has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity 
Interest or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or 
to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; 
and (d) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided 
credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted 
Subsidiaries. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be 
evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the 
Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers' 
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing 
conditions and was permitted by the covenant described under the caption 
"--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments." If, at any time, any Unrestricted 
Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted 
Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for 
purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be 
deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such 
date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such 
date under the covenant described under the caption "--Certain 
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock," the 
Company shall be in default of such covenant). The Board of Directors of the 
Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a 
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be 
an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of 
any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such 
designation shall only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted 
under the covenant described under the caption "--Certain 
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock," and 
(ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such 
designation. 

   "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any 
Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the 
sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then 
remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required 
payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect 
thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) 
that will 


                                       80
<PAGE>

elapse between such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then 
outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness. 

   "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of 
the Company all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests 
of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned 
by the Company or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the 
Company. 


                                       81
<PAGE>

           CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS 

   The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax 
consequences associated with the exchange of the Old Notes for the New Notes 
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The summary is based upon current laws, 
regulations, rulings and judicial decisions all of which are subject to 
change, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion below does not 
address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to 
particular holders in the context of their specific investment circumstances 
or certain types of holders subject to special treatment under such laws 
(e.g., financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, foreign corporations 
and individuals who are not citizens or residents of the U.S.). In addition, 
the discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or foreign 
taxation. 

   The exchange of the Old Notes for the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange 
Offer will not be treated as an "exchange" for federal income tax purposes 
because the New Notes do not differ materially in either kind or extent from 
the Old Notes. Rather, the New Notes received by a holder will be treated as 
a continuation of the Old Notes in the hands of such holder. As a result, 
there generally will be no federal income tax consequences to holders 
exchanging the Old Notes for the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. In 
addition, any "market discount" on the Old Notes should carry over to the New 
Notes. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of 
the market discount rules to the New Notes received in exchange for the Old 
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 

   Interest accruing throughout the term of the New Notes at a rate of 
10-1/4% per annum will be includable in gross income in accordance with a 
holder's regular method of accounting. If Liquidated Damages are paid (in 
addition to the accrual of interest at a rate of 10-1/4% per annum) on the 
Old Notes as described above under "Description of the Notes--Registration 
Rights; Liquidated Damages," such Liquidated Damages payments generally 
should be includable in a holder's gross income as ordinary income when such 
payment is made. 

   EACH HOLDER SHOULD CONSULT HIS TAX ADVISOR IN DETERMINING THE FEDERAL, 
STATE, LOCAL AND ANY OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE PARTICULAR HOLDER OF THE 
EXCHANGE OF OLD NOTES FOR NEW NOTES AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE 
OLD NOTES AND THE NEW NOTES. 

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 

   Each broker-dealer who holds Old Notes for its own account as a result of 
market-making activities or other trading activities, and who receives New 
Notes in exchange for such Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, may be a 
statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus in connection with any 
resale of such New Notes. 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 New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old 
Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading 
activities. The Company has agreed that for a period of 180 days after the 
date of this Prospectus, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or 
supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any 
such resale. In addition, until [      ], 1997 (180 days after the date of 
this Prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the New Notes may be 
required to deliver a prospectus. 

   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 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 is an "underwriter" within the meaning the Securities 
Act. 


                                       82
<PAGE>

   For a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, the Company 
will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or 
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such 
documents in the Letter of Transmittal. 

                                LEGAL MATTERS 

   
   The validity of the issuance of the New Notes will be passed upon for the
Company by Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    


                                   EXPERTS 

   The financial statements and schedules of the Company and Subsidiaries as 
of June 30, 1995 and 1996 and as of September 30, 1996 and for each of the 
years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1996, and the Transition Period 
ended September 30, 1996 included herein and elsewhere in the Registration 
Statement have been included herein and in the Registration Statement in 
reliance upon the reports of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent certified 
public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, given upon the authority of 
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. 


                                       83




<PAGE>

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                  INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page 
                                                                                                            --------------- 
 <S>                                                                                                             <C>
 Report of Independent Public Accountants                                                                        F-2 
 Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1996                        F-3 
 Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended June 
 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996                                      F-4 
 Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 
 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996                                      F-5 
 Combined Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the 
 Years Ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996                     F-6 
 Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements                                                             F-7 
 Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1995                                F-31 
 Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Statement of Operations for 
 the period July 1, 1995 through September 30, 1995                                                              F-32 
 Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for 
 the period July 1, 1995 through September 30, 1995                                                              F-33 
 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements                                         F-34 
</TABLE>

   
   ROV Holding, the only Company subsidiary currently guaranteeing the 
Company's obligations under the Notes is a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company. ROV Holding's guarantee of the New Notes is full and unconditional. 
Separate financial statements of ROV Holding are not set forth in this 
Prospectus as the Company has determined that they would not be material to 
investors. 
    

                                      F-1
<PAGE> 

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors of 
Rayovac Corporation 

   We have audited the accompanying combined consolidated balance sheets of 
Rayovac Corporation and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1995 and 1996 and 
September 30, 1996, and the related combined consolidated statements of 
operations, shareholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended June 30, 1996 and the period July 1, 1996 to 
September 30, 1996  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 combined consolidated financial statements referred to 
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Rayovac Corporation and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1995 and 1996 and 
September 30, 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1996 and the period 
July 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles. 

   
/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
November 22, 1996 
    

                                      F-2
<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                     COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 June 30,     June 30,    September 30, 
                                                                   1995         1996          1996 
                                                               ------------ ------------ --------------- 
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>           <C>
                             Assets 
Current assets: 
  Cash and cash equivalents                                      $  2,645     $  2,190      $   4,255 
  Receivables: 
   Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for 
    doubtful accounts of $702, $786, and $722, 
    respectively                                                   50,887       55,830         62,320 
   Other                                                            1,811        2,322          4,156 
  Inventories                                                      65,540       66,941         70,121 
  Deferred income taxes                                             5,668        5,861          9,958 
  Prepaid expenses and other                                        5,651        4,975          4,864 
                                                               ----------    ---------      --------- 
    Total current assets                                          132,202      138,119        155,674 
Property, plant and equipment, net                                 77,963       73,938         69,397 
Deferred charges and other                                         10,270        9,655          7,413 
Debt issuance costs                                                   155          173         12,764 
                                                               ----------    ---------      --------- 
    Total assets                                                $ 220,590    $ 221,885      $ 245,248 
                                                               ==========    =========     ========== 
              Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) 
Current liabilities: 
  Current maturities of long-term debt                           $ 11,916     $ 11,631      $   8,818 
  Accounts payable                                                 39,171       38,695         46,921 
  Accrued liabilities: 
   Wages and benefits                                               9,372        6,126          5,894 
   Other                                                           15,861       19,204         15,904 
   Recapitalization and other special charges                          --           --         14,942 
                                                               ----------    ---------      --------- 
    Total current liabilities                                      76,320       75,656         92,479 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities                          76,377       69,718        224,845 
Employee benefit obligations, net of current portion               10,954       12,141         12,138 
Deferred income taxes                                               2,394        2,584            942 
Other                                                                 958          162            564 
Shareholders' equity (deficit): 
  Common stock, $ 01 par value, authorized 90,000 
   shares; issued 50,000 shares; outstanding 50,000, 
   49,500 and 20,470 shares, respectively                             500          500            500 
  Rayovac International Corporation common stock, 
   $ 50 par value, authorized 18 shares; issued and 
   outstanding 10, 10 and 0 shares, respectively                        5            5             -- 
  Additional paid-in capital                                       12,000       12,000         15,970 
  Foreign currency translation adjustment                           1,979        1,650          1,689 
  Note receivable officer/shareholder                                  --           --           (500) 
  Retained earnings                                                39,103       48,002         25,143 
                                                               ----------    ---------      --------- 
                                                                   53,587       62,157         42,802 
  Less treasury stock, at cost, 500 and 29,530 shares, 
   respectively                                                        --         (533)      (128,522) 
                                                               ----------    ---------      --------- 
    Total shareholders' equity (deficit)                           53,587       61,624        (85,720) 
                                                               ----------    ---------      --------- 
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)        $ 220,590    $ 221,885     $  245,248 
                                                               ==========    =========     ========== 
</TABLE>

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-3
<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              
                                              
                                               
                                                             Years Ended               Transition 
                                                               June 30,               Period Ended 
                                               -------------------------------------- September 30, 
                                                   1994         1995         1996         1996 
                                               ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ 
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales                                      $ 386,176    $ 390,988    $ 399,384     $94,981 
Cost of goods sold                               234,870      237,126      239,343      59,242 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
    Gross profit                                 151,306      153,862      160,041      35,739 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
Operating expenses:                                                                   
  Selling                                        103,846       84,467       92,555      20,897 
  General and administrative                      29,356       32,861       31,767       8,628 
  Research and development                         5,684        5,005        5,442       1,495 
  Recapitalization charges                            --           --           --      12,326 
  Other special charges                            1,522           --           --      16,065 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
                                                 140,408      122,333      129,764      59,411 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
    Income (loss) from operations                 10,898       31,529       30,277    (23,672) 
Interest expense                                   7,725        8,644        8,435       4,430 
Other (income) expense, net                        (601)          230          552          76 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
Income (loss) before income taxes and                                                 
 extraordinary item                                3,774       22,655       21,290    (28,178) 
Income tax expense (benefit)                       (582)        6,247        7,002     (8,904) 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
Income (loss) before extraordinary item            4,356       16,408       14,288    (19,274) 
Extraordinary item, loss on early                                                     
  extinguishment of debt, net of income tax                                           
  benefit of $777                                     --           --           --     (1,647) 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
    Net income (loss)                             $4,356      $16,408      $14,288    (20,921) 
                                               =========    =========    =========    ======== 
Net income (loss) per common share:                                                   
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item          $0.09        $0.33        $0.29     $(0.44) 
  Extraordinary item                                  --           --           --      (0.04) 
                                               ---------    ---------    ---------    -------- 
  Net income (loss)                                $0.09        $0.33        $0.29     $(0.48) 
                                               =========    =========    =========    ======== 
Weighted average shares of common stock                                               
  outstanding                                     50,000       50,000       49,500      43,820 
                                               =========    =========    =========    ======== 
</TABLE>

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
                                (in thousands) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   
                                                   
                                                   
                                                                Years Ended               Transition 
                                                                 June 30,                Period Ended 
                                                   -----------------------------------   September 30, 
                                                       1994        1995        1996           1996 
                                                   ----------- ----------- -----------  ----------- 
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  Net income (loss)                                  $  4,356    $  16,408   $  14,288   $ (20,921) 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to 
   net cash (used in) provided by operating 
    activities: 
   Recapitalization and other special charges              --           --          --      13,449 
   Extraordinary item, loss on early 
    extinguishment of debt                                 --           --          --       2,424 
   Amortization of debt issuance costs                    101          103          53       1,609 
   Depreciation                                        10,252       11,024      11,932       3,279 
   Deferred income taxes                               (1,086)         346           3      (5,739) 
   Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets                340          110        (108)      1,289 
   Changes in assets and liabilities: 
    Accounts receivable                                (9,211)      (2,537)     (6,166)     (8,940) 
    Inventories                                       (18,545)       9,004      (1,779)     (3,078) 
    Prepaid expenses and other                           (489)        (990)      1,148         741 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities           (4,426)       2,051      (1,526)       (185) 
    Accrued recapitalization and other special
     charges                                               --           --          --      14,942
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
      Net cash (used in) provided by operating 
       activities                                     (18,708)      35,519      17,845      (1,130) 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment          (12,464)     (16,938)     (6,646)     (1,248) 
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and 
equipment                                                  35          139         298       1,281 
  Notes receivable officer/shareholder                     --           --          --        (500) 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
      Net cash used in investing activities           (12,429)     (16,799)     (6,348)       (467) 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  Reduction of debt                                   (79,844)    (106,383)   (104,526)   (107,090) 
  Proceeds from debt financing                        114,350       85,698      96,252     259,489 
  Cash overdraft                                         (202)       3,925       2,339      (2,493) 
  Debt issuance costs                                      --           --          --     (14,373) 
  Extinguishment of debt                                   --           --          --      (2,424) 
  Distributions from DISC                              (3,500)      (1,500)     (5,187)     (1,943) 
  Acquisition of treasury stock                            --           --        (533)   (127,425) 
  Payments on capital lease obligation                     --           --        (295)        (84) 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing 
       activities                                      30,804      (18,260)    (11,950)      3,657 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash 
 equivalents                                               57         (345)         (2)          5 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
      Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash 
       equivalents                                       (276)         115        (455)      2,065 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period          2,806        2,530       2,645       2,190 
                                                     --------    ---------   ---------   --------- 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period             $  2,530    $   2,645   $   2,190   $   4,255 
                                                     ========    =========   =========   ========= 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 
  Cash paid for interest                             $  7,692    $   8,789   $   7,535   $   7,977 
  Cash paid for income taxes                         $  4,664    $   8,821   $   5,877   $     419 
</TABLE>
    

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-5

<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

      COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Rayovac International
                                                                              Corporation     
                                         Common Stock       Additional -----------------------
                                     ----------------------   Paid-in     Common Stock (DISC) 
                                      Shares      Amount      Capital    Shares      Amount 
                                    ----------- ---------------------- ----------- ----------- 
<S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>  
Balances July 1, 1993                  50,000      $500       $12,000       10         $ 5 
Net income                                 --        --            --       --          -- 
Distributions from DISC                    --        --            --       --          -- 
Translation adjustment                     --        --            --       --          -- 
Adjustment of additional minimum 
  pension liability                        --        --            --       --          -- 
                                      -------      ----       -------     ----        ---- 
Balances June 30, 1994                 50,000       500        12,000       10           5 
Net income                                 --        --            --       --          -- 
Distributions from DISC                    --        --            --       --          -- 
Translation adjustment                     --        --            --       --          -- 
Adjustment of additional minimum 
  pension liability                        --        --            --       --          -- 
                                      -------      ----       -------     ----        ---- 
Balances June 30, 1995                 50,000       500        12,000       10           5 
Net income                                 --        --            --       --          -- 
Distributions from DISC                    --        --            --       --          -- 
Translation adjustment                     --        --            --       --          -- 
Adjustment of additional minimum 
  pension liability                        --        --            --       --          -- 
Treasury stock acquired                  (500)       --            --       --          -- 
                                      -------      ----       -------     ----        ---- 
Balances June 30, 1996                 49,500       500        12,000       10           5 
Net loss                                   --        --            --       --          -- 
Common stock acquired in 
  Recapitalization                    (29,030)       --            --       --          -- 
Exercise of stock options                  --        --         3,970       --          -- 
Increase in cost of existing 
  treasury stock                           --        --            --       --          -- 
Note receivable, officer/ 
  shareholder                              --        --            --       --          -- 
Termination of DISC                        --        --            --      (10)         (5)
Translation adjustment                     --        --            --       --          -- 
                                      -------      ----       -------     ----        ---- 
Balances September 30, 1996            20,470      $500       $15,970       --         $-- 
                                      =======      ====       =======     ====        ==== 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Foreign      Notes                              Total 
                                     Currency   Receivable                         Shareholders' 
                                    Translation  Officer/    Retained    Treasury     Equity 
                                    Adjustment  Shareholder  Earnings     Stock     (Deficit) 
                                    ----------  -----------  --------     -----     ---------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
Balances July 1, 1993                 $1,415       $  --     $ 23,029   $      --   $  36,949 
Net income                                --          --        4,356          --       4,356 
Distributions from DISC                   --          --       (3,500)         --      (3,500)
Translation adjustment                   140          --           --          --         140 
Adjustment of additional minimum 
  pension liability                       --          --          (23)         --         (23)
                                      ------       -----     --------   ---------   --------- 
Balances June 30, 1994                 1,555          --       23,862          --      37,922 
Net income                                --          --       16,408          --      16,408 
Distributions from DISC                   --          --       (1,500)         --      (1,500) 
Translation adjustment                   424          --           --          --         424 
Adjustment of additional minimum 
  pension liability                       --          --          333          --         333 
                                      ------       -----     --------   ---------   --------- 
Balances June 30, 1995                 1,979          --       39,103          --      53,587 
Net income                                --          --       14,288          --      14,288 
Distributions from DISC                   --          --       (5,187)         --      (5,187) 
Translation adjustment                  (329)         --           --          --        (329) 
Adjustment of additional minimum 
  pension liability                       --          --         (202)         --        (202) 
Treasury stock acquired                   --          --           --        (533)       (533) 
                                      ------       -----     --------   ---------   --------- 
Balances June 30, 1996                 1,650          --       48,002        (533)     61,624 
Net loss                                  --          --      (20,921)         --     (20,921) 
Common stock acquired in 
  Recapitalization                        --          --           --    (127,425)   (127,425) 
Exercise of stock options                 --          --           --          --       3,970 
Increase in cost of existing 
  treasury stock                          --          --           --        (564)       (564) 
Note receivable, officer/ 
  shareholder                             --        (500)          --          --        (500) 
Termination of DISC                       --          --       (1,938)         --      (1,943) 
Translation adjustment                    39          --           --          --          39 
                                      ------       -----     --------   ---------   --------- 
Balances September 30, 1996           $1,689       $(500)    $ 25,143   $(128,522)  $ (85,720) 
                                      ======       =====     ========   =========   ========= 
</TABLE>
         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-6

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. RECAPITALIZATION 

   Rayovac Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Company") 
manufacture and market a variety of battery types including general 
(alkaline, rechargeables, heavy duty, lantern and general purpose), button 
cell and lithium. The Company also produces a variety of lighting devices 
such as flashlights and lanterns. The Company's products are sold primarily 
to retailers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East. 

   
   Effective as of September 12, 1996, the Company, all of the shareholders 
of the Company, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III L.P. (the "Lee Fund") and other 
affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company (THL Co.) completed a recapitalization of 
the Company (the "Recapitalization") pursuant to which: (i) the Company 
obtained senior financing in an aggregate of $170.0 million, of which $131.0 
million was borrowed at the closing of the Recapitalization; (ii) the Company 
obtained $100.0 million in financing through the issuance of senior 
subordinated increasing rate notes of the Company (the "Bridge Notes"); (iii) 
the Company redeemed a portion of the shares of common stock held by the 
former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (iv) the Lee 
Fund and other affiliates of THL Co. purchased for cash shares of common 
stock owned by shareholders of the Company; and, (v) the Company repaid 
certain of its outstanding indebtedness, including prepayment fees and 
penalties. The prepayment fees and penalties paid have been recorded as an 
extraordinary item in the Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations. 
Other non-recurring charges of which $12.3 million related to the 
Recapitalization were also expensed and included $2.2 million in advisory 
fees paid to the financial advisor to the Company's selling shareholders; 
various legal and consulting fees of $2.8 million; and $7.3 million of stock 
option compensation, severance payments and employment contract settlements 
for the benefit of certain present and former officers, directors and 
management of the Company. Payment for these costs was or is expected to be 
as follows: (i) $8.4 million was paid prior to September 30. 1996; and (ii) 
$3.9 million is expected to be paid in fiscal year 1997. 
    

   The Company has changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to September 30. 
For clarity of presentation herein, the period from July 1, 1996 to September 
30, 1996 is referred to as the "Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996" 
or "Transition Period". 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

   The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the 
Company: 

   a. Principles of Combination and Consolidation: The combined consolidated 
      financial statements include the accounts of Rayovac Corporation and 
      its wholly-owned subsidiaries and Rayovac International Corporation, a 
      Domestic International Sales Corporation (DISC) which is owned by the 
      Company's shareholders. All intercompany transactions have been 
      eliminated. See also Note 6. 

   b. Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue from product sales 
      upon shipment to the customer. 

   c. 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 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 those estimates. 

   d. Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid debt 
      instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be 
      cash equivalents. 

   e. Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers: The Company's trade 
      receivables are subject to concentrations of credit risk as three 
      principal customers accounted for 21%, 26% and 24% of the outstanding 
      trade receivables as of June 30, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1996, 
      respectively. The Company derived 28%, 27%, 28% and 25% of its net 
      sales during the years ending June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the 
      Transition Period, respectively, from the same three customers. 

                                      F-7
<PAGE> 

                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

      The Company has one customer that represented over 10% of its net 
      sales. The Company derived 17%, 16%, 19% and 18% of its net sales from 
      this customer during the years ending June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and 
      the Transition Period, respectively. 

   f. Displays and Fixtures: The costs of displays and fixtures are 
      capitalized and recorded as a prepaid asset and charged to expense when 
      shipped to a customer location. Such prepaid assets amount to 
      approximately $1,300,000, $1,068,000 and $730,000 as of June 30, 1995 
      and 1996 and September 30, 1996, respectively. 

   g. Inventories: Inventories are stated at lower of cost (first-in, 
      first-out (FIFO) method) or market (net realizable value). 

   h. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are 
      recorded at cost. The Company provides for depreciation over the 
      estimated useful lives of plant and equipment on the straight-line 
      basis. Depreciable lives by major classification are as follows: 

                Building and improvements             20-30 years 
                Machinery, equipment and other         5-20 years 

      Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred and major 
      renewals and betterments are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of 
      depreciable assets, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are 
      removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected 
      in operations. 

   i. Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized 
      to interest expense over the lives of the debt agreements. Amortization 
      of debt issuance costs during the Transition Period relates principally 
      to the Bridge Notes. 

   j. Accounts Payable: Included in accounts payable at June 30, 1995 and 
      1996 and September 30, 1996 is approximately $5,466,000, $7,805,000 and 
      $5,312,000, respectively, of book overdrafts on disbursement accounts 
      which were replenished prior to the presentation of checks for payment. 

   k. Income Taxes: Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined 
      based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases 
      of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the 
      year in which the differences are expected to reverse. 

   l. Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of the Company's 
      foreign subsidiaries are translated at the rate of exchange existing at 
      year-end, with revenues, expenses, and cash flows translated at the 
      average of the monthly exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from 
      translation of the financial statements are accumulated as a separate 
      component of shareholders' equity. Exchange gains (losses) on foreign 
      currency transactions aggregating $290,000, ($112,000), ($750,000) and 
      ($70,000) for the years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the 
      Transition Period, respectively, are included in other expense, net, in 
      the Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

   m. Advertising Costs: The Company incurred expenses for advertising of 
      $34,139,000, $25,014,000, $23,466,000 and $5,191,000 in the years ended 
      June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the Transition Period, respectively. 
      The Company's policy with regard to advertising production costs is to 
      expense such costs as incurred. 

   n. Net Income Per Share: Net income (loss) per common share is computed 
      using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during 
      the period. 

   
   o. Financial Instruments: From time to time, the Company enters into 
      derivative financial transactions, specifically interest rate swaps and 
      other contracts to reduce and manage risks associated with changes in 
      interest rate, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company 
      does not enter into derivative 
    

                                      F-8
<PAGE> 

                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

   
      transactions on a speculative basis. Income and expense related to 
      interest rate swaps is accrued as interest rates change and is 
      recognized in income over the life of the agreement. Under commodity 
      contracts, payments are made or received based upon the differential 
      between a specified price and the actual price of the commodity. Gains 
      or losses relating to the commodity contracts are recognized in cost of 
      sales when the commodities are consumed. Gains or losses related to 
      foreign exchange qualifying hedges are deferred and recognized in 
      income when the hedged transaction occurs. Gains or losses related to 
      foreign exchange contracts that do not qualify as hedges are recognized 
      in income currently. The carrying value of other financial investments 
      such as cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and 
      accounts payable approximate the fair value due to the relatively short 
      period to maturity of the instruments. 
    

   
        At September 30, 1996, the Company had commodity hedge contracts
      outstanding with a notional value of approximately $2,850,000. The
      commodity contracts relate to certain metals used in the manufacturing
      process and are short-term in nature. There were no outstanding foreign
      exchange contracts or interest rate swaps at September 30, 1996.
    

   p. Environmental Expenditures: Environmental expenditures that relate to 
      current ongoing operations or to conditions caused by past operations 
      are expensed. The Company determines its liability on a site by site 
      basis and records a liability at the time when it is probable and can 
      be reasonably estimated. The estimated liability is not reduced for 
      possible recoveries from insurance carriers. 

   q. Stock Split: In September 1996, the Company's board of directors 
      declared a five-for-one stock split. A total of 16,376,000 additional 
      shares were issued in conjunction with the stock split to shareholders 
      of record. All applicable share and per share amounts herein have been 
      restated to reflect the stock split retroactively. 

3. INVENTORIES 

   Inventories consist of the following (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    June 30,  June 30,   September 30, 
                      1995      1996          1996 
                    --------- ---------  --------------- 
<S>                 <C>        <C>          <C>
Raw material        $19,815    $17,592      $21,325 
Work-in-process      20,832     26,104       19,622 
Finished goods       24,893     23,245       29,174 
                    -------    -------      ------- 
                    $65,540    $66,941      $70,121 
                    =======    =======      ======= 
</TABLE>

4  PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

   Property, plant and equipment consists of the following (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     June 30,    June 30,    September 30, 
                                       1995        1996          1996 
                                    ----------- ----------- --------------- 
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>
Land, building and improvements      $ 16,472   $  15,469     $  16,824 
Machinery, equipment and other        114,341     119,619       120,125 
Construction in process                 4,233       5,339         6,232 
                                     --------   ---------     --------- 
                                      135,046     140,427       143,181 
Less accumulated depreciation          57,083      66,489        73,784 
                                     --------   ---------     --------- 
                                     $ 77,963   $  73,938     $  69,397 
                                     ========   =========     ========= 
</TABLE>

                                      F-9
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


5. DEBT 

   Debt consists of the following (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              June 30,    June 30,     September 30, 
                                                                1995        1996           1996 
                                                             ---------  -----------  --------------- 
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>        <C>
Term loan facility                                           $    --       $    --    $105,000
Bridge Notes                                                      --            --     100,000
Revolving credit facility                                         --            --      23,500
Debt paid September 1996 due to Recapitalization:                                     
 Senior Secured Notes due 1997 through 2002                   32,429        29,572          --
 Subordinated Notes due through 2003                           8,180         7,270          --
 Revolving credit facility                                    39,500        39,250          --
Other:                                                  
 Notes payable in Pounds Sterling to a foreign bank,    
   due on demand, with interest at bank's base rate     
   plus 1 87% (7 87% at September 30, 1996)                    2,551         1,242         939
 Capitalized lease obligation                                     --         1,330       1,246
 Notes and obligations, with a weighted average interest                              
   rate of 8 0% at September 30, 1996                          5,633         2,685       2,978
                                                             -------       -------    --------
                                                              88,293        81,349     233,663
 Less current maturities                                      11,916        11,631       8,818
                                                             -------    ----------    --------
 Long-term debt                                              $76,377       $69,718    $224,845
                                                             =======    ==========    ========
</TABLE>

   On September 12, 1996, the Company executed a new Credit Agreement (the 
"Agreement") arranged by BA Securities, Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette 
Securities Corporation and certain of its affiliates for a group of financial 
institutions and other accredited investors. The Agreement provides for 
senior bank facilities, including term and revolving credit facilities in an 
aggregate amount of $170.0 million, as described below. Interest on 
borrowings is computed, at the Company's option, based on the Bank of America 
National Trust and Savings Association's base rate (as defined) ("Base Rate") 
or the Interbank Offering Rate ("IBOR"). 

   The term loan facility includes: (i) Tranche A term loan of $55.0 million, 
quarterly amortization ranging from $1.0 million to $3.75 million beginning 
December 31, 1996 through September 30, 2002, interest at the Base Rate plus 
1.5% per annum or at IBOR plus 2.5% per annum (9.75 % at September 30, 1996); 
(ii) Tranche B term loan of $25.0 million, quarterly amortization amounts of 
$62,500 during each of the first six years and $5.875 million in the seventh 
year beginning December 31, 1996 through September 30, 2003, interest at the 
Base Rate plus 2.0% per annum, or IBOR plus 3.0% per annum (10.25% at 
September 30, 1996); (iii) Tranche C term loan of $25.0 million, quarterly 
amortization of $62,500 during each of the first seven years and $5.8125 
million during the eighth year beginning December 31, 1996 through September 
30, 2004; interest at the Base Rate plus 2.25% per annum or IBOR plus 3.25% 
per annum (10.50% at September 30, 1996). 

   The revolving credit facility provides for aggregate working capital loans 
up to $65.0 million through September 30, 2002, reduced by outstanding 
letters of credit ($10.0 million limit). Interest on borrowings is at the 
Base Rate plus 1.5% per annum or LIBOR plus 2.5% per annum (9.75% at 
September 30, 1996). The Company had outstanding letters of credit of 
approximately $3.1 million at September 30, 1996. 

   The Agreement contains financial covenants with respect to borrowings 
which include, minimum earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, 
and amortization, fixed charge coverage and tangible net worth. In addition, 
the Agreement restricts capital expenditures and the payment of dividends. 
The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the 
average daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Borrowings 
under the Agreement are collateralized by substantially all the assets of the 
Company. 

   The Bridge Notes bear interest at prime plus 3.5% (11.75% at September 30, 
1996). The Bridge Notes were paid in full in October 1996. See also Note 16. 

                                      F-10
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


5. DEBT (Continued)

   The aggregate scheduled maturities of debt during subsequent years are as 
follows (in thousands): 

 Year ending September 30, 
         1997                $  8,818 
         1998                   6,970 
         1999                   8,886 
         2000                  10,500 
         2001                  12,500 
         Thereafter           185,989 
                            ---------- 
                             $233,663 
                            ========== 

   The capital lease obligation is payable in Pounds Sterling in installments 
of $390,000 in 1997, $470,000 in 1998 and $386,000 in 1999. For purposes of 
the Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the assets acquired under 
capital lease and the obligation are considered a non-cash transaction. 

   
   The carrying values of the debt instruments noted above approximate their 
estimated fair values. 
    

6. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) 

   During the year ended June 30, 1996, the former principal shareholder of 
the Company granted an officer and a director consideration options to 
purchase 235,000 shares of common stock owned by the shareholder personally 
at exercise prices per share ranging from $3.65 to $5.77 (the book values per 
share at the respective dates of grant). These options were exercised in 
conjunction with the Recapitalization and resulted in a charge to earnings of 
approximately $3,970,000 during the Transition Period and an increase in 
additional paid-in capital in the Combined Consolidated Statements of 
Shareholders' Equity (Deficit). 

   Treasury stock acquired during the year ended June 30, 1996 was subject to 
an agreement which provided the selling shareholder with additional 
compensation for the common stock sold, if a change in control occurred 
within a specified period of time. As a result of the Recapitalization, the 
selling shareholder was entitled to an additional $564,000, which is 
reflected as an increase in treasury stock in the Combined Consolidated 
Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit). 

   Retained earnings includes DISC retained earnings of $3,605,000 and 
$1,594,000 at June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively. In August 1996, the DISC 
was terminated and the net assets were distributed to its shareholders. 

7. STOCK OPTION PLAN 

   Effective September 1996, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") 
approved the Rayovac Corporation Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") which is 
intended to afford an incentive to select employees and directors of the 
Company to promote the interests of the Company. Under the Plan, stock 
options to acquire up to 3.0 million shares of common stock, in the 
aggregate, may be granted under either or both a time-vesting or a 
performance-vesting formula at an exercise price equal to the market price of 
the common stock on the date of grant. The time-vesting options become 
exercisable in equal 20% increments over a five year period. The 
performance-vesting options become exercisable at the end of ten years with 
accelerated vesting over each of the next five years if the Company achieves 
certain performance goals. 

                                      F-11
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


7. STOCK OPTION PLAN (Continued)

   A summary of the status of the Company's Plan is as follows: 


                                            Weighted-Average 
                                  Shares     Exercise Price 
                              ------------  ---------------- 
Granted                         1,464,339        $ 4.39 
Exercised                              --          -- 
Forfeited                              --          -- 
                                ---------        ------ 
Outstanding, end of period      1,464,339        $ 4.39 
                                =========        ====== 

   The stock options outstanding on September 30, 1996 have a 
weighted-average remaining contractual life estimated at eight years. The 
weighted average fair value of each option issued was $1.92. The risk free 
interest rate utilized to determine the fair value of the options was 6.78%. 
None of these options are currently exercisable. 

   
   The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related Interpretations in 
accounting for its plan. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been 
recognized in the statement of operations. Had the Company recognized 
compensation expense determined based on the fair value at the grant date for 
awards under the plans, consistent with the method prescribed by FASB 
Statement 123, the Company's net loss and loss per share, on a pro forma 
basis, for the Transition Period would have been increased to $21,035,000 and 
$0.48 per share, respectively. 
    

8. INCOME TAXES 

   Pretax earnings (earnings before income taxes and extraordinary item) and 
income tax (benefit) expense consists of the following (in thousands): 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                            Years Ended                Transition 
                                             June 30,                 Period Ended 
                                  ---------------------------------   September 30, 
                                    1994       1995        1996          1996 
                                  -------------------- -----------  --------------- 
<S>                               <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
Pretax earnings: 
 United States                    $ 1,031    $16,505    $ 17,154      $(27,713) 
 Outside the United States          2,743      6,150       4,136        (2,889) 
                                  -------    -------    --------      -------- 
    Total pretax earnings         $ 3,774    $22,655    $ 21,290      $(30,602) 
                                  =======    =======    =========     ======== 
Income tax (benefit) expense: 
 Current: 
  Federal                         $   230    $ 3,923     $ 5,141      $ (3,870) 
  Foreign                             528        797       1,469           (72) 
  State                              (254)     1,181         389           -- 
                                  -------    -------    --------      -------- 
    Total current                     504      5,901       6,999        (3,942) 
                                  -------    -------    --------      -------- 
Deferred: 
 Federal                           (1,342)       799          54        (3,270) 
 Foreign                              386       (544)        (57)         (847) 
 State                               (130)        91           6        (1,622) 
                                  -------    -------    --------      -------- 
    Total deferred                 (1,086)       346           3        (5,739) 
                                  -------    -------    --------      -------- 
                                  $  (582)   $ 6,247     $ 7,002       $(9,681) 
                                  =======    =======    =========     ======== 
</TABLE>
    

                                      F-12
<PAGE> 

                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


8. INCOME TAXES (Continued)

   The following reconciles the Federal statutory income tax rate with the 
Company's effective tax rate: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   
                                                   
                                                    
                                                            Years Ended               Transition 
                                                              June 30,               Period Ended 
                                                   -----------------------------    September 30, 
                                                      1994       1995     1996         1996 
                                                   -----------  ------- --------  --------------- 
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>      <C>          <C>
Statutory Federal income tax rate                     35.0%     35.0%    35.0%        35.0% 
DISC commission income                               (27.4)     (5.9)    (5.2)         0.4 
Effect of foreign items and rate differentials        (5.6)     (4.0)     1.0         (1.2) 
State income taxes, net                               (8.5)      3.6      1.1          3.9 
Prior year taxes                                     (11.4)       --       --           -- 
Nondeductible recapitalization charges                 --         --       --         (6.2) 
Other                                                  2.5      (1.1)     1.0         (0.3) 
                                                     ------     ----     ----         ---- 
                                                     (15.4)%    27.6%    32.9%        31.6% 
                                                     ======     ====     ====         ====
</TABLE>
    


   The components of the net deferred tax asset and types of significant 
   basis differences were as follows (in thousands): 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 June 30,    June 30,    September 30, 
                                                   1995        1996          1996 
                                                ----------- ----------  --------------- 
<S>                                               <C>         <C>          <C>
Current deferred tax assets: 
 Recapitalization charges                         $   --      $   --       $  3,791 
 Inventories and receivables                        1,894       1,395         1,407 
 Marketing and promotional accruals                   906       1,498         1,252 
 Employee benefits                                  1,312       1,554         1,780 
 Environmental accruals                               442         420           752 
 Other                                              1,114         994           976 
                                                  -------     -------       ------- 
  Total current deferred tax assets               $ 5,668    $  5,861      $  9,958 
                                                  =======    ========      ======== 
Noncurrent deferred tax assets: 
 Employee benefits                                $ 2,719    $  3,053      $  3,704 
 State net operating loss carryforwards                --          --         1,249 
 Package design expense                               661         532           523 
 Promotional expense                                  216         784           854 
 Other                                              1,410       1,516         1,475 
                                                  -------    --------      -------- 
  Total noncurrent deferred tax assets              5,006       5,885         7,805 
                                                  -------    --------      -------- 
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities: 
 Property, plant, and equipment                    (7,395)     (8,430)       (8,708) 
 Other                                                 (5)        (39)          (39) 
                                                  -------    --------      -------- 
  Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities        (7,400)     (8,469)       (8,747) 
                                                  -------    --------      -------- 
Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities           $(2,394)    $(2,584)      $  (942) 
                                                  =======   =========      ======== 
</TABLE>

   At September 30, 1996, the Company has operating loss carryforwards for 
state income tax purposes of approximately $2.2 million, which expire 
generally in years through 2011. 

   During 1995, the Company used approximately $3,200,000 of foreign net 
operating loss carryforwards for which a deferred tax asset had not been 
recognized in prior years due to uncertainty regarding future earnings of the 
subsidiaries to which the carryforwards related. As a result, the Company 
reversed the valuation allowance of $1,240,000 recorded at June 30, 1994 in 
1995. 

   Provision has not been made for United States income taxes on a portion of 
the undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries 
(approximately $2,563,000, $4,342,000 and $4,216,000 at June 30, 1995 and 
1996, 

                                      F-13
<PAGE> 

                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


8. INCOME TAXES (Continued)

   
and September 30, 1996, respectively), either because any taxes on dividends 
would be offset substantially by foreign tax credits or because the Company 
intends to reinvest those earnings. Such earnings would become taxable upon 
the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries or upon remittance of 
dividends. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of the deferred tax 
liability on such earnings. 
    

9. LEASES 

   Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases, 
principally pertaining to land, buildings and equipment, are as follows (in 
thousands): 

 Year ending September 30: 
       1997                  $ 7,140 
       1998                    6,088 
       1999                    5,293 
       2000                    4,613 
       2001                    4,311 
       Thereafter             11,706 
                            --------- 
                             $39,151 
                            ========= 

   
   The above lease commitments include payments under leases for the 
corporate headquarters facilities and other properties from partnerships in 
which one of the Company's shareholders is a partner. Annual minimum rental 
commitments on the headquarters facility of $3,042,000 are subject to an 
adjustment based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index. The leases on the 
other properties require annual lease payments of $451,000 subject to annual 
3% increases. All of the leases expire during the years 2003 through 2021. 
    

   Total rental expense was $8,006,000, $8,189,000, $8,213,000 and $1,995,000 
for the years ended June 30, 1994, 1995, and 1996 and the Transition Period, 
respectively. 

10. POSTRETIREMENT PENSION BENEFITS 

   The Company has various defined benefit pension plans covering 
substantially all of its domestic employees. Plans covering salaried 
employees provide pension benefits that are based on the employee's average 
compensation for the five years which yield the highest average during the 10 
consecutive years prior to retirement. Plans covering hourly employees and 
union members generally provide benefits of stated amounts for each year of 
service. 

   The Company's policy is to fund pension costs at amounts within the 
acceptable ranges established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
of 1974. 

   The Company also has nonqualified deferred compensation agreements with 
certain of its employees under which the Company has agreed to pay certain 
amounts annually for the first 15 years subsequent to retirement or to a 
designated beneficiary upon death. It is management's intent that life 
insurance contracts owned by the Company will fund these agreements. 

   Net periodic pension cost for the aforementioned plans is summarized as 
follows (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Years Ended               Transition 
                                              June 30,                Period Ended 
                                   -------------------------------   September 30, 
                                     1994      1995       1996          1996 
                                   --------- ---------  ---------  --------------- 
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
Service cost                       $ 1,576   $  1,711   $  1,501      $ 2,149 
Interest cost                        3,069      3,390      3,513          944 
Actual return on plan assets        (2,377)    (2,054)    (7,880)        (605) 
Net amortization and deferral         (181)      (708)     4,994         (166) 
                                   -------    -------    -------      ------- 
    Net periodic pension cost      $  2,087   $ 2,339   $  2,128      $ 2,322 
                                   ========   =======   ========      ======= 
</TABLE>

                                      F-14
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

10. POSTRETIREMENT PENSION BENEFITS (Continued)


   The following tables set forth the plans' funded status (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                June 30, 1995 
                                                                       -------------------------------- 
                                                                       Assets Exceed     Accumulated 
                                                                        Accumulated        Benefits 
                                                                          Benefits      Exceed Assets 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------- 
<S>                                                                   <C>                 <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:                                          
 Vested benefit obligation                                            $ 19,860            $ 18,844
                                                                      ========            ========
 Accumulated benefit obligation                                       $ 20,292            $ 19,636
                                                                      ========            ========
Projected benefit obligation                                          $ 25,209            $ 19,636
Plan assets at fair value, primarily listed stocks, bonds and                            
  cash equivalents                                                      25,358              10,196
                                                                      --------            --------
Projected benefit obligation (less than) in excess of plan assets         (149)              9,440
Unrecognized net loss                                                      684               1,384
Unrecognized net obligation (asset)                                        589              (5,245)
Additional minimum liability                                                --               3,866
                                                                      --------            --------
  Pension liability                                                   $  1,124            $  9,445
                                                                      ========            ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                June 30, 1996 
                                                                       -------------------------------- 
                                                                       Assets Exceed     Accumulated 
                                                                        Accumulated        Benefits 
                                                                          Benefits      Exceed Assets 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------- 
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:                                         
 Vested benefit obligation                                            $ 24,927          $  19,138
                                                                      ========          ========= 
 Accumulated benefit obligation                                       $ 25,576          $  19,932
                                                                      ========          ========= 
Projected benefit obligation                                          $ 31,462          $  19,932
Plan assets at fair value, primarily listed stocks, bonds and                           
  cash equivalents                                                      32,297              9,349
                                                                      --------          --------- 
Projected benefit obligation (less than) in excess of plan assets         (835)            10,583
Unrecognized net loss                                                    2,341                893
Unrecognized net obligation (asset)                                        211             (4,711)
Additional minimum liability                                                --              3,823
                                                                      --------          --------- 
  Pension liability                                                   $  1,717          $  10,588
                                                                      ========          ========= 
</TABLE>

                                      F-15

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

10. POSTRETIREMENT PENSION BENEFITS (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              September 30, 1996 
                                                                       -------------------------------- 
                                                                       Assets Exceed     Accumulated 
                                                                        Accumulated        Benefits 
                                                                          Benefits      Exceed Assets 
                                                                      ---------------  ---------------- 
<S>                                                                   <C>                 <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:                                           
 Vested benefit obligation                                            $ 25,273             $19,495
                                                                      ========            ========
 Accumulated benefit obligation                                       $ 25,930             $20,305
                                                                      ========            ========
Projected benefit obligation                                          $ 31,910             $20,305
Plan assets at fair value, primarily listed stocks, bonds                                 
  and cash equivalents                                                  32,341               9,364
                                                                      --------            --------
                                                                                          
Projected benefit obligation (less than) in excess of plan assets        (431)              10,941 
Unrecognized net loss                                                   2,147                  832 
Unrecognized net obligation (asset)                                       208               (2,894)
Additional minimum liability                                               --                2,067 
Contribution                                                              (86)                (756)
                                                                      --------            --------
  Pension liability                                                   $  1,838             $10,190 
                                                                      ========            ========
</TABLE>

   Assumptions used in the aforementioned actuarial valuations were: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Years Ended               Transition 
                                                                       June 30,                Period Ended 
                                                           -------------------------------    September 30, 
                                                            1994       1995       1996           1996 
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------------- 
<S>                                                          <C>       <C>        <C>             <C>
Discount rate used for funded status calculation             7.5%       8.0%      7.5%            7.5%
Discount rate used for net periodic pension cost 
  calculations                                               7.5%       7.5%      8.0%            7.5% 
Rate of increase in compensation levels 
  (salaried plan only)                                       5.5%       5.5%      5.0%            5.0% 
Expected long-term rate of return on assets                  9.0%       9.0%      9.0%            9.0% 
</TABLE>


   The Company has recorded an additional minimum pension liability of 
$3,866,000, $3,823,000 and $2,067,000 at June 30, 1995 and 1996, and 
September 30, 1996, respectively, to recognize the underfunded position of 
certain of its benefits plans. An intangible asset of $3,827,000, $3,582,000 
and $1,826,000 at June 30, 1995 and 1996, and September 30, 1996, 
respectively, equal to the unrecognized prior service cost of these plans, 
has also been recorded. The excess of the additional minimum liability over 
the unrecognized prior service cost of $39,000 at June 30, 1995 and $241,000 
at June 30 and September 30, 1996, has been recorded as a reduction of 
shareholders' equity. 

   The Company sponsors a defined contribution pension plan for its domestic 
salaried employees which allows participants to make contributions by salary 
reduction pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The 
Company contributes annually 1% of participants' compensation, and may make 
additional discretionary contributions. The Company also sponsors defined 
contribution pension plans for employees of certain foreign subsidiaries. 
Company contributions charged to operations, including discretionary amounts, 
for the years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the Transition Period 
were $827,000, $1,273,000, $1,000,000 and $181,000, respectively. 

                                      F-16

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

11. POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS 

   The Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits to 
eligible retired employees. Participants earn retiree health care benefits 
after reaching age 45 over the next 10 succeeding years of service and remain 
eligible until reaching age 65. The plan is contributory; retiree 
contributions have been established as a flat dollar amount with contribution 
rates expected to increase at the active medical trend rate. The plan is 
unfunded. The Company is amortizing the transition obligation over a 20-year 
period. 

   The following sets forth the plan's funded status reconciled with amounts 
reported in the Company's combined consolidated balance sheet (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           June 30,   June 30,   September 30, 
                                                             1995       1996          1996 
                                                           ---------  ---------  --------------- 
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>          <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO): 
Retirees                                                    $  444     $   723      $   687 
Fully eligible active participants                             489         805          820 
 Other active participants                                     495         896          970 
                                                            ------     -------      ------- 
    Total APBO                                               1,428       2,424        2,477 
Unrecognized net loss                                         (287)     (1,269)      (1,246) 
 Unrecognized transition obligation                           (681)       (641)        (631) 
                                                            ------     -------      ------- 
  Accrued postretirement benefit liability                  $  460     $   514      $   600 
                                                            ======     =======      ======= 
</TABLE>

   Net periodic postretirement benefit cost includes the following components 
(in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Years Ended         Transition 
                                                       June 30,         Period Ended 
                                                 ---------------------  September 30, 
                                                 1994    1995   1996        1996 
                                                 ------ ------  ------ --------------- 
<S>                                              <C>    <C>     <C>         <C>
Service cost                                     $102    $110   $129        $ 58 
Interest                                           79      85    111          44 
Net amortization and deferral                      40      40     54          35 
                                                 ----    ----   ----        ---- 
  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost       $221    $235   $294        $137 
                                                 ====    ====   ====        ====
</TABLE>

   A 9.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita costs of covered health 
care benefits was assumed for fiscal 1996, gradually decreasing to 5.5% by 
fiscal 2025. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rates by one 
percentage point in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement 
benefit obligation as of June 30, 1995 and 1996, and September 30, 1996 by 
$78,000, $144,000 and $147,000 respectively, and increase the aggregate of 
the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement 
benefit cost for the year ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the 
Transition Period by $16,000, $13,000, $12,000 and $3,000, respectively. A 
discount rate of 7.5% was used to determine the accumulated postretirement 
benefit obligation. 

                                      F-17

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


12. BUSINESS SEGMENT AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS 

   Information about the Company's operations in different geographic areas 
is summarized as follows (in thousands): 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Years Ended                   Transition 
                                                      June 30,                    Period Ended 
                                        -------------------------------------     September 30, 
                                            1994         1995         1996            1996 
                                        ------------ ------------ ------------  --------------- 
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Net sales to unaffiliated customers: 
 United States                          $320,933    $ 315,579    $ 321,866       $ 76,434 
 Foreign: 
  Western Europe                          51,270       59,560       61,336         14,527 
  Other                                   13,973       15,849       16,182          4,020 
                                        --------    ---------    ---------       -------- 
    Total                               $386,176    $ 390,988    $ 399,384       $ 94,981 
                                        ========    =========    =========       ======== 
Transfers between geographic areas: 
 United States                          $ 23,393     $ 26,928    $  27,097       $  7,431 
 Foreign: 
  Western Europe                           1,722        1,637          730            422 
  Other                                       54           49           --             -- 
                                        --------    ---------    ---------       -------- 
    Total                               $ 25,169     $ 28,614    $  27,827       $  7,853 
                                        ========    =========    =========       ======== 
Net sales: 
 United States                          $344,326     $342,507     $348,963       $ 83,865 
 Foreign: 
  Western Europe                          52,992       61,197       62,066         14,949 
  Other                                   14,027       15,898       16,182          4,020 
 Eliminations                            (25,169)     (28,614)     (27,827)        (7,853) 
                                        --------    ---------    ---------       -------- 
    Total                               $386,176     $390,988     $399,384       $ 94,981 
                                        ========    =========    =========       ======== 
Income from operations: 
 United States                          $  7,709     $ 24,335     $ 24,759       $(20,983) 
 Foreign: 
  Western Europe                           2,851        5,410        5,002         (2,539) 
  Other                                      338        1,784          516           (150) 
                                        --------    ---------    ---------       -------- 
    Total                               $ 10,898     $ 31,529     $ 30,277       $(23,672) 
                                        ========    =========    =========       ======== 
Total assets: 
 United States                          $199,840     $189,557     $193,198       $215,287 
 Foreign: 
  Western Europe                          30,174       34,345       33,719         35,065 
  Other                                   12,032       16,093       17,532         18,782 
 Eliminations                            (19,610)     (19,405)     (22,564)       (23,886) 
                                        --------    ---------    ---------       -------- 
    Total                               $222,436     $220,590     $221,885       $245,248 
                                        ========    =========    =========       ======== 
</TABLE>

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

   The Company has entered into agreements to purchase certain equipment and 
to pay annual royalties. In a December 1991 agreement, the Company committed 
to pay annual royalties of $1,500,000 for the first five years, beginning in 
1993, plus $500,000 for each year thereafter, as long as the related 
equipment patents are enforceable (2012). In a March 1994 agreement, the 
Company committed to pay annual royalties of $500,000 for five years 
beginning in 1995. 

                                      F-18
<PAGE> 

                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)

   The estimated fair value of these commitments, based on current rates 
offered to the Company for debt with the same remaining maturities, is 
$8,498,000 at September 30, 1996. Additionally, the Company has committed to 
purchase tooling of $1,466,000 related to this equipment at an unspecified 
date in the future and purchase manganese ore amounting to $560,000 by March 
1998. 

   The Company has provided for the estimated costs associated with 
environmental remediation activities at some of its current and former 
manufacturing sites. In addition, the Company, together with other parties, 
has been designated a potentially responsible party of various third-party 
sites on the United States EPA National Priorities List (Superfund). The 
Company provides for the estimated costs of investigation and remediation of 
these sites when the amounts can be reasonably estimated. The actual cost 
incurred may vary from these estimates due to the inherent uncertainties 
involved. The Company believes that any additional liability in excess of the 
amounts provided of $2.1 million, which may result from resolution of these 
matters, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, 
liquidity, or cash flow of the Company. 

   The Company has certain other contingent liabilities with respect to 
litigation, claims and contractual agreements arising in the ordinary course 
of business. In the opinion of management, such contingent liabilities are 
not likely to result in a loss in excess of amounts recorded of $750,000 at 
September 30, 1996. 

14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

   The Company and THL Co. are parties to a Management Agreement pursuant to 
which the Company has engaged THL Co. to provide consulting and management 
advisory services for an initial period of five years through September 12, 
2001. Under the Management Agreement and in connection with the closing of 
the Recapitalization, the Company paid THL Co. and an affiliate $3.25 
million. In consideration of ongoing consulting and management advisory 
services, the Company will pay THL Co. an aggregate annual fee of $360,000 
plus expenses. 

   The Company and 9.9% shareholder of the Company (the principal shareholder 
prior to the Recapitalization) are parties to a Consulting Agreement which 
includes noncompetition provisions. Terms of the agreement require the 
shareholder to provide consulting services for an annual fee of $200,000 plus 
expenses. The term of this agreement runs concurrent with the Management 
Agreement, subject to certain conditions as defined in the agreement. 

   The Company has a note receivable from an officer/shareholder in the 
amount of $500,000, generally payable in five years, which bears interest at 
7%. Since the officer/shareholder utilized the proceeds of the note to 
purchase common stock of the Company, the note has been recorded as a 
reduction of shareholders' equity. 

15. OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES 

   
   During the Transition Period, the Company recorded special charges as 
follows: (i) $2.7 million of charges related to the exit of certain 
manufacturing operations, (ii) $1.7 million of charges to increase net 
deferred compensation plan obligations to reflect curtailment of such plans; 
(iii) $1.5 million of charges reflecting the present value of lease payments 
for land which management has determined will not be used for any future 
productive purpose; (iv) $6.9 million in costs and asset write-downs 
principally related to changes in product pricing strategies adopted by 
management subsequent to the Recapitalization; and (v) $3.3 million of 
employee termination benefits and other charges. Payment for these costs was 
or is expected to be as follows: $5.0 million was paid prior to September 30, 
1996; $8.8 million is expected to be paid in fiscal 1997; and $2.3 million 
thereafter. 
    

   In 1994, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.5 
million related to a plan to reduce the Company's cost structure and to 
improve productivity through an approximate 2.5% reduction in headcount on 
worldwide basis. This charge included severance costs, out-placement service, 
and other employee benefits, the majority of which was completed during 1995. 

                                      F-19

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 

   Subsequent to September 30, 1996, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of 
approximately $2.7 million related to a reduction of employees. The charge 
included severance, out-placement services and other employee benefits. 

   
   On October 22, 1996, the Company paid the Bridge Notes described in Note 5 
utilizing the proceeds from a private debt offering of Senior Subordinated 
Notes (the "Notes"). The Company intends to offer to exchange the Notes for 
notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "New 
Notes"). Upon completion of the Exchange Offer, terms of the New Notes will 
be identical in all material respects to terms of the Notes. On or after 
November 1, 2001 or in certain circumstances, after a public offering of 
equity securities of the Company, the Notes will be redeemable at the option 
of the Company, in whole or in part, at prescribed redemption prices plus 
accrued and unpaid interest. The terms of the Notes restrict or limit the 
ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) pay 
dividends or make other restricted payments, (ii) incur additional 
indebtedness and issue preferred stock, (iii) create liens, (iv) incur 
dividend and other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries, (v) enter 
into mergers, consolidations or sales of all or substantially all of the 
assets of the Company, (vi) make asset sales, (vii) enter into transactions 
with affiliates, and (viii) issue or sell capital stock of wholly owned 
subsidiaries of the Company. Payment obligations under the Notes will be 
fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the 
Company's directly and wholly-owned subsidiary, ROV Holding, Inc. (ROV or 
Guarantor Subsidiary). The foreign subsidiaries of the Company, which will 
not guarantee the payment obligations under the Notes (Nonguarantor 
Subsidiaries), are directly and wholly-owned by ROV. 
    

   The following condensed combined consolidating financial data illustrates 
the composition of the combined consolidated financial statements. 
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company on an 
unconsolidated basis (the Company and the DISC) and the Guarantor Subsidiary 
using the equity method for purposes of the consolidating presentation. 
Earnings of subsidiaries are therefore reflected in the Company's and 
Guarantor Subsidiary's investment accounts and earnings. The principal 
elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany 
balances and transactions. Separate financial statements of the Guarantor 
Subsidiary are not presented because management has determined that such 
financial statements would not be material to investors. 

                                      F-20

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

                CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET 
                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Parent       Guarantor   Nonguarantor                Combined 
                                                      and DISC     Subsidiary   Subsidiaries Eliminations  Consolidated 
                                                    ------------  ------------  ------------ ------------  ------------ 
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
               ASSETS 
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                             $   2,983     $      57    $   1,215     $      --     $   4,255
 Receivables:
  Trade accounts receivable, net                         45,614            --       16,706            --        62,320
  Other                                                  15,128           162           95       (11,229)        4,156
 Inventories                                             57,615            --       13,303          (797)       70,121
 Deferred income taxes                                    8,688         1,026          244            --         9,958
 Prepaid expenses and other                               3,457            --        1,407            --         4,864
                                                      ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total current assets                                133,485         1,245       32,970       (12,026)      155,674
Property, plant and equipment, net                       62,252            --        7,145            --        69,397
Deferred charges and other                                6,815            --          598            --         7,413
Debt issuance costs                                      12,764            --           --            --        12,764
Investment in subsidiaries                               12,056        12,098           --       (24,154)           -- 
                                                      ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total assets                                      $ 227,372        13,343    $  40,713     $ (36,180)    $ 245,248
                                                      =========     =========    =========     =========     =========
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
          EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
 Current maturities of long-term
  debt                                                $   4,500     $      --    $   4,318     $      --     $   8,818
 Accounts payable                                        40,830           597       16,505       (11,011)       46,921
 Accrued liabilities:
  Wages and benefits                                      4,759            --        1,135            --         5,894
  Other                                                  12,915           484        2,505            --        15,904
  Recapitalization and other special
    charges                                              11,645            --        3,297            --        14,942
                                                      ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total current liabilities                            74,649         1,081       27,760       (11,011)       92,479
Long-term debt, net of current
  maturities                                            223,990            --          855            --       224,845
Employee benefit obligations, net of
  current portion                                        12,138            --           --            --        12,138
Deferred income taxes                                       736           206           --            --           942
Other                                                       564            --           --            --           564
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
 Common stock                                               500            --       12,072       (12,072)          500
 Additional paid-in capital                              15,970         3,525          750        (4,275)       15,970
 Foreign currency translation
  adjustment                                              1,689         1,689        1,689        (3,378)        1,689
 Note receivable officer/shareholder                       (500)           --           --            --          (500)
 Retained earnings                                       26,158         6,842       (2,413)       (5,444)       25,143
                                                      ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                         43,817        12,056       12,098       (25,169)       42,802
    Less treasury stock                                (128,522)           --           --            --      (128,522)
                                                      ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total shareholders' equity (deficit)                (84,705)       12,056       12,098       (25,169)      (85,720)
                                                      ---------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity (deficit)                   $ 227,372     $ 13,3432    $  40,713     $ (36,180)    $ 245,248
                                                      =========     =========    =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-21

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
                  TRANSITION PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Parent        Guarantor    Nonguarantor                          Combined 
                                       and DISC      Subsidiary    Subsidiaries        Eliminations    Consolidated 
                                     ------------   ------------   ------------        ------------     ------------ 
<S>                                  <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>  
Net sales                            $ 83,865         $   --           $ 18,970         $ (7,854)        $ 94,981
Cost of goods sold                     53,480             --             13,470           (7,708)          59,242
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
    Gross profit                       30,385             --              5,500             (146)          35,739
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
Operating expenses:
 Selling                               17,644             --              3,253             --             20,897
 General and administrative             6,508                2            2,109                9            8,628
 Research and development               1,495             --               --               --              1,495
 Recapitalization charges              12,326             --               --               --             12,326
 Other special charges                 12,768             --              3,297             --             16,065
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
                                       50,741                2            8,659                9           59,411
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
    Loss from operations              (20,356)              (2)          (3,159)            (155)         (23,672)
Interest expense                        4,320             --                110             --              4,430
Equity in loss of subsidiary            2,508            2,611             --             (5,119)            --   
Other (income) expense, net              (170)            (162)             408             --                 76
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
    Loss before income taxes and
      extraordinary item              (27,014)          (2,451)          (3,677)           4,964          (28,178)
Income tax (benefit) expense           (7,895)              57           (1,066)            --             (8,904)
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
Loss before extraordinary item        (19,119)          (2,508)          (2,611)           4,964          (19,274)
Extraordinary item, loss on early
  extinguishment of debt, net of
  income tax benefit of $777           (1,647)            --               --               --             (1,647)
                                     --------         --------         --------         --------         --------
    Net loss                         $(20,766)        $ (2,508)        $ (2,611)        $  4,964         $(20,921)
                                     ========         ========         ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>
                                      F-22
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
                  TRANSITION PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Parent          Guarantor   Nonguarantor                  Combined 
                                       and DISC        Subsidiary   Subsidiaries  Eliminations  Consolidated 
                                     ------------     ------------  ------------  ------------   ------------ 
<S>                                    <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities                 $  (2,078)     $    16       $     932      $    --        $ (1,130)
Cash flows from investing
  activities:
 Purchases of property, plant
   and equipment                            (912)          --            (336)          --          (1,248)
 Proceeds from sale of property,                                                            
   plant and equipment                     1,281           --            --             --           1,281
 Notes receivable                                                                           
  officer/shareholder                       (500)          --            --             --            (500)
                                       ---------      ---------     ---------      ---------      --------
Net cash provided by (used in)                                                              
  investing activities                      (131)          --            (336)          --            (467)
                                       ---------      ---------     ---------      ---------      --------
Cash flows from financing                                                                   
  activities:                                                                               
 Reduction of debt                      (104,138)          --          (2,952)          --        (107,090)
 Proceeds from debt financing            256,500           --           2,989           --         259,489
 Cash overdraft                           (2,493)          --            --             --          (2,493)
 Debt issuance costs                     (14,373)          --            --             --         (14,373)
 Extinguishment of debt                   (2,424)          --            --             --          (2,424)
 Distributions from DISC                  (1,943)          --            --             --          (1,943)
 Acquisition of treasury stock          (127,425)          --            --             --        (127,425)
 Payments on capital lease                                                                  
  obligation                                --             --             (84)          --             (84)
                                       ---------      ---------     ---------      ---------      --------
Net cash provided by (used in)                                                              
  financing activities                     3,704           --             (47)          --           3,657
                                       ---------      ---------     ---------      ---------      --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on                                                          
  cash and cash equivalents                 --             --               5           --               5
                                       ---------      ---------     ---------      ---------      --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                             
  and cash equivalents                     1,495             16           554           --           2,065
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning                                                        
  of period                                1,488             41           661           --           2,190
                                       ---------      ---------     ---------      ---------      --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of                                                  
  period                               $   2,983      $      57     $   1,215      $    --        $  4,255
                                       =========      =========     =========      =========      ========
</TABLE>
                                      F-23
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

                CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET 
                                JUNE 30, 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Parent        Guarantor        Nonguarantor                     Combined 
                                            and DISC       Subsidiary       Subsidiaries    Eliminations   Consolidated 
                                          ------------    ------------      ------------    ------------   ------------ 
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
               ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                $   1,488        $      41        $     661        $    --          $   2,190
 Receivables:
  Trade accounts receivable, net             40,138             --             15,692             --             55,830
  Other                                      11,434              318              780          (10,210)           2,322
 Inventories                                 54,486             --             12,951             (496)          66,941
 Deferred income taxes                        5,439              179              243             --              5,861
 Prepaid expenses and other                   3,415             --              1,560             --              4,975
                                          ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------
    Total current assets                    116,400              538           31,887          (10,706)         138,119
Property, plant and equipment, net           66,504             --              7,434             --             73,938
Deferred charges and other                    9,047             --                608             --              9,655
Debt issuance costs                             173             --               --               --                173
Investment in subsidiaries                   14,524           14,670             --            (29,194)            --   
                                          ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------
    Total assets                          $ 206,648        $  15,208        $  39,929        $ (39,900)       $ 221,885
                                          =========        =========        =========        =========        =========

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
           EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
 Current maturities of long-term
  debt                                    $   7,350        $    --          $   4,281        $    --          $  11,631
 Accounts payable                            32,906              492           15,145           (9,848)          38,695
 Accrued liabilities:
  Wages and benefits                          5,077             --              1,049             --              6,126
  Other                                      15,375              (14)           3,843             --             19,204
                                          ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------
    Total current liabilities                60,708              478           24,318           (9,848)          75,656
Long-term debt, net of current
  maturities                                 68,777             --                941             --             69,718
Employee benefit obligations, net of
  current portion                            12,141             --               --               --             12,141
Deferred income taxes                         2,378              206             --               --              2,584
Other                                           162             --               --               --                162
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
 Common stock                                   500             --             12,072          (12,072)             500
 Rayovac International Corporation
   common stock                                   5             --               --               --                  5
 Additional paid-in capital                  12,000            3,525              750           (4,275)          12,000
 Foreign currency translation
  adjustment                                  1,650            1,650            1,650           (3,300)           1,650
 Retained earnings                           48,860            9,349              198          (10,405)          48,002
                                          ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------
                                             63,015           14,524           14,670          (30,052)          62,157
    Less treasury stock, at cost               (533)            --               --               --               (533)
                                          ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------
    Total shareholders' equity
     (deficit)                               62,482           14,524           14,670          (30,052)          61,624
                                          ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------        ---------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity (deficit)       $ 206,648        $  15,208        $  39,929        $ (39,900)       $ 221,885
                                          =========        =========        =========        =========        =========
</TABLE>
                                      F-24
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Parent           Guarantor       Nonguarantor                        Combined 
                                        and DISC         Subsidiary       Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated 
                                       ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------     ------------ 
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
Net sales                              $ 348,964         $    --           $  78,247        $ (27,827)        $ 399,384
Cost of goods sold                       213,349              --              53,846          (27,852)          239,343
                                       ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Gross profit                         135,615              --              24,401               25           160,041
                                       ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
Operating expenses:
 Selling                                  79,385              --              13,170             --              92,555
 General and administrative               25,967                12             5,775               13            31,767
 Research and development                  5,442              --                --               --               5,442
                                       ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
                                         110,794                12            18,945               13           129,764
                                       ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Income (loss) from operations         24,821               (12)            5,456               12            30,277
Interest expense                           7,731              --                 704             --               8,435
Equity in income of subsidiary            (2,507)           (2,167)             --              4,674              --   
Other (income) expense, net                  (51)             (570)            1,173             --                 552
                                       ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Income before income taxes            19,648             2,725             3,579           (4,662)           21,290
Income tax expense                         5,372               218             1,412             --               7,002
                                       ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Net income                         $  14,276         $   2,507         $   2,167        $  (4,662)        $  14,288
                                       =========         =========         =========        =========         =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-25

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Parent         Guarantor         Nonguarantor                  Combined 
                                          and DISC        Subsidiary        Subsidiaries    Eliminations Consolidated 
                                        ------------     ------------       ------------    ------------ ------------ 
<S>                                      <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>        <C> 
Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities                  $  14,449         $    (292)        $   3,688         $--        $  17,845
Cash flows from investing
  activities:
 Purchases of property, plant
   and equipment                           (6,558)             --                 (88)         --           (6,646)
 Proceeds from sale of property,
  plant and equipment                         298              --                --            --              298
                                        ---------         ---------         ---------         ---        ---------
Net cash provided by (used in)
  investing activities                     (6,260)             --                 (88)         --           (6,348)
                                        ---------         ---------         ---------         ---        ---------
Cash flows from financing
  activities:
 Reduction of debt                        (97,627)             --              (6,899)         --         (104,526)
 Proceeds from debt financing              93,600              --               2,652          --           96,252
 Cash overdraft                             2,339              --                --            --            2,339
 Distributions from DISC                   (5,187)             --                --            --           (5,187)
 Intercompany dividends                      --                 130              (130)         --             --   
 Acquisition of treasury stock               (533)             --                --            --             (533)
 Payments on capital lease
  obligation                                 --                --                (295)         --             (295)
                                        ---------         ---------         ---------         ---        ---------
Net cash provided by (used in)
  financing activities                     (7,408)              130            (4,672)         --          (11,950)
                                        ---------         ---------         ---------         ---        ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on
  cash and cash equivalents                  --                --                  (2)         --               (2)
                                        ---------         ---------         ---------         ---        ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash
  and cash equivalents                        781              (162)           (1,074)         --             (455)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
  of year                                     707               203             1,735          --            2,645
                                        ---------         ---------         ---------         ---        ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
  year                                  $   1,488         $      41         $     661         $--        $   2,190
                                        =========         =========         =========         ===        =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-26
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

                CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET 
                                JUNE 30, 1995 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Parent            Guarantor     Nonguarantor                      Combined 
                                        and DISC          Subsidiary     Subsidiaries    Eliminations    Consolidated 
                                     ------------        ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------ 
<S>                                      <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
               ASSETS 
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents               $    707        $    203        $  1,735         $   --           $  2,645
 Receivables:
  Trade accounts receivable, net           37,698            --            13,189             --             50,887
  Other                                     8,312             119             254           (6,874)           1,811
 Inventories                               52,076            --            14,136             (672)          65,540
 Deferred income taxes                      5,509            --               159             --              5,668
 Prepaid expenses and other                 3,936            --             1,715             --              5,651
                                         --------        --------        --------         --------         --------
    Total current assets                  108,238             322          31,188           (7,546)         132,202
Property, plant and equipment, net         70,480            --             7,483             --             77,963
Deferred charges and other                  9,609            --               661             --             10,270
Debt issuance costs                           155            --              --               --                155
Investment in subsidiaries                 12,346          12,961            --            (25,307)            --   
                                         --------        --------        --------         --------         --------
    Total assets                         $200,828        $ 13,283        $ 39,332         $(32,853)        $220,590
                                         ========        ========        ========         ========         ========
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
           EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
 Current maturities of long-term
  debt                                   $  3,777        $   --          $  8,139         $   --           $ 11,916
 Accounts payable                          33,419             222          12,207           (6,677)          39,171
 Accrued liabilities:
  Wages and benefits                        8,514            --               858             --              9,372
  Other                                    11,055             715           4,091             --             15,861
                                         --------        --------        --------         --------         --------
    Total current liabilities              56,765             937          25,295           (6,677)          76,320
Long-term debt, net of current
  maturities                               76,377            --              --               --             76,377
Employee benefit obligations, net of
  current portion                          10,836            --               118             --             10,954
Deferred income taxes                       2,394            --              --               --              2,394
Other                                        --              --               958             --                958
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
 Common stock                                 500            --            12,072          (12,072)             500
 Rayovac International Corporation
   common stock                                 5            --              --               --                  5
 Additional paid-in capital                12,000           3,525             750           (4,275)          12,000
 Foreign currency translation
  adjustment                                1,979           1,979           1,979           (3,958)           1,979
 Retained earnings                         39,972           6,842          (1,840)          (5,871)          39,103
                                         --------        --------        --------         --------         --------
    Total shareholders' equity
     (deficit)                             54,456          12,346          12,961          (26,176)          53,587
                                         --------        --------        --------         --------         --------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity (deficit)      $200,828        $ 13,283        $ 39,332         $(32,853)        $220,590
                                         ========        ========        ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>

                                      F-27
<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Parent         Guarantor       Nonguarantor                          Combined 
                                     and DISC       Subsidiary       Subsidiaries      Eliminations      Consolidated 
                                   ------------    -------------    ---------------   ---------------   --------------- 
<S>                                <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
Net sales                          $ 342,507         $    --           $  77,095        $ (28,614)        $ 390,988
Cost of goods sold                   214,119              --              51,781          (28,774)          237,126
                                   ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Gross profit                     128,388              --              25,314              160           153,862
                                   ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
Operating expenses:
 Selling                              71,626              --              12,841             --              84,467
 General and administrative           27,556              (651)            5,872               84            32,861
 Research and development              5,005              --                --               --               5,005
                                   ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
                                     104,187              (651)           18,713               84           122,333
                                   ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Income from operations            24,201               651             6,601               76            31,529
Interest expense                       7,889              --                 755             --               8,644
Equity in income of subsidiary        (5,520)           (4,928)             --             10,448              --   
Other (income) expense, net             (116)             (319)              665             --                 230
                                   ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Income before income taxes        21,948             5,898             5,181          (10,372)           22,655
Income tax expense                     5,616               378               253             --               6,247
                                   ---------         ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
    Net income                     $  16,332         $   5,520         $   4,928        $ (10,372)        $  16,408
                                   =========         =========         =========        =========         =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-28

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Parent         Guarantor    Nonguarantor                      Combined 
                                            and DISC       Subsidiary    Subsidiaries   Eliminations     Consolidated 
                                          ------------    ------------   ------------   ------------     ------------ 
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities                    $  32,394       $  (3,823)      $   3,737       $   3,211       $  35,519
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchases of property, plant and
  equipment                                 (14,288)           --            (2,650)           --           (16,938)
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant
   and equipment                                139            --              --              --               139
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net cash used in investing activities       (14,149)           --            (2,650)           --           (16,799)
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Reduction of debt                         (100,536)           --            (5,847)           --          (106,383)
 Proceeds from debt financing                79,749            --             5,223             726          85,698
 Cash overdraft                               3,925            --              --              --             3,925
 Distributions from DISC                     (1,500)           --              --              --            (1,500)
 Intercompany dividends                        --             3,899          (3,899)           --              --   
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net cash provided by (used in)
  financing activities                      (18,362)          3,899          (4,523)            726         (18,260)
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  and cash equivalents                         --              --             3,592          (3,937)           (345)
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
  cash equivalents                             (117)             76             156            --               115
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
  of year                                       824             127           1,579            --             2,530
                                          ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year    $     707       $     203       $   1,735       $    --         $   2,645
                                          =========       =========       =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-29

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Parent       Guarantor      Nonguarantor                        Combined 
                                        and DISC     Subsidiary      Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated 
                                      ------------  -------------   ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
<S>                                   <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>
Net sales                             $ 344,325        $    --          $  67,020       $ (25,169)       $ 386,176
Cost of goods sold                      213,551             --             46,756         (25,437)         234,870
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------
    Gross profit                        130,774             --             20,264             268          151,306
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------
Operating expenses:
 Selling                                 92,317             --             11,529            --            103,846
 General and administrative              24,482                7            4,841              26           29,356
 Research and development                 5,684             --               --              --              5,684
 Other special charges                    1,522             --               --              --              1,522
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------
                                        124,005                7           16,370              26          140,408
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------
    Income (loss) from operations         6,769               (7)           3,894             242           10,898
Interest expense                          7,072             --                653            --              7,725
Equity in income of subsidiary           (1,998)          (2,251)            --             4,249             --   
Other (income) expense, net              (1,081)             407               73            --               (601)
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------
    Income before income taxes            2,776            1,837            3,168          (4,007)           3,774
Income tax (benefit) expense             (1,338)            (161)             917            --               (582)
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------       ---------        ---------
    Net income                        $   4,114        $   1,998        $   2,251       $  (4,007)       $   4,356
                                      =========        =========        =========       =========        =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-30

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

           CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
                       FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Parent       Guarantor     Nonguarantor                      Combined 
                                             and DISC      Subsidiary    Subsidiaries     Eliminations    Consolidated 
                                          -------------  -------------  -------------     -------------  ------------- 
<S>                                         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>       
Net cash provided by (used in)
  operating activities                      $ (17,709)      $    (747)      $    (979)      $     727       $ (18,708)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchases of property, plant
   and equipment                              (11,475)           --              (989)           --           (12,464)
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant
   and equipment                                   35            --              --              --                35
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net cash used in investing activities         (11,440)           --              (989)           --           (12,429)
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Reduction of debt                            (77,751)           --            (2,093)           --           (79,844)
 Proceeds from debt financing                 110,775            --             4,300            (725)        114,350
 Cash overdraft                                  (202)           --              --              --              (202)
 Distributions from DISC                       (3,500)           --              --              --            (3,500)
 Intercompany dividends                          --               150            (150)           --              --   
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financial
  activities                                   29,322             150           2,057            (725)         30,804
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  and cash equivalents                           --              --                59              (2)             57
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents                                     173            (597)            148            --              (276)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
  year                                            651             724           1,431            --             2,806
                                            ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year      $     824       $     127       $   1,579       $    --         $   2,530
                                            =========       =========       =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-31

<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

          CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) 
                              September 30, 1995 
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                       <C>
                                                  ASSETS 
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                               $   2,431
  Receivables:
   Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $433                66,833
   Other
                                                                                              1,009
  Inventories                                                                                73,189
  Deferred income taxes                                                                       5,757
  Prepaid expenses and other                                                                  6,208
                                                                                          ---------
    Total current assets                                                                    155,427
Property, plant and equipment, net                                                           75,833
Deferred charges and other                                                                   10,289
                                                                                          ---------
    Total assets                                                                          $ 241,549
                                                                                          =========

                                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Current maturities of long-term debt                                                     $  11,973
  Accounts payable                                                                           49,877
  Accrued liabilities:
   Wages and benefits                                                                         6,095
   Other
                                                                                             18,962
                                                                                          ---------
    Total current liabilities                                                                86,907
Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                    87,127
Employee benefit obligations, net of current portion                                         11,035
Deferred income taxes                                                                         2,339
Other                                                                                           938
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $ 01 par value, authorized 90,000 shares; issued 50,000 shares; 
    outstanding 49,500 shares                                                                   500
  Rayovac International Corporation common stock, $ 50 par value, authorized 18 shares;
    issued and outstanding 10 shares                                                              5
  Additional paid-in capital                                                                 12,000
   Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                    2,362
   Retained earnings                                                                         38,869
                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                             53,736
    Less treasury stock, at cost, 500 shares                                                   (533)
                                                                                          ---------
    Total shareholders' equity                                                               53,203
                                                                                          ---------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                            $ 241,549
                                                                                          =========
</TABLE>

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
              condensed combined consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-32

<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

     CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) 
            For the Period July 1, 1995 Through September 30, 1995 
                   (in thousands, except per share amount) 

<TABLE>

<S>                                                   <C>
Net sales                                             $100,627
Cost of goods sold                                      64,116
                                                      --------
    Gross profit                                        36,511
                                                      --------
Operating expenses:
 Selling                                                23,214
 General and administrative                              7,386
 Research and development                                1,361
                                                      --------
                                                        31,961
                                                      --------
    Income from operations                               4,550
Interest expense                                         2,413
Other expense, net                                          29
                                                      --------
    Income before income taxes                           2,108
Income taxes                                               742
                                                      --------
    Net income                                        $  1,366
                                                      ========
Net income per common share                           $   0.28
                                                      ========
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding     49,500
                                                      ========
</TABLE>

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
              condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-33

<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

     CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) 
            For the Period July 1, 1995 Through September 30, 1995 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
 Net cash used in operating activities                         $ (9,627)
                                                               --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchases of property, plant and equipment                      (1,097)
                                                               --------
    Net cash used in investing activities                        (1,097)
                                                               --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Reduction of debt                                              (18,424)
 Proceeds from debt financing                                    29,230
 Cash overdraft                                                   1,293
 Distributions from DISC                                         (1,600)
                                                               --------
    Net cash provided by financing activities                    10,499
                                                               --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents         11
                                                               --------
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                      (214)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                    2,645
                                                               --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                       $  2,431
                                                               ========
</TABLE>

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
              condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-34

<PAGE> 
                      RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
   NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

   Basis of Presentation: The condensed combined consolidated financial 
statements for the period July 1, 1995 through September 30, 1995 are 
unaudited. These financial statements have been prepared by the Company 
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the "SEC") and, in the opinion of the Company, include all 
adjustments (all of which are normal and recurring in nature) necessary to 
present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial 
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and 
regulations. 

   These condensed combined consolidated financial statements should be read 
in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements and notes 
thereto. 

2. INVENTORIES 

   Inventories at September 30, 1995 consist of the following (in thousands): 

Raw material       $21,400 
Work-in-process     24,224 
Finished goods      27,565 
                   ------- 
                   $73,189 
                   ======= 

3. COMMON STOCK 

   In September 1996, the Company's Board of Directors declared a 
five-for-one stock split. All applicable share and per share amounts herein 
have been restated to reflect the stock split retroactively. 

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

   The Company has entered into agreements to purchase certain equipment and 
to pay annual royalties. In a December 1991 agreement, the Company committed 
to pay annual royalties of $1,500,000 for the first five years, beginning in 
1993, plus $500,000 for each year thereafter, as long as the related 
equipment patents are enforceable (2012). In a March 1994 agreement, the 
Company committed to pay annual royalties of $500,000 for five years 
beginning in 1995. Additionally, the Company has committed to purchase 
tooling of $1,745,000 related to this equipment at an unspecified date in the 
future. 

   The Company is involved in various stages of investigation relative to 
hazardous waste sites, some of which are on the United States EPA National 
Priorities List (Superfund). While it is impossible at this time to determine 
with certainty the ultimate outcome of such environmental matters, they are 
not expected to materially affect the Company's financial position. 


                                      F-35
<PAGE>

===============================================================================
  No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been authorized to 
give any information or to make any representations in connection with this 
offering 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 or the Initial Purchasers. This Prospectus does not 
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any 
securities other than the Notes to which it relates or an offer to, or a 
solicitation of, any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or 
solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor 
any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication 
that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company or that 
information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date 
hereof. 

                   -----------------
                   TABLE OF CONTENTS 

                                           Page 
Summary                                       1 
Risk Factors                                  9 
The Recapitalization                         15 
Use of Proceeds                              15 
Capitalization                               22 
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated 
  Financial Data                             23 
Selected Historical Combined Consolidated 
  Financial Data                             26 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
  Financial Condition and Results of 
  Operations                                 31 
Business                                     37 
Management                                   48 
Ownership of Capital Stock                   51 
Certain Relationships and Related 
  Transactions                               52 
Description of the Credit Agreement          53 
Description of the Notes                     54 
Certain United States Federal Income Tax 
  Considerations                             82 
Plan of Distribution                         82 
Legal Matters                                83 
Experts                                      83 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements  F-1 


     Until , 1997 (90 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers
effecting transactions in the registered securities, whether or not
participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a prospectus.
This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when
acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.

================================================================================


                                 $100,000,000 


                                 [Rayovac logo]

                                   Rayovac 
                                 Corporation 


                     10-1/4% Series B Senior Subordinated 
                                Notes due 2006 

                                  ----------
                                  PROSPECTUS 
                                  ----------


                                         , 1997 


================================================================================
<PAGE> 

                                   Part II 

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. 

   Set forth below is an estimate (except for the Securities and Exchange 
Commission Registration Fee) of the fees and expenses all of which are 
payable by the Company, other than any underwriting discounts and 
commissions, in connection with the registration and sale of the securities 
being registered: 

Securities and Exchange Commission 
  Registration Fee                        $34,500 
Legal Fees and Expenses                   $95,000 
Trustee's and Exchange Agent's Fees and 
  Expenses                                  3,500 
Accounting Fees and Expenses               70,000 
Printing Expenses                               * 
Miscellaneous                                   * 
                                          ------- 
  Total                                   $     * 
                                          ======= 

- -------------
* To be supplied by amendment. 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. 

   Sections 180.0851 through 180.0859 of Chapter 180 of the Wisconsin 
Business Corporation Law, as amended ("BCL"), provide that a corporation 
shall indemnify a director or officer to the extent and under the 
circumstances set forth therein. 

   Article VIII of the Company's Restated By-Laws, as amended (the 
"By-Laws"), a copy of which is filed herein as Exhibit 3.2, provides for 
indemnification of directors and officers of the Company to the fullest 
extent permitted or required by the BCL, but not for any action, suit, 
arbitration or other proceeding initiated by a director or officer. However, 
the By-Laws provide that no indemnification shall be required to be paid by 
the Company if (i) a disinterested quorum determines, by majority vote, that 
the director or officer requesting indemnification engaged in misconduct 
constituting a breach of duty or (ii) a disinterested quorum cannot be 
obtained. 

   The By-Laws also provide that the Company shall pay or reimburse the 
reasonable expenses of the director or officer as such expenses are incurred 
provided the director or officer furnishes an executed written certificate 
affirming his or her good faith belief that he or she has not engaged in 
misconduct which constitutes a breach of duty, and an unsecured executed 
written agreement to repay any advances made if it is ultimately determined 
that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified. 

   The By-Laws require the Company to indemnify a director or officer of an 
affiliate (who is not otherwise serving as a director or officer) against all 
liabilities and advance the reasonable expenses incurred by such director or 
officer in a proceeding, if such director or officer is a party because he or 
she is or was a director or officer of the affiliate. The Company may also 
indemnify its employees or agents for liabilities incurred and/or reasonable 
expenses pursuant to a majority vote of the Board of Directors. 

   The Company currently maintains liability insurance for the benefit of its 
directors and officers. 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities 

1. Credit Agreement Financing 

   As of September 12, 1996, in connection with the recapitalization of the 
Company, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement, a copy of which is 
filed herein as Exhibit 4.4, with BA Securities, Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & 
Jenrette Securities Corporation, as arrangers for a group of financial 
institutions and other accredited investors, pursuant to which, among other 
things, the Company issued notes representing aggregate loans to the Company 
of $170.0 million. These securities were not registered under the Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in reliance on the exemption 
provided by Section 4(2) thereof as an offer and sale of securities which 
does not involve a public offering. 

                                      II-1
<PAGE> 

2. Bridge Financing 

   As of September 12, 1996, in connection with the recapitalization of the 
Company, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with RC 
Funding, Inc. and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association (the 
"Bridge Lenders"), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company issued 
and sold to the Bridge Lenders $100 million aggregate principal amount of its 
Senior Subordinated Increasing Rate Notes (the "Bridge Notes"). The Bridge 
Notes were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on the 
exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereof as an offer and sale of securities 
which does not involve a public offering. 

3. 10-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes 

   On October 22 1996, the Company issued and sold $100.0 million aggregate 
principal amount of its 10-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the 
"Notes"). The Notes were not registered under the Securities Act in reliance 
on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereof as an offer and sale of 
securities which does not involve a public offering. The Notes were initially 
sold to Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and BA 
Securities, Inc., as initial purchasers, and have been subsequently offered 
and sold in the United States only (a) to "Qualified Institutional Buyers" 
(as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and (b) to a limited 
number of other institutional "Accredited Investors" (as defined in Rule 
501A(1), (2),(3) or (7) under the Securities Act) in reliance on Rule 144A 
under the Securities Act. The aggregate discounts, commissions and offering 
expenses for the issuance of the Notes were approximately $3.0 million. 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

   (a) The exhibits listed in the following Exhibit Index are filed as part 
of the Registration Statement. 

Exhibit 
  Number                          Description 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 2.1*      Stock Purchase and Redemption Agreement, dated 
             September 12, 1996, by and among the Company, certain 
             affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company, Thomas H. Lee 
             Equity Fund III, L.P., Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund 
             III, L.P., THL-CCI Limited Partnership, David A. 
             Jones and the then-existing shareholders of the 
             Company. 
 3.1*      Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company. 
 3.2*      Restated By-Laws of the Company. 
 4.1*      Indenture, dated as of October 22, 1996, by and among 
             the Company, ROV Holding, Inc. and Marine Midland 
             Bank, as trustee relating to the Company's 10-1/4% 
             Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006. 
 4.2*      Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 17, 
             1996, by and among the Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & 
             Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ") and BA 
             Securities, Inc. 
 4.3*      Specimen of the Notes (included as an exhibit to 
             Exhibit 4.1). 
 4.4*      Credit Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1996, by 
             and among the Company, the lenders party thereto, 
             Bank of America National Trust and Savings 
             Association ("BofA") and DLJ Capital Funding, Inc. 
             (the "Credit Agreement"). 
 4.5*      Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement. 
 4.6*      The Security Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1996, 
             among the Company, ROV Holding, Inc. and BofA. 
 4.7*      The Company Pledge Agreement among the Company and 
             BofA, dated as of September 12, 1996. 
 5.1*      Opinion of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. 
10.1*      Purchase Agreement, dated October 17, 1996, by and 
             among the Company, DLJ and BA Securities, Inc. 
10.2*      Management Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1996, 
             by and between the Company and Thomas H. Lee Company. 
10.3*      Consulting Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1996, 
             by and between the Company and Thomas F. Pyle, Jr. 
10.4*      Confidentiality, Non-Competition, No-Solicitation and 
             No-Hire Agreement dated as of September 12, 1996 by 
             and between the Company and Thomas F. Pyle. 
10.5*      Employment Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1996, 
             by and between the Company and David A. Jones, 
             including the Full Recourse Promissory Note, dated 
             September 12, 1996 by David A. Jones in favor of the 
             Company. 

                                      II-2
<PAGE> 

   
Exhibit 
 Number                          Description 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
 10.6*     Severance Agreement by and between Company and Trygve 
             Lonnebotn. 
 10.7*     Severance Agreement by and between Company and Kent J. 
             Hussey. 
 10.8*     Severance Agreement by and between Company and Roger F. 
             Warren. 
 10.9*     Technology, License and Service Agreement between 
             Battery Technologies (International) Limited and the 
             Company, dated June 1, 1991, as amended April 19, 
             1993 and December 31, 1995. 
 10.10*    Building Lease between the Company and SPG Partners, 
             dated May 14, 1985, as amended June 24, 1986 and June 
             10, 1987. 
 12.1*     Statement re. Computation of Ratios. 
 21.1+     Subsidiaries of the Company. 
 23.1+     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. 
 23.2*     Consent of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. (included in 
             Exhibit 5.1). 
 24.1*     Power of Attorney, included on page II-5 of the Registration 
           Statement. 
 25.1*     Statement of Eligibility of Trustee. 
 27*       Financial Data Schedules. 
 99.1*     Form of Letter of Transmittal. 
 99.2*     Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. 
 99.3*     Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, 
             Trust Companies and Other Nominees. 
 99.4*     Form of Letter to Clients. 

- ------------------
   *Previously filed.
   +Filed herewith. 
    

   (b) Financial Statement Schedules 
       Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

Item 17. Undertakings 

   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: 

     (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, 
   a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: 

     (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the 
   Securities Act of 1933; 

     (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the 
   effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent 
   post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, 
   represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 
   registration statement; and 

     (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of 
   distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any 
   material change to such information in the registration statement; 

     (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 
   Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to 
   be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered 
   therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed 
   to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 

     (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment 
   any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the 
   termination of the offering. 

     (d) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities 
   Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to 
   section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
   (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual 
   report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 
   that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be 
   deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities 
   offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be 
   deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 

     (e) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each 
   person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report 
   to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus 
   and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or 
   Rule 14c-3 under the Securities 

                                      II-3
<PAGE> 

   Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to 
   be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the 
   prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom 
   the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is 
   specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such 
   interim financial information. 

     (f) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 
   Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling 
   persons of the Registrant pursuant to its Restated Articles of 
   Incorporation, By-Laws, by agreement or otherwise, the Registrant has been 
   advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such 
   indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 
   Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for 
   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 it is against 
   public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by 
   the final adjudication of such issue. 

     (g) To file an application for the purpose of determining the 
   eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of 
   the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations 
   prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act. 

                                      II-4
<PAGE> 

                                  
S 


   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant 
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the 
requirements for filing on Form S-1 and has duly caused this Registration 
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly 
authorized, in Madison, Wisconsin on January   , 1997. 


RAYOVAC CORPORATION 

   
                                 /s/ James A. Broderick 
                                 -------------------------------------------- 
                                 James A. Broderick
                                 Vice President

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the 
capacities indicated on January 24, 1997. 
    


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
           Signature                                          Title 
 -----------------------------       ------------------------------------------------------- 
 <S>                                 <C>
               *
  ----------------------------       President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the 
           David A. Jones            Board (Principal Executive Officer) 

               *                     Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration 
  ----------------------------       and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and 
           Kent J. Hussey            Accounting Officer) 

               *
  ---------------------------- 
      Roger F. Warren                Director 

               *
  ---------------------------- 
      Trygve Lonnebotn               Director 

               *
  ---------------------------- 
          Scott A. Schoen            Director 

               *
  ---------------------------- 
         Thomas R. Shepherd          Director 

               *
  ---------------------------- 
        Warren C. Smith, Jr.         Director 
</TABLE>
*By  /s/ James A. Broderick
     --------------------------
     James A. Broderick
     as attorney-in-fact for
     each of the persons indicated
    

                                      II-5



<PAGE> 


                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS 
                       ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 


To the Board of Directors 
Rayovac Corporation 

   
In connection with our audits of the financial statements of Rayovac 
Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1996 and the Transition 
Period July 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996 and as of years ended June 30, 1996 
and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1996, 
which financial statements are included on pages F-  through F-  of this form 
S-1, we have also audited the financial statement schedule listed in Item 
16(b) herein. 
    

In our opinion, the financial statement schedules, when considered in 
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, 
in all material respects, the information required to be included therein. 






Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
December 11, 1996 

<PAGE> 

                     RAYOVAC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS 
              For the Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996 
               and the years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 
                                (in thousands) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Column A                       Column B     Column C     Column D       Column E 
 ---------------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------------  --------------- 
                                                              Additions 
                                                 Balance at   Charged to 
                                                 Beginning    Costs and                   Balance at 
                 Descriptions                    of Period     Expenses    Deductions    End of Period 
 ---------------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------------  --------------- 
<S>                                             <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>
Transition Period Ended September 30, 1996: 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts                   $786         $147         $211           $722
                                                    ====         ====         ====           ====
June 30, 1996: 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts                   $702         $545         $461           $786 
                                                    ====         ====         ====           ====
June 30, 1995: 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts                   $831         $714         $843           $702 
                                                    ====         ====         ====           ====
June 30, 1994: 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts                   $829         $404         $402           $831 
                                                    ====         ====         ====           ====
</TABLE>

                                       S-2





                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1

                                 SUBSIDIARIES 

                                          Jurisdiction of incorporation 
Subsidiary(1)                             or organization 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
ROV Holding, Inc.(2)                      Delaware 
Ray-O-Vac Europe BV                       Holland 
Rayovac Far East Limited                  Hong Kong 
Rayovac Canada Inc.                       Canada 
Rayovac Europe Limited                    United Kingdom 
Rayovac (UK) Limited                      United Kingdom 
Wrenford Insurance Company Limited        Bermuda 
- ------------- 

(1) Each subsidiary identified below is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, 
    by ROV Holding, Inc., with the exceptions of ROV Holding, Inc., which is 
    wholly owned by Rayovac Corporation, and Wrenford Insurance Company 
    Limited, thirty-three percent of which is owned by Rayovac Corporation and 
    67% of which is owned by persons not affiliated with Rayovac Corporation. 

(2) ROV Holding, Inc. is a Guarantor (as defined in the Prospectus). 



[LETTERHEAD OF COOPERS & LYBRAND]


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


Consent of Independent Accountants


We hereby consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on form S-1,
Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-17895) of our report dated November 22, 1996, with
respect to the combined consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule of Rayovac Corporation and Subsidiaries. We also consent to
the reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts".

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 24, 1997




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