CERADYNE INC
S-1/A, 1995-10-24
ABRASIVE, ASBESTOS & MISC NONMETALLIC MINERAL PRODS
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<PAGE>
 
    
 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 24, 1995     
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 33-62345
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                --------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 2     
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-1
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                --------------
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                --------------
 
         DELAWARE                    3297                    33-0055414
     (STATE OR OTHER     (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
       JURISDICTION       CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
   OF INCORPORATION OR
      ORGANIZATION)
 
                                --------------
 
                               JOEL P. MOSKOWITZ
                CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
                                CERADYNE, INC.
                             3169 RED HILL AVENUE
                         COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA 92626
                                (714) 549-0421
         (NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
  INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                --------------
 
                                  COPIES TO:
    ROBERT E. RICH, ESQ. MATTHEW P.        CAMERON JAY RAINS, ESQ. PAUL E.
             THULLEN, ESQ.              HURDLOW, ESQ. JEFFREY T. BAGLIO, ESQ.
   STRADLING, YOCCA, CARLSON & RAUTH        GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH
 660 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 1600     4365 EXECUTIVE DRIVE, SUITE 1600
    NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
            (714) 725-4000                         (619) 677-1400
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
                                --------------
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under 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 THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
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<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  FORM S-1 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION         PROSPECTUS LOCATION OR CAPTION
  --------------------------------         ------------------------------
 <C> <S>                             <C>
  1. Forepart of the Registration
      Statement and Outside Front    
      Cover Page of Prospectus....   Facing Page; Cross Reference Sheet; Outside
                                      Front Cover Page of Prospectus

  2. Inside Front and Outside Back
      Cover Pages of Prospectus...   Inside Front Page of Prospectus; Outside
                                      Back Cover Page of Prospectus; Available
                                      Information

  3. Summary Information, Risk
      Factors and Ratio of
      Earnings to Fixed Charges...   Summary; Risk Factors

  4. Use of Proceeds..............   Summary; Use of Proceeds

  5. Determination of Offering       
      Price.......................   Front Cover Page of Prospectus;
                                      Underwriting

  6. Dilution.....................   Not Applicable

  7. Selling Security Holders.....   Not Applicable

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

  9. Description of Securities to 
      be Registered...............   Summary; Price Range of Common Stock and
                                      Dividend Policy; Capitalization;
                                      Description of Capital Stock

 10. Interests of Named Experts   
      and Counsel.................   Not Applicable

 11. Information with Respect to     
      the Registrant..............   Summary; The Company; Risk Factors; Use of
                                      Proceeds; Price Range of Common Stock and
                                      Dividend Policy; Capitalization; Selected
                                      Consolidated Financial Data; Management's
                                      Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                                      Condition and Results of Operations;
                                      Business; Management; Certain
                                      Transactions; Principal Stockholders;
                                      Description of Capital Stock; Legal
                                      Matters; Experts; Consolidated Financial
                                      Statements

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

<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 10, 1995
 
                                1,200,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO
                      Logo of Ceradyne, Inc. appears here
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
  All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by Ceradyne,
Inc. The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol CRDN. On October 9, 1995, the last sale price of the Common
Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market was $5.50 per share. See "Price
Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 5 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
 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.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             PRICE TO          UNDERWRITING         PROCEEDS TO
                              PUBLIC            DISCOUNT(1)          COMPANY(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share..............        $                   $                   $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (3)..............       $                   $                   $
===============================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Does not include (i) a non-accountable expense allowance payable by the
    Company to the Representatives of the Underwriters, and (ii) the sale by
    the Company to the Representatives of the Underwriters of five-year
    warrants to purchase up to 60,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
    price of $    per share (120% of the per share price to the public). See
    "Underwriting" for information concerning indemnification of the
    Underwriters and other matters.
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $400,000,
    including the Representatives' non-accountable expense allowance.
(3) The Company has granted to the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
    to 180,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-
    allotments, if any. If the Underwriters exercise this option in full, the
    Price to Public will total $        , Underwriting Discount will total
    $          and the Proceeds to Company will total $          . See
    "Underwriting."
 
  The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters named
herein subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to
reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the
certificates representing such shares will be made against payment therefor at
the office of Van Kasper & Company, San Francisco, California on or about
          , 1995.
 
VAN KASPER & COMPANY                             CRUTTENDEN ROTH
                                                  INCORPORATED
 
                                        , 1995
<PAGE>
 
Photo depicting Ceramic Orthodontic Brackets
 .  Ceradyne produces Transtar(R) translucent orthodontic ceramic brackets as
   part of its strategic relationship with 3M/Unitek Corporation. Shown:
   Typical placement of ceramic brackets during treatment.
 
Drawing depicting Cathodes for Television
 .  The Company has developed a ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathode to be
   used for large screen television, projection television and high definition
   television (HDTV). Shown: Back end of color television tube uses three
   cathodes.
 
Examples of Military Armor
 .  Ceradyne's lightweight ceramic armor utilizes its Ceralloy(R) ceramic
   plates bonded to a laminate backing to stop up to .50 caliber machine gun
   bullets for helicopter and personnel protection. Shown: Military armored
   vest.
 
                                  [PICTURES]
 
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OF THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT
ANY TIME.
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE
MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON NASDAQ IN ACCORDANCE WITH
RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  The following summary should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in
its entirety by, the more detailed information, including "Risk Factors" and
the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in
this Prospectus. Except as otherwise noted, all information in this Prospectus
assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See
"Underwriting."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Ceradyne, Inc. ("Ceradyne" or the "Company") develops, manufactures and
markets advanced technical ceramic products and components for industrial,
defense, consumer and microwave applications. In many high performance
applications, products made of advanced technical ceramics meet specifications
that similar products made of metals or plastics cannot achieve. Advanced
technical ceramics can withstand extremely high temperatures, combine hardness
with light weight, are highly resistant to corrosion and wear, and have
excellent electrical insulation capability and other special electronic
properties.
 
  Ceradyne's technology was originally developed primarily for defense and
aerospace applications which have historically represented a substantial
portion of its business. As a result of the end of the "Cold War," one of the
Company's major defense contracts was cancelled and the Company experienced
reductions in certain other defense-related business. As a result, the Company
began to rely more heavily on the development of new applications and markets,
domestic and international, for its advanced technical ceramic technology,
while continuing to serve its historical customer base which continued to
account for a substantial portion of the Company's business. The Company's
international sales have increased in each of the last three years.
 
  From a peak of $25.6 million in 1987, the Company's revenues declined to a
low of $15.9 million in 1993. Management believes that the Company's financial
recovery commenced in the fourth quarter of 1994 due to an increase in new
bookings and the divestiture of an historically unprofitable operation.
Revenues began to increase in the third quarter of 1994, and have continued to
increase in each of the last four fiscal quarters ending with the quarter ended
June 30, 1995. In addition, the Company returned to profitability in each of
the first two quarters of fiscal 1995, and at June 30, 1995, the Company's
total backlog had increased to $24.8 million, up from $13.2 million a year
earlier. The Company includes in backlog unfilled firm orders as well as
unexercised options since, historically, most options have been exercised. See
"Business--Backlog" and "Risk Factors--Dependence on United States Government
and Risk of Contract Termination" for a discussion of the categories and
components of the Company's backlog.
 
  The Company continues to derive a substantial portion of its revenues from
its traditional products, such as lightweight ceramic armor for military
helicopters and microwave tube products. Management expects that newer products
developed or being developed by the Company for defense, industrial and
consumer applications will represent a growing share of its business. Examples
of these newer products include (i) lightweight ceramic armor vests for
military personnel; (ii) a modified translucent ceramic orthodontic bracket
which is sold to Unitek Corporation, a subsidiary of 3M, under an exclusive
marketing agreement and (iii) wear resistant components for industrial
machinery, such as paper making equipment, made from the Company's Ceralloy(R)
147 silicon nitride advanced technical ceramic. Additionally, the Company's
ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathode is in early limited production for next
generation large screen and projection television. The Company believes this
product has applications in high-definition television (HDTV) and enhanced
resolution CRT monitors. There can be no assurance, however, of wide market
acceptance of this product.
 
  The Company has a strategic relationship with the Ford Motor Company,
pursuant to which Ford has acquired a 19.2% equity interest in the Company, and
transferred ceramic-related technology to the Company with a long-term
objective of developing ceramic components for automobile engines. The
Company's efforts in automotive and diesel applications are still in the
experimental stage and the Company's ability to generate significant revenues
from these applications is uncertain and may not occur for several years, if at
all.
 
  RECENT OPERATING RESULTS. The Company has reported preliminary unaudited
operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30,
1995. The Company had net sales of $6.3 million and net income of $0.6 million,
or $0.09 per share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 1995, compared to
net sales of $4.3 million and a net loss of $0.5 million, or $0.08 per share,
for the quarter ended September 30, 1994. For the nine months ended September
30, 1995, the Company reported net sales of $17.4 million and net income of
$1.4 million, or $0.21 per share, compared to net sales of $13.1 million and a
net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.20 per share, for the nine months ended
September 30, 1994.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
Common Stock offered.................. 1,200,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after
 the offering......................... 7,474,634 shares(1)
Use of proceeds....................... Capital expenditures, repayment of debt,
                                        working capital and other general
                                        corporate purposes.
Nasdaq National Market symbol......... CRDN
</TABLE>
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31     ENDED JUNE 30,
                                     -------------------------  ---------------
                                      1992     1993     1994     1994    1995
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales........................... $18,727  $15,987  $17,996  $8,729  $11,136
Gross profit........................   2,196    1,195    1,861   1,073    2,912
Income (loss) from operations.......  (1,946)  (2,569)  (1,938)   (824)     964
Net income (loss)...................  (1,997)  (2,597)  (1,866)   (747)     804
Net income (loss) per share(2)...... $  (.33) $  (.42) $  (.30) $ (.12) $   .13
Weighted average shares
 outstanding(2).....................   6,133    6,169    6,238   6,233    6,389
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  QUARTER ENDED
                                                                  -------------
                                                                  MARCH   JUNE
                                                                   31,    30,
                                                                   1995   1995
                                                                  ------ ------
<S>                                                               <C>    <C>
Net sales........................................................ $5,379 $5,757
Net income.......................................................    351    454
Net income per share--primary....................................  $0.06  $0.07
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                               JUNE 30, 1995
                                                            -------------------
                                               DECEMBER 31,              AS
                                                   1994     ACTUAL  ADJUSTED (3)
                                               ------------ ------- -----------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>     <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital...............................   $ 5,053    $ 5,970   $11,686
Total assets..................................    16,862     18,666    23,882
Current portion of long-term debt.............     1,029      1,832     1,332
Long-term debt, net of current portion........       905        787       787
Stockholders' equity..........................    11,602     12,489    18,205
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Excludes 435,900 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding stock options as of June 30, 1995 at a weighted average
    exercise price of $2.45 per share.
(2) Net income (loss) per share amounts have been computed using the weighted
    average number of shares of Common Stock and Common Stock equivalents (when
    dilutive) outstanding during the periods. See Note 1 of Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) As adjusted to give effect to the receipt by the Company of the estimated
    net proceeds from the sale of the 1,200,000 shares offered hereby at an
    assumed public offering price of $5.50 per share, and the application by
    the Company of the estimated net proceeds. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                ----------------
 
  Ceradyne, the Ceradyne logo and Ceralloy are major trademarks of the Company.
This Prospectus also includes other trademarks of Ceradyne and trademarks of
other companies.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. As used
in this Prospectus, the "Company" and "Ceradyne" refer to Ceradyne, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and its predecessor corporations. The principal
executive offices of the Company are located at 3169 Red Hill Avenue, Costa
Mesa, California 92626 and the Company's telephone number at that location is
(714) 549-0421.
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Prospective investors should carefully consider the factors set forth below,
in addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, in
evaluating an investment in the Common Stock offered hereby.
 
HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES
 
  For the six month period ended June 30, 1995 the Company returned to
profitability after sustaining net losses from fiscal 1987 through fiscal 1994
totalling approximately $21.4 million. The Company's operating losses resulted
from a number of factors, including a decline in revenues due in part to
reduced government spending on defense related products, which historically
have represented the majority of the Company's business and are expected to
represent a substantial portion of the Company's business in the foreseeable
future. Also contributing to the Company's losses was a decline in sales of
the Company's translucent ceramic orthodontic bracket, from peak revenues of
$6.2 million in fiscal 1988 to $.4 million in fiscal 1994, due in part to
excess inventory levels accumulated by the Company's exclusive distributor of
this product, Unitek Corporation, a subsidiary of Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co.
("3M/Unitek"), and also in part to resistance by some orthodontists to use the
product because of technical problems experienced with earlier versions of the
bracket. To maintain profitability and achieve revenue growth, the Company
must, among other things, successfully address new opportunities for armor
applications, including the development of capacity to successfully
manufacture ceramic body armor in volume; achieve significant sales of a new
version of its transluscent orthodontic bracket product, which is currently
under development; and continue to upgrade its technologies and commercialize
products and services incorporating such technologies. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will be able to sustain or improve its
level of profitability in the future. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
IMPORTANCE OF NEW PRODUCTS; LIMITED VOLUME MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE FOR
PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
 
  The Company believes that its future prospects will depend to a large extent
on the success of products which currently provide little revenue or which are
still under development. These products include, in particular, lightweight
ceramic armor vests for military personnel, the Company's ceramic-impregnated
dispenser cathode for television and other cathode ray tube ("CRT")
applications, improved versions of the Company's translucent ceramic
orthodontic bracket, and ceramic components for automobile and diesel engines.
Although the Company received its initial production order in January 1995 for
lightweight ceramic armor vests, the Company has previously produced only
prototype quantities of this vest and has never manufactured it in the volumes
required to fulfill this order. As a result, there can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to manufacture these vests in a timely manner or on a
profitable basis. Wide customer acceptance of the Company's CRT cathode and
the Company's ability to manufacture this cathode profitably will depend in
part on achieving significant manufacturing cost reductions, the Company's
ability to manufacture these components in high volumes at acceptable
production yields, and satisfying extensive customer testing and qualification
procedures, which often take many months or years to complete. Should the
Company be unable to achieve such cost reductions, manufacture with acceptable
product yields or satisfy customer testing and qualification procedures, the
Company's prospects and operating results may be materially and adversely
affected. The Company has recently introduced a metal-lined version of its
translucent ceramic orthodontic bracket and plans to introduce another version
of this product in early 1996, both of which are designed to improve the
performance and market acceptance of this product. The metal-lined bracket is
more difficult and costly to produce than earlier versions of this bracket and
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to produce this
version in high
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
volume at acceptable yields or that either of these new designs will achieve
market acceptance or result in increased sales of this product. The Company's
efforts in producing ceramic components for automobile and diesel engines are
still in the experimental stage, with future success substantially dependent
on achieving significant cost reductions and developing high volume
manufacturing capability while maintaining high quality levels. Furthermore,
lead times for the introduction of new materials and components into
production automobiles are typically several years. The market for ceramic
automotive and diesel components is new and evolving, and advanced technical
ceramics are not currently used in any significant automotive applications.
Accordingly, demand and market acceptance for such products are subject to a
high level of uncertainty. As a result of these factors, the Company believes
that the use of ceramic components in high volume production automobile or
diesel engines cannot be predicted and will not occur for several years, if at
all. See "Business--Market Applications."
 
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
 
  The Company is experiencing a period of new product introductions that have
placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on its resources,
including personnel. A significant portion of the Company's backlog relates to
a single order for ceramic armor vests for the United States military, and
fulfillment of such order will require the Company to manufacture the product
in volumes significantly greater than the Company has historically achieved
for such products. In addition, the Company believes that future growth is
significantly dependent on introductions of other new products applying the
Company's core advanced technical ceramics technologies. The Company expects
that management of this transition will continue to place a strain on the
Company's management, operational and financial resources. The Company's
ability to manage growth effectively, particularly given the increasingly
international scope of its operations, will require it to add manufacturing
capacity and personnel, continue to implement and improve its operational,
financial and management information systems as well as to develop the
management skills of its managers and supervisors and to train, motivate and
manage its employees. These demands are expected to require the addition of
new management personnel and the development of additional expertise by
existing management personnel. The Company's failure to effectively manage
growth could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations. See "Business--Market Applications," "--Backlog" and "Management."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The Company's future success depends in large part on the continued service
of Joel P. Moskowitz, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and
a principal stockholder of the Company, as well as other principal members of
its management, the loss of whose services could have a material adverse
effect upon the business and financial condition of the Company. The Company
is also dependent on other key personnel, and on its ability to continue to
attract, retain and motivate highly qualified personnel. The competition for
such employees is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to recruit and retain such personnel. Mr. Moskowitz has an employment
agreement with the Company which expires in July 1999, but no other employee
has an agreement for a specified term of employment with the Company. See
"Management."
 
COMPETITION
 
  The markets for applications of advanced technical ceramics are competitive.
The Company believes the principal competitive factors in these markets are
product performance, material's specifications, application engineering
capabilities, customer support, reputation and price. Many of the Company's
competitors, both domestic and international, have greater financial,
marketing and technical resources than Ceradyne. The Company's competitors
often are divisions of larger companies with each of Ceradyne's product lines
subject to completely different competitors. Some of the competitors of the
Company include Kyocera Corporation's Industrial Ceramics Group in industrial
ceramic products, Vesuvius McDaniel Co. in fused silica ceramics, and Simula
Inc. and Brunswick Corp. in defense products. In many applications the Company
also competes with manufacturers of non-ceramic materials. The principal
competition for the Company's new CRT cathode are oxide cathodes manufactured
in-house by the television manufacturers who are the Company's targeted
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
customers for this product. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete successfully against its current or future competitors or that
competition will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations and financial condition. See "Business--Competition."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
 
  The Company is subject to a variety of environmental regulations relating to
the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials. Certain of
the Company's products are produced using beryllium oxide, which is highly
toxic in powder form. This powder, if inhaled, can cause chronic beryllium
disease ("CBD") in a small percentage of the population. In recent years the
Company has been sued by several former employees and a family member of one
such former employee alleging that they had contracted CBD as a result of
exposure to beryllium oxide powders used in the Company's products. Although
these claims have been settled without material liability to the Company, a
current employee of the Company and his wife have sued the Company, alleging
the employee contracted CBD as a result of exposure to beryllium oxide powder
during the course of his employment. There can be no assurance that the
Company will avoid liability to persons who contract CBD as a result of
exposure to beryllium oxide while employed with the Company. While the Company
believes that it is in material compliance with all existing applicable
environmental statutes and regulations, any failure by the Company to comply
with statutes and regulations presently existing or enacted in the future
could subject it to liabilities or the suspension of production. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that claims against the Company related to exposure
to beryllium oxide powder will be covered by insurance or that, if covered,
the amount of insurance will be sufficient to cover any potential adverse
judgment. See "Business--Environmental Concerns and Litigation."
 
DEPENDENCE ON UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND RISK OF CONTRACT TERMINATION
 
  Of the Company's $24.8 million total backlog at June 30, 1995, approximately
$18.0 million, or 73%, represents orders for lightweight ceramic armor for
defense applications. This amount includes unfilled firm orders and
unexercised options for lightweight ceramic armor for military helicopters of
approximately $5.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively, or a total of
approximately $8.4 million, and unfilled firm orders and unexercised options
for lightweight ceramic armor vests for military personnel of approximately
$3.5 million and $6.1 million, respectively, or a total of approximately $9.6
million. The contract for armor vests and some of the contracts for helicopter
armor are directly or indirectly with agencies of the United States
government. The Company anticipates that it will continue to depend heavily on
direct or indirect sales to government agencies for a significant percentage
of the Company's revenues for the foreseeable future. In recent years, budgets
of many government agencies have been reduced, causing certain customers and
potential customers for the Company's products to re-evaluate their needs.
Such budget reductions are expected to continue over at least the next several
years. Future reductions in United States government spending on defense-
related products could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
prospects and operating results.
 
  Under U.S. law, the Company's defense-related contracts may be cancelled for
convenience at any time without cause by the government, with reimbursement to
the Company only for its actual expenses incurred. The Company has in the past
experienced the cancellation of a significant government order, which had a
material adverse effect on the Company's operating results. There can be no
assurance that the Company will not experience similar cancellations in the
future, and any such cancellations could adversely affect the Company's
operating results. See "Backlog."
 
RELIANCE ON 3M/UNITEK RELATIONSHIP
 
  The Company developed its translucent ceramic orthodontic bracket pursuant
to a joint development agreement with 3M/Unitek, and sells this product only
to 3M/Unitek pursuant to an exclusive marketing agreement which expires in
2007. Consequently, the Company depends entirely on the marketing and sales
efforts of 3M/Unitek for the sales of this product. The Company also depends
on customer and technical feedback from 3M/Unitek for the design of
improvements to the bracket. Early versions of this product were not well
accepted by some orthodontists due in part to resistance to change from using
traditional stainless steel brackets and to certain technical problems
experienced by some users of the earlier versions of the Company's
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
translucent ceramic orthodontic bracket. These problems included difficulty in
the removal, or debonding, of the bracket from the tooth, breakage of brackets
during the treatment process more often than experienced with stainless steel
brackets, and slower movement of the metal arch wire through the ceramic
bracket, resulting in longer treatment times than with stainless steel
brackets. Designs recently introduced and designs scheduled for early 1996
introduction are intended to improve certain features of earlier versions of
the bracket, but there can be no assurance that these new products will
completely eliminate the previous problems or receive wide market acceptance.
Furthermore, no assurance can be given that 3M/Unitek will devote substantial
marketing efforts to sales of the Company's orthodontic products, or that it
will not re-assess its commitment to the Company's technologies or develop its
own competitive technology. Any failure by 3M/Unitek to actively market the
Company's orthodontic product, or any failure of such product to achieve
market acceptance, would materially and adversely impact the Company's
prospects and results of operations. See "Risk Factors--Importance of New
Products; Limited Volume Manufacturing Experience for Products Under
Development" and "Business--Strategic Relationships."
 
DEPENDENCE ON INTERNATIONAL SALES
 
  Shipments to customers outside of North America accounted for approximately
25% and 26% of the Company's sales in fiscal 1994 and the first six months of
fiscal 1995, respectively. The Company anticipates that international
shipments will continue to account for a significant portion of its sales.
Certain of these revenues have been derived from sales to foreign government
agencies and may be subject to risks similar to those set forth in "Risk
Factors--Dependence on United States Government and Risk of Contract
Termination."
 
  There are a number of risks inherent in the Company's international business
activities, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs
and other trade barriers, longer account receivable payment cycles,
potentially adverse tax consequences, and the burdens of compliance with
foreign laws. Additionally, the Company does not engage in hedging activities
to protect against the risk of currency fluctuations. Fluctuations in currency
exchange rates could cause sales denominated in U.S. dollars to become
relatively more expensive to customers in a particular country, leading to a
reduction in sales or profitability in that country. Furthermore, future
international activity may result in foreign currency denominated sales which
may result in gains and losses on the conversion to U.S. dollars of accounts
receivable and accounts payable arising from international operations which
may contribute significantly to fluctuations in the Company's results of
operations. The Company historically has denominated export sales in United
States dollars. There can be no assurance, however, that the aforementioned
factors will not have an adverse effect on the revenues from the Company's
future international sales and, consequently, the Company's results of
operations. Some of the Company's products may not be exported to certain
foreign countries without an export license obtained from the United States
government. The Company has and may in the future experience difficulty in
obtaining licenses to export its products to certain countries. Failure to
obtain such licenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
sales and prospects. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," "Business--Ceradyne Strategy" and "--
Marketing and Customers."
 
PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
  The Company relies on a combination of patents, trade secrets, trademarks,
and other intellectual property law, nondisclosure agreements and other
protective measures to preserve its proprietary rights pertaining to its
products and production processes. Such protection, however, may not preclude
competitors from developing products or processes similar or superior to the
Company's. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not protect
intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United
States. Although the Company continues to implement protective measures and
intends to defend its proprietary rights, there can be no assurance that these
efforts will be successful. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the
Company's products or processes are not in violation of the patent rights of
third parties, or that any of the Company's patents will not be challenged,
invalidated or circumvented. See "Business--Patents, Licenses and Trademarks."
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
SIGNIFICANT FLEXIBILITY IN APPLYING NET PROCEEDS OF OFFERING
 
  The Company has not designated any specific use for a substantial portion of
the net proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock offered hereby. Rather, the
Company currently intends to use the net proceeds primarily for general
corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds." Accordingly, management will have
significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. Failure
to utilize the net proceeds within a reasonable period of time may result in a
dilution of the Company's earnings per share, which could have a material
adverse effect on the price of the Company's Common Stock.
 
CONCENTRATION OF STOCK OWNERSHIP; ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW
 
  Upon completion of this offering, the Company's directors and executive
officers and Ford will, in the aggregate, beneficially own approximately 37.5%
of the outstanding Common Stock. As a result, these stockholders, acting
together, would be able to exercise significant influence over matters
requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and
approval of significant corporate transactions. Such concentration of
ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of
the Company. See "Principal Stockholders." In addition, Section 203 of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware prohibits the Company from engaging in
certain business combinations with interested stockholders, as defined by
statute. These provisions may have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control of the Company without action by the stockholders, and
therefore could adversely affect the price of the Company's Common Stock. See
"Description of Capital Stock--Delaware Law."
 
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
  The Company's Common Stock has experienced substantial price volatility and
such volatility may occur in the future, particularly as a result of quarter
to quarter variations in the actual or anticipated financial results of the
Company, announcements by the Company, its competitors or its customers,
actual or anticipated changes in government defense spending, or reports or
recommendations by securities industry analysts. In addition, the stock market
has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which have affected the
market price of the common stock of many technology companies in particular
and which have at times been unrelated to operating performance of the
specific companies whose stock is traded. Broad market fluctuations, as well
as economic conditions generally, may adversely affect the market price of the
Company's Common Stock. In addition, in the past the Company has not
experienced significant trading volume in its Common Stock, has not been
actively followed by stock market analysts and has limited market-making
support from broker-dealers. If greater market-making support is not
generated, supported by broader analyst coverage, resulting in greater average
trading volume in the Company's Common Stock, there can be no assurance that
an adequate trading market will exist to sell large positions in the Company's
Common Stock. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby, assuming a public offering price of $5.50 per share and after
deducting the estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses, are
estimated to be approximately $5.7 million. The Company intends to use
approximately $2.0 million of the net proceeds to purchase tooling and
equipment in order to develop additional manufacturing capacity, primarily for
sintered reaction bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) products, at the Company's
Costa Mesa, California facility, and for dispenser cathodes for CRT
applications, at the Company's Lexington, Kentucky facility. In addition,
approximately $0.5 million of the net proceeds will be used to repay
outstanding indebtedness under the Company's $4.0 million credit facility,
under which borrowings totalled approximately $2.5 million at June 30, 1995,
and bear interest at the lender's prime rate (9.0% at June 30, 1995) plus
3.6%. Repayment of any additional amounts outstanding under the credit
facility would result in prepayment penalties under the current terms of the
credit facility. Approximately $2.0 million of the net proceeds will be used
to repay the balance due under the credit facility when it expires on November
29, 1996. The remainder of the net proceeds, approximately $1.2 million, will
be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
 
   A portion of the proceeds may also be used by the Company to acquire or
invest in businesses, assets, technologies or product lines that complement
the Company's existing businesses. While from time to time the Company
evaluates potential acquisitions of such businesses, assets, technologies or
product lines, there is no present understanding or agreement with respect to
any such acquisitions.
 
  Pending use, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds from this
offering in short-term, interest-bearing instruments, including government
obligations and money market instruments.
 
                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The following table sets forth the price range of high and low last sale
prices per share for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market for the
periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  HIGH     LOW
                                                                  ----     ---
      <S>                                                         <C>      <C>
      Year ended December 31, 1993
        First Quarter............................................  2 3/4    2 1/4
        Second Quarter...........................................  3        2
        Third Quarter............................................  4 5/16   2
        Fourth Quarter...........................................  4        2 1/2
      Year ended December 31, 1994
        First Quarter............................................  3 5/8    2 5/8
        Second Quarter...........................................  3 1/2    1 1/2
        Third Quarter............................................  3        1 3/4
        Fourth Quarter...........................................  3 1/4    2
      Year ended December 31, 1995
        First Quarter............................................  3 3/8    2 1/4
        Second Quarter...........................................  5 7/8    3
        Third Quarter............................................  6 1/8    4 3/4
        Fourth Quarter (through October 9, 1995).................  6 1/8    5 1/4
</TABLE>
 
  The present policy of the Company is to retain earnings for the operation
and expansion of its business. The Company has never paid cash dividends, and
does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. In addition,
the Company's credit agreement restricts the payment of cash dividends.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of June
30, 1995, and as adjusted to reflect the sale by the Company of 1,200,000
shares of Common Stock pursuant to this offering and the receipt and
application by the Company of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, assuming a
public offering price of $5.50 per share and after deducting the estimated
underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. The capitalization
information set forth in the table below is qualified by the more detailed
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with such Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              JUNE 30, 1995
                                                           --------------------
                                                           ACTUAL   AS ADJUSTED
                                                           -------  -----------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>      <C>
Current portion of long-term debt......................... $ 1,832    $ 1,332
                                                           =======    =======
Long-term debt, net of current portion.................... $   787    $   787
                                                           -------    -------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common Stock, $.01 par value; 12,000,000 shares
   authorized, 6,274,634 shares outstanding, actual;
   7,474,634 shares outstanding, as adjusted(1)...........  30,512     36,228
  Accumulated deficit..................................... (18,023)   (18,023)
                                                           -------    -------
    Total stockholders' equity............................  12,489     18,205
                                                           -------    -------
      Total capitalization................................ $13,276    $18,992
                                                           =======    =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Excludes 435,900 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding stock options as of June 30, 1995 at a weighted average
    exercise price of $2.45 per share.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The selected consolidated financial data as of December 31, 1993 and 1994
and for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 are derived from
financial statements of the Company which have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected
consolidated financial data of the Company as of December 31, 1990, 1991 and
1992 and for the years ended December 31, 1990 and 1991 are derived from
consolidated financial statements of the Company which have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, which are not included in this Prospectus. The selected
consolidated financial data of the Company for the six month periods ended
June 30, 1994 and 1995, and as of June 30, 1995, are derived from unaudited
financial statements included elsewhere herein and, in the opinion of the
Company, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein.
The results for the six months ended June 30, 1995 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31,
1995. The following information should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the related notes thereto
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         SIX MONTHS
                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              ENDED JUNE 30,
                          -------------------------------------------  ----------------
                           1990     1991     1992     1993     1994     1994     1995
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Net sales...............  $23,131  $21,886  $18,727  $15,987  $17,996  $ 8,729  $11,136
Cost of product sales...   18,385   18,877   16,531   14,792   16,135    7,656    8,224
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Gross profit..........    4,746    3,009    2,196    1,195    1,861    1,073    2,912
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Operating expenses:
  Selling...............    1,664    1,593    1,465    1,372    1,502      801      751
  General and
   administrative.......    2,436    2,345    2,465    2,392    2,297    1,096    1,197
  Royalty...............      253      240      212      --       --       --       --
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                            4,353    4,178    4,142    3,764    3,799    1,897    1,948
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Income (loss) from
   operations...........      393   (1,169)  (1,946)  (2,569)  (1,938)    (824)     964
Other income (expense):
  Other income..........      280      319      160      212      366      216        2
  Interest expense......     (302)    (255)    (211)    (240)    (294)    (139)    (162)
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Income (loss) before
   provision (credit)
   for taxes on income..      371   (1,105)  (1,997)  (2,597)  (1,866)    (747)     804
Provision for taxes on
 income(1)..............      --       --       --       --       --       --       --
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net income (loss).....  $   371  $(1,105) $(1,997) $(2,597) $(1,866) $  (747) $   804
                          =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Net income (loss) per
 share(2)...............  $   .06  $  (.18) $  (.33) $  (.42) $  (.30) $  (.12) $   .13
Weighted average shares
 outstanding(2).........    6,418    6,178    6,133    6,169    6,238    6,233    6,389
<CAPTION>
                                       DECEMBER 31,                       JUNE 30,
                          -------------------------------------------  ----------------
                           1990     1991     1992     1993     1994     1994     1995
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.........  $ 7,404  $ 7,805  $ 6,808  $ 5,630  $ 5,053  $ 5,727  $ 5,970
Total assets............   23,556   22,317   20,567   18,130   16,862   18,316   18,666
Current portion of long-
 term debt..............      722      465    1,044    1,306    1,029    1,426    1,832
Long-term debt, net of
 current portion........    1,319    1,774    1,413    1,367      905    1,246      787
Stockholders' equity....   18,637   17,734   15,813   13,443   11,602   12,705   12,489
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The Company makes no provision for income taxes due to the existence of a
    tax net operating loss carryforward of approximately $14 million at
    December 31, 1994. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
    Statements.
(2) Net income (loss) per share amounts have been computed using the weighted
    average number of shares of Common Stock and Common Stock equivalents
    (when dilutive) outstanding during the periods. See Note 1 of Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Ceradyne develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic
products and components for industrial, defense, consumer and microwave
applications. The Company's technology was developed primarily for defense and
aerospace applications which have historically represented a substantial
portion of its business. With the end of the "Cold War," one of the Company's
major defense contracts was cancelled and the Company experienced reductions
in certain other defense-related business. As a result, the Company began to
rely more heavily on the development of new applications and markets for its
technology, while continuing to serve its historical customer base which
continued to account for a substantial portion of the Company's business.
 
  From a peak of $25.6 million in 1987, the Company's revenues declined to a
low of $15.9 million in 1993. Management believes that the Company's financial
recovery commenced in the fourth quarter of 1994 due to an increase in new
bookings and the divestiture of an historically unprofitable operation.
Revenues began to increase in the third quarter of 1994, and have continued to
increase in each of the last four fiscal quarters ending with the quarter
ended June 30, 1995. In addition, the Company returned to profitability in
each of the first two quarters of fiscal 1995, and at June 30, 1995, the
Company's total backlog had increased to $24.8 million, up from $13.2 million
a year earlier. The Company includes in backlog unfilled firm orders as well
as unexercised options since, historically, most options have been exercised.
See "Business--Backlog" and "Risk Factors--Dependence on United States
Government and Risk of Contract Termination."
 
  The Company's cost of product sales includes the cost of materials, direct
labor expenses and manufacturing overhead expenses. The Company's business
requires that it maintain a relatively high fixed manufacturing overhead. As a
result, the Company's gross profit, in absolute dollars and as a percentage of
net sales, is greatly impacted by the Company's sales volume and the
corresponding absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead expenses.
Furthermore, due to the customized nature of many of its products, the Company
is frequently required to devote resources to sustaining engineering expenses,
which are also included in cost of product sales and are generally expensed as
incurred.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The percentage relationships to net sales of certain income and expense
items for the three years ended December 31, 1994 and the six month periods
ended June 30, 1994 and 1995 are contained in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                        31,                    JUNE 30,
                                ------------------------   -------------------
                                 1992     1993     1994      1994       1995
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
<S>                             <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>
Net sales......................  100.0%   100.0%   100.0%     100.0%     100.0%
Cost of product sales..........  88.27    92.53    89.66      87.71      73.85
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
  Gross profit.................  11.73     7.47    10.34      12.29      26.15
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
Operating expenses:
  Selling......................   7.82     8.58     8.35       9.18       6.74
  General and administration...  13.16    14.96    12.76      12.55      10.75
  Royalty......................   1.14       --       --         --         --
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
                                 22.12    23.54    21.11      21.73      17.49
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
Income (loss) from operations.. (10.39)  (16.07)  (10.77)     (9.44)      8.66
Other income (expense):
  Other income.................   0.86     1.33     2.03       2.47       0.01
  Interest expense.............  (1.13)   (1.50)   (1.63)     (1.59)     (1.45)
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
                                 (0.27)   (0.17)    0.40       0.88      (1.44)
Income (loss) before provision
 for taxes on income........... (10.66)  (16.24)  (10.37)     (8.56)      7.22
Provision for taxes............     --       --       --         --         --
                                ------   ------   ------   --------   --------
Net income (loss).............. (10.66)% (16.24)% (10.37)%    (8.56)%     7.22%
                                ======   ======   ======   ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994
   
  Net Sales. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 1995 were $11.1
million, which represents a 27.6% increase over $8.7 million in net sales for
the corresponding period of the prior year. This increase was primarily due to
a 59.6% (or $1.6 million) increase in sales of the Company's industrial
products (consisting of a $1.0 million increase in fused silica ceramic
products and a $.6 million increase in industrial wear products), a $.4
million increase in sales of translucent ceramic orthodontic brackets, as well
as an increase in sales in substantially all of the Company's other product
lines.     
 
  International sales have and will continue to be an important part of the
Company's business, representing 26.2% of the Company's net sales for the
period ending June 30, 1995, up from 21.9% for the comparable period of the
prior year, due primarily to shipments of microwave tube products and CRT
cathode products. The Company intends to increase its efforts to expand sales
in the international market.
   
  Gross Profit. The Company's gross profit increased to $2.9 million, or 26.1%
of net sales, for the six months ended June 30, 1995, compared to $1.1
million, or 12.3% of net sales, for the six months ended June 30, 1994. Of the
$1.8 million increase in gross profit, approximately $.5 million resulted from
increased gross profit at the Company's Semicon division in Lexington,
Kentucky and approximately $.4 million resulted from increased gross profit at
the Company's Thermo Materials division in Scottdale, Georgia. These increases
were attributable primarily to increased sales and improvements in
manufacturing productivity at those facilities. Also contributing to the
improvement in gross profit in the first six months of 1995 was the absence of
the Company's ceramic-to-metal operations, which were divested in the fourth
quarter of 1994 and which had a negative gross margin of approximately $.3
million during the six months ended June 30, 1994. Other factors contributing
to the improvement in gross profit during the six months ended June 30, 1995
included increased sales of products with greater profit margins, increased
manufacturing productivity, a 27.6% increase in total net sales during the
period, and absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead over the increased
sales volume.     
 
  During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1995 the Company renegotiated the
lease for its West Coast facility, reducing both leased space and rent. This
reduction of approximately $350,000 per year, the majority of which will
reduce manufacturing overhead expense, commences in November 1995.
 
  Operating Expense. Operating expenses were $1.9 million for the period ended
June 30, 1995, an increase of 2.7% from the comparable period of the prior
year, and represented 17.5% of net sales compared to 21.7% of net sales for
the six months ended June 30, 1994. The improvement as a percentage of net
sales was due to increased sales for the period ended June 30, 1995.
   
  Selling expenses were $751,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1995, a
decrease of 6.2% from the comparable period of the prior year. This decrease
in aggregate selling expenses was due primarily to the sale by the Company in
the fourth quarter of 1994 of its ceramic-to-metal product line, which
historically had required a relatively higher commitment of selling expenses.
Selling expenses attributable to this product line were approximately $89,000
during the six months ended June 30, 1994. While actual amounts expended will
depend upon a variety of factors, the Company anticipates that selling
expenses will increase during the remainder of fiscal 1995 and in future years
as the Company increases its marketing efforts both domestically and
internationally.     
   
  General and administrative expenses were $1.2 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1995, a 9.2% increase from the comparable period of the prior
year. This increase was primarily due to the payment of $62,000 in employee
incentive bonuses indexed to the Company's profitability during the six months
ended June 30, 1995.     
 
  Given the nature of the Company's business, management believes that the
present aggregate dollar level of operating expense, which has not changed
materially over the last several years, is necessary to support the Company at
its current sales level, as well as that experienced in the recent past. On
the other hand, management believes that the Company should be able to
significantly increase its sales without corresponding increases in selling,
general and administrative expenses.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  Other Income. Other income decreased to $2,000 for the six months ended June
30, 1995 compared to $216,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1994. During
the latter period the Company had recorded other income from the finalization
of a contract cancellation, the settlement of a contract claim and license
fees received in excess of an amount accrued in prior periods.
 
  Interest Expense. For the six months ended June 30, 1995 interest expense
was $162,000, a 16.5% increase over the comparable period of the prior year,
primarily attributable to higher interest rates.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company has made no provision for income taxes due to the
existence of approximately $18.2 million in tax net operating loss and tax
credit carryforwards available as of December 31, 1994. Subject to certain
limitations and differences between federal and state tax laws, the Company
expects to apply these carryforwards against any tax liability in 1995 and in
future years until such carryforwards are fully utilized.
 
  Net Income. Reflecting all of the matters discussed above, net income was
$804,000 (or $.13 per share) for the six month period ended June 30, 1995
compared to a loss of $747,000 (or $.12 per share) for the comparable period
of the prior year.
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1993 AND 1992
   
  Net Sales. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 1994 were $17.9
million, a 12.5% increase over net sales of $15.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 1993. Net sales in 1993 reflected a 14.6% decrease compared to
net sales of $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1992.     
          
  The increase in net sales in 1994 was due primarily to a 25.5% (or $.8
million) increase in sales of lightweight ceramic armor for helicopters, a $.3
million increase in sales of ceramic-to-metal products, a $.2 million increase
in sales of wear-resistant products for industrial applications, revenues of
$.4 million from sales of ceramic tiles produced for a prototype heat exchange
container program, and, to a lesser extent, increased sales of other product
lines. The decrease in net sales in 1993 was due primarily to a 77.9% (or $1.3
million) decrease in sales of translucent ceramic orthodontic brackets because
of reduced demand, due to excess inventory held by the Company's exclusive
customer, 3M/Unitek, a decline of $.6 million in sales of microwave tube
products due to cutbacks in defense programs, and a decrease of $.4 million in
sales of ceramic-to-metal products. In addition, in 1993 net sales were
adversely affected by the termination of a strategic weapons system program in
August 1992, which accounted for $.5 million of net sales in 1992.     
 
  International sales represented 25.5%, 18.1% and 13.9% of total net sales in
1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. These year-to-year increases reflect the
Company's increasing emphasis on developing international markets.
   
  Gross Profit. The 1994 increase in gross profit percentage to 10.3% of net
sales was primarily attributable to a change in sales mix in favor of more
profitable products, improved manufacturing productivity, and, to a lesser
extent, absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead over higher sales. These
factors were most evident in the Company's lightweight ceramic armor product
line, where sales increased by $.8 million, or 25.6%, to $3.9 million in 1994
from $3.1 million in 1993, while gross profit increased by $.5 million, or
98.9%, to $1.0 in 1994 from $.5 million in 1993. Conversely, the decrease in
gross profit percentage in 1993 to 7.5% of net sales was primarily
attributable to manufacturing overhead expense being spread over a much lower
sales volume and a less favorable profit margin profile in the Company's sales
mix.     
   
  Operating Expenses. Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1994
were $3.8 million, an increase of less than 1% over operating expenses for the
year ended December 31, 1993. The 1993 level represented a decrease of 9.1%
compared to 1992 operating expenses of $4.1 million. These expenses
represented 21.1%, 23.5% and 22.1% of net sales in 1994, 1993 and 1992,
respectively.     
          
  The increase in 1994 selling expenses was primarily attributable to greater
selling effort associated with increased marketing activities. The decrease in
1993 selling expenses resulted from reductions in marketing personnel and
advertising. General and administrative expenses decreased in 1994 and 1993
primarily as a result of reductions in administrative personnel. Royalty
expenses ceased in 1992 with the final amortization of royalties which had
been prepaid in 1986.     
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
  Other Income. Other income was $366,000 for the year ended December 31,
1994, a 72.6% increase over other income of $212,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1993. The 1993 level represented a 32.5% increase over 1992 other
income of $160,000. The increase in 1994 resulted from income recorded as a
result of a contract cancellation, the settlement of a contract claim and
receipt of licensing fees in excess of an amount accrued in prior periods. The
increase in 1993 resulted primarily from income recorded as a result of a
contract cancellation.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense was $294,000 for the year ended December
31, 1994, a 22.5% increase over interest expense of $240,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1993, which in turn was a 13.7% increase over interest
expense of $211,000 for the year ended December 31, 1992. The steady increase
in interest expense is due to a combination of increasing interest rates and
increased borrowing under the Company's credit facilities.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes,"
effective the first quarter of 1993. The adoption of this statement did not
have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
 
  Net Income. As a result of all of the items discussed above, the net loss
for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $1.9 million (or $.30 per share),
representing a 26.9% improvement over the net loss of $2.6 million (or $.42
per share) for the year ended December 31, 1993. The 1993 net loss was 30.0%
greater than the 1992 net loss of approximately $2 million (or $.33 per
share).
 
RECENT OPERATING RESULTS
 
  The Company has reported preliminary unaudited operating results for the
third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1995. The Company had net
sales of $6.3 million and net income of $0.6 million, or $0.09 per share, for
the third quarter ended September 30, 1995, compared to net sales of $4.3
million and a net loss of $0.5 million, or $0.08 per share, for the quarter
ended September 30, 1994. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 1995, the
Company reported net sales of $17.4 million and net income of $1.4 million, or
$0.21 per share, compared to net sales of $13.1 million and a net loss of $1.2
million, or $0.20 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 1994.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  The Company meets its operating and capital requirements from cash flow from
operating activities and borrowings under its credit facilities. After
producing a negative cash flow from operating activities in 1992 ($35,000) and
1993 ($380,000), the Company produced $736,000 in cash flow from operating
activities in 1994 and $89,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1995.
 
  The Company has a revolving credit agreement with an asset-based lender for
the purpose of financing the Company's working capital needs. The credit
facility, which expires on November 29, 1996, is limited to $4.0 million, and
is composed of two parts--a $1,585,600 term loan and a $2,414,400 revolving
line of credit. Under both parts of the credit facility, borrowings are tied
to availability formulas: 80% of the appraised value of fixed assets for the
term loan, 75% of eligible trade receivables, and 25% of eligible inventory
(up to $250,000) for the revolving line of credit. The term loan and the
revolving line of credit are secured by all of the Company's assets and
require the Company, among other things, to maintain certain financial ratios
and limit capital expenditures. Borrowings under the credit facility totaled
approximately $2.5 million at June 30, 1995.
 
  At June 30, 1995, the Company had short-term cash resources (i.e., cash and
cash equivalents) equal to $302,000. Management believes that the net proceeds
from this offering, funds generated from operations and the ability to borrow
under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient to finance anticipated
capital and operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.
However, the Company may find it necessary to seek additional sources of
financing to support its capital needs, for additional working capital,
potential investments, acquisitions or otherwise. There is no assurance that
such financing would be available on commercially acceptable terms or at all.
Total property and equipment expenditures for 1995 are expected to be
approximately $1.0 million.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Ceradyne develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic
products and components for industrial, defense, consumer and microwave
applications. In many high performance applications, products made of advanced
technical ceramics meet specifications that similar products made of metals or
plastics cannot achieve. Advanced technical ceramics can withstand extremely
high temperatures, combine hardness with light weight, are highly resistant to
corrosion and wear, and have excellent electrical insulation capability and
other special electronic properties.
 
  Ceradyne's technology was developed primarily for defense and aerospace
applications which have historically represented a substantial portion of its
business. As a result of the end of the "Cold War," one of the Company's major
defense contracts was cancelled and the Company experienced reductions in
certain other defense-related business. As a result, the Company began to rely
more heavily on the development of new applications and markets for its
advanced technical ceramic technology, while continuing to serve its
historical customer base which continued to account for a substantial portion
of the Company's business. Although the Company continues to derive a
substantial portion of its revenues from its traditional products, such as
lightweight ceramic armor for military helicopters and products for microwave
tube applications, management expects that newer products developed or being
developed by the Company for defense, industrial and consumer applications
will represent a growing share of the Company's business. Examples of these
newer products include:
 
  .  Lightweight ceramic armor vests for military personnel.
 
  .  A metal-lined version of the Company's translucent ceramic orthodontic
     bracket which it sells to Unitek Corporation, a subsidiary of Minnesota
     Mining & Mfg. Co. ("3M/Unitek"), under an exclusive marketing agreement.
 
  .  Wear resistant components for industrial machinery, such as paper making
     equipment, made from the Company's Ceralloy(R) 147 silicon nitride
     advanced technical ceramic.
 
  .  Ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes for large-screen television and
     projection television. This product is in an early limited production
     phase with no assurance of wide market acceptance. The Company believes
     this product also may have applications in high definition television
     ("HDTV") and exhanced resolution CRT monitors.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
  Developments in industrial processing, military systems, microwave
electronics, consumer electronics and orthodontics have generated a demand for
high performance materials with certain properties not readily available in
metals or plastics. In certain high performance applications, this demand has
been met by products made of advanced technical ceramics.
 
  The following table compares certain favorable properties of selected
advanced technical ceramics commonly used by the Company with those of other
selected materials.
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       MELTING POINT                   CHEMICAL                        DENSITY
                          (DEGREES       HARDNESS     RESISTANCE      ELECTRICAL       (GMS PER
       MATERIALS         FAHRENHEIT)  (VICKERS SCALE)  TO ACIDS       PROPERTIES          CC)
 
  <S>                  <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>                  <C>
  Advanced technical   2,500 to 6,900 1,600 to 7,000  Excellent  From conductors to   2.5 to 4.5
   ceramics                                                      excellent insulators
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  High strength alloy  2,500 to 2,700     250 to 900  Fair       Conductors           7.0 to 9.0
   steel
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  High performance         275 to 750        5 to 10  Good to    Good to excellent    1.0 to 2.0
  plastics                                            Excellent  insulators
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
  Ceramics such as earthenware, glass, brick and tile have been made for
centuries and are still in common use today. The inertness and lasting
qualities of ceramics are illustrated by the artifacts uncovered intact in
modern times. Almost all traditional ceramics, including those of ancient
times, were based on clay. In recent years, significant advances have been
made in ceramic technology through the application of specialized processes to
produce man-made ceramic powders. In the 1950's and 1960's, developments in
aluminum oxide and other oxides provided ceramics that were excellent
electrical insulators and were capable of withstanding high temperatures. In
the 1970's, these and other developments resulted in the ability to
manufacture advanced technical ceramics with great strength at elevated
temperatures and reduced brittleness, historically a primary limitation of
ceramics. The industry that has emerged from these advances is known as
advanced technical (or structural) ceramics.
 
  The properties of advanced technical ceramics present a compelling case for
their use in a wide array of applications. However, manufacturing costs
associated with the production of these materials need to be reduced in order
to accelerate the use of advanced technical ceramics as a direct replacement
for metals, plastics or other ceramics. A portion of these costs are related
to the need for diamond grinding finished components to exacting tolerances.
Industry cost reduction efforts have included the production of blanks or feed
stock to "near net shape" configurations, thus reducing the need for final
finishing. Manufacturers are also seeking to reduce costs through the use of
high volume automated processing and finishing equipment and techniques, and
to achieve economies of scale in areas such as powder processing, blank
fabrication, firing, finishing and inspection.
 
  The automobile industry is particularly sensitive to initial as well as life
cycle costs. Although the current state of the art of advanced technical
ceramics suggests potential automotive acceptance, the cost factors currently
will not permit automobile related production. The industry goal is to bring
advanced technical ceramics' costs down as close as possible to the cost of
equivalent current metal parts.
 
CERADYNE STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to capitalize on its existing technologies,
developed originally for defense and aerospace applications, to broaden its
product and customer base through increased marketing efforts both
domestically and internationally. The Company is focusing on additional
customer opportunities for existing products, and on emerging markets and
products which require or can benefit from the physical, chemical or
electronic properties of advanced technical ceramics. The Company believes
that this strategy will depend more on increased marketing efforts to promote
its existing products and technologies than it will on pure research and
development of new products.
 
  Ceradyne seeks to increase sales of its traditional products primarily
through expanded domestic and global marketing efforts. Examples of these
products and market applications include:
 
  .  Lightweight ceramic armor for military helicopters.
 
  .  Industrial ceramics utilizing fused silica ceramics for the glass
     tempering and steel making markets.
 
  .  Microwave cathodes, microwave absorbing Ceralloy(R) ceramics and samarium
     cobalt magnets for use in microwave power tubes in communications, radar
     and electronic countermeasure applications.
 
  As part of the Company's strategy to leverage its existing technologies, the
Company expects much of its future growth to come from products which are
currently in early production or still in development. There can be no
assurance, however, that products still under development will be successfully
completed, or that any of these newer products, including those already in
production, will achieve wide market acceptance. The following table
illustrates these newer and planned products and the markets for which they
are intended.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CERADYNE'S 
    MARKET OPPORTUNITY     TECHNICAL DEMANDS OF MARKET         STRATEGIC RESPONSE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    INDUSTRIAL
  <S>                      <C>                                 <C>
  Wear resistant compo-    Failure of industrial equipment is  Ceralloy 147 Sintered
  nents required on the    often caused by premature wearing   Reaction Bonded Silicon
  rubbing or cutting sur-  out of surfaces due to abrasive     Nitride (SRBSN) industrial
  faces of industrial ma-  action. Examples include paper      wear parts and cutting
  chinery, such as in pa-  making where the pulp slurry runs   tool inserts are designed
  per making equipment,    at 5000 feet per minute, or in      to replace hard metal or
  centrifuges, and cutting metal cutting where as much as      even oxide ceramic wear
  tool inserts.            .125 inch depth of cut are removed  surfaces, resulting in
                           in a single pass.                   greater productivity,
                                                               quality and longer
                                                               "uptime."
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    DEFENSE
  <S>                      <C>                                 <C>
  Lightweight armor for    As tactical conflicts as well as    Ceralloy 546 (boron
  military and law         terrorist and other activities      carbide) or Ceralloy 146
  enforcement personnel.   result in the increased use of      (silicon carbide) backed
                           automatic weapons, it has become    with Kevlar(TM),
                           necessary to stop bullets as great  Spectra(TM) or other
                           as a .50 caliber machine gun        laminates are designed to
                           round. However, vests or other      provide lightweight
                           armor must be light enough in       ballistic protection
                           weight to allow freedom of          greater than Kevlar alone
                           movement without undue fatigue.     at an acceptable weight.
  Missile nose cones       Next generation tactical missiles   The Company's advanced
  (radomes).               (Standard Missile Block IV and      technical ceramic radomes
                           PAC-3) will be required to fly at   are designed to address
                           extremely high velocities, tight    demanding specifications
                           turning radii, and severe weather   of next generation missile
                           conditions. These operating         nose cones.
                           conditions may preclude the use of
                           conventional polymer materials.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      CONSUMER
  <S>                      <C>                                 <C>
  Orthodontic brackets.    Traditional stainless steel         Ceradyne's Transtar
                           orthodontic ceramic brackets are    translucent orthodontic
                           often considered unsightly.         brackets are inert, pick
                           Substitute clear plastic materials  up the color of the
                           can be weak and may stain. Some     patient's teeth and allow
                           orthodontic patients prefer         the orthodontist to
                           aesthetically pleasing brackets     correct the patient's
                           which can be affixed to each tooth  bite. The Company and its
                           to support the archwire.            marketing partner,
                                                               3M/Unitek, plan to
                                                               introduce an enhanced
                                                               version of this ceramic
                                                               bracket in 1996.
  Large screen             To achieve sharper, brighter        Ceradyne's CRT ceramic-
  televisions, projection  pictures in next generation         impregnated dispenser
  televisions, HDTV, and   television picture tubes, it may    cathodes are designed to
  other cathode ray tube   be necessary to increase current    offer the television
  (CRT) applications.      density (amperes/cm/2/) from        manufacturer increased
                           currently used oxide cathodes.      power levels compared to
                           Television manufacturers may        conventional cathodes. The
                           require extra power as size of      Company is now in early
                           picture and number of pixels        limited production for a
                           increase.                           large projection
                                                               television and a wide
                                                               screen 29" consumer
                                                               television.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    AUTOMOTIVE
  <S>                      <C>                                 <C>
  Automobile internal      In order to achieve diesel engine   Ceradyne's Ceralloy 147
  combustion engine and    life of one million miles and       SRBSN is a candidate for a
  diesel engine valve      automobile engine life of over      variety of engine compo-
  train and other engine   100,000 miles without major         nents including bucket
  components.              maintenance, it may be necessary    tappet inserts,
                           to replace metal engine components  engine valves, clevis pins
                           with longer lasting, lighter        and fuel injection pump
                           weight, higher temperature          parts. The Company is in
                           resistant parts at acceptable unit  prototype development of
                           costs.                              parts for Detroit Diesel
                                                               Corp., Catepillar Inc.,
                                                               and Ford Motor Company.
                                                               Volume production orders
                                                               may not occur for several
                                                               years, if at all, and will
                                                               depend on significant cost
                                                               reduction and other fac-
                                                               tors.
</TABLE>
 
 
  As part of the Company's strategy, management intends to establish
additional sales representative and distributor relationships, particularly in
international markets. The Company will also seek to develop strategic product
development or marketing relationships with other manufacturing companies or
key customers whose expertise, marketing or financial resources will assist
the Company in accomplishing these objectives.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
 
  The Company has established two strategic relationships which have been, and
the Company expects will continue to be, important factors in the Company's
efforts to develop and expand its advanced technical ceramic technology into
new products and markets. These relationships are described below.
   
  Ford Motor Company Joint Product Development Program. Ceradyne completed a
series of transactions with the Ford Motor Company ("Ford") in March 1986 with
a long-term objective of developing ceramic components for automobiles. Key to
this venture was the transfer of technology developed by Ford relating to
technical ceramics, including a portfolio of United States and corresponding
foreign patents and patent applications, and the investment of $10 million in
the Company in exchange for Common Stock which eventually resulted in an
ownership interest in Ceradyne of approximately 20%. Ford and the Company also
entered into a joint development program pursuant to which Ceradyne has been
applying its experience and expertise in technical ceramics to develop this
technology into commercial products with a view to eventually developing
components for automobile engines. Through fiscal 1994, Ford has contributed
to the Company, on a cost sharing basis, a total of $3.1 million in cash and
equipment under this joint development program. The technology acquired from
Ford and the efforts of this joint development program have led to the
development of Ceradyne's Ceralloy(R) 147 sintered reaction bonded silicon
nitride (SRBSN) advanced technical ceramic, from which the Company now
produces a line of industrial wear components and has made prototype parts for
evaluation and testing in internal combustion and diesel engines. See "Risk
Factors--Importance of New Products; Limited Volume Manufacturing Experience
for Products Under Development," "Business--Market Applications-Industrial,"
"--Market Applications-Automotive Market," and "--Manufacturing Processes-
Sintering and Reaction Bonding of Silicon Nitride" and "Certain Transactions."
    
  3M/Unitek Orthodontic Bracket Joint Program. In 1986, Ceradyne entered into
a joint development and supply agreement with 3M/Unitek, for the development
of a translucent ceramic bracket for orthodontic appliances commonly known as
braces. Under this agreement, 3M/Unitek, which is a major manufacturer of
stainless steel orthodontic brackets, provided Ceradyne with information
regarding the functional specifications and properties which ceramic brackets
would be required to satisfy. Based on this information and utilizing its
experience with translucent ceramics originally produced by Ceradyne for
defense electronic countermeasure applications, Ceradyne developed, and in
1987 began manufacturing, translucent ceramic brackets. These brackets
cosmetically blend with the natural color of the patient's teeth while
performing the structural functions formerly performed by traditional
stainless steel brackets. See "Risk Factors--Importance of New Products;
Limited Volume Manufacturing Experience for Products Under Development," "--
Reliance on 3M/Unitek Relationship," "Business--Market Applications-Consumer"
and "--Manufacturing Processes-Fabrication of Translucent Ceramics
(Transtar(R))."
 
  Ceradyne and 3M/Unitek have obtained and jointly own two United States
patents covering the basic use of translucent ceramics for an orthodontic
bracket. 3M/Unitek has an exclusive right to market brackets based on this
technology until 2007, provided that 3M/Unitek purchases at least 50% of its
requirements for the brackets from Ceradyne and pays a royalty to Ceradyne
based on 3M/Unitek's net selling price for any brackets that Unitek
manufactures. During the term of the agreement, Ceradyne may sell the brackets
only to 3M/Unitek. To date, 3M/Unitek has purchased all of its requirements
from the Company and has not manufactured any brackets itself. See "Business--
Patents, Licenses and Trademarks."
 
MARKET APPLICATIONS
 
  The Company's products can be categorized by the principal market
applications they address: (i) industrial, (ii) defense, (iii) consumer, (iv)
microwave tube products and (v) automotive. These markets accounted for
approximately 29.2%, 24.6%, 3.7%, 41.1% and 1.4%, respectively, of the
Company's net sales for fiscal 1994 and 37.5%, 18.4%, 9.3%, 33.7% and 1.2%,
respectively, of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 1995. Set forth
below is a description of the Company's principal products itemized by market:
 
  INDUSTRIAL
 
  Industrial Wear Components. Ceradyne's industrial wear components are made
primarily of its Ceralloy(R) 147 sintered reaction bonded silicon nitride
(SRBSN). These SRBSN ceramic components are generally
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
incorporated in industrial machinery where severe abrasive conditions exist
which wear out vital components. The Ceradyne wear resistant parts are used to
replace conventional wear materials such as tungsten carbide or ceramics such
as alumina or zirconia. Often these parts are incorporated in high wear areas
at the original equipment manufacturer's plant. Applications include metal
cutting tool inserts, paper and can making equipment, abrasive blasting
nozzles as well as custom applications.
 
  Tempered Glass Furnace Components and Metallurgical and Industrial Tooling.
Fused silica ceramic is a ceramic which does not materially expand when
heated, nor materially contract when cooled. Therefore, it is used to produce
industrial tooling and molds where complicated shapes and dimensions must be
maintained over a wide range of temperatures. Such applications include the
forming and shaping of titanium metal, used in the manufacture of aircraft.
Other applications take advantage of fused silica's excellent thermal shock
resistance and inertness when in contact with glass. These applications
include components for equipment used in the fabrication of flat plate and
tempered glass or contoured shapes such as automobile windshields. Fused
silica ceramic shapes of up to 14 feet in length are produced in the Company's
facility located near Atlanta, Georgia.
 
  DEFENSE
 
  Lightweight Ceramic Armor. Although armor has progressed through the
centuries from animal skin shields to metal armored suits, to Kevlar(TM) vests
(for light arms), to heavy steel plate, the requirements for light weight and
maximum projectile stopping capability vary little. Ceradyne has developed and
is producing lightweight ceramic armor capable of protecting against threats
as great as .50 caliber armor piercing machine gun bullets at 50% of the
equivalent steel plate weight. Utilizing hot pressed Ceralloy(R) ceramic, the
Company's armor plates are laminated with either Kevlar(TM), Spectra(TM) or
fiberglass and formed into a wide variety of shapes, structures and
components. To date, ceramic armor manufactured by the Company has been used
principally for military helicopter crew seats and airframe panels. The
Company currently supplies ceramic armor systems for the following helicopter
programs: the Blackhawk helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, the
Apache helicopter manufactured by McDonnell-Douglas Helicopters, Inc., the
Cobra helicopter manufactured by the Bell Helicopter division of Textron Inc.,
and the Sea King helicopter manufactured by Westland Helicopters. The Company
believes it is a leader in producing lightweight ceramic armor for military
helicopters. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on United States Government and
Risk of Contract Termination."
 
  The Company received its first production contract for ceramic armor vests
for military personnel in January 1995. This order, from the Defense Logistics
Agency of the United States government, includes $3.5 million in vests which
the Company expects to ship over the next 12 to 18 months and unexercised
options for up to an additional $6.1 million in vests. These options, if
exercised, are to be shipped over an additional 24 month period. The Company
believes that factors affecting whether these options will be exercised
include the quality and timeliness of vests shipped under the firm portion of
this order, military requirements and the continued availability of government
funding for this program. There can be no assurance, however, that all or any
portion of these options will be exercised. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on
United States Government and Risk of Contract Termination" and "Business--
Backlog."
 
  Missile Nose Cones (Radomes). The Company produces conical shaped, precision
machined ceramic components, which are designed to be mounted by its customers
on the front end of tactical missiles. These nose cones, or radomes, are
designed for applications where the velocities and operating environments are
severe enough that the thermal shock and erosion resistance, high strength and
microwave transparency properties of advanced technical ceramics are required.
Revenues from sales of radomes have not been material to date. However,
radomes manufactured by the Company have been qualified for the Standard
Missile Block IV missile program and are currently undergoing early testing
for the PAC-3 missile program.
 
  CONSUMER
 
  Ceramic Orthodontic Brackets. In the orthodontic process of correcting a
patient's teeth alignment, typically small (about 1/4") stainless steel
brackets are adhered to each individual tooth in order to serve as a guide to
the archwire which is the wire that sets into each bracket. The cosmetic
appearance of all this metal is often
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
considered quite unattractive. Ceradyne, together with its marketing partner,
3M/Unitek, have developed and are marketing ceramic orthodontic brackets made
of Ceradyne's translucent ceramic, Transtar(R). The translucency of this
ceramic bracket, together with the classical ceramic properties of hardness,
chemical inertness and imperviousness, have resulted in a cosmetic substitute
for traditional stainless steel brackets. These products are generally sold as
aesthetic alternatives to conventional metal brackets and have been in
production since 1987. Ceradyne is in advanced stages of development of an
enhanced Transtar(R) bracket design whereby a small metal channel is placed in
the archwire slot allowing for easier sliding between the wire and bracket.
Ceradyne and 3M/Unitek plan to introduce this new design in 1996. See "Risk
Factors--Importance of New Products; Limited Volume Manufacturing Experience
for Products Under Development" and "--Reliance on 3M/Unitek Relationship."
 
  CRT (Television) Ceramic-Impregnated Dispenser Cathodes. Cathodes are the
tiny elements in an electron gun of a television tube that, when heated, emit
a stream of electrons. This electron stream strikes the phosphors (pixels) on
the inside glass of the tube, causing them to excite and glow creating a
picture when viewed from the outside. Dispenser cathodes, which are the most
efficient type of cathode, typically have been used for microwave tube
applications, but historically have not been cost effective for televisions.
The Company has developed a cathode design and manufacturing process which
enables the Company to produce a high current density ceramic-impregnated
dispenser cathode for CRT applications at a fraction of the cost of microwave
tube ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes. The Company's process and
equipment are designed to produce these cathodes at a very rapid rate with a
current density (measured in amperes/cm/2/) significantly greater than
conventional oxide cathodes currently used in televisions. These CRT dispenser
cathodes are intended for large screen televisions, projection televisions,
HDTV and other high-end CRT applications, and are currently being used by two
manufacturers in limited production high-end television sets. Any potential
production volume use of the Company's CRT cathode will require extensive
customer evaluation and may be limited by cost factors. There can be no
assurance that the Company will obtain large volume orders for this product.
See "Risk Factors--Importance of New Products; Limited Volume Manufacturing
Experience for Products Under Development."
 
  MICROWAVE TUBE PRODUCTS
 
  Microwave Ceramic-Impregnated Dispenser Cathodes. The Company manufacturers
ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes which are used in microwave tubes for
applications in radar, satellite communications, electronic countermeasures
and other uses. Dispenser cathodes, when heated, provide the stream of
electrons which are magnetically focused into an electron beam. Microwave
frequency signals which interact with this beam of electrons are substantially
increased in power. Microwave dispenser cathodes are primarily composed of a
porous tungsten matrix impregnated with ceramic oxide compounds.
 
  Samarium Cobalt Permanent Magnets. The Company's samarium cobalt magnets are
sold as components primarily for microwave tube applications. Electron beams
in microwave tubes generated by the dispenser cathodes described above can be
controlled by the magnetic force provided by these powerful permanent magnets.
The magnets are generally small sub-components of microwave traveling wave
tubes.
 
  Precision Ceramics. Ceradyne produces a wide variety of hot pressed
Ceralloy(R) ceramic compositions, precision diamond ground to close
tolerances, primarily for microwave tube applications. The interior cavities
of microwave tubes often require ceramic components capable of operating at
elevated temperatures and in high vacuums.
 
  AUTOMOTIVE MARKET
 
  Internal Combustion and Diesel Engine Components. The demand for higher
performance, more efficient and more durable engines for heavy duty diesel
trucks and automobiles creates additional opportunities for advanced technical
ceramics. For instance, the Company believes that if engines could be produced
using certain advanced technical ceramic components, they could be lighter and
longer lasting than those using metal components and could operate at higher
temperatures, with reduced cooling and lubrication requirements. As a
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
result, engines would use less fuel, achieve more complete combustion, thereby
reducing emissions, and be less costly to maintain. Because of these potential
benefits, industry-wide efforts are being made to develop advanced technical
ceramic technology to replace critical steel components in diesel and
automobile engines.
 
  Ceradyne has provided a limited number of prototype parts made of
Ceralloy(R) 147 SRBSN materials for evaluation and testing in internal
combustion and diesel engines. Ceradyne has no production contracts to produce
any ceramic components for automotive or diesel engine use. However, Ceradyne
is engaged in a joint program with Ford to develop ceramic components for
automobile engines, and with a heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturer to
develop silicon nitride engine valves and clevis pins for diesel engines. Ford
is not obligated to purchase any minimum quantities of components developed
under this program, and Ceradyne's efforts in this area are still in the
experimental stage with future success greatly dependent on achieving cost
reductions while maintaining high quality levels. The Company believes that
use of ceramic components in high volume production automobile or diesel
engines will not occur for several years, if at all. See "Risk Factors--
Importance of New Products; Limited Volume Manufacturing Experience for
Products Under Development."
 
  OTHER
 
  Utilizing its advanced technical ceramics technologies and facilities, the
Company also manufactures a number of other products related to the foregoing
markets, such as dispenser cathodes for ion laser applications, samarium
cobalt permanent magnets for motors and instruments, and other precision
advanced technical ceramics. None of these products provides a material amount
of revenue to the Company.
 
MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS
 
  Each of Ceradyne's three manufacturing locations maintains an autonomous
sales and marketing force promoting their individual products. The Company has
more than 10 employees directly involved in marketing and has agreements with
more than 25 manufacturers' representatives in the United States and other
countries who are compensated as a percent of sales in their territory.
Ceradyne is focusing much of its marketing effort outside the United States
through direct involvement of senior management personnel from the Company's
U.S. facilities in concert with local manufactures' representatives. Revenues
from export sales represented approximately 14%, 18%, 25% and 26% of total net
sales in fiscal years 1992, 1993 and 1994 and the first six months of fiscal
1995, respectively.
 
  Generally, the Company sells components to prime contractors or original
equipment manufacturers. To a lesser extent, Ceradyne sells its products
directly to the end user. The Company sells its translucent ceramic
orthodontic brackets only to 3M/Unitek pursuant to an exclusive marketing
agreement with that customer. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on 3M/Unitek
Relationship" and "Business--Strategic Relationships." Varian Associates,
Inc., which purchases microwave tube products from the Company, accounted for
approximately 13% of the Company's total net sales in fiscal 1994, and no
customer accounted for more than 10% of total net sales in the first six
months of fiscal 1995.
 
  The Company continues to explore various domestic and international
marketing, and other relationships to increase its sales and market
penetration. Furthermore, Ceradyne is attempting to create long-term
relationships with its customers to promote a smoother, more predictable flow
of orders and shipments by entering into multi-year agreements or exclusive
relationships where possible.
 
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
 
  Ceradyne has a number of manufacturing processes which are dedicated to
specific products and markets. These processes and the product applications
are described below.
 
  Hot Pressing. The Company's hot pressing process is generally used to
fabricate ceramic plates for lightweight ceramic armor. Ceradyne has developed
and constructed induction heated furnaces capable of operating at temperatures
exceeding 4000(degrees)F in inert atmospheres at pressures up to 5000 lbs. per
square inch.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
This equipment enables Ceradyne to fabricate parts more than 20 inches in
diameter, which is considered large for advanced technical ceramics. Through
the use of multiple cavity dies and special tooling, the Company can produce a
number of parts in one furnace during a single heating and pressing cycle.
 
  Ceradyne procures its raw materials as fine powders from several outside
suppliers. After processing by the Company, the powders are either loaded
directly into the hot pressing molds or are shaped into preforms prior to
loading into the hot pressing molds. The powders are placed in specially
prepared graphite tooling, most of which is produced by Ceradyne. Heat and
pressure are gradually applied to the desired level, carefully maintained and
finally reduced. The furnace is removed from the press while cooling to permit
the press to be used with another furnace. For most products, about 20 hours
are required to perform this cycle. The resultant ceramic product generally
has mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of a quality approaching
that only theoretically obtainable. Almost all products are then finished by
diamond grinding to meet precise dimensional specifications.
 
  Sintering of Fused Silica Ceramics. Sintering of fused silica ceramics is
the process Ceradyne uses to fabricate fused silica ceramic shapes for
applications in glass tempering furnaces, metalurgical tooling and other
industrial uses. To fabricate fused silica ceramic shapes, fused silica
powders are made into unfired shapes through slip casting or other ceramic
compaction processes. These unfired "green" shapes are fired as they move
through a continuously operated 150 foot long tunnel kiln at temperatures up
to 2500(degrees)F. The final shapes are often marketed in the "as fired"
condition or, in some cases, precision diamond ground to achieve specific
dimensional tolerances or surface finishes required by certain customers. See
"Business--Manufacturing Processes-Diamond Grinding."
 
  Ceramic-Impregnated Dispenser Cathode Fabrication. Ceramic-impregnated
dispenser cathode fabrication is used to produce cathodes for microwave power
tube applications and cathode ray tube ("CRT") cathodes for televisions. To
produce ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes, both tungsten metal powders
and ceramic powders are used. The tungsten metal powders are isostatically
pressed in polymer tooling, removed and fired in special atmospheres at
temperatures in excess of 4000(degrees)F. The tungsten billets are machined
into precision shapes with exacting tolerances. The tungsten machined shapes
are impregnated with a ceramic composite and fired at high temperatures in
special atmospheres. The ceramic impregnated components are assembled and
furnace brazed.
 
  Final processing includes the insertion of a metal heating element within a
ceramic insulating compound and the addition of an extremely thin layer of
precious metals to the surface. The Company's final quality inspection often
includes a test of the cathode's electron emitting capabilities at normal
operating temperatures. In order to produce high volume, inexpensive CRT
cathodes for television and other CRT applications, the Company has developed
and built high speed automated assembly equipment capable of producing a
cathode approximately every 6.5 seconds. To date, however, the Company has not
produced CRT cathodes in sustained high volumes. See "Risk Factors--Importance
of New Products; Limited Volume Manufacturing Experience for Products Under
Development."
 
  Sintering and Reaction Bonding of Silicon Nitride. Sintering and reaction
bonding of silicon nitride results in the Company's Ceralloy(R) 147 SRBSN,
which is used in industrial and automotive applications. Ceradyne SRBSN is
based on technology acquired from Ford. See "Business--Strategic
Relationships." This SRBSN process begins with relatively inexpensive high
purity elemental silicon (Si) powders, which contrasts sharply with most other
manufacturing techniques which start with relatively more expensive silicon
nitride (Si/3/N/4/) powders.
 
  After additives are incorporated by milling and spray drying, the silicon
powders are formed into shapes through conventional ceramic processing such as
dry pressing. These shapes are then fired in a nitrogen atmosphere which
converts the silicon part to a silicon nitride part. At this step (reaction
bonding), the silicon nitride is pressure sintered in an inert atmosphere
increasing the strength of the component three fold. As a result of SRBSN
processing, the ceramic crystals grow in an intertwining "needle-like" fashion
which the Company
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
has named NeedleLok(TM). Ceradyne's NeedleLok(TM) structure results in a
tough, high fracture energy part. The process is economical due to the low
cost of the starting powders and can be used to produce extremely high
production volumes of parts due to the use of conventional pressing processes.
 
  Fabrication of Translucent Ceramics (Transtar(R)). Ceradyne produces
translucent aluminum oxide (Transtar(R)) components primarily for use as
orthodontic ceramic brackets. The high purity powders are purchased from
outside vendors and processed by dedicated conventional ceramic mechanical dry
presses. The formed blanks are then fired in a segregated furnace in a
hydrogen atmosphere at 1800(degrees)C until the ceramics enter to a strong
translucent condition. These fired aesthetic appearing brackets then have
certain critical features diamond ground into them. The final step is a
proprietary treatment of the bonding side in order to permit a sound
mechanical seal when bound to the patient's teeth.
 
  Diamond Grinding. Many of Ceradyne's advanced technical ceramic products
must be finished by diamond grinding because of their extreme hardness. The
Company's finished components typically are machined to tolerances of ^.001
inch and occasionally are machined to tolerances up to ^.0001 inch. To a
limited extent, the Company also performs diamond grinding services for
customers independently of its other manufacturing processes to specifications
provided by the customer. The Company's diamond grinding department can
perform surface grinding, diameter grinding, ultrasonic diamond grinding,
diamond lapping, diamond slicing and honing. The equipment includes manual,
automatic and computer numerically controlled (CNC) grinders. The CNC grinders
have been specially adapted by the Company for precision grinding of ceramic
contours to exacting tolerances.
 
  Fabrication of Samarium Cobalt Permanent Magnets. The fabrication of
samarium cobalt permanent magnets results in various magnet shapes which are
primarily used in microwave tube applications. The Company procures premixed
samarium cobalt powder either as SmCo/5/ or Sm/2/Co/1//7/ compositions. The
powders are then milled and formed into the final configuration by pressing in
a magnetic field using a specially designed magnet press. These "pre-fired" or
"green" magnets are then sintered at 2000(degrees)F in helium or vacuum. The
magnets may then be subsequently diamond ground and characterized as to each
individual magnet's strength.
 
  Raw Materials. The starting raw materials for Ceradyne's manufacturing
operations are generally fine, man-made powders available from several
domestic and foreign sources. Except for beryllium oxide powder, raw
materials, such as Kevlar(TM), graphite, metal components and other ancillary
items are readily available from several commercial sources. Although
beryllium oxide powder is available from only one domestic source, the Company
has not experienced any difficulty in obtaining this powder and has
substantially reduced its use of this material. See "Business--Environmental
Concerns and Litigation."
 
  Quality Control. Ceradyne products are made to a number of exacting
specifications. In order to meet both internal quality criteria and customer
requirements, the Company has implemented a number of quality assurance and
in-process statistical process control programs. These quality programs are
implemented separately at each of Ceradyne's three manufacturing locations.
 
ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH
 
  Ceradyne's engineering and research efforts consist primarily of application
engineering in response to customer requirements. These efforts are directed
to the creation of new products, the modification of existing products to fit
specific customer needs, or the development of enhanced ceramic process
technology. The Company is also engaged in internally-funded research to
improve and reduce the cost of production and to develop new products. Costs
associated with application engineering and internally-funded research are
generally expensed as incurred and are included in cost of product sales.
Costs associated with Company-funded research were approximately $250,000,
$400,000, $360,000 and $100,000 in 1992, 1993, 1994 and the first six months
of 1995, respectively.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
COMPETITION
 
  Ceradyne competes on the basis of product performance, material's
specifications, application engineering capabilities, customer support,
reputation and price. Competitive pressures vary in each specific product
market, depending on the product and program. In many instances, the
competitors are well-known companies with greater financial, marketing and
technical resources than Ceradyne. Ceradyne intends to continue to focus on
selected business areas in which it can exploit its technological,
manufacturing and marketing strengths. Some of Ceradyne's competitors often
are divisions of larger companies with each of Ceradyne's product lines
subject to completely different competitors. Some of the competitors of the
Company include Kyocera Corporation's Industrial Ceramics Group in industrial
ceramic products, Vesuvius McDaniel Co. in fused silica ceramics, and Simula
Inc. and Brunswick Corp. in defense products. In many applications the Company
also competes with manufacturers of non-ceramic materials. The principal
competition for the Company's new CRT cathode are oxide cathodes manufactured
in-house by the television manufacturers who are the Company's targeted
customers for this product. For future automotive applications, there is a
wide range of both current and potential domestic and international
competitors. See "Risk Factors--Competition."
 
BACKLOG
 
  Ceradyne records an item as backlog when it receives a contract or purchase
order indicating the number of units to be purchased, the purchase price,
specifications and other customary terms and conditions. Ceradyne customarily
includes unexercised options as a separate item in its backlog because the
purchase orders are given on the basis of the total order, including options.
Although there can be no assurance that options will be exercised, Ceradyne's
experience has been that, with the exception of one significant strategic
weapons systems contract that was cancelled in 1992, substantially all options
or equivalents have been exercised at the prices set forth in the original
contract. At June 30, 1995, backlog consisted of unfilled firm orders of
approximately $14.3 million and unexercised options of approximately $10.5
million, for a total of approximately $24.8 million, compared with a backlog
at June 30, 1994, which consisted of unfilled firm orders of approximately
$8.8 million, and unexercised options of approximately $4.4 million for a
total of approximately $13.2 million. Typically, firm orders are scheduled to
be shipped within 12 to 18 months from receipt of order.
 
  The Company's backlog at June 30, 1995 includes unfilled firm orders and
unexercised options for lightweight ceramic armor for military helicopters of
approximately $5.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively, or a total of
approximately $8.4 million, and unfilled firm orders and unexercised options
for lightweight ceramic armor vests for military personnel of approximately
$3.5 million and $6.1 million, respectively, or a total of approximately $9.6
million. The contract for armor vests and some of the contracts for helicopter
armor are directly or indirectly with agencies of the United States
government. Under U.S. law, such contracts may be cancelled for convenience at
any time without cause by the government, with reimbursement to the Company
only for its actual expenses incurred. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on United
States Government and Risk of Contract Termination."
 
FACILITIES
 
  The Company serves its markets from three manufacturing facilities across
the United States. The Company's West Coast operations, located in Costa Mesa,
California, primarily produces armor and orthodontic products, and houses the
Company's SRBSN research and development activities. The Company's cathode
development and production are handled through its Semicon Associates division
located in Lexington, Kentucky. Fused silica products, including missile
radomes, are produced at the Company's Thermo Materials division located in
Scottdale, Georgia. These three facilities comprise approximately 63,000,
35,000 and 85,000 square feet, respectively. The Company's Costa Mesa and
Scottdale facilities are held under long-term leases which expire in October
2000 and December 2000, respectively. The Company owns its Lexington, Kentucky
facilities.
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
  Ceradyne's manufacturing structure is summarized in the following table:
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    FACILITY LOCATION                               PRODUCTS
 
  <S>                     <C>
  Costa Mesa, California  . Lightweight ceramic armor
   Approximately 63,000   . Orthodontic ceramic brackets
    square feet           . Ceralloy(R) 147 SRBSN wear parts
                          . Precision ceramics
                          . Ceralloy(R) 147 SRBSN diesel/automotive engine parts (R&D)
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Lexington, Kentucky     . Microwave ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes
   Approximately 35,000   . CRT (television) ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes
    square feet           . Ion laser ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes
                          . Samarium cobalt magnets
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Scottdale, Georgia      . Glass tempering rolls (fused silica ceramics)
   Approximately 85,000   . Metallurgical tooling (fused silica ceramics)
    square feet           . Missile radomes (fused silica ceramics)
                          . Castable and other fused silica products
</TABLE>
 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND LITIGATION
 
  Certain of the Company's products are produced using beryllium oxide, which
is highly toxic in powder form. This powder, if inhaled, can cause chronic
beryllium disease ("CBD") in a small percentage of the population. The Company
has implemented handling procedures and employee awareness programs in order
to comply with standards adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency and
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In recent years, however,
three former employees and a family member of one such former employee sued
the Company alleging that they had contracted CBD as a result of working with
beryllium oxide powders used in the Company's products. These claims were
covered by insurance, and all have been resolved without material liability to
the Company. In December 1994, a current employee and his wife filed suit
against the Company in the Superior Court of the State of California, County
of Orange, alleging that he contracted CBD as a result of exposure to
beryllium oxide powder during the course of his employment. Defense of this
case has been tendered to the Company's insurance carriers. This case is in
the early stages of discovery. However, based upon information currently
available, the Company believes that the employee's claim is without merit and
that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on
the financial condition or operations of the Company. There can be no
assurance, however, that this claim or other claims related to exposure to
beryllium oxide powder will be covered by insurance or that, if covered, the
amount of insurance will be sufficient to cover any potential adverse
judgment. Moreover, since the symptoms of CBD may take many years to manifest
themselves, there can be no assurance that there will not be future claims for
CBD filed by others against the Company. See "Risk Factors--Environmental
Concerns."
 
PATENTS, LICENSES AND TRADEMARKS
 
  The Company relies primarily on trade secrecy to protect compositions and
processes that it believes are proprietary. In certain cases, the disclosure
of information concerning such compositions or processes in issuing a patent
could be competitively disadvantageous. However, management believes that
patents are important for technologies where trade secrecy alone is not a
reliable source of protection. Accordingly, Ceradyne has applied for, or been
granted, several United States patents relating to compositions, products or
processes that management believes are proprietary, including lightweight
ceramic armor.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
  Two U.S. patents have been issued to the Company relating to translucent
ceramics for orthodontic brackets. The earliest of these patents expires in
2007. These patents are co-invented and co-owned by Ceradyne and 3M/Unitek.
Ceradyne and 3M/Unitek have granted licenses to eight companies whose ceramic
orthodontic brackets infringe the Ceradyne-3M/Unitek patents, wherein those
companies pay royalties to Ceradyne and 3M/Unitek based on sales of their
orthodontic ceramic brackets for the remaining life of the patents. See "Risk
Factors--Reliance on 3M/Unitek Relationship" and "Business--Strategic
Relationships."
 
  Ceradyne has been issued two U.S. patents and has one patent pending
relating to its CRT ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathode and has applied for
corresponding foreign patents in various foreign countries. The earliest of
these patents expires in 2006.
 
  Through its association with Ford, Ceradyne acquired in excess of 80 U.S.
patents, of which 37 are still active, and corresponding foreign patents and
applications relating to technical ceramics for automotive technology. The
last of these patents will expire in August 2007. See "Business--Strategic
Relationships" and "Certain Transactions."
 
  "Ceralloy(R)," the name of Ceradyne's technical ceramics, "Ceradyne(R)" and
the Ceradyne logo, comprising the stylized letters "CD(R)," are major
trademarks of the Company which have been registered in the United States and
various foreign countries. The Company also has other trademarks, including
"Transtar(R)," "Semicon(R)," "Thermo(R)," "Isomolded(R)" and "NeedleLok(TM) ."
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  At June 30, 1995, Ceradyne employed approximately 220 persons, including
nine employees with undergraduate or graduate degrees in ceramic engineering.
Management considers its employee relations to be excellent. The Company has
not experienced difficulty in attracting personnel. None of the Company's
employees are represented by a labor union.
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
  The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          NAME           AGE                            POSITION
          ----           ---                            --------
<S>                      <C> <C>
Joel P. Moskowitz.......  56 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
James F. Gardner........  48 Vice President, Finance; Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Louis R. Falce..........  67 Executive Vice President, Cathodes
David M. Bowling........  42 Vice President
Earl E. Conabee.........  58 Vice President
James N. Cuppy..........  39 Vice President
Donald A. Kenagy........  53 Vice President
David P. Reed...........  40 Vice President
Leonard M. Allenstein...  57 Director
Richard A. Alliegro.....  65 Director
Frank Edelstein.........  69 Director
Norman A. Gjostein......  64 Director
William P. Lanphear IV..  48 Director
Milton L. Lohr..........  70 Director
Melvin A. Shader........  70 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
  Joel P. Moskowitz co-founded the Company's predecessor in 1967. He served as
President of the Company from 1974 until January 1987, and from September 1987
to the present. Mr. Moskowitz currently serves as Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which positions he has
held since 1983. Mr. Moskowitz currently serves on the Board of Trustees of
Alfred University. Mr. Moskowitz obtained a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from
Alfred University in 1961 and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern
California in 1966.
 
  James F. Gardner joined the Company in June 1988 and has served as Vice
President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since September
1988. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gardner served for four years as Vice
President, Finance and Secretary of SensorMedics Corporation, a manufacturer
of cardiopulmonary and critical care medical devices. From 1979 to 1984, Mr.
Gardner was Vice President of Finance at Control Components, Incorporated, a
manufacturer of critical service, velocity control valves. Mr. Gardner
received an M.B.A. from Ohio University in 1970, a B.S.B.A. from John Carroll
University in 1969, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
  Louis R. Falce joined the Company in 1985 and has served as Vice President
since January 1987, and as Executive Vice President, Cathodes since July 1995.
Mr. Falce is responsible for the marketing of cathodes for the Company's
Semicon Associates division, and for the development and marketing of the
Company's CRT cathode for television and other CRT applications. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Falce served for ten years in various scientific and
engineering positions at Hughes Aircraft Company. Mr. Falce received B.S.
degrees in Chemistry and Industrial Management from Rutgers University in
1952.
 
  David M. Bowling joined Ceradyne in October 1986 when the Company acquired
Semicon Associates, where he served as Controller. Mr. Bowling joined Semicon
Associates in 1983. He was appointed to the position of Vice President of the
Company in October 1994. Mr. Bowling serves as President of the Company's
Semicon Associates division and is responsible for the overall operations of
Semicon Associates. Mr. Bowling received a B.S. in Business Administration in
1975 from Union College.
 
  Earl E. Conabee joined the Company in July 1985, and has served as Vice
President of the Company since June 1986. Mr. Conabee serves as Vice President
of Marketing for the Company's Thermo Materials division, where he is
responsible for the overall marketing and sales effort for fused silica
ceramics. Prior to joining the
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
Company, Mr. Conabee served as General Manager of Ceramatec, a manufacturer of
technical ceramics, from 1983 to 1985, and as Director of Refinery Operations
for Englehard Minerals Corporation from 1973 to 1983. Mr. Conabee obtained a
B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University in 1960.
 
  James N. Cuppy joined Ceradyne in October 1986 when the Company acquired
Semicon Associates, has served as a Vice President of the Company since
October 1994 and serves as Vice President of Operations of the Company's
Semicon Associates division. Mr. Cuppy had worked at Semicon Associates since
1981, and from 1978 to 1981 he was employed by General Instrument Corp. as a
process engineer. Mr. Cuppy's formal education is in Mechanical Engineering at
the California State University at Hayward and Business Administration at the
University of Kentucky.
 
  Donald A. Kenagy joined the Company in December 1986 when the Company
acquired Thermo Materials, and has served as Vice President of the Company
since July 1991. Mr. Kenagy is currently President of the Company's Thermo
Materials division, and as such is responsible for the operations, finances
and marketing of Thermo Materials. Mr. Kenagy joined Thermo Materials in 1972.
Mr. Kenagy received a B.S. in Ceramic Technology from Penn State in 1963, an
M.S. in Metallurgy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965, and
a Met. Eng. degree from MIT in 1968.
 
  David P. Reed joined the Company in November 1983, and has served as Vice
President since January 1988. Mr. Reed is responsible for the operations,
finances and marketing of the Company's Costa Mesa, California operations.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Reed served as Manager, Process Engineering
for the Industrial Ceramic Division of Norton Co. from 1980 to 1983. Mr. Reed
obtained a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University in 1976 and an
M.S. in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1978.
 
  Leonard M. Allenstein has served on the Board of Directors of the Company
since 1983. Mr. Allenstein has been a private investor and businessman for
more than the past five years. Mr. Allenstein was a founder and general
partner of Bristol Restaurants, which owns and operates restaurants in the
Southern California area, from 1978 until December 1986.
 
  Richard A. Alliegro has served on the Board of Directors of the Company
since 1992. Mr. Alliegro retired from Norton Company in 1990 after 33 years,
where his last position was Vice President, Refractories and Wear, for
Norton's Advanced Ceramics operation. He served as President of Lanxide
Manufacturing Co., a subsidiary of Lanxide Corporation, from May 1990 to
February 1993. Mr. Alliegro currently is the owner of AllTec Consulting, Inc.,
a ceramic technology consulting firm. Mr. Alliegro obtained B.S. and M.S.
degrees in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University in 1951 and 1952,
respectively, and serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of that
university.
 
  Frank Edelstein has served as a director of the Company since 1984. Mr.
Edelstein has been a Vice President of Gordon + Morris Group (a spinoff of
Kelso & Company), an investment banking firm, since November 1986, and from
1979 to November 1986 he was Chairman of the Board of International Central
Bank & Trust Company, which was acquired by Continental Insurance Co. in July
1983. Mr. Edelstein is currently a director of Arkansas Best Corp., IHOP Corp.
and DMI, Incorporated.
 
  Dr. Norman A. Gjostein was appointed a director on February 6, 1995 to fill
a vacancy on the Board of Directors, and was elected to a full term on the
Board of Directors at the Company's Annual Meeting on July 24, 1995. Dr.
Gjostein has held various management positions on the Research Staff of the
Ford Motor Company since 1973. Presently he is Director of the Scientific
Research Laboratory, which includes research activities in CAE, advanced
materials and manufacturing systems. Dr. Gjostein earned B.S. and M.S. degrees
in Metallurgical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and
M.S. and Ph.D degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon
University.
 
  William P. Lanphear IV has served as a director of the Company since 1994.
He is currently Senior Vice President and member of the board of directors of
Bridgestone Multimedia Group, Inc., which is a publisher of family-oriented
video, audio and software products distributed through mass merchandisers and
specialty
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
channels. From 1989 through 1993, Mr. Lanphear was Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Epyx, Inc., a publisher of home entertainment software.
Mr. Lanphear obtained a B.A. in 1969 from Albion College, an M.S. in Nuclear
Engineering in 1970 from the University of Illinois, and an M.B.A. in 1972
from Harvard Graduate School of Business.
 
  Milton L. Lohr served as a director of the Company from 1986 until October
1988, when he resigned to accept a position as Deputy Undersecretary of
Defense for Acquisitions, and thereafter was re-elected as a director of the
Company in July 1989 after leaving that position in May 1989. Mr. Lohr is
currently the President of Defense Development Corporation, a defense-related
research and development company. Mr. Lohr previously held the position of
Senior Vice President of Titan Systems, a defense-related research and
development company, from 1986 to 1988, and was founder and President of
Defense Research Corporation, a defense consulting firm, from 1983 to 1986.
Mr. Lohr served from 1969 to 1983 as Executive Vice-President of Flight
Systems, Inc., a firm engaged in aerospace and electronic warfare systems. Mr.
Lohr has over thirty-five years experience in government positions and
aerospace and defense management, and currently serves as a panel member of
the President's Science Advisory Committee, a member of the Office of the
Secretary of Defense, Army Science Board, as well as other ad hoc government
related assignments.
 
  Melvin A. Shader has served as a director of the Company since 1984. Dr.
Shader retired in 1991 from TRW, Inc., where he was Vice President, Business
Development and Vice President, International at the Space and Defense Sector
of TRW, Inc. Dr. Shader had been with TRW, Inc. since 1970. From 1969 to 1970,
Dr. Shader was Director of Planning in the Information Network Division of
Computer Sciences Corp. and from 1954 to 1968, he was an executive with
International Business Machines Corp.
 
  Directors are elected annually and hold office until the next annual meeting
of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
The Company has agreed to nominate a representative of Ford for election as a
director pursuant to an agreement made in March 1986, pursuant to which
agreement Ford has acquired a total of 1,207,299 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. Joel P. Moskowitz and members of his family have agreed to vote
a portion of their shares of the Company's Common Stock, if necessary, for the
election of Ford's nominee. Dr. Norman Gjostein is Ford's current
representative. See "Certain Transactions." Officers serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors except for Mr. Moskowitz, who serves pursuant to a
five-year employment agreement which expires in July 1999. See "Management--
Compensation of Executive Officers."
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
 Summary Compensation Table
 
  The following table shows certain information concerning the compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer and each other executive officer of the Company
whose aggregate compensation for services in all capacities rendered during the
year ended December 31, 1994 exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "Named
Executive Officers"):
 
<TABLE>       
<CAPTION>
                                                        ANNUAL      LONG TERM
                                                     COMPENSATION  COMPENSATION
                                                    -------------- ------------
                                                                    SECURITIES
                                                                    UNDERLYING
            NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR  SALARY  BONUS OPTIONS (#)
            ---------------------------        ---- -------- ----- ------------
      <S>                                      <C>  <C>      <C>   <C>
      Joel P. Moskowitz....................... 1994 $150,909 $--         --
       Chairman of the Board                   1993  164,902  --         --
       Chief Executive Officer and President   1992  178,356  --         --
      David P. Reed........................... 1994 $103,278  --      10,000
       Vice President                          1993   97,353  --         --
                                               1992   96,015  --         --
      James F. Gardner........................ 1994 $101,999  --         --
       Vice President, Finance                 1993  101,999  --         --
       Chief Financial Officer and Secretary   1992  103,961  --         500
</TABLE>    
 
 Option Grants in Last Fiscal year
 
  The following table sets forth certain information concerning grants of
options to each of the Named Executive Officers during the year ended December
31, 1994. In addition, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the following table sets forth the
hypothetical gains or "option spreads" that would exist for the options. Such
gains are based on assumed rates of annual compound stock appreciation of 5%
and 10% from the date on which the options were granted over the full term of
the options. The rates do not represent the Company's estimate or projection of
future Common Stock prices, and no assurance can be given that any appreciation
will occur or that the rates of annual compound stock appreciation assumed for
the purposes of the following table will be achieved.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  POTENTIAL
                                                                                 REALIZABLE
                                                                                  VALUE AT
                                                                               ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                                                               RATES OF STOCK
                                                                                    PRICE
                                             PERCENT OF                         APPRECIATION
                                            TOTAL OPTIONS                        FOR OPTION
                                             GRANTED TO   EXERCISE                 TERM(2)
                          OPTIONS GRANTED   EMPLOYEES IN    PRICE   EXPIRATION ---------------
          NAME           (NO. OF SHARES)(1)  FISCAL YEAR  ($/SHARE)    DATE    5% ($)  10% ($)
          ----           ------------------ ------------- --------- ---------- ------  -------
<S>                      <C>                <C>           <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>
Joel P. Moskowitz.......          --             --           --          --       --      --
David P. Reed...........       10,000            9.2%       $2.25    12/28/04  $14,340 $33,500
James F. Gardner........          --             --           --          --       --      --
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The per share exercise price of all options granted is the fair market
    value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. Options have a
    term of 10 years and become exercisable in five equal installments, each of
    which vests at the end of each year after the grant date.
(2) The potential realizable value is calculated from the exercise price per
    share, assuming the market price of the Company's Common Stock appreciates
    in value at the stated percentage rate from the date of grant to the
    expiration date. Actual gains, if any, are dependent on the future market
    price of the Common Stock.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
 
 Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option
Values
 
  The following table sets forth certain information regarding option
exercises during the year ended December 31, 1994 by the Named Executive
Officers, the number of shares covered by both exercisable and unexercisable
options as of December 31, 1994 and the value of unexercised in-the-money
options held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                               UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                          NUMBER OF            OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-    IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                           SHARES                        END              AT FISCAL YEAR END(1)
                          ACQUIRED    VALUE   ------------------------- -------------------------
          NAME           ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
          ----           ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Joel P. Moskowitz.......     --        --          --           --           --           --
David P. Reed...........     --        --       22,300       22,200       $1,050       $7,950
James F. Gardner........     --        --       26,500        1,000           (2)          (2)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based upon the closing price of the Common Stock on December 31, 1994, as
    reported by the Nasdaq National Market ($2.375 per share).
(2) The closing price of the Common Stock on December 31, 1994 was below the
    exercise price per share. Therefore, the value of the options was $0.
 
  Employment Agreement. In July 1994, the Company entered into a five-year
employment agreement with Mr. Moskowitz, pursuant to which he will serve as
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President of
the Company. The agreement provides for a base salary at the rate of $175,000
per year; however, Mr. Moskowitz voluntarily agreed to accept a reduced salary
at the rate of $150,000 per year through March 31, 1995 to aid the Company in
its cost-cutting efforts. His annual base salary was reinstated to $175,000 as
of April 1, 1995. Under the agreement, if Mr. Moskowitz' employment is
terminated by the Company (other than as a result of death, incapacity or for
"good cause" as defined in the agreement) or if Mr. Moskowitz elects to resign
for "good reason" (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Moskowitz will be
entitled to receive severance pay in an amount equal to his annual base
salary, at the rate in effect on the date of termination, payable on normal
pay dates for the remainder of the term of the agreement. "Good reason"
includes a "change in control" of the Company, a removal of Mr. Moskowitz from
any of his current positions with the Company without his consent, or a
material change in Mr. Moskowitz' duties, responsibilities or status without
his consent. A "change in control" of the Company shall be deemed to occur if
(1) there is a consolidation or merger of the Company where the Company is not
the surviving corporation and the shareholders prior to such transaction do
not continue to own at least 80% of the common stock of the surviving
corporation, (2) there is a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, (3) the stockholders approve a plan for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, (4) any person becomes the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the Company's outstanding Common
Stock or (5) if specified changes in the composition of the Company's Board of
Directors occur.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  Directors are paid fees for their services on the Board of Directors in such
amounts as are determined from time to time by the Board. Until July 31, 1994,
a fee of $500 per month plus $1000 for each Board meeting attended was paid to
each non-employee director other than the Ford representative and Mr.
Lanphear, who did not receive a fee. These fees terminated as of July 31, 1994
by agreement of the Board, but may be reinstated in the future if the Board
deems appropriate. In 1994, options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock
at the then-current market price of $2.00 per share were granted to each of
Messrs. Allenstein, Alliegro, Edelstein, Lohr and Shader as compensation for
their service as directors.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEES INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  The Board of Directors has established Audit, Compensation and Stock Option
Committees. The Compensation Committee's function is to review and make
recommendations to the Board regarding executive
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
officers' compensation. This committee is composed of Messrs. Edelstein,
Alliegro, Shader and Lohr. The Audit Committee meets with the Company's
independent accountants to review the Company's financial condition and
internal accounting controls. This committee is composed of Messrs. Edelstein,
Shader and Lohr. The Stock Option Committee is composed of Messrs. Moskowitz
and Gjostein. This committee administers the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive
Plan and the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Dr. Gjostein is serving as
Ford's representative of the Board of Directors. See "Certain Transactions."
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee.
 
  On September 20, 1994, the Company obtained a loan in the amount of $100,000
from Joel P. Moskowitz, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer and President of the Company, as well as a member of the
Compensation Committee and Stock Option Committee. The loan bore interest at
the rate of prime plus 3.6% and was for a period not to exceed 120 days. The
loan was repaid in full by December 31, 1994.
 
COMPENSATION PLANS
 
 1994 Stock Incentive Plan
 
  The Ceradyne, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan") was adopted
by the Board of Directors on April 11, 1994 and approved by the Company's
stockholders on July 18, 1994. An amendment to the 1994 Plan was adopted by
the Company's Board of Directors on April 24, 1995 and approved by the
Company's stockholders on July 24, 1995. The 1994 Plan is designed to enhance
the Company's ability to attract and retain the services of qualified persons
upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the successful conduct and
development of the Company's business largely depends, by providing them with
an opportunity to participate in the ownership of the Company and thereby have
an interest in the success and increased value of the Company. Options may be
granted to employees, officers and directors (including non-employee officers
and directors), consultants and other service providers of the Company and of
present or future subsidiaries of the Company. Effective as of July 24, 1995,
options to purchase a total of up to 350,000 shares of Common Stock may be
granted under the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan provides for appropriate
adjustments in the number and kind of shares subject to the 1994 Plan and to
outstanding options in the event of stock splits, stock dividends or certain
other similar changes in the capital structure of the Company. Options may be
granted either as "incentive stock options" as defined in Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or as nonqualified
stock options.
 
  The 1994 Plan is administered by the Stock Option Committee (the
"Committee") of the Board of Directors, which selects the recipients of
options. The Committee also determines the number of shares, the exercise
price, the term, any conditions on exercise, the consequences of any
termination of employment, and other terms of each option. The term of options
may not exceed ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of an
incentive stock option granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company). The option
exercise price may not be less than 100% of fair market value per share of the
Common Stock on the date of grant (110% of fair market value in the case of an
incentive stock option granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company).
 
  The option price is payable in full upon exercise, and payment may be made
in cash, or in the discretion of the Committee by delivery of shares of Common
Stock (valued at their fair market value at the time of exercise), the
optionee's promissory note in a form and on terms acceptable to the Committee,
the cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the optionee, the waiver of
compensation due or accrued to the optionee for services rendered, a "same day
sale" commitment from the optionee and a broker-dealer that is a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD Dealer"), a "margin"
commitment from the optionee and an NASD Dealer whereby the optionee
irrevocably elects to exercise the option and to pledge the shares purchased
to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as security for a loan from the NASD
Dealer in the
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
amount of the exercise price and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits
upon receipt of such shares to forward the exercise price to the Company, or
by any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
 
  Options granted under the 1994 Plan may not be transferred by an optionee
other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
 
  The Board of Directors has the right at any time to terminate or amend the
1994 Plan, but no such action may terminate options already granted or
otherwise substantially affect or impair the rights of any optionee under an
outstanding option without the optionee's consent. Unless sooner terminated by
the Board of Directors, the 1994 Plan will terminate on April 11, 2004.
 
 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
  The Ceradyne, Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan")
was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 24, 1995 and approved by the
Company's stockholders on July 24, 1995. The purposes of the Purchase Plan are
to provide to employees an incentive to join and remain in the service of the
Company and its subsidiaries, to promote employee morale and to encourage
employee ownership of the Common Stock by permitting them to purchase shares
at a discount through payroll deductions. The Purchase Plan is intended to
qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" under Section 423 of the Code. A
total of 100,000 shares of Common Stock may be sold under the Purchase Plan.
The number and type of shares subject to the Purchase Plan, and the number and
type of shares subject to and the purchase price of outstanding rights to
purchase shares under the Purchase Plan, shall be appropriately adjusted in
the event of any subdivision or combination of outstanding shares, the payment
of a stock dividend, the reclassification or exchange of shares or a similar
change in the capital structure of the Company. Every employee of the Company
who customarily works more than 20 hours per week and more than five months
per year will be eligible to participate in offerings made under the Purchase
Plan if on the offering date such employee has been employed by the Company
for at least 30 days. Employees of any subsidiary of the Company may also
participate in the Purchase Plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
An employee may not participate in an offering under the Purchase Plan if he
or she owns shares of stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting
power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or
subsidiary of the Company. As of June 9, 1995, approximately 220 employees
were eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.
 
  The Purchase Plan is administered by a committee consisting of at least two
directors appointed by the Board of Directors (the "Committee"). The Board has
delegated administration of the Purchase Plan to the Stock Option Committee.
Subject to the provision of the Purchase Plan, the Committee has full
authority to implement, administer and make all determinations necessary under
the Purchase Plan.
 
  Each offering under the Purchase Plan will commence on such date (the
"Offering Date") and shall continue for such period (the "Offering Period") as
the Committee in its discretion shall designate from time to time. Unless the
Committee designates otherwise, offerings will be made once each year and each
Offering Period will be for a period of 12 months.
 
  Eligible employees who elect to participate in an offering will purchase
shares of Common Stock through regular payroll deductions in an amount of not
less than 1% nor more than 15% of base pay, as designated by the employee. For
this purpose, "base pay" includes all salaries and regular hourly wages, but
does not include bonuses, commission, overtime pay, or other special payments,
fees or allowances. Shares of Common Stock will be purchased automatically on
the last day of the Offering Period (the "Purchase Date") at a price equal to
the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the shares on the Offering Date
or 85% of the fair market value of the shares as of the Purchase Date. A
participant may withdraw from an offering at any time prior to the Purchase
Date and receive a refund of his payroll deductions, without interest. A
participant's rights in the Purchase Plan are nontransferable.
 
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
  A maximum of 750 shares may be purchased by a participant in any one
offering. Furthermore, no employee may purchase stock in an amount which would
permit his rights under the Purchase Plan (and any similar purchase plans of
the Company and any parent and subsidiaries of the Company) to accrue at a
rate which exceeds $25,000 in fair market value, determined as of the Offering
Date, for each calendar year.
 
  The Board of Directors may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the
Purchase Plan; provided that any amendment that would (1) increase the
aggregate number of shares authorized for sale under the Purchase Plan (except
pursuant to adjustments provided for in the Purchase Plan), or (2) change the
standards of eligibility for participation, shall not be effective unless
approved by the shareholders within 12 months of the adoption of such
amendment by the Board. Unless previously terminated by the Board, the
Purchase Plan will terminate on April 24, 2005.
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
   
  On March 11, 1986, the Company sold 526,316 shares of its Common Stock to
the Ford Motor Company ("Ford") at a price of $19.00 per share, for a total
purchase price of $10,000,000. At the same time, the Company and Ford created
a new corporation, Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc. ("CAPI"), and entered into
agreements involving a broad-based technology transfer, licensing and joint
development program. Under the agreements, Ford contributed technology and a
portfolio of United States and foreign patents relating to technical ceramics
to CAPI in exchange for 80% of CAPI's capital stock, and Ceradyne acquired the
remaining 20% of CAPI in exchange for $200,000. The technology and patents
contributed by Ford were developed in the Ford research laboratories over a
15-year period. Under the March 11, 1986 agreements, the Company was granted
an option to acquire Ford's 80% interest in CAPI in exchange for an additional
680,983 shares of Ceradyne Common Stock, which the Company exercised effective
February 12, 1988. As a result, Ceradyne now owns 100% of CAPI and Ford owns a
total of 1,207,299 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company and Ford
also entered into a joint development agreement which includes a commitment by
Ford to contribute up to $5,000,000, on a matching value basis with Ceradyne,
for the development by Ceradyne of technical ceramic products oriented towards
the automotive market. Through December 31, 1994, Ford agreed to fund a total
of $3,061,000 in cash and equipment pursuant to this agreement.     
 
  So long as Ford continues to own 5% or more of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock, Ceradyne has agreed to use its best efforts to cause one person
designated by Ford to be elected a member of the Ceradyne Board of Directors
and, under certain circumstances in the event the Company issues additional
shares of its Common Stock in a public or private transaction, to permit Ford
to purchase, at the same price and terms upon which sold by the Company in
such transaction, additional shares of Ceradyne Common Stock to enable Ford to
maintain its percentage ownership of the Company. Ford has notified the
Company that it does not intend to exercise this purchase right in connection
with this offering.
 
  In connection with the sale of stock to Ford, Joel P. Moskowitz, Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, and members
of his immediate family agreed to vote shares of the Company's Common Stock
owned by them in favor of the election of Ford's nominee to the Board of
Directors. However, they may first vote that number of shares that is
necessary to assure the election of Joel P. Moskowitz as a director of the
Company, and any shares that are not necessary to assure the election of Mr.
Moskowitz and a Ford nominee to the Board of Directors may be voted by them
without restriction.
 
  Reference is hereby made to the transaction described under "Management--
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock
as of June 30, 1995, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of 1,200,000 shares
of Common Stock by the Company by (i) each person or entity known to the
Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, (ii) each of the Company's named executive officers and directors and
(iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The
information as to each person or entity has been furnished by such person or
entity, and each person or entity has sole voting power and sole investing
power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by such person or entity
except as otherwise indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PERCENTAGE OF SHARES
                                        SHARES            OUTSTANDING(2)
  NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL     BENEFICIALLY ------------------------------
              OWNERS                   OWNED(1)   BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
  ------------------------------     ------------ --------------- --------------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>             <C>
Joel P. Moskowitz(3)...............   1,264,494        20.2%           16.9%
 3169 Red Hill Avenue
 Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Ford Motor Company.................   1,207,299        19.2%           16.2%
 The American Road
 Dearborn, MI 48121
R.B. Haave Assoc., Inc.(4).........     797,723        12.7%           10.7%
 270 Madison Ave.
 New York, NY 10016
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.(5).     345,000         5.5%            4.6%
 1299 Ocean Avenue
 Suite 650
 Santa Monica, CA 90401
Leonard M. Allenstein(6)...........     150,000         2.4%            2.0%
Richard A. Alliegro(7).............      21,000           *               *
Frank Edelstein(8).................      13,900           *               *
Dr. Norman A. Gjostein.............         --            *               *
William P. Lanphear IV.............      10,000           *               *
Milton L. Lohr(9)..................      15,000           *               *
Melvin A. Shader(10)...............      14,000           *               *
David P. Reed(11)..................      24,550           *               *
James F. Gardner(12)...............      31,250           *               *
All current executive officers and
 directors as a group
 (15 persons including the persons
 named above)(13)..................   1,629,794        25.3%           21.3%
</TABLE>
- --------
*  Less than 1%
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
    Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or
    investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock
    subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of
    June 30, 1995, are deemed beneficially owned and outstanding for computing
    the percentage of the person holding such securities, but are not
    considered outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
(2) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
(3) Includes 100,200 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Moskowitz as custodian
    for his son, as to which shares Mr. Moskowitz disclaims beneficial
    ownership.
(4) Based upon information contained in a statement on Schedule 13G, dated
    January 22, 1991, and amended by a filing dated January 3, 1995, filed
    with the Securities and Exchange Commission by R.B. Haave Associates,
    Inc., all shares of Common Stock are owned by advisory clients of R.B.
    Haave Associates, Inc.
(5) Based upon information contained in a statement on Schedule 13G, dated
    January 9, 1990, as amended by a filing dated January 30, 1995, filed with
    the Securities and Exchange Commission by Dimensional Fund
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
     Advisors, Inc. ("Dimensional"). The Schedule 13G states that Dimensional, a
     registered investment advisor, is deemed to have beneficial ownership of
     345,000 shares of Common Stock as of December 31, 1994, all of which shares
     are held in various accounts with respect to which Dimensional serves as
     investment manager. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such
     shares.
 
(6)  Includes 10,000 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Mr.
     Allenstein upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable
     or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(7)  Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Mr.
     Alliegro upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable or
     will become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(8)  Includes 12,500 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Mr.
     Edelstein upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable
     or will become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(9)  Includes 15,000 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Mr. Lohr
     upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable or will
     become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(10) Includes 8,000 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Dr. Shader
     upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable or will
     become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(11) Includes 22,300 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Mr. Reed
     upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable or will
     become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(12) Includes 26,500 shares of Common Stock which may be acquired by Mr.
     Gardner upon exercise of stock options which are presently exercisable or
     will become exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 1995.
(13) Includes an aggregate of 176,400 shares of Common Stock which may be
     acquired by such persons upon exercise of stock options which are
     presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of June
     30, 1995.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 12,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. As of August 14, 1995, there were
6,274,634 shares of Common Stock outstanding held of record by approximately
600 stockholders. There will be 7,474,634 shares of Common Stock outstanding
after giving effect to the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered by the
Company hereby.
 
  Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to
be voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive such lawful dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors. In
the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the
holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive on a pro rata
basis all of the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to
its stockholders. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions
applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are
fully paid and nonassessable, and shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant
to this offering will be fully paid and nonassessable.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
  Pursuant to a Stock Sale Agreement dated March 11, 1986, the Company has
granted to Ford certain registration rights with respect to 1,207,299 shares
of Common Stock owned by Ford. These registration rights entitle Ford to
participate in any registration proposed to be made by the Company of its
Common Stock (except for a registration relating to an employee stock option
or purchase plan). The Company will pay all expenses associated with
registrations pursuant to this agreement. However, Ford is required to bear
all underwriting discounts and sales commissions applicable to the shares of
Common Stock sold by Ford.
 
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
DELAWARE LAW
 
  The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, a statute designed to impede hostile takeovers. In
general, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from
engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a
period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person
became an interested stockholder, unless either (i) prior to the date at which
the person becomes an interested stockholder, the Board of Directors approves
such transaction or business combination, (ii) the stockholder acquires more
than 85% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding shares
held by directors who are officers or held in certain employee stock plans)
upon consummation of such transaction, or (iii) the business combination is
approved by the Board of Directors and by two-thirds of the outstanding voting
stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by the interested stockholder)
at a meeting of stockholders (and not by written consent). A "business
combination" includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a
financial benefit to such interested stockholder. For purposes of Section 203,
"interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of the
corporation's voting stock.
 
STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The stock transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common Stock is
American Stock Transfer and Trust Co.
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  The underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") acting through their
Representatives, Van Kasper & Company and Cruttenden Roth Incorporated, have
severally agreed on the terms and subject to the conditions of an Underwriting
Agreement with the Company to purchase from the Company the number of shares
of Common Stock set forth opposite their respective names:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NUMBER
      NAME OF UNDERWRITER                                              OF SHARES
      -------------------                                              ---------
      <S>                                                              <C>
      Van Kasper & Company............................................
      Cruttenden Roth Incorporated....................................
                                                                       ---------
        Total......................................................... 1,200,000
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
  The shares of Common Stock are being offered by the Underwriters named
herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them, to their right to reject
any order in whole or in part, and to certain other conditions. The
Underwriters are committed to purchase all of the above shares of Common Stock
if any are purchased.
 
  The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose
to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public initially at the offering
price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at
that price less a concession not in excess of $    per share, and that the
Underwriters and such dealers may reallow to certain dealers, including any
Underwriters, a discount not in excess of $    per share. After the initial
offering, the public offering price, concessions and reallowance to dealers
may be changed by the Representatives as a result of market conditions or
other factors.
 
  Certain of the Underwriters, and certain dealers, may have engaged in
"passive market-making" activities in the Common Stock of the Company on
Nasdaq pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Because the Nasdaq market-makers for the Common Stock include Underwriters and
prospective Underwriters accounting for more than 30% of the recent trading
volume of the Common Stock, the rules permit Underwriters and dealers, during
the two business day period ending immediately prior to the date of this
Prospectus, to continue to make a market in the Common Stock, so long as bids
and transactions are at prices which do not exceed the then-highest
independent bid price for the security, net purchases by the market-makers do
not exceed prescribed limits, and the market-makers comply with the other
provisions of the passive market-making rule. Passive market-making may
stabilize the market price of the Common Stock at a level which might
otherwise not prevail, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
  The Company has granted an option to the Underwriters, exercisable by the
Representatives within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase
up to 180,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the initial offering price,
less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Representatives may exercise
the over-allotment option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments,
if any, incurred in the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. To
the extent that the over-allotment option is exercised, each of the
Underwriters will have a firm commitment to purchase approximately the same
percentage of the additional shares as the number of shares to be purchased
and offered by that Underwriter in the above table bears to the total.
 
  Upon completion of this offering, the Company will sell to the
Representatives warrants to purchase up to 60,000 shares of Common Stock. The
warrants will be exercisable upon the completion of this offering at a per
share exercise price equal to 120% of the public offering price, subject to
adjustment in certain events, and will expire five years from the date of the
Prospectus. For a period of one year after the completion of this offering,
the warrants are transferable only between the Representatives and officers of
the Representatives and thereafter
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
will be freely transferable. The holders of shares of Common Stock acquired
upon exercise of the warrants have the right to include such shares in any
future registration statements filed by the Company and to demand one
registration for the shares. For the term of the warrants, the holders of the
warrants are given the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price
of the Common Stock with a resulting reduction in the interest of the
Company's stockholders upon exercise of the warrants.
 
  The Company has agreed to pay the Representatives a non-accountable expense
allowance of one and one-quarter percent of the total proceeds of the
offering.
 
  The Underwriting Agreement contains covenants of indemnity among the
Underwriters and the Company against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
  The Company, all of its executive officers and directors who own Common
Stock and certain beneficial owners of the Common Stock have agreed not to,
directly or indirectly, offer to sell, contract to sell, sell or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exercisable for shares of Common Stock for a period of 90 days after the date
of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the shares offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, a Professional Corporation,
Newport Beach, California. Certain legal matters arising in connection with
this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Gray Cary Ware &
Freidenrich, A Professional Corporation, San Diego, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company at December 31, 1994
and 1993, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1994, included in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated
in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such periodic reports,
proxy statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.; 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago,
Illinois; 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York; and 5757 Wilshire Boulevard,
Suite 500 East, Los Angeles, California; and copies of such material may be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 451 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby.
This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, omits
certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto filed with the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The
Registration Statement, including exhibits and schedules thereto, may be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
Washington, D.C. 20549 and copies may be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at its principal office in
Washington, D.C. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of
any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in
each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference to the exhibit for a more complete
description of the matter involved.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants..................................  F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1993 and 1994, and at June 30,
 1995.....................................................................  F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31,
 1992, 1993 and 1994, and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1994 and 1995.  F-6
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended
 December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, and for the Six Months Ended June 30,
 1995.....................................................................  F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
 1992, 1993 and 1994, and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1994 and 1995.  F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-9
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Ceradyne, Inc.:
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CERADYNE,
INC. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and
1993, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Ceradyne, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Orange County, California
March 6, 1995
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                  DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994 AND JUNE 30, 1995
 
                                ASSETS (NOTE 2)
 
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                     ---------------  JUNE 30,
                                                      1993    1994      1995
                                                     ------- ------- -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>     <C>     <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................  $    94 $   --    $   302
  Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
   approximately $204, $199
   and $157 for doubtful accounts in 1993, 1994 and
   1995 respectively (Note 2)......................    2,625   2,891     3,684
  Receivable from related parties (Note 11)........       21       6        10
  Inventories (Notes 1 and 2)......................    5,634   5,736     6,432
  Production tooling...............................      378     243       310
  Prepaid expenses and other.......................       91      21       149
                                                     ------- -------   -------
    Total current assets...........................    8,843   8,897    10,887
                                                     ------- -------   -------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost (Notes 1 and
 2)
  Land.............................................      422     422       422
  Buildings and improvements.......................    1,825   1,825     1,825
  Lease rights.....................................    2,659   2,659     2,659
  Machinery and equipment..........................   15,098  14,083    14,483
  Leasehold improvements...........................    1,296   1,118     1,135
  Office equipment.................................    1,339   1,344     1,363
  Construction in progress.........................        3     --        119
                                                     ------- -------   -------
                                                      22,642  21,451    22,006
                                                     ------- -------   -------
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...   16,511  16,410    17,050
                                                     ------- -------   -------
                                                       6,131   5,041     4,956
                                                     ------- -------   -------
COSTS IN EXCESS OF NET ASSETS ACQUIRED, net of
   accumulated amortization of $1,131, $1,286 and
   $1,364 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively
   (Notes 1 and 11)................................    2,544   2,389     2,311
                                                     ------- -------   -------
OTHER ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization of
   $426, $503 and $526 in 1993, 1994 and 1995,
   respectively (Note 1)...........................      612     535       512
                                                     ------- -------   -------
    Total assets...................................  $18,130 $16,862   $18,666
                                                     ======= =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
               See accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                  DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994 AND JUNE 30, 1995
 
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                   (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ----------------   JUNE 30,
                                                   1993     1994       1995
                                                  -------  -------  -----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt (Note 2)..... $ 1,306  $ 1,029    $ 1,832
  Accounts payable...............................   1,013    1,930      1,531
  Accrued expenses:
    Payroll and payroll related..................     430      433        548
    Deferred contract billing....................     --       --         439
    Other........................................     464      452        567
                                                  -------  -------    -------
      Total current liabilities..................   3,213    3,844      4,917
                                                  -------  -------    -------
LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 2)..........................   1,367      905        787
                                                  -------  -------    -------
DEFERRED REVENUE (Note 1)........................     107      511        473
                                                  -------  -------    -------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 1, 8, 9, and 11):
  Common Stock, $.01 par value:
    Authorized--12,000,000 shares
    Outstanding--6,231,079 shares in 1993,
     6,243,734 shares in 1994 and 6,274,634 in
     1995........................................  30,404   30,429     30,512
  Accumulated deficit............................ (16,961) (18,827)   (18,023)
                                                  -------  -------    -------
  Total stockholders' equity.....................  13,443   11,602     12,489
                                                  -------  -------    -------
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity. $18,130  $16,862    $18,666
                                                  =======  =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
               See accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993 AND 1994 AND
                FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
                 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SIX MONTHS
                                                                   ENDED
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       JUNE 30,
                                    -------------------------  ---------------
                                     1992     1993     1994     1994    1995
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
NET SALES (Notes 1 and 7).......... $18,727  $15,987  $17,996  $8,729  $11,136
COST OF PRODUCT SALES..............  16,531   14,792   16,135   7,656    8,224
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
    Gross profit...................   2,196    1,195    1,861   1,073    2,912
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Selling..........................   1,465    1,372    1,502     801      751
  General and administrative.......   2,465    2,392    2,297   1,096    1,197
  Royalty (Note 3).................     212        0        0       0        0
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
                                      4,142    3,764    3,799   1,897    1,948
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
    Income (loss) from operations..  (1,946)  (2,569)  (1,938)   (824)     964
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Other income, net................     160      212      366     216        2
  Interest expense.................    (211)    (240)    (294)   (139)    (162)
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
                                        (51)     (28)      72      77     (160)
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
    Income (loss) before provision
     for income taxes..............  (1,997)  (2,597)  (1,866)   (747)     804
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Note
 5)................................     --       --       --      --       --
                                    -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
  Net income (loss)................ $(1,997) $(2,597) $(1,866) $ (747) $   804
                                    =======  =======  =======  ======  =======
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON AND
 EQUIVALENT SHARE (Note 1)......... $ (0.33) $ (0.42) $ (0.30) $(0.12) $  0.13
                                    =======  =======  =======  ======  =======
</TABLE>
 
 
 
               See accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993 AND 1994 AND
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
                   (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     COMMON STOCK
                                                   -----------------
                                                    NUMBER           ACCUMULATED
                                                   OF SHARES AMOUNT    DEFICIT
                                                   --------- ------- -----------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>     <C>
BALANCE, December 31, 1991........................ 6,121,521 $30,101  $(12,367)
  Issuance of common stock........................    14,514      50
  Exercise of stock options.......................     9,500      26
  Net loss........................................       --      --     (1,997)
                                                   --------- -------  --------
BALANCE, December 31, 1992........................ 6,145,535  30,177   (14,364)
  Issuance of common stock........................    10,644      20
  Exercise of stock options.......................    74,900     207
  Net loss........................................       --      --     (2,597)
                                                   --------- -------  --------
BALANCE, December 31, 1993........................ 6,231,079  30,404   (16,961)
  Issuance of common stock........................     9,655       8
  Exercise of stock options.......................     3,000      17
  Net loss........................................       --      --     (1,866)
                                                   --------- -------  --------
BALANCE, December 31, 1994........................ 6,243,734  30,429   (18,827)
  Exercise of stock options.......................    30,900      83
  Net income......................................       --      --        804
                                                   --------- -------  --------
BALANCE, June 30, 1995 (unaudited)................ 6,274,634 $30,512  $(18,023)
                                                   ========= =======  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
               See accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993 AND 1994 AND
                FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER       SIX MONTHS
                                                 31,                 ENDED
                                       -------------------------  -------------
                                        1992     1993     1994     1994   1995
                                       -------  -------  -------  ------  -----
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                    <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net (loss) income..................  $(1,997) $(2,597) $(1,866)  $(747)  $804
  Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)
   income (used in) provided by
   operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization....    2,007    1,694    1,577     738    741
    Gain on sale of property, plant
     and equipment...................      --       --       103     --     --
    Decrease (increase) in accounts
     receivable, net.................      640      691     (266)   (201)  (793)
    Decrease (increase) in
     receivables from related
     parties.........................      (86)     133       15      12     (4)
    Decrease (increase) in
     inventories.....................     (470)    (237)    (344)   (705)  (696)
    Decrease (increase) in production
     tooling.........................      115       37      135      71    (67)
    Decrease (increase) in prepaid
     expenses and other assets.......     (197)     182       70     (87)  (128)
    (Decrease) increase in accounts
     payable.........................     (183)     (33)     917     596   (399)
    (Decrease) increase in accrued
     expenses........................      243     (143)      (9)     55    669
    (Decrease) increase in deferred
     revenue.........................     (107)    (107)     404     274    (38)
                                       -------  -------  -------  ------  -----
Net cash provided by (used in)
 operating activities................      (35)    (380)     736       6     89
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from sale of property,
   plant and equipment...............      --       --       140     --     --
  Purchases of property, plant and
   equipment.........................     (514)    (349)    (256)    (56)  (555)
                                       -------  -------  -------  ------  -----
Net cash used in investing
 activities..........................     (514)    (349)    (116)    (56)  (555)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of common stock, net......       76      227       25       9     83
  Net borrowings (payments) on long-
   term borrowings...................       95      216     (739)     (1)   685
  Proceeds from capital leases.......      123      --       --      --     --
                                       -------  -------  -------  ------  -----
Net cash provided by (used in)
 financing activities................      294      443     (714)      8    768
                                       -------  -------  -------  ------  -----
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash
 equivalents.........................     (255)    (286)     (94)    (42)   302
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
 of period...........................      635      380       94      94    --
                                       -------  -------  -------  ------  -----
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
 period..............................  $   380  $    94  $   --   $   52  $ 302
                                       =======  =======  =======  ======  =====
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW
 INFORMATION:
  Interest paid......................  $   211  $   240  $   294  $  139  $ 162
  Income taxes paid..................  $    28  $    26  $    22  $  --   $ --
</TABLE>
 
               See accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
             (INFORMATION AT JUNE 30, 1995 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                  ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 a. Basis of Presentation
 
  The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of
Ceradyne, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company). All material intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
 b. Interim Financial Information
 
  The financial statements at June 30, 1995 and for the six months ended June
30, 1994 and 1995 are unaudited, but include all adjustments (consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company considers necessary for a
fair presentation of the financial position at such dates and the operating
results and cash flows for those periods. Results for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year.
 
 c. Inventories
 
  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
Inventory costs include the cost of material, labor and manufacturing
overhead. The following is a summary of inventory by component:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   DECEMBER 31,       JUNE 30,
                                               --------------------- -----------
                                                  1993       1994       1995
                                               ---------- ---------- -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
      Raw materials........................... $2,560,000 $1,984,000 $2,424,000
      Work-in-process.........................  2,469,000  3,090,000  3,120,000
      Finished goods..........................    605,000    662,000    888,000
                                               ---------- ---------- ----------
                                               $5,634,000 $5,736,000 $6,432,000
                                               ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
 d. Property, Plant and Equipment
 
  Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment are provided
using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                       <C>
      Buildings and improvements............... 20 years
      Lease rights............................. Term of lease and renewal option
      Machinery and equipment.................. 3 to 12 years
      Leasehold improvements................... Term of lease
      Office equipment......................... 5 years
</TABLE>
 
  Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred.
Repairs and maintenance expense was $482,000 in 1992, $437,000 in 1993,
$370,000 in 1994 and was $189,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1994 and
$190,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1995. Additions and improvements
are capitalized. When assets are disposed of, the applicable costs and
accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and
any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
 e. Sales Recognition
 
  Sales are recorded as of the date shipments are made to or goods are
accepted by customers for production contracts. Revenue is recognized using
the percentage-of-completion method for cost plus fixed fee, government
sponsored, research and development contracts. For the years ended December
31, 1992, 1993, 1994 and for the six months ended June 30, 1994 and 1995,
revenues from cost plus fixed fee contracts were less than 10 percent of net
sales.
 
 f. Deferred Revenue
 
  As part of the sales in October 1989 of the wholly-owned subsidiary,
Ceradyne Specialty Products, Inc., the Company received proceeds of $785,000
for an option to issue a license attributable to certain technology and an
agreement not to compete for a period of five years. These proceeds have been
reflected as Deferred Revenue in the accompanying balance sheets. During 1992,
1993, and 1994, the Company included $107,000 as other income in the financial
statements. For the six months ended June 30, 1994 and 1995, the Company
included $53,000 and $-0- as other income in the financial statements,
respectively. The revenue was fully recognized at December 31, 1994.
 
  In September 1994, the Company entered into an agreement which waived the
minimum production per quarter requirement as well as the minimum rework lot
quantity for the translucent bracket. In consideration for entering into this
contract, the Company received a cash fee of $250,000. The fee has been
deferred at December 31, 1994 and is being recognized at the rate of $.40 per
part on the first 625,000 pieces sold. At June 30, 1995, $103,500 of the fee
had been recognized.
 
  In September 1994, the Company finalized an agreement to manufacture and
supply a specific cathode to a third party at reduced prices. In consideration
for entering into this contract, the Company received a cash fee of $261,000.
The fee was deferred at December 31, 1994 and will be recognized over the life
of the agreement. At June 30, 1995, none of the fee had been recognized.
 
 g. Net (Loss) Income Per Share
 
  The number of shares used in computing primary net (loss) income per share
equals the total of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
the periods plus common stock equivalents relating to options. Common stock
equivalents relating to options issued under the 1983 Stock Option Plan (as
amended), the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and 1985 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(see Note 8) represent additional shares which may be issued in connection
with their exercise, reduced by the number of shares which could be
repurchased with the proceeds at the average market price per share. Common
stock equivalents relating to options are not included when their effect is
antidilutive. The following is a summary of the number of shares entering into
the computation of net (loss) income per common equivalent share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SIX MONTHS
                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,      ENDED JUNE 30,
                              ----------------------------- -------------------
                                1992      1993      1994      1994      1995
                              --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Weighted average number of
 shares outstanding.......... 6,133,000 6,169,000 6,238,000 6,233,000 6,253,000
Common stock equivalents:
  Employee Stock Purchase
   Plan......................       --        --        --        --     12,000
  Stock options..............       --        --        --        --    124,000
                              --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Number of shares............. 6,133,000 6,169,000 6,238,000 6,233,000 6,389,000
                              ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
 g. Cost in Excess of Net Assets Acquired
 
  Costs in excess of net assets acquired from the Company's acquisitions are
being amortized over a 20 to 30 year period. The Company assesses the
recoverability of its intangible assets by determining whether the
amortization of the intangible asset balance over its remaining life can be
recovered through projected non-discounted future cash flows over the
remaining amortization period. If projected future cash flows indicate that
the unamortized intangible asset balances will not be recovered, an adjustment
is made to reduce the net intangible asset to an amount consistent with
projected future cash flows discounted at the Company's incremental borrowing
rate. Cash flow projections, although subject to a degree of uncertainty, are
based on trends of historical performance and management's estimate of future
performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive and
economic conditions.
 
 h. Deferred Start-up Costs
 
  Start-up costs incurred to establish the technological feasibility of a new
product to be sold or otherwise marketed are charged to expense in the period
incurred. Costs incurred subsequent to establishing technological feasibility
but prior to commercial sales to customers are capitalized and amortized over
the estimated economic life of the product. Amortization will be computed,
once shipments commence, using the greater of the ratio of current revenues to
anticipated current and future revenues or the straight-line method. During
the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 and the six months ended June
30, 1995, there were no deferred costs capitalized. These costs, totaling
$338,000, are included in Other Assets. No amortization expense was charged to
operations for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 and the six
months ended June 30, 1994 and 1995, respectively. Revenues and associated
amortization are expected to commence late in 1995.
 
2. DEBT AND BANK BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS
 
  Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 1993 and 1994 and
at June 30, 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                           ---------------------
                                              1993       1994    JUNE 30, 1995
                                           ---------- ---------- -------------
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Credit facility with asset-based lender,
 bearing interest at the institution's
 prime rate (9.00 percent at June 30,
 1995) plus
 3.6 percent:
  Five year term loan, payable in monthly
   installments of $26,428................ $1,506,000 $1,189,000  $1,030,000
  Revolving line of credit................    764,000    566,000   1,506,000
                                           ---------- ----------  ----------
                                           $2,270,000 $1,755,000  $2,536,000
Four contract capital leases, bearing
 interest between 5.38 percent and 11.64
 percent, payable in monthly installments
 of $14,432 expiring from July 1995
 through September 1996, secured by
 equipment with a net book value of
 $502,000 at December 31, 1993, $315,000
 at December 31, 1994 and $227,000 at June
 30, 1995 ................................    403,000    179,000      83,000
                                           ---------- ----------  ----------
                                            2,673,000  1,934,000   2,619,000
Less--current portion.....................  1,306,000  1,029,000   1,832,000
                                           ---------- ----------  ----------
Long-term debt............................ $1,367,000 $  905,000  $  787,000
                                           ========== ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
  Payments due on the Company's long-term debt are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 YEAR
ENDING    AMOUNT
- ------  ----------
<S>     <C>
1995    $1,029,000
1996       350,000
1997       317,000
1998       238,000
        ----------
        $1,934,000
        ==========
</TABLE>
 
  On September 22, 1994, the Company amended its existing revolving credit
agreement with an asset-based lender for the purpose of financing the
Company's working capital needs. The facility, limited to $4,000,000, is
composed of two parts: a $1,585,600 (previously $1,553,300) five-year term
loan dated September 22, 1993 and a $2,414,400 (previously $2,446,700)
revolving line of credit expiring on November 29, 1996. Included in the
revolving line of credit is a foreign accounts receivable sub-limit which is
the lesser of $500,000 or 33.3% of the total outstanding borrowings against
"eligible domestic accounts." Borrowings under both sections of the facility
are tied to availability formulas--eighty percent (80%) of the appraised value
of fixed assets for the term loan, and for the revolving line of credit,
seventy-five percent (75%) of eligible trade receivables and twenty-five
percent (25%) of eligible inventory (up to $250,000). The term loan and the
revolving line of credit are secured by all of the Company's assets and
require the Company, among other things, to maintain certain financial ratios
and limit capital expenditures. The Corporation is in compliance with the loan
covenants at June 30, 1995. The interest rate under this credit facility is
equal to the lender's prime rate (nine percent (9.0%) at June 30, 1995) plus
three and six-tenths percent (3.6%). A one and one-half percent (1.5%)
facility fee is payable annually on the total value of the credit facility.
 
3. DEFERRED EXPENSE
 
  Effective January 1, 1983, the Company was formed by acquisition from the
former parent company. In connection with the acquisition, the Company agreed
to pay its former parent a royalty equal to the greater of three percent
(3.0%) of annual net sales during a 10-year period or graduated annual minimum
installments. The royalty was subject to prepayment for an amount equal to the
difference between $3,000,000 and the royalties already paid. In June 1986,
the Company exercised its prepayment option for the sum of $1,755,000.
 
  The prepayment was capitalized as deferred expense and was amortized on a
straight-line basis over the remaining term of the original agreement. The
deferred expense was fully amortized on December 31, 1992.
 
4. LOAN FROM OFFICER
 
  On September 20, 1994, the Company obtained a loan from an officer in the
amount of $100,000. The loan bore interest at the rate of prime plus three and
six-tenths percent and was for a period of time not to exceed one hundred
twenty days. Payment of principal and interest can be made prior to maturity
without any prepayment penalty. The loan was repaid in full by December 31,
1994.
 
5. INCOME TAXES
 
  Effective the first quarter of 1993, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
The new standard provides revised criteria for the recognition of net deferred
tax assets. The Company's net deferred tax asset, which is approximately
$7,000,000 at June 30,
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
1995, relates to its tax net operating loss carryforward and tax credit
carryforward, which total approximately $18.2 million and expire as follows:
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                            <C>
      2001.......................................................... $   603,000
      2002..........................................................   4,243,000
      2003..........................................................   4,546,000
      2004..........................................................   3,801,000
      2007..........................................................   1,093,000
      2008..........................................................   2,050,000
      2009..........................................................   1,828,000
                                                                     -----------
                                                                     $18,164,000
                                                                     ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's net deferred tax asset has been offset with a valuation
allowance since there is uncertainty regarding the Company's ability to
recognize this tax benefit because the benefit is dependent upon the Company's
ability to continue to generate future taxable income.
 
  The components of the Company's net deferred income tax asset as of December
31, 1993 and 1994 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ------------------------
                                                          1993         1994
                                                       -----------  -----------
      <S>                                              <C>          <C>
      Inventory reserves.............................. $   463,500  $   359,800
      Contingency reserves............................     140,700      118,400
      Deferred revenue................................      39,600      189,200
      Vacation accrual................................     138,000      120,800
      Bad debt allowance..............................     166,500      159,000
      Net operating loss carryforward.................   4,909,900    5,606,800
      Tax credit carryforwards........................     332,000      332,000
      Other...........................................     109,800      114,000
                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                         6,300,000    7,000,000
      Valuation allowance.............................  (6,300,000)  (7,000,000)
                                                       -----------  -----------
        Net deferred tax asset........................ $         0  $         0
                                                       ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994
and for the six months ended June 30, 1995 differs from the federal statutory
federal income tax rate due to the limitation of net operating loss benefits.
 
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  The Company leases certain of its manufacturing facilities under
noncancellable operating leases. The Company incurred rental expenses under
these leases of $812,000, $876,000, $915,000 for the years ended December 31,
1992, 1993 and 1994 and $573,000 and $584,000 for the six months ended June
30, 1994 and 1995 respectively. The approximate rental commitments required
under existing noncancellable leases as of December 31, 1994, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                             <C>
      1995........................................................... $  812,100
      1996...........................................................    167,000
      1997...........................................................    150,900
      1998...........................................................    147,200
      1999 and thereafter............................................    248,800
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      $1,526,000
                                                                      ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
  The Company has an employment agreement with the Chief Executive Officer
which expires on July 5, 1999. In addition to a base salary, the agreement
provides for a bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors. No maximum compensation limit exists. The compensation
expensed in the year ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 was $178,000,
$165,000, $151,000 and in the six months ended June 30, 1994 and 1995 was
$77,890 and $84,135, respectively.
 
  The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal and other
proceedings that relate to the ordinary course of operating its business,
including, but not limited to, employment-related actions and workers'
compensation claims.
 
  Currently the Company is involved in one action filed by a current employee
in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange. The
employee and his wife filed suit in December 1994 alleging that he contracted
chronic beryllium disease during the course and scope of his employment.
Defense of the case has been tendered to the Company's insurance carriers.
 
  While the Company is unable to predict the outcome of current proceedings,
based upon the facts currently known to it, the Company, after consultation
with legal counsel, does not believe that resolution of these proceedings will
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the
Company.
 
  During the fourth quarter of 1994 the following actions were concluded: two
former employees each filed suit during 1992 alleging that they had contracted
chronic beryllium disease during the course and scope of their employment at
the Company. Both suits were settled during 1994 and final releases were
executed in January 1995. The impact of these settlements on the Company's
financial statements is included in the 1994 results of operations.
 
  During the second quarter of 1994, the following proceedings where
concluded: an employee of a customer and his wife filed suit in the United
States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, on September 22, 1992,
alleging he contracted chronic beryllium disease during his employment as a
laboratory technician. Ceradyne was one of at least 18 defendants who
allegedly sold products containing beryllium oxide to his employer. The
complaint did not state the specific dollar amount sought, but requested
compensatory and punitive damages. In May 1994, the customer's employee
voluntarily dismissed Ceradyne from this action. The dismissal is without
prejudice, which allows the customer's employee up to one year to refile the
action.
 
7. SEGMENT AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION
 
  The Company operates solely in the development, manufacture and sale of
advanced technical ceramics. In the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993, 1994,
export sales, primarily to Europe, were approximately $2,600,000, $2,900,000
and $4,584,000 and for the six months ended June 30, 1994 and 1995 sales were
$1,907,000 and $2,913,000, respectively.
 
  For the year ended December 31, 1992, the Company had one customer that
accounted for 12 percent of sales. For the year ended December 31, 1993, the
Company had one customer that accounted for 14 percent of sales. For the year
ended December 31, 1994, the Company had one customer that accounted for 13
percent of sales. For the six months ended June 30, 1994, the Company had one
customer that accounted for 13 percent of sales. For the six months ended June
30, 1995, the Company did not have any customer that accounted for 10 percent
of sales. No other customer accounted for 10 percent of more of the Company's
net sales for the periods presented.
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
8. STOCK OPTIONS
 
  At the Annual Meeting held on July 18, 1994, the stockholders of the Company
approved the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan. At June 30, 1995, the
Company has reserved 250,000 shares of its common stock for issuance. Under
the Plan, the Company can issue both incentive and nonqualified stock options.
Options are granted at or above the fair market value at the date of grant and
generally become exercisable over a five-year period.
 
  At December 31, 1993, the Company has reserved 600,000 shares of its common
stock for issuance under the 1983 Stock Plan (as amended). Under the Plan, the
Company can issue both incentive and nonqualified stock options. Options are
granted at or above the fair market value at the date of grant and generally
become exercisable over a five-year period. No option shares were available
for grant since the plan terminated on December 31, 1993.
 
  The following is a summary of the transactions relating to the Plans for the
periods 1992 through the six months ended June 30, 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             STOCK OPTIONS
                                                         -----------------------
                                                         SHARES       PRICE
                                                         -------  --------------
      <S>                                                <C>      <C>
      OUTSTANDING, December 31, 1991.................... 395,100   $2.75--$3.625
      Granted...........................................  31,500  $3.125--$3.875
      Exercised.........................................  (9,500)          $2.75
      Canceled.......................................... (40,800)          $2.75
                                                         -------  --------------
      OUTSTANDING, December 31, 1992.................... 376,300   $2.75--$3.875
      Granted...........................................  80,500   $2.00--$2.75
      Exercised......................................... (74,900)  $2.75--$3.875
      Canceled.......................................... (18,200)  $2.75--$3.875
                                                         -------  --------------
      OUTSTANDING, December 31, 1993.................... 363,700   $2.00--$3.875
      Granted........................................... 159,500           $2.00
      Exercised.........................................  (3,000)          $2.75
      Canceled.......................................... (48,000)  $2.00--$3.875
                                                         -------  --------------
      OUTSTANDING, December 31, 1994.................... 472,200   $2.00--$3.875
      Granted...........................................     -0-
      Exercised......................................... (30,900)  $2.00--$3.875
      Canceled..........................................  (5,400)  $2.00--$3.875
                                                         -------  --------------
      OUTSTANDING, June 30, 1995 (unaudited)............ 435,900   $2.00--$3.875
                                                         =======  ==============
</TABLE>
 
  At June 30, 1995, options to acquire 314,640 shares were exercisable and
93,500 shares were available for grant.
 
  The Company has also reserved 150,000 shares of its common stock for
issuance under an employee stock purchase plan which became effective during
1985 and was amended in 1994. At June 30, 1995, 51,454 shares were available
for issuance under the Plan. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may
purchase shares at the lower of 85 percent of the quoted market value of the
shares as determined on the first or last day of the Plan year. Effective July
3, 1995, the Plan expired.
 
  Compensation expense has been immaterial under the aforementioned Plans.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
9. SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
 
  In December 1988 the Board of Directors of the Company approved the adoption
of a supplemental retirement plan (Ceradyne SMART 401(k) Plan) in which
substantially all employees are eligible to participate after completing one
year of employment. Participation in the Plan is voluntary. An employee may
elect to contribute up to seven percent (7%) of the employee's pretax
compensation as a basic contribution. The Company may contribute any amount
which the Board of Directors annually determines appropriate. For 1995, the
Company will contribute five percent (5%) of consolidated net income. Company
contributions fully vest and are nonforfeitable after the participant has
completed five years of service. The Company made no contributions to the plan
during the years ending December 31, 1992 through 1994 and the six months
ended June 30, 1995.
 
  The Company's contribution is in the form of shares of its common stock. The
number of shares to be contributed will be determined by dividing the total
Company match for the Plan year by the higher of the market value per share of
common stock as of the end of that Plan year (December 31), or the audited
book value per share of common stock as of the end of that Plan year. The
member's contributions may be invested, at their discretion, in one or all of
the following: (1) Fixed Income Fund, (2) Bond and Mortgage Fund, (3)
International Stock Fund or (4) Equity Fund. The member can elect to allocate
the accumulated and future contributions to their accounts among these funds
in increments of 10 percent.
 
  The Company has reserved 250,000 shares of its common stock for possible
issuance under the Plan. At June 30, 1995, 210,287 shares were available for
issuance under the Plan.
 
10. INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
  The results by quarter for 1993 and 1994 and for the six months ended June
30, 1994 and June 30, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          QUARTER ENDED
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         MARCH 31,    JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
                            1993        1993         1993          1993
                         ----------  ----------  ------------- ------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
Net sales............... $4,112,000  $4,132,000   $3,812,000    $3,931,000
Net loss................   (488,000)   (849,000)    (577,000)     (683,000)
Net loss per share--
 primary................     ($0.08)     ($0.14)      ($0.09)       ($0.11)
                         ==========  ==========   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          QUARTER ENDED
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         MARCH 31,    JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
                            1994        1994         1994          1994
                         ----------  ----------  ------------- ------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
Net sales............... $4,500,000  $4,229,000   $4,323,000    $4,944,000
Net loss................   (189,000)   (558,000)    (493,000)     (626,000)
Net loss per share--
 primary................     ($0.03)     ($0.09)      ($0.08)       ($0.10)
                         ==========  ==========   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              QUARTER ENDED
                                                          ---------------------
                                                          MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,
                                                             1995       1995
                                                          ---------- ----------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
Net sales................................................ $5,379,000 $5,757,000
Net income...............................................    351,000    453,000
Net income per share--primary............................      $0.06      $0.07
                                                          ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                                CERADYNE, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992, 1993, AND 1994
                  AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994 AND 1995
 
 
11. JOINT VENTURE AND JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
 
  On March 11, 1986, the Company sold 526,316 shares of its common stock to
Ford Motor Company (Ford) for a gross sales price of $10,000,000. In addition,
Ford and the Company formed a joint venture, Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc.
(CAPI), in which the Company acquired a 20 percent interest for $200,000. Ford
contributed certain technology in exchange for its 80 percent interest in the
joint venture. The Company granted Ford an option to put Ford's 80 percent
interest in the joint venture to the Company in exchange for 608,020 shares of
the Company's common stock. Ford granted the Company an option to call Ford's
80 percent interest in the joint venture in exchange for 680,983 shares of the
Company's common stock.
 
  On February 13, 1988, the Company exercised its call option and issued
680,983 shares of its common stock to Ford. The value of the shares issued
($2,043,000) was allocated to the technology acquired and is being amortized
over a 20 year period utilizing the purchase method of accounting (see Note
1).
 
  Ford and the Company have also entered into a joint development program to
develop a prototype production facility to produce ceramics with automotive
applications. Under the terms of the joint development agreement, Ford and the
Company share equally in the cost of this project. For the years ended
December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, Ford agreed to contribute $495,000, $424,000
and $250,000, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 1994 and
1995, Ford agreed to contribute $125,000 and $100,000, respectively. These
amounts have been reflected as a reduction of the expenses incurred or a
reduction in the capitalized value of the fixed assets acquired for this
project in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Included in
accounts receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is
approximately $115,000, $-0- and $50,000, respectively, due from Ford related
to this agreement as of December 31, 1993, 1994 and the six months ended June
30, 1995, respectively.
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
  In 1995, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved the
Company's 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the amendment to the 1994
Stock Incentive Plan.
 
 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
  A total of 100,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under
the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Plan) to eligible employees. Under
the terms of the Plan, employees may purchase shares at the lower of 85
percent of the quoted market value of the shares as determined on the first or
last day of the Plan year.
 
 Amendment to 1994 Stock Incentive Plan
 
  The amendment was to increase the number of shares of Common Stock
authorized for issuance under the Plan from 250,000 to 350,000. All other
provisions of the Plan remain unchanged.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
Photo depicting Cutting Tool/Lathe
 .  Ceralloy(R) 147 silicon nitride industrial cutting tool inserts are
   effective in milling or turning operations requiring high speed metal
   removal. Shown: Typical cutting tool insert/lathe setup.
 
Photo depicting Glass Tempering Furnace
 .  Tempering glass furnaces require large rolls and tooling which will support
   but not "mark" hot glass. This industrial need is met with Ceradyne's fused
   silica ceramic components. Shown: Glass tempering roll being placed in
   furnace.
 
Photo depicting Cathodes for Satellites
 .  The Company produces microwave cathodes and other parts for microwave power
   tubes. These tubes are used in a wide variety of applications including
   satellite communications. Shown: Various cathodes.
 
Photo of Ceramic Engine Parts
 .  Ceralloy(R) 147 silicon nitride components are candidates for future
   substitution of metal parts in diesel and automobile engines. The Company
   is in preliminary development of such components as part of its strategic
   relationship with the Ford Motor Company. Shown: Diesel and automobile
   engine prototype components.
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON 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 IN-
FORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE
REGISTERED SECURITIES 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 UN-
LAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMA-
TION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                                ---------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Summary...................................................................    3
The Company...............................................................    5
Risk Factors..............................................................    5
Use of Proceeds...........................................................   10
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy...........................   10
Capitalization............................................................   11
Selected Consolidated Financial Data......................................   12
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations...............................................................   13
Business..................................................................   17
Management................................................................   29
Certain Transactions......................................................   36
Principal Stockholders....................................................   37
Description of Capital Stock..............................................   38
Underwriting..............................................................   40
Legal Matters.............................................................   41
Experts...................................................................   41
Available Information.....................................................   41
Index to Financial Statements.............................................  F-1
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                1,200,000 SHARES
 
                                      LOGO(R)
                      Logo of Ceradyne(R), Inc. appears here
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                                ---------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                ---------------
 
                              VAN KASPER & COMPANY
 
                                CRUTTENDEN ROTH
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                                        , 1995
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The following table sets forth all costs and expenses, other than the
underwriting discount and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection
with the sale of the Common Stock being registered hereunder.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      TO BE PAID
                                                                        BY THE
                                                                      REGISTRANT
                                                                      ----------
      <S>                                                             <C>
      SEC registration fee...........................................  $  2,588
      NASD filing fee................................................     1,250
      Non accountable expense allowance..............................    82,500
      Printing expenses..............................................    30,000
      Legal fees and expenses........................................   150,000
      Accounting fees and expenses...................................    75,000
      Blue sky fees and expenses.....................................    15,000
      Miscellaneous..................................................    43,662
                                                                       --------
        Total........................................................  $400,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  (a) As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Registrant's
Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the liability of directors to the
Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except to the extent otherwise required by the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
 
  (b) The Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant will indemnify each
person who was or is made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that
such person is or was a director or officer of the Registrant against all
expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in
connection therewith to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
 
  (c) The Registrant's Bylaws give the Registrant the ability to enter into
indemnification agreements with any of its directors, officers, employees or
agents. The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each
of its directors and executive officers which provide for the indemnification
of such directors and executive officers against any and all expenses,
judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement, to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
  None.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
  (A) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                 DESCRIPTION
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
   1.1   --Form of Underwriting Agreement.
   3.1   --Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. Incorporated herein
          by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Registration
          Statement on Form 8-B.
   3.2   --Bylaws of Registrant. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
          3.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B.
   4.1   --Form of Representatives' Common Stock Purchase Warrant.
   5.1   --Opinion of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, a Professional
          Corporation.
  10.1   --Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Stock of the Registrant dated
          January 12, 1983. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
          the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-
          90821).
  10.2   --Payment Schedule dated January 12, 1983. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement
          on Form S-1 (File No. 2-90821).
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                 DESCRIPTION
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
  10.3   --Ceradyne, Inc. Patent and Know-How License Agreement dated January
          12, 1983. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-90821).
  10.4   --Ceradyne, Inc. 1983 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-99930).
  10.5   --Lease between Trico Rents and the Registrant dated March 23, 1984,
          covering premises located at 235 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa,
          California. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-90821).
  10.6   --Lease covering premises located at 3169-A Red Hill Avenue, Costa
          Mesa, California dated October 28, 1985. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.7   --Stock Sale Agreement between the Registrant and Ford Motor Company
          dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
          10.31 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.8   --Agreement between certain shareholders of the Registrant and Ford
          Motor Company dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
          the year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.9   --Stock Purchase Agreement between Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc.,
          the Registrant and Ford Motor Company dated March 11, 1986.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1985.
  10.10  --Patent and Technology Transfer Agreement between Ford Motor Company
          and Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc. dated March 11, 1986.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1985.
  10.11  --License Agreement between the Registrant and Ceradyne Advanced
          Products, Inc. dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
          the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.12  --License Agreement between Ford Motor Company and the Registrant
          dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
          10.36 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.13  --Joint Development Agreement between the Registrant and Ford Motor
          Company dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.37 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.14  --Cathode Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1986, between the
          Registrant and Varian Associates. Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 28.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
          November 17, 1986.
  10.15  --Lease dated March 31, 1986 covering premises located at 3163 Red
          Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, California. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.45 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
          the fiscal year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.16  --Lease dated August 5, 1986 covering premises located at 225
          Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.17  --Short-form Memorandum of Lease Assignment dated December 15, 1986,
          and Lease dated June 23, 1980, covering premises located at 3449
          Church Street, Scottdale, Georgia. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.47 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
          the fiscal year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.18  --Amendment dated June 3, 1986 to the Ceradyne, Inc. 1983 Stock Option
          Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1986.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                 DESCRIPTION
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
 10.19   --Amendment dated March 16, 1987 to the Ceradyne, Inc. 1983 Stock
          Option Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1986.
 10.20   --Joint Development Agreement dated March 28, 1986 between Unitek
          Corporation and the Registrant, and First and Second Amendments
          thereto. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1986.
 10.21   --Amendment dated April 30, 1987 to the Ceradyne, Inc. 1983 Stock
          Option Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B.
 10.22   --Loan and Security Agreement dated November 27, 1989 between the
          Registrant and Fidelcor Business Credit Corp. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 28.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
          8-K dated December 8, 1989.
 10.23   --Promissory Note Agreement dated November 27, 1989 between the
          Registrant and Fidelcor Business Credit Corp. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 28.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
          dated December 8, 1989.
 10.24   --Collateral Assignment of Patents Agreement dated November 27, 1989
          between the Registrant and Fidelcor Business Credit Corp.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 28.3 to the Registrant's
          Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 8, 1989.
 10.25   --Collateral Assignment of Trademarks Agreement dated November 27,
          1989 between the Registrant and Fidelcor Business Credit Corp.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 28.4 to the Registrant's
          Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 8, 1989.
 10.26   --Amendment dated September 22, 1993 to Loan and Security Agreement
          dated November 27, 1989, and all addenda and supplements thereto
          between the Registrant and The CIT Group/Credit Finance, Inc.,
          assignee of Fidelcor Business Credit Corporation. Incorporated herein
          by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.
 10.27   --Amendment dated September 22, 1994 to Loan and Security Agreement
          dated November 27, 1989, and all amendments and supplements thereto
          between The CIT Group/Credit Finance, Inc. and the Registrant.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1994.
 10.28   --Employment Agreement entered into as of July 5, 1994 by and between
          Joel P. Moskowitz and the Registrant. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
 10.29   --Ceradyne, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
 10.30   --Amendment No. 1 to the Ceradyne, Inc., 1994 Stock Incentive Plan.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-61675).
 10.31   --Ceradyne, Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Registration
          Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-61677).
 10.32+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease between Trico Rents
          and the Registrant covering premises located at 235 Paularino Avenue,
          Costa Mesa, California.
 10.33+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease covering premises
          located at 3169-A Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, California.
 10.34+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease dated March 31, 1986
          covering premises located at 3163 Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa,
          California.
 10.35+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease dated August 5, 1986
          covering premises located at 225 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa,
          California.
 21.1    --Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 23.1    --Consent of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth (see Exhibit 5.1).
 23.2    --Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 24.1+   --Power of Attorney.
</TABLE>    
- --------
       
+ Previously filed
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
  (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
    Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule VIII
    Schedule VIII--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
  All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under
the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, 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 of 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.
 
  The Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of
prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.
 
 
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Costa
Mesa, State of California, on the 23rd day of October, 1995.     
 
                                          Ceradyne, Inc.
                                                   
                                                /s/ James F. Gardner  
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                   James F. Gardner
                                             Vice President, Finance and Chief
                                                   Financial Officer     
       
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment to this Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                    DATE
             ---------                           -----                    ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
                 *                   Chairman, Chief Executive      October 23, 1995
____________________________________ Officer, President and
         Joel P. Moskowitz           Director (Principal
                                     executive officer)
 
      /s/  James F. Gardner          Vice President, Finance and    October 23, 1995
____________________________________ Chief Financial Officer
          James F. Gardner           (Principal financial and
                                     accounting officer)
 
                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
       Leonard M. Allenstein
 
                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
        Richard A. Alliegro

                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
          Frank Edelstein
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                    DATE
             ---------                           -----                    ----
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
         Norman A. Gjostein
 
                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
       William P. Lanphear IV
 
                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
           Milton L. Lohr
 
                 *                   Director                       October 23, 1995
____________________________________
          Melvin A. Shader
</TABLE>    
     
 
*By:   /s/ James F. Gardner 
      ______________________
           James F. Gardner 
           Attorney-in-fact     
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Ceradyne, Inc.:
 
  We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the financial statements of Ceradyne, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and
subsidiaries included in this registration statement and have issued our
report thereon dated March 6, 1995. Our audit was made for the purpose of
forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The
schedule listed in the index is presented for purposes of complying with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and are not a required part of the
basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in our audits of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Orange County, California
March 6, 1995
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                SCHEDULE VIII--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           BALANCE  CHARGED             BALANCE
                                             AT     TO COATS              AT
                                          BEGINNING   AND               END OF
DESCRIPTION                               OF PERIOD EXPENSES DEDUCTIONS PERIOD
- -----------                               --------- -------- ---------- -------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1994
- ------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 receivable..............................   $204      $79       $84      $199
                                            ====      ===       ===      ====
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1993:
- ------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 receivable..............................   $164      $82       $42      $204
                                            ====      ===       ===      ====
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1992:
- ------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 receivable..............................   $ 99      $84       $19      $164
                                            ====      ===       ===      ====
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                            SEQUENTIAL
   NO.                          DESCRIPTION                          PAGE NO.
 -------                        -----------                         ----------
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
   1.1   --Form of Underwriting Agreement.
   3.1   --Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B.
   3.2   --Bylaws of Registrant. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration
          Statement on Form 8-B.
   4.1   --Form of Representatives' Common Stock Purchase
          Warrant.
   5.1   --Opinion of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, a
          Professional Corporation.
  10.1   --Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Stock of the
          Registrant dated January 12, 1983. Incorporated herein
          by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-90821).
  10.2   --Payment Schedule dated January 12, 1983. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-90821).
  10.3   --Ceradyne, Inc. Patent and Know-How License Agreement
          dated January 12, 1983. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-90821).
  10.4   --Ceradyne, Inc. 1983 Stock Option Plan as amended and
          restated. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
          10.13 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
          Form S-1 (File No. 2-99930).
  10.5   --Lease between Trico Rents and the Registrant dated
          March 23, 1984, covering premises located at 235
          Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
          No. 2-90821).
  10.6   --Lease covering premises located at 3169-A Red Hill
          Avenue, Costa Mesa, California dated October 28, 1985.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.7   --Stock Sale Agreement between the Registrant and Ford
          Motor Company dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein
          by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1985.
  10.8   --Agreement between certain shareholders of the
          Registrant and Ford Motor Company dated March 11, 1986.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.9   --Stock Purchase Agreement between Ceradyne Advanced
          Products, Inc., the Registrant and Ford Motor Company
          dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.10  --Patent and Technology Transfer Agreement between Ford
          Motor Company and Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc.
          dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.11  --License Agreement between the Registrant and Ceradyne
          Advanced Products, Inc. dated March 11, 1986.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1985.
  10.12  --License Agreement between Ford Motor Company and the
          Registrant dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
          31, 1985.
  10.13  --Joint Development Agreement between the Registrant and
          Ford Motor Company dated March 11, 1986. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1985.
</TABLE>    
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                          SEQUENTIAL
   NO.                         DESCRIPTION                         PAGE NO.
 -------                       -----------                        ----------
 <C>     <S>                                                      <C>
  10.14  --Cathode Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 4,
          1986, between the Registrant and Varian Associates.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 28.2 to
          the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
          November 17, 1986.
  10.15  --Lease dated March 31, 1986 covering premises located
          at 3163 Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, California.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.16  --Lease dated August 5, 1986 covering premises located
          at 225 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.17  --Short-form Memorandum of Lease Assignment dated
          December 15, 1986, and Lease dated June 23, 1980,
          covering premises located at 3449 Church Street,
          Scottdale, Georgia. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 10.47 to the Registrant's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.18  --Amendment dated June 3, 1986 to the Ceradyne, Inc.
          1983 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
          31, 1986.
  10.19  --Amendment dated March 16, 1987 to the Ceradyne, Inc.
          1983 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
          31, 1986.
  10.20  --Joint Development Agreement dated March 28, 1986
          between Unitek Corporation and the Registrant, and
          First and Second Amendments thereto. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1986.
  10.21  --Amendment dated April 30, 1987 to the Ceradyne, Inc.
          1983 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.56 to the Registrant's
          Registration Statement on Form 8-B.
  10.22  --Loan and Security Agreement dated November 27, 1989
          between the Registrant and Fidelcor Business Credit
          Corp. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 28.1
          to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
          December 8, 1989.
  10.23  --Promissory Note Agreement dated November 27, 1989
          between the Registrant and Fidelcor Business Credit
          Corp. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 28.2
          to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
          December 8, 1989.
  10.24  --Collateral Assignment of Patents Agreement dated
          November 27, 1989 between the Registrant and Fidelcor
          Business Credit Corp. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 28.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on
          Form 8-K dated December 8, 1989.
  10.25  --Collateral Assignment of Trademarks Agreement dated
          November 27, 1989 between the Registrant and Fidelcor
          Business Credit Corp. Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 28.4 to the Registrant's Current Report on
          Form 8-K dated December 8, 1989.
  10.26  --Amendment dated September 22, 1993 to Loan and
          Security Agreement dated November 27, 1989, and all
          addenda and supplements thereto between the Registrant
          and The CIT Group/Credit Finance, Inc., assignee of
          Fidelcor Business Credit Corporation. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1993.
  10.27  --Amendment dated September 22, 1994 to Loan and
          Security Agreement dated November 27, 1989, and all
          amendments and supplements thereto between The CIT
          Group/Credit Finance, Inc. and the Registrant.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
  10.28  --Employment Agreement entered into as of July 5, 1994
          by and between Joel P. Moskowitz and the Registrant.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to
          the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                            SEQUENTIAL
   NO.                          DESCRIPTION                          PAGE NO.
 -------                        -----------                         ----------
 <C>     <S>                                                        <C>
 10.29   --Ceradyne, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1994.
 10.30   --Amendment No. 1 to the Ceradyne, Inc., 1994 Stock
          Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
          Form S-8 (File No. 33-61675).
 10.31   --Ceradyne, Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
          Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
          Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File
          No. 33-61677).
 10.32+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease between
          Trico Rents and the Registrant covering premises
          located at 235 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa,
          California.
 10.33+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease covering
          premises located at 3169-A Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa,
          California.
 10.34+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease dated
          March 31, 1986 covering premises located at 3163 Red
          Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, California.
 10.35+  --Amendment No. 2, dated June 5, 1995, to Lease dated
          August 5, 1986 covering premises located at 225
          Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California.
 21.1    --Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 23.1    --Consent of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth (see
          Exhibit 5.1).
 23.2    --Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 24.1+   --Power of Attorney.
</TABLE>    
- --------
       
+ Previously filed

<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                                   October, 1995

VAN KASPER & COMPANY
CRUTTENDEN ROTH INCORPORATED
As Representatives of the
several underwriters named in Schedule I,
c/o Van Kasper & Company
11661 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 709
Los Angeles, California 90049

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Ceradyne, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the
"Underwriters") 1,200,000 shares (the "Firm Stock") of the Company's Common
Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Common Stock").  In addition, the Company also
proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional
180,000 shares of the Common Stock on the terms and for the purposes set forth
in Section 2(b) (the "Option Stock").  The Firm Stock and any Option Stock
purchased pursuant to this Agreement are referred to below as the "Stock."  Van
Kasper & Company and Cruttenden Roth Incorporated are acting as representatives
of the several Underwriters and in that capacity are referred to in this
Agreement as the "Representatives."

          The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several
Underwriters as set forth below.

          1.     Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company
                 ---------------------------------------------              
hereby represents and warrants to and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:

          (a)    The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-1 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and a
registration statement (Registration No. 33-62345) on Form S-1, including such
amendments to such registration statement as may have been required to the date
of this Agreement, relating to the Stock has been prepared by the Company under
and in conformity with the provisions of the Securities Act, the rules and
regulations (the "Rules and Regulations") of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") thereunder and has been filed with the Commission.
After the execution of this Agreement, the Company will file with the Commission
either (i) if such registration statement, as it may have been amended, has been
declared by the Commission to be effective under the Securities Act, either (A)
if the Company relies on Rule 434 under the Securities Act, a Term Sheet
(defined below) relating to the Stock, that identifies
<PAGE>
 
the Preliminary Prospectus (defined below) that it supplements and contains such
information as is required or permitted by Rules 434, 430A and 424(b) of the
Rules and Regulations or (B) if the Company does not rely on Rule 434 under the
Securities Act, a prospectus in the form most recently included in an amendment
to such registration statement (or, if no such amendment has been filed, in such
registration statement), with such changes or insertions as are required by Rule
430A of the Rules and Regulations or permitted by Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
Regulations, and in the case of either (i)(A) or (i)(B) of this sentence, as has
been provided to and approved by the Representatives prior to the execution of
this Agreement, or (ii) if such registration statement, as it may have been
amended, has not been declared by the Commission to be effective under the
Securities Act, an amendment to such registration statement, including a form of
prospectus, a copy of which amendment has been furnished to and approved by the
Representatives prior to the execution of this Agreement.  As used in this
Agreement, the term "Registration Statement" means such registration statement,
as amended, at the time when it was or is declared effective, including all
financial schedules and exhibits thereto and including any information omitted
therefrom pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules and Regulations and included in the
Prospectus (defined below); the term "Preliminary Prospectus" means each
prospectus subject to completion filed with such registration statement or any
amendment thereto (including the prospectus subject to completion, if any,
included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto at the time it
was or is declared effective); the term "Prospectus" means:

          (A)    if the Company relies on Rule 434 under the Securities Act, the
Term Sheet relating to the Stock that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7)
under the Securities Act, together with the Preliminary Prospectus identified
therein that such Term Sheet supplements;

          (B)    if the Company does not rely on Rule 434 under the Securities
Act, the prospectus first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
under the Securities Act; or

          (C)    if the Company does not rely on Rule 434 under the Securities
Act and if no prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under
the Securities Act, the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

provided that if any revised prospectus that is provided to the Underwriters by
the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Stock differs from
the prospectus on file with the Commission at the time the Registration
Statement became or becomes, as the case may be, effective, whether or not the
revised prospectus is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b)(3) of the Rules and Regulations, the term "Prospectus" shall mean such
revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the
Underwriters for such use.  The term "Term Sheet" as used in this Agreement
means any term sheet that satisfies the requirements of Rules 434 and 424(b)
under the Securities Act.  Any reference in this

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Agreement to the "date" of a Prospectus that includes a Term Sheet means the
date of such Term Sheet.

          (b)    No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or preventing or suspending the issue of any Preliminary Prospectus or
the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose are pending
or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated by the
Commission; no order suspending the sale of the Stock in any jurisdiction has
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose are pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated, and any request of the
Commission for additional information (to be included in the Registration
Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or otherwise) has been
complied with.

          (c)    When any Preliminary Prospectus was filed with the Commission
it (i) contained all statements required to be contained therein and complied in
all respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Rules and
Regulations, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the "Exchange
Act Rules and Regulations") and (ii) did not include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.  When the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto
was or is declared effective, it (i) contained or will contain all statements
required to be contained therein and complied or will comply in all respects
with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations, the
Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations and (ii) did not or will
not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  When the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus is filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (or, if the Prospectus or such amendment or
supplement is not required to be so filed, when the Registration Statement or
the amendment thereto containing such amendment or supplement to the Prospectus
was or is declared effective) and at all times subsequent thereto up to and
including the Closing Date (defined below) and any date on which Option Stock is
to be purchased, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented at any such time,
(i) contained or will contain all statements required to be contained therein
and complied or will comply in all respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Exchange Act Rules and
Regulations and (ii) did not or will not include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.  The foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c) do not
apply to statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or any amendment thereto or the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for use therein.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          (d)    Each of the Company and Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc. (the 
"Subsidiary") has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, has full power (corporate and other) and authority to own or
lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and as currently being conducted and
proposed to be conducted by it and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation
and is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the character of the
property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it makes
qualification necessary (except where the failure to be so qualified would not
have a material effect on the business, properties, condition (financial or
otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the Company or its
subsidiaries). Each of the Company and the Subsidiary is in possession of and
operating in compliance with all authorizations, licenses, certificates,
consents, orders and permits from federal, state, local, foreign and other
governmental or regulatory authorities that are material to the conduct of its
business, all of which are valid and in full force and effect except where such
non-compliance or invalidity would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company and its subsidiaries. Except as may be disclosed in the Registration
Statement, the Company owns all of the outstanding capital stock of each of its
subsidiaries, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest,
encumbrance, claim or equitable interest of any type, kind or nature. None of
the subsidiaries of the Company, including the Subsidiary, is a "significant
subsidiary" as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. As
used in this Agreement, the word "subsidiary" means any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the Company
directly or indirectly owns 50% or more of the equity or that the Company
directly or indirectly controls. The Company does not have any subsidiaries that
are not corporations.

          (e)    Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), there has not been any
material loss or interference with the business of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any court or governmental action, order or decree,
or any changes in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or
made on the capital stock of the Company, or any material change, or a
development known to the Company that might cause or result in a material
change, in or affecting the business, properties, condition (financial or
otherwise), results of operation or prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the
ordinary course of business, in each case other than as may be set forth in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), and since such dates, except
in the ordinary course of business, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has entered into any material transaction not described in the
Registration Statement and the

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus).

          (f)    There is no agreement, contract, license, lease or other
document required to be described in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is
not described or filed as required.  All contracts described in the Prospectus
(or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus), if any, are in full force and effect on the date hereof, and
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best knowledge of
the Company, any other party thereto is in material breach of or default under
any such contract.

          (g)    The authorized and outstanding capital stock of the Company is
as set forth in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus), and the description of the Common Stock
therein conforms with and accurately describes the rights set forth in the
instruments defining the same.  The unissued shares of the Stock have been duly
and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor
as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable, and the issuance of the Stock is not subject to any preemptive or
similar rights, other than those which have been duly and validly waived.

          (h)    All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws and were not issued in violation of or subject to any
preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.  All
of the issued shares of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and
validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, except for
directors' qualifying shares, are owned by the Company, free and clear of all
liens or encumbrances.  The description of the Company's stock option, stock
bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights
granted or exercised thereunder, set forth in the Prospectus (or, if the
Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus),
accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with respect
to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.  Other than this Agreement and
the options to purchase Common Stock described in the Prospectus, there are no
options, warrants or other rights outstanding to subscribe for or purchase any
shares of the Company's capital stock.  There are no preemptive rights
applicable to any shares of capital stock of the Company.

          (i)    This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by, and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of, the Company,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as rights to
indemnification hereunder may be limited by applicable federal or state
securities laws.  The filing of the Registration Statement does not give rise

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
to any rights, other than those which have been waived, for or relating to the
registration of any capital stock of the Company.

          (j)    Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, or with the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both would be, in violation of or in
default under, nor will the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the
completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement result in a
violation of or constitute a breach of or a default (including without
limitation with the giving of notice, the passage of time or otherwise) under,
the certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other governing
documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any obligation,
agreement, covenant or condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or other
evidence of indebtedness or in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
loan agreement, lease, license, joint venture or other agreement or instrument
to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of
its or their properties may be bound or affected.  The Company has not incurred
any liability, direct or indirect, for any finders' or similar fees payable on
behalf of the Company or the Underwriters in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.  The performance by the Company of its
obligations under this Agreement will not violate any law, ordinance, rule or
regulation, or any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any
governmental agency or body or of any court having jurisdiction over the
Company, its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, or result in
the creation or imposition of any lien, charge, claim or encumbrance upon any
property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  Except for permits
and similar authorizations required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
or under other securities or Blue Sky laws of certain jurisdictions, the
clearance of this offering with the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") and for such permits and authorizations that have been obtained,
no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court, governmental agency
or body, financial institution or any other person is required in connection
with the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (k)    Each of the Company and the Subsidiary owns, or has valid
rights to use, all items of real and personal property which are material to the
business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and free and clear
of all liens, encumbrances and claims that might materially interfere with the
business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations
or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          (l)    Each of the Company and the Subsidiary owns or possesses
adequate rights to use all material patents, patent rights, inventions, trade
secrets, know-how, trademarks, service marks, tradenames and copyrights
described or referred to in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or,
if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus)
as owned by or used by any of them, or which are necessary for the conduct of
their business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
(or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus); and neither the Company nor any

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
of its subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement of or conflict with
asserted rights of others with respect to any patents, patent rights,
inventions, trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, service marks, tradenames or
copyrights which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable
decision, ruling or finding, might have a material effect on the business,
properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          (m)    There is no litigation or governmental proceeding to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject which is pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Company, is threatened or contemplated against the Company or
any of its subsidiaries that might have a material effect on, or might result in
any material change in the business, properties, condition (financial or
otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, that might prevent consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that are required to be disclosed
in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
existence, in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and are not so disclosed.

          (n)    Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation
of, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice
or claim from any governmental agency or third party that any of them is in
violation of, any law, order, ordinance, rule or regulation, or any order, writ,
injunction, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or body or of any
court, to which it or its properties (whether owned or leased) may be subject,
which violation might have a material effect on the business, properties,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          (o)    The Company has not taken and shall not take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or which has constituted
or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange
Act, the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations or otherwise, the stabilization or
manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale
or resale of the Stock.  No bid or purchase by the Company and, to the best
knowledge of the Company, no bid or purchase that could be attributed to the
Company (as a result of bids or purchases by an "affiliated purchaser" within
the meaning of Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act) for or of the Stock, the
Common Stock, any securities of the same class or series as the Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or that represent any right
to acquire the Common Stock is now pending or in progress or will have commenced
at any time prior to the completion of the distribution of the Stock.

          (p)    Arthur Anderson LLP, whose reports appear in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, are, and during the periods covered by their
reports in the Registration Statement were, independent accountants as required

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.  The financial statements
and schedules included in the Registration Statement, each Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly (or, if the Prospectus has not been
filed with the Commission, as to the Prospectus, will present fairly) the
financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and changes in
stockholders' equity and the financial statements and schedules included in the
Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated
therein.  Such financial statements and schedules have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods presented, except as may be stated therein.  The
selected and summary financial and statistical data included in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus present fairly (or, if the Prospectus has not been
filed with the Commission, as to the Prospectus, will present fairly) the
information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with the
audited financial statements presented therein.  No other financial statements
or schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement.

          (q)    The pro forma financial information and related notes, if any,
included in the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus comply (or, if the Prospectus has not been filed with the Commission,
as to the Prospectus, will comply) in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and present
fairly the pro forma information shown, as of the dates and for the periods
covered by such pro forma information.  Such pro forma information, including
the related notes and schedules, have been prepared on a basis consistent with
the historical financial statements and other historical information, as
applicable, included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus (if filed with the Commission), except for the pro forma
adjustments specified therein, and give effect to assumptions made on a
reasonable basis to give effect to historical and proposed transactions
described in the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus (if filed with the Commission).

          (r)    The statements in the Registration Statement and Prospectus
concerning the reserve information, if any, of the Company, its subsidiaries and
the pro forma reserve information giving effect to transactions referred to
therein are (or, if the Prospectus has not been filed with the Commission, will,
when the Prospectus is so filed, be) correct in all material respects and do not
and, if applicable, will not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus not misleading.

          (s)    The books, records and accounts of the Company and each of its
subsidiaries accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, the
transactions in and dispositions of the assets of the Company and each of its
subsidiaries.  The systems of internal accounting controls maintained by the
Company and each of its subsidiaries are sufficient to provide reasonable
assurances that:  (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's
general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary
(x) to permit preparation of financial

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and (y)
to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only
in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and (iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.

          (t)    The Company will not, and the Company has delivered to the
Representatives the written agreement of each of its officers and directors and
Ford Motor Company (collectively, "Material Holders") to the effect that each of
the Material Holders will not, in each case for a period of 90 days following
the date of this Agreement, in each case without the prior written consent of
the Representatives, offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of,
or announce the offer of, any Common Stock or options or convertible securities
exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, Common Stock, in each case
without the prior written consent of the Representatives other than, in the case
of the Company, the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of outstanding
stock options and the grant of options to purchase Common Stock under the Stock
Option Plans described in the Registration Statement.

          (u)    No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries exists, is imminent or, to the knowledge of the Company, is
contemplated or threatened; and the Company is not aware of an existing,
imminent or threatened labor disturbance by the employees of any principal
suppliers, contract manufacturing organizations, manufacturers, authorized
dealers or distributors that might be expected to result in any material change
in the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
No collective bargaining agreement exists with any of the Company's or any of
the Company's subsidiaries' employees and, to the best knowledge of the Company,
no such agreement is imminent.

          (v)    Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries has filed all
federal, state, local and foreign tax returns that are required to be filed or
has requested extension thereof and has paid all taxes, including withholding
taxes, penalties and interest, assessments, fees and other charges to the extent
that the same have become due and payable.  No tax assessment or deficiency has
been made or proposed against the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor has the
Company or any of its subsidiaries received any notice of any proposed tax
assessment or deficiency.

          (w)    Except as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no outstanding
loans, advances or guaranties of indebtedness by the Company to or for the
benefit of any of (i) its "affiliates," as such term is deemed in the Rules and
Regulations, (ii) any of the officers or directors of any of its subsidiaries or
(iii) any of the members of the families of any of them.

          (x)    Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has, directly
or indirectly, at any time:  (i) made any contributions to any candidate for

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
political office, or failed to disclose fully any such contribution, in
violation of law; (ii) made any payment to any local, state, federal or foreign
governmental officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or
quasi-public duties, other than payments required or allowed by all applicable
laws; or (iii) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of
1977, as amended.

          (y)   Except as may be disclosed in the Registration Statement and 
the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent 
Preliminary Prospectus), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any
liability, absolute or contingent, relating to:  (i) public health or safety;
(ii) worker health or safety; (iii) product defect or warranty; or (iv)
pollution, damage to or protection of the environment, including, without
limitation, relating to damage to natural resources, emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases of hazardous materials into the environment
(including, further without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater,
land surface or subsurface strata) or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, use, treatment, storage, generation, disposal, transport or handling
of any hazardous materials, which, in any case or in the aggregate, would have a
material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
As used herein, "hazardous material" includes chemical substances, wastes,
pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances, constituents, materials
or wastes, whether solid, gaseous or liquid in nature.

          (z)    The Company has not distributed and will not distribute prior
to the Closing Date or on or prior to any date on which the Option Stock is to
be purchased, as the case may be, any prospectus or other offering material in
connection with the offering and sale of the Stock other than the Prospectus,
the Registration Statement and any other material which may be permitted by the
Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.

          (aa)    The Stock has been approved for inclusion for listing on the
Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of issuance.

          (ab)    The Company is not now, and intends to conduct its affairs in
the future in such a manner so that it will not become, an investment company
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

          (ac)    The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all
presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations
thereunder ("ERISA"); no "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) for which the
Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not
expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to
termination of, or withdrawal from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or
4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations
and published interpretations thereunder (the "Code"); and each "pension plan"
for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and
nothing has

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of
such qualification.

          (ad)    There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture,
refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical
wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in
interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased
by the Company or its subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law,
ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would
require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation,
order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action
which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or
in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, a material
adverse effect on the general affairs, management, financial position,
stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission,
injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the
environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid
wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak,
emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would
not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such
spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and
releases, a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management,
financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company
and its subsidiaries; and the terms "hazardous wastes," "toxic wastes,"
"hazardous substances" and "medical wastes" shall have the meanings specified in
any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with
respect to environmental protection.

          2.     Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Stock.
                 ---------------------------------------- 

          (a)    On the basis of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of the Company contained in this Agreement and subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to the
several Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not
jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of $_____ per share
of Stock ("Purchase Price") the respective number of shares of Firm Stock set
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I to this Agreement
(subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 of this Agreement).

          (b)    On the basis of the several (and not joint) representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements of the Underwriters contained in this
Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
the Company grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase from the
Company, severally and jointly, all or any portion of the Option Stock at the

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Purchase Price.  This option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments in
the sale of the Firm Stock by the Underwriters and may be exercised in whole or
in part at any time (but not more than once) on or before the 30th day after the
date of the Prospectus upon written, telecopied or telegraphic notice by the
Representatives to the Company setting forth the aggregate number of shares of
Option Stock as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option and
the settlement date.  The Option Stock shall be purchased severally, and not
jointly, by each Underwriter, if purchased at all, in the same proportion that
the number of shares of Firm Stock set forth opposite the name of the
Underwriter in Schedule I to this Agreement bears to the total number of shares
of Firm Stock to be purchased by the Underwriters under Section 2(a) above,
subject to such adjustments as the Representatives in its absolute discretion
shall make to eliminate any fractional Stock.  Delivery of Option Stock, and
payment therefor, shall be made as provided in Section 2(c) and Section 2(d)
below.

          (c)    Delivery of the Firm Stock and the Option Stock (if the option
granted by the Company in Section 2(b) above has been exercised not later than
6:30 a.m., San Francisco time, on the date two business days preceding the
Closing Date), and payment therefor, shall be made at the office of Van Kasper &
Company, 600 California Street, San Francisco, California at 6:30 a.m., San
Francisco time, on the fourth business day after the date of this Agreement, or
at such time on such other day, not later than seven full business days after
such fourth business day, (but not in excess of the period specified in the
Rules and Regulations) as shall be agreed upon in writing by the Company and the
Representatives, or as provided in Section 8 of this Agreement.  The date and
hour of delivery and payment for the Firm Stock are referred to in this
Agreement as the "Closing Date."  As used in this Agreement, "business day"
means a day on which the American Stock Exchange is open for trading and on
which banks in New York and California are open for business and not permitted
by law or executive order to be closed.

          (d)    If the option granted by the Company in Section 2(b) above is
exercised after 6:30 a.m., San Francisco time, on the date two business days
preceding the Closing Date, delivery of the Option Stock and payment therefor
shall be made at the office of Van Kasper & Company, 600 California Street, San
Francisco, California at 6:30 a.m., San Francisco time, on the date specified by
the Representatives (which shall be three or four or fewer business days after
the exercise of the option, but not in excess of the period specified in the
Rules and Regulations).

          (e)    Payment of the Purchase Price for the Stock by the several
Underwriters shall be made by certified or official bank check or checks drawn
in next-day funds, payable to the order of the Company.  Such payment shall be
made upon delivery of Stock to you for the respective accounts of the several
Underwriters.  The Stock to be delivered to you shall be registered in such name
or names and shall be in such denominations as the Representatives may request
at least two business days before the Closing Date, in the case of Firm Stock,
and at least one business prior to the purchase of the Option Stock, in the case
of the Option Stock.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          It is understood that the Representatives, individually and not on
behalf of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment to
the Company for Stock to be purchased by any Underwriter whose check shall not
have been received by the Representatives on the Closing Date or any later date
on which Option Stock is purchased for the account of such Underwriter.  Any
such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations
hereunder.

          (f)    It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer
the Stock for sale to the public as soon as the Representatives deem it
advisable to do so.  The Firm Stock is to be initially offered to the public at
the public offering price set forth (or to be set forth) in the Prospectus.  The
Representatives may from time to time thereafter change the public offering
price and other selling terms.

          (g)    The Company agrees that the information set forth in the last
paragraph on the front cover page (insofar as such information relates to the
Underwriters), the legends respecting stabilization and passive market making
set forth on the inside front cover page and the statements set forth under the
caption "Underwriting" in any Preliminary Prospectus and in the final form of
Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) constitute the only information
furnished by the Underwriters to the Company for inclusion in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Registration Statement.

          3.     Further Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and
                 ---------------------------------
agrees with the several Underwriters as follows:

          (a)    The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement, and any amendment thereof, if not effective at the time of execution
of this Agreement, to become effective as promptly as possible.  If the
Registration Statement has become or becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A, or
filing of the Prospectus is otherwise required under Rule 424(b), the Company
will file the Prospectus, properly completed (and in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters) pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the
time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the
Representatives of such timely filing.  The Company will not file the
Prospectus, any amended Prospectus, any amendment (including post-effective
amendments) of the Registration Statement or any supplement to the Prospectus
without (i) advising the Representatives of and, a reasonable time prior to the
proposed filing of such amendment or supplement, furnishing the Representatives
with copies thereof and (ii) obtaining the prior consent of the Representatives
to such filing.  The Company will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly
upon the request of the Representatives, any amendment to the Registration
Statement or supplement to the Prospectus that may be necessary or advisable in
connection with the distribution of the Stock by the Underwriters and use its
best efforts to cause the same to become effective as promptly as possible.

          (b)    The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when
the Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii) when any post-effective

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
amendment thereof becomes effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission for
any amendment of or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the
institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the
receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
registration, qualification or exemption from registration or qualification of
the Stock for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose.  The Company will use its best efforts to prevent
the issuance of any such stop order or suspension and, if issued, to obtain as
soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

          (c)    The Company will (i) on or before the Closing Date, deliver to
each of you and your counsel a signed copy of the Registration Statement as
originally filed and of each amendment thereto filed prior to the time the
Registration Statement becomes effective and, promptly upon the filing thereof,
a signed copy of each post-effective amendment, if any, to the Registration
Statement (together with, in each case, all exhibits thereto unless previously
furnished to you) and will also deliver to you, for distribution to the several
Underwriters, a sufficient number of additional conformed copies of each of the
foregoing (excluding exhibits) so that one copy of each may be distributed to
each Underwriter, (ii) as promptly as possible deliver to each of you and send
to the several Underwriters, at such office or offices as you may designate, as
many copies of the Prospectus as you may reasonably request and (iii) thereafter
from time to time during the period in which a prospectus is required by law to
be delivered by an Underwriter or a dealer, likewise to send to the Underwriters
as many additional copies of the Prospectus and as many copies of any supplement
to the Prospectus and of any amended Prospectus, filed by the Company with the
Commission, as you may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the
Securities Act.

          (d)    If at any time during the period in which a prospectus is
required by law to be delivered by an Underwriter or a dealer any event shall
occur as a result of which it is necessary to supplement or amend the Prospectus
in order to make the Prospectus not misleading or so that the Prospectus will
not omit to state a material fact necessary to be stated therein, in each case
at the time the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser of the Stock, or if it
shall be necessary to amend or to supplement the Prospectus to comply with the
Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Company will forthwith prepare
and file with the Commission a supplement to the Prospectus or an amended
Prospectus so that the Prospectus as so supplemented or amended will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading and so that it then will otherwise
comply with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.  If, after the
public offering of the Stock by the Underwriters and during such period, the
Underwriters propose to vary the terms of offering thereof by reason of changes
in general market conditions or otherwise, you will advise the Company in
writing of the proposed variation and if, in the opinion either of counsel for
the Company or

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
counsel for the Underwriters, such proposed variation requires that the
Prospectus be supplemented or amended, the Company will forthwith prepare and
file with the Commission a supplement to the Prospectus setting forth such
variation.  The Company authorizes the Underwriters and all dealers to whom any
of the Stock may be sold by the Underwriters to use the Prospectus, as from time
to time so amended or supplemented, in connection with the sale of the Stock in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Rules
and Regulations for such period.

          (e)    The Company will cooperate with you and your counsel in the
qualification or registration of the Stock for offer and sale under the
securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as you may designate and, if
applicable, in connection with exemptions from such qualification or
registration and, during the period in which a Prospectus is required by law to
be delivered by an Underwriter or a dealer, in keeping such qualifications,
registrations and exemptions in effect; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to
qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it
is not so qualified.  The Company will, from time to time, prepare and file such
statements, reports and other documents as are or may be required to continue
such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect for so long a period
as you may reasonably request for the distribution of the Stock.

          (f)    During a period of five years commencing with the date of this
Agreement, the Company will promptly furnish to each of you and to each
Underwriter who may so request in writing copies of (i) all periodic and special
reports furnished by it to shareholders of the Company, (ii) all information,
documents and reports filed by it with the Commission, any securities exchange
on which any securities of the Company are then listed, Nasdaq or its National
Market or the NASD, (iii) all press releases and material news items or articles
in respect of the Company or its affairs released or prepared by the Company
(other than promotional and marketing materials disseminated solely to customers
and potential customers of the Company in the ordinary course of business) and
(iv) any additional information concerning the Company or its business which the
Representatives may reasonably request.

          (g)    As soon as practicable, but not later than the 45th day
following the end of the fiscal quarter first ending after the first anniversary
of the Effective Date, the Company will make generally available to its
securities holders and furnish to the Representatives an earnings statement or
statements in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
of the Rules and Regulations.

          (h)    The Company will apply the net proceeds from the offering of
the Stock substantially in the manner set forth under the caption "Use of
Proceeds" in the Prospectus.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
          (i)    The Company will cause the Common Stock (including the Stock)
to be listed on the Nasdaq National Market, and the Company will comply with all
registration, filing, reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act and
any such exchange or the Nasdaq National Market which may from time to time be
applicable to the Company.

          (j)    The Company will use its best efforts to maintain insurance of
the types and in the amounts which it deems adequate for its business consistent
with insurance coverage maintained by companies of similar size and engaged in
similar businesses, including, but not limited to, general liability insurance
covering all real and personal property owned or leased by the Company against
theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and all other risks customarily
insured against.

          4.     Fees and Expenses.
                 ----------------- 

          (a)    The Company agrees with each Underwriter that:

          (i)    The Company will pay and bear all costs and expenses in
connection with:  the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration
Statement (including financial statements, schedules and exhibits), Preliminary
Prospectuses and the Prospectus, any drafts of each of them and any amendments
or supplements to any of them; the duplication or, if applicable, printing
(including all drafts thereof) of this Agreement, the Agreement Among
Underwriters, any Selected Dealer Agreements, the Preliminary Blue Sky Survey
and any Supplemental Blue Sky Survey, the Underwriters' Questionnaire and the
Power of Attorney and the duplication and printing (including of drafts thereof)
of any other underwriting documents and material (including but not limited to
marketing memoranda and other marketing material) in connection with the
offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Stock; the issuance and delivery of
the Stock under this Agreement to the several Underwriters; the cost of printing
the certificates for the Stock; the Transfer Agents' and Registrars' fees; the
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; all fees and other charges of
the Company's independent public accountants and any other experts named in the
Prospectus; the cost of furnishing to the several Underwriters copies of the
Registration Statement (including appropriate exhibits), Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus, the agreements and other documents and instruments referred
to above and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing; the NASD
filing fees; the cost of qualifying or registering the Stock (or obtaining
exemptions from qualification or registration) under the laws of such
jurisdictions as you may designate (including filing fees and fees and
costs/disbursements of Underwriters' counsel in connection with such state
securities or

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Blue Sky qualifications, registrations and exemptions and in preparing the
preliminary and any final Blue Sky Memorandum); all fees and expenses in
connection with listing of the Stock on the Nasdaq National Market; and all
other expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the performance of its
obligations hereunder. In addition, the Company will pay the Representatives a
non-accountable expense allowance of one and one-quarter percent (1.25%) of the
total proceeds of the offering of the Stock. Except as provided in this Section
4(a), Section 4(d) and Section 7(a) hereof, the Underwriters shall pay all of
their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel
(excluding those relating to qualifications, registrations and exemptions under
Blue Sky laws and the Blue Sky memorandum referred to above). The
Representatives estimate that the legal fees for counsel for the Representatives
in connection with the offering of the Stock will not exceed $75,000.

          (ii)    In addition to its obligations under Section 7(a) of this
Agreement, the Company agrees that, as an interim measure during the pendency of
any claim, action, investigation, inquiry or other proceeding arising out of or
based upon any loss, claim, damage or liability described in Section 7(a) of
this Agreement, it will reimburse or advance to or for the benefit of the
Underwriters, and each of them, on a monthly basis (or more often, if requested)
for all reasonable legal and other expenses incurred in connection with
investigating or defending any such claim, action, investigation, inquiry or
other proceeding, notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as to
the propriety and enforceability of the Company's obligation to reimburse or
advance for the benefit of the Underwriters for such expenses or the possibility
that such payments might later be held to have been improper by a court of
competent jurisdiction.  To the extent that any portion, or all, of any such
interim reimbursement payments or advances are so held to have been improper,
the Underwriters receiving the same shall promptly return such amounts to the
Company together with interest, compounded daily, at the prime rate (or other
commercial lending rate for borrowers of the highest credit standing) announced
from time to time by Bank of America, NT&SA, San Francisco, California (the
"Prime Rate"), but not in excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable
law.  Any such interim reimbursement payments or advances that are not made to
or for the Underwriters within 30 days of a request for reimbursement or for an
advance shall bear interest at the Prime Rate, compounded daily, but not in
excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, from the date of such
request until the date paid.

          (b)    In addition to their obligations under Section 7(b) of this
Agreement, the Underwriters severally and in proportion to their obligation to
purchase Firm Stock as set forth on Schedule I hereto, agree that, as an interim
measure during the pendency of any claim, action, investigation, inquiry or
other proceeding arising out of or based upon any loss, claim, damage or
liability described in Section 7(b) of this Agreement, they will reimburse or
advance to or for the benefit of the Company on a monthly basis (or more often,
if requested) for all reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by the
Company in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, action,
investigation, inquiry or other proceeding, notwithstanding the absence of a
judicial determination as to the propriety or enforceability of the
Underwriters' obligation to reimburse or advance for the benefit of the Company
for such expenses and the possibility that such payments or advances might later
be held to have been improper by a court of

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
competent jurisdiction.  To the extent that any portion, or all, of any such
interim reimbursement payments or advances are so held to have been improper,
the Company shall promptly return such amounts to the Underwriters together with
interest, compounded daily, at the Prime Rate, but not in excess of the maximum
rate permitted by applicable law.  Any such interim reimbursement payments or
advances that are not made to the Company within 30 days of a request for
reimbursement or for an advance shall bear interest at the Prime Rate,
compounded daily, but not in excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable
law, from the date of such request until the date paid.

          (c)    It is agreed that any controversy arising out of the operation
of the interim reimbursement and advance arrangements set forth in Sections
4(a)(ii) and 4(b) above, including the amounts of any requested reimbursement
payments or advance, the method of determining such amounts and the basis on
which such amounts shall be apportioned among the indemnifying parties, shall be
settled by arbitration conducted under the provisions of the Code of Arbitration
Procedure of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  Any such
arbitration must be commenced by service of a written demand for arbitration or
a written notice of intention to arbitrate, therein electing the arbitration
tribunal.  If the party demanding arbitration does not make such designation of
an arbitration tribunal in such demand or notice, then the party responding to
the demand or notice is authorized to do so.  Any such arbitration will be
limited to the interpretation and obligations of the parties under the interim
reimbursement and advance provisions contained in Sections 4(a)(ii) and 4(b)
above and will not resolve the ultimate propriety or enforceability of the
obligation to indemnify for or contribute to expenses that is created by the
provisions of Section 7 of this Agreement.

          (d)    If the sale of the Stock provided for herein is not consummated
because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in
Section 5 of this Agreement is not satisfied, or because of any termination
pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement, or because of any refusal, inability
or failure on the part of the Company to perform any covenant or agreement set
forth in this Agreement or to comply with any provision of this Agreement other
than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company agrees to
reimburse the several Underwriters upon demand for all accountable out-of-pocket
expenses actually and reasonably incurred (including fees and disbursements of
counsel) by any or all of them in connection with investigating, preparing to
market or marketing the Stock or otherwise in connection with this Agreement.

          5.     Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations.  The several
                 ---------------------------------------              
obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Stock shall be
subject to the accuracy as of the date of execution of this Agreement, the
Closing Date and the date and time at which the Option Stock is to be purchased,
as the case may be, of the representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in this Agreement, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company and
its officers made in any certificate

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
delivered pursuant to this Agreement, to the performance by the Company of all
of its obligations to be performed under this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date or any later date on which Option Stock is to be purchased, as the
case may be, to the satisfaction of all conditions to be satisfied or performed
by the Company at or prior to that date and to the following additional
conditions:

          (a)    The Registration Statement shall have become effective (or, if
a post-effective amendment is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 430A under
the Act, such post-effective amendment shall become effective and the Company
shall have provided evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such filing
and effectiveness) not later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the date of this
Agreement or at such later date and time as you may approve in writing and, at
the Closing Date or, with respect to the Option Stock, the date on which such
Option Stock is to be purchased, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any qualification, registration or exemption from
qualification or registration for the sale of the Stock in any jurisdiction
shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
instituted or threatened; and any request for additional information on the part
of the Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Representatives and their counsel.

          (b)    The Representatives shall have received from Gray Cary Ware &
Freidenrich, counsel for the Underwriters, an opinion, on and dated as of the
Closing Date and, if applicable, the date on which Option Stock is to be
purchased, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Stock and such other
related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company
shall have furnished such counsel with all documents which they may request for
the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

          (c)    The Representatives shall have received on the Closing Date
and, if applicable, the date on which Option Stock is purchased the opinion of
Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, counsel for the Company, addressed to the
Underwriters and dated the Closing Date or such later date, with reproduced
copies or signed counterparts thereof for each of the Underwriters, covering the
matters set forth in Annex A to this Agreement and in form and substance
satisfactory to you.

          (d)    The Representatives shall be satisfied that there has not been
any material change in the market for securities in general or in political,
financial or economic conditions as to render it impracticable in your sole
judgment to make a public offering of the Stock, or a material adverse change in
market levels for securities in general (or those of companies in particular) or
financial or economic conditions which render it inadvisable to proceed.

          (e)    The Representatives shall have received on the Closing Date and
on any later date on which Option Stock is purchased a certificate, dated the
Closing Date or such later date, as the case may be, and signed by the President
and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company stating that:

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          (i)    the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
Section 1 of this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect
as if expressly made at and as of the Closing Date or such later date, and the
Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on
its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date or such
later date;

          (ii)    no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been
instituted or are pending or are threatened under the Securities Act;

          (iii)   the Stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq National
Market, subject only to notice of issuance, and the outstanding shares of the
Common Stock of the Company are listed on the Nasdaq National Market; and

          (iv)    (A) the respective signers of such certificate have carefully
examined the Registration Statement in the form in which it originally became
effective and the Prospectus and any supplements or amendments to any of them
and, as of the Effective Date, the statements made in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus were true and correct in all material respects and neither
the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein, or necessary, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, in order to make the statements therein not misleading,
(B) since the effective date of the Registration Statement, no event has
occurred that should have been set forth in an amendment to the Registration
Statement or a supplement or amendment to the Prospectus that has not been set
forth in such an amendment or supplement, (C) since the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement in the form in which it
originally became effective and the Prospectus, there has not been any material
adverse change or any development involving a prospective material change in or
affecting the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results
of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole,
whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business,
and, since such dates, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
entered into any material transaction not referred to in the Registration
Statement in the form in which it originally became effective and the Prospectus
contained therein, (D) there are not any pending or known threatened legal
proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of
which property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which
are material and which are not disclosed in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and (E) there are not any license agreements, contracts, leases or
other documents that are required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement that have not been filed as required.

          (f)    The Representatives shall have received from Arthur Anderson &
Co. LLP a letter or letters, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing
Date and any later date on which Option Stock is purchased, confirming that they
are independent accountants with respect to the Company, as applicable, within

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable published Rules and
Regulations thereunder and, based upon the procedures described in their letter
delivered to you concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the
"Original Letter"), but carried out to a date not more than five business days
prior to the Closing Date or such later date on which Option Stock is purchased,
(i) confirming, to the extent true, that the statements and conclusions set
forth in the Original Letter are accurate as of the Closing Date or such later
date, as the case may be, and (ii) setting forth any revisions and additions to
the statements and conclusions set forth in the Original Letter that are
necessary to reflect any changes in the facts described in the Original Letter
since the date of the Original Letter or to reflect the availability of more
recent financial statements, data or information.  Such letters shall not
disclose any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or
affecting the business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise),
results of operations or prospects of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
which, in your sole judgment, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed
with the public offering of the Stock or the purchase of the Option Stock as
contemplated by the Prospectus. In addition, you shall have received from Arthur
Anderson & Co. LLP, on or prior to the Closing Date, a letter addressed to the
Company and made available to you for the use of the Underwriters stating that
their review of the Company's system of internal controls, to the extent they
deemed necessary in establishing the scope of their examination of the Company's
consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1994 or in delivering their
Original Letter, did not disclose any weaknesses in internal controls that they
considered to be material weaknesses.

          (g)    Prior to the Closing Date, the Stock shall have been approved
for listing on the Nasdaq National Market, subject only to official notice of
issuance and the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company shall be
listed on the Nasdaq National Market.

          (h)    On or prior to the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have
received from all Material Holders executed agreements covering the matters
described in Section 1(f) of this Agreement.

          (i)    The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such
further certificates and documents as you shall reasonably request (including
certificates of officers of the Company) as to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement, the
performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and such
other matters as the Representatives may have then reasonably requested.

          All the agreements, opinions, certificates and letters mentioned above
or elsewhere in this Agreement will be in compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement only if they are satisfactory to the Representatives.  The Company
will furnish you with such number of conformed copies of such opinions,
certificates, letters and documents as you shall reasonably request.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          If any of the conditions specified in this Section 5 shall not have
been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement,
time being of the essence, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned
above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects
satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and its counsel, this
Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled by
the Representatives at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date or, with
respect to the Option Stock, prior to the date which the Option Stock is to be
purchased, as the case may be.  Notice of such cancellation shall be given to
the Company in writing or by telephone, telecopy or telegraph confirmed in
writing.  Any such termination shall be without liability of the Company to the
Underwriters (except as provided in Section 4 or Section 7 of this Agreement)
and without liability of the Underwriters to the Company (except to the extent
provided in Section 7 of this Agreement).

          6.     Conditions of the Obligation of the Company.  The obligations
                 -------------------------------------------                  
of the Company to sell and deliver the Stock required to be delivered as and
when specified in this Agreement shall be subject to the condition that, at the
Closing Date or, with respect to the Option Stock, the date and time at which
the Option Stock is to be purchased, no stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings therefor
shall be pending or threatened by the Commission.

          7.     Indemnification and Contribution.
                 -------------------------------- 

          (a)    The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter and each person (including each partner or officer thereto) who
controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such indemnified parties or any of them may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statute,
law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, specifically including but not
limited to losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) related to negligence on the part of any Underwriter, and the Company
agrees to reimburse each such Underwriter and controlling person for any 
reasonable legal or other expenses (including, except as otherwise provided
below, settlement expenses and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel)
incurred by the respective indemnified parties in connection with defending
against any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities or in connection with
any investigation or inquiry of, or other proceeding that may be brought
against, the respective indemnified parties, in each case insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon, in whole or in part, (i) any breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Agreement, (ii) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement in the form originally filed or in any amendment thereto
(including the Prospectus as part thereof) or any post-effective amendment
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (as
amended or as supplemented if the Company shall have filed with the Commission
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading or (iv) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any application or other
document, or any amendment or supplement thereto, executed by the Company or
based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in
any jurisdiction in order to qualify or register the Stock under the securities
or Blue Sky laws thereof or to obtain an exemption from such qualification or
registration or filed with the Commission, any securities association or the
Nasdaq National Market, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; provided, however, that (1) the indemnity agreements of the Company
contained in this Section 7(a) shall not apply to such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on
behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in
any Preliminary Prospectus or the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto and (2) the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 7(a) with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses purchased the Stock that
is the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such
Underwriter) if the Company can demonstrate that at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of such Stock a copy of the Prospectus (or the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented) or, for this purpose, if applicable, a
copy of the then most recent Preliminary Prospectus was not sent or delivered to
such person and the untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in
such Preliminary Prospectus or, if applicable, prior Preliminary Prospectus was
corrected in the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented) or,
if applicable, the then most recent Preliminary Prospectus, unless the failure
is the result of noncompliance by the Company with Section 3(b) of this
Agreement.  The indemnity agreements of the Company contained in this Section
7(a) and the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section
1 of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or behalf of any indemnified party and
shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Stock. This indemnity
agreement shall be in addition to any liabilities which the Company may
otherwise have.

          (b)    Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its officers who signs the
Registration Statement, each of its directors, each other Underwriter and each
person (including each partner or officer thereof) who controls the Company or
any such

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
other Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such indemnified parties or any of them may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statute,
law or regulation or at common law or otherwise and to reimburse each of them
for any reasonable legal or other expenses (including, except as otherwise
hereinafter provided, settlement expenses and reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel) incurred by the respective indemnified parties in connection with
defending against any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities or in
connection with any investigation or inquiry of, or other proceeding that may be
brought against, the respective indemnified parties, in each case arising out of
or based upon (i) any breach of any covenant or agreement of the indemnifying
Underwriter in this Agreement, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (including
the Prospectus as part thereof) or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (iii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or as supplemented if the
Company shall have filed with the Commission any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, but in each case under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, as the
case may be, only if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf
of such indemnifying Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for
use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The Company acknowledges
and agrees that the matters described in Section 2(g) of this Agreement
constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any of
the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or in any Preliminary Prospectus. The several indemnity agreement of
each Underwriter contained in this Section 7(b) shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
any indemnified party and shall survive the delivery of and payment for the
Stock. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liabilities which
each Underwriter may otherwise have.

          (c)    Each person or entity indemnified under the provisions of
Sections 7(a) and 7(b) above agrees that, upon the service of a summons or other
initial legal process upon it in any action or suit instituted against it or
upon its receipt of written notification of the commencement of any
investigation or inquiry of, or proceeding against, it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought on account of any indemnity agreement contained in such
Sections, it will, if a claim in respect thereunder is to be made against the
indemnifying party or parties under this Section 7, promptly give written notice
(the "Notice") of such service or notification to

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
the party or parties from whom indemnification may be sought hereunder.  No
indemnification provided for in Sections 7(a) or 7(b) above shall be available
to any person who fails to so give the Notice if the party to whom such Notice
was not given was unaware of the action, suit, investigation, inquiry or
proceeding to which the Notice would have related, but only to the extent such
party was materially prejudiced by the failure to receive the Notice, and the
omission to so notify such indemnifying party or parties shall not relieve such
indemnifying party or parties from any liability which it or they may have to
the indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than on account of Sections
7(a) and 7(b).  Any indemnifying party shall be entitled at its own expense to
participate in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding against, or
investigation or inquiry of, an indemnified party.  Any indemnifying party shall
be entitled, if it so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of the
Notice by giving written notice (the "Notice of Defense") to the indemnified
party, to assume (alone or in conjunction with any other indemnifying party or
parties) the entire defense of such action, suit, investigation, inquiry or
proceeding, in which event such defense shall be conducted, at the expense of
the indemnifying party or parties, by counsel chosen by such indemnifying party
or parties and reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or parties;
provided, however, that (i) if the indemnified party or parties reasonably
determine that there may be a conflict between the positions of the indemnifying
party or parties and of the indemnified party or parties in conducting the
defense of such action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding or that there
may be legal defenses or rights available to such indemnified party or parties
different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party or
parties, then separate counsel for and selected by the indemnified party or
parties shall be entitled, at the expense of the indemnifying parties, to
conduct the defense of the indemnified parties to the extent determined by
counsel to the indemnified parties to be necessary to protect the interests of
the indemnified party or parties (it being understood, however, that the
indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one
separate counsel representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such
action) and (ii) in any event, the indemnified party or parties shall be
entitled to have counsel selected by such indemnified party or parties
participate in, but not conduct, the defense. If, within a reasonable time after
receipt of the Notice, an indemnifying party gives a Notice of Defense and,
unless separate counsel is to be chosen by the indemnified party or parties as
provided above, the counsel chosen by the indemnifying party or parties is
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or parties, the indemnifying
party or parties will not be liable under Sections 7(a) through 7(c) for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party or
parties in connection with the defense of the action, suit, investigation,
inquiry or proceeding, except that (A) the indemnifying party or parties shall
bear and pay the reasonable legal and other expenses incurred in connection with
the conduct of the defense as referred to in clause (i) of the "provided,
however" clause in the preceding sentence and (B) the indemnifying party or
parties shall bear and pay such other expenses as it or they have authorized to
be incurred by the indemnified party or parties. If, within a reasonable time
after receipt of the Notice, no Notice of Defense has been given, the
indemnifying party or parties shall be responsible for any legal or other
expenses incurred by the indemnified party or parties in connection with the
defense of the action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding. In no event
shall any indemnifying party be liable in respect to any amounts paid in
settlement of any claim or action unless the indemnifying party shall have
approved the terms of such settlement, such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (d)    In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in any
action in which a claim for indemnification is made pursuant to this Section 7
but is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a
court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the
denial of the last right to appeal) that such indemnification may not be
enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 7 provides for
indemnification in such case, each indemnifying party shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to in Section 7(a) or 7(b)
above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by each indemnifying party from the offering of the Stock or (ii) if
the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of each indemnifying
party in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, or actions in respect thereof, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received
by the Company and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same respective
proportions as the total proceeds from the offering of the Stock, net of the
underwriting discounts, received by the Company and the total underwriting
discount retained by the Underwriters bear to the aggregate public offering
price of the Stock.  Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by each indemnifying party and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such untrue statement or omission.

          The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were to be determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this Section
7(d) and to the considerations referred to in the third sentence of the first
paragraph of this Section 7(d).  The amount paid by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities, or actions in respect
thereof, referred to in the first sentence of this Section 7(d) shall be deemed
to include any legal or other expenses incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against any
action or claim which is the subject of this Section 7(d).  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 7(d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the underwriting discount applicable to the Stock
purchased by that Underwriter.  For purposes of this Section 7(d), each person
who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act shall have
the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, each officer of
the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each director of the
Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in
each case to the following sentence.  No person guilty of fraudulent

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations to contribute in
this Section 7(d) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

          Each party or other entity entitled to contribution agrees that upon
the service of a summons or other initial legal process upon it in any action
instituted against it in respect of which contribution may be sought, it will
promptly give written notice of such service to the party or parties from whom
contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify such party or parties
of any such service shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be
sought from any obligation it may have hereunder or otherwise (except as
specifically provided in Section 7(c) above).

          (e)    The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of
each Underwriter, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment
in any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of
which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not
such Underwriter or any person who controls such Underwriter within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or
proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an
unconditional release of each such Underwriter and each such controlling person
from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

          (f)    The parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledge that they are
sophisticated business persons who were represented by counsel during the
negotiations regarding the provisions of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the provisions of Sections 4(a)(ii), 4(b) and 4(c) and this Section
7 of this Agreement and that they are fully informed regarding all such
provisions.  They further acknowledge that the provisions of Sections 4(a)(ii),
4(b) and 4(c) and this Section 7 of this Agreement fairly allocate the risks in
light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company and its business
in order to assure that adequate disclosure is made in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and
Regulations, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
under the Exchange Act.  The parties are advised that federal or state policy,
as interpreted by the courts in certain jurisdictions, may be contrary to
certain provisions of Sections 4(a)(ii), 4(b) and 4(c) and this Section 7 of
this Agreement and, to the extent permitted by law, the parties hereto hereby
expressly waive and relinquish any right or ability to assert such public policy
as a defense to a claim under Sections 4(a)(ii), 4(b) or 4(c) or this Section 7
of this Agreement and further agree not to attempt to assert any such defense.

          8.     Substitution of Underwriters. If for any reason one or more of
                 -----------------------------
the Underwriters fails or refuses (otherwise than for a reason sufficient to
justify the termination of this Agreement under the provisions of Section 5 or
Section 9 of this Agreement) to purchase and pay for the number of shares of
Firm Stock agreed to be

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters, the Company shall immediately
give notice thereof to the Representatives and the non-defaulting Underwriters
shall have the right within 24 hours after the receipt by the Representatives of
such notice to purchase, or procure one or more other Underwriter to purchase,
in such proportions as may be agreed upon among the Representatives and such
purchasing Underwriter or Underwriters and upon the terms set forth herein, all
or any part of the Firm Stock that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed to purchase.  If the non-defaulting Underwriters fail to make such
arrangements with respect to all such Stock, the number of shares of Firm Stock
that each non-defaulting Underwriter is otherwise obligated to purchase under
this Agreement shall be automatically increased on a pro rata basis to absorb
the remaining shares of Stock that the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed to purchase; provided, however, that the non-defaulting Underwriters
shall not be obligated to purchase the Stock that the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed to purchase if the aggregate principal amount of such Stock
exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Firm Stock that all
Underwriters agreed to purchase under this Agreement.  If the total number of
shares of Firm Stock that the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to
purchase shall not be purchased or absorbed in accordance with the two preceding
sentences, the Company shall have the right, within 24 hours next succeeding the
first 24-hour period above referred to, to make arrangements with other
underwriters or purchasers satisfactory to the Representatives for purchase of
such Stock on the terms set forth in this Agreement.  In any such case, either
the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing
Date determined as provided in Section 2(c) of this Agreement for not more than
seven business days after the date originally fixed as the Closing Date pursuant
to Section 2(c) in order that any necessary changes in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be made.

          If neither the non-defaulting Underwriters nor the Company shall make
arrangements within the time periods provided in the first three sentences of
the first paragraph of this Section 8 for the purchase of all the Firm Stock
that the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder,
this Agreement shall be terminated without further act or deed and without any
liability on the part of the Company to any non-defaulting Underwriter (except
as provided in Section 4 or Section 7 of this Agreement) and without any
liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriters to the Company (except
to the extent provided in Section 7 of this Agreement).  Nothing in this Section
8, and no action taken hereunder, shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from
liability, if any, to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages
occasioned by its default under this Agreement.  The term "Underwriter" in this
Agreement shall include any persons substituted for an Underwriter under this
Section 8.

          9.     Effective Date of Agreement and Termination.
                 ------------------------------------------- 

          (a)    If the Registration Statement has not been declared effective
prior to the date of this Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective at

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
such time, after notification of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
has been released by the Commission, as you and the Company shall agree upon the
public offering price and other terms and the purchase price of the Stock.  If
the public offering price and other terms and the purchase price of the Stock
shall not have been determined prior to 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third
full business day after the Registration Statement has become effective, this
Agreement shall thereupon terminate without liability on the part of the Company
to the Underwriters (except as provided in Section 4 or Section 7 of this
Agreement).  By giving notice before the time this Agreement becomes effective,
you, as Representatives of the several Underwriters, may prevent this Agreement
from becoming effective without liability of any party to the other party,
except that the Company shall remain obligated to pay costs and expenses to the
extent provided in Section 4 and Section 7 of this Agreement.  If the
Registration Statement has been declared effective prior to the date of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective upon execution and delivery by
you and the Company.

          (b)    This Agreement may be terminated by you in your sole discretion
by giving written notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing
Date or, with respect to the purchase of the Option Stock, on or prior to any
later date on which the Option Stock is to be purchased, as the case may be, if
prior to such time any of the following has occurred or, in your opinion, is
likely to occur: (i) after the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, any material adverse change or
development involving a prospective adverse change in or affecting the business,
properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not
arising in the ordinary course of business, which would, in your sole judgment,
make the offering or the delivery of the Stock impracticable or inadvisable; or
(ii) if there shall have been suspension of trading in securities generally or a
material adverse decline in value of securities generally on the Nasdaq National
Market, or limitations on prices (other than limitations on hours or numbers of
days of trading) for securities on any such exchange or system; or (iii) if
there shall have been the enactment, publication, decree or other promulgation
of any federal or state statute, regulation, rule or order of, or commencement
of any proceeding or investigation by, any court, legislative body, agency or
other governmental authority which in your sole judgment materially and
adversely affects or may materially and adversely affect the business,
properties, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (iv) if there
shall have been the declaration of a banking moratorium by federal, New York or
California or state authorities; (v) existing international monetary conditions
shall have undergone a material change which, in your sole judgment, makes the
offering or delivery of the Stock impracticable or inadvisable. If this
Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to this Section 9, there shall be no
liability of the Company to the Underwriters (except pursuant to Section 4 and
Section 7 of this Agreement) and no liability of the Underwriters to the Company
(except to the extent provided in Section 7 of this Agreement).

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          10.     Notices.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all
                  -------                                           
communications hereunder shall be in writing or by either telecopier or
telegraph and, if to the Underwriters, shall be mailed, telecopied or
telegraphed or delivered to Van Kasper & Company, 11661 San Vicente Boulevard,
Suite 709, Los Angeles, California 90049, Attention:  Bruce P. Emmeluth
(telecopier:  (310) 820-5032); and if to the Company, shall be mailed,
telecopied, telegraphed or delivered to it at its office at 3169 Redhill Avenue,
Costa Mesa, California 92626 (telecopier:  (714) 549-5787) Attention:  Joel P.
Moskowitz.  All notices given by telecopy or telegraph shall be promptly
confirmed by letter.

          11.     Persons Entitled to the Benefit of this Agreement.  This
                  -------------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and the several Underwriters
and, with respect to the provisions of Section 4 and Section 7 of this
Agreement, the several parties (in addition to the Company and the several
Underwriters) indemnified under the provisions of Section 4 and Section 7 and in
addition, as to paragraph 14, Van Kasper & Company and Cruttenden Roth 
Incorporated, and their respect personal representatives, successors and assigns
(whether such succession or assignment is by sale, assignment, merger, reverse
merger, consolidation, operation of law or, without limitation, otherwise).
Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other
person, firm or corporation any legal or equitable remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. The term
"successors and assigns" as herein used shall not include any purchaser, as
such, of any of the Stock from the several Underwriters.

          12.     General.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
                  -------                                                     
the contrary, the reimbursement, indemnification and contribution agreements
contained in this Agreement and the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
9(a) any termination of this Agreement, (b) any investigation made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person thereof or by or on behalf of
the Company or their respective directors or officers and (c) delivery and
payment for the Stock under this Agreement; provided, however, that if this
Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing Date, the provisions of Sections
3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i) and 3(j) of this Agreement shall be of no further force
or effect.

          This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

          THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE INTERNAL LAWS, AND NOT THE LAWS PERTAINING TO CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAWS, OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

          13.     Authority of the Representatives.  In connection with this
                  --------------------------------                          
Agreement, the Representatives will act for and on behalf of the several

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
Underwriters, and any action taken under this Agreement by the Representatives,
as representative of the several Underwriters, will be binding on all of the
Underwriters.

          14.     Stock Purchase Warrant.  At the Closing Date, the Company will
                  ----------------------                                        
sell to you (for your own account and not as a Representatives of the several
Underwriters) for a consideration of $60.00 and upon the terms and conditions
set forth in the Stock Purchase Warrant annexed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registration Statement, a five-year, nontransferable (except as permitted by
applicable Blue Sky laws) Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase initially an
aggregate of 60,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.

          If the foregoing correctly sets forth your understanding, please so
indicate by signing in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this
letter shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company and the several
Underwriters.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     CERADYNE, INC.

 
                                     By:   
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Joel P. Moskowitz
                                           Its: President and Chief Executive 
                                                Officer

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.

VAN KASPER & COMPANY
CRUTTENDEN ROTH INCORPORATED

For themselves and on behalf of each of
the several Underwiters named in Schedule I hereto

By:  VAN KASPER & COMPANY


By:
   ----------------------------------- 
     Bruce P. Emmeluth
     Managing Director


                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I

                                  UNDERWRITERS

                                                 Number of Shares
                                                  of Firm Stock
Underwriters                                     to be Purchased
- ------------                                     ----------------

Van Kasper & Company

Cruttenden Roth Incorporated


                                                     ---------
Total                                                1,200,000
                                                     =========

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A

  Matters to be Covered in the Opinion of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth*

          (i)    Each of the Company and Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc. (the
"Subsidiary") has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation;

          (ii)    Each of the Company and its Subsidiary has the corporate power
to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
described in the Prospectus;

          (iii)     Each of the Company and its Subsidiary is duly qualified to
do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in all
jurisdictions in which the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct
of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure so to
qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the business, properties,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the
Company and its Subsidiary taken as a whole;

          (iv)    The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" as
of the dates stated therein; the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Company and its Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and
issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have not been issued in violation
of any preemptive right or, to the knowledge of such counsel, other rights to
subscribe for or purchase securities or, except to the extent any such
violations would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiary taken as a
whole (whether because of the magnitude of the violation, because any claims
thereof would be barred by the statute of limitations or otherwise), in
violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws, provided that in
rendering their opinion as to non-violation of federal and state securities
laws, such counsel may assume, unless counsel has knowledge of facts that may
render such assumption unreasonable, that any purchasers had, to the extent
relevant and represented by such purchasers in writing, any required investment
intent and the Company directly or indirectly owns all of the issued and

- ---------------
*  In rendering this opinion, counsel may rely as to questions of law not
   involving the laws of the United States or the States of California on
   opinions of local counsel (provided that such counsel states that they
   believe they and the Underwriters are justified in relying thereon) and, as
   to questions of fact, upon representations or certificates of officers of the
   Company and government officials, in which case their opinion is explicitly
   to state that they are so relying thereon and that they have no knowledge of
   any material misstatement or inaccuracy in such opinions, representations or
   certificate. Copies of any opinion, representation or certificate so relied
   upon shall be delivered to the Representative and counsel to the
   Underwriters.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
outstanding equity securities of its Subsidiary and there are no outstanding
options, warrants or other rights to acquire any equity securities of such
Subsidiary;

          (v)    The Company has corporate power and authority to enter into the
Agreement and the Stock Purchase Warrant and to issue, sell and deliver the
Stock and the Stock Purchase Warrant (and the Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Stock Purchase Warrant) to the Underwriters;

          (vi)    The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the issuance and sale of the Stock and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Stock Purchase Warrant do not (A) conflict with, violate, result in a
breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute a default) under the Articles of Incorporation
or By-laws of the Company or any agreement (including, without limitation, an
agreement with respect to registration rights) to which the Company is a party
or by which it or any of its properties or assets is bound and which is known to
such counsel or (B) result in violation of any material federal, Delaware or
California law, rule or regulation or, to the best knowledge of such counsel,
any writ, judgment, order, injunction or decree of any government, governmental
body, agency or court or any arbitration tribunal having jurisdiction over the
Company or any of its properties;

          (vii)     The Stock and the Stock Purchase Warrant are, and the Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Purchase Warrant will be, duly
authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment in full therefor, will
be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free of preemptive rights;

          (viii)    The Underwriting Agreement and the Stock Purchase Warrant
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Company and have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming
the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by
the Representatives, are the valid and binding agreements of the Company, except
insofar as the indemnification and contribution provisions of the Underwriting
Agreement may be limited by public policy concerns and except as enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar
laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles;

          (ix)    Except for the order of the Commission making the Registration
Statement effective or similar authorizations required under the securities or
"Blue Sky" laws of certain jurisdictions (as to which such counsel need express
no opinion), no consent, approval, authorization or other order of any federal,
Delaware or California governmental body or, to the knowledge of such counsel,
other person is required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale
and delivery of the Stock and the execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of the Underwriting Agreement or the Stock Purchase Warrant or the
issuance and delivery of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock
Purchase Warrant;

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
          (x)    The Registration Statement has become effective under the
Securities Act and, to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and
no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or
threatened under the Securities Act;

          (xi)    The Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and each
amendment or supplement thereto (other than the financial statements, financial
data and supporting schedules included therein, as to which such counsel need
express no opinion), as of the effective date of the Registration Statement,
complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations;

          (xii)    The terms and provisions of the capital stock of the Company
conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, and the information in the Prospectus
under the caption "Description of Capital Stock," to the extent they constitute
matters of law or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by such counsel and is
correct and the form of certificate for the Stock complies with California and
Delaware law, as applicable;

          (xiii)   The description in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus of the charter and bylaws of the Company and of statutes and
contracts are accurate in all material respects and fairly present in all
material respects the information required to be presented by the Securities Act
and the Rules and Regulations;

          (xiv)    To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no
agreements, contracts, licenses, leases or documents of a character required to
be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that are not described or
referred to therein and filed as required;

          (xv)    To the best knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending or threatened against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of a character which are required to be disclosed in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus by the Securities Act or the applicable
Rules and Regulations, other than those described therein;

          (xvi)   To the best knowledge of such counsel, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries is presently in breach of, or in default under, any
bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or any contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or, without
limitation, other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their properties are bound that,
individually or in the aggregate, is material to the business, properties,
condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or results of operations or
prospects of the Company and its Subsidiary taken as a whole; and

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
          (xvii)  To the best knowledge of such counsel, except as set forth
in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, no holders of Common Stock or
other securities of the Company have registration rights with respect to any
securities of the Company.

          In addition, such counsel shall state that such counsel has
participated in conferences with officers and other representatives, but
expresses no such opinion thereon, of the Company, the independent public
accountants of the Company, the Representatives and counsel to the Underwriters,
at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and related matters were discussed and, although they have not
independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements
contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, nothing has come to
the attention of such counsel that caused them to believe that, at the time the
Registration Statement became effective, the Registration Statement (except as
to financial statement, financial data and supporting schedules contained
therein, as to which such counsel need express no comment or opinion) contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or at the
Closing Date or any later date on which the Option Stock is to be purchased, as
the case may be, the Prospectus contained any untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

                                       37

<PAGE>
 
THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR
HYPOTHECATED UNLESS (i) THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH
ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, (ii) THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144
UNDER THE ACT, OR (iii) THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE
HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY STATING THAT
SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.

                                                               October ___, 1995

                                 CERADYNE, INC.

                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

                                _________ Shares

                          Void after October ___, 2000

     1.  Number and Price of Shares Subject to Warrant.  In connection with the
         ---------------------------------------------                         
of public offering of Common Stock (the "Offering") of Ceradyne, Inc. (the
"Company") and subject to the terms and conditions of this Warrant, [Van Kasper
& Company\Cruttenden Roth Incorporated] or its permitted transferees (each a
"Holder") is entitled to purchase from the Company, at any time after the date
hereof and on or before October ___, 2000, up to ___________ shares (which
number of shares is subject to adjustment as described below) of fully paid and
non-assessable Common Stock of the Company (the "Shares").  Subject to
adjustments for any stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends,
recapitalization or reclassification, the purchase price of one share of Common
Stock shall be equal to $_____ [120% of the per share price to the public].  The
purchase price of one share of Common Stock payable from time to time upon the
exercise of this Warrant (whether such price be the price specified above or an
adjusted price determined as hereinafter provided) is referred to herein as the
"Warrant Price."

     2.  Adjustments.  The number of Shares issuable upon the exercise of this
         -----------                                                          
Warrant and the exercise price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time
to time, and the Company agrees to provide notice upon the happening of certain
events, as follows:

     (a) Merger, Sale of Assets, etc.  If any capital reorganization of the
         ----------------------------                                      
capital stock of the Company, or any consolidation or merger of the Company with
another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to
another corporation shall be effected in such a way that holders of Shares shall
be entitled to receive stock, securities or assets with respect to or in
exchange for Shares, then, as a condition of such reorganization,

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale, lawful and adequate provisions
shall be made whereby the holder hereof shall thereafter have the right to
purchase and receive (in lieu of the Shares immediately theretofore purchasable
and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented hereby) such shares
of stock, securities or assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in
exchange for a number of outstanding Shares equal to the number of shares of
such stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise
of the rights represented hereby.  In any such case, appropriate provision shall
be made with respect to the rights and interests of Holder to the end that the
provisions hereof (including, without limitation, provisions for adjustments of
the Warrant Price and of the number of shares purchasable and receivable upon
the exercise of this Warrant) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as may
be possible, in relation to any shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter
deliverable upon the exercise hereof.  The Company will not effect any such
consolidation, merger or sale unless, prior to the consummation thereof, the
successor corporation (if other that the Company) resulting from such
consolidation or the corporation purchasing such assets shall assume by written
instrument, the obligation to deliver to such Holder such shares of stock,
securities or assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such
Holder may be entitled to purchase.

     (b) Reclassification, etc.  If the Company at any time shall, by
         ----------------------                                      
subdivision, combination or reclassification of securities or otherwise, change
any of the securities to which purchase rights under this Warrant exist into the
same or a different number of securities of any class or classes, this Warrant
shall thereafter be to acquire such number and kind of securities as would have
been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the securities which
were subject to the purchase rights under this Warrant immediately prior to such
subdivision, combination, reclassification or other change.  If shares of the
class of the Company's stock for which this Warrant is being exercised are
subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares of stock, the
Warrant Price shall be proportionately reduced in the case of subdivision of
shares or proportionately increased in the case of combination of shares, in
both cases by the ratio which the total number of shares of such class of stock
to be outstanding immediately after such event bears to the total number of
shares of such class of stock outstanding immediately prior to such event.

     (c) Adjustment for Dividends in Stock.  In case at any time or from time to
         ---------------------------------                                      
time on or after the date hereof the holders of the shares of the Company's
Common Stock (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time receivable
upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall have received, or, on or after the
record date fixed for the determination of eligible shareholders, shall have
become entitled to receive, without payment therefor, other or additional stock
or securities (or any rights or options to subscribe for or purchase any of the
foregoing) of the Company by way of dividend, then and in each case, the holder
of this Warrant shall, upon the exercise hereof, be entitled to receive, in
addition to the number of Shares receivable thereupon, and without payment of
any additional consideration therefor, the amount of such other or additional
stock of the Company which such holder would hold on the date of such exercise
had it been the holder of record of such Shares on the date hereof and had
thereafter, during the period from the date hereof to and including the date of
such exercise, retained such shares and/or all other additional stock receivable
by it as

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
aforesaid during such period, giving effect to all adjustments called for during
such period by paragraph (c) of this Section 2.


     3.  No Shareholder Rights.  This Warrant shall not entitle Holder to any of
         ---------------------                                                  
the rights of a shareholder of the Company, except that Holder shall be entitled
to receive copies of such annual and periodic reports and other communications
as the Company sends to all of its shareholders.

     4.  Reservation of Stock.  The Company covenants that during the period
         --------------------                                               
this Warrant is exercisable, the Company will reserve from its authorized and
unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance
of the Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant.  The Company agrees that its
issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are
charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the
necessary certificates for Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant.

     5.  Exercise and Conversion of Warrant.
         ---------------------------------- 

        (a) This Warrant may be exercised by Holder or its permitted assigns, in
whole or in part, by delivery of the Notice of Exercise in the form attached
hereto as Attachment 1 and surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of
          ------------                                                         
the Company, accompanied by payment in full of the Warrant Price as described
above.  Upon partial exercise hereof, a new warrant or warrants containing the
same date and provisions as this Warrant shall be issued by the Company to the
registered holder for the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which
this Warrant shall not have been exercised.

        (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
5, Holder may elect to receive Shares on a "net exercise" basis in an amount
equal to the value of this Warrant by delivery of the Notice of Conversion in
the form attached hereto as Attachment 2 and surrender of this Warrant at the
                            ------------
principal office of the Company, in which event the Company shall issue to
Holder a number of Shares computed using the following formula:

                      (P)(Y)(A-B)
               X  =   -----------
                           A

     Where:    X  = the number of Shares to be issued to Holder.

               P  = the portion of the Warrant being exercised.

               Y  = the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.

               A  = the Fair Market Value of one Share.

               B  = Warrant Price.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          (c) As used herein, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall mean
with respect to each Share the average of the closing prices of the Company's
Common Stock sold on all securities exchanges on which the Common Stock may at
the time be listed, or, if there have been no sales on any such exchange on any
day, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on all such
exchanges at the end of such day, or, if on any day the Common Stock is not so
listed, the average of the representative bid and asked prices quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market as of 4:00 p.m., New York City time, or, if on any day
the Common Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, the average of the
highest bid and lowest asked price on such day in the domestic over-the-counter
market as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated, or any
similar successor organization, in each such case averaged over a period of five
days consisting of the day as of which the current fair market value of the
Shares is being determined and the four consecutive business days prior to such
day.  If at any time the Common Stock is not listed on any securities exchange
or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or the over-the-counter market, the
current fair market value of a Share shall be the highest price per share which
the Company could obtain from a willing buyer (other than a current employee or
director) for shares of Common Stock sold by the Company, from authorized but
unissued shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, unless the Company shall become subject to a merger, acquisition or
other consolidation pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving party, in
which case the current Fair Market Value of a Share shall be deemed to be the
value received by the holders of the Company's Common Stock for each share of
Common Stock in such merger, acquisition or other consolidation.

          (d) This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately
prior to the close of business on the date of its surrender for exercise as
provided above, and the person entitled to receive the Shares issuable upon such
exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of such shares of
record as of the close of business on such date.  As promptly as practicable on
or after such date, the Company shall issue and deliver to the person or persons
entitled to receive the same a certificate or certificates for the number of
full Shares issuable upon such exercise, together with cash in lieu of any
fraction of a Share.

     6.   Transfer of Warrant.  This Warrant and all rights hereunder may be
          -------------------                                               
transferred, in whole or in part, provided that any such transfer is in
compliance with the legend appearing on the first page hereof and the transferee
delivers a duly executed copy of Attachment 4; provided, however, for a period
of one year from the effective date of the Offering, the Warrant may not be
sold, transferred, assigned or hypothecated except to officers or partners of
Holder and members of the selling group of the Offering and their officers and
partners; and, provided further that any transferee other than an officer or
partner of Holder must acquire the lesser of the right to acquire (i) 10,000
Shares or (ii) all of the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.

     7.   Compliance with Securities Laws.
          ------------------------------- 

          (a) Holder represents and agrees that this Warrant is being purchased
only for investment, for Holder's own account, and without any present intention
to sell or distribute the Warrant or the Shares, other than a distribution to
certain employees of Holder

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
who agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Warrant to the same extent
as Holder.  Holder further acknowledges that the Shares will not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant unless the exercise of this Warrant and
the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with all relevant
provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Act and other federal and
state securities laws and regulations and the requirements of any stock exchange
or other system upon which the Shares may then be listed.

          (b) Holder acknowledges and agrees that this Warrant and the Shares
(collectively, the "Securities") have not been registered under the Act and
accordingly will not be transferrable except as permitted under the various
exemptions contained in the Act, or upon satisfaction of the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Act.  Therefore, the Securities must be
held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Act, or an
exemption from such registration is available.  Holder understands that unless
the Shares are registered under the Act the certificate evidencing the Shares
will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Shares
unless they are registered or unless the Company receives an opinion of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such registration is not required.
Holder is aware of the adoption of Rule 144 by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and that at the time Holder wishes to sell the Securities, the
Company may not be satisfying the current public information requirements of
Rule 144 and, in such case, Holder would be precluded from selling the
Securities under Rule 144.  Holder understands that a stop transfer instruction
will be in effect with respect to transfer of Securities inconsistent with the
requirements of all applicable securities laws.

     8.   Registration Rights.  Holder shall be entitled to the registration
          -------------------                                               
rights set forth on Attachment 3 to this Warrant.
                    ------------                 

     9.   Miscellaneous.  This Warrant shall be governed by the laws of the
          -------------                                                    
State of California.  The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of
convenience and reference only, and shall not be deemed to constitute a part
hereof.  Neither this Warrant nor any term hereof may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by
the Company and the registered Holder hereof.  All notices and other
communications from the Company to Holder shall be mailed by first-class
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the address furnished to the
Company in writing by the last Holder of this Warrant who shall have furnished
an address to the Company in writing.

     ISSUED effective the ___ day of October, 1995.


                                    CERADYNE, INC.,
                                    a Delaware Corporation


                                    By:
                                       ---------------------------------
                                    Title:
                                          ------------------------------

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                  Attachment 1
                                  ------------

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

TO:  CERADYNE, INC.

     1.   The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ____________________________
shares of the Common Stock of Ceradyne, Inc., pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

     2.   Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:

                   ------------------------------------------
                                     (Name)

                   ------------------------------------------
                                   (Address)

                   ------------------------------------------
                               (Tax I.D. Number)


                                                ________________________________
                                                          Name of Warrant Holder

                                                Date:___________________________


                                                By:_____________________________


                                                Title:__________________________

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                  Attachment 2
                                  ------------

                              NOTICE OF CONVERSION

TO:  CERADYNE, INC.

     1.   The undersigned hereby elects to acquire ____________________________
shares of the Common Stock of Ceradyne, Inc., pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, by conversion of ________ percent (___%) of the Warrant.

     2.   Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:

                   ------------------------------------------
                                     (Name)

                   ------------------------------------------
                                   (Address)

                   ------------------------------------------
                               (Tax I.D. Number)


                                                ________________________________
                                                          Name of Warrant Holder

                                                Date:___________________________


                                                By:_____________________________


                                                Title:__________________________

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                  ATTACHMENT 3
                                  ------------

                        STATEMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS
                        --------------------------------


     1.   Definitions.  For purpose of the Warrant to which this Statement of
          -----------                                                        
Registration Rights is attached as Attachment 3:
                                   ------------ 

          (a) The terms "register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or
similar document in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration
statement or document;

          (b) The term "Registrable Securities" means the shares of Common Stock
issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrant;

          (c) The term "Holder" means the original holder of the Warrant and any
permitted transferee of the Warrant to the extent such persons are the holders
of Registrable Securities;

          (d) The term "Form S-3" means such form under the Act as in effect on
the date hereof, or any registration form under the Act subsequently adopted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which permits inclusion or
incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed
by the Company with the SEC; and

          (e) The term "Warrant" means the original Warrants issued in
connection with the Offering, as such term is defined in the Warrant, and all
Warrants issued as a result of the transfer of such original Warrants.

     2.   Company Registration.  If (but without any obligation to do so) the
          --------------------                                               
Company proposes at any time before October ___, 2002 to register (including for
this purpose a registration effected by the Company for shareholders other than
Holder) any of its stock or other securities under the Act in connection with
the public offering of such securities solely for cash (other than a
registration relating solely to the sale of securities to participants in a
Company stock plan, or a registration on any form which does not include
substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a
registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities), the
Company shall, at such time, promptly give Holder written notice of such
registration. Upon the written request of Holder given within 15 days after
mailing of such notice by the Company, the Company shall, subject to the
provisions of Section 8 hereof and Section 5 of the Warrant, cause to be
registered under the Act all of the Registrable Securities that each such Holder
has requested to be registered.

     3.   Demand Registration.  In case the Company shall, at any time after
          -------------------                                               
October __, 1996 and before October __, 2000, receive from Holders holding 40%
or more of the outstanding Registrable Securities a written request that the
Company effect a

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
registration on Form S-3 (or any successor forms) and any related qualification
or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities (which
registration shall at the election of Holder either be for a registration for a
primary issuance of the Shares upon the exercise of the Warrant or the resale of
the Shares previously issued upon exercise of the Warrant at the election of
Holder) owned by such Holder, the Company will promptly notify each other Holder
(if any) of such request and will:

          (a) as soon as practicable, effect such registration and all such
qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or
facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of a Holder's
Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or
such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other holder of registration
rights joining in such request as are specified in a written request given
within 15 days after receipt of such written notice from the Company; provided,
                                                                      -------- 
however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect more than one such
- -------                                                                      
registration, qualification or compliance, pursuant to this Section 3 and the
Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or
compliance, pursuant to this Section 3: (1) if the Company shall furnish to
Holder a certificate signed by the President of the Company stating that in the
good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be
seriously detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such registration
to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to
defer the filing of the registration statement for a period of not more than 90
days after receipt of the request of Holder under this Section 3; provided,
                                                                  --------
however, that the Company shall not utilize this right more than once in any 12
- -------
month period; or (2) in any jurisdiction in which the Company would be required
to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process
in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance; and,

          (b) subject to the foregoing, file a registration statement covering
the Registrable Securities and other securities so requested to be registered
promptly after receipt of the request or requests of Holder, and in any event
within 45 days of receipt of such request.

     4.   Obligation of the Company.  Subject to the terms of the Warrant, in
          -------------------------                                          
the event that the Company is to effect the registration of any Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Company shall promptly:

          (a) Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with
respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the holders
of a majority of the securities registered thereunder, keep such registration
statement effective for up to 120 days, or such shorter period as is required to
dispose of all securities covered by such registration statement.

          (b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to
such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
registration

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Act with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration
statement.

          (c) Furnish to Holder such number of copies of a prospectus, including
a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and
such other documents as Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
disposition of Registrable Securities owned by Holder.

          (d) Use its best efforts to register and qualify the securities
covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky
laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by Holder, provided
that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of
process in any such states or jurisdictions or to agree to any restrictions as
to the conduct of its business in the ordinary course thereof.

          (e) In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and
perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary
form, with the managing underwriter of such offering.  Holder shall also enter
into and perform its obligations under such underwriting agreement, including
furnishing an opinion of counsel for such Holder if requested by the managing
underwriter.

          (f) Notify Holder at any time when a prospectus relating to
Registrable Securities of Holder covered by such registration statement is
required to be delivered under the Act, of the happening of any event as a
result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then
in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made.

          (g) Furnish, at the request of Holder, on the date that such
Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale in connection
with a registration pursuant to the Warrant, if such securities are being sold
through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through
underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect to such
securities becomes effective, (i) an opinion, dated such date, of counsel
representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and
substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public
offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to Holder and (ii) a letter
dated such date, from the independent certified public accountants of the
Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified
public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed
to the underwriters, if any, and to Holder.

     5.   Availability of Rule 144.  Notwithstanding anything in the Warrant or
          ------------------------                                             
this Statement of Registration Rights to the contrary, the Company shall not be
obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or compliance, pursuant
to Section 2 or 3, if application of Rule 144 would allow Holder requesting a
registration under Section 2 or 3 to dispose of the Registrable Securities for
which a registration is demanded within a single 90-day period.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     6.   Furnish Information.  It shall be a condition precedent to the
          -------------------                                           
obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to the Warrant that the
selling Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself,
the Registrable Securities held by Holder, and the intended method of
disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the registration
of their Registrable Securities.

     7.   Expenses.
          -------- 

          (a) Company Registration.  The Company shall bear and pay all expenses
              --------------------                                              
other than underwriting discounts and commissions incurred in connection with
any registration, filing or qualification of Registrable Securities with respect
to the registrations pursuant to Section 2 hereof for Holder, including (without
limitation) all registration, filing, and qualification fees, printers and
accounting fees relating or apportionable thereto, and the cost of any
reasonable fees or disbursements of counsel for Holder.

          (b) Demand Registration.  The Holder(s) participating in a
              -------------------                                   
registration pursuant to Section 3 shall bear and pay all expenses incurred in
connection with such registration, including (without limitation) all
registration, filing, and qualification fees, printers and accounting fees
relating or apportionable thereto, but excluding the cost of any reasonable
fees or disbursements of counsel to the Company, which shall be the
responsibility of the Holder.

     8.   Underwriting Requirements.  In connection with any registrations in
          -------------------------                                          
which Registrable Securities have a right to be included pursuant to Section 2
hereof and which involves an underwriting of securities being issued by the
Company, the Company shall not be required, under Section 2 hereof, to include
any of Holder's securities in such underwriting unless Holder accepts the terms
of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the underwriters
selected by it, and then only in such quantity as will not, in the opinion of
the underwriters, jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company.  If the
total amount of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by
shareholders to be included in such offering exceeds the amount of securities
sold other than by the Company that the underwriters reasonably believe
compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required
to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including
Registrable Securities, which the underwriters believe will not jeopardize the
success of the offering, the securities so included to be apportioned pro rata
among the selling Holder and other shareholders holding contractual registration
rights according to the total amount of securities entitled to be included
therein owned by each selling shareholder or in such other proportions as shall
mutually be agreed to by Holder and each other selling shareholder.  In the
event of an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 3 hereof in which Ford
Motor Company ("Ford") elects to participate pursuant to the registration rights
previously granted by the Company to Ford, and in connection therewith the
underwriters reasonably believe that the total amount of securities, including
Registrable Securities, requested by the selling Holder and Ford to be included
in such offering exceeds the amount that is compatible with the success of the
offering, then the securities that may be included in such offering shall be
apportioned among the selling Holder and Ford in the manner set forth in the
preceding sentence.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     9.   Delay of Registration.  Holder shall have no right to obtain or seek
          ---------------------                                               
an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the
result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or
implementation of the Warrant.

     10.  Indemnification.  In the event any Registrable Securities are included
          ---------------                                                       
in a registration statement filed by the Company:

          (a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and
hold harmless Holder, its officers and directors, any underwriter (as defined in
the Act) for Holder and each person, if any, who controls Holder or underwriter
within the meaning of the Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or
several) asserted by a third party to which they may become subject under the
Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations
(collectively a "Violation"): (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including
any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any
amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged
violation of the Company of the Act, the 1934 Act, any state securities law or
any rule or regulation promulgated under the Act, the 1934 Act or any state
securities law; and the Company will reimburse Holder, any of its officers or
directors, underwriter or controlling person for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them, as incurred, in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 10(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such
case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that
it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection
with such registration by such Holder, underwriter or controlling person.

          (b) To the extent permitted by law, Holder will indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who have
signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who controls the Company
with the meaning of the Act, any underwriter and any other shareholder selling
securities in such registration statement or any of its directors or officers or
any person who controls such shareholder, against any losses, claims, damages,
or liabilities (joint or several) asserted by a third party to which the Company
or any such director, officer, controlling person, or underwriter or controlling
person, or other such shareholder or director, officer or controlling person may
become subject, under the Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state law,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the
extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished by Holder

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
expressly for use in connection with such registration; and Holder will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any
such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter or controlling person,
other shareholder, officer, director, or controlling person, as incurred, in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, or action; provided, however, that the obligations of Holder
                      --------  -------                                
hereunder shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds (equal to the
offering price less the exercise price, expenses and underwriting commissions
and discounts) to such Holder of Shares sold as contemplated herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section
10(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent
of Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
10 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental
action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against any indemnifying part under this Section 10, deliver to the
indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall
                             --------  -------                                 
have the right to retain its own counsel, with the reasonable fees and expenses
to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified
party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party
and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding (it being
understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the
expenses of more than one separate counsel representing the indemnified parties
who are parties to such action). The failure to deliver written notice to the
indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section
10, but the omission so to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will
not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under this Section 10.

     11.  Reports Under the 1934 Act.  With a view to making available to Holder
          --------------------------                                            
the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act and any other rule or
regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit Holder to sell securities of
the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on
Form S-3, the Company will endeavor to:

          (a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in SEC Rule 144;

          (b) take such action as is necessary to enable Holder to utilize Form
S-3 for the sale of its Registrable Securities;

          (c) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Act and the 1934 Act; and

          (d) furnish to Holder, so long as Holder owns any Registrable
Securities, forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company that
it has complied with the

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144, the Act and the 1934 Act, or that it
qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3
(at any time after it so qualifies), (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by
the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested in
availing Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC which permits the selling
of any such securities without registration or pursuant to such form.

     12.  Assignment of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the Company to
          ---------------------------------                                     
register Registrable Securities pursuant to the Warrant may be assigned by
Holder to a permitted transferee or assignee of the Warrant or of at least
10,000 Shares, provided the Company is, within a reasonable time after such
transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such
transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such
registration rights are being assigned; and provided, further, that such
assignment shall be effective only if immediately following such transfer the
further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the Act.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                  ATTACHMENT 4
                                  ------------

                              STATEMENT OF HOLDER
                              -------------------

     The undersigned, represents and warrants to Ceradyne, Inc., a Delaware
corporation that the representations and warranties contained in Section 7 of
the Common Stock Purchase Warrant to which this Statement is attached are true
and correct.  The undersigned also agrees to be bound by the terms of Section
10(b) of Attachment 3 to such Warrant.

                                    ________________________________
                                       Print Name of Holder


                                    By:___________________________


                                    _____________________________
                                    Print Name and Title


                                    Dated:__________________________

                                       15

<PAGE>
                Letterhead of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth
 
                               October 23, 1995


Ceradyne, Inc.
3169 Red Hill Avenue
Costa Mesa, California 92626

      Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1 -- Registration No. 33-62345

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      At your request, we have examined Registration Statement on Form S-1, 
Registration No. 33-62345, filed by Ceradyne, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the 
"Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 1995 (as
amended, the "Registration Statement"), in connection with the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,380,000 shares of Common
Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). Said
shares of Common Stock, which include 180,000 shares which will be subject to an
over-allotment option to be granted to the underwriters, are to be sold to the
underwriters as described in the Registration Statement for sale to the public.

      As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the 
proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by 
you in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the shares of 
Common Stock.

      Based on the foregoing, and subject to compliance with applicable state 
securities laws, it is our opinion that the 1,380,000 shares of Common Stock, 
when issued and sold in the manner described in the Registration Statement, will
be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

<PAGE>
 
Ceradyne, Inc.
October 23, 1995
Page 2


      We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the 
Prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      STRADLING, YOCCA, CARLSON & RAUTH


<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1
                          SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY
 
Ceradyne Advanced Products, Inc.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports dated March 6, 1995 included in or made a part of this registration on
Form S-1.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Orange County, California
   
October 20, 1995     


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