ALPINE GROUP INC /DE/
S-3/A, 1995-12-15
DRAWING & INSULATING OF NONFERROUS WIRE
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<PAGE>
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 15, 1995
    

   
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-63819
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
    
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>
          DELAWARE                  22-1620387
(State or other jurisdiction     (I.R.S. Employer
             of                Identification No.)
      incorporation or
       organization)
</TABLE>

                                 1790 BROADWAY
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                                 (212) 757-3333
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 BRAGI F. SCHUT
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
                                 1790 BROADWAY
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                                 (212) 757-3333
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                            ------------------------

                                   COPIES TO:
                            HENRY O. SMITH III, Esq.
                     Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP
                                 1585 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10036
                                 (212) 969-3000
                            ------------------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE.
                            ------------------------

    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, check the following box. / /

    If  the registrant  elects to deliver  its latest annual  report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item 11 (a)(1)
of this form, check the following box. /X/

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

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

    If  delivery of the prospectus is expected  to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------

   
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE  OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE  A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE  IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A)  OF
THE  SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION  8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
    

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
          (PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K SHOWING LOCATION
          IN PROSPECTUS OF INFORMATION REQUIRED BY ITEMS IN FORM S-3)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM S-3 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION                                          CAPTION OR LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                                 <C>
       1.  Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
            Front Cover Page of Prospectus...................  Outside Front Cover Page
       2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
            Prospectus.......................................  Inside Front Cover Page; Available Information; Outside
                                                                Back Cover Page
       3.  Risk Factors......................................  Risk Factors
       4.  Use of Proceeds...................................  Use of Proceeds
       5.  Determination of Offering Price...................  Not Applicable
       6.  Dilution..........................................  Not Applicable
       7.  Selling Security Holders..........................  Selling Stockholders
       8.  Plan of Distribution..............................  Plan of Distribution
       9.  Description of Securities to be Registered........  Outside Front Cover Page
      10.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel............  Not Applicable
      11.  Material Changes..................................  Not Applicable
      12.  Incorporation of Certain Information by
            Reference........................................  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference;
                                                                Available Information
      13.  Disclosure of Commission Position on
            Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities...  Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                 Subject to Completion, Dated December 15, 1995
    

PROSPECTUS

                                1,053,265 SHARES

                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 PER SHARE

    The shares of Common Stock, par  value $.10 per share (the "Common  Stock"),
of  The Alpine Group, Inc., a  Delaware corporation ("Alpine" or the "Company"),
offered hereby  are being  sold by  certain selling  stockholders (the  "Selling
Stockholders").  The Company will  not receive any portion  of the proceeds from
the sale of the shares being offered hereby. The Selling Stockholders  directly,
or  through agents designated from time to time,  may sell from time to time all
or part of the Common Stock in amounts and on terms to be determined at the time
of sale. The  Selling Stockholders  will pay or  assume any  sales or  brokerage
commissions  applicable  to  such  transactions and  their  attorneys'  fees and
disbursements in respect thereof. The Company will pay all expenses incident  to
the  registration  of the  Common Stock  under  the Securities  Act of  1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). The Selling Stockholders and brokers who execute
orders on  their behalf  may be  deemed underwriters  as that  term is  used  in
Section  2(11) of the Securities Act, and a portion of the proceeds of sales and
commissions therefor may be deemed underwriting compensation for purposes of the
Securities Act.
    PURCHASE OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF  RISK.
FOR  CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT  TO AN INVESTMENT IN  THE COMMON STOCK, SEE
"RISK FACTORS" WHICH COMMENCES ON PAGE 4.

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

THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

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

   
               The date of this Prospectus is December   , 1995.
    
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The  Company is subject to the  informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act"),  and  in  accordance
therewith  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with the
Securities and  Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  The  reports,  proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission may be
inspected  and  copied  at the  public  reference facilities  maintained  by the
Commission at Room 1024,  Judiciary Plaza, 450  Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,
D.C.  20549, and  at the  Commission's regional  offices at  Room 3190, Citicorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and  Seven
World  Trade  Center, 13th  Floor,  New York,  New  York 10048.  Copies  of such
material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission  at
Room  1024, Judiciary Plaza,  450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates.

    The Company has filed with the  Commission a Registration Statement on  Form
S-3  (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the
Common Stock  offered  hereby. This  Prospectus  does  not contain  all  of  the
information  set  forth  in  the Registration  Statement  and  the  exhibits and
schedules filed as a part thereof, as permitted by the Rules and Regulations  of
the  Commission. For  further information  with respect  to the  Company and the
Common Stock, reference is hereby made to such Registration Statement, including
the exhibits and schedules filed as a part thereof. Statements contained in this
Prospectus as to  the contents  of any contract  or other  document referred  to
herein are not necessarily complete and where such contract or other document is
an  exhibit to the  Registration Statement, each such  statement is qualified in
all respects by  the provisions of  such exhibit, to  which reference is  hereby
made for a full statement of the provisions thereof. The Registration Statement,
including  the exhibits and schedules filed as  a part thereof, may be inspected
without charge at the public  reference facilities maintained by the  Commission
as  set  forth in  the preceding  paragraph.  Copies of  these documents  may be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.

    The Common Stock is  listed on the American  Stock Exchange. Reports,  proxy
statements, information statements, and other information concerning the Company
can be inspected at the American Stock Exchange.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The  following  documents heretofore  filed with  the Commission  are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

   
    1.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April
        30, 1995, as  amended by  the Company's  Annual Report  on Form  10-K/A,
        filed  August 29,  1995, the Company's  Annual Report  on Form 10-K/A-2,
        filed October  10,  1995,  and  the  Company's  Annual  Report  on  Form
        10-K/A-3, filed November 21, 1995 (the "Form 10-K").
    

   
    2.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 26, 1995, as amended
        by  the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed July 25, 1995, the
        Company's Current Report on  Form 8-K/A-2, filed  October 10, 1995,  and
        the  Company's Current Report  on Form 8-K/A-3,  filed November 21, 1995
        (setting forth certain  financial statements  of the  U.S. and  Canadian
        copper  wire and cable  business (the "Alcatel  Business") of Alcatel NA
        Cable Systems, Inc. and Alcatel Canada Wire, Inc., which was acquired by
        the Company in May 1995).
    

   
    3.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form  10-Q for the quarter ended  July
        31,  1995, as amended by the  Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A,
        filed September  19,  1995,  the  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on  Form
        10-Q/A-2,  filed October 10, 1995, and the Company's Quarterly Report on
        Form 10-Q/A-3, filed November 21, 1995.
    

   
    4.  The Company's  Current  Report  on  Form 8-K,  filed  October  30,  1995
        (setting forth certain financial statements of Adience, Inc. ("Adience")
        and the Alcatel Business).
    

                                       2
<PAGE>
   
    5.  The  Company's  Current  Report on  Form  8-K, filed  November  21, 1995
        (setting forth  certain financial  statements  of Adience  and  Superior
        Telecommunications Inc.).
    

   
    6.  The  Company's  Quarterly  Report on  Form  10-Q for  the  quarter ended
        October 31, 1995, filed December 15, 1995.
    

    All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14,  or
15(d)  of the Exchange  Act after the date  of this Prospectus  and prior to the
termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall be deemed  to
be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date   of  filing  such  documents.  Any   statement  contained  in  a  document
incorporated by reference herein  shall be deemed to  be modified or  superseded
for  purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
modifies or  supersedes  such  statement.  Any such  statement  so  modified  or
superseded  shall  not  be  deemed,  except as  so  modified  or  superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.

    The Company hereby undertakes  to provide without charge  to each person  to
whom  a  copy of  this Prospectus  has been  delivered, on  the written  or oral
request of any such person,  a copy of any or  all of the documents referred  to
above  which are not  included herewith, other than  exhibits to such documents.
Requests for such copies should be directed to the Secretary of the Company, The
Alpine Group, Inc., 1790  Broadway, New York, New  York 10019, telephone  number
(212) 757-3333.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS

    A  PROSPECTIVE  INVESTOR SHOULD  CAREFULLY CONSIDER  ALL OF  THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS  AND,  IN PARTICULAR,  THE FOLLOWING  IN  DECIDING
WHETHER TO PURCHASE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.

SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

    Alpine's businesses are capital intensive and Alpine has incurred or assumed
substantial  indebtedness.  In  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  Alpine has
incurred and will  continue to  incur additional indebtedness  to fund  seasonal
increases  in its receivables and inventories  and the other requirements of its
businesses. Alpine may incur additional debt in the future. Alpine's ability  to
borrow  under its existing credit agreement  will be dependent upon, among other
things,  its  ability  to  maintain  a  sufficient  level  of  receivables   and
inventories.  If Alpine is unable to  borrow sufficient funds under its existing
credit agreement to finance its business and working capital needs, its business
may be substantially and adversely affected.

    The degree to which Alpine is leveraged could have important consequences to
holders of the Common  Stock, including the following:  (i) Alpine's ability  to
obtain  financing in  the future for  working capital,  capital expenditures and
general corporate  purposes  may be  impaired;  (ii) a  substantial  portion  of
Alpine's  cash flow  from operations  will be  required to  be dedicated  to the
payment of interest on its indebtedness; and (iii) a high degree of leverage may
make Alpine more vulnerable to economic  downturns and may limit its ability  to
withstand competitive pressures.

    Alpine  believes that, based  upon current levels of  operations, it will be
able to meet its debt service  obligations. If, however, Alpine cannot  generate
sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its obligations, then Alpine may be
required  to refinance its debt, raise  additional capital or take other actions
such as reducing its level of  capital expenditures. There can be no  assurance,
however,  that any of  such actions could  be effected on  satisfactory terms or
would be permitted by the terms of Alpine's credit arrangements.

HISTORY OF LOSSES AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT

    Alpine has incurred losses  from continuing operations in  each of the  past
five  fiscal years ended April  30, 1995. There can  be no assurance that Alpine
will attain profitable operations.

TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE

    The commercial  development of  fiber optics  has had,  and is  expected  to
continue  to have, an effect  on Alpine's copper wire  and cable business. Fiber
optic technology has had a major  impact on certain components of the  telephone
network  where its utilization is cost-effective. Optical fiber is currently the
transmission  medium  of  choice  of   the  telephone  companies  for   trunking
applications and in the long distance network. To a lesser degree, optical fiber
cable  has  been deployed  in certain  high-density feeder  applications between
telephone central offices  or remote  locations and  major distribution  points,
which  has further reduced the total market for products manufactured by Alpine.
In the local loop portion of the telephone network, copper wire has remained the
most  widely  used  medium  for  telephone  voice  transmission.  However,  some
telephone  companies are exploring the provision of video entertainment or other
new services.  As a  result,  the telephone  companies  are evaluating  (and  in
isolated  cases  installing  on  a  test  basis)  alternative  technologies  for
providing such services, including coaxial and optical fiber cable. Because this
area is undergoing rapid and intense technological change, it is not possible at
this time to predict the  impact that these developments  may have on the  total
demand  for copper  wire in the  local loop.  A relatively small  decline in the
level of  purchases of  copper telephone  wire and  cable by  the Regional  Bell
Operating  Companies (the  "RBOCs") and other  telephone companies  could have a
disproportionate adverse effect on the copper wire and cable industry, including
Alpine.

DEPENDENCE ON SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

    A significant amount of Alpine's business is dependent upon a limited number
of customers. Alpine's  wire and cable  business is dependent  on the RBOCs  and
other major independent telephone

                                       4
<PAGE>
holding  companies.  Therefore,  a  relatively small  decline  in  the  level of
purchases of copper telephone  wire and cable by  the RBOCs and other  telephone
companies  could have a disproportionately adverse effect on the copper wire and
cable industry, including Alpine.  Alpine's electronics and data  communications
business  remains materially dependent upon  U.S. military and government sales.
Adverse conditions  affecting the  industries in  which Alpine's  customers  are
engaged  or  the loss  of any  of these  significant customers  could materially
adversely  affect  Alpine's  results  of  operations,  liquidity  and  financial
condition.

CHANGING REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

    The  U.S.  Congress  is  currently considering  fundamental  changes  in the
regulation of the telecommunications industry. It  is not possible at this  time
to  predict the impact that the potential change in the regulatory framework may
have on the total demand for copper wire in the local loop.

CYCLICAL NATURE OF BUSINESSES

    Alpine's products are supplied primarily to customers in industries that are
particularly sensitive to  fluctuations in  the general business  cycles of  the
United States and world economies. Demand for copper telephone wire and cable is
dependent  on  several  factors,  including  the rate  at  which  new  lines are
installed in homes and businesses, which  is in turn partially dependent on  the
level of new construction; the level of spending for highways, bridges and other
parts  of  the  infrastructure,  which often  necessitates  installation  of new
telephone cables; and  the level  of general maintenance  spending by  telephone
companies.  The U.S. steel  industry, which accounts  for a majority  of the net
sales in Alpine's refractories business, is a cyclical business characterized at
times by excess capacity and intense competition. There can be no assurance that
there will be any future improvement in U.S. steel industry earnings.

    Additionally, other technologies such  as microwave, satellite and  cellular
transmission  have had, and will  continue to have, an  impact on the market for
copper wire and cable telecommunications products. In addition, there can be  no
assurance  that  other, newly-developed  technologies will  not have  an adverse
impact on the market for copper wire and cable telecommunications products.

RAW MATERIALS

    The principal raw materials  used by Alpine in  the manufacture of its  wire
and   cable  products  are  copper,  aluminum,   bronze  and  plastics  such  as
polyethylene and  polyvinyl chloride.  These raw  materials are  available  from
several  sources  and Alpine  has  not experienced  any  shortages of  these raw
materials in the recent past. However, the production of unshielded twisted pair
wire products ("UTP"), which are performance-enhanced copper wire products  used
inside  buildings for  high speed data  communications in  computer networks, is
dependent upon teflon, which is currently manufactured by only two producers and
is in short supply. As a result, Alpine has had to limit its production of  UTP.
However,  one of those producers  has indicated that it  intends to increase its
production capacity. From time to time, particular plastics have been  difficult
to  obtain, but in recent  years none of these  shortages has required Alpine to
limit production. The inability of Alpine to obtain sufficient quantities of raw
materials may adversely affect  its operating results.  See "Business --  Copper
Wire and Cable Business -- Raw Materials" in the Form 10-K.

COMPETITION

    Alpine  operates  in industries  which are  highly  competitive. In  each of
Alpine's business  areas, there  are competitors  which are  larger and/or  have
greater  financial resources than Alpine. There  can be no assurance that Alpine
will be able to continue to  compete successfully or that such competition  will
not have a material adverse effect on Alpine's business or financial results.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

    Alpine's  operations are subject  to numerous federal,  state and local laws
and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission, transportation  and
discharge of hazardous materials and waste products.

                                       5
<PAGE>
    The  operations of Alpine have resulted  in releases of hazardous substances
at sites currently or formerly owned or operated by Alpine, its subsidiaries  or
their respective predecessors in interest. Investigatory and remedial activities
are  presently being undertaken  at four of  these sites under  the oversight of
state governmental  authorities.  In  addition,  Alpine is  in  the  process  of
litigating  its  status  as a  potentially  responsible party  in  one Superfund
action. Such environmental obligations have not had a material adverse effect on
Alpine's business or  financial results  to date. At  July 31,  1995 Alpine  has
accrued  $0.7  million  representing  the  estimated  costs  of  completing such
obligations. There can  be no assurance  that the actual  costs associated  with
environmental  liabilities will  not exceed  the amounts  presently estimated or
that additional  sites will  not  require investigation  or remediation  in  the
future  and will not have a material  adverse effect on Alpine. See "Business --
Environmental Matters" and "-- Legal Proceedings" in the Form 10-K.

ABSENCE OF CASH DIVIDENDS

    Alpine has  never paid  cash dividends  on  the Common  Stock and  does  not
anticipate  paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
In addition, payment of  dividends on Alpine's Preferred  Stock will reduce  the
amount  of funds which might otherwise be available for the payment of dividends
on the Common Stock. Furthermore, because Alpine is a holding company and all of
its operations are, and  will be, conducted  through its subsidiaries,  Alpine's
ability to pay dividends on the Common Stock will be dependent upon the earnings
of  Alpine's subsidiaries and  the distribution of earnings  or other payment of
funds by such subsidiaries to Alpine.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    All of the  shares of  Common Stock  offered hereby  are being  sold by  the
Selling Stockholders. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from such
sale.

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

    The  following table sets  forth: (i) the name  of each Selling Stockholder;
(ii) the number  of shares  of Common Stock  owned by  each Selling  Stockholder
prior  to the offering; (iii) the number of shares of Common Stock to be offered
hereby for each Selling Stockholder's account; and (iv) the number of shares  of
Common Stock to be owned by each Selling Stockholder after the offering assuming
all shares offered hereby are sold.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP                          BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
                                              OF COMMON STOCK                               OF COMMON STOCK
                                            BEFORE THE OFFERING                            AFTER THE OFFERING
                                          ------------------------                       ----------------------
                                                       PERCENT OF     SHARES OF COMMON              PERCENT OF
                                                       OUTSTANDING      STOCK TO BE                 OUTSTANDING
SELLING STOCKHOLDER                        SHARES        SHARES        OFFERED HEREBY     SHARES      SHARES
- ----------------------------------------  ---------    -----------    ----------------   ---------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>            <C>                <C>        <C>
Hermes Capital Management, Ltd..........  1,424,231(1)     8.0%(1)         315,789       1,108,442      6.3%
Oregon Equity Fund......................    737,476        4.2%            737,476          -0-         -0-%
                                                                      ----------------
  Total.................................                                 1,053,265
                                                                      ----------------
                                                                      ----------------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1) Does  not include 1,032,000  shares of Common  Stock currently valuable upon
    conversion of  shares of  the Comopany's  8% Cumulative  Convertible  Senior
    Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share.

                                       6
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    The  Selling Stockholders  have advised  Alpine that  they propose  that the
Common Stock to be offered hereby be  offered for sale and sold or  distributed,
from  time  to  time,  by  the Selling  Stockholders,  or  by  pledgees, donees,
transferees or other successors  in interest in block  trading or in  negotiated
transactions,  through  customary brokerage  channels, broker-dealers  acting as
agents or  brokers for  the Selling  Stockholders or  acting as  principals,  at
market  prices  prevailing  at the  time  of  sale, at  prices  related  to such
prevailing market  prices,  or  at  negotiated prices  or  otherwise,  or  by  a
combination of such methods.

    The Selling Stockholders and any brokers, dealers or agents that participate
in  the distribution  of the  Common Stock  offered hereby  may be  deemed to be
underwriters, and any profit on the sale  of the Common Stock offered hereby  by
them  and any commissions or markdowns received by any such brokers, dealers and
agents may be  deemed to  be underwriting  discounts and  commissions under  the
Securities Act.

    In  order to comply  with certain state securities  laws, if applicable, the
shares of Common Stock  offered hereby will be  sold in such jurisdictions  only
through  registered  or licensed  brokers or  dealers.  In addition,  in certain
states, the Common  Stock offered  hereby may  not be  sold unless  it has  been
registered or qualifies for sale in such state or an exemption from registration
or qualification is available and is complied with.

    There can be no assurance that the Selling Stockholders will sell all or any
of the shares of Common Stock offered by them hereunder.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    Certain  legal  matters in  connection with  the validity  of the  shares of
Common Stock offered  hereby are  being passed upon  by Proskauer  Rose Goetz  &
Mendelsohn LLP, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036.

                                    EXPERTS

   
    The  consolidated financial  statements of Alpine  as of April  30, 1994 and
1995 and for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended April 30,  1995,
the  combined financial  statements of the  Alcatel Business as  of December 31,
1993 and 1994 and for each of the  three years in the period ended December  31,
1994,  which  are  incorporated  by reference,  and  the  consolidated financial
statements of Adience as of December 31, 1994 and for the year then ended, which
are incorporated by reference  in this Prospectus, have  been audited by  Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with
respect  thereto. These  financial statements  are incorporated  by reference in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
    

    The pre-emergence consolidated financial statements of Adience for the  year
ended  December 31,  1992 and for  the six months  ended June 30,  1993, and the
post-emergence consolidated financial statements  of Adience as  of and for  the
six  months ended December 31, 1993 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
have been so incorporated  in reliance on the  reports of Price Waterhouse  LLP,
independent  accountants,  given on  the authority  of said  firm as  experts in
auditing and  accounting.  The  post-emergence report  includes  an  explanatory
paragraph  regarding substantial doubt about Adience's  ability to continue as a
going  concern.  Both  the  post-  and  the  pre-emergence  reports  include  an
informative paragraph regarding consummation of Adience's Plan of Reorganization
and  adoption  of  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants'
Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial  Reporting by Entities in  Reorganization
under the Bankruptcy Code."

                                       7
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------
                                      ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------
                                      ------------------------------------------

    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER  INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR  TO MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN  THOSE CONTAINED  IN
THIS  PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION  WITH THE OFFER  MADE BY THIS  PROSPECTUS AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH  INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST  NOT BE RELIED UPON  AS
HAVING  BEEN AUTHORIZED BY  ALPINE. NEITHER THE DELIVERY  OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE  IN THE FACTS. THIS  PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE  AN
OFFER  OR SOLICITATION  BY ANYONE  IN ANY  JURISDICTION IN  WHICH SUCH  OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS  NOT AUTHORIZED  OR IN  WHICH THE  PERSON MAKING  SUCH OFFER  OR
SOLICITATION  IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO  SO OR TO ANYONE TO  WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PAGE
                                                ---------
<S>                                             <C>
Available Information.........................          2

Incorporation of Certain Documents by
 Reference....................................          2

Risk Factors..................................          4

Use of Proceeds...............................          6

Selling Stockholders..........................          6

Plan of Distribution..........................          7

Legal Matters.................................          7

Experts.......................................          7
</TABLE>
    

                                1,053,265 SHARES

                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

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

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

   
                               December   , 1995
    

- ------------------------------------------
                                      ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------
                                      ------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

    The  following is an itemized list of expenses (all but the registration fee
are estimates) of the Company  in connection with the  issuance and sale of  the
Common  Stock being registered. The Selling  Stockholders will pay or assume any
sales or  brokerage  commissions  applicable  to  such  transactions  and  their
attorneys'  fees and disbursements in respect  thereof. The Company will pay all
other expenses incidental  to the  registration of  the Common  Stock under  the
Securities Act.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
Registration fee and expenses..................................  $ 1,837.77
Legal fees and expenses........................................  $15,000
Accounting fees and expenses...................................  $ 5,000
Miscellaneous..................................................  $11,000
                                                                 ----------
    Total......................................................  $22,837.77
                                                                 ----------
                                                                 ----------
</TABLE>

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

    The  General Corporation Law  of the State  of Delaware permits corporations
incorporated under the law  of the State  of Delaware (such  as Alpine) and  its
stockholders  to limit directors' exposure to  liability for certain breaches of
the directors' fiduciary duty, either in a suit on behalf of such corporation or
in an action by stockholders of such corporation.

    Alpine's Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the liability of  directors
to  stockholders or  Alpine for monetary  damages arising out  of the directors'
breach of their  fiduciary duty of  care. Alpine's By-laws  authorize Alpine  to
indemnify  its  directors, officers,  incorporators,  employees and  agents with
respect to certain costs,  expenses and amounts incurred  in connection with  an
action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person was serving as
a  director, officer,  incorporator, employee or  agent of  Alpine. In addition,
Alpine's By-Laws permit Alpine to  provide additional indemnification rights  to
its officers and directors and to indemnify them to the greatest extent possible
under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

    Alpine  maintains  a standard  form  of officers'  and  directors' liability
insurance policy which provides coverage to the officers and directors of Alpine
for certain liabilities, including  certain liabilities which  may arise out  of
this Registration Statement.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
 4(a)      Indenture,  dated as of October 31, 1989, between Alpine and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company ("IBJ"),
            as trustee, relating to the Convertible Secured Senior Subordinated Notes due July 31, 1996, of Alpine
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(d) to the 1995 10-K)
 4(b)      First Supplemental Indenture to  the above Indenture, dated  as of March 28,  1991, between Alpine  and
            IBJ,  as trustee (incorporated herein by  reference to Exhibit 4 to the  Current Report on Form 8-K of
            Alpine dated April 10, 1991 (the "April 1991 8-K"))
 4(c)      Second Supplemental Indenture to the  above Indenture, dated as of  April 10, 1992, between Alpine  and
            IBJ, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to the 1992 10-K)
 4(d)      Indenture,  dated  as  of  June  30,  1993, between  Adience,  Inc.  ("Adience")  and  IBJ,  as trustee
            (incorporated herein by reference to Registration Statement No. 33-72024 of Adience
</TABLE>

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
 4(e)      Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 1995, to Indenture by and between Adience and IBJ dated as
            of June 30, 1995 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(cc) to the 1995 10-K)
 4(f)      Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1995, by and among Alpine, Adience, Superior Telecommunications,  Inc.,
            Superior Cable Corporation and Marine Midland Bank ("Marine Midland"), as trustee (incorporated herein
            by reference to Exhibit 10(ee) to the 1995 10-K)
 4(g)      Registration  Rights Agreement,  dated as  of July  21, 1995,  by and  among Alpine,  Adience, Superior
            Telecommunications,  Inc.,  Superior   Cable  Corporation,  Merrill   Lynch  Co.,  Nomura   Securities
            International,  Inc. and First Albany Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(j) to
            the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-61911) of Alpine)
 4(h)      Form of 12 1/4% Series B Senior Secured Notes  due 2003 of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference  to
            Exhibit 4(k) to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-61911) of Alpine)
 4(i)      Form  of 12 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2003  of Alpine (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(l) to
            the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-61911) of Alpine)
 5*        Opinion of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP re: validity of securities
23(a)*     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (Alpine)
23(b)*     Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP (Adience)
23(c)*     Consent of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP (contained in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
24*        Power of Attorney
27         Financial Data Schedule (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 27 to the 1995 10-K)
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
   
 * Previously filed
    

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

    The Company hereby undertakes:

        (1) To include  any material  information with  respect to  the plan  of
    distribution  not previously disclosed in  the Registration Statement or any
    material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

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

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

        (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
    or 15(d)  of the  Exchange Act  (and, where  applicable, each  filing of  an
    employee  benefit  plan's annual  report pursuant  to  Section 15(d)  of the
    Exchange  Act)  that  is  incorporated  by  reference  in  the  Registration
    Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
    securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
    shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof;

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act,
may  be  permitted  to  directors,  officers  and  controlling  persons  of  the
registrant pursuant to  the foregoing provisions,  or otherwise, the  registrant
has  been advised that in the opinion  of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for  indemnification
against  such liabilities (other than the  payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the  registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled  by controlling  precedent, submit  to a  court of  appropriate
jurisdiction  the question whether such indemnification  by it is against public
policy as expressed  in the Securities  Act and  will be governed  by the  final
adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has  reasonable grounds to  believe that it  meets all of  the
requirements  for  filing on  Form S-3,  and has  duly caused  this Registration
Statement to  be  signed  on  its behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the  City of New  York, State  of New York,  on the  15th day of
December, 1995.
    

                                          THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

                                          By /s/ STEVEN S. ELBAUM

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Steven S. Elbaum
                                             CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF
                                             EXECUTIVE OFFICER

   
                                   SIGNATURES
    

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

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                       DATE
- ---------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------  -----------------

<S>                                            <C>                                  <C>
 /s/ STEVEN S. ELBAUM                          Chairman of the Board and Chief
- ---------------------                           Executive Officer (principal        December 15, 1995
Steven S. Elbaum                                executive officer)

 /s/ DAVID S. ALDRIDGE                         Vice President and Chief Financial
- ---------------------                           Officer (principal financial and    December 15, 1995
David S. Aldridge                               accounting officer)

          *
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
James R. Kanely

          *
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
Randolph Harrison

          *
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
John C. Jansing

          *
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
Ernest C. Janson, Jr.
  /s/ BRAGI F. SCHUT
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
Bragi F. Schut

          *
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
Kenneth G. Byers, Jr.

          *
- ---------------------                          Director                             December 15, 1995
Gene E. Lewis

/s/ BRAGI F. SCHUT
- ---------------------
Bragi F. Schut,                                                                     December 15, 1995
attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

                                      II-4


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