ALPINE GROUP INC /DE/
S-4/A, 1995-10-03
DRAWING & INSULATING OF NONFERROUS WIRE
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 3, 1995
    

   
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-61911
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
          (and Certain Subsidiaries Identified in Footnote (1) Below)
           (Exact name of Co-Registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                         <C>
         DELAWARE                       6719                22-1620387
      (State or other            (Primary Standard       (I.R.S. Employer
      jurisdiction of                Industrial           Identification
     incorporation or           Classification Code            No.)
       organization)                  Number)
</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:
 AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
                            ------------------------

    If  the  securities  being registered  on  this  Form are  being  offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance  with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
                            ------------------------

   
(1)   The  following  direct   subsidiaries  of  The   Alpine  Group,  Inc.  are
    Co-Registrants, incorporated  in  the state  (or  province) and  having  the
    I.R.S.   Employer  Identification   number  (or   similar  foreign  taxpayer
    identification number)  indicated:  Adience, Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation
    (14-1671486),  Superior  Telecommunications,  Inc.,  a  Georgia  corporation
    (58-1630822), and Superior Cable Corporation, an Ontario, Canada corporation
    (140446584RT).
    
                            ------------------------

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
                       CROSS REFERENCE SHEET TO FORM S-4
                 PART I. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             ITEM OF FORM S-4                                     CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
           -----------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                                    <C>
A.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION

1.         Forepart of Registration Statement and Outside Front
           Cover Page of Prospectus.............................  Facing Page; Cross Reference Sheet; Outside Front
                                                                  Cover Page of Prospectus

2.         Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
           Prospectus...........................................  Table of Contents; Available Information;
                                                                  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

3.         Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
           Other Information....................................  Summary; Risk Factors; Selected Historical Financial
                                                                  Data of Alpine

4.         Terms of the Transaction.............................  The Exchange Offer; Description of the Notes; Certain
                                                                  U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

5.         Pro Forma Financial Information......................  Summary -- Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma
                                                                  Financial Information; Incorporation of Certain
                                                                  Documents by Reference

6.         Material Contacts with the Company Being Acquired....  Not Applicable

7.         Additional Information Required for Reoffering by
           Persons and Parties Deemed to be Underwriters........  Plan of Distribution

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

9.         Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification
           for Securities Act Liabilities.......................  Not Applicable

B.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANTS

10.        Information with Respect to S-3 Registrants..........  Not Applicable

11.        Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference....  Not Applicable

12.        Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3 Registrants...  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

13.        Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference....  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

14.        Information with Respect to Registrants Other Than
           S-3 or S-2 Registrants...............................  Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             ITEM OF FORM S-4                                     CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
           -----------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
C.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING ACQUIRED
<S>        <C>                                                    <C>

15.        Information with Respect to S-3 Companies............  Not Applicable

16.        Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3 Companies.....  Not Applicable

17.        Information with Respect to Companies Other Than S-3
           or S-2 Companies.....................................  Not Applicable

D.  VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

18.        Information if Proxies, Consents or Authorizations
           are to be Solicited..................................  Not Applicable

19.        Information if Proxies, Consents or Authorizations
           are not to be Solicited or in an Exchange Offer......  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Information   contained  herein  is  subject   to  completion  or  amendment.  A
registration statement  relating to  these securities  has been  filed with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission. These securities  may not be  sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior  to the time the registration statement  becomes
effective.  This  prospectus  shall  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in  any State in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
<PAGE>
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 3, 1995
    
                               OFFER TO EXCHANGE

                                ALL OUTSTANDING
                          12 1/4% SENIOR SECURED NOTES
                                    DUE 2003
                  ($153,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OUTSTANDING)
                                      FOR
                     12 1/4% SERIES B SENIOR SECURED NOTES
                                    DUE 2003
                                       OF
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
                                    --------

                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
                 WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
                    ON               , 1995, UNLESS EXTENDED
                              -------------------

    The  Alpine  Group,  Inc.,  a   Delaware  corporation  ("Alpine")  and   its
subsidiaries,  Superior Telecommunications, Inc., Superior Cable Corporation and
Adience, Inc. (the "Co-Offerors"), hereby offer,  upon the terms and subject  to
the  conditions  set forth  in this  Prospectus and  the accompanying  letter of
transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal," and together with this Prospectus, the
"Exchange Offer"),  to exchange  $1,000 principal  amount of  12 1/4%  Series  B
Senior  Secured Notes  due 2003  of Alpine  (the "New  Notes"), which  have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities  Act"),
pursuant  to  a  Registration  Statement  (as  defined  herein)  of  which  this
Prospectus  constitutes  a  part,  for  each  $1,000  principal  amount  of  the
outstanding  12 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due  2003 of Alpine (the "Old Notes"),
of which $153,000,000 principal amount is outstanding. The New Notes and the Old
Notes are collectively referred to herein as the "Notes."

    Alpine and the Co-Offerors  will accept for exchange  any and all Old  Notes
that  are validly tendered on or prior to  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
date the Exchange Offer expires, which  will be              , 1995, unless  the
Exchange  Offer is extended (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior  to 5:00 p.m., New York  City time, on the  business
day  prior to the  Expiration Date, unless previously  accepted for payment. The
Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes
being tendered for exchange. However, the  Exchange Offer is subject to  certain
conditions  which may be waived  by Alpine and the  Co-Offerors and to the terms
and provisions of  the Registration  Rights Agreement (as  defined herein).  See
"The  Exchange Offer." Old Notes may be tendered only in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples  thereof. Alpine has  agreed to pay  the expenses of  the
Exchange Offer.

   
    The  New Notes will be senior secured  obligations of Alpine entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture (as defined herein) relating to the Old Notes.  Except
as  otherwise described herein, the New  Notes will be fully and unconditionally
guaranteed, jointly  and severally,  on  a senior  unsecured basis  pursuant  to
subsidiary  guarantees by certain  of Alpine's subsidiaries  and such subsidiary
guarantees will rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with all existing and future
unsecured indebtedness of the related subsidiary  guarantor that is not, by  its
terms,  expressly subordinated in right of payment to such subsidiary guarantee.
The Indenture permits Alpine to incur additional indebtedness, so long as Alpine
thereafter continues to meet certain tests. The form and terms of the New  Notes
are  identical in all material  respects to the form and  terms of the Old Notes
except that  the  New Notes  have  been  registered under  the  Securities  Act.
Following  the  completion of  the Exchange  Offer,  none of  the Notes  will be
entitled to the benefits of the provisions of the Registration Rights  Agreement
relating  to contingent  increases in the  interest rates  provided for pursuant
thereto. See "The Exchange Offer."
    

   
    Until                   ,  1995, all dealers  effecting transactions in  the
registered securities, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be
required  to deliver  a prospectus.  This is  in addition  to the  obligation of
dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect  to
their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
    

SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 18 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT
                        SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
                              -------------------

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            , 1995.
<PAGE>
    Interest  on each New Note  will accrue from the  last Interest Payment Date
(as defined herein)  on which  interest was  paid on  the Old  Note tendered  in
exchange  therefor or, if no  interest has been paid  on such tendered Old Note,
from July  21, 1995.  Holders of  Old Notes  whose Old  Notes are  accepted  for
exchange  will be  deemed to  have waived  the right  to receive  any payment in
respect of interest on the Old Notes accrued from the last Interest Payment Date
or July 21, 1995 (as  the case may be)  to the date of  the issuance of the  New
Notes. Interest on the New Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July
15  of each year, accruing from the last  Interest Payment Date or July 21, 1995
(as the case may be) at a rate of 12 1/4% per annum.

    The Notes are redeemable at  the option of Alpine, in  whole or in part,  at
any time on or after July 15, 1999, at the redemption prices set forth herein.

    Old  Notes initially purchased by Qualified Institutional Buyers (as defined
in Rule 144A under the Securities  Act) were initially represented by a  single,
global  Note in  registered form,  registered in  the name  of a  nominee of The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as depositary. The New Notes exchanged for Old
Notes represented by the global Note will be represented by a single, global New
Note in registered form, registered  in the name of  the nominee of DTC,  unless
the  beneficial holders thereof  request otherwise. The global  New Note will be
exchangeable, upon 10 days'  prior written notice, for  New Notes in  registered
form,   in  denominations  of   $1,000  and  integral   multiples  thereof.  See
"Description of the New Notes--Book-Entry Delivery and Form."

   
    The Old Notes rank, and the New  Notes and, except as described herein,  the
subsidiary  guarantees, will  rank, PARI  PASSU in  right of  payment with other
senior debt  of  Alpine  and  the  subsidiary  guarantors  (including  the  debt
described  below in this paragraph).  As of July 31, 1995,  on a pro forma basis
after giving  effect to  the acquisition  of  shares of  Adience, Inc.  and  the
repayment  of  DNE Acquisition  Note  and the  DNE  Credit Facility  (as defined
herein), Alpine  and its  subsidiaries  would have  had  $68.1 million  of  debt
outstanding  other than the Notes, all but $0.7 million of which would have been
senior debt and $66.6  million of which  would have been  secured debt. The  Old
Notes  are, and  the New  Notes and  subsidiary guarantees  will be, effectively
subordinated to the loans and  subsidiary guarantees under Alpine's bank  credit
agreement  and to other secured debt of  Alpine and the subsidiary guarantors to
the extent of the assets securing such  debt. The Indenture under which the  Old
Notes  were issued  and the  New Notes  will be  issued permits  Alpine to incur
additional secured  debt, including  $50.8 million  under Alpine's  bank  credit
agreement,  in addition to $34.2 million which was outstanding at July 31, 1995.
The Old Notes, the  New Notes and  the subsidiary guarantees  are, and will  be,
effectively  subordinated  to such  additional debt  under Alpine's  bank credit
agreement. See "Summary--Recent Developments; The Refinancing."
    

    Based on  an  interpretation of  the  Securities Act  by  the staff  of  the
Securities  and  Exchange Commission  (the  "Commission") set  forth  in several
no-action letters to  third parties,  and subject to  the immediately  following
sentence,  Alpine believes  that the New  Notes issued pursuant  to the Exchange
Offer may be  offered for resale,  resold and otherwise  transferred by  holders
thereof without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions  of the  Securities Act.  However, any purchaser  of Notes  who is an
"affiliate" of Alpine or  who intends to participate  in the Exchange Offer  for
the  purpose of distributing the New  Notes (i) will not be  able to rely on the
interpretation by the staff of the Commission set forth in the above  referenced
no-action  letters, (ii) will  not be able  to tender Old  Notes in the Exchange
Offer and  (iii)  must comply  with  the registration  and  prospectus  delivery
requirements  of the Securities Act  in connection with any  sale or transfer of
the New Notes, unless  such sale or  transfer is made  pursuant to an  exemption
from such requirements.

    Each  holder of the Old Notes who wishes to exchange Old Notes for New Notes
in the  Exchange  Offer  will  be  required  to  make  certain  representations,
including  that (i) any  New Notes acquired  pursuant to the  Exchange Offer are
being obtained  in the  ordinary course  of such  holder's business,  (ii)  such
holder has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of
such  New Notes and  (iii) such holder  is not an  "affiliate," as defined under
Rule 405 of the  Securities Act of  Alpine or, if such  holder is an  affiliate,
that  such  holder will  comply with  the  registration and  prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities  Act to the extent  applicable. If the holder  is
not  a  broker-dealer,  it  will  be  required  to  represent  that  it  is  not

                                       2
<PAGE>
   
engaged in, and does not  intend to engage in, a  distribution of New Notes.  If
the  holder  is  a  broker-dealer (a  "Participating  Broker-Dealer")  that will
receive New  Notes for  its own  account in  exchange for  Old Notes  that  were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it
will  be required to acknowledge that it  has no arrangements with any person to
participate in the  distribution of the  New Notes  and that it  will deliver  a
prospectus  in connection  with any  resale of  such New  Notes; however,  by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, such holder will not be deemed  to
admit  that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The
Commission has taken the position that Participating Broker-Dealers may  fulfill
their  prospectus delivery requirements with respect  to New Notes (other than a
resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Notes) with this
Prospectus. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Alpine is required to allow
Participating Broker-Dealers  and  other persons,  if  any, subject  to  similar
prospectus  delivery requirements to use this  Prospectus in connection with the
resale of such New Notes. A broker-dealer which purchased Old Notes from  Alpine
may not participate in the Exchange Offer.
    

    Alpine  will not receive any proceeds from this offering, and no underwriter
is being utilized in connection with the Exchange Offer.

    THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING  MADE TO, NOR WILL ALPINE ACCEPT  SURRENDERS
FOR  EXCHANGE  FROM, HOLDERS  OF  OLD NOTES  IN  ANY JURISDICTION  IN  WHICH THE
EXCHANGE OFFER OR  THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF  WOULD NOT BE  IN COMPLIANCE WITH  THE
SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

    The New Notes will be new securities for which there currently is no market.
Although  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner  & Smith Incorporated, Nomura Securities
International, Inc. and First Albany Corporation have informed Alpine that  they
currently intend to make a market in the New Notes, they are not obligated to do
so,  and any such market making may  be discontinued at any time without notice.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any
market for the New Notes. Alpine does not intend to apply for listing of the New
Notes  on  any  securities  exchange  or  for  quotation  through  the  National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            PAGE
                                                                                                       ---------------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
Available Information................................................................................             4
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference......................................................             4
Summary..............................................................................................             6
Risk Factors.........................................................................................            18
The Refinancing......................................................................................            22
Use of Proceeds......................................................................................            24
The Exchange Offer...................................................................................            24
Capitalization.......................................................................................            31
Selected Historical Financial Data of Alpine.........................................................            32
Selected Historical Financial Data of the Alcatel Business...........................................            34
Selected Historical Financial Data of Adience........................................................            35
Description of Certain Indebtedness..................................................................            36
Description of the Notes.............................................................................            38
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.........................................................            63
Plan of Distribution.................................................................................            67
Legal Matters........................................................................................            67
Experts..............................................................................................            67
Index to Financial Statements........................................................................           F-1
</TABLE>
    

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    Alpine  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
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by Alpine
may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission
at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450  Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20549,
and at the following regional offices: Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York,  New York 10048; and Northwestern  Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and copies of such material can be obtained
from the Public  Reference Section  of the  Commission at  Judiciary Plaza,  450
Fifth  Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549 at  prescribed rates. Such reports,
proxy statements and other information also  may be inspected at the offices  of
the American Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.

    This  Prospectus  constitutes  a  part  of  a  registration  statement  (the
"Registration  Statement")  filed  by  Alpine  and  the  Co-Offerors  with   the
Commission  under the Securities Act. As  permitted by the rules and regulations
of the  Commission, this  Prospectus does  not contain  all of  the  information
contained  in the Registration Statement and  the exhibits and schedules thereto
and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits  and
schedules  thereto  for  further  information with  respect  to  Alpine  and the
securities offered hereby. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions
of any documents filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or  otherwise
filed  with the Commission are not  necessarily incomplete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such document so filed. Each such statement  is
qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   
    Alpine  hereby incorporates by reference  into this Prospectus the following
documents filed with the Commission (Commission file number 1-9078):
    

   
     (i) Alpine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30,
       1995, as amended by  Alpine's Annual Report on  10-K/A, dated August  28,
       1995 (the "Form 10-K").
    

    (ii)  Alpine's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 26, 1995, as amended by
       Alpine's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated July 25, 1995.

                                       4
<PAGE>
   
    (iii) Alpine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June  30,
       1995,  as  amended by  Alpine's Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q/A, dated
       September 18, 1995 (the "Form 10-Q").
    

   
    All documents filed by Alpine 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  herein  or  in any
documents incorporated by  reference herein shall  be deemed to  be modified  or
superseded  for the purpose of  this Prospectus to the  extent that a subsequent
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.
    

    As used herein,  unless the  context otherwise requires,  the term  "Alpine"
refers  to The Alpine  Group, Inc. and its  subsidiaries. The term "Consolidated
Financial Statements" refers to  Alpine's Consolidated Financial Statements  and
the  notes  thereto  incorporated by  reference  from  the Form  10-K,  the term
"Management's Discussion and Analysis" refers to the Management's Discussion and
Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results  of  Operations  incorporated  by
reference  from  the  Form  10-K  and the  term  "Pro  Forma  Condensed Combined
Financial Statements"  refers  to the  Pro  Forma Condensed  Combined  Financial
Statements incorporated by reference from the Form 10-K.

    NO  PERSON  HAS  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION  OR  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS  AND THE  ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL AND, IF  GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION  OR REPRESENTATIONS  MUST NOT  BE RELIED  UPON AS  HAVING  BEEN
AUTHORIZED  BY  ALPINE,  THE  CO-OFFERORS OR  THE  EXCHANGE  AGENT.  NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE  ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, OR  BOTH
TOGETHER,  NOR ANY SALE  MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER  ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS  BEEN NO CHANGE  IN THE AFFAIRS  OF ALPINE SINCE  THE
DATE HEREOF. NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS NOR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
OR  BOTH TOGETHER, CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL  OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY 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 ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT  IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

                                       5
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY

    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE  MORE DETAILED  INFORMATION AND  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  (AND
NOTES  THERETO)  INCLUDED  AND  INCORPORATED  BY  REFERENCE  ELSEWHERE  IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS. TERMS  DEFINED IN  THIS SUMMARY  HAVE THE  SAME MEANINGS  WHEN  USED
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

                                  THE COMPANY

   
    The  Alpine  Group, Inc.  is  a diversified  industrial  company principally
engaged  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  copper  wire  and  cable  for  the
telecommunications  industry,  specialty refractory  products  for the  iron and
steel,  aluminum  and  glass  industries  and  data  communications  and   other
electronic  products  for  military  and  commercial  applications.  Alpine  has
positioned itself as a major participant in these industries through a series of
strategic acquisitions. Alpine entered the  copper wire and cable industry  with
the   acquisition   (the   "Superior   Acquisition")   in   1993   of   Superior
Telecommunications Inc.,  formerly  Superior TeleTec  Inc.  ("Superior"),  which
Alpine  believes is the fourth largest  North American manufacturer of telephone
copper wire  and cable  products. In  May 1995,  Alpine became  one of  the  two
largest North American manufacturers of telephone copper wire and cable products
with the acquisition (the "Alcatel Acquisition") 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. (collectively, "Alcatel NA"). The  aggregate
consideration  paid for  the Alcatel  Business was  $103.4 million.  In December
1994, Alpine acquired (the "Adience Acquisition") Adience, Inc. ("Adience"), one
of the largest  domestic manufacturers  and installers  of specialty  refractory
products.  The aggregate consideration paid for  Adience was $14.0 million, paid
in cash and securities of  Alpine and of a  former subsidiary of Alpine.  Alpine
entered the data communications and electronics industry with its acquisition of
DNE  Technologies, Inc. ("DNE")  in February 1992.  For further information with
respect to such acquisitions,  see Alpine's Form 10-K,  including the pro  forma
financial information contained in Item 7 thereof.
    

    TELECOMMUNICATIONS WIRE AND CABLE.  Copper telephone wire and cable products
remain  the most widely used medium for transmission in the "local loop" portion
of the telephone  network. The  local loop is  comprised of  (i) the  connection
between  a home  or business  and the  nearest telephone  pole or  other outside
location and (ii) the connection between the telephone pole or outside  location
and  the nearest  telephone company  switch, either  at the  telephone company's
central office  or  at  a  remote  location. While  the  use  of  optical  fiber
predominates  in the market for intercity  and interoffice cables, use of copper
wire in the local loop continues to satisfy the telephone and data  transmission
needs  of a  substantial majority  of homes  and businesses  at a  lower cost to
install and maintain  and without  the additional power  source and  electronics
required by optical fiber applications.

   
    Alpine  manufactures  a  wide  variety of  copper  telephone  cable, outside
telephone wire and inside  (or premises) wire products,  ranging in size from  a
single  twisted pair wire  to a 4,200  pair cable. These  products are variously
configured for use  in aerial, underground  and on-premise applications.  During
the  fiscal year ended  April 30, 1995, 76%  of Alpine's pro  forma net sales of
telephone wire  and  cable products  were  to six  of  the seven  regional  Bell
operating   companies  ("RBOCs")  and  the  three  major  independent  telephone
companies, primarily under long-term contracts. In addition to providing  copper
wire  and  cable  for use  in  the  local loop,  Alpine  has  recently developed
performance-enhanced copper  wire products,  including unshielded  twisted  pair
wire  ("UTP")  used  inside  buildings for  high  speed  data  communications in
computer networks. This product is  currently experiencing higher growth and  is
generally  sold  at  higher  margins  than  traditional  copper  wire  and cable
products. During the  fiscal year ended  April 30, 1995  and the fiscal  quarter
ended June 30, 1995, UTP sales were $2.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively,
respresenting  0.7% and 1.0%,  respectively, of Alpine's  total pro forma copper
wire and cable sales.
    

   
    As a result of the Alcatel Acquisition, Alpine's net sales of wire and cable
products for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995 increased from $136.6  million
on  an  historical  basis  to $340.8  million  on  a pro  forma  basis.  For the
three-month period ended  July 31, 1995,  net sales of  wire and cable  products
increased  from $94.1 million on an historical  basis to $101.6 million on a pro
forma basis. See Items 7 and 8 of Alpine's Form
    

                                       6
<PAGE>
   
10-K and Item  2 of the  Form 10-Q. Based  on the most  recently available  data
published  by the  U.S. Department  of Commerce,  Alpine estimates  that its pro
forma share of  the domestic production  of copper telephone  cable and  outside
telephone  wire was approximately 30% in 1993. Alpine believes that its wire and
cable business will  benefit from  the Alcatel  Acquisition through  significant
economies  of  scale, as  well as  through  cost savings  from the  reduction of
certain freight,  personnel  and  other  costs.  In  addition,  Alpine's  annual
production  capacity increased  from 28  billion conductor  feet ("bcf")  in one
plant to  85  bcf in  four  plants. Alpine  believes  that overcapacity  in  the
industry, which has existed in recent years, has been reduced as a result of the
1994  closure of a large plant operated by a competitor and, more recently, as a
result of greater demand for copper  wire and cable products. Alpine  attributes
this  greater  demand  in  large  part  to  (i)  higher  levels  of  spending on
maintenance by telephone companies to offset their reduced maintenance levels in
the early  1990s,  (ii)  demand  for new  telephone  lines  resulting  from  new
construction  and (iii) demand for second telephone lines and lines dedicated to
facsimile machines and computer modems.
    

   
    REFRACTORIES.  Alpine believes it is  one of the largest U.S.  manufacturers
and installers of specialty refractory products, which are used primarily by the
iron  and steel industry, with  pro forma net sales  for this business of $100.9
million for the fiscal  year ended April  30, 1995. For  the three months  ended
July  31, 1995, net sales were  $29.5 million. Specialty refractory products are
consumable materials used as insulation on surfaces exposed to high temperatures
such as  those  generated by  molten  metals. Over  the  past year,  Alpine  has
provided  refractory products and services to every integrated steel producer in
the United States and Canada and Alpine believes that it is the only major  U.S.
manufacturer  that provides a full range of refractory products and installation
services to  the iron  and steel  industry. Alpine  also manufactures  specialty
refractory  products for use in the production  of aluminum and glass and is one
of the few rebuilders of coke ovens in the United States.
    

   
    DATA  COMMUNICATIONS  AND  ELECTRONICS.    Alpine,  through  DNE,   designs,
manufactures and tests data communications and other electronic products for the
military,  government and commercial  markets. Net sales  for this business were
$27.9 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995 and $5.3 million for  the
three  months ended July 31, 1995. Alpine is  a supplier to the U.S. military of
data and  voice  multiplexers used  in  tactical secure  military  applications.
Multiplexers are communication devices that combine several information carrying
channels  into one line, thereby permitting simultaneous multiple voice and data
communications over  a  single  line.  Alpine  also  produces  military  avionic
products,  including switches, dimmers, relays and other electrical controllers,
various sensors and  refueling amplifiers.  Since 1993, Alpine  has reduced  its
dependence  on the military market primarily through the development of contract
manufacturing services for governmental (non-military) and commercial customers.
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995, sales to customers other than the U.S.
military accounted for 42.8% of the net sales of this business.
    

    Alpine believes  that, although  the  copper telephone  wire and  cable  and
refractory  products  industries  are mature,  ongoing  alignment  of productive
capacity with market  demand, industry  consolidation and  Alpine's emphasis  on
new, higher margin product offerings will provide Alpine with the opportunity to
strengthen  its  profitability,  cash flow  and  competitive  position. Alpine's
strategy in the copper wire and cable business is to continue to provide a  full
line of its traditional copper wire and cable products to its present customers;
expand  into performance-enhanced, higher  growth and higher  margin copper wire
products for sale to  existing and new customers;  and expand its  international
marketing efforts. Alpine's strategy in the refractories business is to complete
the  restructuring and  rationalization of  this business;  expand the  types of
products and services that it supplies to its existing customers; and expand its
marketing efforts in  order to  sell its products  to new  domestic and  foreign
customers. Alpine's strategy in its data communications and electronics business
is  to  maintain  its  dominant  position  as  a  supplier  to  the  military of
multiplexers used  in  tactical  secure  applications;  continue  to  adapt  its
products  for commercial  applications; and increase  its contract manufacturing
business.

    On June 14, 1995,  Alpine distributed to  its stockholders (the  "PolyVision
Spin-Off")  shares  of  common  stock  of  its  information  display subsidiary,
PolyVision Corporation ("PolyVision") (American  Stock Exchange: "PLI").  Alpine
currently  owns approximately 19% of the outstanding PolyVision common stock and
98% of its preferred stock. Alpine has the right to deliver shares of PolyVision
common stock or shares of Alpine's 8%

                                       7
<PAGE>
   
cumulative convertible senior preferred stock ("Alpine 8% Preferred Stock"),  or
a  combination thereof,  to fulfill  certain of  its obligations  under the debt
exchange agreement and the stock  purchase agreement entered into in  connection
with  the Adience Acquisition. Alpine is currently negotiating with the relevant
parties  in  order  to  satisfy  this  obligation  and  has  presented   various
alternatives.  However,  based  upon  the  current  agreement,  Alpine  would be
required to  deliver  either  $5.3  million in  Alpine  8%  Preferred  Stock  or
approximately  1.5  million  shares  of  PolyVision  common  stock (representing
substantially all  of Alpine's  PolyVision shares),  or a  combination  thereof.
PolyVision  manufactures and  sells custom-designed  and engineered  writing and
projection surfaces,  and is  developing a  proprietary electrochemical  display
technology  with  characteristics to  address  applications in  markets  such as
flat-panel displays and certain packaging applications. PolyVision had net sales
of $37.5 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995 on a pro forma  basis.
Prior  to  the  PolyVision  Spin-Off,  two  other  Alpine  subsidiaries,  Alpine
PolyVision, Inc. ("APV") and Posterloid Corporation ("Posterloid"), were  merged
into subsidiaries of PolyVision (the "PolyVision Merger"). The PolyVision Merger
and  the PolyVision  Spin-Off are  collectively referred  to as  the "PolyVision
Transactions."
    

   
    Alpine was incorporated in New Jersey  on May 7, 1957 and reincorporated  in
Delaware  on February  3, 1987. Its  principal executive offices  are located at
1790 Broadway,  New York,  New York  10019  and its  telephone number  is  (212)
757-3333.  Alpine's data  communications and  electronics business  is presently
conducted by DNE. Alpine has reorganized this business by creating a new holding
company wholly owned by Alpine, DNE Systems, Inc. ("DNE Systems"), which in turn
wholly owns two operating  subsidiaries, DNE and  DNE Manufacturing and  Service
Company ("DNE Manufacturing" and, with DNE and DNE Systems, the "DNE Group").
    

   
THE REFINANCING
    

   
    On  July  21, 1995,  Alpine  completed the  private  sale to  Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,  Nomura Securities International, Inc.  and
First  Albany Corporation (the "Initial Purchasers") of $153.0 million principal
amount of the Old Notes at a  price of 88.756% of the principal amount  thereof.
The Initial Purchasers resold the Old Notes to a limited number of institutional
investors  at an initial price  to investors of 91.737%  of the principal amount
thereof, with  net  proceeds to  Alpine  of approximately  $134.3  million  (the
"Offering").  The Offering was  a private placement  transaction exempt from the
registration requirements  of  the Securities  Act  pursuant to  Rule  144A  and
Section  4 thereof. In connection  with the Offering, Alpine  entered into a new
bank credit agreement  (the "New Credit  Agreement") with certain  institutional
lenders,  under which Alpine may borrow up to  $85.0 million at any one time, if
certain conditions  are met.  Loans under  the New  Credit Agreement  constitute
senior  debt  guaranteed  by certain  of  Alpine's subsidiaries.  The  loans and
guarantees under the New Credit Agreement are secured primarily by the inventory
and accounts receivable of Alpine and such subsidiaries.
    

   
    Alpine used the net proceeds of the Offering, together with borrowings under
the New Credit  Agreement and  a portion  of its  cash reserves,  to complete  a
number of transactions (collectively, the "Refinancing").
    

   
    The  following  table sets  forth the  estimated sources  and uses  of funds
contemplated  by  the  Refinancing.  For  further  information  concerning   the
Refinancing,  including definitions  of certain of  the terms used  in the table
below, see "The Refinancing."
    

   
SOURCES OF FUNDS:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                                          (IN
                                                                                                      THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Net proceeds from the Offering.....................................................................   $   134,300
Net proceeds from borrowings under the New Credit Agreement........................................        48,200
Cash on hand.......................................................................................        44,006
                                                                                                     -------------
    Total..........................................................................................   $   226,506
                                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                                     -------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       8
<PAGE>
   
USES OF FUNDS:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                                          (IN
                                                                                                       THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Repay Alcatel Acquisition Notes....................................................................   $   140,000
Pay Alcatel Acquisition deferred amount............................................................         9,909
Retire $44,089,000 principal amount of Adience Senior Notes........................................        35,271
Repay Adience Credit Facility......................................................................         9,959
Purchase remaining Adience common stock............................................................         1,596
Repay DNE Acquisition Note.........................................................................         2,200
Repay DNE Credit Facility..........................................................................         1,554
Redeem Alpine 13.5% Senior Notes...................................................................        21,000
Redeem Alpine 13.5% Debentures.....................................................................         1,551
Repay other Alpine indebtedness....................................................................           150
Loan to PolyVision to repay PolyVision debt........................................................         3,316
                                                                                                     -------------
    Total..........................................................................................   $   226,506
                                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                                     -------------
</TABLE>
    

                   SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

    The Exchange Offer relates to the  exchange of up to $153,000,000  aggregate
principal  amount of Old Notes for up  to an equal aggregate principal amount of
New Notes. The New Notes will be obligations of Alpine entitled to the  benefits
of  the Indenture relating to the Old Notes. The form and terms of the New Notes
are identical in all material  respects to the form and  terms of the Old  Notes
except  that  the  New Notes  have  been  registered under  the  Securities Act.
Following the  completion of  the Exchange  Offer,  none of  the Notes  will  be
entitled  to the benefits of the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement
relating to contingent  increases in  the interest rates  provided for  pursuant
thereto. See "Description of the New Notes."

   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
The Exchange Offer...........  $1,000  principal  amount of  New  Notes will  be  issued in
                               exchange for  each  $1,000  principal amount  of  Old  Notes
                               validly  tendered pursuant to the  Exchange Offer. As of the
                               date hereof, $153,000,000 in  aggregate principal amount  of
                               Old  Notes are outstanding. Alpine  will issue the New Notes
                               to tendering holders of Old  Notes on or promptly after  the
                               Expiration Date.
Resale.......................  Alpine  believes that the  New Notes issued  pursuant to the
                               Exchange Offer generally will be freely transferable by  the
                               holders  thereof  without  registration  or  any  prospectus
                               delivery requirement under the  Securities Act, except  that
                               any  of its  "affiliates" or a  "dealer," as  such terms are
                               defined under the Securities  Act, that exchanges Old  Notes
                               held  for  its own  account (a  "Restricted Holder")  may be
                               required to deliver copies of this Prospectus in  connection
                               with any resale of the New Notes issued in exchange for such
                               Old   Notes  (the  "Prospectus   Delivery  Requirement").  A
                               broker-dealer will be required to acknowledge that it has no
                               arrangements  with  any   person  to   participate  in   the
                               distribution   of  the  New  Notes.  A  broker-dealer  which
                               purchased Old Notes from Alpine  may not participate in  the
                               Exchange  Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--General" and "Plan
                               of Distribution."
Expiration Date..............  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on            , 1995,  unless
                               the  Exchange  Offer is  extended,  in which  case  the term
                               "Expiration Date" means  the latest date  and time to  which
                               the   Exchange   Offer  is   extended.  See   "The  Exchange
                               Offer--Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments."
</TABLE>
    

                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Accrued Interest on the New
 Notes and the Old Notes.....  Interest on each New Note will accrue from the last Interest
                               Payment Date  on which  interest was  paid on  the Old  Note
                               tendered  in exchange therefor  or, if no  interest has been
                               paid on such tendered Old Note, from July 21, 1995.  Holders
                               of  Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will
                               be deemed to have waived the right to receive any payment in
                               respect of interest on such Old Notes accrued from the  last
                               Interest  Payment Date or July 21, 1995 (as the case may be)
                               to the date of the issuance of the New Notes.  Consequently,
                               holders  who  exchange their  Old Notes  for New  Notes will
                               receive the  same  interest  payment on  the  same  Interest
                               Payment  Date  that they  would have  received had  they not
                               accepted   the   Exchange    Offer.   See   "The    Exchange
                               Offer--Interest on the New Notes."
Termination of the Exchange
 Offer.......................  Alpine  may terminate  the Exchange  Offer if  it determines
                               that its ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer could be
                               materially impaired due to any legal or governmental action,
                               any  new   law,  statute,   rule   or  regulation   or   any
                               interpretation  of  the  staff  of  the  Commission  of  any
                               existing law, statute,  rule or regulation.  Holders of  Old
                               Notes  will  have certain  rights  against Alpine  under the
                               Registration Rights Agreement if Alpine fails to  consummate
                               the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--Termination."
                               No federal or state regulatory requirements must be complied
                               with  or approvals obtained in  connection with the Exchange
                               Offer, other than applicable requirements under federal  and
                               state securities laws.
Procedures for Tendering Old
 Notes.......................  Each  holder  of Old  Notes wishing  to accept  the Exchange
                               Offer  must   complete,  sign   and  date   the  Letter   of
                               Transmittal,  or a facsimile thereof, in accordance with the
                               instructions contained  herein  and  therein,  and  mail  or
                               otherwise  deliver  such  Letter  of  Transmittal,  or  such
                               facsimile, together with the Old  Notes to be exchanged  and
                               any  other required documentation to Marine Midland Bank, as
                               Exchange Agent, at the address set forth herein and  therein
                               or  effect a tender of Old  Notes pursuant to the procedures
                               for book-entry  transfer as  provided for  herein. See  "The
                               Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
Special Procedures for
 Beneficial Holders..........  Any  beneficial holder whose Old Notes are registered in the
                               name of his broker,  dealer, commercial bank, trust  company
                               or  other nominee and  who wishes to  tender in the Exchange
                               Offer should  contact such  registered holder  promptly  and
                               instruct  such registered holder to tender on his behalf. If
                               such beneficial holder wishes to  tender on his own  behalf,
                               such   beneficial  holder  must,  prior  to  completing  and
                               executing the Letter of  Transmittal and delivering his  Old
                               Notes,  either  make  appropriate  arrangements  to register
                               ownership of the Old Notes in such holder's name or obtain a
                               properly completed bond  power from  the registered  holder.
                               The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.
                               See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
</TABLE>

                                       10
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Guaranteed Delivery
 Procedures..................  Holders  of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old Notes and
                               whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who  cannot
                               deliver   their  Old  Notes  (or  who  cannot  complete  the
                               procedure for book-entry transfer on  a timely basis) and  a
                               properly  completed  Letter  of  Transmittal  or  any  other
                               documents required  by  the  Letter of  Transmittal  to  the
                               Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date may tender their
                               Old  Notes according  to the  guaranteed delivery procedures
                               set  forth  in  "The  Exchange  Offer--Guaranteed   Delivery
                               Procedures."
Withdrawal Rights............  Tenders  of Old Notes may be  withdrawn at any time prior to
                               5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day prior  to
                               the   Expiration  Date,   unless  previously   accepted  for
                               exchange. See "The Exchange Offer-- Withdrawal of Tenders."
Acceptance of Old Notes and
 Delivery of New Notes.......  Subject  to  certain  conditions  (as  summarized  above  in
                               "Termination of the Exchange Offer" and described more fully
                               in  "The Exchange  Offer--Termination"), Alpine  will accept
                               for exchange  any  and  all Old  Notes  which  are  properly
                               tendered  in the Exchange Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
                               City time,  on the  Expiration Date.  The New  Notes  issued
                               pursuant  to the  Exchange Offer will  be delivered promptly
                               following   the   Expiration   Date.   See   "The   Exchange
                               Offer--General."
Certain Tax Consequences.....  The  exchange pursuant to the  Exchange Offer will generally
                               not be a taxable event for federal income tax purposes.  See
                               "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Exchange Agent...............  Marine  Midland Bank,  the Trustee  under the  Indenture, is
                               serving  as  exchange  agent   (the  "Exchange  Agent")   in
                               connection  with the Exchange Offer.  The mailing address of
                               the Exchange Agent is: Marine Midland Bank, 140  Broadway--A
                               Level,  Corporate  Trust  Operations,  New  York,  New  York
                               10005-1180. Hand  deliveries  and  deliveries  by  overnight
                               courier  should  be addressed  to  Marine Midland  Bank, 140
                               Broadway--A Level, Corporate Trust Operations, New York, New
                               York  10005-1180.  For  information  with  respect  to   the
                               Exchange  Offer, the telephone number for the Exchange Agent
                               is (212) 658-5931 and the facsimile number for the  Exchange
                               Agent is (212) 658-2292.
Use of Proceeds..............  There  will be no  cash proceeds payable  to Alpine from the
                               issuance of the  New Notes pursuant  to the Exchange  Offer.
                               The net proceeds received by Alpine from the sale of the Old
                               Notes,   together  with  borrowings  under  Alpine's  credit
                               agreement (the  "New Credit  Agreement")  and a  portion  of
                               Alpine's  cash reserves were used to refinance substantially
                               all of Alpine's indebtedness. See "Use of Proceeds."
</TABLE>

                          DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Notes Offered................  $153,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 12 1/4% Series  B
                               Senior  Secured  Notes  due  2003  to  be  issued  under  an
                               Indenture dated as of July 15, 1995 (the "Indenture").
Maturity Date................  July 15, 2003.
Interest Payment Dates.......  January 15 and July 15.
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Original Issue Discount......  The New Notes will  be treated for  U.S. federal income  tax
                               purposes as issued with "original issue discount" ("OID"), a
                               portion  of  which will  be includable  in a  holder's gross
                               income in advance of  the receipt of the  cash to which  the
                               income is attributable. See "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
                               Consequences."
Optional Redemption..........  The  New Notes will be subject  to redemption, at the option
                               of Alpine, in whole or in part, at any time on or after July
                               15, 1999,  at the  redemption prices  set forth  herein.  In
                               addition,  prior to July  15, 1997, Alpine  may redeem up to
                               33 1/3% of  the original aggregate  principal amount of  the
                               New  Notes  with  the net  proceeds  of one  or  more public
                               offerings of its Common Stock  at 104 1/2% of the  principal
                               amount at maturity, plus accrued interest thereon; provided,
                               however,  that at  least 66  2/3% of  the original aggregate
                               principal  amount   of   the   Notes   remains   outstanding
                               thereafter. See "Description of the New Notes--Redemption."
Security.....................  Initially,  the New Notes will be secured by a pledge of all
                               of the capital stock of  Superior and Adience. At such  time
                               as  Alpine  completes  the refinancing  of  the  DNE Group's
                               credit facility  (which Alpine  expects to  complete in  the
                               near  future upon receipt of a third-party consent), the New
                               Notes will also be  secured by the stock  of each member  of
                               the  DNE  Group  that is  directly  owned by  Alpine.  It is
                               expected that only  DNE Systems  will be  directly owned  by
                               Alpine.  The New  Notes are not  secured by any  lien on, or
                               other security interest in,  any other properties or  assets
                               of  Alpine or any properties or  assets of any subsidiary of
                               Alpine.
Guarantees...................  Initially, the New Notes will be unconditionally  guaranteed
                               (the  "Subsidiary Guarantees")  by Superior  and Adience and
                               Superior's Canadian  subsidiary  will  guarantee  Superior's
                               obligations    under    its    Subsidiary    Guarantee   or,
                               alternatively, such  subsidiary may  directly guarantee  the
                               New   Notes  (collectively,  together  with  all  Restricted
                               Subsidiaries  that  in  the  future  provide  a   Subsidiary
                               Guarantee,  the  "Subsidiary  Guarantors").  Each Subsidiary
                               Guarantee will  be  a  senior unsecured  obligation  of  the
                               Subsidiary  Guarantor, except that  the Subsidiary Guarantee
                               given by Adience will be subordinated in right of payment to
                               $5.0  million  of  Adience  Senior  Notes  outstanding.  The
                               Indenture  requires  a  Subsidiary Guarantee  from  each new
                               Restricted Subsidiary, provided  that a Non-U.S.  Restricted
                               Subsidiary  will  not be  required  to provide  a Subsidiary
                               Guarantee unless it provides a guarantee with respect to any
                               debt (other than the Notes) of Alpine or any U.S. Restricted
                               Subsidiary. Additionally, if  a member of  the DNE Group  or
                               any  other Restricted Subsidiary existing on the date of the
                               initial issuance  of the  Notes guarantees  any debt  (other
                               than the Notes) of Alpine or any U.S. Restricted Subsidiary,
                               such  Subsidiary  will  be required  to  issue  a Subsidiary
                               Guarantee, provided that any such Subsidiary Guarantee of  a
                               Non-U.S.  Restricted Subsidiary  will be  released when such
                               Subsidiary no longer guarantees any such debt (other than as
                               a result  of payment  thereof). If  Alpine disposes  of  any
                               Subsidiary  Guarantor in compliance with the Indenture, such
                               Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released from all
                               obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. See "Description
                               of the New Notes--Subsidiary Guarantees."
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Ranking......................  The New Notes will be senior secured obligations of  Alpine,
                               ranking   PARI  PASSU  with  Alpine's  existing  and  future
                               unsubordinated indebtedness.  As  of July  31,  1995,  after
                               giving  effect  to  the  sale  of  the  Old  Notes  and  the
                               Refinancing, Alpine  and  its subsidiaries  would  have  had
                               $68.1  million of debt outstanding other than the Notes, all
                               but $0.7 million of  which would have  been senior debt  and
                               $66.3  million of which would have been secured debt. Except
                               as noted above, the New Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees will
                               rank PARI  PASSU in  right  of payment  with the  loans  and
                               subsidiary  guarantees  under the  New Credit  Agreement and
                               with  other  senior  debt  of  Alpine  and  the   Subsidiary
                               Guarantors. However, the New Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees
                               will be effectively subordinated to the loans and subsidiary
                               guarantees  under  the  New Credit  Agreement  and  to other
                               secured debt of Alpine and its subsidiaries to the extent of
                               the assets securing the New Credit Agreement and such  other
                               debt. The New Notes will also be effectively subordinated to
                               all debt and other obligations of Alpine's subsidiaries that
                               are not Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the assets of
                               such  subsidiaries. The  pledge of  stock to  secure the New
                               Notes will not alter such effective subordination of the New
                               Notes.
Change of Control............  In the event  of a  Change of Control  (as defined),  Alpine
                               will   be  required  to  make   an  offer  to  purchase  all
                               outstanding New Notes at a  purchase price equal to 101%  of
                               their  Accreted  Value (as  defined), plus  accrued interest
                               thereon. There  can  be no  assurance  that Alpine  and  the
                               Subsidiary   Guarantors  will   have  sufficient   funds  or
                               financing to  repurchase the  New  Notes and  satisfy  other
                               obligations  (including  obligations  under  the  New Credit
                               Agreement) that may come due  upon a Change of Control.  See
                               "Description  of the  New Notes--Certain Covenants--Purchase
                               of Notes upon a Change of Control."
Covenants....................  The  Indenture   contains   certain   covenants,   including
                               covenants   with  respect  to  the  following  matters:  (i)
                               limitation on debt;  (ii) limitation on  debt of  Restricted
                               Subsidiaries;  (iii) limitation on restricted payments; (iv)
                               limitation on disposition  of proceeds of  asset sales;  (v)
                               limitation  on Unrestricted Subsidiaries; (vi) limitation on
                               dividends   and   other   payment   restrictions   affecting
                               Restricted  Subsidiaries;  (vii) limitation  on transactions
                               with affiliates; (viii) limitation on liens; (ix) limitation
                               on sale and leaseback  transactions; and (x) restriction  on
                               merger,  consolidation and sale  of assets. See "Description
                               of  the   New  Notes--Certain   Covenants"  and   "--Merger,
                               Consolidation or Sale of Assets."
Exchange Offer; Registration
 Rights......................  In  connection with the sale of the Old Notes, Alpine agreed
                               to use its  best efforts  to (i)  file within  30 days,  and
                               cause  to become  effective within 90  days, of  the date of
                               original issuance of the Old Notes, a registration statement
                               (the "Registration Statement") with respect to the  Exchange
                               Offer  and (ii) cause  the Exchange Offer  to be consummated
                               within 120 days of the original issuance of the Old Notes.
</TABLE>
    

                                       13
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               Under  existing  interpretations   of  the   staff  of   the
                               Commission  contained in several  no-action letters to third
                               parties, the New Notes would  in general be freely  tradable
                               after  the Exchange Offer without further registration under
                               the Securities Act. However, any purchaser of New Notes  who
                               is an "affiliate" of Alpine or who intends to participate in
                               the  Exchange Offer for the  purpose of distributing the New
                               Notes (i) will not be  able to rely on such  interpretations
                               of  the staff  of the Commission,  (ii) will not  be able to
                               tender its Old Notes  in the Exchange  Offer and (iii)  must
                               comply   with  the  registration   and  prospectus  delivery
                               requirements of the  Securities Act in  connection with  any
                               sale  or  transfer  of the  New  Notes unless  such  sale or
                               transfer  is  made  pursuant  to  an  exemption  from   such
                               requirements. See "The Exchange Offer."
                               In  the  event that  any changes  in  law or  the applicable
                               interpretations of the staff of the Commission do not permit
                               Alpine to effect the Exchange  Offer or if the  Registration
                               Statement is not declared effective within 90 days following
                               the  original issue of the Notes, or upon the request of the
                               Initial Purchasers under certain circumstances, Alpine  will
                               use  its best  efforts to cause  to become  effective by the
                               120th day after the original issue of the Old Notes a  shelf
                               registration  statement with  respect to  the resale  of the
                               Notes (the "Shelf Registration  Statement") and to keep  the
                               Shelf Registration Statement effective for up to three years
                               after  the date of  the original issue of  the Old Notes. In
                               the event that either (i) the Registration Statement is  not
                               filed  with  the  Commission on  or  prior to  the  30th day
                               following the date of the  original issue of the Old  Notes,
                               (ii) the Registration Statement is not declared effective on
                               or  prior to  the 90th  day following  the date  of original
                               issue of the Old  Notes or (iii) the  Exchange Offer is  not
                               consummated  or a Shelf  Registration Statement with respect
                               to the Old Notes  is not declared effective  on or prior  to
                               the  120th day following  the date of  the original issue of
                               the Old  Notes, the  interest rate  borne by  the Old  Notes
                               shall  be increased by one quarter of one percent per annum,
                               which rate will be increased by an additional one quarter of
                               one percent per annum for  each 90-day period that any  such
                               additional  interest continues to  accrue; provided that the
                               aggregate increase in  such interest  rate may  in no  event
                               exceed  one percent. Upon (x) the filing of the Registration
                               Statement  in  the  case  of  clause  (i)  above,  (y)   the
                               effectiveness  of the Registration Statement  in the case of
                               clause (ii)  above  or  (z)  the  day  before  the  date  of
                               consummation of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a
                               Shelf  Registration Statement,  as the  case may  be, in the
                               case of clause (iii) above,  the interest rate borne by  the
                               Old Notes from the date of such filing, effectiveness or the
                               day  before the  date of consummation,  as the  case may be,
                               will be reduced to the  original stated interest rate  borne
                               by  the Old Notes on  the date of the  original issue of the
                               Old Notes;  provided,  however,  that,  if  after  any  such
                               reduction  in interest rate, a  different event specified in
                               clause (i), (ii)  or (iii) above  occurs, the interest  rate
                               may again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.
                               See "The Exchange Offer--General."
</TABLE>

                                       14
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Absence of a Public Market
 for the New Notes...........  The  New  Notes  will  be  new  securities  for  which there
                               currently is no market. Although the Initial Purchasers have
                               informed Alpine that they currently intend to make a  market
                               in  the New Notes, they are not  obligated to do so, and any
                               such market making may be  discontinued at any time  without
                               notice.  Accordingly, there  can be  no assurance  as to the
                               development or liquidity  of any market  for the New  Notes.
                               The  New  Notes  have  been designated  for  trading  in the
                               Private Offerings,  Resale  and  Trading  through  Automatic
                               Linkages  (PORTAL) market.  Alpine does not  intend to apply
                               for listing of the New  Notes on any securities exchange  or
                               for quotation through the National Association of Securities
                               Dealers Automated Quotation System.
</TABLE>

                                  RISK FACTORS

    See  "Risk Factors" beginning on page 18 for a discussion of certain factors
that should be considered by prospective investors.

                                       15
<PAGE>
        SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    Set forth  below  is  certain  selected  historical  consolidated  financial
information of Alpine, as well as certain unaudited condensed combined pro forma
financial  information. The pro forma financial  information gives effect to the
following transactions as if such transactions  had occurred as of May 1,  1994:
the  Alcatel Acquisition and the related financing; the Adience Acquisition; the
Refinancing; the PolyVision  Transactions and  the other  pro forma  adjustments
described  in the Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements appearing in
the Form 10-K.  The unaudited pro  forma financial information  is provided  for
comparative  purposes only and does not purport  to be indicative of the results
that actually would have been  obtained if the events  set forth above had  been
effected  on the dates indicated or of those results that may be obtained in the
future. The pro forma financial statements are based on estimates of values  and
facilities'   closure  costs   and  transaction   costs,  among   other  things.
Accordingly, the actual recording of the transactions can be expected to  differ
from  the pro  forma financial  information herein  and the  Pro Forma Condensed
Combined Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,              QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 1995
                                        --------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                  HISTORICAL              PRO FORMA        HISTORICAL        PRO FORMA
                                        -------------------------------  -----------  --------------------  -----------
                                          1993       1994       1995        1995        1994       1995        1995
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED)
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales...........................  $  27,897  $  68,510  $ 198,135   $ 469,572   $  39,330  $ 128,784   $ 136,305
  Cost of goods sold..................     15,915     56,250    169,125     413,228      33,645    112,456     119,382
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Gross profit......................     11,982     12,260     29,010      56,344       5,685     16,328      16,923
  Selling, general and
   administrative.....................     10,482     12,168     20,487      31,883       3,506      7,902       7,940
  Amortization of goodwill and other
   intangibles charges................        395      2,292      1,527       3,041         291        673         687
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Operating income (loss)...........      1,105     (2,200)     6,996      21,420       1,888      7,753       8,296
  Interest income.....................        209        242        345         409          46        745         745
  Interest expense....................     (2,301)    (2,363)    (8,197)    (26,809)       (998)    (7,108)     (6,702)
  Other income (expense), net.........     (1,469)      (506)        28         392          21        114         114
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Income (Loss) from continuing
     operations before income taxes...     (2,456)    (4,827)      (828)     (4,588)        957      1,504       2,453
  Provision for income taxes..........         --         68        348         348         119        150         150
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Income (Loss) from continuing
     operations.......................     (2,456)    (4,895)    (1,176)  $  (4,936)        838      1,354   $   2,303
                                                                         -----------                        -----------
                                                                         -----------                        -----------
  (Loss) from discontinued operations
   (1)................................     (8,377)   (25,236)    (4,868)                   (826)      (379)
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------               ---------  ---------
    (Loss) before extraordinary
     item.............................    (10,833)   (30,131)    (6,044)                     12        975
  Extraordinary item -- (loss) on
   early extinguishment of debt (2)...     (1,262)       (47)        --                      --     (5,180)
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------               ---------  ---------
    Net (loss)........................  $ (12,095) $ (30,178) $  (6,044)              $      12  $  (4,205)
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------               ---------  ---------
                                        ---------  ---------  ---------               ---------  ---------

OTHER DATA:
  Depreciation and amortization.......  $     960  $   4,425  $   6,169   $  13,565   $   1,147  $   3,131   $   3,161
  Other non-cash charges..............        870        497        388         388         202        (58)        (58)
  Capital expenditures -- continuing
   operations.........................        422      1,565      2,275       8,400         318      1,590       1,590
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
   (3)................................         --         --         --           --       1.30       1.10        1.19
  EBITDA (4)..........................      2,935      2,722     13,553      35,373       3,237     10,826      11,399
  Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest
   expense............................      1.48x      1.28x      1.85x       1.43x        3.63       1.64        1.83
  Ratio of EBITDA to total interest
   expense............................      1.28x      1.15x      1.65x       1.32x        3.24       1.52        1.70
</TABLE>
    

                                                   (FOOTNOTES ON FOLLOWING PAGE)

                                       16
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     AT APRIL 30,                     QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 1995
                                     --------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                               HISTORICAL              PRO FORMA        HISTORICAL        PRO FORMA
                                     -------------------------------  -----------  --------------------  -----------
                                       1993       1994       1995        1995        1994       1995        1995
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                             (IN THOUSANDS)           (UNAUDITED)

<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOW DATA:
Cash (Used for) Provided by
 Continuing Operations.............      2,348       (401)     3,181          NA       2,244     25,602          NA
Cash (Used for) Discontinued
 Operation.........................     (3,859)    (2,966)    (4,133)         NA        (862)      (209)         NA
Cash (Used for) Investing
 Activities........................     (3,874)   (22,427)    (1,232)         NA        (438)   103,066          NA
Cash (Used for) Provided By
 Financing Activities..............       (522)   (26,015)    15,223          NA      (2,188)    65,726          NA

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital..................  $   7,256  $  24,594  $   7,080   $  66,426   $  22,489  $  45,416   $  55,903
  Total assets.....................     27,998    113,796    233,778     357,947     118,683    356,105     357,701
  Total debt.......................     13,637     43,745    119,179     220,180      44,002    197,207     208,443
  Preferred stock..................      4,677      6,177     17,250      15,495       6,177     15,995      15,995
  Total stockholders' equity.......     10,602     47,998     44,658      51,187      47,795     49,810      50,079
<FN>
- ------------------------

(1)  As a  result of  the PolyVision  Transactions, the  operations of  APV  and
     Posterloid have been reflected as discontinued.

(2)  The  extraordinary losses recorded during the  fiscal years ended April 30,
     1993 and 1994 relate to the  early extinguishment of $0.1 million and  $6.0
     million principal amount, respectively, of the Alpine 13.5% Debentures. The
     extraordinary  loss recorded during the quarter ended July 31, 1995 related
     to the  early  extinguishment of  the  Alcatel Acquisition  Notes  of  $4.7
     million,  the Adience Credit Facility of  $0.2 million and the Alpine 13.5%
     Notes of $0.3 million.

(3)  For the purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income (loss)
     before income taxes plus fixed  charges. Fixed charges consist of  interest
     expense  (including amortization of  deferred debt issuance  costs) and the
     portion of rental  expense that  is representative of  the interest  factor
     (deemed to be one-third of minimum operating lease rentals). As a result of
     losses  incurred for the  periods presented, earnings  were insufficient to
     cover fixed charges during Alpine's fiscal years ended April 30, 1993, 1994
     and 1995 by $2.5 million, $4.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively,  and
     pro  forma earnings were insufficient to  cover pro forma fixed charges for
     the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995 by $4.6 million.

(4)  EBITDA represents operating income plus (i) depreciation and  amortization,
     (ii)  write-off  of  other  intangibles and  (iii)  provision  for non-cash
     compensation expense (primarily stock options and restricted stock grants).
     EBITDA is presented not  as a measure of  operating results, but rather  to
     provide additional information related to Alpine's ability to service debt.
     EBITDA  should not be considered as  an alternative to either (i) operating
     income  determined  in  accordance   with  generally  accepted   accounting
     principles  ("GAAP") as an indicator of  operating performance or (ii) cash
     flows from operating activities (determined  in accordance with GAAP) as  a
     measure of liquidity.
</TABLE>
    

                                       17
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS

    PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS  SHOULD  CONSIDER  CAREFULLY,  IN  ADDITION  TO OTHER
INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FOLLOWING FACTORS.

SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

    Alpine's businesses are capital intensive and Alpine has incurred or assumed
substantial  indebtedness  to   finance  the  Superior,   Adience  and   Alcatel
Acquisitions.  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.
Subject to certain  covenants and financial  tests set forth  in the New  Credit
Agreement and the Indenture, Alpine may incur additional debt in the future. See
"Description  of Certain Indebtedness--New Credit Agreement" and "Description of
the Notes--Certain Covenants." Alpine's ability  to borrow under the New  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  the New  Credit Agreement  to finance  its business and
working capital needs, its business may be substantially and adversely affected.
At April  30,  1995,  after  giving  effect  to  the  Alcatel  Acquisition,  the
Refinancing,  the PolyVision  Transactions and the  other transactions described
under "Capitalization,"  Alpine's  consolidated  debt  would  have  been  $209.9
million, its stockholders' equity would have been $51.2 million and its ratio of
debt to stockholders' equity would have been 4.1 to 1.0. See "Capitalization."

   
    The   degree  to  which  Alpine  will  be  leveraged  could  have  important
consequences to  holders of  the Notes,  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 (an estimated $24.7 million  for
the  year ending April 30,  1996); 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 the New  Credit Agreement, the Indenture  or
its other credit arrangements.

HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE

    The   Notes  are  senior  secured  obligations  of  Alpine.  The  Notes  are
unconditionally  guaranteed  by  Superior   and  Adience.  Superior's   Canadian
subsidiary  will guarantee Superior's obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee
or, alternatively, such subsidiary may directly guarantee the Notes. Subject  to
the considerations described below under "Fraudulent Conveyance Considerations,"
the  Subsidiary Guarantees provide the holders of  the Notes with a direct claim
on the assets of the guarantors. Loans under the New Credit Agreement constitute
senior debt. Loans under the New Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Superior and
Adience and Superior's Canadian subsidiary may guarantee Superior's  obligations
under  its  guarantee  of  the  New  Credit  Agreement  or,  alternatively, such
subsidiary may  directly  guarantee the  New  Credit Agreement.  The  loans  and
guarantees under the New Credit Agreement are secured primarily by the inventory
and  accounts receivable  of Alpine and  such subsidiaries. Loans  under the New
Credit Agreement  to  the  DNE  Group and  Alpine's  Canadian  subsidiaries  are
primarily  secured  by such  companies' inventory  and accounts  receivable. The
Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees  are senior obligations,  ranking PARI PASSU  in
right  of payment with the loans and  subsidiary guarantees under the New Credit
Agreement and with other  senior debt of Alpine  and the Subsidiary  Guarantors,
except  that the Subsidiary Guarantee given  by Adience is subordinated in right
of payment to the $5.0 million of Adience Senior Notes outstanding. However, the
Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees  are effectively subordinated  to the loans  and
subsidiary  guarantees under the New Credit  Agreement and to other secured debt
of Alpine and the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent

                                       18
<PAGE>
of the assets securing the New Credit  Agreement and such other debt. The  Notes
are  effectively  subordinated to  all debt  and  other obligations  of Alpine's
subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors  to the extent of the assets  of
such  subsidiaries. The pledge of stock to  secure the Notes does not alter such
effective subordination of the Notes.

HISTORY OF LOSSES AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT

    Alpine has incurred losses  from continuing operations in  each of the  past
five  fiscal years. As of  April 30, 1995, Alpine  had an accumulated deficit of
$76.1 million  ($71.9  million  on a  pro  forma  basis including  the  gain  on
distribution   of  the  PolyVision   interest),  of  which   $49.0  million  was
attributable to losses from discontinued  operations. There can be no  assurance
that Alpine will attain profitable operations.

   
GOODWILL
    

   
    On  a pro forma basis  after giving effect to  the Alcatel Acquisition, good
will amounted to $85.4 million. Goodwill  represents the excess of the  purchase
price  over the net identifiable assets of  businesses acquired by Alpine and is
amortized ratably  over  periods not  exceeding  30 years.  Alpine  periodically
reviews  goodwill in order to assess the recoverability in accordance with GAAP.
Should Alpine determine that the underlying assets will not generate  sufficient
income to recover the carrying value of goodwill, the deficiency will be written
off as a charge to the income statement.
    

   
POSSIBLE INABILITY OF ALPINE TO REPURCHASE NOTES
    

   
    If  a Change of  Control (as defined  herein) occurs at  any time, then each
holder of  Notes  will have  the  right to  require  that Alpine  purchase  such
holder's  Notes,  in whole  or in  part in  integral multiples  of $1,000,  at a
purchase price in cash in  an amount equal to 101%  of the Accredited Value  (as
defined herein) thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. However, in the event
of  a Change of  Control and the  request by some  or all of  the holders of the
Notes that Alpine purchase the Notes, there can be no assurance that Alpine will
have or can obtain sufficient  funds at such time to  enable it to purchase  the
Notes.
    

   
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 RBOCs and other
telephone companies could have a disproportionately adverse effect on the copper
wire and cable industry, including Alpine.
    

   
EFFECTIVE SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTES AND SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
    

   
    The Old Notes  are, and  the New Notes  and subsidiary  guarantees will  be,
effectively  subordinated to the loans  and subsidiary guarantees under Alpine's
bank credit agreement  and to other  secured debt of  Alpine and the  subsidiary
guarantors  to the extent of the assets  securing such debt. The Indenture under
which the Old Notes were issued and the New Notes will be issued permits  Alpine
to  incur additional secured  debt, including $50.8  million under Alpine's bank
credit agreement in addition to $34.2 million which was outstanding at July  31,
1995.  The Old Notes, the New Notes  and the subsidiary guarantees are, and will
be, effectively subordinated to such additional debt.
    

                                       19
<PAGE>
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 holding companies.  For the fiscal year ended
April 30,  1995,  the  six  RBOCs with  which  Alpine  currently  has  long-term
contracts  and three large independent telephone  companies accounted for 76% of
Alpine's pro forma wire and cable  net sales. Two of these customers,  BellSouth
Corporation and GTE Corporation, accounted for 11.5% and 10.4%, respectively, of
Alpine's  total pro forma net  sales for that year.  The three largest customers
for Alpine's specialty refractory products (USX--US Steel Group, Inc., Bethlehem
Steel Corporation  and  LTV Steel  Company,  Inc.)  accounted for  31%  of  such
business segment's pro forma net sales for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995.
Alpine's   electronic  and  data   communications  business  remains  materially
dependent upon U.S. military and  government sales, which represented 57.2%  and
25.3%,  respectively, of this  business segment's net sales  for the fiscal year
ended April  30, 1995.  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 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. 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.
    

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. Between  1982 and 1993,  U.S.
steel producers reduced their raw steel production capacity by approximately 25%
and  increased  efficiency  through modernization  of  production  facilities. A
number of U.S. steel producers reported losses in 1990, 1991 and 1992 in a  weak
U.S.  economic  environment,  however, many  steel  producers  reported improved
results in 1993  and 1994. There  can be  no assurance that  this recovery  will
continue  or 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  UTP  products  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.

                                       20
<PAGE>
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.

   
    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.
    

FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE CONSIDERATIONS

    Alpine believes  that the  indebtedness  represented by  the Notes  and  the
Subsidiary  Guarantees has been incurred for  proper purposes and in good faith,
and that,  based on  present  forecasts, asset  valuations and  other  financial
information,  each  of  Alpine  and  the  Subsidiary  Guarantors  is,  after the
consummation of the offering of the Old  Notes was and after the Exchange  Offer
will  be, solvent, will have sufficient capital for carrying on its business and
will be able to pay its  debts as they mature. Notwithstanding Alpine's  belief,
however,  if  a court  of  competent jurisdiction  in a  suit  by a  creditor or
representative of creditors  of Alpine or  any Subsidiary Guarantor  (such as  a
trustee  in bankruptcy or a debtor-in-possession) were to find that, at the time
of the incurrence of the indebtedness represented by the Notes or the Subsidiary
Guarantees, Alpine  or  such Subsidiary  Guarantor,  as  the case  may  be,  was
insolvent, was rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence or guarantee, was
engaged  in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted
unreasonably small capital, intended to incur, or believed that it would  incur,
debts  beyond its  ability to  pay such  debts as  they matured,  or intended to
hinder, delay or defraud its creditors,  and that the indebtedness was  incurred
for  less than reasonably  equivalent value, then such  court could, among other
things, (i) void  all or a  portion of Alpine's  or such Subsidiary  Guarantor's
obligations  to the holders of the Notes, the  effect of which could be that the
holders of the Notes may not be repaid in full and/or (ii) subordinate  Alpine's
or  such Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations to the holders of the Notes to other
existing and future  indebtedness of  Alpine or such  Subsidiary Guarantor,  the
effect  of which  would be to  entitle such other  creditors to be  paid in full
before any payment could be made on the Notes.

CERTAIN ISSUES RELATING TO ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT

    The New Notes will be  subject to the application  of the OID provisions  of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A holder of the New Notes will be
required  to include in gross income each year  the amount of the OID accrued on
its New  Notes for  such year  in  advance of  the receipt  of cash  in  respect
thereof.

    Except in certain limited circumstances, unmatured interest is not allowable
as  a claim under  the U.S. Bankruptcy  Code. If a  bankruptcy or reorganization
case is commenced by or against Alpine,  a bankruptcy court could hold that  any
amount  by which  the stated  principal amount  of the  New Notes  exceeds their
accreted value  as  of  the  date  of the  filing  of  the  bankruptcy  petition
constitutes unmatured interest. If a court were so to find, claims by holders of
the  New Notes would be allowed only to  the extent of the accreted value of the
New Notes as of the date of the petition. There can be no assurance that a court
would calculate such

                                       21
<PAGE>
accreted value  by the  same method  as  that employed  for federal  income  tax
purposes  or under the Indenture. Accordingly, holders of New Notes may, even if
sufficient funds are available, receive a lesser amount as a result of any  such
bankruptcy  case than they would  be entitled to under  the express terms of the
Indenture. Such amount might also be less than the amount calculated for federal
income tax purposes.

ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET

    The New Notes will be new securities for which there currently is no market.
Although the Initial Purchasers have informed Alpine that they currently  intend
to make a market in the New Notes, they are not obligated to do so, and any such
market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, there
can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the New
Notes.  Alpine does  not intend  to apply for  listing of  the New  Notes on any
securities exchange  or  for  quotation  through  the  National  Association  of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE

    Untendered  Old Notes not  exchanged for New Notes  pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will remain subject to the existing restrictions upon transfer of such Old
Notes. Additionally, holders of any Old Notes not tendered in the Exchange Offer
prior to the Expiration Date will not be entitled to require Alpine to file  the
Shelf Registration Statement and the stated interest rate on such Old Notes will
remain at its initial level of 12 1/4%.

   
                                THE REFINANCING
    

   
    On  July  21,  1995,  Alpine  completed  the  private  sale  to  the Initial
Purchasers of $153.0 million  principal amount of  the Old Notes  at a price  of
88.756%  of the principal amount thereof.  The Initial Purchasers resold the Old
Notes to a  limited number  of institutional investors  at an  initial price  to
investors  of 91.737% of  the principal amount thereof,  with net proceeds after
transaction expenses to Alpine of approximately $134.3 million. The Offering was
a private placement transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation D thereunder. In  connection
with  the Offering,  Alpine entered into  the New Credit  Agreement with certain
institutional lenders, under which Alpine may borrow up to $85.0 million at  any
one  time, if certain conditions  are met. Loans under  the New Credit Agreement
constitutes senior debt guaranteed  under the New  Credit Agreement are  secured
primarily   by  the  inventory  and  accounts  receivable  of  Alpine  and  such
subsidiaries.
    

   
    Alpine used the net proceeds of the Offering, together with borrowings under
the New Credit Agreement  and a portion  of its cash  reserves, to complete  the
following transactions:
    

   
    1.   On July 21, 1995, Superior  repaid in full the $140.0 million aggregate
principal amount of notes (the "Alcatel  Acquisition Notes") issued in May  1995
to  certain institutional investors. The net proceeds of the Alcatel Acquisition
Notes ($135.4 million after the payment of certain fees and expenses) were  used
as  follows: (i)  to pay  $93.0 million  in cash  to Alcatel  NA as  part of the
purchase price  for the  Alcatel  Acquisition; (ii)  to repay  borrowings  under
Superior's bank credit agreement in full, which amounted to $22.6 million at the
time  of repayment; (iii) to pay acquisition  expenses of $0.5 million; and (iv)
to retain $19.3 million for working capital and general corporate purposes.
    

   
    2.  In connection with the Alcatel Acquisition, $9.9 million of the purchase
price was paid on August 11, 1995.
    

   
    3.  On  July 21,  1995, Adience  retired $44.1  million aggregate  principal
amount  of its 11% Senior  Secured Notes due 2002  (the "Adience Senior Notes"),
plus  accrued  interest,  for  $35.3  million  in  cash  (plus  other   non-cash
consideration)  pursuant to a debt exchange agreement entered into in connection
with the Adience Acquisition  in December 1994  (the "Debt Exchange  Agreement")
with  the holders  of 89.8%  of the  Adience Senior  Notes. The  retired Adience
Senior Notes had an accreted  value of $40.1 million  at July 21, 1995.  Adience
Senior  Notes in the principal amount of $5.0 million (with an accreted value of
$4.6 million) remained outstanding as of August 15, 1995.
    

                                       22
<PAGE>
   
    4.  On July 21, 1995, Adience terminated its revolving credit facility  (the
"Adience  Credit Facility") and repaid all amounts outstanding thereunder, which
were $10.0 million on July 21, 1995.
    

   
    5.  Alpine acquired the 12.85% of Adience's common stock not owned by Alpine
pursuant to the merger on July 21,  1995 of a wholly-owned subsidiary of  Alpine
into Adience. Alpine paid $1.6 million for such shares.
    

   
    6.   In connection with Alpine's acquisition of DNE in February 1992, Alpine
issued a subordinated note  to the seller (the  "DNE Acquisiton Note"). The  DNE
Acquisition  Note  had  a balance  of  $2.5 million  at  July 21,  1995  and was
satisfied in  August  1995  by the  payment  of  $2.2 million  as  part  of  the
Refinancing.
    

   
    7.  DNE terminated its revolving credit facility (the "DNE Credit Facility")
and  repaid all amounts  outstanding thereunder, which were  $1.6 million at the
time of termination.
    

   
    8.  On July 21, 1995, Alpine redeemed in full its 13.5% Senior Secured Notes
due January 5, 1996 (the "Alpine  13.5% Senior Notes"). The Alpine 13.5%  Senior
Notes  were issued in  January 1995 in  the aggregate principal  amount of $21.0
million and, at  July 21,  1995, had  an accreted  value of  $20.8 million.  The
proceeds from the issuance of the Alpine 13.5% Senior Notes were used to finance
expenses  associated with the  acquisiton of Adience and  to provide Alpine with
additional working capital to meet its ongoing comitments.
    

   
    9.  On July 21, 1995, Alpine redeemed in full its 13.5% Senior  Subordinated
Debentures  due October 1, 1996 (the "Alpine 13.5% Debentures") in the aggregate
principal amount of $1.6 million.
    

   
    10. Alpine repaid other current indebtedness of $0.2 million.
    

   
    11. Alpine loaned $3.3 million to  PolyVision to enable PolyVision to  repay
all  amounts due under  its revolving credit facility  and under its outstanding
equipment loan. The  loan bears  an initial  interest rate  of 11%  and will  be
adjusted  semi-annually  to reflect  Alpine's cost  of  borrowings. The  loan is
repayable together with  accrued interest  thereon on the  tenth anniversary  or
upon  the  earlier  receipt  of  any cash  proceeds  from  the  issuance  of any
securities of  PolyVision,  other  than working  capital  financing  or  secured
financing of assets in the ordinary course of its business.
    

                                       23
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   
    Alpine  and  the Co-Offerors  will not  receive any  cash proceeds  from the
issuance of the New Notes offered  hereby. In consideration for issuing the  New
Notes  as contemplated in  this Prospectus, Alpine will  receive in exchange Old
Notes in like principal amount, the terms of which are identical in all material
respects to the New  Notes. The Old  Notes surrendered in  exchange for the  New
Notes  will  be  retired  and cancelled  and  cannot  be  reissued. Accordingly,
issuance of the New Notes will not result in any increase in the indebtedness of
Alpine. For information with respect to the use of the net proceeds received  by
Alpine  from the  offering of  the Old  Notes, borrowings  under the  New Credit
Agreement  and  a  portion  of  Alpine's  cash  reserves,  see  "Summary--Recent
Developments;  The Refinancing"  and "The Refinancing"  herein and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis--Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the Form 10-K.
    

                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

GENERAL

    Alpine and the Co-Offerors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with
the Initial Purchasers pursuant to which Alpine and the Co-Offerors agreed,  for
the  benefit of the holders of the Old Notes, at Alpine's cost, (i) to use their
best efforts to file the Registration Statement within 30 days after the date of
the original issue  of the Old  Notes with  the Commission with  respect to  the
Exchange  Offer  for the  New  Notes, which  will  have terms  identical  in all
material respects to the Old Notes (except  that the New Notes will not  contain
terms  with  respect  to transfer  restrictions  or interest  rate  increases as
described herein) and (ii) to use  their best efforts to cause the  Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within 90 days after
the  date  of the  original  issue of  the  Old Notes.  The  Registration Rights
Agreement provides  that  promptly after  the  Registration Statement  has  been
declared effective, Alpine will offer the New Notes in exchange for surrender of
the  Old Notes and  that Alpine will keep  the Exchange Offer  open for not less
than 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice  of
the  Exchange Offer is mailed to the holders of the Old Notes. For each Old Note
validly tendered to Alpine pursuant to  the Exchange Offer and not withdrawn  by
the holder thereof, the holder of such Old Note will receive a New Note having a
principal  amount equal to that  of the tendered Old  Note. Interest on each New
Note will accrue from the last Interest Payment Date on which interest was  paid
on  the Old Note tendered in exchange therefor  or, if no interest has been paid
on such tendered Old Note, from July 21, 1995.

    Based on  an  interpretation of  the  Securities Act  by  the staff  of  the
Commission  set forth in several no-action letters to third parties, and subject
to the immediately following sentence, Alpine believes that the New Notes issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may  be offered for resale, resold and  otherwise
transferred  by holders thereof without further compliance with the registration
and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act. However, any holder of
Old Notes who is an "affiliate" of  Alpine or who intends to participate in  the
Exchange  Offer for the  purpose of distributing  the New Notes  (i) will not be
able to rely on the interpretation by  the staff of the Commission set forth  in
the  above referenced  no-action letters,  (ii) will not  be able  to tender Old
Notes in the  Exchange Offer  and (iii) must  comply with  the registration  and
prospectus  delivery requirements of  the Securities Act  in connection with any
sale or transfer of the New Notes, unless such sale or transfer is made pursuant
to an exemption from such requirements.

   
    Each holder of the Old Notes who wishes to exchange Old Notes for New  Notes
in  the  Exchange  Offer  will  be  required  to  make  certain representations,
including that (i)  any New Notes  acquired pursuant to  the Exchange Offer  are
being  obtained  in the  ordinary course  of such  holder's business,  (ii) such
holder has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of
such New Notes and  (iii) such holder  is not an  "affiliate," as defined  under
Rule  405 of the  Securities Act of Alpine  or, if such  holder is an affiliate,
that such  holder will  comply  with the  registration and  prospectus  delivery
requirements  of the Securities Act  to the extent applicable.  If the holder is
not a broker-dealer, it will be required to represent that it is not engaged in,
and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes. If the holder  is
a Participating Broker-Dealer that will receive New Notes for its own account in
exchange  for  Old  Notes  that  were  acquired  as  a  result  of market-making
activities or other trading activities, it will be required to acknowledge  that
it has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the
New Notes and that it will
    

                                       24
<PAGE>
   
deliver  a prospectus in connection with any  resale of such New Notes; however,
by so acknowledging  and by  delivering a prospectus,  such holder  will not  be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act. The Commission has taken the position that Participating Broker-Dealers may
fulfill  their prospectus  delivery requirements with  respect to  the New Notes
(other than a resale of  an unsold allotment from the  original sale of the  Old
Notes)  with this Prospectus. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Alpine is
required to  allow  Participating  Broker-Dealers and  other  persons,  if  any,
subject  to similar prospectus  delivery requirements to  use this Prospectus in
connection with the resale  of such New Notes.  A broker-dealer which  purchased
Old Notes from Alpine may not participate in the Exchange Offer.
    

    The  Registration  Rights Agreement  provides that,  in  the event  that any
changes in law or the applicable interpr etations of the staff of the Commission
do not permit Alpine to effect the Exchange Offer or if for any other reason the
Registration Statement  is  not declared  effective  within 90  days  after  the
original  issuance of  the Old  Notes or the  Exchange Offer  is not consummated
within 120 days after the original issue of the Old Notes or upon the request of
any Initial Purchaser  under certain  circumstances, Alpine  and the  Subsidiary
Guarantors will, in lieu of effecting the registration of the New Notes pursuant
to  the  Registration  Statement  and  at  Alpine's  cost,  (a)  as  promptly as
practicable, file with the Commission the Shelf Registration Statement  covering
resales  of  the  Old Notes,  (b)  use their  best  efforts to  cause  the Shelf
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by  the
120th day after the original issue of the Old Notes (or promptly in the event of
a  request by  any Initial  Purchaser) and  (c) use  their best  efforts to keep
effective the Shelf Registration Statement for a period of three years after its
effective date (or for a  period of one year after  such effective date if  such
Shelf  Registration Statement is  filed at the request  of any Initial Purchaser
or, for such  shorter period, when  all of the  Old Notes covered  by the  Shelf
Registration  Statement have  been sold pursuant  thereto). Alpine  will, in the
event of the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement, provide to each holder of
the Old Notes copies of the prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration
Statement, notify each such holder when the Shelf Registration Statement for the
Old Notes has become effective and take certain other actions as are required to
permit unrestricted resales of the  Old Notes. A holder  of Old Notes who  sells
such  Old Notes pursuant  to the Shelf Registration  Statement generally will be
required to be named as a  selling securityholder in the related prospectus  and
to deliver the prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil
liability  provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales and
will be bound by the provisions  of the Registration Rights Agreement which  are
applicable  to such a holder (including certain indemnification obligations). In
addition, each holder of the Old  Notes will be required to deliver  information
to  be used in connection  with the Shelf Registration  Statement and to provide
comments on the Shelf Registration Statement  within the time periods set  forth
in  the Registration Rights Agreement in order  to have their Old Notes included
in the Shelf Registration Statement and to benefit from the provisions regarding
the increase in interest rate set forth in the following paragraph.

    In the event that  either (i) the Registration  Statement is not filed  with
the  Commission on or prior to the 30th day following the date of original issue
of the Old Notes, (ii) the  Registration Statement is not declared effective  on
or  prior to the 90th day following the  date of original issue of the Old Notes
or (iii) the  Exchange Offer is  not consummated on  or prior to  the 120th  day
following  the date of original  issue of the Old  Notes or a Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective on or  prior to the 120th day following  the
date  of original issue of  the Old Notes as  described above, the interest rate
stated on the Old  Notes shall be  increased by one-quarter  of one percent  per
annum,  which rate will be increased by an additional one quarter of one percent
per annum for each 90-day period that any such additional interest continues  to
accrue; provided that the aggregate increase in such annual interest rate may in
no  event exceed one percent. Upon (x)  the filing of the Registration Statement
in the  case of  clause (i)  above, (y)  the effectiveness  of the  Registration
Statement in the case of clause (ii) above or (z) the day before the date of the
consummation  of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be, in  the case of clause (iii) above, the  interest
rate  stated on the Old Notes from the date of such filing, effectiveness or day
before the date of the consummation, as the case may be, will be reduced to  the
original interest rate of the

                                       25
<PAGE>
Old  Notes; provided,  however, that,  if after  any such  reduction in interest
rate, a different event specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above occurs, the
interest   rate   may   again   be   increased   pursuant   to   the   foregoing
provisions.

    The  summary  herein  of  certain  provisions  of  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by  reference to,  all the  provisions of  the Registration  Rights
Agreement,  a copy  of which has  been filed  as an exhibit  to the Registration
Statement.

    As of the date of  this Prospectus, $153,000,000 aggregate principal  amount
of  the Old  Notes is outstanding.  In connection  with the issuance  of the Old
Notes, Alpine  arranged  for the  Old  Notes initially  purchased  by  qualified
institutional  buyers, as defined pursuant in Rule 144A under the Securities Act
("Qualified Institutional Buyers"), to be issued and transferable in  book-entry
form  through the facilities  of DTC, acting  as depositary. The  New Notes will
also be issuable and transferable in book-entry form through DTC.

    This Prospectus, together  with the  accompanying Letter  of Transmittal  is
being  sent to all registered holders of Old Notes as of             , 1995 (the
"Record Date").

    Alpine shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes when,  as
and  if Alpine has given  oral or written notice  thereof to the Exchange Agent.
See "Exchange Agent."  The Exchange Agent  will act as  agent for the  tendering
holders  of Old  Notes for the  purpose of  receiving New Notes  from Alpine and
delivering New Notes to such holders.

    If any  tendered Old  Notes are  not  accepted for  exchange because  of  an
invalid  tender  or the  occurrence of  certain other  events set  forth herein,
certificates for  any  such  unaccepted  Old Notes  will  be  returned,  without
expense,  to the tendering  holder thereof as promptly  as practicable after the
Expiration Date.

    Holders of Old Notes who tender in  the Exchange Offer will not be  required
to  pay brokerage  commissions or  fees or, subject  to the  instructions in the
Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Old  Notes
pursuant  to the Exchange Offer. Alpine will pay all charges and expenses, other
than certain applicable taxes, in connection with the Exchange Offer. See  "Fees
and Expenses."

EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS

    The  term "Expiration Date" shall mean             , 1995, unless Alpine, in
its sole  discretion,  extends  the  Exchange Offer,  in  which  case  the  term
"Expiration  Date" shall  mean the  latest date to  which the  Exchange Offer is
extended.

    In order to  extend the  Expiration Date,  Alpine will  notify the  Exchange
Agent  of any extension  by oral or written  notice and will  mail to the record
holders of Old Notes an announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New  York
City  time, on the  next business day after  the previously scheduled Expiration
Date. Such announcement may  state that Alpine is  extending the Exchange  Offer
for a specified period of time.

    Alpine  reserves the  right (i)  to delay  acceptance of  any Old  Notes, to
extend the Exchange Offer or  to terminate the Exchange  Offer and to refuse  to
accept  Old Notes not  previously accepted, if  any of the  conditions set forth
herein under "Termination" shall have occurred and shall not have been waived by
Alpine (if permitted to be waived by  Alpine), by giving oral or written  notice
of  such delay, extension or termination to the Exchange Agent and (ii) to amend
the terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner deemed by it to be advantageous to
the holders  of  the  Old  Notes.  Any  such  delay  in  acceptance,  extension,
termination  or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or
written notice thereof. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner  determined
by  Alpine to constitute  a material change, Alpine  will promptly disclose such
amendment in a  manner reasonably calculated  to inform the  holders of the  Old
Notes of such amendment.

    Without  limiting  the manner  in  which Alpine  may  choose to  make public
announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of
the Exchange Offer,  Alpine shall have  no obligation to  publish, advertise  or
otherwise  communicate  any such  public announcement,  other  than by  making a
timely release to the Dow Jones News Service.

                                       26
<PAGE>
INTEREST ON THE NEW NOTES

    Interest on each New Note will accrue from the last Interest Payment Date on
which interest was paid on the Old Note tendered in exchange therefor or, if  no
interest has been paid on such tendered Old Note, from July 21, 1995. Holders of
Old  Notes whose  Old Notes  are accepted  for exchange  will be  deemed to have
waived the right to receive any payment in respect of interest on the Old  Notes
accrued  from the last Interest  Payment Date or July 21,  1995 (as the case may
be) to the  date of the  issuance of  the New Notes.  Consequently, holders  who
exchange their Old Notes for New Notes will receive the same interest payment on
the  same  Interest Payment  Date that  they  would have  received had  they not
accepted the Exchange Offer. Interest on the New Notes is payable  semi-annually
on  January 15 and July 15 of each  year accruing from the last Interest Payment
Date or, in the case of  the first payment, July 21, 1995  at a rate of 12  1/4%
per annum.

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING

    To  tender in the Exchange Offer, a  holder must complete, sign and date the
Letter of  Transmittal, or  a  facsimile thereof,  have the  signatures  thereon
guaranteed  if  required by  the Letter  of Transmittal,  and mail  or otherwise
deliver such Letter  of Transmittal  or such  facsimile, together  with the  Old
Notes  (unless  such tender  is  being effected  pursuant  to the  procedure for
book-entry transfer described below)  and any other  required documents, to  the
Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

    Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's Book-Entry Transfer
Facility  system may make book-entry delivery of the Old Notes by causing DTC to
transfer such Old  Notes into the  Exchange Agent's account  in accordance  with
DTC's  procedure  for  such transfer.  Although  delivery  of Old  Notes  may be
effected through book-entry transfer into  the Exchange Agent's account at  DTC,
the  Letter of Transmittal  (or facsimile thereof),  with any required signature
guarantees and any other required documents,  must, in any case, be  transmitted
to  and received or confirmed  by the Exchange Agent  at its addresses set forth
herein under "Exchange Agent"  prior to 5:00  p.m., New York  City time, on  the
Expiration  Date. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PROCEDURES
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

    The tender by  a holder of  Old Notes will  constitute an agreement  between
such  holder  and  Alpine  in  accordance with  the  terms  and  subject  to the
conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal.

    Delivery of all documents must be made to the Exchange Agent at its  address
set  forth  herein.  Holders may  also  request that  their  respective brokers,
dealers, commercial banks, trust  companies or nominees  effect such tender  for
such holders.

    The  method of delivery of  Old Notes and the  Letter of Transmittal and all
other required documents to the  Exchange Agent is at  the election and risk  of
the  holders. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that holders use an
overnight or hand  delivery service.  In all  cases, sufficient  time should  be
allowed  to assure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should
be sent to Alpine.

    Only a holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in the Exchange  Offer.
The  term "holder" with respect to the  Exchange Offer means any person in whose
name Old Notes are registered on the books of Alpine or any other person who has
obtained a properly  completed bond  power from  the registered  holder, or  any
person whose Old Notes are held of record by DTC who desires to deliver such Old
Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.

    Any  beneficial holder  whose Old  Notes are registered  in the  name of his
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company  or other nominee and who  wishes
to  tender  should contact  such registered  holder  promptly and  instruct such
registered holder to tender on his  behalf. If such beneficial holder wishes  to
tender  on his own behalf, such beneficial  holder must, prior to completing and
executing the Letter of  Transmittal and delivering his  Old Notes, either  make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes in such holder's
name  or obtain a properly completed bond  power from the registered holder. The
transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.

    Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national  securities
exchange or of the National Association of Securities

                                       27
<PAGE>
Dealers,  Inc.,  a  commercial  bank  or  trust  company  having  an  office  or
correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within
the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under  the Exchange Act (an "Eligible  Institution")
unless  the Old Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered
holder (including  any participant  in  DTC whose  name  appears on  a  security
position  listed  as the  owner  of Old  Notes) who  has  not completed  the box
entitled "Special Issuance Instructions"  or "Special Delivery Instructions"  on
the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution.

    If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
holder  of any  Old Notes  listed therein,  such Old  Notes must  be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate bond powers which authorize such person to tender the
Old Notes on behalf of the registered holder, in either case signed as the  name
of the registered holder or holders appears on the Old Notes.

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

    All questions  as to  the  validity, form,  eligibility (including  time  of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of the tendered Old Notes will be determined
by Alpine in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding.
Alpine  reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes not properly
tendered or any Old Notes Alpine's acceptance of which would, in the opinion  of
counsel  for Alpine,  be unlawful.  Alpine also  reserves the  absolute right to
waive any irregularities  or conditions of  tender as to  particular Old  Notes.
Alpine's  interpretation  of  the terms  and  conditions of  the  Exchange Offer
(including the instructions  in the  Letter of  Transmittal) will  be final  and
binding  on  all  parties.  Unless  waived,  any  defects  or  irregularities in
connection with tenders of Old  Notes must be cured  within such time as  Alpine
shall  determine. Neither Alpine, the Exchange  Agent nor any other person shall
be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect
to tenders of Old Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to
give such notification. Tenders  of Old Notes  will not be  deemed to have  been
made until such irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received
by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects
or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned without cost by
the  Exchange Agent to the  tendering holder of such  Old Notes unless otherwise
provided in the  Letter of  Transmittal, as  soon as  practicable following  the
Expiration Date.

    In  addition,  Alpine  reserves the  right  in  its sole  discretion  to (a)
purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent  to
the  Expiration Date,  or, as  set forth  under "Termination,"  to terminate the
Exchange Offer and (b) to the  extent permitted by applicable law, purchase  Old
Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The
terms  of any such purchases or offers may differ from the terms of the Exchange
Offer.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES

    Holders who wish to tender their Old  Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are  not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, the Letter of
Transmittal  or any other required documents to  the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date, or if such holder cannot complete the procedure for  book-entry
transfer on a timely basis, may effect a tender if:

    (a) the tender is made through an Eligible Institution;

    (b)  prior to  the Expiration  Date, the  Exchange Agent  receives from such
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by facsimile transmission,  mail or hand  delivery) setting forth  the
name  and address  of the  holder of  the Old  Notes, the  certificate number or
numbers of  such Old  Notes and  the  principal amount  of Old  Notes  tendered,
stating  that the  tender is being  made thereby, and  guaranteeing that, within
five business days  after the  Expiration Date,  the Letter  of Transmittal  (or
facsimile  thereof), together with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes
to be tendered in prior  form for transfer and  any other documents required  by
the  Letter of Transmittal,  will be deposited by  the Eligible Institution with
the Exchange Agent; and

                                       28
<PAGE>
    (c) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), together with the certificate(s)  representing all tendered Old  Notes
in  proper form for transfer (or confirmation  of a book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC of  Old Notes delivered electronically) and  all
other  documents  required by  the  Letter of  Transmittal  are received  by the
Exchange Agent within five business days after the Expiration Date.

WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS

    Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders  of Old Notes may be  withdrawn
at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day prior to
the Expiration Date, unless previously accepted for exchange.

    To  withdraw  a tender  of Old  Notes in  the Exchange  Offer, a  written or
facsimile transmission notice  of withdrawal  must be received  by the  Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the  business  day prior  to the  Expiration  Date and  prior to  acceptance for
exchange thereof by Alpine. Any such  notice of withdrawal must (i) specify  the
name  of  the  person  having  deposited the  Old  Notes  to  be  withdrawn (the
"Depositor"), (ii)  identify  the  Old  Notes to  be  withdrawn  (including  the
certificate  number or numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes), (iii) be
signed by the  Depositor in the  same manner  as the original  signature on  the
Letter  of  Transmittal by  which such  Old Notes  were tendered  (including any
required signature  guarantees)  or  be accompanied  by  documents  of  transfer
sufficient  to permit the Trustee with respect  to the Old Notes to register the
transfer of such  Old Notes  into the  name of  the Deposit  or withdrawing  the
tender  and  (iv)  specify the  name  in which  any  such  Old Notes  are  to be
registered, if different  from that of  the Depositor. All  questions as to  the
validity,  form and eligibility  (including time of  receipt) of such withdrawal
notices will be  determined by Alpine,  whose determination shall  be final  and
binding  on all parties. Any  Old Notes so withdrawn will  be deemed not to have
been validly tendered for purposes of the  Exchange Offer and no New Notes  will
be  issued with respect  thereto unless the  Old Notes so  withdrawn are validly
retendered. Any Old Notes  which have been tendered  but which are not  accepted
for  exchange will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder
as soon as practicable after withdrawal,  rejection of tender or termination  of
the  Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following
one of the procedures  described above under "Procedures  for Tendering" at  any
time prior to the Expiration Date.

TERMINATION

    Notwithstanding  any other  term of the  Exchange Offer, Alpine  will not be
required to accept for exchange,  or exchange New Notes  for, any Old Notes  not
theretofore accepted for exchange, and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer
as provided herein before the acceptance of such Old Notes if: (i) any action or
proceeding  is  instituted  or threatened  in  any  court or  by  or  before any
governmental agency  with respect  to  the Exchange  Offer, which,  in  Alpine's
judgment,  might materially impair Alpine's ability to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or  (ii) any  law, statute,  rule or  regulation is  proposed, adopted  or
enacted,  or any existing law, statute, rule or regulation is interpreted by the
staff of  the  Commission  in  a manner,  which,  in  Alpine's  judgment,  might
materially impair Alpine's ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer.

    If  Alpine determines that it may terminate the Exchange Offer, as set forth
above, Alpine may (i) refuse  to accept any Old Notes  and return any Old  Notes
that  have been tendered to the holders  thereof, (ii) extend the Exchange Offer
and retain all Old Notes tendered prior  to the Expiration Date of the  Exchange
Offer,  subject to the rights of such  holders of tendered Old Notes to withdraw
their tendered Old Notes, (iii) waive such termination event with respect to the
Exchange Offer and  accept all properly  tendered Old Notes  that have not  been
withdrawn.  If such waiver constitutes a  material change in the Exchange Offer,
Alpine will disclose  such change by  means of a  supplement to this  Prospectus
that will be distributed to each registered holder of Old Notes, and Alpine will
extend  the Exchange Offer for  a period of five  to 10 business days, depending
upon the  significance  of  the waiver  and  the  manner of  disclosure  to  the
registered  holders  of the  Old Notes,  if the  Exchange Offer  would otherwise
expire during such period.

                                       29
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE AGENT

    Marine Midland Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, has been appointed  as
Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for assistance and
requests  for  additional  copies  of  this  Prospectus  or  of  the  Letter  of
Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>
By Mail:               Marine Midland Bank
                       140 Broadway--A Level
                       Corporate Trust Operations
                       New York, New York 10005-1180
By Hand or Overnight   Marine Midland
Courier:               Bank
                       140 Broadway--A Level
                       Corporate Trust Operations
                       New York, New York 10005-1180
Facsimile              (212) 658-2292
Transmission:
Confirm by Telephone:  (212) 658-5931
</TABLE>

FEES AND EXPENSES

    The expenses of soliciting  tenders pursuant to the  Exchange Offer will  be
borne by Alpine. The principal solicitation for tenders pursuant to the Exchange
Offer  is being made by  mail. Additional solicitations may  be made by officers
and regular employees of  Alpine and its affiliates  in person, by telegraph  or
telephone.

    Alpine  will  not make  any payments  to brokers,  dealers or  other persons
soliciting acceptances  of the  Exchange Offer.  Alpine, however,  will pay  the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
the  Exchange  Agent for  its  reasonable out-of-pocket  expenses  in connection
therewith. Alpine may also pay  brokerage houses and other custodians,  nominees
and  fiduciaries  the  reasonable  out-of-pocket expenses  incurred  by  them in
forwarding copies  of  this  Prospectus,  Letters  of  Transmittal  and  related
documents  to  the  beneficial  owners  of the  Old  Notes  and  in  handling or
forwarding tenders for exchange.

    The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer, including
fees and expenses  of the Exchange  Agent and Trustee  and accounting and  legal
fees, will be paid by Alpine.

    Alpine  will pay all transfer  taxes, if any, applicable  to the exchange of
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, certificates representing
New Notes  or Old  Notes for  principal  amounts not  tendered or  accepted  for
exchange  are to be delivered to, or are  to be registered or issued in the name
of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes tendered, or if
tendered Old Notes  are registered  in the  name of  any person  other than  the
person  signing the Letter of  Transmittal, or if a  transfer tax is imposed for
any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange  Offer,
then  the amount of any  such transfer taxes (whether  imposed on the registered
holder or  any  other persons)  will  be payable  by  the tendering  holder.  If
satisfactory  evidence of  payment of such  taxes or exemption  therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

   
    No gain or loss  for accounting purposes will  be recognized by Alpine  upon
the  consummation of the Exchange Offer. The expenses of the Exchange Offer will
be amortized by Alpine over the term  of the New Notes under generally  accepted
accounting  principles. Unamortized expenses  relating to the  Old Notes will be
deferred and amortized over the life of the New Notes.
    

                                       30
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

   
    The  following   table   sets   forth  (i)   the   historical   consolidated
capitalization   of  Alpine  at  July  31,   1995  and  (ii)  such  consolidated
capitalization as adjusted to give effect to the completion of the Refinancing.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            AT JULY 31, 1995
                                                                                         -----------------------
                                                                                         HISTORICAL  AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                      <C>         <C>
SHORT-TERM DEBT:
  Alcatel Acquisition Obligation.......................................................  $    9,909          --
  Current portion of long-term debt....................................................       1,864   $   1,286
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
    Total short-term debt..............................................................  $   11,773   $   1,286
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
LONG-TERM DEBT:
  Alpine
    New Credit Agreement (1)...........................................................  $   34,208   $  49,059
    Notes (2)..........................................................................     140,358     140,358
    10% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes..........................................         603         603
    Other..............................................................................         123         123
  Superior
    Capital lease......................................................................       5,000       5,000
  Adience
    Senior Notes.......................................................................       4,638       4,638
    Capital leases and other...........................................................       1,553       1,553
  DNE
    Mortgage Note......................................................................       4,962       4,962
    DNE Acquisition Note...............................................................       1,891      --
    Credit facility....................................................................       1,146      --
    Capital leases and other...........................................................         861         861
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
      Total long-term debt.............................................................     195,343     207,157
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  8% cumulative convertible preferred stock............................................      14,068      14,068
  9% cumulative convertible preferred stock............................................       1,750       1,750
  9% cumulative convertible preferred stock............................................         177         177
  Common stock.........................................................................       1,823       1,823
  Capital in excess of par.............................................................     107,294     107,294
  Gain on PolyVision Transactions......................................................       8,479       8,479
  Cumulative translation adjustment....................................................        (127)       (127)
  Accumulated deficit..................................................................     (80,609)    (80,340)
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
                                                                                             52,855      53,124
Less: Treasury stock...................................................................      (2,731)     (2,731)
     Receivable from stockholder.......................................................        (314)       (314)
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
Total stockholders' equity.............................................................      49,810      50,079
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
  Total capitalization.................................................................  $  245,153   $ 257,236
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
                                                                                         ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
(1) For a description of the New Credit Agreement and the Adience Senior  Notes,
    see "Description of Certain Indebtedness."
    

   
(2) Represents the issue price of the $153.0 million principal amount of the Old
    Notes.
    

                                       31
<PAGE>
                  SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF ALPINE

   
    Set  forth below are certain selected historical consolidated financial data
of Alpine. This information should be read in conjunction with the  Consolidated
Financial   Statements  of  Alpine  and  related  notes  thereto  appearing  and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis"  in the Form  10-K and 10-Q  incorporated
herein  by reference. The  selected historical consolidated  financial data for,
and as of the  end of, each of  the fiscal years in  the five-year period  ended
April 30, 1995 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of
Alpine.  The selected historical  financial data for,  and as of  the end of the
three-month periods ended July 31, 1994 and 1995 are derived from the  unaudited
consolidated  financial statements of  Alpine. The financial  data presented has
been restated to reflect the results of which have been restated to reflect  the
results of operations of APV and Posterloid as discontinued.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, (1)                   JULY 31,
                                             -----------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                               1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1994       1995
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales..................................  $   2,994  $   6,786  $  27,897  $  68,510  $ 198,135  $  39,330  $ 128,784
Cost of sales..............................      1,807      4,239     15,915     56,250    169,125     53,645    112,456
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
        Gross profit.......................      1,187      2,547     11,982     12,260     29,010      5,685     16,328
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses..................................      3,144      4,808     10,482     12,168     20,487      3,506      7,902
Amortization of goodwill and other
 intangible charges........................        269        283        395      2,292      1,527        291        673
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Operating income (loss)................     (2,226)    (2,544)     1,105     (2,200)     6,996      1,888      7,753
Interest income............................        356        484        209        242        345         46        745
Interest expense...........................     (3,026)    (3,127)    (2,301)    (2,363)    (8,197)      (998)    (7,108)
Other income (expense), net................       (540)      (604)    (1,469)      (506)        28         21        114
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    (Loss) from continuing operations
     before income taxes...................     (5,436)    (5,791)    (2,456)    (4,827)      (828)       957      1,504
Provision for income taxes.................         --         --         --         68        348        119        150
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    (Loss) from continuing operations......     (5,436)    (5,791)    (2,456)    (4,895)    (1,176)       838      1,354
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 (2).......................................      2,027     (3,082)    (8,377)   (25,236)    (4,868)      (826)      (379)
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    (Loss) before extraordinary item.......     (3,409)    (8,873)   (10,833)   (30,131)    (6,044)        12        975
Extraordinary item -- gain (loss) on early
 extinguishment of debt (3)................      1,423        888     (1,262)       (47)        --         --      5,180
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net (loss).............................  $  (1,986) $  (7,985) $ (12,095) $ (30,178) $  (6,044) $      12  $  (4,205)
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
OTHER DATA:
Depreciation and amortization..............  $     687  $     957  $     960  $   4,425  $   6,169  $   1,147  $   3,131
Other non-cash charges.....................        979      1,513        870        497        504        202        (58)
Capital expenditures -- continuing
 operations................................         --        298        422      1,565      2,275        318      1,590
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4).....         --         --         --         --         --       1.30       1.10
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital............................  $   6,404  $   9,745  $   7,256  $  24,594  $   7,080  $  22,489  $  45,416
Total assets...............................     26,326     34,312     27,998    113,796    233,778    118,683    356,105
Total debt.................................     18,428     19,817     13,637     43,745    119,179     44,002    197,207
Preferred stock............................        986      5,177      4,677      6,177     17,250      6,177     15,995
Total stockholders' equity.................        247      5,867     10,602     47,998     44,658     47,795     49,810
<FN>
- ------------------------------
(1)  Alpine's   results  of  operations  have  been  significantly  impacted  by
     acquisitions in fiscal 1993,  1994 and 1995. On  February 22, 1992,  Alpine
     acquired  DNE for  a cash  purchase price of  $7.1 million.  On November 9,
     1993, Alpine acquired Superior for $60.8 million in cash and common  stock.
     On  December  21, 1994,  Alpine  acquired Adience  for  $12.4 million  in a
     combination of cash, Alpine 8% Preferred Stock and PolyVision common stock.
     See "Management's Discussion and Analysis."
(2)  In November  1994, Alpine  adopted a  plan to  dispose of  its  information
     display segment consisting of APV and Posterloid. The results of operations
     for  this segment  have been reflected  as income  (loss) from discontinued
     operations for all periods presented.  See Note 5 of Alpine's  Consolidated
     Financial Statements.
(3)  The  extraordinary gain (loss) recorded during the fiscal years ended April
     1991, 1992, 1993 and  1994 is related to  the early extinguishment of  $3.5
     million,  $2.4 million,  $6.0 million  and $0.1  million, principal amount,
     respectively, of Alpine's  debt, principally the  Alpine 13.5%  Debentures.
     The  extraordinary loss  recorded during  the quarter  ended July  31, 1995
     related to the  early extinguishment  of the Alcatel  Acquisition Notes  of
     $0.7  million, the Adience  Credit Facility of $0.2  million and the Alpine
     13.5% Notes of $0.3 million.
(4)  For the purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income (loss)
     before income taxes plus fixed  charges. Fixed charges consist of  interest
     expense  (including amortization of  deferred debt issuance  costs) and the
     portion of rental  expense that  is representative of  the interest  factor
     (deemed to be one-third of minimum operating lease rentals). As a result of
     losses  incurred for the  periods presented, earnings  were insufficient to
     cover fixed charges by $5.4 million in fiscal 1991, $5.8 million in  fiscal
     1992,  $2.5 million in  fiscal 1993, $4.8  million in fiscal  1994 and $0.8
     million in fiscal 1995.
</TABLE>
    

                                       32
<PAGE>
           SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF THE ALCATEL BUSINESS

   
    Set forth  below  are  certain  historical financial  data  of  the  Alcatel
Business.  This  information should  be read  in  conjunction with  the combined
financial statements of the Copper Cable Group of Alcatel NA Cable System,  Inc.
and  Alcatel Canada  Wire and  Cable, Inc.  and related  notes thereto appearing
elsewhere herein and  with "Management's  Discussion and Analysis"  in the  Form
10-K.  The selected historical financial data for, and as of the end of, each of
the fiscal years in  the three-year period ended  December 31, 1994 are  derived
from  the audited  combined financial  statements of  The Copper  Cable Group of
Alcatel NA  Cable System,  Inc. and  Alcatel  Canada Wire  and Cable,  Inc.  The
selected  historical financial data  for, and as  of the end  of the three-month
period ended July 31,  1994 and July  31, 1995, are  derived from the  unaudited
combined  financial statements  of the  Copper Cable  Group of  Alcatel NA Cable
System, Inc. and Alcatel Canada Wire and Cable, Inc.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         MARCH 31,
                                                         ----------------------------------  --------------------
                                                            1992        1993        1994       1994       1995
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales..............................................  $  228,852  $  212,610  $  194,651  $  37,677  $  54,138
Cost of goods sold.....................................     207,476     189,940     182,264     35,906     52,339
Restructuring costs (1)................................      12,000      --          --         --         --
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Gross profit.........................................       9,376      22,670      12,387      1,771      1,799
Selling, general and administrative expenses...........       5,674       5,638       4,747        922        683
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Operating income before corporate allocations........       3,702      17,032       7,640        849      1,116
Management fees (2)....................................       3,534       5,907       4,971      1,201      1,275
Administrative fees (3)................................       3,389       2,179       1,254        416        226
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Operating income (loss)..............................      (3,221)      8,946       1,415       (768)      (385)
Interest income (expense) net..........................      (1,766)     (1,944)     (1,980)       755       (495)
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) from operations before income taxes....      (4,987)      7,002        (565)       (13)      (880)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes...................      (1,069)      2,191          29        277       (146)
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Net income (loss)....................................  $   (3,918) $    4,811  $     (594) $    (290) $    (734)
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ---------
OTHER DATA:
Depreciation and amortization..........................  $    5,838  $    6,208  $    6,219  $   1,464  $   1,569
Capital expenditures...................................       7,076       7,569       4,294      1,189        335

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital....................................................  $   11,573  $   10,044
Total assets.......................................................     118,506     119,352
Owner's investment.................................................      52,820      51,217
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  During fiscal 1992 a restructuring  charge was recorded in connection  with
     the shut-down of the Fordyce, Arkansas manufacturing facility.

(2)  Represents  service  charges,  research  and  development  assessments  and
     certain international  sale commissions  paid by  the Alcatel  Business  to
     certain affiliated companies.

(3)  Affiliates  of  the  Alcatel  Business  provided  legal,  accounting,  tax,
     treasury, insurance, employee benefits, data processing, transportation and
     other services. Expenses  that were  directly attributable  to the  Alcatel
     Business   were  charged   directly.  Expenses   that  were   not  directly
     attributable to the Alcatel Business were allocated to the Alcatel Business
     based upon a defined formula.
</TABLE>

                                       33
<PAGE>
                 SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF ADIENCE

    Set forth below are certain selected historical consolidated financial  data
of Adience. This information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated
Financial  Statements of Adience  and related notes  thereto appearing elsewhere
herein and "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in the Form 10-K. The selected
consolidated financial data for, and as of the end of, each of the fiscal  years
in  the five-year period  ended December 31,  1994 are derived  from the audited
consolidated financial statements of Adience. Adience's basis of accounting  for
financial  reporting purposes changed as of June 30, 1993 in connection with its
Reorganization under  Chapter  11 of  the  United States  Bankruptcy  Code.  The
financial  data for the  periods after June  30, 1993 are  not comparable to the
financial data  for the  periods prior  to  June 30,  1993 and  accordingly  are
separated with a vertical line.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED                SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        DECEMBER 31,             ---------------------   YEAR ENDED
                                             ----------------------------------  JUNE 30,    DEC. 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                1990        1991        1992       1993        1993         1994
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales..................................  $  135,591  $  110,410  $   97,276  $  44,431  $   54,572   $   96,273
Cost of goods sold.........................     101,261      90,740      81,262     35,928      47,779       84,468
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
  Gross profit.............................      34,330      19,670      16,014      8,503       6,793       11,805
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses..................................      17,327      20,738      22,829     10,510       9,302       18,180
Amortization of intangibles................          --          --          --         --       9,011        1,053
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
  Operating income (loss)..................      17,003      (1,068)     (6,815)    (2,007)    (11,520)      (7,428)
Interest income............................       1,106         769         (17)       245         615          574
Interest expense...........................     (12,583)    (12,272)    (13,302)    (2,271)     (3,781)      (7,653)
Reorganization income (expense)............          --          --      (5,798)    20,543        (746)          --
Other income (expense), net................          --      (1,082)         --         --          --           --
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
  Income (loss) from continuing operations
   before tax..............................       5,526     (13,653)    (25,932)    16,510     (15,432)     (14,507)
Provision for income taxes (benefit).......       2,705      (3,490)     (1,031)       260        (808)         319
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations..............................       2,821     (10,163)    (24,901)    16,250     (14,624)     (14,826)
Income (loss) from discontinued
 operations................................        (262)     (2,012)     (4,956)      (398)        257       (5,949)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
  Income (loss) before extraordinary
   item....................................       2,559     (12,175)    (29,857)    15,852     (14,367)     (20,775)
Extraordinary item -- gain on early
 extinguishment of debt....................         276          --          --     17,480          --           --
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
  Net income (loss)........................  $    2,835  $  (12,175) $  (29,857) $  33,332  $  (14,367)  $  (20,775)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ------------
OTHER DATA:
Depreciation and amortization..............  $    5,640  $    8,948  $    5,660  $   1,675  $   11,242   $    6,050
Capital expenditures.......................       7,758       3,948       1,898        635         894        2,278

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Working capital............................  $   28,793  $   20,089  $   12,470  $   8,255  $    5,430   $   (2,834)
Total assets...............................     104,721      83,305      58,344     90,178      94,772       81,954
Total debt.................................      70,165      68,429      67,374     46,210      46,211       46,450
Shareholders' equity (deficit).............       6,537      (5,138)    (34,677)    24,040       9,509      (11,483)
</TABLE>

                                       34
<PAGE>
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

NEW CREDIT AGREEMENT

    Following  is a  description of the  New Credit Agreement  among Alpine, the
lenders party thereto and Shawmut Capital Corporation, as agent (the "Agent").

    THE FACILITY.   The  New  Credit Agreement  provides  for an  $85.0  million
revolving  credit facility maturing in July  2000 (the "Alpine Revolver"), under
which $85.0  million may  be borrowed  if certain  conditions are  met. The  New
Credit  Agreement includes a  letter of credit  facility under which  up to $5.0
million of the Alpine Revolver will be available for the issuance of standby  or
commercial letters of credit.

   
    The  primary obligor  with respect  to the  New Credit  Agreement is Alpine,
which will in turn lend a portion  of the proceeds to Superior and Adience.  The
DNE Credit Facility was terminated and Alpine has loaned funds to the DNE Group.
    

    The  Alpine Revolver may be used for  one or more of the following purposes:
to make loans to certain of Alpine's subsidiaries, to pay interest on the Notes,
to pay  certain transaction  costs, to  fund corporate  overhead and  for  other
permitted  corporate  purposes. Alpine's  subsidiaries may  use the  proceeds of
loans made to them by Alpine to repay indebtedness of those subsidiaries and for
working capital purposes.

   
    The aggregate  amount of  loans outstanding  at any  time under  the  Alpine
Revolver  may not exceed a  borrowing base in an  amount based on percentages of
the accounts  receivable  and inventory  of  Superior and  Adience,  reduced  by
certain  reserves.  The  maximum  borrowing base  is  $85.0  million.  Alpine is
required to maintain on a rolling 30-day basis an average borrowing availability
of at least $5.0  million. At the  closing of this offering,  at July 31,  1995,
Alpine  had $34.2 million outstanding under the Alpine Revolver bearing interest
at an average rate  of 8.4%. The  availability under the  Alpine Revolver as  of
July  31, 1995 was $21.3 million with respect to the Superior facility and $13.7
million with respect to the Adience facility.
    

    INTEREST AND COMMITMENT  FEES.  Loans  under the New  Credit Agreement  bear
interest  at  either  the  base  rate  of  Shawmut  Bank  Connecticut,  National
Association ("Shawmut Bank"), plus 0.375% per annum, or an adjusted LIBOR  rate,
plus  2.25% per annum.  Alpine will also pay  certain fees of  the Agent and the
lenders, including a commitment fee of  0.375% per annum for the unused  portion
of the facility.

    REPAYMENT.    The  principal balance  of  the  Alpine Revolver  is  due upon
termination of the credit facility in  July 2000. Earlier payments must be  made
upon any repayment of loans to subsidiaries. Alpine may terminate the New Credit
Agreement with a prepayment penalty during the first three years, and thereafter
without penalty.

    COLLATERAL.  Loans under the New Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Superior
and  Adience  and  Superior's  Canadian  subsidiary  will  guarantee  Superior's
obligations under its guarantee of the New Credit Agreement (or,  alternatively,
such  Subsidiary may directly  guarantee the New  Credit Agreement). Loans under
the New Credit  Agreement are secured  by substantially all  of Alpine's  assets
(other  than the capital stock of  its subsidiaries, capital stock in PolyVision
and real estate and other fixed assets), including a pledge of Alpine's loans to
Superior, Adience and, if made, the DNE Group. The subsidiary guarantees and the
loans by Alpine to its subsidiaries are secured primarily by the working capital
of those subsidiaries.

    All payments of  any kind to  Alpine will  be collected through  a lock  box
account in the Agent's name or under its control. All such payments are remitted
to  the Agent and  applied to reduce  Alpine's obligations under  the New Credit
Facility.

    CANADIAN FACILITY.  In conjunction with  the credit facility to be  provided
under  the New Credit Agreement,  Superior's and Adience's Canadian subsidiaries
entered into separate revolving credit facilities with a Canadian lender with an
aggregate maximum principal amount of Cdn$13.0 million. The Canadian  facilities
permit  borrowings under a borrowing  base formula similar to  that used for the
Superior  and  Adience  facilities.  Those  facilities  will  be  supported   by
irrevocable  standby letters  of credit issued  by Shawmut Bank  in an aggregate
amount equal to the aggregate maximum amounts available to be drawn under  those
facilities.  The Canadian facilities  are also secured  by substantially all the
assets of Superior's and Adience's

                                       35
<PAGE>
Canadian subsidiaries,  other than  real estate  and other  fixed assets.  Those
subsidiaries  have  entered  into reimbursement  and  indemnity  agreements with
Shawmut Bank. The  reimbursement obligations  of the  Canadian subsidiaries  are
guaranteed  by  the  Agent.  The  amount  of  the  reimbursement  obligations so
guaranteed reduce Alpine's availability  under the New  Credit Agreement by  the
same  amount. Under certain circumstances, the Canadian facility may be "put" by
the Canadian facility lender to the lenders under the New Credit Agreement.

    COVENANTS.   The  New  Credit Agreement  contains  covenants  customary  for
financings  of this type  including, without limitation:  a limitation on annual
capital expenditures of $8.5 million,  limitations on dividend declarations  and
payments,  limitations on  additional debt, liens,  investments, guaranties, and
transactions with  affiliates,  and  limitations  on  mergers,  asset  or  stock
acquisitions,  sale/leaseback transactions, and dispositions of collateral other
than in the ordinary course of business.

    The New Credit Agreement  also includes covenants  requiring Alpine to  meet
and  maintain certain  financial tests.  These include  requirements that Alpine
maintain, on a  consolidated basis:  a cash  interest coverage  ratio, based  on
earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation  and  amortization  ("EBITDA")
measured quarterly  through  October  1,  1995,  and  on  a  monthly  cumulative
year-to-date  basis during the remainder of  fiscal 1996, of 1.1:1 during fiscal
1996; a cash interest coverage ratio, based on EBITDA and measured monthly on  a
rolling  12-month basis,  of 1.1:1 during  fiscal 1997 and  1.35:1 during fiscal
1998; a cumulative year-to-date fixed  charge coverage ratio, tested  quarterly,
of  .75:1  during fiscal  1996, and  1.0:1 during  fiscal 1997  and 1998;  and a
minimum tangible net  worth and a  minimum net worth.  The New Credit  Agreement
also includes the financial covenants that are included in the Indenture.

    The  New  Credit  Agreement  also  contains  customary  events  of  default,
including, without limitation, those relating to  a failure to pay amounts  due,
breach of a representation or warranty, failure to perform covenants, bankruptcy
or  insolvency,  litigation and  unsatisfied  judgments, certain  defaults under
other debt agreements, and violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 and environmental laws. It is also an event of default under the New
Credit Agreement if Alpine ceases to own the stock of Superior, Adience or  DNE,
or  if there is a default  under the Notes, any subsidiary  loans or any loan by
Superior or Adience to their respective Canadian subsidiaries.

    CONDITIONS.  The New Credit Agreement contains a number of conditions to any
funding thereunder.

    The Notes  and Subsidiary  Guarantees are  effectively subordinated  to  the
loans  and subsidiary  guarantees under  the New  Credit Agreement  and to other
secured debt of Alpine and the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the assets
securing the New Credit Agreement and such other debt.

ADIENCE SENIOR NOTES

    Adience Senior  Notes  in  the  principal  amount  of  $5.0  million  remain
outstanding.  The Adience Senior Notes mature on  June 15, 2002. Such notes bear
interest at the rate of 11% per annum,  payable in cash on June 15 and  December
15  of each year. The Adience Senior Notes are secured by liens on substantially
all the assets  of Adience. The  Adience Senior  Notes rank senior  in right  of
payment  to  all indebtedness  of Adience,  except  for up  to $20.0  million of
indebtedness that  may qualify  as  senior debt  and  subject to  certain  other
exceptions. Adience may redeem the Adience Senior Notes on or after December 15,
1997, beginning at a redemption price of 105.5% of the principal amount thereof,
plus  accrued and  unpaid interest  to the  date of  redemption, such redemption
price being gradually reduced to 100% by December 15, 2000.

                                       36
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

    The  Old  Notes were  issued, and  the New  Notes will  be issued,  under an
indenture to be dated as of July 15, 1995 (the "Indenture") between Alpine,  the
Subsidiary  Guarantors referred to  below and Marine  Midland Bank, trustee (the
"Trustee"), a copy  of the form  of which has  been filed as  an exhibit to  the
Registration  Statement. Upon  the effectiveness of  the Registration Statement,
the Indenture will  be subject to  and governed  by the Trust  Indenture Act  of
1939,  as  amended. The  following  summary of  the  material provisions  of the
Indenture does not purport to  be complete and is  subject to, and qualified  in
its  entirety by,  reference to the  provisions of the  Indenture, including the
definitions of certain terms contained therein and those terms made part of  the
Indenture  by reference to  the Trust Indenture Act.  For definitions of certain
capitalized terms  used  in the  following  summary, see  "Certain  Definitions"
below.

GENERAL

    The  Notes will  mature on  July 15, 2003,  will be  limited to $153,000,000
aggregate principal amount and will  be senior unsecured obligations of  Alpine.
The  Old Notes  were issued  at a discount  from the  aggregate stated principal
amount thereof.  For  federal income  tax  purposes, OID,  taxable  as  ordinary
income,  will be recognized by  the holders of the  Notes annually in advance of
the receipt of  cash in respect  thereof. See "Certain  U.S. Federal Income  Tax
Consequences."  Each Note will bear interest at  the rate set forth on the cover
page hereof from July 21, 1995 or from the most recent interest payment date  to
which  interest has been paid or duly  provided for, payable on January 15, 1996
and semiannually thereafter on  July 15 and  January 15 in  each year until  the
principal  thereof is paid or duly provided for, to the person in whose name the
Note (or any predecessor  Note) is registered  at the close  of business on  the
July  1 or January 1 next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be
computed on  the basis  of a  360-day year  comprised of  twelve 30-day  months.
(Sections 204, 301 and 311)

    Principal  of, premium, if any,  and interest on the  Notes will be payable,
and the Notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency  of
Alpine  in The City  of New York  maintained for such  purposes (which initially
will be the office of  the Trustee); provided, however,  that, at the option  of
Alpine,  interest  may be  paid by  check mailed  to the  address of  the person
entitled thereto  as  such  address  shall  appear  on  the  security  register.
(Sections  301, 305 and 1002)  The Notes will be  issued only in registered form
without coupons and only  in denominations of $1,000  and any integral  multiple
thereof.  (Section 302) No service  charge will be made  for any registration of
transfer or exchange or redemption of  Notes, but Alpine may require payment  in
certain circumstances of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. (Section 305)

    As  of the date of  the Indenture, all of  Alpine's Subsidiaries (other than
PolyVision France S.A.) will be Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under  certain
circumstances,  Alpine will be able to  designate current or future Subsidiaries
as  Unrestricted   Subsidiaries  (other   than  Superior,   Adience  and   their
subsidiaries).  Unrestricted Subsidiaries  will not  be subject  to many  of the
restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture.

    The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

SECURITY

    Alpine and the  Trustee have entered  into a Pledge  Agreement (the  "Pledge
Agreement")  pursuant to which the  Notes are secured by a  pledge of all of the
capital stock  of Superior  and  Adience (the  "Pledged Stock"),  together  with
profits and proceeds therefrom and property received with respect to the Pledged
Stock  in addition  thereto, in  exchange therefor  or in  substitution therefor
(collectively,  the  "Collateral").  (Section  1401)  At  such  time  as  Alpine
completes  the refinancing of  the DNE Credit Facility  (which Alpine expects to
complete in the near  future upon receipt of  a third-party consent), the  Notes
will  also be  secured by  the stock  of each  member of  the DNE  Group that is
directly owned by Alpine. It is expected that only DNE Systems will be  directly
owned  by Alpine. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
Alpine will be  entitled to  receive and retain  cash dividends  and other  cash
distributions  on any  of the  Pledged Stock  and will  be entitled  to vote the
Pledged Stock. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Trustee can  vote
the  Pledged Stock, except that the Trustee will  not have the right to vote the
Pledged Stock so as to cause Superior, Adience or other issuer of Pledged  Stock
(collectively, a "Pledgor") to

                                       37
<PAGE>
file  a voluntary petition in bankruptcy  or to elect directors specifically for
such purpose. In  addition, upon an  Event of Default,  the Trustee can  realize
upon and sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral and will
apply the proceeds of any sale or disposition, first to the payment of costs and
expenses of sale, second to amounts due the Trustee, third to the payment of all
amounts  due and unpaid  on the Notes  and, finally, any  surplus to Alpine. The
Notes are not secured by any lien  on, or other security interest in, any  other
properties  or assets of Alpine or any properties or assets of any Subsidiary of
Alpine. The security  interest in the  Collateral will not  alter the  effective
subordination  of the Notes to the creditors of these Subsidiaries, including to
the relevant subsidiary guarantees given under the New Credit Agreement.  Alpine
will  not  transfer or  otherwise dispose  of any  of the  Pledged Stock  or any
properties or  assets  (other  than  dispositions  in  the  ordinary  course  of
business)  of a Pledgor to a Subsidiary,  unless such Subsidiary is a Restricted
Subsidiary and the Trustee receives a pledge of all of the capital stock of such
Restricted Subsidiary on the same terms as  the Pledged Stock is pledged to  the
Trustee.  Superior and Adience presently conduct  all of Alpine's U.S. telephone
wire and cable and U.S. refractories  businesses, respectively, and each owns  a
subsidiary  that conducts operations in Canada.  The DNE Group conducts Alpine's
data  communications  and  other  electronic  products  business.  The  security
interest  in Pledged Stock will  be released upon the  sale or other disposition
thereof in a transaction constituting an Asset Sale if such sale or  disposition
is not prohibited by the Indenture. (Section 1403)

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

    Payment  of the principal of and premium,  if any, and interest on the Notes
and all other obligations  under the Indenture  and the Notes,  when and as  the
same  become due and payable,  will be guaranteed, jointly  and severally, on an
unsecured basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors. (Section 1301) The obligations  of
each  Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary  Guarantee will be limited so as
not to  constitute  a fraudulent  conveyance  under applicable  law.  See  "Risk
Factors--Fraudulent  Conveyance  Considerations." Initially,  the Notes  will be
unconditionally guaranteed  by  Superior  and Adience  and  Superior's  Canadian
Subsidiary  will guarantee Superior's obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee
(or, alternatively,  such  Subsidiary may  directly  guarantee the  Notes).  The
Indenture   will  require  a  Subsidiary  Guarantee  from  each  new  Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that a Non-U.S. Restricted Subsidiary will not be  required
to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee unless it provides a guarantee with respect to
any  debt (other than  the Notes) of  Alpine or any  U.S. Restricted Subsidiary.
Additionally, if a member  of the DNE Group  or any other Restricted  Subsidiary
existing  on the date of  the initial issuance of  the Notes guarantees any debt
(other than  the  Notes) of  Alpine  or  any U.S.  Restricted  Subsidiary,  such
Subsidiary  will be required to issue  a Subsidiary Guarantee, provided that any
such Subsidiary Guarantee of a  Non-U.S. Restricted Subsidiary will be  released
when  such Subsidiary no longer guarantees any such debt (other than as a result
of payment thereof). (Section 1308)

    Each Subsidiary Guarantee will rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with  all
existing  and future unsecured indebtedness  of the related Subsidiary Guarantor
that is not, by its  terms, expressly subordinated in  right of payment to  such
Subsidiary Guarantee, except that the Subsidiary Guarantee given by Adience will
be  subordinated in right of payment to the $5.0 million of Adience Senior Notes
outstanding. (Section 1501)

    The Indenture will provide that no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with
or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving
person) another person whether or not affiliated with such Subsidiary  Guarantor
(other  than another Subsidiary Guarantor) unless: (i) subject to the provisions
of the  following  paragraph,  the  person  formed  by  or  surviving  any  such
consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes all of
the  obligations  of  such  Subsidiary Guarantor  under  the  Indenture  and its
Subsidiary  Guarantee,  pursuant  to  a  supplemental  indenture,  in  form  and
substance  satisfactory to the Trustee; (ii)  immediately after giving effect to
such transaction, no Default or Event  of Default exists; and (iii)  immediately
after  giving effect  to such  transaction as  if the  same had  occurred at the
beginning of  the  most recently  ended  four  full fiscal  quarters  for  which
internal financial statements are available, Alpine would have been permitted to
incur  at least $1.00 of  additional Debt pursuant to  the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio test set  forth in the  covenant entitled "Limitation  on Debt."  (Section
1307)

    The  Indenture provides that, in the event of a sale or other disposition of
all of the assets of any  Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of merger,  consolidation
or    otherwise,    or   a    sale   or    other    disposition   of    all   of

                                       38
<PAGE>
the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor, then such Subsidiary Guarantor or
the person acquiring  such assets,  as the  case may  be, will  be released  and
relieved  of any  obligations under  the related  Subsidiary Guarantee; provided
that the  Net  Proceeds  of  such  sale or  other  disposition  are  applied  in
accordance  with the applicable provisions of  the Indenture. See "Limitation on
Disposition of  Proceeds of  Asset  Sales" below.  In addition,  any  Subsidiary
Guarantor  that  is designated  by  the Board  of  Directors as  an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of  the Indenture may, at the option  of
the Board of Directors at the time of such designation, be released and relieved
of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. (Section 1309)

RANKING

    The  Notes will be senior  secured obligations of Alpine  and will rank PARI
PASSU in right of payment with all other existing and future senior  obligations
of  Alpine. As of  April 30, 1995,  after giving effect  to the sale  of the Old
Notes, application of the estimated  net proceeds therefrom and consummation  of
the  other  transactions  described  in the  Form  10-K  under "Business--Recent
Developments; The Refinancing," Alpine and its subsidiaries would have had $69.6
million of debt outstanding other than the Notes, all but $0.9 million of  which
would  have been senior debt and $67.7  million of which would have been secured
debt. Except  as  noted  above  under "Subsidiary  Guarantees,"  the  Notes  and
Subsidiary  Guarantees will rank PARI  PASSU in right of  payment with the loans
and subsidiary guarantees under the New  Credit Agreement and with other  senior
debt  of Alpine and the Subsidiary Guarantors. However, the Notes and Subsidiary
Guarantees  will  be  effectively  subordinated  to  the  loans  and  subsidiary
guarantees  under the New Credit  Agreement and to other  secured debt of Alpine
and the  Subsidiary Guarantors  to the  extent of  the assets  securing the  New
Credit  Agreement  and  such other  debt.  The  Notes will  also  be effectively
subordinated to all debt and other obligations of Alpine's subsidiaries that are
not Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the assets of such subsidiaries.

    The Trustee and the Agent have entered into an intercreditor agreement  that
provides  among other  things, that  as between the  Agent and  the Trustee, the
Agent  will  be  absolutely  entitled  to  receive  and  apply  to   outstanding
obligations  under the  New Credit Agreement  proceeds of  collateral pledged by
Alpine's Subsidiaries securing the  intercompany debt and subsidiary  guarantees
under  the New Credit Agreement. The  intercreditor agreement also provides that
the Trustee  and the  Agent will  effect a  sharing of  any distribution  in  an
insolvency proceeding of any Subsidiary Guarantor arising from unsecured claims,
so  that each  of the  Trustee and  the Agent  will receive  no more  than their
respective percentage of such distribution  based on the respective  outstanding
amounts  of loans  under the  New Credit  Agreement or  otherwise and  the Notes
(after giving effect to  any distribution in such  insolvency proceeding to  the
Agent  in respect of the  proceeds of the collateral  of such Subsidiary on such
date.)

REDEMPTION

    The Notes are redeemable at the option of Alpine, as a whole or from time to
time in part, at any  time on or after  July 15, 1999, on  not less than 30  nor
more  than  60  days'  prior  notice  at  the  Redemption  Prices  (expressed as
percentages of  principal amount  at maturity)  set forth  below, together  with
accrued  interest,  if  any, to  the  Redemption  Date, if  redeemed  during the
12-month period beginning on  July 15 of the  years indicated below (subject  to
the  right of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due
on an Interest Payment Date):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          REDEMPTION
YEAR                                                                         PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                      <C>
1999...................................................................          103%
2000...................................................................          102
2001...................................................................          101
</TABLE>

and thereafter  at 100%  of  the principal  amount  at maturity,  together  with
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

    In  addition to the optional redemption of  the Notes in accordance with the
provisions of the  preceding paragraph,  during the  two years  after the  issue
date,  Alpine may, with the net proceeds of  one or more public offerings of its
Common Stock, redeem up to 33 1/3% of the original aggregate principal amount of
the Notes

                                       39
<PAGE>
at 104 1/2% of the principal amount at maturity thereof for any such redemption,
together with  accrued interest  thereon (subject  to the  right of  holders  of
record  on relevant record dates to receive  interest due on an Interest Payment
Date); provided,  however, that  at  least 66  2/3%  of the  original  aggregate
principal  amount of  the Notes  remains outstanding  thereafter. (Sections 205,
1101, 1105 and 1107)

    If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to be
redeemed will be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date  by
the  Trustee PRO RATA,  by lot or by  such method as the  Trustee deems fair and
appropriate. (Section 1104)

CERTAIN COVENANTS

    The Indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:

    LIMITATION ON DEBT.  Alpine will not, directly or indirectly, create, incur,
issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable  with
respect  to (collectively, "incur") any Debt  (including Acquired Debt) and will
not issue any  Disqualified Stock, unless  the Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio  for
Alpine's  most  recently  ended four  full  fiscal quarters  for  which internal
financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which  such
additional  Debt is incurred or such Disqualified  Stock is issued, taken as one
period, would have been at least  2.0 to 1 through July  15, 1997 and 2.25 to  1
thereafter.

    In  making the foregoing calculation, PRO FORMA effect will be given to: (i)
the incurrence  of such  Debt and  (if applicable)  the application  of the  net
proceeds  therefrom,  including to  refinance other  Debt, as  if such  Debt was
incurred and the application of such proceeds occurred at the beginning of  such
four-quarter  period; (ii) the incurrence, repayment  or retirement of any other
Debt by  Alpine or  its Restricted  Subsidiaries  since the  first day  of  such
four-quarter  period as  if such  Debt was  incurred, repaid  or retired  at the
beginning of such four-quarter period (except that, in making such  computation,
the  amount of Debt under  any revolving credit facility  will be computed based
upon the average daily  balance of such Debt  during such four-quarter  period);
and  (iii)  the  acquisition  (whether  by  purchase,  merger  or  otherwise) or
disposition (whether by  sale, merger or  otherwise) of any  company, entity  or
business  acquired or disposed of  by Alpine or a  Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be,  since the  first day of  such four-quarter  period (including,  as
appropriate,  the acquisition of  Adience and the Alcatel  Business), as if such
acquisition or disposition had  occurred at the  beginning of such  four-quarter
period.

    Notwithstanding   the  foregoing,  Alpine  may   incur  the  following  Debt
("Permitted Debt"):

        (i) Debt under  the New  Credit Agreement or  one or  more other  credit
    facilities;  provided that the  aggregate amount of  Debt outstanding at any
    time pursuant to this clause (i), when added to the aggregate amount of Debt
    of Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding at such time pursuant to clause (vii)
    of the  definition  of  Permitted  Subsidiary Debt,  may  not  exceed  $85.0
    million,  less any amounts applied to the permanent reduction of such credit
    facilities pursuant to the "Limitation  on Disposition of Proceeds of  Asset
    Sales" covenant;

        (ii) Debt represented by the Notes;

       (iii) Debt in respect of (w) sale and leaseback transactions constituting
    Attributable  Debt,  (x)  Capital  Lease  Obligations,  (y)  purchase  money
    obligations and (z) industrial revenue bonds or similar securities, provided
    that the net proceeds of such industrial revenue bonds or similar securities
    are applied to  construct new  facilities and that  the aggregate  principal
    amount  thereof  does  not  exceed  75% of  the  fair  market  value  of the
    facilities financed thereby; provided that the aggregate amount of the  Debt
    referred  to in the foregoing  clauses (w), (x), (y)  and (z) outstanding at
    any time,  when added  to the  aggregate amount  of similar  Debt issued  by
    Restricted  Subsidiaries  pursuant  to  clause (iii)  of  the  definition of
    Permitted Subsidiary Debt  outstanding at  such time, may  not exceed  $25.0
    million;

        (iv)  Hedging Obligations incurred for the  purpose of fixing or hedging
    interest rate risk with respect to any floating rate Debt that is  permitted
    by the terms of the Indenture to be outstanding or for the purpose of fixing
    or hedging foreign currency risks;

        (v)  intercompany Debt between or among Alpine and any of its Restricted
    Subsidiaries;

                                       40
<PAGE>
        (vi) subordinated  Debt  issued pursuant  to  paragraph (b)(vi)  of  the
    "Limitation  on Restricted Payments" covenant, provided that such Debt has a
    Weighted Average Life to Maturity longer  than the Weighted Average Life  to
    Maturity  of the Notes  and has a  final Stated Maturity  of principal later
    than the final Stated Maturity of the Notes.

       (vii) Debt (other than Debt described in clauses (i) through (vi) above),
    provided that the  aggregate amount of  such Debt outstanding  at any  time,
    when added to the aggregate amount of Debt issued by Restricted Subsidiaries
    pursuant  to  clause  (v) of  the  definition of  Permitted  Subsidiary Debt
    outstanding at such time, may not exceed $5.0 million; and

      (viii)  any   renewals,   extensions,   substitutions,   refinancings   or
    replacements  (each, for purposes of this clause, a "refinancing") by Alpine
    of any of its Debt, including any successive refinancings by Alpine, so long
    as (a) any such new Debt is in  a principal amount that does not exceed  the
    principal  amount (or, if such Debt  being refinanced provides for an amount
    less than  the  principal  amount thereof  to  be  due and  payable  upon  a
    declaration  of acceleration thereof,  such lesser amount as  of the date of
    determination) so refinanced, plus the amount of any premium required to  be
    paid  in connection with such refinancing pursuant  to the terms of the Debt
    refinanced or the amount of any  premium reasonably determined by Alpine  as
    necessary  to accomplish  such refinancing, plus  the amount  of expenses of
    Alpine incurred in connection with such  refinancing, (b) any such new  Debt
    has  a final maturity date later than the  final maturity date of, and has a
    Weighted Average Life to Maturity longer  than the Weighted Average Life  to
    Maturity  of,  the  Debt  being  refinanced  and  (c)  in  the  case  of any
    refinancing of subordinated Debt, such new  Debt is made subordinate to  the
    Notes  at  least to  the same  extent as  the Debt  being refinanced,  has a
    Weighted Average Life to Maturity longer  than the Weighted Average Life  to
    Maturity  of the Notes  and has a  final Stated Maturity  of principal later
    than the final Stated Maturity of the Notes. (Section 1009)

    LIMITATION ON DEBT OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.   Alpine will not permit  any
Restricted  Subsidiary  to incur,  directly or  indirectly, any  Debt (including
Acquired Debt),  except  that a  Restricted  Subsidiary  may incur  any  of  the
following Debt ("Permitted Subsidiary Debt"):

        (i) a Subsidiary Guarantee;

        (ii)  guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary  of senior Debt of Alpine,
    including guarantees  by any  Restricted Subsidiary  of Debt  under the  New
    Credit Agreement, provided that (a) such Debt is incurred in accordance with
    the  "Limitation on Debt"  covenant and (b) such  guarantees rank PARI PASSU
    with the  Subsidiary Guarantee  issued by  such Restricted  Subsidiary  with
    respect to the Notes;

       (iii) Debt in respect of (w) sale and leaseback transactions constituting
    Attributable  Debt,  (x)  Capital  Lease  Obligations,  (y)  purchase  money
    obligations and (z) industrial revenue bonds or similar securities, provided
    that the net proceeds of such industrial revenue bonds or similar securities
    are applied to  construct new  facilities and that  the aggregate  principal
    amount  thereof  does  not  exceed  75% of  the  fair  market  value  of the
    facilities financed thereby; provided that the aggregate amount of the  Debt
    referred  to in the foregoing clauses (w),  (x), (y) and (z) outstanding any
    time, when added to  the aggregate amount of  similar Debt issued by  Alpine
    pursuant  to clause (iii) of the  definition of "Permitted Debt" outstanding
    at such time, may not exceed $25.0 million;

        (iv) Acquired Debt of a Person,  other than Debt incurred in  connection
    with,  or in contemplation of, such  Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary
    or the acquisition of assets from such Person, as the case may be,  provided
    that  Alpine on a PRO  FORMA basis could incur  at least $1.00 of additional
    Debt pursuant  to the  Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio  test set  forth in  the
    "Limitation on Debt" covenant;

        (v) Debt (other than Debt described in clauses (i) through (iv) above or
    clauses  (vii) through  (ix) below), provided  that the  aggregate amount of
    such Debt outstanding  at any time,  when added to  the aggregate amount  of
    Debt  issued  by  Alpine  pursuant  to clause  (vii)  of  the  definition of
    Permitted Debt outstanding at such time, may not exceed $5.0 million;

                                       41
<PAGE>
        (vi)  any   renewals,   extensions,   substitutions,   refinancings   or
    replacements  (each, for  purposes of this  clause, a  "refinancing") by any
    Restricted  Subsidiary  of  any  of  its  Debt,  including  any   successive
    refinancings by such Restricted Subsidiary, so long as (a) any such new Debt
    is  in a principal amount that does  not exceed the principal amount (or, if
    such Debt being refinanced  provides for an amount  less than the  principal
    amount  thereof to  be due  and payable  upon a  declaration of acceleration
    thereof, such lesser amount as of the date of determination) so  refinanced,
    plus  the amount of any premium required  to be paid in connection with such
    refinancing pursuant to the  terms of the Debt  refinanced or the amount  of
    any premium reasonably determined by such Restricted Subsidiary as necessary
    to  accomplish  such  refinancing,  plus  the  amount  of  expenses  of such
    Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection with such refinancing, (b)  any
    such  new Debt has a final maturity  date later than the final maturity date
    of, and has  a Weighted Average  Life to Maturity  longer than the  Weighted
    Average  Life of Maturity of, the Debt  being refinanced and (c) in the case
    of any refinancing of subordinated Debt,  such new Debt is made  subordinate
    to  the Subsidiary Guarantee (if any) of such Restricted Subsidiary at least
    to the same extent as the Debt being refinanced, has a Weighted Average Life
    to Maturity longer than the Weighted  Average Life to Maturity of the  Notes
    and  has a final  Stated Maturity of  principal later than  the final Stated
    Maturity of the Notes;

       (vii) Debt under  the New Credit  Agreement or one  or more other  credit
    facilities;  provided that the  aggregate amount of  Debt outstanding at any
    time pursuant to this  clause (vii), when added  to the aggregate amount  of
    Debt  of  Alpine outstanding  at such  time  pursuant to  clause (i)  of the
    definition of Permitted Debt, may not exceed $85.0 million, less any amounts
    applied to the permanent reduction of such credit facilities pursuant to the
    "Limitation on Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" covenant;

      (viii) intercompany Debt between or among Alpine and any of its Restricted
    Subsidiaries; and

        (ix) Hedging Obligations incurred for  the purpose of fixing or  hedging
    interest  rate risk with respect to any floating rate Debt that is permitted
    by the terms of the Indenture to be outstanding or for the purpose of fixing
    or hedging foreign currency risks. (Section 1010)

    LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.  (a) Alpine will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

        (i) declare or pay any dividend  or make any distribution on account  of
    the  Capital Stock  of Alpine or  any of its  Restricted Subsidiaries (other
    than dividends or  distributions payable  in Qualified  Equity Interests  or
    dividends  or  distributions  payable to  Alpine  or any  of  its Restricted
    Subsidiaries);

        (ii) purchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire or  retire for  value  any
    Equity  Interests of Alpine or any Affiliate  of Alpine (other than any such
    Equity Interests owned by Alpine or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries);

       (iii) make  any principal  payment on,  or purchase,  redeem, defease  or
    otherwise  acquire or  retire for  value, prior  to any  scheduled principal
    payment or scheduled maturity, any Debt of Alpine or a Subsidiary  Guarantor
    that  is subordinated to the Notes or  any Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case
    may be; or

        (iv) make any Restricted Investment,

(all such  payments and  other  actions described  in  (but not  excluded  from)
clauses  (i) through  (iv) above being  collectively referred  to as "Restricted
Payments"), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

        (1) no Default  or Event of  Default has occurred  and is continuing  or
    would occur as a consequence thereof;

        (2)  Alpine  would, at  the time  of such  Restricted Payment  and after
    giving  PRO FORMA effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made
    at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been  permitted
    to  incur at  least $1.00  of additional Debt  pursuant to  the Fixed Charge
    Coverage Ratio test set forth in the covenant entitled "Limitation on Debt;"
    and

                                       42
<PAGE>
        (3) such Restricted Payment,  together with the  aggregate of all  other
    Restricted Payments made by Alpine and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the
    date of the initial issuance of the Notes, is less than the sum of

           (A)  50%  of the  Consolidated Net  Income of  Alpine for  the period
       (taken as one accounting period) from May 1, 1995 to the end of  Alpine's
       most   recently  ended  fiscal  quarter   for  which  internal  financial
       statements are available at the time  of such Restricted Payment (or,  if
       such  Consolidated Net Income for such period  is a deficit, 100% of such
       deficit), plus

           (B) the aggregate net  cash proceeds received after  the date of  the
       initial  issuance of the Notes by Alpine from the issuance or sale (other
       than to  any  Restricted Subsidiary)  of  Qualified Equity  Interests  of
       Alpine, plus

           (C)  the aggregate net  cash proceeds received after  the date of the
       initial issuance of the Notes by Alpine from the issuance or sale  (other
       than  to any  Restricted Subsidiary)  of debt  securities or Disqualified
       Stock that have been  converted into or  exchanged for Qualified  Capital
       Stock  of Alpine, together with the  aggregate net cash proceeds received
       by Alpine at the time of such conversion or exchange, plus

           (D) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made  after
       the  date  of the  initial  issuance of  the Notes  is  sold for  cash or
       otherwise liquidated  or repaid  for cash,  the lesser  of (A)  the  cash
       proceeds  with respect  to such Restricted  Investment (less  the cost of
       disposition, if  any)  and (B)  the  initial amount  of  such  Restricted
       Investment.

    (b)   Notwithstanding  paragraph  (a)  above,   Alpine  and  any  Restricted
Subsidiary may take the  following actions so long  as (with respect to  clauses
(v),  (vi) and (vii) below)  no Default or Event  of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing:

        (i) the  payment  of any  dividend  within 60  days  after the  date  of
    declaration  thereof, if at the date  of declaration such payment would have
    complied with the provisions of the Indenture;

        (ii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of  any
    Equity  Interests of Alpine in exchange for,  or out of the proceeds of, the
    substantially concurrent  sale (other  than to  a Subsidiary)  of  Qualified
    Equity Interests of Alpine;

       (iii)  the  purchase,  redemption,  defeasance  or  other  acquisition or
    retirement for value  of Debt of  Alpine or a  Subsidiary Guarantor that  is
    subordinated  to the  Notes or the  applicable Subsidiary  Guarantee, as the
    case may  be,  in exchange  for,  or  out of  the  net cash  proceeds  of  a
    substantially concurrent incurrence or sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of,
    Debt  of Alpine or a Subsidiary Guarantor  that is subordinated to the Notes
    or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the  case may be, so long as  (A)
    the  principal amount of such new Debt  does not exceed the principal amount
    (or, if such subordinated Debt being refinanced provides for an amount  less
    than  the principal amount thereof to be  due and payable upon a declaration
    of acceleration thereof, such lesser amount as of the date of determination)
    of the subordinated Debt being so purchased, redeemed, acquired or  retired,
    (B)  such  new  subordinated  Debt  is  subordinated  to  the  Notes  or the
    applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case  may be, to the same extent  as
    such  subordinated Debt so purchased, redeemed,  acquired or retired and (C)
    such new subordinated Debt  has a Weighted Average  Life to Maturity  longer
    than  the Weighted Average Life to Maturity  of the Notes and a final Stated
    Maturity of principal later than the final Stated Maturity of the Notes;

        (iv) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other retirement of  Debt
    of Alpine or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is subordinated to the Notes or the
    applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, in exchange for, or out
    of  the  proceeds of,  the substantially  concurrent sale  (other than  to a
    Subsidiary) of Qualified Equity Interests of Alpine;

        (v) scheduled  dividend  payments  on  outstanding  Preferred  Stock  of
    Alpine, whether outstanding on the date of the initial issuance of the Notes
    or    thereafter    issued;    provided    that    the    aggregate   amount

                                       43
<PAGE>
    of such dividends paid after the date  of the initial issuance of the  Notes
    in  reliance on this clause  (v) may not exceed  $1.7 million per year, less
    the amount of interest  paid or accrued  during such period  on any Debt  of
    Alpine issued in exchange for shares of Alpine's Preferred Stock;

        (vi)  the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any
    Preferred Stock of Alpine  in exchange for,  or out of  the proceeds of  the
    substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of Debt of Alpine
    that is subordinated to the Notes; provided that, after giving effect to any
    such  transaction, the sum  of the scheduled  dividend payments on Preferred
    Stock of Alpine that remains outstanding plus the amount of interest due  on
    outstanding  subordinated Debt issued pursuant to  this clause (vi), may not
    exceed $1.7 million per year; and

       (vii) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4.0
    million.

    The actions described in clauses (ii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) above  will
reduce  the amount  that would  otherwise be  available for  Restricted Payments
under clause (3) of  paragraph (a) above. The  actions described in clauses  (i)
and  (iii) above will  not reduce the amount  otherwise available for Restricted
Payments under clause (3) of paragraph (a) above.

    Not later  than the  date  of making  any  Restricted Payment,  Alpine  will
deliver  to the  Trustee an Officers'  Certificate stating  that such Restricted
Payment is permitted  and setting forth  the basis upon  which the  calculations
required  by this covenant  were computed, which calculations  may be based upon
Alpine's latest available quarterly financial statements. (Section 1011)

    LIMITATION ON DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS OF ASSET SALES.  Alpine will not,  and
will  not permit any Restricted  Subsidiary to, engage in  any Asset Sale unless
(i) the consideration received by Alpine or such Restricted Subsidiary for  such
Asset  Sale  is not  less than  the fair  market  value of  the assets  sold (as
determined by the Board of Directors  of Alpine, whose good faith  determination
will   be  conclusive  and  evidenced  by  a  Board  Resolution)  and  (ii)  the
consideration received by  Alpine or  such Restricted Subsidiary  in respect  of
such Asset Sale consists of at least 85% cash or cash equivalents, provided that
the  amount of (A) any Debt of Alpine  or any Restricted Subsidiary (as shown on
its most recent balance sheet or  in the notes thereto), other than  liabilities
that  are by their  terms subordinated to  the Notes or  a Subsidiary Guarantee,
that is assumed by the transferee of any such assets and (B) any notes or  other
obligations   received  by  Alpine  or  such  Restricted  Subsidiary  from  such
transferee  that  are  immediately  converted  by  Alpine  or  such   Restricted
Subsidiary  into cash (to the extent of the  cash received) will be deemed to be
cash for purposes of this provision.

    If Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale, Alpine  may
use the Net Cash Proceeds thereof, within 270 days after such Asset Sale, to (i)
permanently  repay any Debt  then outstanding under the  New Credit Agreement or
any other then outstanding Debt of Alpine or of any Subsidiary Guarantor that is
PARI PASSU with (or senior to) the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee,
as the case  may be, or  in the case  where such Restricted  Subsidiary has  not
provided  a Subsidiary Guarantee, any Debt of such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii)
invest (or enter into a legally  binding agreement to invest) in properties  and
assets  to replace the properties and assets  that were the subject of the Asset
Sale or in properties and  assets that will be used  in businesses of Alpine  or
its  Restricted Subsidiaries, as  the case may  be, existing on  the date of the
original issuance of the Notes. If any such legally binding agreement to  invest
such  Net Cash Proceeds is  terminated, then Alpine may,  within 90 days of such
termination or within  270 days of  such Asset Sale,  whichever is later,  apply
such  Net Cash Proceeds as provided in clause (i) or (ii) (without regard to the
parenthetical  contained  in  such  clause   (ii))  above.  Pending  the   final
application  of  any  such  Net Cash  Proceeds,  Alpine  may  temporarily reduce
borrowings under  any revolving  credit facility  or otherwise  invest such  Net
Proceeds  in any manner that  is not prohibited by  the Indenture. The amount of
such Net  Cash  Proceeds not  so  used as  set  forth above  in  this  paragraph
constitutes "Excess Proceeds."

    When  the aggregate amount  of Excess Proceeds  exceeds $7.5 million, Alpine
will, within 15 business  days, make an offer  to purchase (an "Excess  Proceeds
Offer")  from all holders of Notes, in  accordance with the procedures set forth
below, the maximum  principal amount  of Notes that  may be  purchased with  the
Excess  Proceeds. The offer price as to each  Note will be payable in cash in an
amount equal to 100% of the

                                       44
<PAGE>
Accreted Value  of such  Note  as of  the date  such  Excess Proceeds  Offer  is
consummated,  plus accrued and unpaid interest to  such date. To the extent that
the Accreted Value  of Notes tendered  pursuant to an  Excess Proceeds Offer  is
less than the Excess Proceeds, Alpine may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for
general  corporate purposes.  If the aggregate  Accreted Value  of Notes validly
tendered and not withdrawn by holders thereof exceeds the Excess Proceeds, Notes
to be purchased will be  selected on a PRO RATA  basis. Upon completion of  such
offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.

    The  Indenture also will provide  that, to the extent  that Alpine or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries  receives securities or  other non-cash property  or
assets as proceeds of an Asset Sale in compliance with the foregoing provisions,
Alpine  will not be required  to make any application  of such non-cash proceeds
required by this  covenant until it  receives cash or  cash equivalent  proceeds
from  a sale, repayment, exchange, redemption  or retirement of or extraordinary
dividend or return of capital on such non-cash property. (Section 1012)

    PURCHASE OF NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF  CONTROL.  If a Change of Control  occurs
at  any time,  then each  holder of Notes  will have  the right  to require that
Alpine purchase such holder's Notes, in  whole or in part in integral  multiples
of  $1,000, at a purchase price (the "Change of Control Purchase Price") in cash
in an amount equal  to 101% of the  Accreted Value thereof as  of the Change  of
Control  Purchase Date  referred to below,  plus accrued and  unpaid interest to
such date, pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer")
and the other procedures set forth in the Indenture.

    Within 30  days following  any Change  of Control,  Alpine will  notify  the
Trustee thereof and give written notice of such Change of Control to each holder
of  Notes by first-class mail, postage prepaid,  at its address appearing in the
security register, stating, among other things,  (i) the purchase price and  the
purchase  date, which will be  a Business Day no earlier  than 30 days nor later
than 60 days  from the  date such notice  is mailed,  or such later  date as  is
necessary  to comply  with requirements under  the Exchange Act  (the "Change of
Control Purchase Date"); (ii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue
interest and accrete OID; (iii) that,  unless Alpine defaults in the payment  of
the  purchase price, any  Notes accepted for  payment pursuant to  the Change of
Control Offer will cease to accrue interest and accrete OID after the Change  of
Control  Purchase Date; and (iv) certain other procedures that a holder of Notes
must follow to accept a Change of Control Offer or to withdraw such acceptance.

    Alpine will comply with  the applicable tender  offer rules, including  Rule
14e-l  under  the Exchange  Act, and  any other  applicable securities  laws and
regulations in connection with a Change of Control Offer.

    Alpine will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or
permit to exist  or become  effective any restriction  (other than  restrictions
existing  under Debt as  in effect on the  date of the  original issuance of the
Notes or any renewals,  extensions, substitutions, refinancings or  replacements
of  such  Debt,  provided  that the  restrictions  contained  in  the agreements
governing such  Debt  are  no  more restrictive  than  those  contained  in  the
agreements governing the Debt being refinanced) that would materially impair the
ability of Alpine to make a Change of Control Offer to purchase the Notes or, if
such  Change  of  Control Offer  is  made, to  pay  for the  Notes  tendered for
purchase. (Section 1013)

    If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that  Alpine
will have available funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price
for  all of the Notes that might be delivered by holders of the Notes seeking to
accept the Change of Control Offer. The failure of Alpine to make or  consummate
the Change of Control Offer or pay the Change of Control Purchase Price when due
would  result in an Event of Default and  would give the Trustee and the holders
of the Notes the rights described under "Events of Default."

    One of the events which constitutes a Change of Control under the  Indenture
is  the disposition of "all or substantially  all" of Alpine's assets. This term
has not been interpreted under New York  law (which is the governing law of  the
Indenture)  to represent a specific quantitative  test. As a consequence, in the
event holders of the  Notes elect to  require Alpine to  purchase the Notes  and
Alpine  elects to contest such  election, there can be no  assurance as to how a
court interpreting New York law would interpret the phrase.

                                       45
<PAGE>
    Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture
does not contain provisions that permit the holders of the Notes to require that
Alpine   repurchase  or   redeem  the  Notes   in  the  event   of  a  takeover,
recapitalization or similar restructuring. The existence of a holder's right  to
require  Alpine to  purchase such  holder's Notes upon  a Change  of Control may
deter a third party  from acquiring Alpine in  a transaction that constitutes  a
Change of Control.

    LIMITATION ON UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.  Alpine will not make, and will not
permit   any  of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries   to  make,  any  Investment  in
Unrestricted Subsidiaries if, at the time thereof, the amount of such Investment
would exceed  the  amount of  Restricted  Payments  then permitted  to  be  made
pursuant to the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant.

    The  Board of Directors may designate  any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
Superior, Adience and their subsidiaries)  as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or  any
Person  about to become a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, in either
case, such designation  complies with  the next paragraph,  and at  the time  of
designation  (and, if applicable, after giving effect to such acquisition), such
Subsidiary: (a) has no Debt  other than Non-Recourse Debt;  (b) is not party  to
any  agreement,  contract,  arrangement  or  understanding  with  Alpine  or any
Restricted Subsidiary  of  Alpine  unless  the  terms  of  any  such  agreement,
contract,  arrangement or understanding are no  less favorable to Alpine or such
Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons
who are not  Affiliates of Alpine;  and (c) is  a Person with  respect to  which
neither  Alpine nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any obligation (x) to
subscribe for additional Equity  Interests or (y) to  maintain or preserve  such
Person's  financial condition or  to cause such Person  to achieve any specified
levels of operating results.

    The Board of  Directors may  designate any  Restricted Subsidiary  to be  an
Unrestricted  Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default; provided
that in no event shall the business currently operated by Superior, Adience  and
their  subsidiaries be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For
purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments by Alpine and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be
Restricted Payments at the time of such designation (valued as set forth  below)
and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of
paragraph  (a) of  the "Limitation  on Restricted  Payments" covenant.  All such
outstanding Investments will be  deemed to constitute  Investments in an  amount
equal  to the greatest of (x) the net book value of such Investments at the time
of such designation, (y) the fair market  value of such Investments at the  time
of  such designation and (z) the original  fair market value of such Investments
at the time they were made less  any capital returned in cash. Such  designation
will  only be permitted  if such Restricted  Payment would be  permitted at such
time and if  such Restricted  Subsidiary otherwise  meets the  definition of  an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

    The  Board of Directors of Alpine may at any time designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be
deemed to be an incurrence of Debt  by a Restricted Subsidiary of Alpine of  any
outstanding  Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only
be permitted if  (i) such Debt  is permitted under  the covenant "Limitation  on
Debt  of Restricted Subsidiaries" and (ii) no  Default or Event of Default would
be in existence following such designation. (Section 1014)

    LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING  RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.    Alpine will  not, and  will  not permit  any of  its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer  to
exist  or become effective any encumbrance or  restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to (i)  pay dividends or make  any other distributions  to
Alpine  or any other  Restricted Subsidiary on  its Capital Stock,  (ii) pay any
Debt owed to  Alpine or  any other Restricted  Subsidiary, (iii)  make loans  or
advances  to Alpine or any  other Restricted Subsidiary or  (iv) transfer any of
its properties or assets  to Alpine or any  other Restricted Subsidiary,  except
for  such encumbrances or  restrictions existing under  or by reason  of (a) any
agreement in  effect on  the date  of the  initial issuance  of the  Notes,  (b)
applicable  law,  (c) customary  non-assignment  provisions in  leases  or other
contracts entered into in  the ordinary course of  business and consistent  with
past  practices, (d)  purchase money  obligations for  property acquired  in the
ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature described  in
clauses (iv)(b) and (c) on the

                                       46
<PAGE>
property  so acquired,  (e) customary  restrictions imposed  on the  transfer of
copyrighted or patented materials, (f) the  entering into of a contract for  the
sale  or other disposition  of assets, directly  or indirectly, so  long as such
restrictions do not extend to assets that are not subject to such sale or  other
disposition, (g) provisions in Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted
by  the Indenture to be  incurred that only restrict  the transfer of the assets
purchased with the proceeds of such Debt, (h) any agreement or other  instrument
of  a Person acquired by Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the
time of  such acquisition  (but  not created  in contemplation  thereof),  which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or
assets  of any Person, other  than the Person, or the  property or assets of the
Person, so  acquired, or  (i)  pursuant to  an  agreement effecting  a  renewal,
refunding,  refinancing or extension  of Debt incurred  pursuant to an agreement
referred to in clause (a) or (h) above; provided that the restrictions contained
in the  agreements  governing such  Debt  are  no more  restrictive  than  those
contained in the agreements governing the Debt being refinanced. (Section 1015)

    LIMITATION  ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.   Alpine will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any  of its  properties or  assets to,  or purchase  any property  or
assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance
or  guarantee with, or for the benefit  of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing
including  any  series   or  combination   of  the   foregoing,  an   "Affiliate
Transaction"),  unless (i)  such Affiliate Transaction  is on terms  that are no
less favorable to Alpine or the  relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those  that
would  have  been  obtained  in  a  comparable  transaction  by  Alpine  or such
Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person  and (ii) Alpine delivers to  the
Trustee  (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction, an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such Affiliate Transaction  complies with clause (i) above,  (b)
with respect to any Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate payments in excess
of  $1.0  million, a  majority  of the  disinterested  members of  the  Board of
Directors of  Alpine determines  in its  reasonable good  faith judgment,  which
shall  be conclusive  and evidenced by  a Board Resolution,  that such Affiliate
Transaction complies with clause (i) above and (c) with respect to any Affiliate
Transaction involving aggregate payments in  excess of $5.0 million, an  opinion
as  to the  fairness to  Alpine or such  Restricted Subsidiary  from a financial
point of  view  issued by  an  investment  banking firm  of  national  standing;
provided  that (x) any employment agreement  or compensation plan or arrangement
entered into by  Alpine or any  of its Restricted  Subsidiaries in the  ordinary
course  of business  of Alpine or  such Restricted  Subsidiary, (y) transactions
between  or  among  Alpine  and/or  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  (other   than
partially-owned Restricted Subsidiaries any of the other equity holders of which
are  Affiliates of Alpine)  and (z) transactions permitted  by the provisions of
the Indenture  described  above under  the  covenant "Limitation  on  Restricted
Payments" will not be deemed Affiliate Transactions. (Section 1016)

    LIMITATION  ON  LIENS.   Alpine will  not, and  will not  permit any  of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to,  directly or  indirectly, create,  incur, assume  or
suffer  to exist any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, on any property or asset
now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, unless  (x)
in  the case of  any Lien securing Debt  that is subordinated  to the Notes, the
Notes are secured by a  Lien on such property, asset,  income or profit that  is
senior in priority to such Lien and (y) in the case of any other Lien, the Notes
are equally and ratably secured with the obligation or liability secured by such
Lien, in either case until such time as such Debt, obligation or liability is no
longer secured by a Lien.

    Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  Alpine or  its Restricted  Subsidiaries may
incur the following Liens ("Permitted Liens"):

        (i) Liens in favor of Alpine;

        (ii) Liens on property or assets of Alpine or any Restricted  Subsidiary
    securing  Debt (and related interest, fees  and other charges) under the New
    Credit Agreement or under one or  more other credit facilities permitted  to
    be  incurred by  clause (i)  of the definition  of Permitted  Debt or clause
    (vii) of  the  definition  of Permitted  Subsidiary  Debt,  including  Liens
    securing  intercompany Debt (and  related interest, fees  and other charges)
    representing loans  of  the proceeds  of  borrowings under  the  New  Credit
    Agreement  or such  other credit facilities  by the Company  or a Restricted
    Subsidiary to  a Restricted  Subsidiary; provided,  however, that  (A)  such
    Liens  cover only  the types  of property  and assets  covered by  the Liens
    contemplated by the New Credit Agreement on the date of original issuance of
    the Notes

                                       47
<PAGE>
    and (B) such  Debt is  in a  principal amount  not to  exceed the  principal
    amount  of the outstanding Debt permitted by clause (i) of the definition of
    Permitted Debt or  clause (vii)  of the definition  of Permitted  Subsidiary
    Debt;

       (iii)  Liens on  property or  assets that  were existing  at the  time of
    acquisition thereof  by  Alpine  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  of  Alpine;
    provided  that such Liens do not extend  to any property or assets of Alpine
    or any Restricted Subsidiary other than  the property or assets acquired  in
    connection with the incurrence of such Acquired Debt;

        (iv)   Liens  on  property  or  assets  of  Alpine  and  its  Restricted
    Subsidiaries to secure Debt permitted by  clause (iii) of the definition  of
    Permitted  Debt or  clause (iii) of  the definition  of Permitted Subsidiary
    Debt, provided such Liens  cover only the property  or assets acquired  with
    the proceeds of such Debt;

        (v) Liens existing on the date of the initial issuance of the Notes;

        (vi)  Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of Alpine or any
    Restricted Subsidiary  of Alpine  with respect  to obligations  that do  not
    exceed  $5.0  million at  any  one time  outstanding  and that  (a)  are not
    incurred in  connection with  the borrowing  of money  or the  obtaining  of
    advances  or  credit (other  than  trade credit  in  the ordinary  course of
    business) and (b) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the  value
    of  the property or  materially impair the  use thereof in  the operation of
    business by Alpine or such Restricted Subsidiary;

       (vii)  Liens  securing  Acquired  Debt  created  prior  to  (and  not  in
    connection  with  or in  contemplation of)  the incurrence  of such  Debt by
    Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens do not  extend
    to  any property or assets of Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary other than
    the property or assets  acquired in connection with  the incurrence of  such
    Acquired Debt;

      (viii) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or
    appeal  bonds,  performance  bonds or  other  obligations of  a  like nature
    incurred in the ordinary course of business;

        (ix) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that
    are not  yet  delinquent  or that  are  being  contested in  good  faith  by
    appropriate   proceedings  promptly  instituted  and  diligently  concluded;
    provided that  any  reserve  or  other appropriate  provision  as  shall  be
    required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

        (x)  Liens incurred or pledges and  deposits in connection with workers'
    compensation, unemployment  insurance  and other  social  security  benefits
    incurred by Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary of Alpine;

        (xi)  Liens imposed  by law, including,  without limitation, mechanics',
    carriers', warehousemen's,  materialmen's,  suppliers' and  vendors'  Liens,
    incurred  by Alpine or  any Restricted Subsidiary in  the ordinary course of
    business;

       (xii) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, covenants,  reservations,
    restrictions  on the use  of real property or  minor irregularities of title
    incident thereto, which do  not, in the aggregate,  have a material  adverse
    effect  on  the  operation of  the  business  of Alpine  and  its Restricted
    Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

      (xiii) Liens securing Debt  permitted to be incurred  by clause (viii)  of
    the  definition  of  Permitted Debt  or  clause  (vi) of  the  definition of
    Permitted Subsidiary  Debt,  so  long  as such  Liens  are  limited  to  the
    collateral  securing  the Debt  being refinanced  and  the proceeds  of such
    collateral; and

       (xiv) any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part, of  any
    Lien  described in the  foregoing clauses (i)  through (xiii); provided that
    any such extension, renewal or replacement  shall be no more restrictive  in
    any  material respect  than the  Lien so  extended, renewed  or replaced and
    shall not extend to any additional property or assets. (Section 1017)

    LIMITATIONS ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS.   Alpine will not, and  will
not  permit  any of  its Restricted  Subsidiaries  to, enter  into any  sale and
leaseback transaction; provided that Alpine or its

                                       48
<PAGE>
Restricted Subsidiaries may enter  into such sale  and leaseback transaction  if
(i)  Alpine or  such Restricted  Subsidiary could have  (a) incurred  Debt in an
amount equal  to the  Attributable  Debt relating  to  such sale  and  leaseback
transaction  pursuant  to  the  covenants  described  above  under  the captions
"Limitation on Debt" and "Limitation on Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries" and (b)
incurred a Lien  to secure  such Debt pursuant  to the  covenant "Limitation  on
Liens,"  (ii) the proceeds of  such sale and leaseback  transaction are at least
equal to the  fair market value  (as determined in  good faith by  the Board  of
Directors and set forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of
the  property that  is the  subject of such  sale and  leaseback transaction and
(iii) Alpine will apply or cause to be applied the proceeds of such  transaction
in  compliance with the covenant entitled "Limitation on Disposition of Proceeds
of Asset Sales." (Section 1018)

    REPORTS.   Whether or  not required  by  the rules  and regulations  of  the
Commission,  so long as  any Notes are  outstanding, Alpine will  furnish to the
holders of Notes (i) all quarterly  and annual financial information that  would
be  required to be contained  in a filing with the  Commission on Forms 10-Q and
10-K if  Alpine were  required to  file such  Forms, including  a  "Management's
Discussion  and Analysis of Financial Condition  and Results of Operations" that
describes the financial condition  and results of operations  of Alpine and  its
Restricted  Subsidiaries and,  with respect  to the  annual information  only, a
report thereon  by  Alpine's  certified independent  accountants  and  (ii)  all
reports  that would  be filed  with the  Commission on  Form 8-K  if Alpine were
required to file such reports. In addition, whether or not required by the rules
and regulations  of  the  Commission,  Alpine  will file  a  copy  of  all  such
information  and reports with the Commission for public availability (unless the
Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to
investors who request it in writing. (Section 1019)

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS.

    Alpine may not consolidate or merge with  or into (whether or not Alpine  is
the  surviving  corporation),  or  sell,  assign,  transfer,  lease,  convey  or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one
or more related transactions, to any Person or Persons unless

        (i) Alpine  is the  surviving corporation  or the  Person formed  by  or
    surviving  any such  consolidation or  merger (if  other than  Alpine) or to
    which  such  sale,   assignment,  transfer,  lease,   conveyance  or   other
    disposition  shall have  been made  is a  corporation organized  or existing
    under the laws of the  United States, any state  thereof or the District  of
    Columbia;

        (ii)  the entity or Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation
    or merger (if other than Alpine) or the entity or Person to which such sale,
    assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
    made assumes all the obligations of Alpine under the Notes and the Indenture
    pursuant to a supplemental  indenture in a  form reasonably satisfactory  to
    the Trustee;

       (iii)  immediately after such transaction no  Default or Event of Default
    exists;

        (iv) Alpine or the Person formed by or surviving any such  consolidation
    or merger, or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
    other  disposition shall have been made (a) will have Consolidated Net Worth
    (immediately  after  the   transaction)  equal  to   or  greater  than   the
    Consolidated  Net Worth of Alpine  immediately preceding the transaction and
    (b) would, after giving PRO FORMA effect thereto as if such transaction  had
    occurred  at  the beginning  of  the most  recently  ended four  full fiscal
    quarter period for which internal  financial statements are available,  have
    been  permitted to incur at  least $1.00 of additional  Debt pursuant to the
    Fixed Charge  Coverage  Ratio  test  set  forth  in  the  covenant  entitled
    "Limitation on Debt"; and

        (v)  Alpine delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form
    and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory   to  the  Trustee,  an   officers'
    certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
    merger,  sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer,  lease or other disposition
    comply with the requirements of the Indenture. (Section 801)

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

    The following are Events of Default under the Indenture:

        (i) default for  30 days  in the  payment when  due of  interest on  the
    Notes;

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<PAGE>
        (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any,
    on the Notes;

       (iii)  failure to make  a Change of  Control Offer or  an Excess Proceeds
    Offer, in each case, within the  time periods specified in the Indenture  or
    default  in  the performance,  or breach,  of  any covenant  described under
    "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;"

        (iv) failure by Alpine, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Pledgor for 60  days
    after  notice  from the  Trustee  or from  holders of  at  least 25%  of the
    aggregate principal amount of  the Notes outstanding to  comply with any  of
    its other agreements in the Indenture, the Notes or the Pledge Agreement;

        (v)  default  under any  mortgage, indenture  or instrument  under which
    there may be issued or by which  there may be secured or evidenced any  Debt
    for  money borrowed by Alpine or  any Significant Subsidiary (or the payment
    of which is  guaranteed by  Alpine or any  Significant Subsidiary),  whether
    such  Debt or guarantee now exists or  is created after the date of original
    issuance of the  Notes, which  default (x)  is caused  by a  failure to  pay
    principal  of,  premium, if  any,  or interest  on  such Debt  prior  to the
    expiration of the grace  period provided in  such Debt on  the date of  such
    default  (a "Payment  Default") or (y)  results in the  acceleration of such
    Debt prior to its express maturity  and, in each case, the principal  amount
    of  any such Debt, together with the principal amount of any other such Debt
    under which there has been  a Payment Default or  the maturity of which  has
    been so accelerated, aggregates $5.0 million or more;

        (vi)  failure  by  Alpine or  any  Significant Subsidiary  to  pay final
    judgments aggregating in  excess of  $5.0 million, which  judgments are  not
    paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

       (vii)  except  as permitted  by the  Indenture, any  Subsidiary Guarantee
    shall be held in any judicial  proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid  or
    shall  cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Subsidiary
    Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor, shall
    deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and

      (viii) certain events of bankruptcy  or insolvency with respect to  Alpine
    or  any of its  Significant Subsidiaries or any  group of Subsidiaries that,
    taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary. (Section 501)

    If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in  principal amount of the  then outstanding Notes may  declare
the  Accreted Value  as of  the date  on which  the Notes  first become  due and
payable plus accrued and  unpaid interest on  all the Notes to  such date to  be
immediately  due and payable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in  the case of an
Event of Default arising  from certain events of  bankruptcy or insolvency  with
respect  to Alpine  or any  Significant Subsidiary,  all outstanding  Notes will
become due  and payable  without further  action or  notice; provided,  however,
that,  in the event of  the bankruptcy or insolvency  of Adience, the Notes will
not be subject to such automatic acceleration (but the Trustee or the holders of
at least 25% in principal amount of  the then outstanding Notes may declare  the
Notes immediately due and payable), unless the holder or holders of in excess of
$5.0  million principal  amount of Debt  have accelerated  their obligations, in
which event the outstanding  Notes will become due  and payable without  further
action  or notice.  Holders of the  Notes may  not enforce the  Indenture or the
Notes except  as provided  in  the Indenture.  Subject to  certain  limitations,
holders  of a  majority in  principal amount of  the then  outstanding Notes may
direct the  Trustee in  its exercise  of any  trust or  power. The  Trustee  may
withhold  from holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of
Default (except a continuing Default or Event  of Default in the payment of  the
principal  of (or premium  on) or interest  on the Notes)  if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interest. (Section 502)

    At any time after the declaration of acceleration has been made and before a
judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee
as provided in the Indenture, the holders  of a majority in principal amount  of
the   outstanding  Notes  may  rescind  and   annul  such  declaration  and  its
consequences if (a) Alpine or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or deposited, or
caused to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (1) all
overdue interest  on all  outstanding Notes,  (2) all  other amounts  under  the
outstanding  Notes that  have become due  otherwise than by  such declaration of
acceleration, and interest  on any  unpaid principal at  the rate  borne by  the
Notes, (3) to the extent that

                                       50
<PAGE>
payment  of such interest is lawful, interest  upon overdue interest at the rate
borne by the Notes, and (4) all  sums paid or advanced by the Trustee  hereunder
and  the reasonable  compensation, expenses,  disbursements and  advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under  the
Indenture;  and  (b)  all  Events  of Default,  other  than  the  non-payment of
principal of (or premium, if any, on) Notes that have become due solely by  such
declaration  of  acceleration, have  been  cured or  waived  as provided  in the
Indenture. (Section 502)

    The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then  outstanding
may  on behalf of the holders  of all of the Notes  waive any past default under
the Indenture or the Pledge  Agreement, except a default  in the payment of  the
principal  of  (or premium  on) or  interest on  the  Notes or  in respect  of a
covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent  of
the holder of each outstanding Note affected. (Section 513)

    Alpine  is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding
compliance with the Indenture, and Alpine  is required, within 10 business  days
of  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee
a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default. (Section 1008)

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

    Alpine may,  at its  option  and at  any  time, elect  to  have all  of  its
obligations   discharged  with   respect  to   the  outstanding   Notes  ("Legal
Defeasance") except  for (i)  the  rights of  holders  of outstanding  Notes  to
receive  payments  in respect  of  the principal  of  and premium,  if  any, and
interest on such  Notes when such  payments are due,  (ii) Alpine's  obligations
with  respect  to  the  Notes  concerning  issuing  temporary  Notes, mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, registration of Notes and the maintenance of an
office or agency  for payment  and money for  security payments  held in  trust,
(iii)  the rights,  powers, trusts,  duties and  immunities of  the Trustee, and
Alpine's obligations  in  connection therewith  and  (iv) the  Legal  Defeasance
provisions  of the Indenture. In addition, Alpine  may, at its option and at any
time, elect to have the obligations  of Alpine released with respect to  certain
covenants  that  are  described  in the  Indenture  ("Covenant  Defeasance") and
thereafter any omission to  comply with such obligations  will not constitute  a
Default  or Event of  Default with respect  to the Notes.  In the event Covenant
Defeasance  occurs,  certain  events  (not  including  non-payment,  bankruptcy,
receivership,  rehabilitation and insolvency events)  described under "Events of
Default and Remedies" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect
to the Notes.

    In order to  exercise either  Legal Defeasance or  Covenant Defeasance,  (i)
Alpine  must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee,  in trust, for the benefit of
the holders of the Notes, cash in United States dollars, non-callable Government
Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient,  in
the  opinion of a nationally recognized  firm of independent public accountants,
to pay the principal  of and premium,  if any, and  interest on the  outstanding
Notes  on the stated maturity or on  the applicable redemption date, as the case
may be, of such principal  or installment of principal  of, premium, if any,  or
interest  on the outstanding Notes; (ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Alpine
will have delivered to the Trustee  an opinion of counsel reasonably  acceptable
to  the Trustee confirming that (a) Alpine  has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date of the
Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,  in
either  case to the effect that and  based thereon, such opinion of counsel will
confirm that the  holders of the  outstanding Notes will  not recognize  income,
gain  or  loss  for  federal income  tax  purposes  as a  result  of  such Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and  at the same  times as would  have been the  case if such  Legal
Defeasance  had not occurred;  (iii) in the case  of Covenant Defeasance, Alpine
will have delivered to the Trustee  an opinion of counsel reasonably  acceptable
to  the Trustee confirming  that the holders  of the outstanding  Notes will not
recognize income, gain or loss  for federal income tax  purposes as a result  of
such  Covenant Defeasance and will be subject  to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;  (iv) no Default or Event of  Default
will  have occurred and be continuing on the  date of such deposit or insofar as
Events of Default  from bankruptcy or  insolvency events are  concerned, at  any
time  in the period ending on the 123rd  day after the date of deposit; (v) such
Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under any material

                                       51
<PAGE>
agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which Alpine or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which Alpine or any of its Subsidiaries is  bound;
(vi)  Alpine will  have delivered to  the Trustee  an opinion of  counsel to the
effect that after the 123rd day following the deposit, the trust funds will  not
be   subject   to  the   effect  of   any  applicable   bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization or  similar laws  affecting  creditors' rights  generally;  (vii)
Alpine  will have delivered to the Trustee an officers' certificate stating that
the deposit was not made by Alpine with the intent of preferring the holders  of
Notes  over  the  other  creditors  of  Alpine  with  the  intent  of defeating,
hindering, delaying  or defrauding  creditors of  Alpine or  others; and  (viii)
Alpine  will  have delivered  to  the Trustee  an  officers' certificate  and an
opinion of  counsel, each  stating that  all conditions  precedent provided  for
relating  to the Legal Defeasance or  the Covenant Defeasance have been complied
with. (Article 12)

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

    The Indenture,  the  Notes  and  the Pledge  Agreement  may  be  amended  or
supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal
amount  of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection
with a  tender offer  or  exchange offer  for  Notes); provided,  however,  that
without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment or supplement may not:
(i)  reduce  the principal  amount of  Notes  whose holders  must consent  to an
amendment, supplement or  waiver, (ii)  reduce the  principal of  or change  the
fixed  maturity  of  any  Note  or alter  the  provisions  with  respect  to the
redemption of the Notes, (iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment
of interest on any Note, (iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment
of principal  of  or  premium, if  any,  or  interest on  the  Notes  (except  a
rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that
resulted  from such acceleration), (v) make any Note payable in money other than
that stated  in  the Notes,  (vi)  make any  change  in the  provisions  of  the
Indenture  or the Pledge Agreement  relating to waivers of  past defaults or the
rights of holders of Notes  to receive payments of  principal of or premium,  if
any,  or interest on the Notes, (vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to
any Note  or  (viii) make  any  change in  the  foregoing amendment  and  waiver
provisions. (Section 902)

    Notwithstanding  the foregoing, without the consent  of any holder of Notes,
Alpine and the Trustee may amend or  supplement the Indenture, the Notes or  the
Pledge  Agreement to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for
uncertificated Notes  in addition  to  or in  place  of certificated  Notes,  to
provide  for the assumption of  Alpine's obligations to holders  of the Notes in
the case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any
additional rights or  benefits to  the holders  of the  Notes or  that does  not
adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture or the Pledge Agreement of
any  such holder, or to  comply with requirements of  the Commission in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust  Indenture
Act. (Section 901)

    Alpine  or any Subsidiary  Guarantor may omit in  any particular instance to
comply with certain covenants  or conditions set forth  in the Indenture or  the
Pledge  Agreement if, before or after the  time for such compliance, the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding
shall, by act of such holders, waive such compliance in such instance with  such
covenant  or  condition, but  no  such waiver  shall  extend to  or  affect such
covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived. (Section 1020)

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

    The Indenture contains  certain limitations  on the rights  of the  Trustee,
should  it become a creditor  of Alpine, to obtain  payment of claims in certain
cases, or to realize on certain property  received in respect of any such  claim
as  security or  otherwise. The  Trustee will  be permitted  to engage  in other
transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate
such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue
as Trustee with such conflict or resign as Trustee. (Sections 608 and 611)

    The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding  Notes
will  have the  right to  direct the  time, method  and place  of conducting any
proceeding for  exercising  any remedy  available  to the  Trustee,  subject  to
certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default will
occur (which has

                                       52
<PAGE>
not  been cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to
use the degree  of care  of a prudent  man in  the conduct of  his own  affairs.
Subject  to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder  of
Notes,  unless  such  holder shall  have  offered  to the  Trustee  security and
indemnity satisfactory to it  against any loss,  liability or expense.  (Section
602)

BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY AND FORM

    The  certificates  representing the  Old  Notes were,  and  the certificates
representing the New Notes will be,  issued in fully registered form. Except  as
described  in the next paragraph, the Old  Notes initially were represented by a
single, permanent global Old Note  in definitive, fully registered form  without
interest  coupons (the "Old Global Note") that was deposited with the Trustee as
custodian for DTC  and registered in  the name of  a nominee of  DTC. Except  as
described  in the next paragraph, the New Notes initially will be represented by
a single, permanent global New Note in definitive, fully registered form without
interest coupons (the "New Global Note") that will be deposited with the Trustee
as custodian for DTC and  registered in the name of  a nominee for DTC. The  Old
Global  Note and the New Global Note are collectively referred to as the "Global
Note." The Old Global Note  (and any Old Notes  issued in exchange therefor)  is
subject  to  certain  restrictions on  transfer  set  forth therein  and  in the
Indenture  and  will  bear  the  respective  legends  regarding  such   transfer
restrictions.

    Notes   (i)  originally   purchased  by  or   transferred  to  institutional
"accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under  the
Securities  Act) ("Institutional  Accredited Investors") who  are not "qualified
institutional  buyers"  (as  defined  in  Rule  144A  ("Rule  144A")  under  the
Securities  Act) ("QIBs"), (ii)  except as described  below, Persons outside the
United States  pursuant to  sales  in accordance  with  Regulation S  under  the
Securities  Act or  (iii) held by  QIBs who  elect to take  physical delivery of
their certificates instead  of holding  their interest through  the Global  Note
(and  which  are then  unable to  trade through  DTC) (collectively  referred to
herein as  the "Non-Global  Purchasers"),  will be  in registered  form  without
interest coupons ("Certificated Notes"). Upon the transfer of Certificated Notes
initially  issued to  a Non-Global Purchaser  to a QIB,  such Certificated Notes
will, unless the transferee requests otherwise or the Global Note has previously
been exchanged in whole for Certificated Notes, be exchanged for an interest  in
the Global Note.

    DTC  has advised Alpine as  follows: DTC is a  limited purpose trust company
organized under the  laws of  the State of  New York,  a "banking  organization"
within  the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a "clearing corporation"  within the meaning  of the Uniform  Commercial
Code and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to the provision of Section 17A
of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and
facilitate  the  clearance  and settlement  of  securities  transactions between
participants  through  electronic   book-entry  changes  in   accounts  of   its
participants,   thereby   eliminating  the   need   for  physical   movement  of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,  trust
companies  and clearing  corporations and certain  other organizations. Indirect
access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,  dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a participant, either directly or indirectly ("indirect participants").

    DTC  or its  custodian will credit,  on its internal  system, the respective
principal amount  of  the individual  beneficial  interests represented  by  the
Global  Note to the accounts of persons  who have accounts with such depositary.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be limited to  persons
who  have  accounts  with DTC  ("participants")  or persons  who  hold interests
through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Note  will
be  shown on, and the transfer of  that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained  by  DTC  or  its  nominee  (with  respect  to  interests  of
participants)  and the  records of  participants (with  respect to  interests of
persons other than participants).  QIBs may hold their  interests in the  Global
Note directly through DTC if they are participants in such system, or indirectly
through organizations which are participants in such system.

    So  long as  DTC or  its nominee is  the registered  owner or  holder of the
Global Note, DTC or  such nominee, as  the case may be,  will be considered  the
sole    record    owner    or    holder   of    the    Notes    represented   by

                                       53
<PAGE>
such Global  Note  for  all purposes  under  the  Indenture and  the  Notes.  No
beneficial  owners of an  interest in the  Global Note will  be able to transfer
that interest except in accordance with DTC's applicable procedures, in addition
to those provided for under the Indenture.

    Payments of the principal  of, premium, if any,  and interest on the  Global
Note  will be made to DTC or its nominee,  as the case may be, as the registered
owner thereof. Neither Alpine, the Trustee,  nor any paying agent will have  any
responsibility  or  liability  for any  aspect  of  the records  relating  to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note or
for  maintaining,  supervising  or  reviewing  any  records  relating  to   such
beneficial ownership interests.

    Alpine  expects that  DTC or  its nominee,  upon receipt  of any  payment of
principal, premium,  if any,  or interest  in respect  of the  Global Note  will
credit  participants' accounts with  payments in amounts  proportionate to their
respective beneficial ownership interests in the principal amount of such Global
Note, as shown on the  records of DTC or its  nominee. Alpine also expects  that
payments  by participants to owners of  beneficial interests in such Global Note
held through such  participants will  be governed by  standing instructions  and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers  registered in the names of nominees for such customers. Such payments
will be the responsibility of such participants.

    Transfers between participants in DTC will  be effected in the ordinary  way
in  accordance  with  DTC  rules.  If a  holder  requires  physical  delivery of
Certificated Notes for any reason, including to sell Notes to persons in  states
which  require such delivery of such Notes  or to pledge such Notes, such holder
must transfer its  interest in the  Global Note, in  accordance with the  normal
procedures of DTC and the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

    Neither  Alpine  nor  the  Trustee  will  have  any  responsibility  for the
performance by  DTC  or  its  participants or  indirect  participants  of  their
respective   obligations  under   the  rules  and   procedures  governing  their
operations.

    Subject to certain conditions,  any person having  a beneficial interest  in
the  Global  Note may,  upon request  to the  Trustee, exchange  such beneficial
interest for Notes in  the form of Certificated  Notes. Upon any such  issuance,
the  Trustee is required to register such Certificated Notes in the name of, and
cause the same to be delivered to, such person or persons (or the nominee of any
thereof). If such Certificated Notes are Old Notes, they will bear a restrictive
legend to the  effect that such  Old Notes  have not been  registered under  the
Securities  Act and  may not  be sold or  otherwise transferred  unless they are
registered  under  the  Securities  Act   or  unless  an  exemption  from   such
registration  requirements  is available.  In addition,  if DTC  is at  any time
unwilling or  unable to  continue as  a depositary  for the  Global Note  and  a
successor  depositary is  not appointed  by Alpine  within 90  days, Alpine will
issue Certificated Notes in exchange for the Global Note, which, in the case  of
Old Notes issued in exchange for the Global Note will bear a restrictive legend.

                                       54
<PAGE>
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

    Set  forth below are certain defined  terms used in the Indenture. Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full definition of all such terms, as well as any
other capitalized  terms  used  herein  for which  no  definition  is  provided.
(Section 101)

    "ACCRETED  VALUE" means, for any particular  date of determination (any such
date being herein referred to as a "Specified Date"), the amount provided  below
for each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Notes outstanding:

    A.  If the Specified  Date occurs on  one of the  following Interest Payment
Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the amount set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        ACCRETED
INTEREST PAYMENT DATE                                    VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------  ----------
<S>                                                    <C>
January 15, 1996.....................................  $   920.31
July 15, 1996........................................      923.48
January 15, 1997.....................................      926.87
July 15, 1997........................................      930.50
January 15, 1998.....................................      934.39
July 15, 1998........................................      938.54
January 15, 1999.....................................      942.99
July 15, 1999........................................      947.75
January 15, 2000.....................................      952.84
July 15, 2000........................................      958.29
January 15, 2001.....................................      964.12
July 15, 2001........................................      970.36
January 15, 2002.....................................      977.04
July 15, 2002........................................      984.18
January 15, 2003.....................................      991.82
July 15, 2003........................................    1,000.00
</TABLE>

    B.  If the Specified Date occurs before the first Interest Payment Date, the
Accreted Value will equal  the sum of  (1) the original issue  price and (2)  an
amount  equal to the  product of (i)  the Accreted Value  for the first Interest
Payment Date less the  original issue price multiplied  by (ii) a fraction,  the
numerator of which is the number of days from the issue date of the Notes to the
Specified  Date,  using  a  360-day  year  of  twelve  30-day  months,  and  the
denominator of which is the  number of days elapsed from  the issue date of  the
Notes  to the first Interest Payment Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

    C.  If  the Specified Date  occurs between two  Interest Payment Dates,  the
Accreted  Value will equal  the sum of  (1) the Accreted  Value for the Interest
Payment Date immediately preceding such Specified  Date and (2) an amount  equal
to  the product of (i) the Accreted Value for the immediately following Interest
Payment Date  less the  Accreted Value  for the  immediately preceding  Interest
Payment Date multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of  days from the  immediately preceding Interest Payment  Date to the Specified
Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which
is 180.

    "ACQUIRED DEBT" means Debt of a Person (i) existing at the time such  Person
becomes  a  Subsidiary or  (ii) assumed  in connection  with the  acquisition of
assets from such Person.

    "ADIENCE ACQUISITION CONSIDERATION" means the shares of Alpine 8%  Preferred
Stock  and/or  PolyVision common  stock  to be  delivered  pursuant to  the debt
exchange agreement, dated October 11, 1994,  as amended, and the stock  purchase
agreement,  dated October 11,  1994, as amended, relating  to the acquisition of
Adience by Alpine.

    "AFFILIATE" of  any specified  Person  means any  other Person  directly  or
indirectly  controlling  or controlled  by or  under  direct or  indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition,  "control"
(including,  with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and

                                       55
<PAGE>
"under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession, directly  or  indirectly,  of  the power  to  direct  or  cause  the
direction  of the  management or  policies of  such Person,  whether through the
ownership of voting  securities, by agreement  or otherwise; provided,  however,
that  beneficial ownership of 10%  or more of the  voting securities of a Person
will be deemed to be control.

    "ASSET SALE" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or  other
disposition   by  Alpine  or  any   Restricted  Subsidiary  (including,  without
limitation, by way of merger,  consolidation or sale and leaseback  transaction)
(collectively,  a "transfer"),  directly or  indirectly, in  one or  a series of
related transactions, to any Person other than Alpine or a Restricted Subsidiary
of: (i) any Capital Stock of  any Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) substantially  all
of the properties and assets of Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary representing
a  division or  line of  business; or  (iii) any  other properties  or assets of
Alpine or  any Restricted  Subsidiary,  other than  in  the ordinary  course  of
business.  For the purposes of this definition,  the term "Asset Sale" shall not
include any  transfer  of properties  or  assets (A)  that  is governed  by  the
provisions  of the Indenture  described under "Merger,  Consolidation or Sale of
Assets," (B) to an Unrestricted  Subsidiary, if permitted under the  "Limitation
on  Restricted Payments" covenant, (C) by or on behalf of a creditor pursuant to
a pledge agreement, security agreement,  mortgage or other similar agreement  or
instrument, (D) consisting of Adience's former corporate headquarters located in
Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania, (E) consisting  of Adience Acquisition Consideration,
(F) consisting  of shares  of PolyVision  Capital Stock  issued or  issuable  to
officers,  directors or employees of Alpine or its Subsidiaries upon exercise of
stock options or  pursuant to  grants or  awards under  employee benefit  plans,
provided  that the  fair market  value of such  Capital Stock  at the respective
dates of such grant or award, as determined by the Board of Directors of  Alpine
whose  good faith determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by one or more
Board Resolutions, shall be less than $3.0 million in the aggregate or (G)  that
have  a fair market  value of less  than $1.0 million  or that are  sold for net
proceeds of  less  than $1.0  million.  A transfer  of  assets by  Alpine  to  a
Restricted  Subsidiary or  by a  Restricted Subsidiary  to Alpine  or to another
Restricted Subsidiary will not be deemed to be an Asset Sale, and a transfer  of
assets  that  constitutes a  Restricted  Payment and  that  is permitted  by the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant, will not be deemed to be an  Asset
Sale.

    "ATTRIBUTABLE DEBT" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at
the  time of determination, the present value  (discounted at the actual rate of
interest implicit in such transaction) of  the obligation of the lessee for  net
rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and
leaseback  transaction  (including  any period  for  which such  lease  has been
extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended).

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

    "CAPITAL  STOCK"  of  any  Person  means  any  and  all  shares,  interests,
participations,  rights or  other equivalents (however  designated) of corporate
stock of such Person.

    "CASH EQUIVALENTS"  means  (i)  securities  issued  or  directly  and  fully
guaranteed  or  insured  by  the  United States  of  America  or  any  agency or
instrumentality thereof having maturities  of not more than  12 months from  the
date  of acquisition, (ii) certificates of  deposit and eurodollar time deposits
with maturities of  12 months  or less from  the date  of acquisition,  bankers'
acceptances with maturities not exceeding 12 months and overnight bank deposits,
in each case with any commercial or chartered bank having capital and surplus in
excess  of $250.0 million, (iii) repurchase obligations  with a term of not more
than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (i) and
(ii) entered  into with  any financial  institution meeting  the  qualifications
specified  in clause (ii) above, and (iv) commercial paper having at the time of
investment therein or a contractual commitment to invest therein a rating of A-1
by S&P or the equivalent  thereof by Moody's, and  in each case maturing  within
nine months after the date of the acquisition.

    "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

        (a)  any "person" or "group"  (as such terms are  used in Sections 13(d)
    and 14(d) of  the Exchange Act),  other than  Steven S. Elbaum  or Bragi  F.
    Schut and their respective Affiliates (the "Management

                                       56
<PAGE>
    Investors"), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3
    and  13d-5 under the  Exchange Act, except  that a Person  will be deemed to
    have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such Person has the right
    to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after  the
    passage  of  time), directly  or indirectly,  of  more than  33 1/3%  of the
    outstanding Voting Stock of Alpine;

        (b) Alpine consolidates with, or merges with or into, another Person  or
    conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all
    of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with
    or  into, Alpine, in any  such event pursuant to  a transaction in which the
    outstanding Voting Stock of Alpine is converted into or exchanged for  cash,
    securities  or other property, other than any such transaction where (i) the
    outstanding Voting Stock  of Alpine  is not  converted or  exchanged at  all
    (except  to the extent necessary to reflect  a change in the jurisdiction of
    incorporation of Alpine) or  is converted into or  exchanged for (A)  Voting
    Stock  (other  than  Disqualified  Stock)  of  the  surviving  or transferee
    corporation or (B) cash, securities  and other property (other than  Capital
    Stock  of the entity surviving such transaction)  in an amount that could be
    paid by Alpine as a Restricted Payment as described under the "Limitation on
    Restricted Payments" covenant and  (ii) immediately after such  transaction,
    clause  (a) above  is not  violated with  respect to  the outstanding Voting
    Stock of the surviving or transferee corporation;

   
        (c) during  any  consecutive two-year  period,  individuals who  at  the
    beginning  of  such  period constituted  the  Board of  Directors  of Alpine
    (together with any new directors whose election to such Board of  Directors,
    or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of Alpine, was approved
    by  a vote of 66 2/3% of the  directors then still in office who were either
    directors at the beginning  of such period or  whose election or  nomination
    for  election was previously so approved) cease for any reason (including as
    a result  of a  proxy contest)  to constitute  a majority  of the  Board  of
    Directors of Alpine then in office; or
    

        (d) Alpine is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation or
    dissolution  other than in  a transaction that  complies with the provisions
    described under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets."

    "CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income  for
such  period (exclusive of  amounts attributable to  discontinued operations, as
determined in accordance with GAAP) plus, without duplication, (i)  Consolidated
Income  Tax  Expense for  such  period (other  than  income tax  expense (either
positive or negative) excluded in  computing Consolidated Net Income, plus  (ii)
Consolidated   Interest  Expense  for  such  period,  plus  (iii)  depreciation,
amortization (including  amortization of  goodwill  and other  intangibles)  and
other  non-cash charges (excluding  any such non-cash charge  that results in an
accrual or a reserve for cash charges  in any future period) for such period  to
the  extent  such depreciation,  amortization  and other  non-cash  charges were
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income less (iv) all non-cash  items
(excluding  any non-cash charge which represents  an accrual or reserve for cash
charges for  any  future  period)  to the  extent  included  in  computing  such
Consolidated Net Income, in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP.

    "CONSOLIDATED  INCOME TAX  EXPENSE" means,  for any  period, the  income tax
expense of Alpine and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined  on
a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

    "CONSOLIDATED  INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period, without duplication,
the sum of  (a) the  consolidated interest  expense included  in a  consolidated
income  statement  (without  deduction of  interest  income) of  Alpine  and its
Restricted Subsidiaries  for such  period determined  in accordance  with  GAAP,
including  without limitation (i) imputed interest on Capital Lease Obligations,
(ii) commissions, discounts  and other  fees and  charges owed  with respect  to
letters  of  credit  securing  financial  obligations  and  bankers'  acceptance
financings, (iii)  the  net  costs associated  with  Hedging  Obligations,  (iv)
amortization  of other financing fees and  expenses, (v) the interest portion of
any deferred payment obligations, (vi) amortization of debt discount or premium,
if any, (vii) all other  non-cash interest expense, (viii) capitalized  interest
and  (ix) all interest payable with respect to discontinued operations, plus (b)
all interest on any Debt of any other Person guaranteed by Alpine or any of  its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,  plus (c)  imputed  interest on  Attributable  Debt of
Alpine and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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<PAGE>
    "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means,  for any period, the  aggregate of the  net
income  (loss)  of  Alpine  and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  and  before any
reduction in  respect  of preferred  stock  dividends,  for such  period,  on  a
consolidated  basis, determined in  accordance with GAAP,  provided that (i) any
gain or loss, together  with any related  provisions for taxes  on such gain  or
loss,  realized  in  connection  with (a)  any  Asset  Sale  (including, without
limitation, dispositions pursuant  to sale and  leaseback transactions), or  (b)
the disposition of any securities or the extinguishment of any Debt of Alpine or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries will be excluded; (ii) any extraordinary gain
or  loss, together  with any related  provision for taxes  on such extraordinary
gain or loss, will be excluded; (iii) the net income (loss) of a Person that  is
not  a Restricted Subsidiary  or that is  accounted for by  the equity method of
accounting will be included  only to the  extent of the  amount of dividends  or
distributions  paid in cash  to Alpine or a  Restricted Subsidiary thereof; (iv)
the net income of any  Restricted Subsidiary to the  extent that the payment  of
dividends or distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is restricted, directly
or indirectly, except to the extent that such net income could be paid to Alpine
or  a  Restricted Subsidiary  thereof by  way  of loans,  advances, intercompany
transfers, principal  repayments or  otherwise, will  be excluded;  (v) the  net
income  of any  Person acquired  in a pooling  of interests  transaction for any
period prior to  the date of  such acquisition  will be excluded;  and (vi)  the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded.

    "CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH" means the common and preferred stockholders' equity
of  Alpine and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any Disqualified Stock and
any accumulated foreign  currency translation  adjustment), as  determined on  a
consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

    "DEBT"  means (without  duplication), with  respect to  any Person,  (i) any
indebtedness (including Acquired  Debt and  Attributable Debt),  whether or  not
contingent,  in  respect  of  borrowed  money  or  evidenced  by  bonds,  notes,
debentures or  similar  instruments  or  letters  of  credit  (or  reimbursement
agreements  in respect thereof) or representing Capital Lease Obligations or the
balance  deferred  and  unpaid  of  the  purchase  price  of  any  property   or
representing  any Hedging Obligations, except  any such balance that constitutes
an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to the extent any such  indebtedness
(other  than  letters  of credit  and  Hedging  Obligations) would  appear  as a
liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with  GAAP,
(ii)  all indebtedness of others secured by a  Lien on any asset of such Person,
whether or not such  indebtedness is assumed  by such Person,  and (iii) to  the
extent  not otherwise included, the guarantee of any Debt of any other Person by
such Person.

    "DEFAULT" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the  giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.

    "DISQUALIFIED STOCK" means any class or series of Capital Stock that, by its
terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable
or by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of an event or passage of
time would be, required to be redeemed prior to the final Stated Maturity of the
Notes  or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to
such final Stated Maturity, or is  convertible into or exchangeable for, at  any
time  prior to such final  Stated Maturity, debt securities  that are PARI PASSU
with the Notes or are due and payable, or redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof at any time, prior to such final Stated Maturity.

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

    "FIXED CHARGE  COVERAGE RATIO"  means,  for any  period,  the ratio  of  the
Consolidated  Cash Flow  for such  period to the  Fixed Charges  for such period
(exclusive of amounts attributable to discontinued operations, as determined  in
accordance with GAAP).

    "FIXED  CHARGES"  means, for  any period,  the sum  of (a)  the Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period and (b) preferred stock dividends paid in  cash
by  Alpine or its Restricted  Subsidiaries to any Person  other than Alpine or a
Restricted Subsidiary.

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<PAGE>
    "GAAP" means  generally  accepted accounting  principles  set forth  in  the
opinions  and pronouncements of the Accounting  Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants  and statements and pronouncements  of
the  Financial Accounting  Standards Board or  in such other  statements by such
other entity as have  been approved by a  significant segment of the  accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.

    "HEDGING  OBLIGATIONS" means the obligations of  a Person under (i) interest
rate swap  agreements, interest  rate cap  agreements and  interest rate  collar
agreements  and (ii) other  agreements or arrangements  designed to protect such
Person  against  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  or  the  value  of   foreign
currencies.

    "INVESTMENTS" means all investments by Alpine or its Restricted Subsidiaries
in  other  Persons  (including  Affiliates)  in  the  form  of  loans (including
guarantees), advances  (excluding commission,  travel  and similar  advances  to
officers  and employees  made in  the ordinary  course of  business), or capital
contributions, purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Debt, Equity
Interests or  other  securities  and  all  other items  that  are  or  would  be
classified  as  investments in  other  Persons on  a  balance sheet  prepared in
accordance with GAAP.

    "LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest or encumbrance of any  kind in respect of such asset,  whether
or  not filed, recorded  or otherwise perfected  under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
thereof, any option or other  agreement to sell or  give a security interest  in
and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).

    "NET  CASH PROCEEDS" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Alpine or
any of its  Restricted Subsidiaries in  respect of  any Asset Sale,  net of  the
direct  costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal,
accounting and investment banking  fees, and sales  commissions), taxes paid  or
payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits
or  deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied
to the repayment of Debt (other than  Debt that is by its terms subordinated  to
Notes) upon sale of the asset or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale,
and  any reserve for  adjustment in respect of  the sale price  of such asset or
assets.

    "NEW CREDIT AGREEMENT" means the credit agreement dated on or about the date
of the Indenture, between Shawmut Capital  Corporation, as agent, and the  other
lenders parties thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantees, security
documents  and other documents related  thereto, and reimbursement and indemnity
agreements pertaining to letter of  credit facilities entered into  thereunder),
as  amended, restated,  supplemented or  otherwise modified  from time  to time;
provided that with  respect to any  agreement providing for  the refinancing  of
Debt  under the  New Credit  Agreement, such agreement  shall be  the New Credit
Agreement under the Indenture only  if a notice to  that effect is delivered  by
Alpine to the Trustee and there shall be at any time only one instrument that is
the New Credit Agreement under the Indenture.

    "NON-RECOURSE  DEBT" means,  with respect  to an  Unrestricted Subsidiary of
Alpine, Debt or that portion of Debt (i)  as to which neither Alpine nor any  of
its   Restricted  Subsidiaries   (a)  provide  credit   support  (including  any
undertaking, agreement  or instrument  that would  constitute Debt),  or (b)  is
directly  or  indirectly  liable; and  (ii)  no  default with  respect  to which
(including any rights  that the  holders thereof  may have  to take  enforcement
action  against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would  permit (upon notice, lapse of
time or both) any holder of any other  Debt (other than the Notes) of Alpine  or
any  of its Restricted Subsidiaries  to declare a default  on such other Debt or
cause the  payment thereof  to be  accelerated or  payable prior  to its  stated
maturity.

    "NON-U.S. RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a
U.S. Restricted Subsidiary.

    "PARI  PASSU," when  used with  respect to  the ranking  of any  Debt of any
Person in relation to other Debt of  such Person, means that such Debt being  so
ranked   (a)  either   (i)  is   not  subordinated   in  right   of  payment  to

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<PAGE>
such other Debt of such  Person or (ii) is subordinated  in right of payment  to
other  Debt of such  Person as is the  other and is so  subordinated to the same
extent and (b) is not  subordinated in right of payment  to the other or to  any
Debt of such Person as to which the other is not so subordinated.

    "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means

        (i) any Investments in Alpine or in a Restricted Subsidiary;

        (ii) any Investments in Cash Equivalents;

       (iii)  Investments by Alpine or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if
    as a  result  of  such  Investment (a)  such  Person  becomes  a  Restricted
    Subsidiary that is engaged in the same or a similar line of business to that
    which  Alpine and its Restricted Subsidiaries were engaged in on the date of
    the Investment or (b) such Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or
    transfers or conveys substantially  all of its assets  to, or is  liquidated
    into,  Alpine or a  Restricted Subsidiary that  is engaged in  the same or a
    similar  line  of  business  to   that  which  Alpine  and  its   Restricted
    Subsidiaries were engaged in on the date of the Investment;

        (iv) securities and other non-cash consideration received by Alpine or a
    Restricted  Subsidiary  in an  Asset Sale  permitted  by the  "Limitation on
    Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" covenant;

        (v) Investments in PolyVision on the date of the initial issuance of the
    Notes and Investments in indebtedness  of PolyVision in an aggregate  amount
    not  to exceed $7.5 million pursuant to  agreements in effect on the date of
    the original issuance of the Notes;  provided, however, that (A) all or  any
    portion  of such Investments may be converted into (or exchanged for) equity
    securities of PolyVision so long as such conversion or exchange is  approved
    by   the  Board  of  Directors  of  Alpine  (including  a  majority  of  the
    disinterested directors of Alpine)  as in the best  interest of Alpine,  and
    (B)  Alpine  may  receive  equity securities  of  PolyVision  in  payment of
    interest accrued on up to $7.5 million of such indebtedness; and

        (vi) delivery of the Adience Acquisition Consideration.

    "PREFERRED STOCK" means,  with respect to  any Person, any  and all  shares,
interests,  participations  or other  equivalents  (however designated)  of such
Person's preferred or preference stock, whether now outstanding or issued  after
the  date of  the Indenture, and  includes, without limitation,  all classes and
series of preferred or preference stock.

    "QUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" means any  Capital Stock or Equity Interest  other
than Disqualified Stock.

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

    "RESTRICTED   INVESTMENT"  means  an  Investment   other  than  a  Permitted
Investment.

    "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means  any Subsidiary  that is  not an  Unrestricted
Subsidiary.

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

    "STATED MATURITY" when used with respect  to any Debt or any installment  of
principal thereof or interest thereon means the date specified in the instrument
evidencing  or governing  such Debt  as the  fixed date  on which  the principal
amount of such  Debt or such  installment of  principal or interest  is due  and
payable.

    "SUBSIDIARY"  means any Person a majority  of the equity ownership or Voting
Stock of which is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by Alpine or by one
or more other Subsidiaries or by Alpine and one or more other Subsidiaries.

    "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means the Restricted Subsidiaries that, from time  to
time, provide a Subsidiary Guarantee.

                                       60
<PAGE>
    "UNRESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARY"  means  (i)  PolyVision  France,  S.A.,  (ii) any
Subsidiary that  is designated  by the  Board of  Directors as  an  Unrestricted
Subsidiary  in  accordance with  the  "Limitation on  Unrestricted Subsidiaries"
covenant and (iii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

    "U.S. RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means  a Restricted Subsidiary organized  under
the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of
Columbia.

    "WEIGHTED  AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when  applied to any Debt at any
date, the number  of years  obtained by  dividing (i)  the sum  of the  products
obtained  by  multiplying (a)  the amount  of  each then  remaining installment,
sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal,  including
payment  at  final maturity,  in respect  thereof,  by (b)  the number  of years
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that  will elapse between such date  and
the  making of such  payment, by (ii)  the then outstanding  principal amount of
such Debt.

    "VOTING STOCK" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to which
the holders thereof have the  general voting power under ordinary  circumstances
to  elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of
any Person (irrespective  of whether or  not, at  the time, stock  of any  other
class  or  classes shall  have, or  might have,  voting power  by reason  of the
happening of any contingency).

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<PAGE>
                  CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

GENERAL

    Subject to certain limitations  set forth below,  the following summary,  in
the  opinion  of Proskauer  Rose  Goetz &  Mendelsohn  LLP, fairly  presents the
material U.S. federal  income tax  consequences of  the Exchange  Offer and  the
ownership and disposition of the New Notes and contains in all material respects
an  accurate description  of the  U.S. federal  income tax  provisions discussed
herein. The  summary is  based  upon the  Internal  Revenue Code  (the  "Code"),
Treasury  regulations (including proposed Treasury regulations) ("Regulations"),
Internal  Revenue  Service  ("IRS")  rulings  and  pronouncements  and  judicial
decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a
retroactive basis.

    This  summary does not  discuss all aspects of  U.S. federal income taxation
that may  be  relevant  to  investors in  light  of  their  personal  investment
circumstances,   including  any  elections  made  by  the  investors  under  any
applicable tax law. This summary applies  to beneficial owners of the Notes  who
hold such Notes as capital assets and does not apply to certain types of holders
subject  to  special  treatment under  the  U.S.  federal income  tax  laws (for
example, dealers in securities,  tax-exempt organizations, insurance  companies,
persons  other than the initial holders of the New Notes, persons that will hold
Notes as  a  position in  an  integrated transaction  (including  a  "straddle")
consisting  of Notes  and one or  more other  positions and persons  that have a
"functional currency"  other than  the U.S.  dollar) and  does not  discuss  the
consequences to a holder under state, local or foreign tax laws.

    Alpine  has  not sought  and will  not seek  any rulings  from the  IRS with
respect to the positions discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS
will not  take a  different  position concerning  the  tax consequences  of  the
Exchange  Offer and ownership  or disposition of  the Old Notes  or New Notes or
that any such position would not be sustained.

    As used herein, the term  "U.S. Holder" means a  beneficial owner of a  Note
that  is for U.S. federal  income tax purposes (i) a  citizen or resident of the
United States,  (ii)  a corporation,  partnership  or other  entity  created  or
organized  in  or  under the  laws  of the  United  States or  of  any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject  to
United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) any other
person  or  entity whose  income or  gain in  respect of  a Note  is effectively
connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. As used herein,
the term "Non-U.S. Holder"  means a beneficial  holder of a Note  that is not  a
U.S. Holder.

    PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS  ARE  ADVISED  TO  CONSULT  THEIR  OWN  TAX  ADVISORS
REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE EXCHANGE
OFFER AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES.

U.S. HOLDERS

   
    It is the opinion of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP that:
    

   
    (i)  EXCHANGE OFFER.   The exchange  pursuant to the  Exchange Offer of  Old
Notes  for New Notes will not be treated  as a taxable exchange for U.S. federal
income tax purposes and the New Notes  will be treated as a continuation of  the
Old  Notes, because  the terms of  the New  Notes are identical  in all material
respects to the  terms of the  Old Notes.  Accordingly, a U.S.  Holder will  not
recognize gain or loss upon such exchange.
    

   
    (ii)   INTEREST AND ORIGINAL  ISSUE DISCOUNT.  Interest  on a Note generally
will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as  ordinary interest income at the time it  is
paid  or accrued in accordance  with the U.S. Holder's  method of accounting for
tax purposes.
    

    Under the Code, a U.S. Holder of  a debt instrument with OID must include  a
portion  of the OID in gross income as  interest in each taxable year or portion
thereof in which the holder holds the debt instrument even if the holder has not
received a cash payment in respect of such OID.

    In accordance with Sections 1271 through 1275 of the Code, a debt instrument
bears OID if its stated redemption price at maturity exceeds its issue price  by
more than a DE MINIMIS amount. Under the DE MINIMIS

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rule,  if OID with respect  to a debt instrument is  less than one-fourth of one
percent of its stated redemption price  at maturity multiplied by the number  of
complete  years from the issue date to the maturity date of the debt instrument,
then the amount of OID will be considered to be zero.

    The stated redemption price at maturity is the sum of all payments  provided
by  the Note other  than "qualified stated  interest" payments. Qualified stated
interest is  stated interest  that  is unconditionally  payable  in cash  or  in
property  (other than  debt instruments  of the issuer)  at least  annually at a
single fixed  rate. The  periodic interest  payments on  the Note  based on  the
original  interest rate set forth on the  cover of this Offering Memorandum will
constitute qualified stated  interest for  this purpose.  Therefore, the  stated
redemption  price at maturity of the Notes is their stated principal amount. The
issue price of the  Notes is the  price at which a  substantial portion of  such
Notes are sold to investors.

    The  Notes will be issued  with OID in excess of  the DE MINIMIS amount, and
therefore a U.S. Holder will be required to include in income an amount equal to
the sum of the "daily portions" of such OID for all days during the taxable year
in which  it holds  the Notes,  including the  purchase date  and excluding  the
disposition  date. The  amount of  OID will be  computed by  the "constant yield
method" under which the daily portions of OID required to be included in a  U.S.
Holder's gross income in a taxable year will be determined by allocating to each
day  during an "accrual  period" in which the  U.S. Holder holds  the Note a pro
rata portion of the increase during  such accrual period in the "adjusted  issue
price"  of  the  Notes. The  increase  in the  adjusted  issue price  of  a debt
instrument for an accrual period is equal  to the product of the adjusted  issue
price  at  the beginning  of such  accrual  period multiplied  by the  "yield to
maturity" of the  debt instrument,  less any qualified  stated interest  payable
under  the debt instrument. The adjusted issue price of a debt instrument at the
beginning of an accrual period is generally defined as its issue price increased
by all accrued OID for prior accrual periods and decreased by all cash  payments
other  than qualified  stated interest  payments. The  yield to  maturity is the
discount rate that, when  used in computing the  present value of all  principal
and  interest payments to  be made under  a debt instrument,  produces an amount
equal to  the issue  price  of the  debt instrument.  Alpine  intends to  use  a
semi-annual  compounding  period  for  calculation of  OID.  The  amount  of OID
required to be included in income by a  U.S. Holder of a Note may be reduced  if
the  Note is acquired at an  "acquisition premium." "Acquisition premium" is any
amount paid by  the holder for  an obligation  in excess of  its adjusted  issue
price  at the time  of acquisition, but  not in excess  of the stated redemption
price at maturity.

    In the event of  a Change of  Control, Alpine will be  required to offer  to
repurchase all of the Notes. Based on the Regulations, the right of U.S. Holders
of  the Notes to require  repurchase upon the occurrence  of a Change of Control
will not affect the yield or maturity date of the Notes unless, based on all the
facts and circumstances as of  the issue date, it is  more likely than not  that
such  an event giving rise to the repurchase will occur. Alpine does not believe
that this  is the  case and  does  not intend  to treat  the Change  of  Control
provisions of the Notes as affecting the computation of the yield to maturity of
any Note.

    Alpine  is  required to  furnish certain  information to  the IRS,  and will
furnish annually to record holders of the Notes information with respect to  OID
accruing during the calendar year, as well as interest paid during that year.

   
    (iii)    SALE, EXCHANGE  OR RETIREMENT  OF  NOTES   Upon the  sale, exchange
(except pursuant to the Exchange Offer  as provided above), retirement or  other
disposition  of a Note, a  U.S. Holder will recognize gain  or loss equal to the
difference between the  amount realized  (except to the  extent attributable  to
accrued  interest) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted  tax basis in the Note. A U.S.
Holder's adjusted tax basis  in a Note will  be equal to the  cost of the  Note,
increased  by accrued market discount,  if any, if the  U.S. Holder had included
such market discount in income (see "Market Discount" below), and by accrued OID
and decreased  by  any  amortized  bond premium  (defined  below)  and  payments
received,  other than qualified  stated interest. Generally,  and subject to the
discussion under "Market Discount" below, any gain or loss recognized by a  U.S.
Holder  upon  a  sale, retirement  or  other  disposition of  the  Note  will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the Note has been held for more than one year.
    

   
    (iv)  ACQUISITION AT A PREMIUM.  If a subsequent U.S. Holder acquires a Note
for an amount (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest through the  acquisition
date) in excess of the Note's stated redemption price
    

                                       63
<PAGE>
at  maturity ("Bond  Premium"), the  U.S. Holder  may elect,  in accordance with
applicable Code provisions, to amortize the Bond Premium using a constant  yield
method.  The amount of Bond  Premium amortized in any year  will be treated as a
reduction of the U.S. Holder's interest income from the Note.

   
    (v)  MARKET DISCOUNT.   If a holder purchases a  Note for an amount that  is
less  than  its issue  price (or,  in the  case of  a subsequent  purchaser, its
"revised issue price,"  as defined in  the Code)  as of the  purchase date,  the
amount  of  the difference  will be  treated as  "market discount,"  unless such
difference is less than a specified DE MINIMIS amount. Market discount generally
will accrue ratably during the  period from the date  of the acquisition to  the
maturity date of the Note, unless the U.S. Holder elects to accrue such discount
on the basis of the constant interest method, in accordance with applicable Code
provisions.
    

    A  holder of a Note with market discount generally will be required to treat
as ordinary income  any gain  recognized on  the sale,  exchange, retirement  or
other  disposition of the Note  to the extent of  accrued market discount unless
the U.S. Holder  elects in  accordance with  the applicable  Code provisions  to
include  market discount in income as it accrues. A holder of a Note acquired at
market discount who does not make a current inclusion election will be  required
to  defer the deduction of all or a  portion of the interest on any indebtedness
incurred or maintained to purchase or carry  the Note until the maturity of  the
Note or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction.

NON-U.S. HOLDERS

   
    It is the opinion of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP that:
    

   
    (i)  Notwithstanding the foregoing  and subject to  the discussion of backup
withholding below,  payments  to Non-U.S.  Holder  of principal,  redemption  or
repurchase  premium, if any, and interest (including OID) by Alpine or its agent
(in its  capacity  as  such)  will  not be  subject  to  United  States  federal
withholding  tax, provided, in the case  of redemption or repurchase premium, if
any, and  interest (including  OID),  that (a)  such  Non-U.S. Holder  does  not
actually or constructively own 10% of more of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of Alpine entitled to vote, (b) such Non-U.S. Holder is not
a  controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes that is related
to Alpine through stock  ownership, and (c) either  (y) the beneficial owner  of
the  Note certifies to Alpine or its  agent, under penalties of perjury, that he
is not  a United  States person  and  provides his  name and  address or  (z)  a
securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds
customers'  securities  in  the ordinary  course  of  its trade  or  business (a
"financial institution") certifies to  Alpine or its  agent, under penalties  of
perjury, that the certification described in clause (y) hereof has been received
from  the beneficial owner by it or  by another financial institution acting for
the beneficial owner.
    

   
    (ii) If a Non-U.S. Holder  is engaged in a trade  or business in the  United
States  and redemption  or repurchase premium,  if any,  and interest (including
OID) on the  Note is effectively  connected with  the conduct of  such trade  or
business,  such holder,  although exempt from  United States  withholding tax as
discussed in the preceding paragraph (or by reason of the delivery of a properly
completed Form  4224),  will be  subject  to U.S.  federal  income tax  on  such
premium, if any, and interest (including OID) in the same manner as if it were a
U.S. Holder.
    

   
   (iii) Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, any capital gain
realized  upon the sale, exchange  or retirement of a  Note by a Non-U.S. Holder
will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding taxes unless (a)  such
gain  is effectively connected with  a U.S. trade or  business of the holder, or
(b) in the case of  an individual, such holder is  present in the United  States
for  183 days or more  in the taxable year of  the retirement or disposition and
certain other conditions are met.
    

   
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
    

    The "backup" withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to
certain payments of  principal, redemption  or repurchase premium,  if any,  and
interest  (including OID) on a  Note and to certain  payments of proceeds of the
sale or retirement of a Note. Alpine, its agent, a broker, or any paying  agent,
as  the case may be, will  be required to withhold tax  from any payment that is
subject to backup withholding at a rate of 31% of such payment if the holder  of
the  Note fails to  furnish his taxpayer  identification number (social security
number or employer identification  number), to certify that  such holder is  not
subject to

                                       64
<PAGE>
backup  withholding or to  otherwise comply with  the applicable requirements of
the backup  withholding rules.  Certain holders  (including, among  others,  all
corporations)   are  not  subject  to   the  backup  withholding  and  reporting
requirements.

   
    Under current Regulations, backup withholding and information reporting will
not apply to payments made  by Alpine or any agent  thereof (in its capacity  as
such)  to a  Non-U.S. Holder who  has provided the  required certification under
penalties of perjury  that it is  not a United  States person, as  set forth  in
clause  (c) in  the first  paragraph under  "Non-U.S. Holders"  or has otherwise
established an exemption (provided that neither Alpine nor such agent has actual
knowledge that the holder is a U.S.  Holder or that the conditions of any  other
exemption are not in fact satisfied).
    

   
    Any  amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
holder may be claimed  as a credit against  such holder's United States  federal
income tax liability.
    

    THE  FEDERAL INCOME TAX  DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE  IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S  PARTICULAR
SITUATION.  HOLDERS SHOULD  CONSULT THEIR TAX  ADVISORS WITH RESPECT  TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION  OF
THE  NOTES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

                                       65
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes  for its own account pursuant  to
the  Exchange  Offer  must acknowledge  that  it  will deliver  a  prospectus in
connection with any  resale of such  New Notes.  This Prospectus, as  it may  be
amended  or supplemented from  time to time,  may be used  by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of  New Notes received in  exchange for Old Notes  where
such  Old Notes were acquired  as a result of  market-making activities or other
trading activities. Alpine has  agreed that for  a period of  10 days after  the
Expiration  Date,  it will  make this  Prospectus,  as amended  or supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.

   
    Alpine will  not  receive  any  proceeds  from any  sale  of  New  Notes  by
broker-dealers.  New  Notes received  by  broker-dealers for  their  own account
pursuant to the  Exchange Offer may  be sold from  time to time  in one or  more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the  writing of  options on the  New Notes or  a combination of  such methods of
resale, at market rates prevailing at the  time of resale, at prices related  to
such  prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to  purchasers or  to or  through brokers  or dealers  who may  receive
compensation   in  the  form  of  commissions   or  concessions  from  any  such
broker-dealer and/or the  purchasers of  any such New  Notes. Any  broker-dealer
that  resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a  distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities  Acdt  and  any  profit on  any  such  resale of  New  Notes  and any
commissions or concessions  received by  any such persons  may be  deemed to  be
underwriting  compensation under the  Securities Act. The  Letter of Transmittal
states  that  by  acknowledging  that  it  will  deliver  and  by  delivering  a
prospectus,  a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
    

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

   
    The legality of  the New Notes  and certain tax  matters concerning the  New
Notes  will be passed upon for Alpine  by Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP,
New York, New York.
    

                                    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, all
of which  are included  in this  Prospectus and  elsewhere in  the  Registration
Statement,  have  been  audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  independent  public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto. These financial
statements are included herein or 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 included in  this Prospectus  have been so
included in  reliance  on  the  report  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."

                                       66
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE ALCATEL BUSINESS

<S>                                                                                    <C>
UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
  Combined Balance Sheets at December 31, 1994 and March 31, 1995....................        F-2
  Combined Statements of Changes in Owners' Investment for the three months ended
   March 31, 1995....................................................................        F-3
  Combined Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 1994 and
   1995..............................................................................        F-4
  Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1994 and
   1995..............................................................................        F-5
  Notes to Combined Financial Statements.............................................        F-6

ADIENCE

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
  Reports of independent accountants.................................................        F-7
  Consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1993 and 1994..........................       F-10
  Consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 1994,
   Post-emergence six months ended December 31, 1993,
   Pre-emergence six months ended June 30, 1993 and the
   Pre-emergence year ended December 31, 1992........................................       F-12
  Consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1994,
   Post-emergence six months ended December 31, 1993,
   Pre-emergence six months ended June 30, 1993 and the
   Pre-emergence year ended December 31, 1992........................................       F-13
  Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity (deficit) for the year
   ended December 31, 1994,
   Post-emergence six months ended December 31, 1993,
   Pre-emergence six months ended June 30, 1993 and the
   Pre-emergence year ended December 31, 1992........................................       F-14
  Notes to consolidated financial statements.........................................       F-15
</TABLE>

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
          THE COPPER CABLE GROUP OF ALCATEL NA CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. AND
                      ALCATEL CANADA WIRE AND CABLE, INC.
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                     ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,  MARCH 31,
                                                                             ------------  ----------
                                                                                 1994         1995
                                                                             ------------  ----------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash.....................................................................   $    3,124   $    4,849
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $457 and $457, respectively........................       29,389       25,454
  Receivables from affiliates..............................................        1,259       (8,642)
  Inventories..............................................................       36,983       34,514
  Deferred income taxes....................................................        4,123        4,123
  Other current assets.....................................................        1,861          747
                                                                             ------------  ----------
    Total current assets...................................................       76,739       61,045
Property, plant and equipment, net.........................................       42,247       39,868
Intangible asset...........................................................          366           --
                                                                             ------------  ----------
                                                                              $  119,352   $  100,913
                                                                             ------------  ----------
                                                                             ------------  ----------

                                 LIABILITIES AND OWNERS' INVESTMENT

Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable...................................................   $   13,577   $   15,442
  Accrued liabilities......................................................       12,184       21,927
  Income taxes payable.....................................................          271       (1,001)
  Payables to affiliates...................................................       40,663       12,622
                                                                             ------------  ----------
    Total current liabilities..............................................       66,695       48,990
Deferred income taxes......................................................        1,440        1,440
                                                                             ------------  ----------
    Total liabilities......................................................       68,135       50,430
Commitments and contingencies
Owners' investment.........................................................       51,217       50,483
                                                                             ------------  ----------
                                                                              $  119,352   $  100,913
                                                                             ------------  ----------
                                                                             ------------  ----------
</TABLE>

            The accompanying notes to combined financial statements
                 are an integral part of these balance sheets.

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
          THE COPPER CABLE GROUP OF ALCATEL NA CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. AND
                      ALCATEL CANADA WIRE AND CABLE, INC.
              COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN OWNERS' INVESTMENT
                   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995
                                  (UNAUDITED)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994.........................................................  $  51,217
  Net loss.........................................................................       (734)
                                                                                     ---------
Balance, March 31, 1995............................................................  $  50,483
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>

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

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
          THE COPPER CABLE GROUP OF ALCATEL NA CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. AND
                      ALCATEL CANADA WIRE AND CABLE, INC.
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1994 AND 1995
                                  (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1994       1995
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
                                                                                      (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                       THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>
Net sales ......................................................................  $  37,677  $  54,138
Cost of goods sold .............................................................     35,906     52,339
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
    Gross margin ...............................................................      1,771      1,799
Selling, general and administrative expenses ...................................        922        683
Management fees to affiliates ..................................................      1,201      1,275
Administrative fees to affiliates ..............................................        416        226
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
    Income (loss) from operations ..............................................       (768)      (385)
Interest expense to affiliates, net ............................................        755       (495)
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes ......................        (13)      (880)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes ...........................................        277       (146)
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) ..............................................................  $    (290) $    (734)
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

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

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
          THE COPPER CABLE GROUP OF ALCATEL NA CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. AND
                      ALCATEL CANADA WIRE AND CABLE, INC.
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1994 AND 1995
                                  (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               1994        1995
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
                                                                                                  (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                                  THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                          <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net (loss) ..............................................................................  $    (290) $     (734)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
   --
    Depreciation ..........................................................................      1,464       1,569
Change in current assets and liabilities --
  (Increase) decrease in:
    Trade accounts receivable .............................................................       (422)     (3,935)
    Receivables (payables) from affiliates ................................................     (9,384)     17,178
    Inventories ...........................................................................     (2,208)     (2,471)
    Other current assets ..................................................................       (175)      1,114
    Trade accounts payable ................................................................        754       1,865
    Accrued liabilities ...................................................................     10,629     (11,254)
    Income taxes payable ..................................................................        265      (1,272)
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
      Net cash provided by operating activities ...........................................        633       2,060
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment ..............................................     (1,189)       (335)
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
      Net cash used for investing activities ..............................................     (1,189)       (335)
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash ...........................................................       (556)      1,725
Cash, beginning of year ...................................................................        602       3,124
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
Cash, end of period .......................................................................  $      46  $    4,849
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
                                                                                             ---------  ----------
</TABLE>

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

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
          THE COPPER CABLE GROUP OF ALCATEL NA CABLE SYSTEMS, INC. AND
                      ALCATEL CANADA WIRE AND CABLE, INC.
                     NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 MARCH 31, 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

A.  INTERIM STATEMENTS

    The  unaudited  financial  statements furnished  herein  reflect  all normal
recurring accruals which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the periods presented. Certain reclassifications
have been made to the statement of income for the period ended March 31, 1994 to
conform to presentations adopted in the current period. These statements  should
be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended
December 31, 1994.

PRINCIPLES OF COMBINATION

    The combined financial statements include the copper cable operations of ACW
which  are located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the copper cable operations of ACS
which are located in Tarboro, North Carolina; Elizabethtown, Kentucky;  Fordyce,
Arkansas  and Claremont, North Carolina.  The combined financial statements also
include fiber optic cable  and data cable  operations that are  part of the  ACW
facility  located in  Winnipeg, Manitoba. These  operations are  not material to
Alcatel  Business's  operating  results  as  presented  herein.  All  of   these
operations  are managed by ACS management. All significant intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated.

2.  RELATED PARTIES:
    Under agreements  with  affiliated  companies,  the  Alcatel  Business  pays
service  charges, research  and development  assessments and  other service fees
(management fees). Management fees incurred by the Alcatel Business under  these
agreements  totaled $1,201 and $1,275 for the  three months ended March 31, 1994
and 1995.

    Alcatel  NA,  Inc.  and  ACW  provide  legal,  accounting,  tax,   treasury,
insurance, employee benefits, data processing, transportation and other services
to  the Alcatel Business. Expenses that are directly attributable to the Alcatel
Business are charged  directly to the  Alcatel Business. Expenses  that are  not
directly attributable to a particular subsidiary or business unit of Alcatel NA,
Inc.  or ACW  are allocated  each month to  all subsidiaries  and business units
receiving the services. Amounts allocated  are based on a particular  subsidiary
or  business  unit's  relative percentage  of  net sales,  payroll  expenses and
average total assets to the net sales, payroll expenses and average total assets
of all the  subsidiaries and business  units receiving services.  Administrative
fees  allocated to the Alcatel Business for these services totaled $416 and $226
for the three months ended March 31, 1994 and 1995. Management believes that the
administrative fees for these services would not have been materially  different
if they had been incurred directly by the Alcatel Business.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Adience, Inc.:

We  have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Adience, Inc. (a
Delaware corporation)  as of  December 31,  1994, and  the related  consolidated
statements  of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year then
ended. We  did  not  audit  the  financial  statements  of  Information  Display
Technology, Inc., which is reflected in the accompanying financial statements as
net assets of discontinued operations. The net assets of discontinued operations
represent  13.3%  of  total assets  and  the loss  from  discontinued operations
represents 15.0% of net loss prior to the write-down of this asset as  discussed
in Note 1. The financial statements of Information Display Technology, Inc. were
audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us and our opinion,
insofar   as  it  relates  to  the  amounts  included  for  Information  Display
Technology, Inc.,  is based  solely on  the report  of the  other auditors.  The
financial  statements of  Adience, Inc.  for the  six months  ended December 31,
1993, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated March 28, 1994,  except
for certain items which are as of October 12, 1994, on those statements included
an  explanatory paragraph stating that  those financial statements were prepared
assuming that  the Company  will  continue as  a  going concern.  The  financial
statements of Adience, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1992, and six months
ended June 30, 1993, were audited by other auditors whose report dated March 28,
1994,  expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. The opinion of such
auditors, however, does not  cover the restatement of  those statements for  the
deconsolidation  of Information Display Technology, Inc. as discussed in Note 1.
We have audited the adjustments described in Note 1 that were applied to restate
the December  31,  1992,  June  30,  1993,  and  December  31,  1993,  financial
statements  for the deconsolidation  of Information Display  Technology, Inc. In
our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our  opinion, based  on our  audit and  the reports  of other  auditors,  the
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Adience, Inc. as of December 31, 1994, and the results
of  its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 28, 1995

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
              REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS -- POST-EMERGENCE
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Adience, Inc.

In our  opinion, the  consolidated balance  sheet and  the related  consolidated
statements  of operations, of cash flows,  and of shareholders' equity (deficit)
as of and for the  6 months ended December 31,  1993, prior to restatement  (not
presented  separately  herein), present  fairly, in  all material  respects, the
financial position, results of operations and  cash flows of Adience, Inc.,  and
its  subsidiaries (Adience) as of and for  the 6 months ended December 31, 1993,
in conformity  with generally  accepted accounting  principles. These  financial
statements are the responsibility of Adience's management; our responsibility is
to  express an  opinion on  these financial  statements based  on our  audit. We
conducted our audit of these  financial statements in accordance with  generally
accepted  auditing standards which 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,  assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating  the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for  the opinion expressed above. We have  not
audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Adience  for  any  period
subsequent to December 31, 1993, nor have we examined any adjustments applied to
the 1993 financial statements.

As discussed in  Note 1 to  the consolidated financial  statements, the  Adience
Plan of Reorganization was confirmed on May 4, 1993, and was consummated on June
30,  1993. Adience has  accounted for the reorganization  in accordance with the
American Institute of Certified Public  Accountants Statement of Position  90-7,
"Financial  Reporting by Entities in  Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code."
Accordingly, Adience's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 1993, were restated
by management, with the assistance of independent advisors, to their reorganized
value, which approximated their  fair value at the  date of reorganization.  The
financial  statements subsequent to emergence from Chapter 11 have been prepared
using a different basis of accounting and, therefore, are not comparable to  the
pre-emergence consolidated financial statements.

The  accompanying consolidated financial statements  have been prepared assuming
Adience will  continue  as a  going  concern. As  discussed  in Note  1  to  the
consolidated  financial  statements, Adience  has experienced  continuing losses
from operations, has  not met  operating and financial  plans for  the 9  months
ended   September  30,  1994,  and   has  significant  indebtedness  that  raise
substantial doubt  about  Adience's ability  to  continue as  a  going  concern.
Management's  plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The
financial statements do not include any  adjustments that might result from  the
outcome of this uncertainty.

As  described  in Note  7, The  Alpine  Group, Inc.,  has reached  agreements to
acquire a  majority  of the  outstanding  common stock  and  a majority  of  the
outstanding 11 percent Senior Secured Notes of Adience.

                                          PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 28, 1994, except for
Notes 1, 6 and 7, which are
as of October 12, 1994

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
               REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS -- PRE-EMERGENCE
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Adience, Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated statements of operations, of cash flows, and of
shareholders'  equity (deficit) for the year ended December 31, 1992 and for the
6 months ended  June 30, 1993,  prior to restatement  (not presented  separately
herein)  present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and
cash flows of Adience, Inc., and  its subsidiaries (Adience) for the year  ended
December  31, 1992, and for the 6 months ended June 30, 1993, in conformity with
generally accepted  accounting principles.  These financial  statements are  the
responsibility  of  Adience's management;  our responsibility  is to  express an
opinion on these  financial statements  based on  our audits.  We conducted  our
audits  of  these financial  statements  in accordance  with  generally accepted
auditing standards which 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,  assessing   the
accounting  principles used  and significant  estimates made  by management, and
evaluating the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that  our
audits  provide a reasonable basis for the  opinion expressed above. We have not
examined any adjustments applied to the 1992 and 1993 financial statements.

As discussed in  Note 1 to  the consolidated financial  statements, the  Adience
Plan of Reorganization was confirmed on May 4, 1993, and was consummated on June
30,  1993. Adience has  accounted for the reorganization  in accordance with the
American Institute of Certified Public  Accountants Statement of Position  90-7,
"Financial  Reporting by Entities in  Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code."
Accordingly, Adience's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 1993, were restated
by management, with the assistance of independent advisors, to their reorganized
value, which approximated their fair value at the date of reorganization.

                                          PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 28, 1994

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                  (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                           1993          1994
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>
                                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..........................................................   $      554    $    3,226
  Accounts receivable, less allowance (1993 - $1,015; 1994 - $835)...................       15,593        15,462
  Inventories........................................................................       15,212         9,817
  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts........          328           443
  Prepaid expenses, deposits and other...............................................        1,741         1,074
  Deferred income taxes..............................................................        2,918         3,508
  Net assets held for sale...........................................................       --               665
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
      Total current assets...........................................................       36,346        34,195
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
Net assets of discontinued operations................................................       13,982         8,030
Property, plant and equipment
  Land...............................................................................        2,641         2,517
  Buildings..........................................................................       10,265        10,458
  Machinery and equipment............................................................       21,703        21,377
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                            34,609        34,352
      Less allowances for depreciation...............................................        3,530         6,619
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                            31,079        27,733
Other assets.........................................................................        4,175         3,866
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net......        9,190         8,130
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
      Total assets...................................................................   $   94,772    $   81,954
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                           1993          1994
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>
                                 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Revolving line of credit...........................................................   $    9,185    $   12,468
  Current portion of long-term obligations...........................................          759           662
  Accounts payable...................................................................        8,887         9,162
  Salaries, wages and withholdings...................................................          770         1,096
  Payable to former shareholder......................................................          569           494
  Accrued expenses...................................................................        2,756         3,766
  Accrued interest...................................................................          225         2,515
  Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts........          150            66
  Accrued workers' compensation......................................................        5,980         5,199
  Accrued income taxes...............................................................        1,569         1,578
  Deferred income taxes..............................................................           66            23
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
      Total current liabilities......................................................       30,916        37,029
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
Payable to affiliate.................................................................          861         3,683
Payable to former shareholder........................................................        3,189         1,562
Long-term obligations................................................................       46,211        46,450
Deferred income taxes................................................................        4,086         4,713
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
   10,000,000 shares in 1993; 10,100,000 shares in 1994..............................          100           101
Additional paid-in capital...........................................................       23,900        23,974
Retained deficit.....................................................................      (14,367)      (35,142)
Foreign currency translation.........................................................         (124)         (416)
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
      Total shareholders' equity (deficit)...........................................        9,509       (11,483)
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)...........................   $   94,772    $   81,954
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              POST-EMERGENCE
                                                                PRE-EMERGENCE          ----------------------------
                                                         ----------------------------   SIX MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED     SIX MONTHS        ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                         DECEMBER 31,    ENDED JUNE    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1992         30, 1993         1993           1994
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net revenues...........................................    $  97,276      $  44,431      $  54,572      $  96,273
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenues.....................................       81,262         35,928         47,779         84,468
  Selling, general and administrative..................       22,829         10,510          9,302         18,180
  Amortization of intangible asset.....................       --             --              9,011          1,053
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                             104,091         46,438         66,092        103,701
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Operating loss.........................................       (6,815)        (2,007)       (11,520)        (7,428)
Other income (expense):
  Interest and other income (expense)..................          (17)           245            615            574
  Interest expense.....................................      (13,302)        (2,271)        (3,781)        (7,653)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                             (13,319)        (2,026)        (3,166)        (7,079)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization
 items, income taxes and extraordinary item............      (20,134)        (4,033)       (14,686)       (14,507)
Reorganization items:
  Professional fees....................................         (950)          (102)          (746)        --
  Write-off of unamortized debt discount...............       --               (455)        --             --
  Write-off of unamortized loan origination fees.......       --             (2,065)        --             --
  Adjust accounts to fair value........................       --             23,165         --             --
  Other................................................       (4,848)        --             --             --
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                              (5,798)        20,543           (746)        --
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income
 taxes and extraordinary item..........................      (25,932)        16,510        (15,432)       (14,507)
Income taxes (benefit).................................       (1,031)           260           (808)           319
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
(Loss) income from continuing operations before
 extraordinary item....................................      (24,901)        16,250        (14,624)       (14,826)
Discontinued operations:
  (Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of
   taxes (benefits) of $(40), $1, $286, and $900)......         (983)             2            341         (2,610)
  Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (net of
   taxes (benefits) of $(791), $0, $0, and $0).........       (3,973)          (400)           (84)        (3,339)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                              (4,956)          (398)           257         (5,949)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
(Loss) income before extraordinary item................      (29,857)        15,852        (14,367)       (20,775)
Extraordinary item -- gain on discharge of debt........       --             17,480         --             --
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net (loss) income......................................    $ (29,857)     $  33,332      $ (14,367)     $ (20,775)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Earnings per common share:
  Loss from continuing operations......................        *              *          $   (1.46)     $   (1.48)
  (Loss) income from discontinued operations...........        *              *               0.02          (0.59)
  Extraordinary item...................................        *              *             --             --
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net loss per common share..............................        *              *          $   (1.44)     $   (2.07)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Average common shares outstanding......................        *              *             10,000         10,054
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
* Earnings per common share are not meaningful prior to June 30, 1993 due to the
                          reorganization - see Note 1.

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

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              POST-EMERGENCE
                                                                PRE-EMERGENCE          ----------------------------
                                                         ----------------------------   SIX MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED     SIX MONTHS        ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                         DECEMBER 31,    ENDED JUNE    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1992         30, 1993         1993           1994
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income......................................    $ (29,857)     $  33,332      $ (14,367)     $ (20,775)
Non-cash expenses and revenues included in net (loss)
 income:
  Depreciation and amortization........................        5,660          1,675         11,242          6,050
  Deferred income taxes................................       (2,040)        --             (1,078)            (6)
  Provision for doubtful accounts......................        1,880            413            360            271
  Loss (income) from discontinued operations...........         (345)             2           (341)         2,610
  Loss on disposal of discontinued operations..........        4,764            400             84          3,339
  Loss on sale of divisions............................       --             --                220         --
  (Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and
   equipment...........................................          254             23           (170)           (46)
  Net assets held for sale write-down..................       --             --             --              1,009
  Inventory write-down.................................       --             --             --              1,788
Changes in operating assets and liabilities excluding
 effects from disposals:
  Short-term investments...............................        2,037             (4)           258         --
  Accounts receivable..................................        6,526         (2,099)         1,749            311
  Inventories..........................................          376            515            451          3,607
  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on
   uncompleted contracts...............................        1,333           (829)         1,032           (115)
  Income tax receivable................................         (282)         2,742            288         --
  Prepaid expenses, deposits and other.................          608            213            244            667
  Accounts payable, salaries, wages and withholdings,
   accrued expenses, workers' compensation and payable
   to former shareholder...............................        7,090          3,299         (1,554)         1,418
  Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on
   uncompleted contracts...............................         (575)           601           (522)           (84)
  Accrued income taxes.................................       --              1,549             20              9
  Payable to affiliate.................................        3,916            414           (947)         2,822
  Other................................................       (1,074)           514         --               (387)
Operating cash flows from reorganization items:
  Write-off of unamortized debt discount and loan
   origination fees....................................       --              2,520         --             --
  Adjust accounts to fair value........................       --            (23,165)        --             --
  Extraordinary gain on discharge of debt..............       --            (17,480)        --             --
  Other................................................        5,798         --             --             --
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities.......        6,069          4,635         (3,031)         2,488
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment..............       (1,898)          (635)          (894)        (2,278)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment....       --             --                237         --
Proceeds from sale of divisions........................        2,406         --                244         --
Deferred computer costs................................         (554)          (256)          (765)          (476)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net cash used by investing activities..................          (46)          (891)        (1,178)        (2,754)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowings (payments) on revolving line of
 credit................................................       (6,061)        (4,409)         5,087          3,283
Principal payments on long-term obligations............         (867)          (369)          (324)          (345)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities.......       (6,928)        (4,778)         4,763          2,938
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...         (905)        (1,034)           554          2,672
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......        1,939          1,034              0            554
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.............    $   1,034      $       0      $     554      $   3,226
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Supplemental cash flow information:
  Cash paid for interest...............................    $   2,973      $     585      $   2,977      $   4,564
  Cash paid for income taxes...........................    $     831      $      14      $     211      $     327
</TABLE>

See Note 1 for significant non-cash transactions not reflected above.

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

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                          TOTAL
                                                                        RETAINED      FOREIGN                         SHAREHOLDERS'
                                             COMMON     ADDITIONAL      EARNINGS     CURRENCY     TREASURY               EQUITY
                                             STOCK    PAID-IN CAPITAL   (DEFICIT)   TRANSLATION    STOCK      ESOP      (DEFICIT)
                                             ------   ---------------   ---------   -----------   --------   ------   -------------
<S>                                          <C>      <C>               <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>      <C>
Balance at January 1, 1992.................  $ 300    $     --          $ (3,475)   $      584    $  (396)   $(2,151) $     (5,138)
  Net loss.................................   --            --           (29,857)       --          --         --          (29,857)
  Prepaid contribution to ESOP.............   --            --             --           --          --          818            818
  Foreign currency translation
   adjustment..............................   --            --             --             (500)     --         --             (500)
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------
Balance at December 31, 1992...............    300          --           (33,332)           84       (396)   (1,333)       (34,677)
  Net loss -- pre-emergence................   --            --            (7,313)       --          --         --           (7,313)
  Prepaid contribution to ESOP.............   --            --             --           --          --          470            470
  Foreign currency translation
   adjustment..............................   --            --             --              (44)     --         --              (44)
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------
  Balance at June 30, 1993 --
   pre-emergence...........................    300          --           (40,645)           40       (396)     (863)       (41,564)
  Adjustments for reorganization:
    Extraordinary gain on discharge of
     debt..................................     55            13,145      17,480        --          --         --           30,680
    Fresh start reporting adjustments......   --              10,896      23,165        --            396       863         35,320
    Issuance of New Common Stock...........   (255)             (141)      --           --          --         --             (396)
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------
Balance at June 30, 1993 --
 post-emergence............................    100            23,900       --               40      --         --           24,040
  Net loss.................................   --            --           (14,367)       --          --         --          (14,367)
  Foreign currency translation
   adjustment..............................   --            --             --             (164)     --         --             (164)
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------
Balance at December 31, 1993...............    100            23,900     (14,367)         (124)     --         --            9,509
  Net loss.................................   --            --           (20,775)       --          --         --          (20,775)
  Issuance of common stock.................      1                74       --           --          --         --               75
  Foreign currency translation
   adjustment..............................   --            --             --             (292)     --         --             (292)
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------
Balance at December 31, 1994...............  $ 101    $       23,974    $(35,142)   $     (416)   $ --       $ --     $    (11,483)
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------
                                             ------          -------    ---------        -----    --------   ------   -------------

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND COMPANY REORGANIZATION

    On   December  21,  1994,   The  Alpine  Group,   Inc.  ("Alpine")  acquired
approximately 82% of  the outstanding  common stock,  par value  $.01 per  share
("Adience Common Stock"), of Adience, Inc. ("Adience") from certain stockholders
of Adience. Together with the approximately 4.9% of such shares already owned by
Alpine, Alpine increased its ownership to approximately 86.9% of the outstanding
shares of Adience Common Stock.

    As  of December  21, 1994  Alpine and  Information Display  Technology, Inc.
("IDT"), a majority-owned subsidiary of  Adience, entered into an Agreement  and
Plan  of Merger, which  provides for the merger  of Alpine's information display
group (a  business  segment of  Alpine),  comprised of  Alpine/PolyVision,  Inc.
("APV")  and Posterloid Corporation  ("Posterloid"), with and  into two separate
wholly-owned subsidiaries of  IDT formed for  the purpose of  acquiring APV  and
Posterloid. Subsequent to the merger, Alpine intends to distribute a majority of
its  ownership  in the  information display  group, consisting  of IDT,  APV and
Posterloid to its stockholders. The distribution is expected to be completed  in
the  next  six  months.  As  a result  of  the  planned  distribution, Adience's
consolidated financial statements  and notes thereto  have been reclassified  to
reflect the operations of IDT as discontinued for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1992, the six months ended June 30 and December 31, 1993 and the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994. The investment in IDT has been reflected as "Net assets
of  discontinued operations." The results of operations for IDT are presented in
the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  under  the  caption  "Loss   from
discontinued operations" (see Note 9).

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Adience do not reflect
any adjustments related to the allocation of the Alpine purchase price to assets
and  liabilities  based upon  their  estimated fair  values  as of  the  date of
acquisition, except for the writedown of the investment in IDT.

    Adience has experienced continued losses from continuing operations  (before
reorganization  items)  both  pre-  and  post-emergence  under  Chapter  11. The
continued viability  of Adience  is  dependent upon,  among other  factors,  the
ability to generate sufficient cash from operations, financing, or other sources
that  will  meet ongoing  obligations over  a  sustained period.  Management has
formulated the  outline  of a  strategic  plan with  the  following  objectives:
streamline  manufacturing operations,  eliminate duplicative  costs, discontinue
unprofitable product lines, improve marketing efforts and develop and  introduce
new  products. Management  believes that  the successful  implementation of this
plan will enable Adience to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period.
In addition, in conjunction  with the acquisition of  Adience by Alpine,  Alpine
has  committed to provide Adience  up to $3 million  for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1995,  to achieve  its strategic plan.  There can  be no  assurance
however,  that such activities will achieve  the intended improvement in results
of operations or financial position.

    A Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code
(the "Prepackaged Plan") was  filed by Adience and  the Unofficial Committee  of
Noteholders  of Adience on February 22, 1993. The Prepackaged Plan was confirmed
by the United States Bankruptcy Court  for the Western District of  Pennsylvania
on May 4, 1993 and consummated on June 30, 1993.

    The  Prepackaged  Plan provided  for  a restructuring  of  Adience's capital
structure and allowed the holders of  $66 million aggregate principal amount  of
Adience's  15% Senior Subordinated  Reset Notes ("Old  Reset Notes") to exchange
them for $49 million aggregate principal amount of new 11% Senior Secured  Notes
("New  Secured Notes") due June 15, 2002,  plus common stock representing 55% of
the  outstanding  common  stock  of  Adience.  The  Prepackaged  Plan   included
forgiveness  of accrued interest totaling  approximately $8.8 million. The value
of the cash and securities distributed  was $17.5 million less than the  allowed
claims with the resultant gain recorded as an extraordinary gain.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

    Neither  Adience Canada, Inc. ("Adience Canada"), a wholly-owned subsidiary,
or IDT, a  majority-owned subsidiary  of Adience,  guarantee the  new 11%  Notes
issued  by Adience under the reorganization plan. The new Notes are secured by a
lien on all the assets of Adience, including the stock of IDT.

    Adience Canada and IDT did not file plans of reorganization.

    The sum  of  allowed claims  plus  post petition  liabilities  exceeded  the
reorganization  value of  the assets of  Adience immediately before  the date of
consummation.   Also,   Adience   experienced    a   change   in   control    as
pre-reorganization  holders of  common stock received  less than 50%  of the new
common stock issued pursuant to the Prepackaged Plan. AICPA SOP 90-7,  Financial
Reporting  by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code ("SOP 90-7"),
requires that under these circumstances, a  new reporting entity is created  and
assets  and liabilities should be recorded at their fair values. This accounting
treatment is  referred  to  as  "fresh  start  reporting".  Adience's  basis  of
accounting for financial reporting purposes changed on June 30, 1993 as a result
of  applying  SOP  90-7.  Specifically, application  of  SOP  90-7  required the
adjustment of Adience's assets and liabilities to reflect a reorganization value
generally approximating  the fair  value of  Adience as  a going  concern on  an
unleveraged  basis, the elimination of its  retained deficit, and adjustments to
its capital structure  to reflect  consummation of the  Prepackaged Plan.  Fresh
start reporting was not adopted by Adience Canada or IDT.

    Adience  applied SOP 90-7 in preparing  its consolidated balance sheet as of
June 30, 1993. The balance sheet  became the opening balance sheet for  Adience,
Inc., as reorganized, on July 1, 1993. The consolidated statements of operations
and  cash  flows  after June  30,  1993  are not  comparable  to  the respective
financial statements  prior  to  such  date, and  the  consolidated  results  of
operations  for the  six months  ended June  30, 1993  and the  six months ended
December 31, 1993 have therefore not been aggregated.

    Reorganization value at the June  30, 1993 consummation date was  determined
by  management  with the  assistance  of independent  advisors.  The methodology
employed involved  estimation of  enterprise value  (i.e., the  market value  of
Adience's  debt and shareholders' equity), taking into account a discounted cash
flow analysis,  as  well  as  the  capitalization  of  earnings  and  cash  flow
approaches.  The discounted cash flow analysis  was based on five-year cash flow
projections prepared by management.

    The five-year cash flow projections were based on estimates and  assumptions
about circumstances and events that have not yet taken place. Such estimates and
assumptions  are  inherently  subject to  significant  economic  and competitive
uncertainties  and  contingencies  beyond   the  control  of  the   corporation,
including,  but  not limited  to, those  with  respect to  the future  course of
Adience's business  activity. Accordingly,  there  will usually  be  differences
between   projections  and  actual  results  because  events  and  circumstances
frequently do not occur as expected; and those differences may be material.  The
assumptions  included: a rate of sales growth of approximately 2.5% per annum in
excess of the anticipated rate of inflation; an increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses, after adjustment for non-recurring items, in line  with
the  rate of sales growth;  operating profit margins for  each of the five years
being approximately equal  to one half  of the average  annual operating  profit
margins  achieved during  the most  recent profitable  period of  1988-1990; and
effective tax rates of 33%.

                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

    At June 30, 1993, the adjustment to  record confirmation of the plan of  $23
million was allocated to assets and liabilities as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Inventories.......................................................  $   1,287
Property, plant and equipment.....................................     19,448
Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to
 identifiable assets..............................................     18,329
Intangible assets.................................................     (3,032)
Deferred income taxes.............................................     (1,108)
Additional paid-in capital........................................    (10,896)
Prepaid contribution to employee stock ownership plan.............       (863)
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $  23,165
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>

    Current  assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value. Property, plant
and equipment  was recorded  at reorganization  value, which  approximated  fair
value  in continued use,  based on an independent  appraisal. In addition, under
SOP 90-7, the long-term debt  was recorded at present  values on June 30,  1993.
The  resulting unamortized discount  is being accreted  to interest expense over
the term of the Adience Senior Notes (See Note 7).

    Based on the  allocation of equity  value in conformity  with SOP 90-7,  the
portion  of the equity  value which was  not attributed to  specific tangible or
identifiable intangible assets of reorganized Adience of $18,329 was reported as
"reorganization value in  excess of amounts  allocable to identifiable  assets".
This  value was  initially being  amortized on  a straight  line basis  in equal
annual amounts over  9 years.  On a  quarterly basis,  management evaluates  the
recoverability  of the unamortized portion of the reorganization value in excess
of amounts allocable to identifiable assets by comparing actual cash flows  with
the projected cash flows used to arrive at the reorganization value. When and if
a material difference exists, management will reevaluate whether the assumptions
made  in the preparation  of the projected  cash flows are  still reasonable. If
management is of the opinion that new projected cash flows are required and that
a permanent impairment  of the  remaining reorganization value  has occurred,  a
reduction of some or all of the unamortized value is immediately recognized.

    In  the fourth quarter of  1993, Adience recorded a  charge of $8 million to
reduce the  recorded reorganization  value  in excess  of amounts  allocable  to
identifiable  assets  based  on  management's comparison  of  actual  cash flows
post-emergence through December 31, 1993, with the projected cash flows used  to
arrive  at the reorganization value. This comparison resulted in the preparation
of new cash flow projections, which in  turn led Adience to the conclusion  that
permanent  impairment  of  the reorganization  value  had occurred  and  that an
immediate reduction  of approximately  50% of  the remaining  unamortized  value
should  be recognized. This  special charge increased  the net loss  for the six
months ended December  31, 1993  by $8  million or  $.80 per  share. No  further
reduction  to  the  reorganization  value  in  excess  of  amounts  allocable to
identifiable assets was deemed necessary during  1994. At December 31, 1993  and
1994,   accumulated   amortization   was  approximately   $9,011   and  $10,064,
respectively.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

    The effect of the plan of reorganization and the adoption of the  provisions
of  SOP 90-7 in Adience's consolidated balance sheet  as of June 30, 1993 was as
follows:

                                 ADIENCE, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1993
                                   UNAUDITED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              ADJUSTMENTS TO RECORD CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN
                                                      ADIENCE, INC.           ----------------------------------------------
                                                   (DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)                     DR(CR)
                                                     PRE-CONFIRMATION           DEBT         EXCHANGE
                                                      BALANCE SHEET           DISCHARGE      OF STOCK         FRESH START
                                                   --------------------       ---------      --------      -----------------
<S>                                                <C>                        <C>            <C>           <C>
Assets
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..................                  $(2,219)
  Short-term investments (certificate of
   deposit)..................................                      258
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
   (1993-$1,592).............................                   14,111
  Intercompany accounts receivable
   (payable).................................                   (2,631)
  Inventories................................                   13,879                                           $     1,287(3)
  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
   billings on uncompleted contracts.........                    1,101
  Income tax receivable......................                        0
  Prepaid expenses, deposits and other.......                    1,038                                               (80)(3)
  Deferred income taxes......................                     (921)                                                1,359(3)
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------
    Total current assets.....................                   24,616                                                 2,566
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------
Net assets held for disposition..............
Deferred income taxes........................                     (222)
Investment in subsidiaries...................                   19,118
Property, plant and equipment
  Land.......................................                      823                                                 1,730
  Buildings..................................                    7,120                                                 2,730
  Machinery and equipment....................                    8,954                                                10,082
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------
                                                                16,897                                                14,542
  Less allowances for depreciation...........                    4,906                                                 4,906
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------
                                                                11,991                                                19,448(3)
Other assets.................................                    7,020                                                (2,952)(3)
Reorganization value in excess of amounts
 allocable to identifiable assets............                        0                                                18,329(3)
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------
    Total assets.............................                  $62,523                                           $    37,391
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------
                                                               -------        ---------      --------               --------

<CAPTION>

                                                    ADIENCE,
                                                      INC.
                                                   REORGANIZED                    CONSOLIDATED
                                                    BALANCE         ADIENCE         ELIMIN          ADIENCE, INC.
                                                     SHEET           CANADA         DR(CR)           CONSOLIDATED
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>           <C>               <C>
Assets
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..................        $(2,219)         $  35         $  2,184           $      0
  Short-term investments (certificate of
   deposit)..................................            258                                                258
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
   (1993-$1,592).............................         14,111          2,949                              17,060
  Intercompany accounts receivable
   (payable).................................         (2,631)           827            1,804                  0
  Inventories................................         15,166            932                              16,098
  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
   billings on uncompleted contracts.........          1,101            259                               1,360
  Income tax receivable......................              0            223                                 223
  Prepaid expenses, deposits and other.......            958            411                4              1,373
  Deferred income taxes......................            438              0                                 438
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
    Total current assets.....................         27,182          5,636            3,992             36,810
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
Net assets held for disposition..............                                         11,833             11,833
Deferred income taxes........................           (222)             2              220                  0
Investment in subsidiaries...................         19,118                         (19,118)                 0
Property, plant and equipment
  Land.......................................          2,553             55                               2,608
  Buildings..................................          9,850            629                              10,479
  Machinery and equipment....................         19,036          1,931                              20,967
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
                                                      31,439          2,615                              34,054
  Less allowances for depreciation...........              0          1,775                               1,775
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
                                                      31,439            840                              32,279
Other assets.................................          4,068            720                               4,788
Reorganization value in excess of amounts
 allocable to identifiable assets............         18,329                                             18,329
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
    Total assets.............................        $99,914          $7,198        $ (3,073)          $104,039
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
                                                   ----------       --------      -----------       --------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

                                 ADIENCE, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1993
                                   UNAUDITED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         ADJUSTMENTS TO RECORD CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN
                                                      ADIENCE, INC.     ------------------------------------------------
                                                      PRE-CONFIRMATION                  DR(CR)
                                                      (DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)   DEBT    EXCHANGE
                                                      BALANCE SHEET     DISCHARGE      OF STOCK          FRESH START
                                                      --------------    ---------      ---------          ----------
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>
Liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)
Liabilities not subject to compromise:
Current liabilities:
  Revolving lines of credit.....................            $ 1,914
  Current portion of long term obligations......                834
  Accounts payable..............................              6,759
  Salaries, wages and withholdings..............                583
  Payable to former shareholder.................                553
  Accrued expenses..............................              2,945     $    450 (1)
  Billings in excess of costs and estimated
   earnings on uncompleted contracts............                321
  Accrued workers' compensation.................              6,076
  Accrued interest..............................                  0       (2,924 )(1)
  Income tax payable............................              1,549
  Deferred income taxes.........................                  0
                                                            -------     ---------      ---------                --------
    Total current liabilities...................             21,534       (2,474 )
Payable to former shareholder...................              3,291
Long term obligations...........................              1,531
Deferred income taxes...........................                 (2)                                        $     (2,467)(3)
Liabilities subject to compromise:
  Old Senior Subordinated Reset Notes...........             65,975       65,975 (1)
  Accrued interest..............................             11,758       11,758 (1)
  New Senior Secured Notes......................                  0      (44,579 )(1)
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Old common stock, $.015 par value; authorized
   20,000,000 shares; issued 13,400,000
   shares.......................................                300                    $    300 (2)
  New common stock, $.01 par value; authorized
   20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
   10,000,000 shares............................                  0          (55 )(1)       (45 )(2)
  Additional paid in capital....................                  0      (13,145 )(1)       141 (2)              (10,896)(3)
  Retained (deficit) earnings...................            (40,689)     (17,480 )(1)                            (23,165)(3)
  Foreign currency translation..................                 84
                                                            -------     ---------      ---------                --------
                                                            (40,305)     (30,680 )          396                  (34,061)
Less:
  3,400,000 shares of common stock in treasury,
   at cost......................................               (396)                       (396 )(2)
  Prepaid contribution to employee stock
   ownership plan (ESOP)........................               (863)                                                (863)(3)
                                                            -------     ---------      ---------                --------
    Total shareholders' equity (deficit)........            (41,564)     (30,680 )            0                  (34,924)
                                                            -------     ---------      ---------                --------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
     (deficit)..................................            $62,523     $      0       $      0             $    (37,391)
                                                            -------     ---------      ---------                --------
                                                            -------     ---------      ---------                --------

<CAPTION>

                                                  ADIENCE, INC.                  CONSOLIDATED
                                                   REORGANIZED       ADIENCE       ELIMIN       ADIENCE, INC.
                                                  BALANCE SHEET      CANADA        DR(CR)        CONSOLIDATED
                                                  --------------    ---------    ----------     --------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>
Liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)
Liabilities not subject to compromise:
Current liabilities:
  Revolving lines of credit.....................  $       1,914       $            $(2,184)        $  4,098
  Current portion of long term obligations......            834                                         834
  Accounts payable..............................          6,759          837                          7,596
  Salaries, wages and withholdings..............            583           98                            681
  Payable to former shareholder.................            553                                         553
  Accrued expenses..............................          2,495          370                          2,865
  Billings in excess of costs and estimated
   earnings on uncompleted contracts............            321          351                            672
  Accrued workers' compensation.................          6,076                                       6,076
  Accrued interest..............................          2,924                                       2,924
  Income tax payable............................          1,549                                       1,549
  Deferred income taxes.........................              0           51                             51
                                                        -------     ---------    ----------     --------------
    Total current liabilities...................         24,008        1,707        (2,184)          27,899
Payable to former shareholder...................          3,291                                       3,291
Long term obligations...........................          1,531                                       1,531
Deferred income taxes...........................          2,465           14          (220)           2,699
Liabilities subject to compromise:
  Old Senior Subordinated Reset Notes...........              0                          0
  Accrued interest..............................              0                          0
  New Senior Secured Notes......................         44,579                                      44,579
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
  Old common stock, $.015 par value; authorized
   20,000,000 shares; issued 13,400,000
   shares.......................................              0           10            10                0
  New common stock, $.01 par value; authorized
   20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
   10,000,000 shares............................            100                                         100
  Additional paid in capital....................         23,900                                      23,900
  Retained (deficit) earnings...................            (44)       5,467         5,423                0
  Foreign currency translation..................             84                         44               40
                                                        -------     ---------    ----------     --------------
                                                         24,040        5,477         5,477           24,040
Less:
  3,400,000 shares of common stock in treasury,
   at cost......................................              0                                           0
  Prepaid contribution to employee stock
   ownership plan (ESOP)........................              0                          0
                                                        -------     ---------    ----------     --------------
    Total shareholders' equity (deficit)........         24,040        5,477         5,477           24,040
                                                        -------     ---------    ----------     --------------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
     (deficit)..................................  $      99,914       $7,198       $ 3,073         $104,039
                                                        -------     ---------    ----------     --------------
                                                        -------     ---------    ----------     --------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

    The following entries record the provisions of the Plan and the adoption  of
fresh start reporting:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        DEBIT      CREDIT
                                                                                                      ---------  -----------
<C>        <S>                                                                                        <C>        <C>
      (1)  RECORD DEBT DISCHARGE:
           Accrued expenses.........................................................................        450
           Liabilities subject to compromise:
             Old Senior Subordinated Reset Notes....................................................     65,975
             Accrued interest.......................................................................     11,758
           Discount on New Senior Secured Notes.....................................................      4,500
             New Senior Secured Notes...............................................................                 49,079
             Accrued interest.......................................................................                  2,924
             New common stock.......................................................................                     55
             Additional paid-in capital.............................................................                 13,145
             Gain on debt discharge.................................................................                 17,480

      (2)  RECORD EXCHANGE OF STOCK FOR STOCK:
           Old common stock.........................................................................        300
           Additional paid-in capital...............................................................        141
             New common stock.......................................................................                     45
             Treasury stock.........................................................................                    396

      (3)  RECORD ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT FAIR VALUE UNDER FRESH START REPORTING AND ELIMINATE
           RETAINED DEFICIT:
           Inventories..............................................................................      1,287
           Deferred income taxes....................................................................      1,359
           Property, plant and equipment............................................................     19,448
           Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets...............     18,329
             Prepaid expenses, deposits and other...................................................                     80
             Other assets...........................................................................                  2,952
             Deferred income taxes..................................................................                  2,467
             Retained deficit.......................................................................                 23,165
             Additional paid-in capital.............................................................                 10,896
             Prepaid ESOP contribution..............................................................                    863
</TABLE>

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CONSOLIDATION

    The  consolidated financial statements  include the accounts  of Adience and
Adience Canada. All  material intercompany accounts  and transactions have  been
eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

    The  accounts of IDT  are included in the  consolidated balance sheets under
the caption "Net assets of discontinued operations." The intercompany payable to
IDT is separately disclosed in the  accompanying balance sheets since the  right
of offset does not exist between the companies (see Note 1).

CASH FLOW REPORTING

    Cash  and  cash equivalents  include all  highly  liquid investments  with a
maturity of three months or less.

                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INVENTORIES

    Inventories are stated at the lower  of cost or market with cost  determined
on  the first-in, first-out  (FIFO) or average  cost method. Inventories consist
primarily of raw materials of $4,474  and $3,197, work-in-process of $2,088  and
$1,643  and finished goods of  $8,650 and $4,977 at  December 31, 1993 and 1994,
respectively.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

    Approximately 48% of 1992, 34% of the six months ended June 30, 1993, 51% of
the six months ended December 31, 1993 and 42% of 1994 revenues were recorded on
the percentage of  completion method  of accounting,  measured on  the basis  of
costs  incurred to estimated total costs which approximates contract performance
to date.  Provisions for  losses on  uncompleted  contracts are  made if  it  is
determined that a contract will ultimately result in a loss.

    Substantially all remaining revenue is comprised of direct product shipments
to  customers  and short  duration refractory  material sales,  installation and
maintenance work, which are recorded as revenue when shipped and/or installed.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    Property, plant and equipment  was stated at cost.  In conjunction with  the
adoption  of  fresh  start  reporting, all  property,  plant  and  equipment was
adjusted to  reflect  reorganization value,  which  approximates fair  value  in
continued  use,  based on  an  independent appraisal.  Improvements  to existing
equipment that  materially extend  the  life of  properties are  capitalized  as
incurred.

    Expenditures  for normal maintenance  and repairs are  charged to expense as
incurred and amounted to $4,174  in 1992, $2,010 for  the six months ended  June
30,  1993, $2,292 for the six months ended December 31, 1993 and $4,139 in 1994.
Depreciation expense is computed using  the straight-line method based upon  the
estimated  useful lives of  the respective assets.  Amortization of assets under
capital leases is included in depreciation expense.

GOODWILL

    Goodwill resulting from acquisitions accounted for on the purchase method of
accounting, was being amortized over 15 to 40 years on the straight-line method.
Goodwill relating to domestic acquisitions  was written off in conjunction  with
fresh start reporting. Remaining goodwill will be amortized over 15 years.

REORGANIZATION VALUE IN EXCESS OF AMOUNTS ALLOCABLE TO IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS

    Reorganization  value in excess of  amounts allocable to identifiable assets
is amortized on a straight-line basis  over its estimated useful life (see  Note
1).

INCOME TAXES

    Deferred  income taxes are  recorded to reflect certain  items of income and
expense  recognized  in  different  periods  for  financial  reporting  and  tax
purposes.  Adience accounts  for income taxes  in accordance  with the liability
method.

    In 1992, Adience  adopted Statement  of Financial  Accounting Standards  No.
109,  "Accounting for Income Taxes" (SFAS No.  109), which requires an asset and
liability approach  in  accounting for  income  taxes. Prior  to  1992,  Adience
applied  the provisions of SFAS No. 96.  There was no cumulative effect for this
change in accounting principle  as of January 1,  1992. However, as of  December
31,  1993  and  December  31,  1994, a  deferred  asset  was  recognized  and an
offsetting valuation reserve has been established for carryforwards not  meeting
the "more likely than not" criterion under SFAS No. 109.

                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The  fair values of financial  instruments approximate their recorded values
as of December 31, 1993 and 1994.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

    Adience's products  are sold  and  revenues are  derived from  companies  in
diversified industries. Credit is extended to customers based upon an evaluation
of  the customers' financial condition and generally collateral is not required.
At December 31, 1993 and December  31, 1994, accounts receivable from  customers
in the steel and steel-related industries total approximately $9,548 and $9,054,
respectively. Credit losses relating to customers in the steel and steel-related
industries have been within management's expectations.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

    Certain  items in the December 31, 1992, June 30, 1993 and December 31, 1993
financial statements have been reclassified and restated to conform with changes
in classification adopted and required in 1994.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

    Earnings per common  share is  computed by dividing  income or  loss by  the
weighted   average  number  of  shares   outstanding.  Earnings  per  share  for
pre-emergence periods is not presented since such information is not  comparable
with post-emergence earnings per share.

                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

3.  PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
    The  following consolidating pro forma  statement of operations reflects the
financial results of Adience as if the reorganization had been effective January
1, 1993:

                                 ADIENCE, INC.
                CONSOLIDATING PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           ADIENCE
                                                                          PRO FORMA                   PRO FORMA
                                                PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS       INCOME      ADIENCE     ADIENCE, INC.
                                   ADIENCE    --------------------------  STATEMENT     CANADA       CONSOLIDATED
                                   12/31/93      DEBIT         CREDIT      12/31/93    12/31/93        12/31/93
                                  ----------  ------------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------
<S>                               <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
Net revenues....................  $   85,833                              $   85,833   $  13,170      $   99,003
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenues..............      73,720  $     571(1)                    74,291       9,987          84,278
  Selling, general and
   administrative...............      17,184                $     145(1)      17,039       2,628          19,667
  Amortization of intangible
   asset........................       9,011                                   9,011                       9,011
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
                                      99,915        571           145        100,341      12,615         112,956
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
Operating (loss) profit.........     (14,082)                                (14,508)        555         (13,953)
Other income (expense):
  Interest and other income.....         770                                     770          90             860
  Interest expense..............      (6,051)     1,297(2)                    (7,348)         (1)         (7,349)
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
                                      (5,281)     1,297             0         (6,578)         89          (6,489)
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
(Loss) income from continuing
 operations before
 reorganization items and income
 taxes..........................     (19,363)                                (21,086)        644         (20,442)
Reorganization items:
  Professional fees.............        (848)                     848(3)           0                           0
  Write-off of unamortized debt
   discount.....................        (455)                     455(3)           0                           0
  Write-off of unamortized loan
   fees.........................      (2,065)                   2,065(3)           0                           0
  Adjust accounts to fair
   value........................      23,165     23,165(3)                         0                           0
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
                                      19,797     23,165         3,368              0           0               0
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations before income
 taxes..........................         434                                 (21,086)        644         (20,442)
Income taxes (benefit)..........        (926)                                   (926)        378            (548)
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations.....................  $    1,360  $  25,033     $   3,513     $  (20,160)  $     266      $  (19,894)
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
                                  ----------  ------------     ------     ----------  -----------       --------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Reflects a six  month impact of  additional depreciation expense  resulting
     from  the write-up  of property, plant  and equipment and  the reduction of
     goodwill amortization which was written off in conjunction with fresh start
     reporting.
</TABLE>

                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

3.  PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
(2)  Interest expense on reorganized long-term debt.

(3)  Elimination  of  the  effect  of  non-recurring  reorganization  items   on
     operations.
</TABLE>

4.  CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS
    The  status of contract  costs on uncompleted  construction contracts was as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     COSTS AND ESTIMATED   BILLINGS IN EXCESS
                                                                     EARNINGS IN EXCESS       OF COSTS AND
                                                                         OF BILLINGS       ESTIMATED EARNINGS     TOTAL
                                                                    ---------------------  -------------------  ---------
<S>                                                                 <C>                    <C>                  <C>
December 31, 1993:
Costs and estimated earnings......................................        $     352             $     138       $     490
Billings..........................................................               24                   288             312
                                                                              -----                 -----       ---------
                                                                          $     328             $     150       $     178
                                                                              -----                 -----       ---------
                                                                              -----                 -----       ---------
December 31, 1994:
Costs and estimated earnings......................................        $     460             $     102       $     562
Billings..........................................................               17                   168             185
                                                                              -----                 -----       ---------
                                                                          $     443             $      66       $     377
                                                                              -----                 -----       ---------
                                                                              -----                 -----       ---------
</TABLE>

5.  OTHER ASSETS
    Included in other assets are the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                           1993           1994
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>
Notes receivable from former shareholder (Note 10)...................................    $     669      $  --
Notes receivable from sale of discontinued operations and other (Note 9).............          155         --
Goodwill and organization costs......................................................          609            931
Loan origination fees................................................................          705            624
Investments..........................................................................          376            397
Pension asset........................................................................          780            823
Deferred computer costs..............................................................          667            840
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies......................................           15             15
Other................................................................................          199            236
                                                                                            ------         ------
                                                                                         $   4,175      $   3,866
                                                                                            ------         ------
                                                                                            ------         ------
</TABLE>

                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

6.  LINES OF CREDIT
    On  the  consummation date  of the  plan of  reorganization, June  30, 1993,
Adience entered into a financing  agreement with Congress Financial  Corporation
("Congress")  that had  a renewal  date of June  30, 1994  (the "Renewal Date").
Certain revisions were made to the terms of the agreement during 1994 and  1995,
including  the extension  of the  Renewal Date  to June  30, 1996.  The facility
remains in effect  year to year  thereafter, unless terminated  upon sixty  days
written  notice by either  party on the  anniversary of the  Renewal Date in any
year. Under the  revised agreement,  Adience may  request loan  advances not  to
exceed  the  lesser of  $14  million or  available  collateral (85%  of eligible
accounts receivable less than 90 days, 50% of eligible bagged inventory plus 30%
of eligible raw material and finished goods inventory which does not  constitute
bagged inventory). The loan is collateralized by accounts receivable, inventory,
fixed  assets, intangible assets  and Adience's shares of  IDT. In addition, IDT
has guaranteed the Adience line of credit and has pledged as collateral its  own
accounts  receivable, inventory and equipment. The  interest rate on the loan is
2.5% over  the prime  rate (effective  rate of  11% at  December 31,  1994).  At
December  31,  1994,  Adience had  borrowed  $12,468 under  the  credit facility
including checks in transit of $1,689.

    In addition,  IDT entered  into a  financing agreement  with Congress,  that
expires  June 30, 1995. The facility remains  in effect year to year thereafter,
unless terminated  upon  sixty  days  written notice  by  either  party  on  the
anniversary  of the Renewal  Date in any  year. If the  Congress facility is not
renewed or if alternate financing is not obtained, management believes that  IDT
will  be  able to  generate sufficient  cash  flow from  operations to  meet its
working capital needs.  Certain revisions  were also made  to the  terms of  the
agreement  during  1994.  Under  the revised  agreement,  IDT  may  request loan
advances not to exceed the lesser of $5 million or available collateral (85%  of
eligible accounts receivable less than 90 days plus 30% of eligible raw material
and   finished  goods  inventory).  The   loan  is  collateralized  by  accounts
receivable, inventory  and  fixed  assets.  Adience  guarantees  IDT's  debt  to
Congress. The interest rate on the loan is 2.5% over the prime rate. At December
31,  1994, IDT had  borrowed $800 under  the credit facility.  Letters of credit
issued under the facility totaled $700  at December 31, 1994, which reduced  the
availability under the financing arrangement in a like amount.

    Alpine  intends to  pursue a  long-term financing  in 1995  to refinance the
Adience  existing  credit  line,  as  well  as  for  other  purposes  as  deemed
appropriate (see Note 7).

    Both  Adience and  IDT pay  commitment fees on  the unused  portion of their
credit facility of 0.5% per annum. Under the terms of the financing  agreements,
both  companies are required to maintain certain financial ratios and meet other
financial conditions.  The  agreements  do  not allow  the  companies  to  incur
additional  indebtedness, pay cash dividends, make certain investments, advances
or loans  and limits  annual  capital expenditures.  As  of December  31,  1994,
Adience  and  IDT were  in  compliance with  the  covenants of  their respective
agreements. Adience's  ability to  continue to  comply with  such conditions  is
dependent   upon  Adience's  ability  to  achieve  specified  levels  of  sales,
profitable operations and borrowing availability.  Waivers or amendments may  be
required  in the future to ensure compliance. Inability to achieve compliance in
the future could affect Adience's access to further borrowings or require it  to
secure additional capital by other means.

                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

7.  LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
    Long-term obligations consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 1993          1994
                                                                             ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>
Senior Secured Notes due 2002, interest at 11%                                $   49,079    $   49,079
Capital lease obligations..................................................          745           587
Notes payable with monthly installments of principal interest of $22
 through December 1997, interest at 10%....................................          836           653
Other (interest ranges from 10% to 13%)....................................          560           556
                                                                             ------------  ------------
                                                                                  51,220        50,875
Less: current portion......................................................          759           662
                                                                             ------------  ------------
                                                                                  50,461        50,213
Discount on New Senior Secured Notes                                               4,250         3,763
                                                                             ------------  ------------
                                                                              $   46,211    $   46,450
                                                                             ------------  ------------
                                                                             ------------  ------------
</TABLE>

    In  connection with  the Plan of  Reorganization, $49,079  of Adience Senior
Secured Notes with an annual interest  rate of 11% (the "Adience Senior  Notes")
were  issued under an indenture agreement dated as of June 30, 1993. The Adience
Notes are  redeemable at  the option  of Adience  after December  15, 1997.  The
Adience  Notes are  not guaranteed by  the subsidiaries of  Adience. The Adience
Notes are secured by a lien on all the assets of Adience, including the stock of
IDT.

    Adience,  on  a  consolidated  basis,  has  agreed  to  certain  restrictive
covenants which are customary for such financings including, among other things,
limitations   on  additional  indebtedness,  limitations   on  asset  sales  and
restrictions on the payment of dividends.

    As part  of Alpine's  acquisition of  Adience, Alpine  entered into  a  debt
exchange agreement, dated as of October 11, 1994, as amended (the "Debt Exchange
Agreement"),  with the holders  of approximately 90% in  principal amount of the
Adience Senior Notes,  pursuant to  which Alpine has  the option  to cause  such
holders  to exchange their Adience Senior Notes,  in the principal amount of $44
million plus accrued interest, for a combination of approximately $35.3  million
in  cash and other non-cash consideration. If  the exchange does not occur prior
to June 30, 1995, the Debt Exchange Agreement may be terminated by either Alpine
or the Adience  Senior Note  holders. The  Debt Exchange  Agreement also  allows
Adience  to defer the December 15, 1994  and June 15, 1995 interest payments due
to such holders of  the Adience Senior  Notes until the  date the debt  exchange
occurs,  or if such debt exchange does not occur, then all accrued interest will
be due on December 15, 1995.

    Alpine intends to pursue  a long-term financing in  1995 to provide for  the
redemption at a discount of the Adience Senior Notes.

    Principal maturities of long-term obligations are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
1995.......................................................  $     662
1996.......................................................        540
1997.......................................................        428
1998.......................................................        122
1999.......................................................         44
Thereafter.................................................     49,079
                                                             ---------
                                                             $  50,875
                                                             ---------
                                                             ---------
</TABLE>

                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

7.  LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (CONTINUED)
Property,  plant and equipment at December 31, 1993 and 1994 includes equipment,
automobiles and trucks under capital leases with a net book value of $1,497  and
$1,370,  respectively. During the year ended 1993,  the six months ended June 30
and December 31, 1993,  and the year ended  1994 Adience incurred capital  lease
obligations of $524, $90, $309 and $265, respectively.

8.  OPERATING LEASES
    Adience leases certain buildings, machinery, and equipment under both short-
and  long-term  lease  arrangements.  Future  minimum  lease  commitments  under
non-cancelable operating leases are not significant. Rental expense relating  to
such leases was approximately $1,600 in 1992, $800 for the six months ended June
30, 1993, $1,000 for the six months ended December 31, 1993 and $1,900 in 1994.

9.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
    Alpine  and IDT entered  into an Agreement  and Plan of  Merger, dated as of
December  21,  1994,  which  provides  for   the  merger  of  two  of   Alpine's
subsidiaries,  APV  and  Posterloid,  with and  into  two  separate wholly-owned
subsidiaries of IDT formed for the purpose of acquiring APV and Posterloid  (the
"IDT  Merger") (see Note 1). After the  IDT Merger, Alpine intends to distribute
to its stockholders, or otherwise dispose of a substantial portion of IDT common
stock owned by Alpine.

    In connection with the IDT  Merger and Distribution, Adience's  consolidated
financial  statements and  notes thereto have  been reclassified  to reflect the
operations of  IDT as  discontinued.  In conjunction  with this  treatment,  the
Company recorded a non-cash charge of $3,339 to write-down the investment in IDT
to  estimated fair market value.  The impact of the  write-down on 1994 earnings
was $0.33 per share.

    Net  assets  of  discontinued  operations  consist  primarily  of   accounts
receivable of $11,453 and $9,258, inventories of $3,438 and $3,812 and property,
plant  and  equipment  of $1,738  and  $1,506  at December  31,  1993  and 1994,
respectively. Accounts payable and accrued expenses include $5,204 and $5,885 at
December 31, 1993 and 1994, respectively, related to IDT's operations.

    During 1992,  Adience's Geotec  operation was  sold for  approximately  $1.1
million  in cash  and $1.2  million in  notes receivable,  after concluding that
Geotec's operations  no  longer  fit Adience's  long-term  strategic  plans.  In
addition,  Adience's  Hotwork division,  which  provided preheating  services to
refractory maintenance companies, was sold during 1992 for $1.2 million in cash.
During the six months ended June 30, 1993 and December 31, 1993, adjustments  to
the  previously reported loss were made on these sales of approximately $400 and
$84, respectively,  which  has been  reflected  as  an additional  loss  on  the
disposal   of  discontinued   operations  in  the   consolidated  statements  of
operations.

    In  November  1991,  Adience  sold  its  wholly  owned  subsidiary,   Energy
Technology,  Inc. ("Entec"), for approximately $6.5 million. In addition, during
1991, Adience  sold  certain assets  and  all of  the  businesses of  its  Texas
operations  ("Texops"), Chemsteel, Inc.,  and Ward Duct  Connectors, Inc. During
1992, an adjustment to the previously reported  gain was made on these sales  of
approximately  $1.1 million, which  has been reflected as  an additional loss on
disposal  of  discontinued   operations  in  the   consolidated  statements   of
operations.

    The operating results of the discontinued operations are shown separately in
the   accompanying  consolidated  statements  of  operations.  Net  revenues  of
discontinued operations were $61,499, $23,740, $24,307 and $32,365 for the  year
ended  December 31, 1992, the six months ended June 30 and December 31, 1993 and
the year ended December 31, 1994, respectively.

                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
    In connection with the  plan of reorganization, Adience  entered into a  new
multi-year agreement signed in 1994, to be effective as of October 1, 1992, with
the  former principal  shareholder, Chairman  of the  Board and  Chief Executive
Officer and a  severance compensation  agreement with his  son for  a period  of
seven and five years, respectively. The present value of these payments has been
reflected  in "Reorganization items-other" and  total approximately $4.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 1992.

    Note receivable from  the former principal  shareholder of Adience  (current
portion   included  in  "Prepaid  expenses,  deposits  and  other";  1993--$515;
long-term portion  included  in  "Other assets";  1993--$669)  has  been  netted
against  amounts payable to the former principal shareholder in the accompanying
December 31, 1994 consolidated balance sheet.

    Steib & Company,  a New  York general  partnership, was  granted options  to
purchase  1,275,000 shares of  Company common stock  as partial compensation for
services to be performed under an advisory agreement with the Company. Steven S.
Elbaum, a member of the  Company's Board of Directors,  is a general partner  of
Steib  &  Company.  Total  amounts  paid during  1994  related  to  the advisory
agreement amounted to $188.

    In connection with  Alpine's acquisition of  substantially all of  Adience's
common  stock,  Alpine purchased  5.8% of  Adience's common  stock from  Steib &
Company ("Steib"). Alpine reimbursed Steib & Company for costs incurred by Steib
in connection with Steib's investment in the Adience common stock. In connection
with these transactions,  a three  year advisory agreement  between Adience  and
Steib  was  canceled, as  was  Steib's option  to  purchase 1,275,000  shares of
Adience common stock.

11. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE
    Adience incurred research and development expense of $1,191, $541, $541  and
$1,102  for the year ended  December 31, 1992, the six  months ended June 30 and
December 31, 1993 and year ended December 31, 1994, respectively.

12. INCOME TAXES
    (Loss)  income  from   continuing  operations  before   income  taxes,   and
extraordinary item consisted of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PRE-EMERGENCE                        POST-EMERGENCE
                             -----------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                YEAR ENDED      SIX MONTHS ENDED  SIX MONTHS ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                             DECEMBER 31, 1992   JUNE 30, 1993    DECEMBER 31, 1993  DECEMBER 31, 1994
                             -----------------  ----------------  -----------------  -----------------
<S>                          <C>                <C>               <C>                <C>
Domestic...................     $   (26,531)       $   15,864        $   (15,430)       $   (15,191)
Canadian...................             599               646                 (2)               684
                                   --------           -------           --------           --------
                                $   (25,932)       $   16,510        $   (15,432)       $   (14,507)
                                   --------           -------           --------           --------
                                   --------           -------           --------           --------
</TABLE>

                                      F-28
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

12. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Federal,   foreign,  and  state  income  taxes  (benefits)  from  continuing
operations consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PRE-EMERGENCE                        POST-EMERGENCE
                                    -----------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                       YEAR ENDED      SIX MONTHS ENDED  SIX MONTHS ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                    DECEMBER 31, 1992   JUNE 30, 1993    DECEMBER 31, 1993  DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                    -----------------  ----------------  -----------------  -----------------
<S>                                 <C>                <C>               <C>                <C>
Current:
  Federal.........................      $  (3,105)        $   --             $  --              $  (4,297)
  Foreign.........................            338                261               113                345
  State...........................            200             --                   149             --
                                          -------            -------           -------            -------
    Total current.................         (2,567)               261               262             (3,952)
                                          -------            -------           -------            -------
Deferred:
  Federal.........................         (5,924)             4,215              (627)              (668)
  Foreign.........................             23             --                    38                (26)
  State...........................           (902)               504              (125)            --
  Reorganization valuation
   adjustment.....................         --                 (1,108)           --                 --
  Change in valuation allowance...          8,339             (3,612)             (356)             4,965
                                          -------            -------           -------            -------
    Total deferred................          1,536                 (1)           (1,070)             4,271
                                          -------            -------           -------            -------
    Total income tax provision
     (benefit)....................      $  (1,031)        $      260         $    (808)         $     319
                                          -------            -------           -------            -------
                                          -------            -------           -------            -------
</TABLE>

    The effective income  tax rate  from continuing operations  varied from  the
statutory federal income tax (benefit) rate as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        PRE-EMERGENCE                POST-EMERGENCE
                                                 ---------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                                 SIX MONTHS    SIX MONTHS
                                                  YEAR ENDED       ENDED          ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                 DECEMBER 31,     JUNE 30,    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                     1992           1993          1993           1994
                                                 -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate..............      (34.0)%          35.0%       (35.0)%        (35.0)%
Increases (decreases):
  State income taxes, net federal tax
   benefit.....................................       (3.6)            1.5         --             --
  Effect on Canadian income taxes..............         0.6            0.1           1.0            2.2
  Change in valuation allowance................        33.1         (11.2)         (1.3)           31.2
  Amortization of reorganization value.........       --             --             21.4            2.5
  Other reorganization adjustments.............       --             (4.4)           9.9          --
  Provision recorded to reorganization value...       --             (3.3)         --             --
  Asset write-up for books.....................       --             (3.1)         --             --
  Non taxable debt discharge...................       --            (17.7)         --             --
  Reduction in NOL carryforward................       --               3.1         --             --
  Other items..................................       (0.1)            1.6         (1.2)            1.3
                                                     ------         ------        ------         ------
                                                      (4.0)%           1.6%        (5.2)%           2.2%
                                                     ------         ------        ------         ------
                                                     ------         ------        ------         ------
</TABLE>

                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

12. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Deferred tax liabilities (assets) are comprised of the following at December
31, 1993 and December 31, 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1993        1994
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                               <C>         <C>
Property, plant and equipment...................................................  $    7,245  $    6,263
Pension accrual.................................................................         287         287
Accounting method change from LIFO..............................................         618         309
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
    Gross deferred tax liabilities..............................................       8,150       6,859
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
Inventory reserves..............................................................        (225)       (853)
Accrued commissions and labor costs.............................................      (4,041)     (2,829)
Bad debt reserve................................................................        (428)       (352)
State income & sales/use tax liability..........................................         (25)        (24)
Environmental liability.........................................................        (620)       (707)
IRS interest accrual............................................................        (400)       (400)
Inventory Section 263A costs....................................................        (214)       (214)
NOL carryforwards...............................................................      (5,274)     (9,604)
Foreign tax credits.............................................................        (543)       (510)
Minimum tax credits.............................................................        (402)       (402)
Other...........................................................................        (144)       (101)
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
    Gross deferred tax assets...................................................     (12,316)    (15,996)
Valuation allowance.............................................................       5,400      10,365
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
Net deferred tax liability......................................................  $    1,234  $    1,228
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
                                                                                  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>

    SFAS  109 requires a  valuation allowance when  it is "more  likely than not
that some portion or all  of the deferred tax assets  will not be realized."  It
further  states that  "forming a  conclusion that  a valuation  allowance is not
needed is difficult when there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in
recent years."  The  ultimate realization  of  this deferred  income  tax  asset
depends  on  Adience's  ability to  generate  sufficient taxable  income  in the
future. While Adience believes that the deferred income tax asset will be  fully
or  partially realized by future operating results, losses in recent years and a
desire to be conservative make it appropriate to record a valuation allowance.

    As of December 31, 1994, Adience  has a net operating loss carryforward  for
domestic  federal income tax purposes of approximately $24,000 which will expire
in 2007, 2008 and  2009. Minimum tax  and foreign tax credits  of $912 are  also
available  to offset federal  income tax liabilities to  the extent that regular
tax exceeds tentative minimum tax in subsequent years. Upon consummation of  the
Plan  of Reorganization, Adience had an  ownership change, as defined by Section
382 of the Internal Revenue Code,  which may limit Adience's ability to  utilize
the  pre-ownership change  portion of its  net operating loss  and/or credit. In
addition under  the  provisions  of  SOP 90-7,  subsequent  utilization  of  net
operating   loss   carryforwards  will   be  reflected   as  an   adjustment  to
reorganization value in excess  of amounts allocable  to identifiable assets  or
paid-in  capital.  An  examination  of Adience's  consolidated  U.S.  income tax
returns for 1988 through 1990  is currently underway. Any resulting  adjustments
for those years will impact Adience's net operating loss carryforwards.

                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

    During  1989, Adience established an  Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
for most salaried  and certain hourly  U.S. employees who  meet minimum age  and
service  requirements. To fund the ESOP, Adience borrowed $2.5 million repayable
over five years  in equal  quarterly payments  plus interest.  Proceeds of  this
borrowing  were loaned to the ESOP on the same terms and used by the ESOP, along
with cash contributions from  Adience, to purchase  646,875 shares of  Adience's
common  stock from its principal shareholder during 1989 and 1990. In connection
with the Reorganization, the ESOP shares were reduced by 55% to 291,093  shares.
Effective  June 30, 1993 all shares held by  the ESOP were allocated to the ESOP
participants'  accounts.  On  July  1,   1993,  Adience  suspended  any   future
recognition  of  expense  related  to  the  ESOP.  Accordingly,  Adience  has no
intention at this time  to issue more  shares of its common  stock to the  ESOP.
Contributions to the ESOP charged to expense for the the year ended 1992 and six
months ended June 30, 1993 amounted to $625 and $355, respectively.

OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

    During  1992,  Adience initiated  a 401(k)  Savings  Plan. This  plan covers
substantially all non-bargaining employees, including those employed by IDT, who
meet  minimum   age  and   service   requirements.  Adience   matches   employee
contributions  of up to  8 percent of compensation  at a rate  of 25 percent. In
addition,  effective  January   1,  1994,  Adience   declared  a   discretionary
contribution  equal to 3 percent of employees' salaries. Amounts charged against
income totaled $93 for the year ended December 31, 1992, $63 for the six  months
ended June 30, 1993, $58 for the six months ended December 31, 1993 and $415 for
the year ended December 31, 1994.

    Adience  and  subsidiaries maintain  various  defined benefit  pension plans
covering substantially all hourly employees. The plans provide pension  benefits
based  on the employee's years  of service or the  average salary for a specific
number of  years  of  service.  Adience's  funding  policy  is  to  make  annual
contributions to the extent deductible for federal income tax purposes.

    Plan  assets  and  projected benefit  obligations  for service  to  date for
Adience's defined  benefit pension  plans  aggregated approximately  $6,811  and
$5,900,  respectively, at December 31, 1994.  The comparable amounts at December
31, 1993 were $6,786  (assets) and $5,785 (obligations).  The components of  net
periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 1992, the six months ended
June  30 and  December 31,  1993 and the  year ended  December 31,  1994 are not
material to the consolidated financial  statements. Plan assets are invested  in
cash,  short-term  investments,  equities,  and  fixed  income  instruments. The
actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 1993
and 1994 was  determined using  a weighted average  discount rate  of 7.5%.  The
expected  long-term rate of return on plan  assets was 7.5% at December 31, 1993
and 1994.

    Certain  union  employees  of  Adience  and  subsidiaries  are  covered   by
multi-employer defined benefit retirement plans. Expense relating to these plans
amounted  to $782, $474, $619  and $1,138 for the  year ended December 31, 1992,
the six months  ended June 30,  1993 and December  31, 1993 and  the year  ended
December 31, 1994, respectively.

    In  December 1990, the Financial Accounting  Standards Board issued SFAS No.
106 "Employers'  Accounting for  Postretirement  Benefits Other  Than  Pensions"
(SFAS  No.  106), that  requires  that the  projected  future cost  of providing
postretirement benefits, such as health  care and life insurance, be  recognized
as an expense as employees render service instead of when the benefits are paid.
Adience currently provides only life insurance benefits to certain of its hourly
and  salaried employees on a  fully insured basis. Adoption  of SFAS No. 106 did
not   have   a   material    impact   on   Adience's   consolidated    financial

                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (CONTINUED)
statements.  In November 1992,  the Financial Accounting  Standards Board issued
new  rules  that   require  that   the  projected  future   cost  of   providing
postemployment  benefits be recognized as an expense as employees render service
instead of  when  the  benefits  are paid.  Adience  believes  its  accrual  for
postemployment benefits (workers' compensation) is adequate.

14. STOCK PLANS
    On  May 24, 1994, the  Board of Directors of  Adience adopted the 1994 Stock
Option Plan ("Stock Option  Plan") and 1994 Directors  Stock Grant Plan  ("Stock
Grant  Plan"). Under the Stock Option  Plan, 1,250,000 shares have been reserved
for issuance  upon  the exercise  of  stock options,  which  may be  granted  to
employees  by the  Compensation Committee of  the Company's  Board of Directors.
Under the Stock  Option Plan,  options generally become  exercisable six  months
following  the  date  of grant  or  over a  period  determined by  the  Board of
Directors and expire ten  years from the  date of grant.  The Stock Option  Plan
provides  for the option  price to be  paid in cash,  shares of Adience's common
stock owned by the option holder, or  a combination of such shares and cash.  As
of  December 31, 1994, 225,000 options have  been granted under the Stock Option
Plan. Each option granted  entitles the holder to  acquire one share of  Adience
common  stock at an exercise price not to  be less that the fair market value of
the underlying shares on the date of grant. There is currently no public  market
for the common stock.

    The  Stock Grant Plan provides that up to 300,000 shares of common stock may
be granted  to  the members  of  the  Board of  Directors,  at no  cost  to  the
directors.  The Stock Grant Plan authorized the automatic grant of 10,000 shares
of common stock to each director on  June 13, 1994, and 10,000 shares of  common
stock  to each director  on the date of  each of the  next two successive annual
meetings of shareholders of Adience provided the director is then re-elected  to
the  board, up to an aggregate of not more than 30,000 shares for each director.
These grants have been  made in lieu  of a cash retainer  which would have  been
paid to each director.

    The  aggregate fair market value of the shares granted under the Stock Grant
Plan is considered unearned compensation at  the time of grant and  compensation
is  earned ratably over the year. Adience recognized $75 in expense for the year
ended December 31, 1994.

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    At December 31,  1994, Adience had  $200 in irrevocable  standby letters  of
credit  outstanding, not  reflected in  the accompanying  consolidated financial
statements, as guarantees in force  for various insurance policies,  performance
and  bid bonds. These  instruments are usually for  a period of  one year or the
duration of the contract.  The letters of  credit reduce Adience's  availability
under the Congress credit facility.

    In  February 1992, IDT was cited by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
(the "Ohio EPA") for violations of Ohio's hazardous waste regulations, including
speculative accumulation of waste (holding waste on-site beyond the legal limit)
and illegal  disposal of  hazardous waste  on  the site  of its  Alliance,  Ohio
manufacturing  facility. IDT had $783 accrued at December 31, 1993 for the clean
up of  this site.  This amount  is included  under the  caption "Net  assets  of
discontinued operations" in the accompanying balance sheet.

    In  December 1993, IDT and Adience signed  a consent order with the Ohio EPA
and Ohio Attorney General which required IDT and Adience to pay to the State  of
Ohio  a civil penalty of $200 (of which  IDT paid $175 and Adience paid $25) and
to remediate the site in accordance  with specified cleanup goals. In  addition,
the  consent order requires the payment of  stipulated penalties of up to $1 per
day for failure to satisfy certain  requirements of the consent order  including
milestones  in  the closure  plan.  In October  1994,  IDT and  Adience  filed a
proposed amendment to  the consent order  which would allow  IDT and Adience  to
establish  risk-based cleanup goals, an approach  which has been approved by the
Ohio EPA for other

                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
contaminated sites. If  the Ohio EPA  approves this proposed  amendment, use  of
this  approach is expected to reduce the extent and cost of remediation required
at this site. The Ohio EPA has not yet responded to this proposed amendment.  At
December  31, 1994,  environmental accruals  amounted to  $750, which represents
management's reasonable estimate of the amounts remaining to be incurred in this
matter, including the costs of effecting the closure plan, bonding and insurance
costs, penalties and legal and consultants' fees. This amount is included  under
the  caption "Net assets of discontinued operations" in the accompanying balance
sheet. Since 1991, Adience and IDT have together paid $693 (excluding the  civil
penalty) for the environmental clean-up related to the Alliance facility. If the
Ohio  EPA does not accept the proposed  amendment to the consent order, the cost
of the remediation may exceed the amounts currently accrued.

    Under the acquisition agreement pursuant to which IDT acquired the  property
from  Adience  in  1990,  Adience  represented  and  warranted  that,  except as
otherwise disclosed to IDT, no hazardous material has been stored or disposed of
on the property. No disclosure of  storage or disposal of hazardous material  on
the  site was made.  Accordingly, Adience is  required to indemnify  IDT for any
losses in excess of $250. IDT has notified Adience that it is claiming the right
to indemnification for  all costs  in excess  of $250  incurred by  IDT in  this
matter  and has  received assurance  that Adience  will honor  such claim. Since
1991, Adience has reimbursed IDT $643; if Adience is financially unable to honor
its remaining obligation, such costs would be borne by IDT.

    Adience is  also engaged  in  various other  legal  actions arising  in  the
ordinary  course  of  business.  Management  believes,  after  discussions  with
internal and external counsel, that the ultimate outcome of the proceedings will
not have a material adverse effect on Adience's consolidated financial position.

                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                                 ADIENCE, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1994
    (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

16. QUARTERLY DATA AND FOURTH QUARTER ADJUSTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
    The following table sets  forth selected highlights for  each of the  fiscal
quarters  during the year ended December 31,  1994 and the six months ended June
30 and December 31, 1993:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PRE-EMERGENCE             POST-EMERGENCE
                                                                 ----------------------  --------------------------
QUARTER ENDED 1993                                                MARCH 31     JUNE 30   SEPTEMBER 30  DECEMBER 31
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
Net revenues...................................................   $  21,881   $  22,550   $   25,327    $   29,245
Cost of revenues...............................................      17,323      18,605       21,562        26,217
Operating loss.................................................         (84)     (1,923)        (959)      (10,561)
(Loss) income before extraordinary item........................      (1,930)     17,782       (2,265)      (12,102)
Net (loss) income..............................................      (1,930)     35,262       (2,265)      (12,102)
Loss per common share before extraordinary item................       *           *       $    (0.23)   $    (1.21)
Net loss per common share......................................       *           *       $    (0.23)   $    (1.21)
Average common shares outstanding..............................       *           *           10,000        10,000
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   POST-EMERGENCE
                                                                 --------------------------------------------------
QUARTER ENDED 1994                                                MARCH 31     JUNE 30   SEPTEMBER 30  DECEMBER 31
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
Net revenues...................................................   $  22,126   $  23,287   $   27,796    $   23,064
Cost of revenues...............................................      19,255      19,523       22,777        22,913
Operating (loss) profit........................................      (1,867)     (1,186)         647        (5,022)
Loss before extraordinary item.................................      (3,885)     (2,795)      (1,225)      (12,870)
Net loss.......................................................      (3,885)     (2,795)      (1,225)      (12,870)
Net loss per common share......................................   $   (0.39)  $   (0.28)  $    (0.12)   $    (1.28)
Average common shares outstanding..............................      10,000      10,019       10,100        10,100

* Earnings per common share are not meaningful prior to June 30, 1993 due to the reorganization -- see Note 1.
</TABLE>

    Fourth quarter results for  1994 include a non-cash  charge of $2.8  million
related  to  asset  write-downs  at  Adience.  Certain  assets  of  Adience were
evaluated for disposition, and the net  book value of these assets was  adjusted
to  estimated fair market value. The impact of these asset write-downs on fourth
quarter results  was $0.28  per common  share. These  write-downs resulted  from
Adience's  business  improvement program  which  includes selling  non strategic
assets and reassessing  the net  realizable value of  certain inventory  product
lines  in light of  the current economic  environment and the  related impact on
estimated revenue levels for those product lines.

    Additionally, fourth quarter results  were reduced by  a non-cash charge  of
$3.3 million to write-down the investment in IDT to estimated fair market value.
The  impact of the  write-down on the net  loss per common  share was $0.33. See
Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

    Losses from  discontinued operations  totaled $2.7  million for  the  fourth
quarter ending December 31, 1994 or $0.27 per common share.

    Net  loss per common share for the fourth quarter of 1993 included a special
charge of $8 million for write-down of Adience's reorganization value in  excess
of  amounts allocable to identifiable assets and a  $314 loss on the sale of two
divisions. Excluding these adjustments, net loss per common share for the fourth
quarter was $(0.38).

                                      F-34
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20.  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, incorporations,  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.

    The  Purchase  Agreement  provides  for  reciprocal  indemnification between
Alpine and its controlling persons, on the one hand, and the Initial  Purchasers
and their controlling persons, on the other hand, against certain liabilities in
connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
2(a)       Asset  Purchase Agreement,  dated as of  March 17, 1995  by and  among Alcatel NA  Cable Systems, Inc.,
            Alcatel Canada Wire, Inc. Superior Cable Corporation and Superior Teletec Inc. (incorporated herein by
            reference to Exhibit 1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Alpine dated May 24, 1995)
2(b)       Amendment dated May 11, 1995 to Asset Purchase  Agreement by and among Alcatel NA Cable Systems,  Inc.,
            Alcatel  Canada Wire, Inc., Superior Cable Corporation  and Superior Teletec Inc. (incorporated herein
            by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Alpine dated May 24, 1995)
2(c)       Agreement and Plan  of Merger, dated  as of  December 21, 1994,  as amended, by  and among  Information
            Display  Technology, Inc.,  IDT PolyVision  Acquisition Corp.,  IDT Posterloid  Acquisition Corp., The
            Alpine Group,  Inc., Alpine/Poly  Vision,  Inc. and  Posterloid  Corporation (incorporated  herein  by
            reference  to Exhibit  2 to  Amendment No.  1 to Alpine's  Statement on  Schedule 13D  relating to its
            beneficial ownership of equity securities of  Information Display Technology, Inc. dated December  28,
            1994)
2(d)       Amendment  to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 21, 1994, by and among Information
            Display Technology, Inc.,  IDT PolyVision  Acquisition Corp.,  IDT Posterloid  Acquisition Corp.,  The
            Alpine  Group,  Inc.,  Alpine/PolyVision,  Inc. and  Posterloid  Corporation  (incorporated  herein by
            reference to Exhibit  1 to  Amendment No.  2 to Alpine's  Statement on  Schedule 13D  relating to  its
            beneficial ownership of equity securities of Information Display Technology Inc. dated May 5, 1995)
2(e)       Amended  and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement,  dated as of October 11,  1994, by and among The Alpine
            Group, Inc.  and certain  stockholders of  Adience, Inc.  ("Adience") as  listed therein,  as  amended
            (incorporated  herein by reference  to Exhibit 2.1 to  the Company's Current Report  on Form 8-K dated
            January 5, 1995)
</TABLE>

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
3(a)       Certificate of Incorporation of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the  Annual
            Report on Form 10-K of Alpine for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1995 (the "1995 10-K"))
3(b)       Amendment  to the Certificate of  Incorporation of Alpine (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit
            3(aa) of Post-Effective Amendment No.  1 to the Registration Statement  on Form S-3 (Registration  No.
            33-53434) of Alpine, as filed with the Commission on May 12, 1993)
3(c)       Certificate  of  the powers,  Designations, Preferences  and  Rights of  the 9%  Cumulative Convertible
            Preferred Stock of Alpine (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit  1 to the Quarterly Report  on
            Form 10-Q of Alpine for the quarter ended January 31, 1989)
3(d)       Certificate of the Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 9% Cumulative Convertible Senior
            Preferred  Stock of Alpine (incorporated herein  by reference to Exhibit 3(c)  to the Annual Report on
            Form 10-K of Alpine for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1992 ("1992 10-K"))
3(e)       Certificate of the  Powers, Designations,  Preferences and Rights  of the  8.5% Cumulative  Convertible
            Senior  Preferred Stock  of Alpine  (incorporated herein by  reference to  Exhibit 3(e)  to the Annual
            Report on Form 10-K of Alpine for the Fiscal year ended April 30, 1994)
3(f)       Certificate of the Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 8% Cumulative Convertible Senior
            Preferred Stock of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(f) to the 1995 10-K)
3(g)       By-laws of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(g) to the 1995 10-K)
3(h)*      Certificate of Incorporation of Adience
3(i)*      By-laws of Adience
3(j)*      Articles of Incorporation of Superior Telecommunications Inc.
3(k)*      By-laws of Superior Telecommunications Inc., as amended
4(a)       [intentionally omitted]
4(b)       [intentionally omitted]
4(c)       [intentionally omitted]
4(d)       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(e)       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(f)       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(g)       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, Inc.)
4(h)       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(i)       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, under which  Old
            Notes  are issued, and New Notes will be issued (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ee) to
            the 1995 10-K)
</TABLE>
    

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
4(j)*      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
4(k)*      Form of Old Note
4(l)*      Form of New Note
4(m)**     Form of letter of transmittal to be used by tendering holders of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer
5**        Opinion of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP re: validity of securities
8**        Opinion of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP re: certain federal income tax consequences (contained
            in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
10(a)      Amended and Restated 1984 Restricted Stock Plan of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to  Exhibit
            10.5 to Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-9978) of Alpine, as filed with the Commission on October 5, 1993
            (the "S-4 Registration Statement"))
10(b)      Amended  and Restated 1987 Long Term Equity Incentive  Plan of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference
            to Exhibit 10.4 to the S-4 Registration Statement)
10(c)      Stock Purchase  Agreement, dated  as of  February  14, 1992,  by and  between Alpine  and  Dataproducts
            Corporation,  relating to the  purchase of shares of  capital stock of  DNE Technologies, Inc. ("DNE")
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Alpine dated March
            2, 1992 (the "March 1992 8-K"))
10(d)      Loan Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1992, by and among Alpine, DNE and the Connecticut Development
            Authority (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the March 1992 8-K)
10(e)      [intentionally omitted]
10(f)      [intentionally omitted]
10(g)      Development Agreement between Connecticut Innovations Incorporated and Alpine/ PolyVision, Inc.,  dated
            as of December 9, 1992 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the Annual Report on Form
            10-K of Alpine for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1993 (the "1993 10-K"))
10(h)      Loan  Agreement  between Connecticut  Development Authority  and Alpine/PolyVision,  Inc., dated  as of
            December 9, 1992 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) to the 1993 10-K)
10(i)      [intentionally omitted]
10(j)      Lease Agreement by and  between ALP(TX) QRS  11-28, Inc., and  Superior TeleTec Transmission  Products,
            Inc.,  dated as of December 16, 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) to the Quarterly
            Report on Form 10-Q of Alpine for the Quarter ended January 31, 1994)
10(k)      Amended and Restated Debt Exchange  Agreement, dated as of October  11, 1994, among Alpine and  certain
            debtholders  of Adience as listed therein (as amended  through April 14, 1995) (incorporated herein by
            reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the 1995 10-K)
10(l)      Note Purchase  Agreement, dated  as of  May 10,  1995, by  and among  Alpine, Superior  TeleTec,  Inc.,
            Superior Cable Corporation and Nomura International Trust Company (incorporated herein by reference to
            Exhibit 3 to Alpine's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 1995)
10(m)      Letter  Agreement, dated May 24,  1995 by and between  Alpine and PolyVision Corporation ("PolyVision")
            relating to $5,000,000 credit  commitment (incorporated herein  by reference to  Exhibit 10(m) to  the
            1995 10-K)
</TABLE>
    

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
10(n)      Letter  Agreement, dated  May 24,  1995, by and  between Alpine  and PolyVision  relating to $2,500,000
            credit commitment (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(n) to the 1995 10-K)
10(o)      First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of May  10, 1995, by and between ALP (TX) QRS 11-28,  Inc.
            and Superior Teletec Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to the 1995 10-K)
10(p)      Purchase   Agreement,  dated   as  of  July   14,  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 10(p) to
            the 1995 10-K)
10(q)      Employment  Agreement,  dated as  of September  8, 1993,  by and  between Alpine  and Steven  S. Elbaum
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to the 1995 10-K)
10(r)      Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of September  8, 1993, by and between Alpine and Steven  S.
            Elbaum (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(r) to the 1995 10-K)
10(s)      Employment  Agreement,  dated as  of  September 8,  1993,  by and  between  Alpine and  Bragi  F. Schut
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(s) to the 1995 10-K)
10(t)      Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as  of September 8, 1993, by  and between Alpine and Bragi  F.
            Schut (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to the 1995 10-K)
10(u)      Employment  Agreement, dated  as of  November 10,  1993, by  and between  Alpine and  David S. Aldridge
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to the 1995 10-K)
10(v)      Employment Agreement,  dated as  of  November 10,  1993, by  and  between Alpine  and James  R.  Kanely
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to the 1995 10-K)
10(w)      Employment  Agreement, dated as of  November 10, 1993, by  and between Alpine and  Justin F. Deedy, Jr.
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to the 1995 10-K)
10(x)      Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of July  21, 1995, by and between ALP(TX) ORS H-28,  Inc.
            and  Superior Telecommunications Inc. (incorporated  herein by reference to  Exhibit 10(x) to the 1995
            10-K)
10(y)      New Credit Agreement -- Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1995, by and between  Alpine,
            Shawmut Capital Corporation, Nationsbank of Georgia, N.A., and Creditanstalt Corporation Finance, Inc.
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(y) to the 1995 10-K)
10(z)      Amendment  to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10,  1993, by and between Alpine and Justin F.
            Deedy, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the 1995 10-K)
10(aa)     Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as  of November 10, 1993, by  and between Alpine and David  S.
            Aldridge (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) to the 1995 10-K).
10(bb)     Amendment  dated as  of June  30, 1995,  to Amended and  Restated Debt  Exchange Agreement  dated as of
            October 11, 1994,  among Alpine and  certain debtholders  of Adience as  listed therein  (incorporated
            herein by reference to Exhibit 10(bb) to the 1995 10-K).
10(cc)     Amendment  to the Employment Agreement, dated as of November  10, 1993, by and between Alpine and James
            R. Kanely (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(cc) to the 1995 10-K)
10(dd)     Pledge Agreement, dated as  of July 21, 1995,  by and between Alpine  and Marine Midland  (incorporated
            herein by reference to Exhibit 10(dd) to the 1995 10-K).
12**       Statement re computation of ratios
21         List of Subsidiaries (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 21 to the 1995 10-K)
</TABLE>
    

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                                  DESCRIPTION
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
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(a)*     Alpine Power of Attorney
24(b)**    Superior Cable Corporation Power of Attorney (at page II-8)
24(c)**    Superior Telecommunications Inc. Power of Attorney (at page II-9)
24(d)**    Adience, Inc. Power of Attorney (at page II-10)
25*        Statement of eligibility of trustee
27         Financial data schedule (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 27 to the 1995 10-K)
<FN>
- ------------------------
 * Previously filed
** Filed herewith
</TABLE>
    

ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS

    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

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

        (b)  That,  for  the  purpose of  determining  any  liability  under the
    Securities Act of 1933, each  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.

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

        (d) That prior  to any  public reoffering of  the securities  registered
    hereunder  through use of a prospectus which  is a part of this registration
    statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter  within
    the  meaning  of Rule  145(c), the  issuer  undertakes that  such reoffering
    prospectus will  contain  the  information  called  for  by  the  applicable
    registration  form with respect to reofferings  by persons who may be deemed
    underwriters, in addition to the information  called for by the other  Items
    of the applicable form.

        (e)  That every prospectus  (i) that is filed  pursuant to paragraph (d)
    immediately preceding, or  (ii) that  purports to meet  the requirements  of
    section  10(a)(3) of the  Securities Act of  1933 and is  used in connection
    with an offering of securities subject  to Rule 415 (Section230.415 of  this
    chapter),  will  be filed  as a  part  of an  amendment to  the registration
    statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and  that,
    for  purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
    each such

                                      II-5
<PAGE>
    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.

        (f) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act of  1933, each  filing of  the registrant's  annual report  pursuant  to
    Section  13(a) or Section 15(d) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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.

        (g)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under  the
    Securities  Act  of  1933  may  be  permitted  to  directors,  officers  and
    controlling persons of the registrant  pursuant to the provisions  described
    in  Item  15, 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 of  1933 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 of  1933 and will  be governed by  the final adjudication  of
    such issue.

        (h)  To  respond to  requests for  information  that is  incorporated by
    reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of  Form
    S-4,  within one business  day of receipt  of such request,  and to send the
    incorporated documents by first  class mail or  other equally prompt  means.
    This  includes information  contained in  documents filed  subsequent to the
    effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of  responding
    to the request.

        (i)  To  supply by  means  of post-effective  amendment  all information
    concerning a transaction, and the  company being acquired involved  therein,
    that  was not the subject of and included in the Registration Statement when
    it became effective.

                                      II-6
<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-2,  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  3rd day of
October, 1995.
    

                                          THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

   
                                          By /S/ STEVEN S. ELBAUM
    

                                            ------------------------------------
                                             Steven S. Elbaum
                                            CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
                                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    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.

   
             SIGNATURE                         TITLE                  DATE
- -----------------------------------  -------------------------  ----------------

                                     Chairman of the board and
                     *                Chief Executive Officer
- -----------------------------------   (principal executive      October 3, 1995
         Steven S. Elbaum             officer)

                                     Chief Financial Officer
                     *                and Treasurer (principal
- -----------------------------------   financial and accounting  October 3, 1995
         David S. Aldridge            officer)

                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
       Kenneth G. Byers, Jr.

                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
         Randolph Harrison

                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
          John C. Jansing

                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
       Ernest C. Janson, Jr.

                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
          James R. Kanely

                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
           Gene E. Lewis

                  /S/ BRAGI F.
               SCHUT
- -----------------------------------  Director                   October 3, 1995
          Bragi F. Schut

        */s/ BRAGI F. SCHUT
- -----------------------------------
 Bragi F. Schut, attorney in fact

    

                                      II-7
<PAGE>
   
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                              DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- ---------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<S>        <C>                                                                                               <C>
2(a)       Asset  Purchase Agreement, dated  as of March  17, 1995 by  and among Alcatel  NA Cable Systems,
            Inc.,  Alcatel  Canada  Wire,  Inc.  Superior  Cable  Corporation  and  Superior  Teletec  Inc.
            (incorporated  herein by reference  to Exhibit 1  to the Current  Report on Form  8-K of Alpine
            dated May 24, 1995)............................................................................
2(b)       Amendment dated May 11, 1995 to Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Alcatel NA Cable  Systems,
            Inc.,  Alcatel  Canada  Wire,  Inc.,  Superior  Cable  Corporation  and  Superior  Teletec Inc.
            (incorporated herein by  reference to Exhibit  2 to the  Current Report on  Form 8-K of  Alpine
            dated May 24, 1995)............................................................................
2(c)       Agreement  and  Plan  of Merger,  dated  as  of December  21,  1994,  as amended,  by  and among
            Information  Display  Technology,  Inc.,  IDT  PolyVision  Acquisition  Corp.,  IDT  Posterloid
            Acquisition  Corp., The Alpine Group, Inc., Alpine/Poly Vision, Inc. and Posterloid Corporation
            (incorporated herein by  reference to Exhibit  2 to Amendment  No. 1 to  Alpine's Statement  on
            Schedule  13D relating to its beneficial ownership  of equity securities of Information Display
            Technology, Inc. dated December 28, 1994)......................................................
2(d)       Amendment to the  Agreement and Plan  of Merger,  dated as of  December 21, 1994,  by and  among
            Information  Display  Technology,  Inc.,  IDT  PolyVision  Acquisition  Corp.,  IDT  Posterloid
            Acquisition Corp., The Alpine Group,  Inc., Alpine/PolyVision, Inc. and Posterloid  Corporation
            (incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit  1 to Amendment  No. 2 to  Alpine's Statement on
            Schedule 13D relating to its beneficial  ownership of equity securities of Information  Display
            Technology Inc. dated May 5, 1995).............................................................
2(e)       Amended  and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement,  dated as of October 11,  1994, by and among The
            Alpine Group, Inc. and certain stockholders of Adience, Inc. ("Adience") as listed therein,  as
            amended  (incorporated herein by  reference to Exhibit  2.1 to the  Company's Current Report on
            Form 8-K dated January 5, 1995)................................................................
3(a)       Certificate of Incorporation of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to  the
            Annual  Report on  Form 10-K  of Alpine  for the fiscal  year ended  April 30,  1995 (the "1995
            10-K"))........................................................................................
3(b)       Amendment to the  Certificate of Incorporation  of Alpine (incorporated  herein by reference  to
            Exhibit  3(aa) of  Post-Effective Amendment  No. 1  to the  Registration Statement  on Form S-3
            (Registration No. 33-53434) of Alpine, as filed with the Commission on May 12, 1993)...........
3(c)       Certificate of the powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 9% Cumulative Convertible
            Preferred Stock of  Alpine (incorporated  herein by  reference to  Exhibit 1  to the  Quarterly
            Report on Form 10-Q of Alpine for the quarter ended January 31, 1989)..........................
3(d)       Certificate of the Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 9% Cumulative Convertible
            Senior  Preferred Stock  of Alpine  (incorporated herein  by reference  to Exhibit  3(c) to the
            Annual Report on Form 10-K of Alpine for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1992 ("1992 10-K"))...
3(e)       Certificate of  the  Powers,  Designations,  Preferences  and  Rights  of  the  8.5%  Cumulative
            Convertible  Senior Preferred Stock of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(e)
            to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Alpine for the Fiscal year ended April 30, 1994)..........
3(f)       Certificate of the Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 8% Cumulative Convertible
            Senior Preferred Stock of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(f) to  the
            1995 10-K).....................................................................................
3(g)       By-laws of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(g) to the 1995 10-K)...........
3(h)*      Certificate of Incorporation of Adience.........................................................
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                              DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- ---------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<S>        <C>                                                                                               <C>
3(i)*      By-laws of Adience..............................................................................
3(j)*      Articles of Incorporation of Superior Telecommunications Inc....................................
3(k)*      By-laws of Superior Telecommunications Inc., as amended.........................................
4(a)       [intentionally omitted].........................................................................
4(b)       [intentionally omitted].........................................................................
4(c)       [intentionally omitted].........................................................................
4(d)       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(e)       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(f)       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(g)       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, Inc.).....
4(h)       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(i)       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,  under
            which  Old Notes are issued, and New Notes  will be issued (incorporated herein by reference to
            Exhibit 10(ee) to the 1995 10-K)...............................................................
4(j)*      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...............................................
4(k)*      Form of Old Note................................................................................
4(l)*      Form of New Note................................................................................
4(m)**     Form  of letter  of transmittal to  be used by  tendering holders  of Old Notes  in the Exchange
            Offer..........................................................................................
5**        Opinion of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP re: validity of securities.....................
8**        Opinion of Proskauer Rose  Goetz & Mendelsohn  LLP re: certain  federal income tax  consequences
            (contained in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)......................................................
10(a)      Amended  and Restated 1984 Restricted Stock Plan  of Alpine (incorporated herein by reference to
            Exhibit 10.5 to Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-9978) of Alpine, as filed with the Commission  on
            October 5, 1993 (the "S-4 Registration Statement"))............................................
10(b)      Amended  and Restated  1987 Long Term  Equity Incentive  Plan of Alpine  (incorporated herein by
            reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the S-4 Registration Statement)...................................
10(c)      Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 14, 1992, by and between Alpine and  Dataproducts
            Corporation,  relating to  the purchase of  shares of  capital stock of  DNE Technologies, Inc.
            ("DNE") (incorporated herein by  reference to Exhibit 1  to the Current Report  on Form 8-K  of
            Alpine dated March 2, 1992 (the "March 1992 8-K")).............................................
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                              DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- ---------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<S>        <C>                                                                                               <C>
10(d)      Loan  Agreement, dated as  of February 13,  1992, by and  among Alpine, DNE  and the Connecticut
            Development Authority (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the March 1992 8-K)....
10(e)      [intentionally omitted].........................................................................
10(f)      [intentionally omitted].........................................................................
10(g)      Development Agreement between Connecticut Innovations Incorporated and Alpine/ PolyVision, Inc.,
            dated as of December 9, 1992 (incorporated herein  by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the  Annual
            Report on Form 10-K of Alpine for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1993 (the "1993 10-K"))......
10(h)      Loan  Agreement between Connecticut Development Authority  and Alpine/PolyVision, Inc., dated as
            of December 9, 1992 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) to the 1993 10-K)......
10(i)      [intentionally omitted].........................................................................
10(j)      Lease Agreement  by and  between ALP(TX)  QRS  11-28, Inc.,  and Superior  TeleTec  Transmission
            Products,  Inc., dated as of December 16, 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)
            to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Alpine for the Quarter ended January 31, 1994).........
10(k)      Amended and Restated Debt  Exchange Agreement, dated  as of October 11,  1994, among Alpine  and
            certain  debtholders  of  Adience  as  listed  therein  (as  amended  through  April  14, 1995)
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the 1995 10-K)...........................
10(l)      Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 10, 1995, by and among Alpine, Superior TeleTec,  Inc.,
            Superior  Cable  Corporation and  Nomura International  Trust  Company (incorporated  herein by
            reference to Exhibit 3 to Alpine's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 1995)..............
10(m)      Letter Agreement,  dated  May  24,  1995  by  and  between  Alpine  and  PolyVision  Corporation
            ("PolyVision")  relating to $5,000,000  credit commitment (incorporated  herein by reference to
            Exhibit 10(m) to the 1995 10-K)................................................................
10(n)      Letter Agreement,  dated  May  24, 1995,  by  and  between Alpine  and  PolyVision  relating  to
            $2,500,000  credit commitment (incorporated  herein by reference  to Exhibit 10(n)  to the 1995
            10-K)..........................................................................................
10(o)      First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of May 10, 1995, by and between ALP (TX) QRS 11-28,
            Inc. and Superior Teletec Inc. (incorporated herein  by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to the  1995
            10-K)..........................................................................................
10(p)      Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as  of  July  14, 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
            10(p) to the 1995 10-K)........................................................................
10(q)      Employment Agreement, dated as of September 8, 1993, by and between Alpine and Steven S.  Elbaum
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to the 1995 10-K)...........................
10(r)      Amendment  to Employment  Agreement, dated as  of September 8,  1993, by and  between Alpine and
            Steven S. Elbaum (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(r) to the 1995 10-K)..........
10(s)      Employment Agreement, dated as of  September 8, 1993, by and  between Alpine and Bragi F.  Schut
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(s) to the 1995 10-K)...........................
10(t)      Amendment  to Employment  Agreement, dated as  of September 8,  1993, by and  between Alpine and
            Bragi F. Schut (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to the 1995 10-K)............
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                              DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- ---------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -----
<S>        <C>                                                                                               <C>
10(u)      Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1993, by and between Alpine and David S. Aldridge
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to the 1995 10-K)...........................
10(v)      Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1993,  by and between Alpine and James R.  Kanely
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to the 1995 10-K)...........................
10(w)      Employment  Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1993, by and between Alpine and Justin F. Deedy,
            Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to the 1995 10-K).......................
10(x)      Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1995, by and between ALP(TX) ORS H-28,
            Inc. and Superior Telecommunications Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(x) to
            the 1995 10-K).................................................................................
10(y)      New Credit Agreement -- Loan and Security Agreement,  dated as of July 21, 1995, by and  between
            Alpine,   Shawmut  Capital  Corporation,  Nationsbank   of  Georgia,  N.A.,  and  Creditanstalt
            Corporation Finance,  Inc. (incorporated  herein by  reference  to Exhibit  10(y) to  the  1995
            10-K)..........................................................................................
10(z)      Amendment  to Employment  Agreement, dated as  of November 10,  1993, by and  between Alpine and
            Justin F. Deedy, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the 1995 10-K)......
10(aa)     Amendment to Employment  Agreement, dated as  of November 10,  1993, by and  between Alpine  and
            David S. Aldridge (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) to the 1995 10-K)........
10(bb)     Amendment dated as of June 30, 1995, to Amended and Restated Debt Exchange Agreement dated as of
            October  11,  1994,  among  Alpine  and  certain  debtholders  of  Adience  as  listed  therein
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(bb) to the 1995 10-K)..........................
10(cc)     Amendment to the Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10, 1993, by and between Alpine  and
            James R. Kanely (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(cc) to the 1995 10-K)..........
10(dd)     Pledge  Agreement,  dated  as  of July  21,  1995,  by  and between  Alpine  and  Marine Midland
            (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(dd) to the 1995 10-K)..........................
12**       Statement re computation of ratios..............................................................
21         List of Subsidiaries (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 21 to the 1995 10-K)..........
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(a)*     Alpine Power of Attorney........................................................................
24(b)**    Superior Cable Corporation Power of Attorney (at page II-8).....................................
24(c)**    Superior Telecommunications Inc. Power of Attorney (at page II-9)...............................
24(d)**    Adience, Inc. Power of Attorney (at page II-10).................................................
25*        Statement of eligibility of trustee.............................................................
27         Financial data schedule (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 27 to the 1995 10-K).......
<FN>
- ------------------------
 * Previously filed
** Filed herewith
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                                       FOR
                          12-1/4% SENIOR SECURED NOTES
                                       OF
                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                                 EXCHANGE OFFER
                                  IN RESPECT OF
                  ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 12-1/4% SENIOR SECURED
                                 NOTES DUE 2003
                                       FOR
                 12-1/4% SERIES B SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2003

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

                 PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED ____ __, 1995

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME.  ON ______ __,
1995 UNLESS THE EXCHANGE IS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE").  TENDERS OF OLD
NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR
TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    TO:  MARINE MIDLAND BANK, EXCHANGE AGENT


By Mail:                    By Facsimile:          By Hand or Overnight Courier:

Marine Midland Bank         (212) 658-2292            Marine Midland Bank
140 Broadway - A Level                                140 Broadway - A Level
Corporate Trust Operations  Confirm by Telephone:     Corporate Trust Operations
New York, NY  10005-1180                              New York, NY 10005-1180

                             (212) 658-5931

     DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION VIA
TELEGRAM, TELEX OR FACSIMILE, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE
A VALID DELIVERY.  THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY
BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

          HOLDERS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE NEW NOTES FOR THEIR OLD
NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT WITHDRAW)
THEIR OLD NOTES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.

          By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the
Prospectus (the "Prospectus"), dated ____ __, 1995, of The Alpine Group, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the

<PAGE>

"Company"), which, together with this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions
hereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), constitute the Company's offer (the
"Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its 12-1/4% Senior B
Senior Secured Notes due 2003 (the "New Notes") that have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a
Registration Statement of which the Prospectus constitutes a part, for each
$1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 12-1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2003
(the "Old Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus.

          This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by Holders if:  (i)
certificates representing Old Notes are to be physically delivered to the
Exchange Agent herewith by Holders; (ii) tender of Old Notes is to be made by
book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" by any financial institution that
is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a security position listing as
the owner of Old Notes (such participants, acting on behalf of Holders, are
referred to herein, together with such Holders, as "Acting Holders"); or (iii)
tender of Old Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures". DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY
TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

          The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person:
(i) in whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any
other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the
registered Holder; or (ii) whose Old Notes are held of record by DTC who desires
to deliver such Old Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.

          The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect
to the Exchange Offer.  Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes must complete
this letter in its entirety.

          All capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have
the meaning ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

          The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be
followed.  Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the
Prospectus, this latter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may
be directed to the Exchange Agent.  See Instruction 8 herein.

          HOLDERS WHO WISH TO ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR OLD
NOTES MUST COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.


                                        2

<PAGE>

     List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates.  If
the space provided below is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and
principal amounts on a separately executed schedule and affix the schedule to
this Letter of Transmittal.  Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in
principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Certificate        Aggregate
                                              Number(s)*        Principal
                                              (Attached          Amount
                                                signed         Tendered (if
  Name(s) and Address(es) of Holder(s)          list if           less
       (Please fill in, if blank)             necessary)        than all)**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD NOTES TENDERED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    *     Need not be completed by Holders tendering by book-entry transfer.

   **     Need not be completed by Holders who wish to tender with respect to
          all Old Notes listed.  See Instruction 2.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                        3

<PAGE>


/ /    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY DTC TO THE
       EXCHANGE AGENT'S ACCOUNT AT DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

       Name of Tendering Institution: __________________________________________

       DTC Book-Entry Account No.: _____________________________________________

       Transaction Code No.: ___________________________________________________

If Holders desire to tender Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (i)
certificates representing such Old Notes are not lost but are not immediately
available, (ii) time will not permit this Letter of Transmittal, certificates
representing such Old Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange
Agent prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) the procedures for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed prior to the Expiration Date, such Holders may
effect a tender of such Old Notes in accordance with the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures."

/ /    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE
       OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
       COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

       Name(s) of Holder(s) of Old Notes: ______________________________________

       Window Ticket No. (if any):______________________________________________

       Date of Execution of
       Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: __________________________________________

       Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:

       _________________________________________________________________________

       If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer:
       Name of Tendering Institution: __________________________________________

       DTC Book-Entry Account No.: _____________________________________________

       Transaction Code No.: ___________________________________________________

/ /    CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
       COPIES OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
       THERETO.

       Name:____________________________________________________________________

       Address:  _______________________________________________________________



                                        4

<PAGE>

Gentlemen:

     Subject to the terms of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders
to the Company the principal amount of Old Notes indicated above.  Subject to
and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal amount of Old
Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned
sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right,
title and interest in and to the Old Notes tendered hereby.  The undersigned
hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent its agent and
attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the
agent of the Company and as Trustee under the Indenture for the Old Notes and
the New Notes) with respect to the tendered Old Notes with full power of
substitution to (i) deliver certificates for such Old Notes to the Company, or
transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by DTC,
together in either such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and
authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company and (ii) present such Old
Notes for transfer on the books of the Company and receive all benefits and
otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.  The power of attorney granted
in this paragraph shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he has full power and
authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby and
that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and
clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to
any adverse claim, when the same are acquired by the Company.  The undersigned
also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in reliance upon an
interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that the
New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be offered for sale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof
(other than any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided
that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders'
business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes.  If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer,
the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to
engage in, a distribution of the New Notes.

   
     The undersigned represents that (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of such holder's
business, (ii) such holder has no arrangements with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes and (iii) such holder is not a "affiliate,"
as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of the Company or, if such
holder is an affiliate, that such holder will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes.
If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result of market-
making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it has
no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the
New Notes and that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale
of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus,
the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Securities Act.

    
                                        5

<PAGE>

     The undersigned will upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered
hereby.

     For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Company has given oral
or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.  If any tendered Old Notes are
not accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason,
certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned (except as noted
below with respect to tenders through DTC), without expense, to the undersigned
at the address shown below or at a different address shown below or at a
different address as may be indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions" as
promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.

     All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and every obligation under this Letter of Transmittal shall be
binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns.

     The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

     Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions," please
issue the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old
Notes accepted for exchange and return any Old Notes not tendered or not
exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned (or in either such event in the
case of Old Notes tendered by DTC, by credit to the account at DTC).  Similarly,
unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please send
the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes
accepted for exchange and any certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not
exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the
address shown below the undersigned's signatures, unless, in either event,
tender is being made through DTC.  In the event that both "Special Issuance
Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue
the certificates representing the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes
accepted for exchange and return any Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged in
the name(s) of, and send said certificates to, the person(s) so indicated.  The
undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the
"Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer
any Old Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company
does not accept for exchange any of the Old Notes so tendered.


                                        6


<PAGE>

                                PLEASE SIGN HERE

                  (To Be Completed by All Tendering Holders of
         Old Notes Regardless of Whether Old Notes Are Being Physically
                               Delivered Herewith)

      This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the Holder(s) of Old Notes
exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for Old Notes or, if
tendered by a participant in DTC, exactly as such participant's name appears on
a security position listing as the owner of Old Notes, or by person(s)
authorized to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and documents
transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal.  If signature is by a trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his
or her full title below under "Capacity" and submit evidence satisfactory to the
Company of such person's authority to so act.  See Instruction 3 herein.

      If the signature appearing below is not of the registered Holder(s) of the
Old Notes, then the registered Holder(s) must sign a valid proxy.

 X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

   SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

 Name(s):    . . . . . . . . . . . . .    Address:    . . . . . . . . . . . . .

             . . . . . . . . . . . . .              . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                 (PLEASE PRINT)                            (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

 Capacity    . . . . . . . . . . . . .    Area Code and Telephone No.:   . . .

 Social Security No.:  . . . . . . . .

                   PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN

                  SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (See Instruction 3 herein)
        Certain Signatures Must Be Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
             (Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
    (Address (including zip code) and Telephone Number (including area code)
                                    of Firm)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                             (Authorized Signature)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                 (Printed Name)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                     (Title)

                                        7

<PAGE>


                          SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTION 4 HEREIN)

To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not
tendered are to be issued in the name of, or the New Notes issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offer are to be issued to the order of, someone other than the
person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal
or issued to an address different from that shown in the box entitled
"Description of Old Notes" within this Letter of Transmittal, or if Old Notes
tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for purchase are to be
credited to an account maintained at DTC.


Name:      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

Address:   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                        ZIP CODE

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
                        (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)



                          SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTION 4 HEREIN)

To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not
tendered or not accepted for purchase or the New Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are to be sent to someone other than the person or persons whose
signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal or to an address
different from that shown in the box entitled "Description of Old Notes" within
this Letter of Transmittal.




Name:      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

Address:   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                        ZIP CODE

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
                        (SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)

                                        8

<PAGE>

                                  INSTRUCTIONS

                    FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                   OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE SOLICITATION

     1.   DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OLD NOTES.  The
certificates for the tendered Old Notes (or a confirmation of a book-entry
transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of all Old Notes delivered
electronically), as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this
Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof and any other documents required by
this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its
address set forth herein prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.  The method of delivery of the tendered Old Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the
election and risk of the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below, the
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received the Exchange Agent.
Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an overnight
or hand delivery service.  In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to
assure timely delivery.  No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to
the Company.

     Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes am not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent prior
to the Expiration Date must tender their Old Notes and follow the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus.  Pursuant to such procedures:
(i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) prior
to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
(by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and
address of the Holder of the Old Notes, the certificate number or numbers of
such Old Notes and the principal amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the
tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five business days
after the Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof)
together with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes (or a confirmation
of electronic delivery of book-entry delivery into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC) and any the required documents will be deposited by the Eligible
Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) such properly completed and
executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof), as well as all other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal and the certificate(s)
representing all tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer (or a
confirmation of electronic mail delivery of book-entry delivery into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC), must be received by the Exchange Agent within
five business days after the Expiration Date, all as provided in the Prospectus
under the caption, "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."  Any
Holder of Old Notes who wishes to tender his Old Notes pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange
Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 P.M., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.

     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and
binding.  The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old
Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes the Company's acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful.  The Company also
reserves the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to
particular Old Notes.  The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions
of the Exchange Offer (including the

                                        9

<PAGE>

instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be  and binding on all parties.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old
Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine.  Neither
the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to
give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old
Notes, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such
notification.  Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to have been made until
such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.  Any Old Notes
received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which
the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned
without cost by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders of Old Notes, unless
otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable
following the Expiration Date.

     2.   PARTIAL TENDERS.  Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted in all
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples in excess thereof.  If less than
the entire principal amount of any Old Notes is tendered, the tendering Holder
should fill in the principal amount tendered in the third column of the chart
entitled "Description of Old Notes." The entire principal amount of Old Notes
delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated.  If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is not
tendered, Old Notes for the principal amount of the Old Notes delivered to the
Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is not tendered, Old Notes for
the principal amount of the Old Notes not tendered and a certificate or
certificates representing New Notes issued in exchange of any Old Notes accepted
will be sent to the Holder at his registered address, unless a different address
is provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal or unless
tender is made through DTC, promptly after the Old Notes are accepted for
exchange.

     3.   SIGNATURES ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS;
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is
signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the
signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Old
Notes without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

     If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the
registered Holder(s) of Old Notes tendered and the certificate(s) for New Notes
issued in exchange therefor is to be issued (or any untendered principal amount
of Old Notes is to be reissued) to the registered Holder, such Holder need not
and should not endorse any tendered Old Note, nor provide a separate bond power.
In any other case, such holder must either properly endorse the Old Notes
tendered or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this Letter
of Transmittal, with the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution.

     If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person
other than the registered Holder(s) of any Old Notes listed, such Old Notes must
be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers signed as the name of the
registered Holder(s) appears on the Old Notes.

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

                                       10

<PAGE>

     Endorsements on Old Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this
Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

     Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Old Notes tendered pursuant
thereto are tendered (i) by a registered Holder (including any participant in
DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Old Notes)
who has not completed the box set forth herein entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or (ii) for
the account of an Eligible Institution.

     4.   SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.  Tendering Holders should
indicate, in the applicable spaces, the name and address to which New Notes or
substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for
exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the
person signing this Letter of Transmittal (or in the case of tender of the Old
Notes through DTC, if different from DTC).  In the case of issuance in a
different name, the taxpayer identification or social security number of the
person named must also be indicated.

     5.   TRANSFER TAXES.  The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  If,
however, certificates representing New Notes or Old Notes for principal amounts
not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be
registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder
of the Old Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the
name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or
if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other person) will be payable
by the tendering Holder.  If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount
of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering Holder.

     Except as provided in this Instruction 5, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.

     6.   WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.  The Company reserves the absolute right to
amend, waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of
any Old Notes tendered.

     7.   MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OLD NOTES.  Any tendering Holder
whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact
the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instruction.

     8.   REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.  Questions and requests
for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this
Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address
specified in the Prospectus.  Holders may also contact their broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the
Exchange Offer.


                          (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)

                                       11

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate Surrendered         Old Notes Tendered           Old Notes Accepted
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivery Prepared by ___________________  Checked by ___________________  Date
__________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       12

<PAGE>

                            IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

     Under federal income tax laws, a Holder whose tendered Old Notes are
accepted for payment is required to provide the Exchange Agent (as payer) with
such Holder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a
basis for exemption from backup withholding.  If such Holder is an individual,
the TIN is his social security number.  If the Exchange Agent is not provided
with the correct TIN, a $50 penalty may be imposed by the Internal Revenue
Service, and payments made with respect to New Notes may be subject to backup
withholding.

     Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements.  Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute
Form W-9.  A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to
the Exchange Agent a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status.  A
Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent.

     If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
20% of any payments made to the Holder or other payee.  Backup withholding is
not an additional federal income tax.  Rather, the federal income tax liability
of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld.  If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.

PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

     To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to the Exchange
Offer, the Holder is required to provide the Exchange Agent with either: (i) the
Holder's correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying that the TIN
provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a
TIN and that (A) the Holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that the Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure
to report all interest or dividends or (B) the Internal Revenue Service has
notified the Holder that the Holder is no longer subject to backup withholding;
or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption.

WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT

     The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (E.G., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered Holder of
the Old Notes.  If the Old Notes are held in more than one name or are held not
in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for
additional guidance on which number to report.

                                       13

<PAGE>

                     PAYER'S NAME:  ________________________


 SUBSTITUTE         Part 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR    __________________________
 FORM  W-9          TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND        Social Security Number
                    CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING
                    BELOW                           OR_________________________
                                                        Employer Identification
                                                                Number

 Department of the    PART 2 -- Certification -- Under         PART 3--
 Treasury             Penalties of Perjury, I certify that:
 Internal Revenue                                              Awaiting TIN / /
 Service              (1)  The number shown on this form is
                           my correct Taxpayer Identification
                           Number (or I am waiting for a number
 Payer's Request           to be issued to me) and
 for Taxpayer
 Identification
 Number (TIN)         (2)  I am not subject to backup
                           withholding either because I have
                           not been notified by the Internal
                           Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am
                           subject to backup withholding as
                           a result of failure to report all
                           interest or dividends, or the IRS
                           has notified me that I am no
                           longer subject to backup
                           withholding.

                   Certificate instructions -- You must cross out item
                   (2) in Part 2 above if you have been notified by the
                   IRS that you are subject to backup withholding
                   because of underreporting interest or dividends on
                   your tax return.  However, if after being notified by
                   the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding
                   you received another notification from the IRS
                   stating that you are no longer subject to backup
                   withholding, do not cross out item (2).


                   SIGNATURE ______________________________  DATE _____________


NOTE:     FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN
          BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO HOLDERS OF
          NEW NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.  PLEASE REVIEW THE
          ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
          IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL
          DETAILS.

           YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED
                    THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.


             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

     I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or
(b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future.  I understand
that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 31
percent of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until
I provide a number.

                                       14

<PAGE>

______________________________________________             ____________________
               Signature                                            Date



                  The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:


                              MARINE MIDLAND BANK



By Mail:                      By Facsimile:       By Hand or Overnight Courier:

Marine Midland Bank          (212) 658-2292           Marine Midland Bank
140 Broadway - A Level                                140 Broadway - A Level
Corporate Trust Operations   Confirm by Telephone:
New York, NY  10005-1180                              Corporate Trust Operations
                             (212) 658-5931           New York, NY  10005-1180


                                       15


<PAGE>








                                     October 2, 1995

The Alpine Group, Inc.
1790 Broadway
New York, New York 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          You have requested our opinion in connection with
the filing by The Alpine Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Alpine"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration Statement
No. 33-61911) (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") with respect
to $153,000,000 principal amount of Alpine's 12-1/4% Series
B Senior Secured Notes due 2003 (the "New Notes").  The
Registration Statement relates to the offer (the "Exchange
Offer") by Alpine to exchange the New Notes for $153,000,000
principal amount of Alpine's outstanding 12-1/4% Senior
Secured Notes due 2003 (the "Old Notes").

          We have examined such records, documents and other
instruments as we have deemed relevant and necessary as a
basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth.  We have also
assumed without investigation the authenticity of any
document submitted to us as an original, the conformity to
originals of any document submitted to us as a copy, the
authenticity of the originals of such latter documents, the
genuineness of all signatures and the legal capacity of
natural persons signed such documents.

          Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

          (i)  The New Notes, when duly executed by Alpine,
authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the terms of the
related Indenture and exchanged for the Old Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, will be
duly authorized and legally issued and will constitute
binding obligations of Alpine entitled to the benefits of
the Indenture in accordance with their terms, subject as to
their binding nature to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,

<PAGE>

The Alpine Group, Inc.
October 2, 1995
Page 2


fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies
generally and subject to general principles of equity,
including principles of commercial reasonableness, good
faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is
sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

          (ii)  The statements made in the Prospectus
contained in the Registration Statement under the caption,
"Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," fairly
present the material United States federal income tax
consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of the New
Notes and contain in all material respects an accurate
description of the United States federal income tax
provisions discussed therein.

          The foregoing opinions relate only to matters of
the internal law of the State of New York and to the general
corporate law of the State of Delaware and to matters of
Federal law and do not purport to express any opinion on the
laws of any other jurisdiction.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the
references to our firm under the captions, "Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "Legal Matters," in the
Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.  In so
doing, we do not admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                              Very truly yours,

                              /s/ Proskauer Rose Goetz
                                   & Mendelsohn LLP

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12

                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     YEARS ENDED APRIL 30
                                                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                            1991       1992       1993       1994       1995
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Income (Loss) from continuing
 operations before tax..................................................     (5,346)    (5,791)    (2,456)    (4,827)      (828)

Add:
  One third of rents....................................................        113        151        118        161        452
  Interest expense......................................................      3,026      3,127      2,301      2,363      8,197
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted income.........................................................     (2,207)    (2,513)       (37)    (2,303)     7,821

Fixed charges
  One third of rents....................................................        113        151        118        161        452
  Interest expense......................................................      3,026      3,127      2,301      2,363      8,197
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                              3,139      3,278      2,419      2,524      8,649

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................................        n.a        n.a        n.a        n.a        n.a

<CAPTION>
                                                                              THREE MONTHS
                                                                             ENDED JULY 31,
                                                                          --------------------
                                                                            1994       1995
                                                                          ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
Income (Loss) from continuing
 operations before tax..................................................        957      1,504
Add:
  One third of rents....................................................         34         76
  Interest expense......................................................        998      7,108
                                                                          ---------  ---------
Adjusted income.........................................................      1,989      8,688
Fixed charges
  One third of rents....................................................         34         76
  Interest expense......................................................        998      7,108
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                              1,534      7,923
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................................       1.30       1.10
</TABLE>

For purposes of computing these ratios, "earnings" consist of income from
continuing operations before income taxes,
one-third of rents (deemed by the Company to be representative of the interest
factor), and interest expense.
"Fixed charges" consist of one-third of rents and interest expense.

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(A)

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference  in this registration statement  on Form S-4 of  our report dated June
16, 1995 included in The Alpine Group, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended April
30, 1995  and  to all  references  to our  Firm  included in  this  registration
statement.

                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

New York, New York
October 2, 1995


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