CERADYNE INC
10-K, 1996-04-01
ABRASIVE, ASBESTOS & MISC NONMETALLIC MINERAL PRODS
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
     1934 (Fee required)
     For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1995

[_]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (No fee required)
     For the transition period from _______ to _______

                          Commission File No. 0-13059

                                CERADYNE, INC.
            ------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                  33-0055414
- -------------------------------              ----------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer Identifica-
 incorporation or organization)               tion Number)

              3169 Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92626
              --------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (714) 549-0421
                                                           --------------

       Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                         Common Stock, $.01 par value
                               (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES  X   NO
    ---    ---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [X]

The aggregate market value (based on the closing price at which stock was sold)
of the voting shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 6,
1996 was $40,376,424.

As of March 6, 1996, the number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock
outstanding was 7,740,424.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for its 1996 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
<PAGE>
 
                                 PART I

Item 1.  Business
         --------

INTRODUCTION

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 canceled 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 during the year ended December 31, 1995.

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 15.6% 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.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
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           HARDNESS           CHEMICAL                                 DENSITY
                                    (DEGREES          (VICKERS          RESISTANCE            ELECTRICAL           (GMS
MATERIALS                          FAHRENHEIT)         SCALE)            TO ACIDS             PROPERTIES          PER CC)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>                    <C>
Advanced technical ceramics      2,500 to 6,900    1,600 to 7,000    Excellent           From conductors to     2.5 to 4.5
                                                                                         excellent insulators
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High strength alloy steel        2,500 to 2,700    250 to 900        Fair                Conductors             7.0 to 9.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High performance plastics        275 to 750        5 to 10           Good to Excellent   Good to excellent      1.0 to 2.0
                                                                                         insulators
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

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.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
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.  See "Certain Factors That May
Affect the Company's Business and Future Results".  The following table
illustrates these newer and planned products and the markets for which they are
intended.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
MARKET OPPORTUNITY              TECHNICAL DEMANDS OF      CERADYNE'S STRATEGIC
                                      MARKET                    RESPONSE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  INDUSTRIAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
Wear resistant components       Failure of              Ceralloy 147 Sintered
 required on the rubbing or     industrial equipment    Reaction Bonded Silicon
 cutting surfaces of            is often caused by      Nitride (SRBSN)
 industrial machinery, such     premature wearing       industrial wear parts
 as in paper making             out of surfaces due     and cutting tool inserts
 equipment, centrifuges, and    to abrasive action.     are designed to replace
 cutting tool inserts.          Examples include        hard metal or even oxide
                                paper making where      ceramic wear surfaces,
                                the pulp slurry runs    resulting in great
                                at 5000 feet per        productivity, quality
                                minute, or in metal     and longer "uptime."
                                cutting where as
                                much as .125 inch
                                depth of cut are
                                removed in a single
                                pass.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    DEFENSE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightweight armor for           As tactical             Ceralloy 546 (boron
 military  and law              conflicts as well as    carbide) or Ceralloy 146
 enforcement personnel.         terrorist and other     (silicon carbide) backed
                                activities result in    with Kevlar, Spectra
                                the increased use of    or other laminates are
                                automatic weapons,      designed to provide
                                it has become           lightweight ballistic
                                necessary to stop       protection greater than
                                bullets as great as     Kevlar alone at an
                                a .50 caliber           acceptable weight.
                                machine gun round.
                                However, vests or
                                other armor must be
                                light enough in
                                weight to allow
                                freedom of movement
                                without undue
                                fatigue.

Missile nose cones (radomes).   Next generation         The Company's advanced
                                tactical missiles       technical ceramic
                                (Standard Missile       radomes are designed to
                                Block IV and PAC-3)     address demanding
                                will be required to     specifications of next
                                fly at extremely        generation missile nose
                                high velocities,        cones.
                                tight turning radii,
                                and severe weather
                                conditions.  These
                                operating conditions
                                may preclude the use
                                of conventional
                                polymer materials.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   CONSUMER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orthodontic brackets.           Traditional             Ceradyne's Transtar
                                stainless steel         translucent orthodontic
                                orthodontic ceramic     brackets are inert, pick
                                brackets are often      up the color of the
                                considered              patient's teeth and
                                unsightly.              allow the orthodontist
                                Substitute clear        to correct the patient's
                                plastic materials       bite.  The Company and
                                can be weak and may     its marketing partner,
                                stain.  Some            3M/Unitek, plan to
                                orthodontic patients    introduce an enhanced
                                prefer aesthetically    version of this ceramic
                                pleasing brackets       bracket in 1996.
                                which can be affixed
                                to each tooth to
                                support the archwire.

Large screen televisions,       To achieve sharper,     Ceradyne's CRT
 projection televisions,        brighter pictures in    ceramic-impregnated
 HDTV, and other cathode ray    next generation         dispenser cathodes are
 tube (CRT) applications.       television picture      designed to offer the
                                tubes, it may be        television manufacturer
                                necessary to            increased power levels
                                increase current        compared to conventional
                                density                 cathodes.  The Company
                                (amperes/cm/2/) from    is now in early limited
                                currently used oxide    production for a large
                                cathodes.               projection television
                                Television              and a wide screen 29"
                                manufacturers may       consumer television.
                                require extra power
                                as size of picture
                                and number of pixels
                                increase.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  AUTOMOTIVE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automobile internal             In order to achieve     Ceradyne's Ceralloy 147
 combustion engine and          diesel engine life      SRBSN is a candidate for
 diesel engine valve train      of one million miles    a variety of engine
 and other engine components.   and automobile          components including
                                engine life of over     bucket tappet inserts,
                                100,000 miles           engine valves, clevis
                                without major           pins and fuel injection
                                maintenance, it may     pump parts.  The Company
                                be necessary to         is in prototype
                                replace metal engine    development of parts for
                                components with         Detroit Diesel Corp.,
                                longer lasting,         Caterpillar Inc., and
                                lighter weight,         Ford Motor Company.
                                higher temperature      Volume production orders
                                resistant parts at      may not occur for
                                acceptable unit         several years, if at
                                costs.                  all, and will depend on
                                                        significant cost
                                                        reduction and other
                                                        factors.
================================================================================
</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.  See "Certain Factors That May Affect
the  Company's Business and Future Results".

                                       4
<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 16%.  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 1995, Ford has contributed to
the Company, on a cost sharing basis, a total of $3.3 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.

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.

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.

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 1.1%, respectively, of net sales for the
year ended December 31, 1995.

Set forth below is a description of the Company's principal products itemized by
market:

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
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 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 "Certain
Factors That May Affect the Company's Business and Future Results".

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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's
Business and Future Results".

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
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 tooth 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 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
classic 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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Business and
Future Results".

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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's
Business and Future Results".

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 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
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 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
development 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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Business
and Future Results".

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.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
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 18%, 25% and 26% of total net sales in fiscal years
1993, 1994 and 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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Business and
Future Results".  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 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 4000F in inert atmospheres at pressures up to 5000 lbs. per square
inch.  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.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
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, metallurgical 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 2500F.  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 4000F.  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 "Certain Factors That May Affect
the Company's Business and Future Results".

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 "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 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 1800C

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
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\\17\\ 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-fire" or
"green" magnets are then sintered at 2000F 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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Business and
Future Results".

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 $400,000, $360,000
and $400,000 in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
COMPETITION

Ceradyne competes on the basis of product performance, material 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 "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's
Business and Future Results".

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 canceled in 1992, substantially all options or
equivalents have been exercised at the prices set forth in the original
contract.  At December 31, 1994, backlog consisted of unfilled firm orders of
approximately $11.5 million, and unexercised options of approximately $4.4
million for a total of approximately $15.9 million, compared with a backlog at
December 31, 1995, which consisted of unfilled firm orders of approximately
$15.5 million and unexercised options of approximately $10.5 million, for a
total of approximately $26.0 million.  Typically, firm orders are scheduled to
be shipped within 12 to 18 months from receipt of order.

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 has been granted, several
United States patents relating to compositions, products or processes that
management believes are proprietary, including lightweight ceramic armor.

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

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
companies pay royalties to Ceradyne and 3M/Unitek based on sales of their
orthodontic ceramic brackets for the remaining life of the patents.  See
"Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Business and Future Results", and
"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 "Strategic Relationships".

"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 December 31, 1995, Ceradyne employed approximately 250 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.


CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS AND FUTURE RESULTS


HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the Company returned to
profitability after sustaining net losses from fiscal 1987 through fiscal 1994
totaling 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 translucent
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.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
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 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.

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

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
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.

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.

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 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 Corporation 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.  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.

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. These claims have been
settled without material liability to the Company.  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

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
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.

DEPENDENCE ON UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND RISK OF CONTRACT TERMINATION

Of the Company's $26.0 million total backlog at December 31, 1995, approximately
$16.5 million, or 63% 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
$3.8 million and $3.1 million, respectively, or a total of approximately $6.9
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 Untied 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 canceled 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.

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 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 brackets, 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-

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
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.

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 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 "Dependence on United States Government and Risk of Contract
Termination," set forth above.

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.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Item 2.  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.

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
    Approximately 35,000          cathodes
    square feet                 . CRT (television) ceramic-impregnated dispenser
                                  cathodes
                                . 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 product
================================================================================
</TABLE>

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings
            -----------------

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.

In October 1995 the Company was served with a complaint that was filed by four
persons, and the spouses of those persons, who are/were employed by one of the
Company's customers.  The complaint, filed in the United States District Court,
Eastern District of Tennessee, alleges that the employees contracted chronic
beryllium disease as a result of their exposure, during the course of their
employment with the Company's customer, to beryllium-containing products sold by
Ceradyne.  The case is in the early stages of discovery.  Based upon information
currently available, the Company believes that the employees' claims are 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.

Defense of this case has been tendered to the Company's insurance carriers, some
of whom are providing a defense subject to a reservation of rights.  There can
be no assurance, however, that this claim or other claims related to exposure to
beryllium oxide will be covered by insurance, or that, if covered, the amount of
insurance will be sufficient to cover any potential judgment.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
Currently, the Company is involved in an action filed by a current employee in
the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange.  One of the
Company's previous landlords, who also was sued by the plaintiffs, filed a
cross-complaint against Ceradyne.  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.  In March 1996, Ceradyne was dismissed by
the plaintiffs as a direct defendant.  Although Ceradyne remains in the action
as a cross-defendant, the Company believes that the resolution of this matter
will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations
of the Company.

Defense of this case has been tendered to the Company's insurance carriers, all
of whom have denied coverage.  The Company believes, however, that coverage was
improperly denied.  The Company has initiated an action against certain
insurance carriers in order to resolve the dispute regarding coverage.  There
can be no assurance, however, this claim or other claims related to exposure to
beryllium oxide will be covered by insurance, or that, if covered, the amount of
insurance will be sufficient to cover any potential judgment.

Item 4.   Submission of matters to a vote of security holders
          ---------------------------------------------------

     Not applicable

                                       19
<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
Howard F. George.............    51   Vice President, Finance; Chief Financial
                                      Officer and Secretary
Louis R. Falce...............    67   Executive Vice President, Cathodes
David M. Bowling.............    43   Vice President
Earl E. Conabee..............    58   Vice President
James N. Cuppy...............    39   Vice President
Donald A. Kenagy.............    54   Vice President
David P. Reed................    41   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.

  Howard F. George was appointed to the positions of Vice President, Finance;
Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Secretary in December 1995.  Prior to
joining Ceradyne, Mr. George was Chief Financial Officer of Richmond Technology,
Inc. and Chief Operating Officer of its subsidiary, Static Control Services from
1992 to 1995.  From 1990 to 1992, Mr. George was Vice President of Finance for
Sunset Richards, a subsidiary of Hanson, PLC.  Mr. George earned his B.A. degree
in Business and Economics in 1970 at California State University Long Beach, and
an MBA from Pepperdine University, Malibu in 1980.

  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

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
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 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.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
  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.  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 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.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
  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 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.  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.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                                 PART II

Item 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
          -----------------------------------------------------
          Stockholder Matters
          -------------------

The Company's Common Stock has been traded in the over-the-counter market under
the symbol CRDN from the time of its initial public offering in July 1984.
Since January 21, 1985, the Common Stock has been quoted on the NASDAQ National
Market.  The following table sets forth for the calendar quarters indicated the
high and low closing sale prices per share on the National Market as reported by
NASDAQ.  As of January 31, 1996, the Company had approximately 560 record
holders of its Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         High     Low
                         -----   -----
1994:
<S>                      <C>     <C>
     First Quarter....   3 5/8   2 5/8
     Second Quarter...   3 1/2     1/2
     Third Quarter....   3       1 3/4
     Fourth Quarter...   3 1/4   2
 
1995:
     First Quarter....   3 3/8   2 1/4
     Second Quarter...   5 7/8   3
     Third Quarter....   6 1/8   4 1/4
     Fourth Quarter...   7 5/8   4 5/8
 
</TABLE>

The present policy of Ceradyne is to retain earnings for the operation and
expansion of its business.  Ceradyne has not paid cash dividends, and management
does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
          -----------------------

Statements of Operations Data: (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
- -----------------------------                                               

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ending December 31,
                                ---------------------------------------------------
                                 1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Sales                       $23,404    $17,996    $15,987    $18,727    $21,886
Cost of product sales            17,347     16,135     14,792     16,531     18,877
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Gross profit (loss)               6,057      1,861      1,195      2,196      3,009
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Operating expenses:
Selling                           1,492      1,502      1,372      1,465      1,593
General & administrative          2,349      2,297      2,392      2,465      2,345
Royalty                             ---        ---        ---        212        240
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                  3,841      3,799      3,764      4,142      4,178
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Income/(loss) from
    operations                    2,216     (1,938)    (2,569)    (1,946)    (1,169)
Other income (expense):
Other income                        265        366        212        160        319
Interest expense                   (342)      (294)      (240)      (211)      (255)
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Income (loss) before
    provision (credit) for
    income taxes                  2,139     (1,866)    (2,597)    (1,997)    (1,105)
Taxes on income                      50        ---        ---        ---        ---
                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
        Net income/(loss)       $ 2,089    $(1,866)   $(2,597)   $ (1997)   $(1,105)
                                =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
 
Net income /(loss) per
     share /(1)/                    .32       (.30)      (.42)      (.33)      (.18)
Weighted average shares
     outstanding /(1)/            6,607      6,238      6,169      6,133      6,178
 
Balance Sheet Data:
- ------------------

    Working capital             $13,216    $ 5,053    $ 5,630    $ 6,808    $ 7,805
    Total assets                 24,880     16,862     18,130     20,567     22,317
    Long-term obligations           555        905      1,367      1,413      1,774
    Shareholders' equity         19,852     11,602     13,443     15,813     17,734
</TABLE>
/(1)/ Primary and fully diluted net income per share are the same for the
      periods presented.  See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 
      Statements.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
Item 7.  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
canceled 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 during the year ended December 31, 1995.  In addition, the Company
returned to profitability in each of the four quarters of fiscal 1995, and at
December 31, 1995, the Company's total backlog had increased to $26.0 million up
from $15.9 million a year earlier. The Company includes in backlog unfilled firm
orders as well as unexercised options since, historically, most options have
been exercised.

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.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The percentage relationships to net sales of certain income and expense items
for the three years ended December 31, 1995 are contained in the following
table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                       Year Ended December 31
                                    ----------------------------
                                     1995      1994       1993
                                    ------   --------   --------
<S>                                 <C>      <C>        <C>
 
Net Sales                           100.0%     100.0%     100.0%
Cost of product sales               74.12      89.66      92.53
                                    -----    -------    -------
 
  Gross Profit                      25.88      10.34       7.47
                                    -----    -------    -------
 
Operating Expenses:
  Selling                            6.37       8.35       8.58
  General & Administration          10.04      12.76      14.96
                                    -----    -------    -------
                                    16.41      21.11      23.54
                                    -----    -------    -------
Income (loss) from
    operations                       9.47     (10.77)    (16.07)
Other income (expenses):
  Other income                       1.13       2.03       1.33
  Interest expense                  (1.46)     (1.63)     (1.50)
                                    -----    -------    -------
                                     (.33)      0.40      (0.17)
 
Income (loss) before
provision for taxes on income        9.14     (10.37)    (16.24)
Provision for taxes                   .21        ---        ---
                                    -----    -------    -------
 
Net income (loss)                    8.93%    (10.37)%   (16.24)%
                                    =====    =======    =======
 
</TABLE>

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994.

Net Sales.  Net sales for the year ended December 31, 1995 were $23.4 million,
which represents a 30% or a $5.4 million increase in net sales for the
corresponding period of the prior year.  This increase was primarily due to a
76.7% (or $3.3 million) increase in sales of the Company's industrial products
(consisting of a $1.6 million increase in fused silica ceramic products and a
$1.7 million increase in sales of ceramic orthodontic products), 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 26.4% of the Company's net sales for the period
ending December 31, 1995, up from 25.5% 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 $6 million, or 25.9% of
net sales, for the year ended December 31, 1995, compared to $1.9 million, or
10.3% of net sales, for the year ended December 31, 1994.  Of the $4.1 million
increase in gross profit, approximately $1.5 million resulted from increased
gross profit at the Company's Semicon division in Lexington, Kentucky and
approximately $1.1 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 for 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 $.7 million during the year ended December 31, 1994.
Other factors contributing to the improvement in gross profit during 1995
included increased sales of products with greater profit margins, increased
manufacturing productivity, a 30% 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, commenced in November 1995.

Operating Expense.  Operating expenses were $3.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 1995, an increase of 1.1% from the comparable period of the prior
year, and represented 16.4% of net sales compared to 21.1% of net sales for the
year ended December 31, 1994.  The improvement as a percentage of net sales was
due to increased sales for the period ended December 31, 1995.

Selling expenses were $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1995, a
decrease of .7% 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 $184,000 during
the year ended December 31, 1994.  While actual amounts expended will depend
upon a variety of factors, the Company anticipates that selling expenses will
increase in future years as the Company increases its marketing efforts both
domestically and internationally.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
General and administrative expenses were $2.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 1995, a 2.3% increase from the comparable period of the prior year.
This increase was primarily due to the payment of employee incentive bonuses
indexed to the Company's profitability during the year ended December 31, 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.

Other Income.  Other income decreased to $265,000 for the year ended December
31, 1995 compared to $366,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994.  The
decrease of $101,000 was mainly attributable to non-recurring deferred revenue
for Ceradyne Specialty Products, a division which is no longer active.

Interest Expense.  For the year ended December 31, 1995 interest expense was
$342,000, a 16.3% increase over the comparable period of the prior year,
primarily attributable to higher interest rates.

Income Taxes.  The Company made a $50,000 provision for income taxes for the
year ended December 31, 1995, due to the alternative minimum tax (AMT).  For
both Federal and State tax purposes, only 90% of the Company's income before
income taxes may be offset by the available net operating losses carryforward of
approximately $17.3 million due to the assessment of alternative minimum income
taxes.

Net Income.  Reflecting all of the matters discussed above, net income was
$2,089,000 (or $.32 per share) for the year ended December 31, 1995 compared to
a loss of $1,866,000 (or $.30 per share) for the prior year.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1993.

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.

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.

International sales represented 25.5% and 18.1% of total net sales in 1994 and
1993, respectively.  This year-to-year increase reflects 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.

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.  These expenses represented 21.1% and 23.5% of net
sales in 1994 and 1993, respectively.

The increase in 1994 selling expenses was primarily attributable to greater
selling effort associated with increased marketing activities.  General and
administrative expenses decreased in 1994 primarily as a result of reductions in
administrative personnel.

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 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.

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.  The 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.

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
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 1993 ($380,000), the
Company produced $736,000 in cash flow from operating activities in 1994 and
$855,000 in 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 $2.1 million at
December 31, 1995.

On December 4, 1995, the Company completed a secondary offering of 1,380,000
shares of its common stock at $5.00 per share. After commissions and other
related expenses, Ceradyne netted approximately $6 million cash from the
offering.  Therefore, as of December 31, 1995, the Company had cash and cash
equivalents of $6.2 million.

On January 30, 1996, the Company amended its revolving credit agreement set
forth above.  The debt with this lender was reduced from $2.1 million to $1.0
million.  The Company has delivered to the lender cash collateral in the sum of
$1.0 million as security for the credit facility.  This $1.0 million in
collateral has been invested as a certificate of deposit at Sumitomo Bank.  The
interest rate on the new debt of $1.0 million has decreased from 3.6% over prime
rate to 2.0% over prime rate.  The credit facility shall be effective until
November 29, 1997.

Management believes that the net proceeds from the offering, funds generated
from operations and the ability to borrow under the existing credit facility
will be sufficient to finance anticipated capital and operating requirements for
the foreseeable future.

Item 8.  Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
         --------------------------------------------------------

The Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data commence at page 38
of this report and an index thereto is included in Part IV, Item 14 of this
report.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
         ------------------------------------------------
         Accounting and Financial Disclosure
         -----------------------------------

         Not applicable

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                                 PART III

Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
           --------------------------------------------------

Information in response to this item (except for certain information concerning
officers included in Part I herein) is incorporated by reference from the
registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within
120 days after the close of registrant's fiscal year.

Item 11.   Executive Compensation
           ----------------------

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from the
registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within
120 days after the close of registrant's fiscal year.

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
           --------------------------------------------------------------

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from the
registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within
120 days after the close of registrant's fiscal year.

Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
           ----------------------------------------------

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from the
registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within
120 days after the close of registrant's fiscal year.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                                 PART IV

Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
           ---------------------------------------------------------------

(a) List of documents filed as part of this report:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    (1) Financial Statements:                                          Page
        ---------------------                                          ----
    <S>                                                                <C>
        Report of Independent Public Accountants                       38
        Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 and 1994      39
        Consolidated Statements of Operations for
          the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993             41
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended
          December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993                             43
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                     45
   
    (2) Financial Statement Schedules:
        ------------------------------
 
    Schedule VIII -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                 56
</TABLE>

    All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not
    present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the
    schedule, or because the information required is included in the
    Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

(b) The following reports on Form 8-k were filed during the last quarter of the
    fiscal year ended December 31, 1995
 
None
 
(c) LIST OF EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>
     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.
 
    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 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> 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>
    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.
             2090821).

    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>

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<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.
</TABLE>

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>
    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 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.
</TABLE>

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>
  23.3       Consent of Quisenberry & Barbanel.

  24.1       Power of Attorney.
</TABLE> 
  * Each of these exhibits constitutes a management contract, compensatory plan,
    or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Report pursuant to
    Item 14(c) of this Report.

                                       37
<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, 1995 and 1994, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in 
all material respects, the financial position of Ceradyne, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of their operations and their 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The schedules listed in the index of
financial statements are presented for purposes of complying with the Securities
and Exchange Commission's rules and are not a required part of the basic
financial statements. These schedules have been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in our audits of the basic financial statements and, in our
opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.



                                              /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                              Arthur Andersen LLP


Orange County, California
March 8, 1996



                                       38
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          ---------------------------
 
                          DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
                          --------------------------
 
                                ASSETS (Note 2)
                                ---------------
                            (Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1995      1994
                                                              -------   -------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C> 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)                           $ 6,219   $   -0-
 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
  approximately $150 and $199 for doubtful
  accounts in 1995 and 1994, respectively (Note 2)              3,759     2,891
 Receivables from related parties (Note 9)                         12         6
 Inventories (Notes 1 and 2)                                    6,749     5,736
 Production tooling                                               366       243
 Prepaid expenses and other                                       323        21
                                                              -------   -------
   Total current assets                                        17,428     8,897
                                                              -------   -------
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
(Notes 1 and 2):
 Land                                                             422       422
 Buildings and improvements                                     1,825     1,825
 Lease rights                                                   2,659     2,659
 Machinery and equipment                                       14,907    14,083
 Leasehold improvements                                         1,141     1,118
 Office equipment                                               1,383     1,344
 Construction in progress                                         134       -0-
                                                              -------   -------
                                                               22,471    21,451
  Less--Accumulated depreciation and amortization              17,750    16,410
                                                              -------   -------
                                                                4,721     5,041
                                                              -------   -------
COSTS IN EXCESS OF NET ASSETS ACQUIRED,
 net of accumulated amortization of $1,441 and $1,286 in
 1995 and 1994, respectively (Notes 1 and 9)                    2,233     2,389
                                                              -------   -------
 
OTHER ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization of
 $539 and $503 in 1995 and 1994, respectively (Note 1)            498       535
                                                              -------   -------
 
   Total assets                                               $24,880   $16,862
                                                              =======   =======
 
</TABLE>


                  The accompanying notes are an integral part
                     of these consolidated balance sheets.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          ---------------------------

                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
                           --------------------------

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                      ------------------------------------
                   (Amounts in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1995        1994
                                                          ---------   ---------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt (Note 2)              $  1,601    $  1,029
  Accounts payable                                           1,642       1,930
  Accrued expenses:
    Payroll and payroll related                                588         433
    Other                                                      381         452
                                                          --------    --------
          Total current liabilities                          4,212       3,844
                                                          --------    --------
 
LONG-TERM DEBT (NOTE 2)                                        555         905
                                                          --------    --------
 
DEFERRED REVENUE (NOTE 1)                                      261         511
                                                          --------    --------
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 4)
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTES 1, 6, 7, 9):
  Common stock, $.01 par value:
    Authorized--12,000,000 shares
    Outstanding--7,715,624 and 6,243,734 shares
    in 1995 and 1994, respectively                          36,590      30,429
  Accumulated deficit                                      (16,738)    (18,827)
                                                          --------    --------
 
          Total shareholders' equity                        19,852      11,602
                                                          --------    --------
 
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $ 24,880    $ 16,862
                                                          ========    ========
 
</TABLE>

                  The accompanying notes are an integral part
                     of these consolidated balance sheets.

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     -------------------------------------

             FOR THE YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
             -----------------------------------------------------

                 (Amounts in thousands, except per-share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1995       1994       1993
                                              --------   --------   --------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
NET SALES (Notes 1 and 5)                     $23,404    $17,996    $15,987
 
COST OF PRODUCT SALES                          17,347     16,135     14,792
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
          Gross profit                          6,057      1,861      1,195
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Selling                                       1,492      1,502      1,372
  General and administrative                    2,349      2,297      2,392
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
                                                3,841      3,799      3,764
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
          Income/(loss) from operations         2,216     (1,938)    (2,569)
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Other income, net                               265        366        212
  Interest expense                               (342)      (294)      (240)
                                              -------    -------    -------
                                                  (77)        72        (28)
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
          Income/(loss) before provision
            for income taxes                    2,139     (1,866)    (2,597)
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Note 3)                50         --         --
                                              -------    -------    -------
 
          Net income/(loss)                   $ 2,089    $(1,866)   $(2,597)
                                              =======    =======    =======
 
NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER COMMON
  AND EQUIVALENT SHARE (Note 1)                  $.32      $(.30)     $(.42)
                                              =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>

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

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                -----------------------------------------------

             FOR THE YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
             ------------------------------------------------------

                   (Amounts in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                            Common Stock
                                 ----------------------------------
                                  Number               Accumulated
                                 of Shares   Amount      Deficit
                                 ---------   -------   ------------
<S>                              <C>         <C>       <C>
 
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)
 
  Issuance of common stock          13,090        22           ---
  Exercise of stock options         78,800       205           ---
  Public offering                1,380,000     5,934           ---
  Net income                           ---       ---         2,089
                                 ---------   -------      --------
 
BALANCE, December 31, 1995       7,715,624   $36,590      $(16,738)
                                 =========   =======      ========
</TABLE>

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

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
                      ------------------------------------

             FOR THE YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
             -----------------------------------------------------

                             (Amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1995       1994       1993
                                                                   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                                <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income/(loss)                                                $ 2,089    $(1,866)   $(2,597)
 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
    (used in) provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                  1,532      1,577      1,694
      Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment                      ---        103        ---
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net                       (868)      (266)       691
(Increase) decrease in receivables from related parties                 (6)        15        133
Increase in inventories                                             (1,013)      (344)      (237)
(Increase) decrease in production tooling                             (123)       135         37
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets              (302)        70        182
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                               (288)       917        (33)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses                                 84         (9)      (143)
Increase(decrease) in deferred revenue                                (250)       404       (107)
                                                                   -------    -------    -------
 
          Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities          855        736       (380)
                                                                   -------    -------    -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment                    ---        140        ---
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment                        (1,019)      (256)      (349)
                                                                   -------    -------    -------
 
          Net cash used in investing activities                     (1,019)      (116)      (349)
                                                                   -------    -------    -------
</TABLE>

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

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                                     - 2 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995      1994     1993
                                                                   -------   ------   ------
<S>                                                                <C>       <C>      <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of common stock, net                                     $6,161   $  25    $ 227
  Net borrowing (payments) on long-term borrowing                      222    (739)     216
                                                                    ------   -----    -----
 
          Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities        6,383    (714)     443
                                                                    ------   -----    -----
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                     6,219     (94)    (286)
 
  Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                         0      94      380
                                                                    ------   -----    -----
 
  Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                          $6,219   $ ---    $  94
                                                                    ======   =====    =====
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW
 INFORMATION:

  Interest paid                                                     $  342   $ 294    $ 240
                                                                    ======   =====    =====
  Income taxes paid                                                 $   21   $  22    $  26
                                                                    ======   =====    =====
</TABLE> 

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

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERADYNE, INC.
                                 --------------

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                   ------------------------------------------

                        DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
                        --------------------------------


1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
   ------------------------------------------

   a.  Principles of Consolidation and Nature of Operations
       ----------------------------------------------------

   The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of
   Ceradyne, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Semicon Associates and Thermo Materials.
   Ceradyne, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as
   the Company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
   eliminated.

   The Company develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic
   products and components for industrial, defense, consumer and microwave
   applications. The products are sold primarily to industrial, consumer, and
   defense concerns globally.

 
   b.  Cash and Cash Equivalents
       -------------------------

   The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three
   months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

   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,
                           -----------------------
                              1995         1994
                           ----------   ----------
      <S>                  <C>          <C>
      Raw materials        $2,833,000   $1,984,000
      Work-in-process       3,378,000    3,090,000
      Finished goods          538,000      662,000
                           ----------   ----------
                           $6,749,000   $5,736,000
                           ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
  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:

          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

  Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred.
  Repairs and maintenance expense was $414,000, $370,000 and $437,000, in 1995,
  1994 and 1993, respectively.  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.

  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,
  and research and development contracts.  For the years ending December 31,
  1995, 1994 and 1993, revenues from cost plus fixed fee contracts were less
  than 10 percent of net sales.

  f.  Deferred Revenue
      ----------------

  As part of the sale in October 1989 of its 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 were reflected as
  Deferred Revenue in the accompanying balance sheets.  During 1994 and 1993,
  the Company amortized $107,000 of deferred income in each of the years which
  was included in other income in the financial statements.  The revenue was
  fully recognized at December 31, 1994.

  In September 1994, the Company entered into an agreement which waived a
  minimum production per quarter requirement as well as a minimum rework lot
  quantity for the translucent ceramic bracket.  In consideration for entering
  into this modification, the Company received a cash fee of $250,000 which was
  amortized to other income in 1995.

  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 has been deferred in the accompanying financial
  statements and will be recognized over the life of the agreement.  At December
  31, 1995, none of the fee has been recognized.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
  g.  Net Income (Loss) Per Share
      ---------------------------

  The number of shares used in computing primary net income (loss) per share
  equals the total of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during
  the periods plus, in 1995, 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, the 1985 Employee
  Stock Purchase Plan and the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (see Note 6)
  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 per common and common equivalent share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                      December 31,
                                            ---------------------------------
                                              1995        1994        1993
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
     <S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
     Weighted average number of
         shares outstanding                 6,497,000   6,238,000   6,169,000
     Common stock equivalents (Note 6)        110,000         ---         ---
                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
     Number of shares                       6,607,000   6,238,000   6,169,000
                                            =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>

  h.  Costs in Excess of Net Assets Acquired
      --------------------------------------

  Costs in excess of net assets acquired arising from the Company's acquisitions
  are being amortized over a 20 to 30 year period.

  i.  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, 1995, 1994 and 1993, there were no additional
  deferred costs capitalized.  Deferred costs, totaling $338,000 are included in
  Other Assets.  No amortization expense was  charged to operations for the
  years ending December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.  Revenues and
  associated amortization are expected to commence in 1996.

  j.  Use of Estimates
      ----------------

  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
  accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
  that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
  contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.
  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
   k.  Engineering and Research
       ------------------------

   Costs associated with application engineering and internally-funded research
   are expensed as incurred and are included in cost of product sales. Costs
   associated with Company-funded research were approximately $400,000, $360,000
   and $400,000 in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

   l.  New Accounting Pronouncements
       -----------------------------

   The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has promulgated two new
   standards: Statement No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-lived
   Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of (SFAS 121) and Statement
   No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123). The Company's
   management has decided to defer adoption of both standards until their
   required date, which is fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. Management is
   currently analyzing the impact of SFAS 121 and SFAS 123 on the Company's
   financial statements and believes that the standards will not have a material
   impact.

2. Debt and Bank Borrowing Arrangements
   ------------------------------------

Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 1995 and 1994:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1995              1994
                                                         ----------        ----------
    <S>                                                  <C>               <C>
    Credit facility with asset-based lender, bearing
     interest at the institution's prime rate
     (8.50 percent at December 31, 1995)
     plus 3.6 percent:
      Five year term loan, payable in monthly
      installments of $26,428                            $  817,000        $1,189,000
      Revolving line of credit                            1,294,000           566,000
                                                         ----------        ----------
                                                          2,111,000         1,755,000

      Four contract capital leases, bearing
       interest between 5.38 percent and 11.64
       percent, payable in monthly installments
       of $18,948 expiring from May 1995
       through September 1996, secured by
       equipment with a net book value of
       $68,000 and $315,000 as of December 31, 1995
       and 1994, respectively                                45,000           179,000
                                                         ----------        ----------
                                                          2,156,000         1,934,000
      Less-current portion                                1,601,000         1,029,000
                                                         ----------        ----------
      Long-term debt                                     $  555,000        $  905,000
                                                         ==========        ==========
</TABLE>

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
As of December 31, 1995, maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                 <C>
          1996      $1,601,000
          1997         317,000
          1998         238,000
                    ----------
                    $2,156,000
                    ==========
</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 borrowing 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 December 31, 1995.  The interest rate
under this credit facility is equal to the lender's prime rate (eight and one-
half percent (8.5%) at December 31, 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.

On January 30, 1996, the Company amended its revolving credit agreement set
forth above.  The debt on the total facility has been reduced to $1,000,000,
which is the minimum borrowing requirement.  The previous minimum borrowing
requirement was $2,000,000.  The pay down of $1,000,000 was part of the stated
use of the proceeds from the public offering in October 1995.  Additionally, the
interest rate was decreased from 3.6% over prime rate to 2.0% over prime rate
and all financial loan covenants were eliminated.  The company has delivered to
the lender cash collateral in the sum of $1,000,000 as security for the credit
facility.  This collateral has been invested as a certificate of deposit at
Sumitomo Bank.  All interest for this certificate of deposit is to be forwarded
to the Company.  The credit facility shall be effective until November 29, 1997
and automatically renewed for successive terms of two years thereafter unless
terminated at the end of the initial term by either party giving the other
written notice at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the then-current
term.

3.  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

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
recognition of net deferred tax assets. The Company's net deferred tax asset,
which is $7,651,300 at December 31, 1995 relates to its tax net operating loss
carryforward, which totals approximately $17.3 million and expires as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    <S>             <C>
                    2002            $ 2,432,600
                    2003              6,518,600
                    2004              3,015,100
                    2005                161,000
                    2006                217,700
                    2007              1,092,800
                    2008              2,050,100
                    2009              1,790,400
                                    -----------
                                    $17,278,300
                                    ===========
</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,
1995 and 1994 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        December 31,
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                     1995           1994
                                                 ------------   ------------
          <S>                                    <C>            <C>
          Inventory adjustments                  $   272,800    $   359,800
          Contingency reserves.                       98,500        118,400
          Deferred revenue                           104,500        189,200
          Vacation accrual                           145,400        120,800
          Bad debt allowance                          59,800        159,000
          Net operating loss and tax credit
            carryforwards                          6,911,300      5,938,800
          Other                                       59,000        114,000
                                                 -----------    -----------
                                                   7,651,300      7,000,000
          Valuation allowance                     (7,651,300)    (7,000,000)
                                                 -----------    -----------
                    Net deferred tax asset       $       ---    $       ---
                                                 ===========    ===========
 
</TABLE>

The effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993
differs from the Federal statutory federal income tax rate due to the limitation
of net operating loss benefits.  For the year ended December 31, 1995, the
effective tax rate differs from the Federal statutory rate of 34 percent due to
the following items:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                       <C>
     Income before taxes                                  $2,139,000
                                                          ==========
     Provision for income taxes at statutory rate            727,260
     Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
      Utilization of net operating loss carryforward        (711,342)
      Other                                                   34,082
                                                          ----------
     Provision for income taxes                               50,000
                                                          ==========
     Effective tax rate                                          2.3%
                                                          ==========
</TABLE>

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
4. Commitments and Contingencies
   -----------------------------
 
   a. Operating Lease Obligations
      ---------------------------

   The Company leases certain of its manufacturing facilities under
   noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through November
   2000.  One of the facility leases is subject to a 4 percent annual escalation
   clause.  The Company incurred rental expense under these leases of $837,000,
   $915,000 and $876,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.  The approximate
   minimum rental commitments required under existing noncancelable leases as of
   December 31, 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
   <S>                        <C>
                    1996      $  579,000
                    1997         566,000
                    1998         560,000
                    1999         544,000
                    2000         456,000
                              ----------
                              $2,705,000
                              ==========
</TABLE>

   b.  Employment Agreement
       --------------------

   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
   expense in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $167,000, $151,000 and $165,000,
   respectively.

   c.  Legal Proceedings
       -----------------

   In October 1995, the Company was served with a complaint that was filed by
   four persons, and the spouses of two of those persons, who are/were employed
   by one of the Company's customers.  The complaint, filed in the United States
   District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, alleges that the employees
   contracted chronic beryllium disease as a result of their exposure, during
   the course of their employment with the Company's customer, to beryllium-
   containing products sold by Ceradyne.  The case is in the early stages of
   discovery.  Based upon information currently available, the Company believes
   that the employees' claims are 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.

   Defense of this case has been tendered to the Company's insurance carriers,
   some of whom are providing a defense subject to a reservation of rights.
   There can be no assurance, however, that this claim or other claims related
   to exposure to beryllium oxide will be covered by insurance, or that, if
   covered, the amount of insurance will be sufficient to cover any potential
   judgment.

   Currently, the Company is involved in an action filed by a current employee
   in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange.  One of
   the Company's previous landlords, who also was sued by the plaintiffs, filed
   a cross-complaint against Ceradyne.  The employee and his wife filed suit in
   December 1994 alleging that he contracted chronic beryllium disease during
   the course

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
   and scope of his employment. In March 1996, Ceradyne was dismissed by the
   plaintiffs as a direct defendant. Although Ceradyne remains in the action as
   a cross-defendant, the Company believes that the resolution of this matter
   will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or
   operations of the Company.

   Defense of this case has been tendered to the Company's insurance carriers,
   all of whom have denied coverage.  The Company believes, however, based on
   the advice of its insurance coverage counsel, that coverage was improperly
   denied.  The Company has initiated an action against certain insurance
   carriers in order to resolve the dispute regarding coverage.  There can be no
   assurance, however, that this claim or other claims related to exposure to
   beryllium oxide will be covered by insurance, or that, if covered, the amount
   of insurance will be sufficient to cover any potential judgment.

5. Segment and Customer Information
   --------------------------------

The Company operates solely in the development, manufacture and sale of
advanced technical ceramics.  In the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993, export sales, primarily to Europe, were approximately $6,179,000,
$4,584,000 and $2,900,000, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 1995, there were no customers that accounted
for 10 percent of sales.  For the year ended December 31, 1994, the Company had
one customer that accounted for 13 percent of sales.  For the year ended
December 31, 1993, the Company had one customer that accounted for 14 percent of
sales.

6. Stock Options
   -------------

At the Annual Meeting held on July 18, 1994, the stockholders of the Company
approved the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan.  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 the annual meeting held on July 24,
1995, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company's
1994 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock
authorized for issuance thereunder from 250,000 shares to 350,000 shares.

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
The following is a summary of the transactions relating to the Plans for the
years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                               Stock Options
                                         -------------------------
                                          Shares        Price
                                         --------   --------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>
     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    $2.75 - $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                             154,200    $4.00 - $5.125
     Exercised                           (78,800)   $2.00 - $2.75
     Canceled                             (5,400)   $2.00 - $2.75
                                         -------    --------------
     OUTSTANDING, December 31, 1995      542,200    $2.00 - $5.125
                                         =======    ==============
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1995 options to acquire 297,300 shares were exercisable and
46,300 shares were available for grant.

The Company had 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.  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.  The Plan expired on July 31, 1995.

At the Annual Meeting held on July 24, 1995, the stockholders of the Company
approved the Company's 1995 Employee Stock Purchase 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.  At December 31, 1995, 100,000 shares were available for issuance under
the plan.

7. 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.  Company
contributions fully vest and are nonforfeitable after the participant has
completed five years of service.  During the year ended December 31, 1995, the
related expense was approximately $92,000.  The Company made no contributions to
the plan during the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993.

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
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
cash 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 December 31, 1995, 198,500 shares were available
for issuance under the Plan.

8. Interim Financial Information (unaudited)
   -----------------------------------------

The results by quarter for 1995 and 1994 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        Quarter Ending
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------
                                  March 31,       June 30,      September 30,    December 31,
                                    1995            1995             1995            1995
                                 ----------    -------------    -------------    ------------
<S>                              <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>
 Net sales                       $5,379,000       $5,757,000       $6,274,000      $5,994,000
 Net income                         351,000          453,000          564,000         721,000
 Net income per
   share                         $      .06       $      .07       $      .09      $      .10
                                 ==========       ==========       ==========      ==========

                                                        Quarter Ending
                                 ------------------------------------------------------------
                                  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 income                        (189,000)        (558,000)        (493,000)       (626,000)
 Net loss per
   share                         $     (.03)      $     (.09)      $     (.08)     $     (.10)
                                 ==========       ==========       ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

9. 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).

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
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 ending
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, Ford agreed to contribute $200,000, $250,000
and $424,000, respectively, which 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 $50,000 and 0, due from Ford related to this agreement as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
               SCHEDULE VIII - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
               -------------------------------------------------

                             (Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                          Balance    Charged                 Balance
                            at       to Costs                  at
                         Beginning     and                   End of
     Description         of Period   Expenses   Deductions   Period
- -------------------      ---------   --------   ----------   -------
<S>                      <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>
For the Year Ending
December 31, 1995:
- ------------------

Allowance for
doubtful
accounts receivable           $199        $34          $83      $150
                         =========   ========   ==========   =======

For the Year Ending
December 31, 1994:
- -------------------

Allowance for
doubtful
accounts receivable           $204       $ 79         $ 84      $199
                         =========   ========   ==========   =======

For the Year Ending
December 31, 1993:
- -------------------

Allowance for
doubtful
accounts receivable           $164       $ 82         $ 42      $204
                         =========   ========   ==========   =======
</TABLE>


                                       56
<PAGE>
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

March 29, 1995      CERADYNE, INC.

                         By    /s/ Joel P. Moskowitz
                               ----------------------
                               Joel P. Moskowitz
                               Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



/s/ Joel P. Moskowitz           Chairman of the Board,      March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------   Chief Executive Officer,
Joel P. Moskowitz               President and Director
                                (Principal executive
                                officer)


/s/ Howard F. George            Chief Financial Officer     March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------   (Principal financial
Howard F. George                and accounting officer)


/s/ Leonard M. Allenstein       Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
Leonard M. Allenstein


/s/ Richard A. Alliegro         Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
Richard A. Alliegro

/s/ Frank Edelstein             Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
Frank Edelstein

/s/ Norman A. Gjostein          Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
Norman A. Gjostein


/s/ William P. Lanphear         Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
William P. Lanphear


/s/ Melvin A. Shader            Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
Melvin A. Shader


/s/ Milton L. Lohr              Director                    March 29, 1996
- -----------------------------
Milton L. Lohr


                                       57

<PAGE>
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by 
reference in this Form 10-K of our report dated March 8, 1996 included in 
Registration Statement File Nos. 2-97695, 33-16029, and 33-22543. It should be 
noted that we have not audited any financial statements of the company 
subsequent to December 31, 1995 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to 
the date of our report.


                                    /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                    ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Orange County, California
March 28, 1996


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