ALUMINUM CO OF AMERICA
424B5, 1994-02-03
PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM
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<PAGE>
                                                                  Rule 424(b)(5)
                                                       Registration No. 33-49997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                    (To Prospectus dated February 1, 1994)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 $250,000,000
                          Aluminum Company of America
                             5 3/4% Notes Due 2001
Interest Payable February 1 and August 1                   Due February 1, 2001
                                  -----------
 
 The Notes are not subject to redemption by the Company prior to maturity. The
   Notes are not convertible or exchangeable into any other security of the
                                   Company.
 
 The Notes will be represented by one  or more Global Notes registered in the
   name of the nominee  of The Depository Trust Company,  which will act as
     Depositary. Interests in Global Notes will be evidenced only by, and
      transfers   thereof  will  be   effected  only  through,   records
        maintained by  the Depositary and its  participants. Except as
          described in the Prospectus, owners of beneficial interest
            in a Global  Note will  not be  considered the  Holders
             thereof  and   will  not  be  entitled   to  receive
               physical delivery  of Notes in  definitive form.
                 See  "Certain   Terms  of   Notes--Book-Entry
                  System".
                                  -----------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE  SECU-
    RITIES AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE SECURITIES  COM- MISSION
     PASSED  UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
        OR THE  PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION TO  THE CONTRARY  IS A
        CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Price to         Underwriting         Proceeds
                                                Public (1)          Discount      to Company (1)(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                <C>                <C>
Per Note                                         99.601%             .625%             98.976%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                          $249,002,500        $1,562,500        $247,440,000
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from February 8, 1994.
(2) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company estimated at $250,000.
                                  -----------
 
  The Notes are offered by the several Underwriters when, as and if issued by
the Company, delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters, and subject to
their right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery
of the Notes will be made in book-entry form only through the facilities of
The Depository Trust Company on or about February 8, 1994.
 
CS First Boston
                             Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                                Lehman Brothers
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          The date of this Prospectus Supplement is February 1, 1994.
<PAGE>
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES OFFERED
HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                        SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following summary of recent financial information is unaudited; however,
in the opinion of management of the Company, such unaudited information
includes all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for such
periods.
 
  The summary information should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and financial statement schedules of the Company incorporated herein
by reference.
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED   YEAR
                                                    DECEMBER 31, 1993    1993
                                                    ------------------ --------
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>
Sales and operating revenues.......................      $2,310.8      $9,055.9
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses..........       1,877.0       7,187.0
Other (income) expenses............................         507.1       1,677.8
Income (loss) from operations before taxes.........         (73.3)        191.1
Income taxes (credits).............................         (27.2)        (10.3)
Income (loss) from operations......................         (46.1)        201.4
Less: Minority interests' share....................         (40.8)       (196.6)
Net income (loss)..................................         (86.9)          4.8
Per common share...................................         (1.00)          .03
Cash dividends paid per common share...............           .40          1.60
Total assets.......................................            --      11,596.9
Long-term debt (excluding current portion).........            --       1,432.5
Shareholders equity................................            --       3,583.8
Debt as a percent of invested capital..............            --          22.4%
Aluminum shipments (000 metric tons)...............           695         2,580
</TABLE>
 
OPERATING RESULTS
(dollars in millions)
 
  For the fourth quarter of 1993, Alcoa had a loss of $16.7, or 20 cents per
common share, before charges of $70.2. The charges included $59.4 for severance
costs associated with permanent reductions of hourly-paid and salaried
employees, mainly in the Company's U.S. aluminum operations. The remaining
$10.8 of the charge was associated with closing several activities, including
the manufacture of aluminum rod at the Company's Rockdale, Texas plant.
 
  For the year, Alcoa earned $79.3, or 88 cents per share, before charges of
$74.5. The charges included $87.2 for severance costs, $11.9 related to new
three-year labor agreements covering hourly employees at U.S. aluminum
operations and $10.8 for restructuring costs. These charges were partially
offset by credits of $26.3 due to a change in the Australian tax rate from 39%
to 33% and $9.1 due to the change in the U.S. tax rate. The latter credit
related to Alcoa's deferred tax assets in the U.S.
 
  Total aluminum product shipments of 2.6 million metric tons were 8% lower
than those in 1992. Most of the decline came from a decrease in shipments of
aluminum ingot, which fell 18% from cutbacks in capacity by the Company due to
lower demand and the oversupply of ingot on world markets.
 
  Prices for most products continued to deteriorate during 1993, particularly
for aluminum sheet for beverage cans and for primary ingot. The Company has
aggressively pursued cost reductions, but the decline in costs has not kept
pace with the decline in prices.
 
  Improved earnings from Alcoa of Australia and Alcoa Aluminio in Brazil
compared with 1992 helped Alcoa remain profitable in 1993. Alcoa's share of
earnings in 1993 from the respective companies was $160 and $29.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
OTHER
 
  On December 1, 1993, Alcoa was served with a subpoena from the Antitrust
Division of the U.S. Department of Justice to produce documents to a Federal
grand jury in Philadelphia. The Company believes the Government is
investigating pricing practices in the market for used beverage cans. The
Company and its subsidiary, Alcoa Recycling Company, Inc., are complying with
the provisions of the subpoena.
 
                    USE OF PROCEEDS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
  The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used to redeem $225
million aggregate principal amount of its deep discount 7% Debentures Due 2011
and for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 1993, total long and short
term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries was $1,845.8 million.
 
  The Company's expenditures for properties, plants and equipment were $757
million in 1993.
 
  The Company anticipates that it will finance its 1994 expenditures and
investments from internally generated funds together, if needed, with the
proceeds of bank borrowings, the sale of debt and equity securities or all of
them. The amount and timing of such additional financings cannot be determined
at this time.
 
                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
  The ratios of the Company's earnings to fixed charges for the years ended
December 31, 1989 through 1993 are 8.24, 4.25, 2.28, 2.17 and 2.18. The ratios
include all earnings, before extraordinary items and the cumulative effects of
accounting changes, and fixed charges of the Company and its majority owned
subsidiaries plus the Company's proportionate share of earnings of 50% owned
entities. Earnings have been calculated by adding to net income the provision
for taxes on income, amortization of capitalized interest, interest expense and
an amount representative of the interest factor in rentals, and have been
decreased by the undistributed earnings of entities less than 50% owned,
preferred stock dividend requirements of majority owned subsidiaries and the
minority interest share in the losses of majority owned subsidiaries without
fixed charges of the Company. Fixed charges consist of total interest expense,
amortization of debt expense, an amount representative of the interest factor
in rentals, interest capitalized and preferred stock dividend requirements of
majority owned subsidiaries.
 
                           CERTAIN TERMS OF THE NOTES
 
  The following description of the terms of the Notes offered hereby
supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the statements under
"Description of Debt Securities" in the Prospectus.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Notes will be limited to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount, will
bear interest from February 8, 1994, at the rate of interest stated on the
cover page hereof and will mature on February 1, 2001. Interest will be payable
semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 to the persons in whose names the
Notes are registered at the close of business on the January 15 or July 15, as
the case may be, next preceding such interest payment date.
 
  The Notes are not subject to redemption by the Company prior to maturity or
to the provisions of any optional or mandatory sinking fund. The Notes are not
convertible or exchangeable into any other security of the Company.
 
  The Indenture sets forth the conditions under which the Company may enter
into a merger or consolidation, or convey, transfer or lease all or
substantially all of its assets or properties (see "Description of Debt
Securities--Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" in the Prospectus), but
the covenants contained therein and the Notes will not afford Holders
protection in the event of a sudden decline in credit rating that may result
from a recapitalization, restructuring or other highly leveraged transaction.
 
STATUS
 
  The Notes will rank pari passu with other unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company.
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
  The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global
Notes (collectively, the "Global Note") which will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as Depositary, and
registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee.
 
  So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the
Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or Holder of the Notes, represented by the Global
Note, for the purposes of receiving payment on the Notes, receiving notices and
for all other purposes under the Indenture and the Notes. Interests in the
Global Note will be evidenced only by, and transfers thereof will be effected
only through, records maintained by the Depositary and its participants. Except
as provided in the Prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in the Global
Note will not be entitled to have Notes registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Notes in definitive form
and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the
Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the Global
Note must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person
owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder under the Indenture. The
Company understands that under existing industry practices, in the event that
the Company requests any action of Holders or that an owner of a beneficial
interest in the Global Note desires to give or take any action which a Holder
is entitled to give or take under the Indenture, the Depositary would authorize
the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such
action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through
such participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon
instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. For a further
description of the depositary arrangement with respect to the Global Note, see
"Description of Debt Securities--Book-Entry Securities" in the Prospectus.
 
  The Depositary has advised the Company that the Depositary is a limited-
purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
Depositary was created to hold the securities of its participants and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its
participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of securities certificates. The Depositary's participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Underwriters), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom
(and/or their representatives) own the Depositary. Access to the Depositary's
book-entry system is also 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.
 
DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS
 
  The Company may omit to comply with the covenants described under
"Description of Debt Securities--Certain Limitations" and the covenant
described under "Description of Debt Securities-- Consolidation, Merger and
Sale of Assets" in the Prospectus if the conditions set forth under
"Description of Debt Securities--Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" in the
Prospectus are satisfied.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
  The Underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase from the
Company the following respective principal amounts of the Notes:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PRINCIPAL
                                                                    AMOUNT OF
    UNDERWRITER                                                       NOTES
    -----------                                                    ------------
<S>                                                                <C>
CS First Boston Corporation....................................... $ 83,400,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co...............................................   83,300,000
Lehman Brothers Inc...............................................   83,300,000
                                                                   ------------
    Total......................................................... $250,000,000
                                                                   ============
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
  The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the Underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the Notes if any are purchased.
 
  The Company has been advised by CS First Boston Corporation, as
Representative of the Underwriters, that the Underwriters propose to offer the
Notes to the public initially at the offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus Supplement and, through the Representative, to certain
dealers at such price less a concession of .375% of the principal amount of the
Notes; that the Underwriters and such dealers may allow a discount of .25% of
such principal amount on sales to other dealers; and, after the initial public
offering, the public offering price and concession and discount to dealers may
be changed by the Representative.
 
  The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
 
                             VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
 
  The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Denis A.
Demblowski, Esq., Managing General Attorney and Assistant Secretary of the
Company, and for the Underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10004, who will rely as to all matters of Pennsylvania law upon
the opinion of Denis A. Demblowski, Esq. Mr. Demblowski is a participant in the
stock option plan and various other employee benefit plans offered to employees
of the Company.
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  PROSPECTUS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 $450,000,000
                          Aluminum Company of America
                                Debt Securities
                     Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities
                                Preferred Stock
                               and Common Stock
                                 ------------
 
  Aluminum Company of America (the "Company") may offer from time to time,
either jointly or separately, up to an aggregate initial offering price of not
more than $450,000,000 (or, if applicable, the equivalent thereof in other
currencies) of its unsecured debt securities consisting of notes, debentures
or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities") and warrants to
purchase Debt Securities (the "Warrants"); Class B Serial Preferred Stock
("Preferred Stock") in one or more Series; and shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock (collectively, the
"Securities"). The Debt Securities, Warrants and Preferred Stock may be
offered independently or together in any combination for sale directly to
purchasers or through dealers, underwriters or agents designated. Shares of
Common Stock may be offered only in connection with Debt Securities or
Preferred Stock which are, pursuant to the terms thereof, convertible to
shares of Common Stock. The Securities will be offered to the public on terms
determined by market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in a
Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements.
 
  The specific designation, aggregate principal amount, purchase price,
maturity, rate (or method of calculation thereof) and time of payment of
interest, if any, any conversion or exchange provisions, any redemption
provisions and any other specific terms not set forth herein of the Debt
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the
"Offered Debt Securities"); a description of the Debt Securities for which
each Warrant is exercisable and the offering price, if any, the exercise
price, duration and any other specific terms not set forth herein of the
Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the "Offered
Warrants"); the specific title, number of shares, rate (or method of
calculation) and time of payments of dividend, liquidation preferences, any
conversion or exchange provisions and any other specific terms of the
Preferred Stock in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the
"Offered Preferred Stock"); any listing on a securities exchange of the
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered; and the
names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, and the other terms and manner
of the sale and distribution of such Securities, are set forth in the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See "Description of Debt Securities",
"Description of Warrants", "Description of Preferred Stock" and "Plan of
Distribution".
 
  For a discussion of certain United States federal income tax consequences to
holders of Securities and certain limitations on the issuance thereof, see
"United States Taxation" and "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities."
                                 ------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS  THE COMMIS-
  SION OR  ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADE-
   QUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIM-
    INAL OFFENSE.
                                 ------------
 
  This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
                                 ------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is February 1, 1994.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files
reports and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the
Commission: Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511; and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New
York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Such
material can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. This Prospectus does not contain all
information set forth in the Registration Statement and Exhibits thereto which
the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act") and to which reference is hereby made.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company (File No. 1-
3610) are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and made a part hereof:
 
  1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
  December 31, 1992.
 
  2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters
  ended March 31, 1993, June 30, 1993 and September 30, 1993.
 
  3. The Company's Report on Form 8-K dated April 27, 1993.
 
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering of the Debt Securities, Warrants and
Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus. Any statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of
which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a
copy of any and all of the foregoing documents incorporated by reference
herein, other than the exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests should be
directed to: Office of the Treasurer, Aluminum Company of America, 425 Sixth
Avenue, Alcoa Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1850. Telephone requests
should be directed to (412) 553-3043.
                                 ------------
 
  Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement are stated in United States dollars ("$", "dollars",
"U.S. dollars" or "U.S.$").
 
                          ALUMINUM COMPANY OF AMERICA
 
  Alcoa has been a leading producer of aluminum products since its formation in
1888. It is the world's largest producer of aluminum products, which are used
primarily by packaging, transportation, building and industrial customers
worldwide. Alcoa's operations consist of three segments: Alumina and Chemicals,
Aluminum Processing, and Non-Aluminum Products.
 
  The Alumina and Chemicals segment includes the production and sale of
bauxite, alumina and alumina-based chemicals, and related transportation
services.
 
  The Aluminum Processing segment includes the production and sale of molten
metal, ingot, and aluminum products that are flat-rolled, engineered or
finished. Also included are power, transportation and other services.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  The Non-Aluminum Products segment includes the production and sale of
electrical, ceramic, plastic, vinyl, and composite materials products,
manufacturing equipment, gold, magnesium, and steel and titanium forgings.
 
  In this Prospectus, except as otherwise provided or as the context otherwise
requires, "Alcoa" or the "Company" means Aluminum Company of America and all
subsidiaries consolidated for the purposes of the financial statements. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 425 Sixth Avenue, Alcoa
Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1850, and its telephone number is
(412) 553-4545.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be used for general corporate
purposes.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture (the "Indenture"),
dated as of September 30, 1993, between the Company and PNC Bank, National
Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), a copy of which Indenture is filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
The statements under this caption are brief summaries of certain provisions of
the Indenture, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the
Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever
particular Sections of the Indenture are referred to herein or in a Prospectus
Supplement, it is intended that such Sections shall be incorporated by
reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
 
  The term "Securities," as used under this caption, refers to all Securities
issued under the Indenture and includes the Debt Securities.
 
  The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series.
The particular terms of each series of Debt Securities offered by any
Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements will be described in such
Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements relating to such series.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Indenture will not limit the aggregate amount of Securities which may be
issued thereunder and Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in
separate series up to the aggregate amount from time to time authorized by the
Company for each series. The Securities will be unsecured obligations of the
Company and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Company.
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements relating to
the Offered Debt Securities will describe the following terms of the Offered
Debt Securities: (1) the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (2) any limit on
the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (3) whether the
Offered Debt Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities or Bearer
Securities or both, whether any of the Offered Debt Securities are to be
issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any of the Offered
Securities are to be issuable in permanent global form; (4) the price or prices
(expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which
the Offered Debt Securities will be issued; (5) the date or dates on which the
Offered Debt Securities will mature; (6) the rate or rates per annum at which
the Offered Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the formula pursuant
to which such rate or rates shall be determined, and the date from which any
such interest will accrue; (7) the Interest Payment Dates on which any such
interest on the Offered Debt Securities will be payable, the Regular Record
Date for any interest payable on any Offered Debt Securities which are
Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date and the extent to which, or
the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an
Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner described under
"Temporary Global Securities" below; (8) the person to whom any interest on any
Registered Security of the series will be payable if other than the person in
whose name such Registered Security is registered at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest as described under "Payment and
Paying Agents" below, and the manner in which any interest on any Bearer
Security will be paid if other than in the manner described under "Payment and
Paying Agents" below; (9) any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous
provisions; (10) each office or agency where,
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
subject to the terms of the Indenture as described below under "Payment and
Paying Agents", the principal of and any premium and interest on the Offered
Debt Securities will be payable and each office or agency where, subject to the
terms of the Indenture as described below under "Form, Exchange, Registration
and Transfer", the Offered Debt Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer or exchange; (11) the date, if any, after which and the price or
prices at which the Offered Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional or
mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and the
other detailed terms and provisions of any such optional or mandatory
redemption provisions; (12) the denominations in which any Offered Debt
Securities which are Registered Securities will be issuable, if other than
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the denomination
or denominations in which any Offered Debt Securities which are Bearer
Securities will be issuable, if other than the denomination of $5,000; (13) the
currency, currencies or currency units of payment of principal of and any
premium and interest on the Offered Debt Securities and the manner of
determining the U.S. dollar equivalent thereof for purposes of determining
Outstanding Securities of such series; (14) any index used to determine the
amount of payments of principal of and any premium and interest on the Offered
Debt Securities; (15) the portion of the principal amount of the Offered Debt
Securities if other than the principal amount thereof, payable upon
acceleration of maturity thereof; (16) if other than the Trustee, the Person
who shall be the Security Registrar of Offered Debt Securities; (17) if
applicable, that the Offered Debt Securities shall be subject to defeasance or
covenant defeasance as described under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance";
(18) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of the
series are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock of the Company;
(19) if and as applicable, that the Offered Debt Securities of the series shall
be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry
Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Book-
Entry Security or Book-Entry Securities and any circumstances other than those
set forth in the Indenture in which any such Book-Entry Security may be
transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Offered Debt Securities
registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Book-
Entry Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be
registered; and (20) any other terms of the Offered Debt Securities not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 301) Any such
Prospectus Supplement will also describe any special provisions for the payment
of additional amounts with respect to the Offered Debt Securities.
 
  Debt Securities may be issued at a substantial discount below their stated
principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations
applicable to Debt Securities issued at discount and to Debt Securities which
are denominated in a currency other than United States dollars are described
under "United States Taxation of Debt Securities--United States Holders".
 
  Debt Securities may also be issued under the Indenture upon the exercise of
Warrants issued by the Company. See "Description of Warrants". United States
federal income tax consequences applicable to any Offered Warrants will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
  Securities of a series may be issuable in definitive form solely as
Registered Securities, solely as Bearer Securities or as both Registered
Securities and Bearer Securities. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, definitive Bearer Securities will have interest coupons
attached. (Section 201) The Indenture also will provide that Securities of a
series may be issuable in temporary and permanent global form. (Section 201)
See "Permanent Global Securities."
 
  In connection with its sale during the restricted period (as defined under
"Limitations on Issues of Bearer Securities"), no Bearer Security (including a
Security in permanent global form) shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to
any location in the United States or its possessions. No Bearer Security other
than a temporary global Bearer Security may be delivered, nor may interest be
paid on any Bearer Security unless the Person entitled to receive such Bearer
Security or such interest furnishes written certification, in the form required
by the Indenture, to the effect that such person (i) is not a United States
person (as defined below under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities"),
(ii) is a foreign branch of a United States financial institution purchasing
for its own account or for resale, or is a United States person who acquired
the Debt Security through such a financial institution and who holds the Debt
Security through such financial institution on the date of certification,
provided in either case that such financial institution provides a certificate
to the
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Company or the distributor selling the Debt Security to it stating that it
agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the United
States Treasury Regulations thereunder, or (iii) is a financial institution
holding for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in
United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)). A financial
institution described in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence (whether or not
also described in clause (i) or (ii)) must certify that it has not acquired the
Debt Security for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States
person or to a person within the United States or its possessions. In the case
of a Bearer Security in permanent global form, such certification must be given
in connection with notation of a beneficial owner's interest therein. (Section
303) See "Temporary Global Securities" and "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer
Securities."
 
  Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Registered
Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and
tenor of different authorized denominations. In addition, if Securities of any
series are issuable as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities, at the
option of the Holder upon request confirmed in writing, and subject to the
terms of the Indenture, Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons, except
as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of such series will be
exchangeable into Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer
Securities surrendered in exchange for Registered Securities between a Regular
Record Date or a Special Record Date and the relevant date for payment of
interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for
payment of interest and interest will not be payable in respect of the
Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be
payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture. Bearer Securities will not be issued in exchange for
Registered Securities. (Section 305) Each Bearer Security other than a
temporary global Bearer Security will bear a legend substantially to the
following effect: "Any United States Person who holds this obligation will be
subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the
limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code."
 
  Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and Registered
Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed, if so required by the Company or the
Trustee or any transfer agent), at the office of the Security Registrar or at
the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose
with respect to any series of Securities and referred to in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and
other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. Such transfer or
exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent,
as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of
the person making the request. (Section 305) If a Prospectus Supplement refers
to any transfer agents (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially
designated by the Company with respect to any series of Securities, the Company
may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a
change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that,
if Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the
Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment
for such series and, if Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer
Securities, the Company will be required to maintain (in addition to the
Security Registrar) a transfer agent in a Place of Payment for such series
located outside the United States. The Company may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Securities. (Section
1002)
 
  In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during
a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
(A) if Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the
day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if Securities of
the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication
of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Securities of the series are also
issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of
the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Registered Security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the
unredeemed portion of any Registered Security being redeemed in part; or (iii)
exchange any Bearer Security called for redemption, except to exchange such
Bearer Security for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor which
is immediately surrendered for redemption. (Section 305)
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of
principal of and any premium and interest on Bearer Securities will be payable,
subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of such Paying
Agents outside the United States as the Company may designate from time to time
by check or by transfer, at the option of the Holder, to an account maintained
by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. Unless otherwise
indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on Bearer
Securities on any Interest Payment Date will be made only against surrender
outside the United States, to the Paying Agent, of the coupon relating to such
Interest Payment Date. (Section 1001) No payment with respect to any Bearer
Security will be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United
States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to
an account maintained with a bank located in the United States. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, payments of principal of and any premium and interest on Bearer
Securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be made at the office
of the Company's Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount thereof in U.S. dollars at
all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively
precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions. (Section 1002)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of
principal of and any premium and interest on Registered Securities will be made
at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may
designate from time to time, except that at the option of the Company, payment
of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register. Unless
otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any
instalment of interest on Registered Securities will be made to the Person in
whose name such Registered Security is registered at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 307)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will be
designated as a Paying Agent for the Company for payments with respect to Debt
Securities which are issuable solely as Registered Securities and the Company
will maintain a Paying Agent outside of the United States for payments with
respect to Debt Securities (subject to the limitations described above in the
case of Bearer Securities) which are issuable solely as Bearer Securities or as
both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities. Any Paying Agents outside the
United States and any other Paying Agents in the United States initially
designated by the Company for the Debt Securities will be named in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except
that, if Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered Securities,
the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of
Payment for such series and, if Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer
Securities, the Company will be required to maintain (i) a Paying Agent in the
Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for payments with respect to any
Registered Securities of the series (and for payments with respect to Bearer
Securities of the series in the circumstances described above, but not
otherwise), and (ii) a Paying Agent in a Place of Payment located outside the
United States where Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining
thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided that if the
Securities of such series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United
Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any
other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange
shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London or
Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States, as the
case may be, for the Securities of such series. (Section 1002)
 
  All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of principal
of and any premium or interest on any Security which remain unclaimed at the
end of two years after such principal, premium or interest shall have become
due and payable will be repaid to the Company and the Holder of such Security
or any coupon will thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(Section 1003)
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES
 
  The Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
Registered Securities that will be registered in the name of the Depositary or
its nominee and bearing a legend as specified in the Indenture ("Book-Entry
Security"). Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
a Book-Entry Security may not be registered for transfer or exchange to any
Person other than the Depositary or its nominee unless (i) the Depositary
notifies the Company that it is unwilling to continue as Depositary or ceases
to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company
executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order that such Book-Entry
Security shall be so exchangeable and the transfer thereof so registrable, or
(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, or an
event which after notice or lapse of time, or both, would be an Event of
Default, with respect to the Securities evidenced by such Book-Entry Security.
Upon the occurrence in respect of any Book-Entry Security of any series of any
one or more of the conditions specified in clauses (i) , (ii) or (iii) of the
preceding sentence or such other conditions as may be specified as contemplated
by the Indenture for such series, such Book-Entry Security may be exchanged for
Securities of such series registered in the names of, and the transfer of such
Book-Entry Security may be registered to, such Persons (including Persons other
than the Depositary with respect to such series and its nominees) as such
Depositary shall direct.
 
  The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of Registered Book-Entry Securities to be represented by a Book-
Entry Security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
Company expects that the following provisions will apply to depositary
arrangements.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
Securities which are to be represented by a Book-Entry Security to be deposited
with or on behalf of a Depositary will be represented by a Book-Entry Security
registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of
such Book-Entry Security, and the deposit of such Book-Entry Security with or
on behalf of the Depositary for such Book-Entry Security, the Depositary will
credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of the Securities represented by such Book-Entry Security to
the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary or its
nominee ("participants"). The accounts to be credited will be designated by the
underwriters or agents of such Securities or by the Company if such Securities
are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests
in such Book-Entry Security will be limited to participants or Persons that may
hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests by
participants in such Book-Entry Security will be shown on, and the transfer of
that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by
the Depositary or its nominee for such Book-Entry Security. Ownership of
beneficial interests in such Book-Entry Security by Persons that hold through
participants will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest
within such participant will be effected only through, records maintained by
such participant. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
certificated form. The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Book-Entry Securities.
 
  So long as the Depositary for a Book-Entry Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Book-Entry Security, such Depositary or such nominee,
as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the
Securities represented by such Book-Entry Security for all purposes under the
Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
owners of beneficial interests in such Book-Entry Security will not be entitled
to have Securities of the series represented by such Book-Entry Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of Securities of such series in certificated form and will not be
considered the Holders thereof for any purposes under the Indenture. (Sections
204 and 305) Accordingly, each Person owning a beneficial interest in such
Book-Entry Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such
Person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which
such Person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder under the
Indenture. The Indenture provides that the Depositary may grant proxies and
otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a
Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture. (Section 104) The
Company understands that under existing industry practices, if the Company
requests any action of Holders, or an
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
owner of a beneficial interest in such Book-Entry Security desires to give any
notice or take any action a Holder is entitled to give or take under the
Indenture, the Depositary would authorize the participants to give such notice
or take such action, and participants would authorize beneficial owners owning
through such participants to give such notice or take such action or would
otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
  If so specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, all or any portion of
the Securities of a series which are issuable as Bearer Securities will
initially be represented by one or more temporary global Securities, without
interest coupons, to be deposited with a common depositary in London for the
Euro-clear System ("Euro-clear") and CEDEL S.A. ("CEDEL") for credit to the
designated accounts. On and after the date determined as provided in any such
temporary global Security and described in an applicable Prospectus Supplement,
each such temporary global Security will be exchanged for an interest in a
permanent global Bearer Security as specified in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, but, unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, only upon receipt of written certification from Euro-clear or
CEDEL, as the case may be, in the form and to the effect required by the
Indenture (a "Depositary Tax Certification") and upon receipt of written
certification by Euro-clear or CEDEL from the person entitled to receive such
Securities in the form and to the effect described under "Form, Exchange,
Registration and Transfer." No definitive Bearer Security (including a Security
in permanent global form that is either a Bearer Security or exchangeable for
Bearer Securities) delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary or
permanent global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any
location in the United States in connection with such exchange. (Section 304)
 
  Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, interest
in respect of any portion of a temporary global Security payable in respect of
an Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the issuance of securities in
permanent global form will be paid to each of Euro-clear and CEDEL with respect
to the portion of the temporary global Security held for its account following
the receipt by the Company or its agent of a Depositary Tax Certification. Each
of Euro-clear and CEDEL will undertake in such circumstances to credit such
interest received by it in respect of a temporary global Security to the
respective accounts for which it holds such temporary global Security only upon
receipt in each case of certification in the form and to the effect described
under "Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer" with respect to the portion
of such temporary global Security on which such interest is to be so credited.
Receipt of the certification described in the preceding sentence by Euro-clear
or CEDEL, as the case may be, shall constitute irrevocable instructions to
Euro-clear or CEDEL to exchange such portion of the temporary global Security
with respect to which such certification was received for an interest in a
permanent global security.
 
PERMANENT GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
  If any Securities of a series are issuable in permanent global form, the
applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the circumstances, if any, under
which beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may
exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and
principal amount in any authorized form and denomination. No Bearer Security
delivered in exchange for a portion of a permanent global Security shall be
mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States in
connection with such exchange. (Section 305) A Person having a beneficial
interest in a permanent global Security will, except with respect to payment of
principal of and any premium and interest on such permanent global Security, be
treated as a Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities
represented by such permanent global Security as shall be specified in a
written statement of the Holder of such permanent global Security or, in the
case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, of the operator of Euro-
clear or CEDEL which is produced to the Trustee by such Person. (Section 203)
Principal of and any premium and interest on a permanent global Security will
be payable in the manner described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
CERTAIN LIMITATIONS
 
  Liens. The Company covenants in the Indenture that it will not create, incur,
assume or guarantee, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to create,
incur, assume or guarantee, any indebtedness for borrowed money ("Debt")
secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge, charge or similar encumbrance
("mortgages") upon any Principal Property of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or upon any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary without equally and ratably securing the Debt Securities. The
foregoing restriction, however, will not apply to (a) mortgages on property,
shares of stock or indebtedness of any corporation existing at the time such
corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; (b) mortgages on property existing
at the time of acquisition of such property by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary or mortgages to secure the payment of all or any part of the
purchase price of such property upon the acquisition or to secure any Debt
incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition of
such property for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase
price thereof, or mortgages to secure the cost of improvements to such acquired
property; (c) mortgages to secure Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary to the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; (d) mortgages existing at the date of
the Indenture; (e) mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time
such corporation is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease, or other disposition of
the properties of a corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety
to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (f) certain mortgages in favor of
governmental entities; or (g) extensions, renewals or replacements of any
mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (f). (Section 1009)
 
  Notwithstanding the restrictions outlined in the preceding paragraph, the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to create, incur, assume
or guarantee any Debt secured by a mortgage without equally and ratably
securing the Debt Securities, provided that after giving effect thereto, the
aggregate amount of all debt so secured by mortgages (not including mortgages
permitted under clauses (a) through (g) above) does not exceed 10% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1009)
 
  Sale and Leaseback Arrangements. The Company covenants that it will not, nor
will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with
any person that provides for the leasing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of Principal Property (other than any such transaction involving a
lease for a term of not more than three years or any such transaction between
the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries)
which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary to such person, unless either (a) the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to create, incur, assume or guarantee
Debt secured by a mortgage on such Principal Property at least equal in amount
to the Attributable Debt with respect to such arrangement, without equally and
ratably securing the Debt Securities, pursuant to the limitation in the
Indenture on liens, or (b) the Company shall apply an amount equal to the
greater of the net proceeds of such sale or the Attributable Debt with respect
to such arrangement to the retirement of Debt that matures more than twelve
months after the creation of such Debt. (Section 1010)
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  The term "Affiliate" of any specified Person shall mean any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control," when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
 
  The term "Attributable Debt" when used in connection with a sale and lease-
back transaction referred to above shall mean, at the time of determination,
the lesser of (a) the fair value of such property (as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company) or (b) the present value (discounted at the annual
rate of 9%, compounded semi-annually) of the obligation of the lessee for net
rental payments during the remaining term of the lease (including any period
for which such lease has been extended).
 
  The term "Bearer Security" means any Security established pursuant to the
Indenture which is payable to bearer.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  The term "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
 
  The term "Book-Entry Security" means a Registered Security bearing the legend
specified in Section 204 of the Indenture, evidencing all or part of a series
of Securities, issued to the Depository for such series or its nominee, and
registered in the name of such Depository or nominee. Book-Entry Securities
shall not be deemed to be securities in global form for purposes of Sections
201 and 203 and Article Three of the Indenture.
 
  The term "Common Stock" includes any stock of any class of the Company which
has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of
any voluntary of involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company. However, subject
to the provisions of Section 1511 of the Indenture, shares issuable on
conversion of Securities shall include only shares of the class designated as
Common Stock of the Company at the date of this instrument or shares of any
class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications
thereof and which have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts
payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up of the Company and which are not subject to redemption by the
Company; provided that if at any time there shall be more than one such
resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be
substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of each such
class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of
shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.
 
  The term "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer,
an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and delivered
to the Trustee.
 
  The term "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at which at any particular time its corporate trust
business shall be administered.
 
  The term "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean, as of any particular
time, the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other
properly deductible items) adjusted for inventories on the basis of cost
(before application of the "last-in first-out" method of determining cost) or
current market value, whichever is lower, and deducting therefrom (a) all
current liabilities except for (1) notes and loans payable, (2) current
maturities of long-term debt and (3) current maturities of obligations under
capital leases and(b) all goodwill, tradenames, trademarks, patents,
unamortized debt discount and expenses (to the extent included in said
aggregate amount of assets) and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the
most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
  The term "Defaulted Interest" shall mean any interest on any Registered
Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly
provided for on any Interest Payment Date.
 
  The term "Depository" means, with respect to the Securities of any series
issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Book-Entry
Securities, the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act specified for
that purpose as contemplated by Section 301 of the Indenture.
 
  The term "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, and any statute successor thereto.
 
  The term "Holder," when used with respect to any Security, means in the case
of a Registered Security the Person in whose name the Security is registered in
the Security Register and in the case of a Bearer Security the bearer thereof
and, when used with respect to any coupon, means the bearer thereof.
 
  The term "Indenture" mean the indenture as originally executed or as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof,
including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental
indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern the indenture, and any such supplemental indenture,
respectively. The term "Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular
series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301 therein.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
  The term "Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any Security,
means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
 
  The term "Maturity," when used with respect to any Security, means the date
on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes
due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity
or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
 
  The term "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Company and shall be acceptable to the Trustee.
 
  The term "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides
for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon
a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502
of the Indenture.
 
  The term "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of
the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered under the Indenture, except:
 
    (1) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
  Trustee for cancellation;
 
    (2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
  amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
  in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the
  Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such
  Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided that, if such
  Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly
  given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the
  Trustee has been made;
 
    (3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to
  Section 1302 of the Indenture (See also "Defeasance and Covenant
  Defeasance" section herein); and
 
    (4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 of the
  Indenture or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been
  authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture, other than any such
  Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the
  Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona
  fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the
  Company; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the
  requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any
  request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
  hereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of
  Securities (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security
  that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal
  thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination
  upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section
  502 of the Indenture, (B) the principal amount of a Security denominated in
  one or more foreign currencies or currency units shall be the Dollar
  equivalent, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section
  301 of the Indenture on the date of original issuance of such Security, of
  the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount
  Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such
  Security of the amount determined as provided in Clause (A) above), of such
  Security, and (C), Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor
  upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other
  obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that,
  in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any
  such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver,
  or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only
  Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded
  as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
  Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and
  that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the
  Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
 
  The term "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the
Company.
 
  The term "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
  The term "Place of Payment," when used with respect to the Securities of any
series, means the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section
1002 of the Indenture, the principal of and any premium and interest on the
Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section
301 of the Indenture.
 
  The term "Principal Property" shall mean any manufacturing plant or
manufacturing facility which is (i) owned by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary and (ii) located within the continental United States of America,
except any such plant which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is not
of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
  The term "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the
Indenture.
 
  The term "Registered Security" means any Security established pursuant to the
Indenture which is registered in the Security Register.
 
  The term "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest
Payment Date on the Registered Securities of any series means the date
specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301 of the Indenture.
 
  The term "Restricted Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary substantially all
the property of which is located within the continental United States;
provided, however, that the term "Restricted Subsidiary" shall not include any
Subsidiary which is principally engaged in leasing or in financing receivables,
or which is principally engaged in financing the Company's operations outside
the continental United States, or which principally serves as a partner in a
partnership.
 
  The term "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" shall mean the Person
named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  The term "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on
the Registered Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 307 of the Indenture.
 
  The term "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the
fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of
principal or interest is due and payable.
 
  The term "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which at least a majority
of the outstanding stock having the voting power to elect a majority of the
board of directors of such corporation as at the time is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company or by one or more Subsidiaries, or by the Company
and one or more Subsidiaries.
 
  The term "Trading Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, other than any day on which the Common Stock is not traded on the NYSE
or, if the Common Stock is not traded on the NYSE on the principal exchange or
market on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted.
 
  The term "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in
force at the date as of which the Indenture was executed, provided, however,
that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date,
"Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
 
  The term "U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean (x) any security that is
(i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of
which full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii)
an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agent or
instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is
unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United
States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or
redeemable at
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a
bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended)
as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation specified in Clause
(x) and held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary
receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on
any such U.S. Government Obligation, provided that (except as required by law)
such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable
to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment
of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  Any one of the following events will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture with respect to Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay any
interest on any Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (b)
failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Security of that series when
due; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due in respect of any
Security of that series, continued for 30 days; (d) failure to perform any
other covenant of the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant included
in the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than
that series), continued for 90 days after written notice as provided in the
Indenture; (e) default resulting in acceleration of any indebtedness for money
borrowed by the Company under the terms of the instrument or instruments under
which such indebtedness is issued or secured if such acceleration is not
rescinded or annulled within 10 days after written notice as provided in the
Indenture (provided that, the resulting Event of Default under the Indenture
will be cured or waived if such other default is cured or waived); (f) certain
events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving the Company; and
(g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that
series. (Section 501)
 
  If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount
(or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities,
such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that
series) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of
any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money
has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. (Section 502)
 
  The Indenture will provide that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during
default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the
request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Sections 601 and 603) The Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Securities of that series. (Section 512)
 
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS
 
  The Securities of any series may be convertible into or exchangeable for
Common Stock of the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement. The right to convert Securities called for
redemption will terminate at the close of business on the Trading Day prior to
the Redemption Date. (Section 1501)
 
  The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in certain events,
including (a) the payment of dividends (and other distributions) payable in
Common Stock on any class of capital stock of the Company, (b) the issuance to
all holders of Common Stock of rights, options or warrants entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase Common Stock at a price per share less than the then
current market price (as defined) at the time of such issuance (provided that
the conversion price will be readjusted to the extent any such rights, options
or warrants are not exercised prior to the expiration thereof), (c)
subdivisions and combinations of
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock, (d) distributions to all holders of Common Stock of shares of any
class of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness of the Company or assets
(including securities, but excluding those dividends and distributions referred
to above, any rights, options and warrants, and any dividends or distributions
paid exclusively in cash), (e) distributions consisting exclusively of cash to
all holders of Common Stock in an aggregate amount that, together with (i)
other all-cash distributions made within the preceding 12 months to all holders
of Common Stock and (ii) any cash and the fair market value of other
consideration paid in respect of any tender offer by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for the Company's Common Stock concluded within the preceding 12
months, exceeds 12.5% of the Company's then current market capitalization
(being the product of the current market price per share (as defined) of the
Common Stock times the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding), (f)
the successful completion of a tender offer made by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for the Company's Common Stock which involves an aggregate
consideration that, together with (i) any cash and other consideration paid in
respect of any tender offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for the
Company's Common Stock expiring within the 12 months preceding the expiration
of such tender offer and (ii) the aggregate amount of any all-cash
distributions to all holders of the Company's Common Stock within the 12 months
preceding the expiration of such tender offer, exceeds 12.5% of the Company's
then current market capitalization (being the product of the then current
market price per share (as defined) of the Common Stock times the number of
shares of Common Stock then outstanding) at the expiration of such tender
offer, and (g) certain reclassifications. No adjustment of the conversion price
will be required unless an adjustment would require a cumulative increase or
decrease of at least 1% of such price; provided, however, that any adjustment
that would otherwise be required to be made shall be carried forward and taken
into account in a subsequent adjustment. No adjustment of the conversion price
will result in zero or in a negative number or will reduce the conversion price
below the then par value of the Common Stock (in which case the conversion
price would be reduced to such par value), unless the Common Stock has no par
value at such time (in which case the conversion price would be reduced to $.01
per share). (Section 1504)
 
  If the Company distributes any rights, options or warrants (other than those
referred to in clause (b) of the preceding paragraph) ("Rights") to all holders
of Common Stock, in lieu of a conversion price reduction, each holder who
converts after the record date for the distribution and prior to the expiration
or redemption of the Rights will be entitled to receive, in addition to the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, the same number of Rights
to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which the
principal amount of the security so converted was convertible would have been
entitled.
 
  In addition to the foregoing adjustments, the Company, at its option, will be
permitted to make such reductions in the conversion price as it considers to be
advisable (including such reductions in the conversion price as it considers
advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a
dividend of stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the holders of the
Common Stock). In case of certain consolidations or mergers to which the
Company is a party or the transfer of the property and the assets of the
Company substantially as an entirety, each Outstanding Security would, without
the consent of any Holder of the Securities, become convertible only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such Security might have been converted immediately
prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer (assuming such holder of
Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election and received per share
the kind and amount received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares).
(Section 1512)
 
  Fractional shares of Common Stock will not be issued upon conversion, but, in
lieu thereof, the Company will pay a cash adjustment based upon the market
price of the Common Stock. (Section 1503) Securities surrendered for conversion
during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next
preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest
Payment Date (except the securities of any series called for redemption during
such period) must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest
thereon which the registered Holder is to receive. In the case of any Security
which has been converted after any Regular Record Date but on or before the
next Interest Payment Date (except Securities of any series whose Maturity is
prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such
Interest Payment Date will be payable on such Interest Payment Date
notwithstanding
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
such conversion, and such interest shall be paid to the Holder of such Note on
such Regular Record Date. Except as described above, no interest on converted
Securities will be payable by the Company on any Interest Payment Date
subsequent to the date of conversion. No other payment or adjustment for
interest or dividends is to be made upon conversion. (Sections 1507 and 1502)
 
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with
respect to the Securities of a series, the Company, at its option, (i) will be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities of such
series (except for certain obligations to issue temporary Securities pending
preparation of definitive Securities, to register the transfer or exchange of
Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Securities of
such series, and to maintain paying agents and hold moneys for payment in
trust) or (ii) need not comply with the covenants that are set forth under
"Certain Limitations" and "Consolidations, Mergers and Sale of Assets," and the
occurrence of an event described under clause (d) of the "Events of Default"
with respect to any defeased covenant and Clauses (e) and (g) of the "Events of
Default" shall no longer be an Event of Default if, in each case, the Company
irrevocably deposits with the Trustee, in trust, money and/or U.S. Government
Obligations that through the scheduled payment of interest thereon and
principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay all the principal of (and premium, if any) and any
interest on the Securities of such series on the dates such payments are due
(which may include one or more redemption dates designated by the Company) in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Securities. Such a trust
may only be established if, among other things, (a) no Event of Default or
event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become
an Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing
on the date of such deposit, or with regard to any Event of Default or any such
event described under clause (f) of "Events of Default" shall have occurred and
be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91st day following
such date of deposit, and (b) the Company shall have delivered an Opinion of
Counsel based, in the event of a defeasance of the type described in clause (i)
above, upon a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or a change in
applicable Federal income tax law from the date of the Indenture to the effect
that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit or defeasance and will
be subject to Federal income tax in the same manner as if such defeasance had
not occurred. In the event the Company omits to comply with its remaining
obligations under the Indenture after a defeasance of the Indenture with
respect to the Securities of any series as described under clause (ii) above
and the Securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the
occurrence of any undefeased Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S.
Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee may be insufficient to pay
amounts due on the Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration
resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company will remain liable
in respect of such payments. (Article Thirteen)
 
MEETINGS, MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
  Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on any Security,
(b) reduce the principal amount of, or premium or interest on, any Security,
(c) change any obligation of the Company to pay additional amounts, (d) reduce
the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security payable upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (e) change the coin or currency in which
any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, (f) impair the
right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect
to any Security, (g) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, (h)
reduce the requirements contained in the Indenture for quorum or voting, (i)
change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the
places and for the purposes required by the Indenture, or (j) modify any of the
above provisions. (Section 902)
 
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
  The Holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Securities of a series may
waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the
Indenture. (Section 1012) The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series may, on behalf of
all Holders of Securities of that series and any coupons appertaining thereto,
waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to Securities of that
series, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of (or premium if any)
or any interest on any Security of such series, and (b) in respect of a
covenant or provision of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series
affected. (Section 513)
 
  The Indenture will provide that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder
or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i)
the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be
deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that
would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration
of the Maturity thereof, (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in
a foreign currency or currencies shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent,
determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal
amount of such Security (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount
Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original
issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (i) above),
and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall not be
deemed outstanding. (Section 101)
 
  The Indenture will contain provisions for convening meetings of the Holders
of Securities of a series if Securities of that series are issuable as Bearer
Securities. (Section 1401) A meeting may be called at any time by the Trustee,
and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, in any such case
upon notice given in accordance with "Notices" below. (Section 1402) To be
entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a
Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such
series, or (2) a person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy of a
Holder or Holders, including proxies given to beneficial owners of Book-Entry
Securities by the Depositary, or its nominee. (Section 1403) Except for any
consent which must be given by the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
thereby, as described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned
meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
that series; provided, however, that, except for any consent which must be
given by the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, as described
above, any resolution with respect to any consent or waiver which may be given
by the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting at
which a quorum is present only by the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; and provided, further,
that, except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby, as described above, any resolution with
respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a
specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of
Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned
meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of
the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any
meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with the
Indenture will be binding on all Holders of Securities of that series and the
related coupons. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at
any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series; provided, however,
that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or
waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the persons holding or
representing 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such
series will constitute a quorum. (Section 1404)
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
  The Company, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Outstanding
Securities under the Indenture, may consolidate or merge with or into, or
transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person which
is a corporation, partnership or trust organized and validly existing under the
laws of any domestic jurisdiction, or may permit any such Person to consolidate
with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, provided that any successor
Person assumes the Company's obligations on the Securities and under the
Indenture, that after giving effect to the transaction no Event of Default, and
no event which, after notice or lapse of time, would become an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and that certain other
conditions are met. (Section 801)
 
NOTICES
 
  Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, notices to Holders of Bearer
Securities will be given by publication at least twice in a daily newspaper in
the City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in
such Securities. Notices to Holders of Registered Securities will be given by
mail to the addresses of such Holders as they appear in the Security Register.
(Sections 101 and 106)
 
TITLE
 
  Title to any Bearer Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will pass
by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the
Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any
coupon and the registered owner of any Registered Security as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Security or coupon shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of making payment
and for all other purposes. (Section 308)
 
REPLACEMENT OF SECURITIES AND COUPONS
 
  Any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining
thereto will be replaced by the Company at the expense of the Holder upon
surrender of such Security to the Security Registrar. Securities or coupons
that become destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by the Company at the
expense of the Holder upon delivery to the Trustee of the Security and coupons
or evidence of the destruction, loss or theft thereof satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee; in the case of any coupon which becomes destroyed,
stolen or lost, such coupon will be replaced by issuance of a new Security in
exchange for the Security to which such coupon appertains. In the case of a
destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon, an indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee and the Company may be required at the expense of the Holder of such
Security or coupon before a replacement Security will be issued. (Section 306)
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture, the Securities and the coupons will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(Section 113)
 
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
 
  PNC Bank, National Association, Trustee under the Indenture, also is trustee
under various indentures covering certain other securities of the Company. The
Company and certain of its Subsidiaries maintain deposit accounts and conduct
other banking transactions, including borrowings in the ordinary course of
business, with PNC Bank, National Association.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
  The Company may issue, together with any Debt Securities offered by any
Prospectus Supplement or separately, Warrants for the purchase of other Debt
Securities. The Warrants are to be issued under Warrant Agreements (each a
"Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust
company, as Warrant Agent (the "Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular issue of Offered Warrants. A
copy of the form of Warrant Agreement, including the form of
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Warrant Certificates representing the Warrants (the "Warrant Certificates"),
reflecting the alternative provisions to be included in the Warrant Agreements
that will be entered into with respect to particular offerings of Warrants, is
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The following summaries of
certain provisions of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrant Certificates do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all the provisions of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrant
Certificates, respectively.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Offered Warrants,
the Warrant Agreement relating to the Offered Warrants and the Warrant
Certificates representing the Offered Warrants, including the following: (1)
the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt Securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Offered Warrants; (2) the designation and
terms of any related Debt Securities with which the Offered Warrants are issued
and the number of Offered Warrants issued with each such Debt Security; (3) the
date, if any, on and after which the Offered Warrants and the related Offered
Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (4) the principal amount of
Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of one Offered Warrant and the price
at which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such
exercise; (5) the date on which the right to exercise the Offered Warrants
shall commence and the date (the "Expiration Date") on which such right shall
expire; and (6) whether the Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificates
will be issued in registered or bearer form, and if registered, where they may
be transferred and registered.
 
  If the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Offered Warrants are
issuable in bearer form, such Offered Warrants shall not be offered nor
constitute an offer to, and Bearer Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of
such Offered Warrants shall not be issued to, United States persons other than
to offices outside the United States of certain United States financial
institutions. See "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities".
 
  Warrant Certificates will be exchangeable for new Warrant Certificates of
different denominations and Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust
office of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will
not have any of the rights of Holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon
such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities purchasable upon
such exercise.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles"),
authorize the issuance of two classes of preferred stock, Serial Preferred
Stock ("Class A Stock") and Class B Serial Preferred Stock ("Class B Stock").
As of the date of this Prospectus, there were 557,649 shares of Class A Stock
outstanding. No additional shares of Class A Stock may be issued. The Company
initiated an ongoing program to purchase and retire shares of Class A Stock in
1989.
 
  The following description of Class B Stock sets forth certain general terms
and provisions of the series of Class B Stock to which any Prospectus
Supplement may relate. The specific terms of a particular series of Class B
Stock will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of
the Offered Preferred Stock (Offered Preferred Stock, Offered Debt Securities
and Offered Warrants are collectively called "Offered Securities"). If so
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the terms of any such
series of Class B Stock may differ from the terms set forth below. The
description of Class B Stock set forth below and the description of the terms
of a particular series of Class B Stock set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the Company's Articles and the Statement with Respect
to Shares relating to such series of Class B Stock, which will be filed or
incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B Stock. As of
the date of this Prospectus, no shares of this class have been issued. The
Board of Directors has the authority to issue Class B Stock in one or more
series and to fix the specific number of shares, title, voting powers, if any,
(except as otherwise required by law), liquidation preference of each share,
issue price, dividend rate or rates (or method of calculation), dividend
periods, dividend payment dates, any redemption or sinking fund provisions,
and conversion provisions and any other specific terms of any series without
any further action by shareholders of the Company unless action is required by
applicable laws or regulations or by the terms of other outstanding preferred
stock.
 
  The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the following specific terms
regarding the series of Class B Stock offered thereby: (i) the designation,
number of shares and liquidation preference per share; (ii) the initial public
offering price; (iii) the dividend rate or rates, or the method of determining
the dividend rate or rates; (iv) the index, if any, upon which the amount of
dividends, if any, is determined; (v) the dates on which dividends, if any,
will accrue and be payable, that such dividends will be cumulative, and the
designated record dates for determining the holders entitled to such
dividends; (vi) any redemption or sinking fund provisions; (vii) any
conversion or exchange provisions; (viii) provisions for issuance of global
securities;(ix) the currency (which may be composite currency) in which
payment of dividends, if any, shall be payable if other than United States
dollars; (x) voting rights, if any, (except as otherwise required by law); and
(xi) any additional terms, preferences or rights and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof.
 
  The shares of Class B Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and
nonassessable and will have no preemptive rights.
 
  The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption
agent for the Class B Stock will be specified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
  The holders of the Class B Stock of each series will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of
funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash or other dividends at such
rate or rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. Such rates may be fixed or variable or
both. If variable, the formula used for determining the dividend rate for each
dividend period will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Dividends will
be payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the
Company on such record dates as will be fixed by the Board of Directors of the
Company and specified in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
  No dividends may be declared in respect of any dividend period on any series
of Class B stock, unless all accrued dividends and the current quarterly
dividend on Class A Stock shall have been paid in full or contemporaneously
are declared and set apart. In the event that full cumulative dividends on
shares of a series of Class B Stock have not been declared and paid or set
apart when due, dividends thereon shall be declared and paid pro rata to the
holders of such series entitled thereto. In the event that full cumulative
dividends on any class or series of the Company's preferred stock (including
dividends for the current quarter yearly dividend period for shares of Class A
Stock) have not been declared and paid or set apart when due, the Company may
not declare or pay any dividends on, or make other distributions on or make
payment on account of the purchase, redemption, or other retirement, of its
Common Stock.
 
  When dividends are not paid in full upon any series of Class B Stock, all
dividends declared or made upon shares of Class B Stock shall be declared pro
rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on Class B Stock shall
in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per
share on shares of each series of the Class B Stock. No interest shall be
payable in respect of any dividend payment which may be in arrears.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  The shares of any series of Class B Stock may be redeemable at the option of
the Company, on the date or dates and at the redemption price or prices set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
If fewer than all shares of Class B Stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be
redeemed shall be selected by the Company pro rata or by lot, or by any other
method determined by the Board of Directors to be equitable.
 
  Notice of redemption shall be given by mailing (or by some other means deemed
sufficient by the Board of Directors prior to issuance of each series of Class
B Stock) the same to each record holder of the shares to be redeemed, not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof,
to the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the
Company's stock books. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date;
(ii) the number of shares and series of the Class B Stock to be redeemed; (iii)
the redemption price and the manner in which such redemption price is to be
paid and delivered; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such shares
of Class B Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and
(v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such
redemption date. If fewer than all shares of any series of the Class B Stock
held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed, or otherwise
communicated, to such holder shall also specify the number of shares to be
redeemed from such holder.
 
  If notice of redemption has been given, from and after the redemption date
for the shares of the series of the Class B Stock called for redemption (unless
default shall be made by the Company in providing money for the payment of the
redemption price of the shares so called for redemption), dividends on the
shares of Class B Stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, any
right to convert the shares of Class B Stock will terminate, such shares will
no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders thereof as
shareholders of the Company (except the right to receive the redemption price)
will cease. Upon surrender in accordance with such notice of the certificates
representing any shares so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for
transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company; will so require and the
notice shall so state), the redemption price referred to above will be paid out
of funds provided by the Company. If fewer than all of the shares represented
by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate will be issued
representing the unredeemed shares without cost to the holder thereof.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders
of Class A Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company
available for distribution to shareholders before any distribution of assets is
made to or set apart for the holders of Class B Stock. The holders of shares of
each series of Class B Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of
the Company available for distribution to shareholders before any distribution
of assets is made to or set apart for the holders of Common Stock, with respect
to the Class B Stock, plus all dividends which have accrued on such series of
Class B Stock and have not been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
payment thereof set apart, an amount described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series of Class B Stock. If, in any case of any such
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the assets of the
Company or the proceeds thereof shall be insufficient to pay in full the
amounts payable with respect to shares of each series of Class B Stock, the
holders of shares of such series of Class B Stock will share ratably in any
such distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the full respective
preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment to the holders
of shares of such series of Class B Stock of the full preferential amounts to
which they are entitled, the holders of shares of such series of Class B Stock
will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets
by the Company, unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement. A
consolidation or merger of the Company with one or more corporations shall not
be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
 
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS
 
  The terms, if any, on which shares of any series of Class B Stock are
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms may include provisions for
conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at
the option of the Company, in which the number of shares of Common Stock to be
received by the holders of Class B Stock would be calculated according to the
market price of Common Stock as of a time stated in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Except as indicated below or in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of the Class B Stock, or except as expressly required by
applicable law, the holders of Class B Stock will not be entitled to vote.
 
  Pennsylvania law requires that holders of outstanding shares of a particular
class or series be entitled to vote as a class on an amendment to the Articles
that would (i) authorize the Board of Directors to fix and determine the
relative rights and preferences as between series of any preferred stock or
special class of stock; (ii) change the preferences, limitations or other
special rights of the shares of a class or series adverse to that class or
series; (iii) authorize a new class or series of shares having a preference as
to dividends or assets which is senior to shares of a particular class or
series; or (iv) increase the number of authorized shares of any particular
class or series having a preference as to dividends or assets which is senior
in any respect to the shares of such class or series.
 
  The Board of Directors, pursuant to the Company's Articles, may limit or
eliminate the voting rights applicable to any series of Class B Stock prior to
the issuance of such series, except as otherwise required by law. Any one or
more series of the Class B Stock may be issued with such additional voting
rights, exercisable only during certain extended periods of dividend
arrearages, as the Board of Directors may determine to be required to qualify
the series for listing on a recognized stock exchange. Such rights may only be
granted if there are no shares of Class A Stock outstanding.
 
  On matters on which holders of such series and holders of any other series of
Class B Stock are entitled to vote as a single class, each full share of any
series of the Class B Stock shall be entitled to one vote. Therefore, the
voting power of such series will depend on the number of shares in such series,
not the liquidation preference or initial offering price of the shares of such
series of the Class B Stock.
 
  So long as any shares of Class B Stock remain outstanding, the Company shall
not, without the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of
the affected series of Class B Stock outstanding at the time (voting separately
as a class with all other affected series of Class B Stock ranking on a parity
with the affected series of Class B Stock), (i) authorize, create or issue, or
increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of stock ranking prior
to the affected series of Class B Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; or
(ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Company's Articles, whether
by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect
any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the affected series of
Class B Stock or the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in
the amount of the authorized Common Stock or authorized Class B Stock or the
creation and issuance of other series of common stock or preferred stock
ranking on a parity with or junior to the affected series of Class B Stock as
to dividends and upon liquidation shall not be deemed to materially and
adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.
 
                  LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
 
  In compliance with United States federal tax laws and regulations, Bearer
Securities (including Securities in permanent global form) may not be offered,
sold, resold or delivered during the restricted period (as defined in United
States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)) within the United
States or to United States persons (each as defined below) other than to an
office of a United States financial institution located outside the United
States (as defined in Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the United States Treasury
Regulations) purchasing for its own account or for resale or for the account of
certain customers, that provides a certificate stating that it agrees to comply
with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Code and the
United States Treasury Regulations thereunder, or to certain other persons
described in Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(1)(iii)(B) of the United States
Treasury Regulations. Moreover, any distributor (as defined in Section 1.163-
5(c)(2)(i)(D)(4) of the United States Treasury Regulations) participating in
the offering or sale of Bearer Securities must covenant that it will not offer
or sell during the restricted period any Bearer Securities within the United
States or to United States persons (other than the persons described above), it
will not deliver in connection with the sale of Bearer Securities during the
restricted period any Bearer Securities within the United States and it has in
effect procedures reasonably designed to ensure that its employees and agents
who are directly engaged in selling the Bearer Securities are aware of the
restrictions
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
on offers and sales described above. No Bearer Security (other than a temporary
global Security) may be delivered, nor may interest be paid on any Bearer
Security (including a temporary global Security) until receipt by the Company,
or its agent, of (i) a Depositary Tax Certification (as defined under
"Description of Debt Securities--Temporary Global Securities") in the case of
temporary global Securities or (ii) a certification in the form described under
"Description of the Debt Securities--Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer"
in all other cases. Bearer Securities will bear a legend substantially to the
following effect: "Any United States person who holds this obligation will be
subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the
limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code".
 
  Purchasers of Bearer Securities may be affected by certain limitations under
United States tax laws. See "United States Taxation--Backup Withholding and
Information Reporting".
 
  As used herein, "United States person" means a citizen or resident of the
United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized
in or under the laws of the United States and an estate or trust the income of
which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its
source, and "United States" means the United States of America (including the
States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and
other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
 
                             UNITED STATES TAXATION
 
DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The following summary of the principal United States federal income tax
consequences of the ownership of the Debt Securities is based on the opinion of
Sullivan & Cromwell, special United States tax counsel to the Company. It deals
only with Debt Securities held as capital assets by initial purchasers, and not
with special classes of holders, such as dealers in securities or currencies,
life insurance companies, persons holding Debt Securities as a hedge or hedged
against currency risks or as part of a straddle, or persons whose functional
currency is not the U.S. dollar.
 
  The discussion of original issue discount is based in part on regulations
proposed, but not yet effective, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") (the "Proposed Regulations"). While the Proposed
Regulations are proposed to be effective for debt instruments issued sixty or
more days after final regulations are issued, the Proposed Regulations are
currently the best indication of the views of the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service") with respect to the federal income tax treatment of debt instruments
having original issue discount.
 
  Prospective purchasers of Debt Securities should consult their own tax
advisors concerning the extent to which the Proposed Regulations may be relied
upon before they become effective and the general consequences, in their
particular circumstances, under the Code and the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction of the ownership of Debt Securities.
 
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
 Payments of Interest
 
  Interest on a Debt Security, whether payable in U.S. dollars or a currency,
composite currency or basket of currencies other than U.S. dollars (a
"Specified Currency"), other than interest on a Discount Debt Security (as
defined below under "Original Issue Discount--General) that is not, under the
Code, "fixed periodic interest" or, under the Proposed Regulations, "qualified
stated interest" (each as defined below under "Original Issue Discount--
General"), will be taxable to a beneficial owner who or which is (i) a citizen
or resident of the United States, (ii) a domestic corporation or (iii)
otherwise subject to United States federal income taxation on a net income
basis in respect of the Debt Security (a "United States Holder") as ordinary
income at the time it is received or accrued, depending on the holder's method
of accounting for tax purposes.
 
  If an interest payment is denominated in or determined by reference to a
Specified Currency, the amount of income recognized by a cash basis United
States Holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the interest payment, based on
the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the
payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Accrual basis United States
Holders may determine the amount of income recognized with respect to such
interest payments in accordance with either of two methods.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
  Under the first method, the amount of income recognized will be based on the
average exchange rate in effect during the interest accrual period (or, with
respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, the partial period
within the taxable year). Upon receipt of an interest payment (including a
payment attributable to accrued but unpaid interest upon the sale or retirement
of a Debt Security) denominated in or determined by reference to a Specified
Currency, an accrual basis United States Holder will recognize ordinary income
or loss measured by the difference between such average exchange rate and the
exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the
payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Under the second method, an
accrual basis United States Holder may elect to translate interest income into
U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the accrual
period or, in the case of an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at
the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the partial period within the
taxable year. Additionally, if a payment of interest is actually received
within 5 business days of the last day of the accrual period or taxable year,
an electing accrual basis United States Holder may instead translate such
accrued interest into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the day of
actual receipt. Any such election will apply to all debt instruments held by
the United States Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which
the election applies or thereafter acquired by the United States Holder, and
will be irrevocable without the consent of the Service.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
  General. A Debt Security will be treated as issued at an original issue
discount (a "Discount Debt Security") if the excess of the Debt Security's
"stated redemption price at maturity" over its issue price equals or exceeds
1/4 of 1 percent of such Debt Security's stated redemption price at maturity
multiplied by the number of complete years to its maturity. Generally, the
issue price of a Debt Security will be the initial offering price to the public
at which a substantial amount of the Debt Securities are sold. Under the Code,
the "stated redemption price at maturity" of a Debt Security is the total of
all payments provided by the Debt Security other than payments of interest
based on a fixed rate payable at fixed periodic intervals of one year or less
during the entire term of the Debt Security ("fixed periodic interest"). Under
the Proposed Regulations, the "stated redemption price at maturity" of a Debt
Security is the total of all payments provided by the Debt Security that are
not payments of "qualified stated interest". Under the Proposed Regulations, a
"qualified stated interest" payment is generally any one of a series of stated
interest payments on a Debt Security that are unconditionally payable at least
annually at a single fixed rate applied to the outstanding principal amount of
the Debt Security and, for this purpose, interest is considered payable at a
fixed rate only if the rate appropriately takes into account the length of the
interval between stated interest payments. The Proposed Regulations provide
special rules for Variable Rate Debt Securities (see "Original Issue Discount--
Variable Rate Debt Securities").
 
  If the excess, if any, of a Debt Security's stated redemption price at
maturity over its issue price is not sufficient, under the rules described
above, to cause the Debt Security to be a Discount Debt Security, then such
excess, if any, constitutes "de minimis original issue discount". Under the
Proposed Regulations, unless the election described below under "Election to
Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount" is made, a United States Holder
of a Debt Security with de minimis original issue discount must include such de
minimis original issue discount in income as stated principal payments on the
Debt Security are made. The includible amount with respect to each such payment
will equal the product of the total amount of the Debt Security's de minimis
original issue discount and a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
the principal payment made and the denominator of which is the stated principal
amount of the Debt Security.
 
  The Code provides rules that require United States Holders of Discount Debt
Securities having a maturity of more than one year from their date of issue to
include original issue discount in income before the receipt of cash
attributable to such income. The amount of original issue discount includible
in income by a United States Holder of a Discount Debt Security is the sum of
the daily portions of original issue discount with respect to the Discount Debt
Security for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year in
which the United States Holder holds such Discount Debt Security ("accrued
original issue discount"). The daily portion is determined by allocating to
each day in any "accrual period" a pro rata portion of the original issue
discount allocable to that accrual period. Under the Code, until final or
temporary regulations become effective, an accrual period is any six-month
period (or shorter period from the issue date
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
of such Debt Security) which ends on a day in the calendar year corresponding
to the maturity date of the Debt Security or the date six months before such
date. The Proposed Regulations would allow the accrual periods with respect to
a Debt Security to be any set of periods (which may be of varying lengths)
selected by the United States Holder as long as (i) no accrual period is longer
than one year and (ii) each scheduled payment of interest or principal on the
Debt Security occurs at the end of an accrual period. The amount of original
issue discount allocable to an accrual period equals the excess of (a) the
product of the Discount Debt Security's adjusted issue price at the beginning
of the accrual period and such Debt Security's yield to maturity (determined on
the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly
adjusted for the length of the accrual period) over (b) the sum of the payments
of fixed periodic interest, if any, made on the Debt Security during (under the
Proposed Regulations, of qualified stated interest on the Debt Security
allocable to) the accrual period. Under the Code, the "adjusted issue price" of
a Discount Debt Security at the beginning of an accrual period is the issue
price of the Debt Security with the adjustments prescribed by the Code for all
periods before the first day of such accrual period (e.g., increased by the
amount of original issue discount allocable to prior accrual periods and
decreased by the amount of all payments in prior accrual periods which were not
fixed periodic interest payments). The Proposed Regulations provide that the
"adjusted issue price" of a Discount Debt Security at the beginning of any
accrual period is (x) the sum of the issue price of such Debt Security, the
accrued original issue discount for each prior accrual period, and the amount
of any qualified stated interest on such Debt Security that has accrued prior
to the beginning of the accrual period but is not payable until a later date,
less (y) any prior payments on the Debt Security that were not qualified stated
interest payments and clarify that, for purposes of determining the amount of
original issue discount allocable to an accrual period, if an interval between
payments of qualified stated interest on the Debt Security contains more than
one accrual period, then the amount of qualified stated interest payable at the
end of such interval shall be allocated pro rata (on the basis of their
relative lengths) between the accrual periods contained in the interval.
 
  The Code provides no specific guidance on the method to be used in
determining the amount of original issue discount allocable to a short initial
accrual period. The Proposed Regulations contain certain special rules that
generally allow any reasonable method to be used in determining the amount of
original issue discount allocable to a short initial accrual period (if all
other accrual periods are of equal length) and require that the amount of
original issue discount allocable to the final accrual period equal the excess
of the amount payable at the maturity of the Debt Security (other than any
payment of qualified stated interest) over the Debt Security's adjusted issue
price as of the beginning of such accrual period.
 
  Under the Code and the Proposed Regulations, United States Holders of
Discount Debt Securities generally will have to include in income increasingly
greater amounts of original issue discount over the life of the Debt
Securities.
 
  Acquisition Premium. Under the Proposed Regulations, a United States Holder
that purchases a Debt Security as part of its original issuance for an amount
in excess of its adjusted issue price (any such excess being "acquisition
premium") and that does not make the election described below under "Election
to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount" is permitted to reduce the
daily portions of original issue discount by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the excess of the United States Holder's adjusted basis in the Debt Security
immediately after its purchase over the adjusted issue price of the Debt
Security, and the denominator of which is the excess of the sum of all amounts
payable on the Debt Security after the purchase date, other than payments of
qualified stated interest, over the Debt Security's adjusted issue price.
 
  Market Discount. Under the Code, a Debt Security, other than a Debt Security
that matures one year or less from the date of its original issuance, will be
treated as purchased at a market discount (a "Market Discount Debt Security")
if (i) the amount for which a United States Holder purchased the Debt Security
is less than the Debt Security's issue price (as determined above under
"Original Issue Discount--General") and (ii) the Debt Security's stated
redemption price at maturity or, in the case of a Discount Debt Security, the
Debt Security's "revised issue price," exceeds the amount for which the United
States Holder purchased the Debt Security by at least 1/4 of 1 percent of such
Debt Security's stated redemption price at maturity or revised issue price,
respectively, multiplied by the number of complete years to the Debt Security's
maturity. If the excess, if any, referred to in the preceding sentence is not
sufficient to cause the Debt Security to be a
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Market Discount Debt Security, then such excess constitutes "de minimis market
discount". For these purposes, the revised issue price of a Debt Security
equals its issue price, increased by the amount of any original issue discount
that has accrued on the Debt Security.
 
  Any gain recognized on the maturity or disposition of a Market Discount Debt
Security will be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such gain does
not exceed the accrued market discount on the Debt Security. Alternatively, a
United States Holder of a Market Discount Debt Security may elect to include
market discount in income currently over the life of the Debt Security. Such an
election shall apply to all debt instruments with market discount acquired by
the electing United States Holder on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which the election applies. This election may not be revoked
without the consent of the Service.
 
  Market discount on a Market Discount Debt Security will accrue on a straight-
line basis unless the United States Holder elects to accrue the market discount
on a constant yield to maturity basis. Such an election shall apply only to the
Debt Security with respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without
the consent of the Service. A United States Holder of a Market Discount Debt
Security that does not elect to include market discount in income currently
generally will be required to defer deductions for interest on borrowings
allocable to such Debt Security in an amount not exceeding the accrued market
discount on such Debt Security until the maturity or disposition of such Debt
Security.
 
  Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest. The Proposed Regulations provide that if (i) a
portion of the initial purchase price of a Debt Security is attributable to
pre-issuance accrued interest, (ii) the first stated interest payment on the
Debt Security is to be made within one year of the Debt Security's issue date
and (iii) such payment will equal or exceed the amount of pre-issuance accrued
interest, then a United States Holder may elect to decrease the issue price of
the Debt Security by the amount of pre-issuance accrued interest, in which case
a portion of the first stated interest payment will be treated as a return of
the excluded pre-issuance accrued interest and not as an amount payable on the
Debt Security.
 
  Optional Redemption. Under the Proposed Regulations, if the Company has an
option to redeem a Debt Security, or the Holder has an option to cause a Debt
Security to be repurchased, prior to the Debt Security's stated maturity, such
option will be presumed to be exercised if, by utilizing any date on which the
Debt Security may be redeemed or repurchased as the maturity date and the
amount payable on such date in accordance with the terms of the Debt Security
(the "redemption price") as the principal amount payable at maturity, the yield
on the Debt Security would be (i) in the case of an option of the Company,
lower than its yield to stated maturity or (ii) in the case of an option of the
Holder, higher than its yield to stated maturity. If such option is not in fact
exercised when presumed to be exercised, the Debt Security will be treated
solely for original issue discount purposes as if it were redeemed or
repurchased, and a new Debt Security were issued, on the presumed exercise date
for an amount equal to the Debt Security's adjusted issue price on that date.
 
  Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount. Under the Proposed
Regulations, an accrual basis United States Holder may elect to include in
gross income all interest that accrues on a Debt Security using the constant
yield method described above under the heading "Original Issue Discount--
General," with the modifications described below. For purposes of this
election, interest includes stated interest, original issue discount, de
minimis original issue discount, market discount, de minimis market discount
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium (described
below under "Debt Securities Purchased at a Premium") or acquisition premium.
 
  In applying the constant yield method to a Debt Security with respect to
which this election has been made, the issue price of the Debt Security will
equal the electing United States Holder's adjusted basis in the Debt Security
immediately after its acquisition, the issue date of the Debt Security will be
the date of its acquisition by the electing United States Holder, and no
payments on the Debt Security will be treated as payments of qualified stated
interest. This election will generally apply only to the Debt Security with
respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without the consent of the
Service. If this election is made with respect to a Debt Security with
amortizable bond premium, then the electing United States Holder will be deemed
to have elected to apply amortizable bond premium against interest with respect
to all debt instruments with amortizable bond premium (other than debt
instruments the interest on which is excludible
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
from gross income) held by such electing United States Holder as of the
beginning of the taxable year in which the Debt Security with respect to which
the election is made is acquired or thereafter acquired. The deemed election
with respect to amortizable bond premium may not be revoked without the consent
of the Service.
 
  If the election to apply the constant yield method to all interest on a Debt
Security is made with respect to a Market Discount Debt Security, then the
electing United States Holder will be treated as having made the election
discussed above under "Original Issue Discount--Market Discount" to include
market discount in income currently over the life of all debt instruments held
or thereafter acquired by such United States Holder.
 
  Variable Rate Debt Securities. Under the Proposed Regulations, a Variable
Rate Debt Security is a Debt Security which provides for total non-contingent
payments which equal or exceed its issue price and stated interest, compounded
or paid at least annually, at (w) a single qualified floating rate, (x) a
qualified floating rate followed by another qualified floating rate, (y) a
fixed rate followed by a qualified floating rate, or(z) a single objective
rate, where any such qualified floating or objective rate in effect during an
accrual period will be set at a current value of such rate. A floating rate is
a "qualified floating rate" if variations in such rate can reasonably be
expected to measure contemporaneous fluctuations in the cost of newly borrowed
funds. An objective rate is a rate (other than a qualified floating rate) the
formula for which is fixed throughout the term of the Debt Security and which
is based on the price of actively traded property (other than nonfunctional
currency), an index of the price of such property, or one or more qualified
floating rates. Under these rules, Commercial Paper Rate Debt Securities, Prime
Rate Debt Securities, LIBOR Debt Securities, Treasury Rate Debt Securities, CD
Rate Debt Securities, and Federal Funds Debt Securities, other than certain
Debt Securities subject to interest rate caps or floors, should generally be
treated as Variable Rate Debt Securities.
 
  Under the Proposed Regulations, stated interest on a Variable Rate Debt
Security is qualified stated interest if such interest is unconditionally
payable at least annually. Where a Variable Rate Debt Security provides for a
fixed rate followed by a floating rate or a floating rate followed by another
floating rate and the fair market value of the Debt Security would not be
approximately equal to its current fair market value if the latter rate were in
effect throughout the term of the Debt Security, then some portion of the
interest on the Debt Security will be treated as either accelerated or deferred
interest and such accelerated or deferred interest will not be treated as
qualified stated interest. If the substitution described in the preceding
sentence would decrease the fair market value of the Debt Security, then the
interest for the initial interval (the interval in which the initial rate is in
effect) that is attributable to the portion of the stated interest for such
interval that is in excess of the hypothetical initial rate that would make the
substitution have approximately no effect on the fair market value of the Debt
Security will be accelerated interest. If the substitution would increase the
fair market value of the Debt Security, then the interest for the later
interval that is attributable to the portion of the stated interest for such
interval that is in excess of the hypothetical latter rate that would make the
substitution have approximately no effect on the fair market value of the Debt
Security is deferred interest.
 
  Under the Proposed Regulations, the original issue discount for an accrual
period on a Variable Rate Debt Security that arises from stated interest that
is not unconditionally payable at least annually (other than accelerated or
deferred interest) is the amount of stated interest that actually accrues under
the terms of the Debt Security during the accrual period. The original issue
discount on a Variable Rate Debt Security that arises from (i) an excess of the
Debt Security's stated principal amount over its issue price, (ii) accelerated
interest, or (iii) deferred interest must be allocated to an accrual period in
accordance with a reasonable application of the constant yield method described
above under "Original Issue Discount--General."
 
  The Code delegates to the Treasury Department the authority to prescribe
special rules relating to the tax treatment, under the original issue discount
provisions of the Code, of Debt Securities that satisfy the definition of
Variable Rate Debt Securities. Because the Proposed Regulations are not yet
effective, United States Holders should discuss with their tax advisors the
treatment of such Debt Securities under the Code and, if applicable, the
proposed regulations that describe the application of the original issue
discount provisions of the Code to debt instruments with contingent payments.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
  Short-Term Debt Securities. Under the Code, special rules apply with respect
to original issue discount on a Debt Security that matures one year or less
from the date of its original issuance (a "short-term Debt Security"). In
general, an individual or other cash basis United States Holder of a short-term
Debt Security is not required to accrue original issue discount for United
States federal income tax purposes unless it elects to do so. Accrual basis
United States Holders and certain other United States Holders, including banks,
regulated investment companies, dealers in securities and cash basis United
States Holders who so elect, are required to accrue original issue discount on
short-term Debt Securities on either a straight-line basis or under the
constant yield method (based on daily compounding), at the election of the
United States Holder. In the case of a United States Holder not required and
not electing to include original issue discount in income currently, any gain
realized on the sale or retirement of the short-term Debt Security will be
ordinary income to the extent of the original issue discount accrued on a
straight-line basis (unless an election is made to accrue the original issue
discount under the constant yield method) through the date of sale or
retirement. United States Holders who are not required and do not elect to
accrue original issue discount on short-term Debt Securities will be required
to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to short-term Debt
Securities in an amount not exceeding the deferred income until the deferred
income is realized.
 
  For purposes of determining the amount of original issue discount subject to
these rules, the Proposed Regulations provide that all interest payments on a
short-term Debt Security, including qualified stated interest, are included in
the short-term Debt Security's stated redemption price at maturity.
 
  Foreign Currency Discount Debt Securities. Original issue discount for any
accrual period on a Discount Debt Security that is denominated in a Specified
Currency will be determined in the Specified Currency and then translated into
U.S. dollars in the same manner as stated interest accrued by an accrual basis
United States Holder, as described under "United States Holders--Payments of
Interest." Upon receipt of an amount attributable to original issue discount
(whether in connection with a payment of interest or the sale or retirement of
a Debt Security), a United States Holder may recognize ordinary income or loss.
 
DEBT SECURITIES PURCHASED AT A PREMIUM
 
  Under the Code, a United States Holder that purchases a Debt Security for an
amount in excess of its principal amount may elect to treat such excess as
"amortizable bond premium", in which case the amount required to be included in
the United States Holder's income each year with respect to interest on the
Debt Security will be reduced by the amount of amortizable bond premium
allocable (based on the Debt Security's yield to maturity) to such year. In the
case of a Debt Security that is denominated in a Specified Currency, bond
premium will be computed in units of Specified Currency, and amortizable bond
premium will reduce interest income in units of the Specified Currency. At the
time amortized bond premium offsets interest income, exchange gain or loss
(taxable as ordinary income or loss, but generally not as interest income or
expense) is realized measured by the difference between exchange rates at that
time and at the time of the acquisition of the Debt Securities. Any election to
amortize bond premium shall apply to all bonds (other than bonds the interest
on which is excludible from gross income) held by the United States Holder at
the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or
thereafter acquired by the United States Holder, and is irrevocable without the
consent of the Service. See also "Original Issue Discount--Election to Treat
All Interest as Original Issue Discount".
 
PURCHASE, SALE AND RETIREMENT OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
 
  A United States Holder's tax basis in a Debt Security will generally be its
U.S. dollar cost (which, in the case of a Debt Security purchased with a
Specified Currency, will be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase price on the
date of purchase), increased by the amount of any original issue discount or
market discount included in the United States Holder's income with respect to
the Debt Security and, under the Proposed Regulations, the amount, if any, of
income attributable to de minimis original issue discount included in the
United States Holder's income with respect to the Debt Security, and reduced by
(i) under the Code, the amount of any payments other than payments of fixed
periodic interest or, under the Proposed Regulations, the amount of any
payments that are not qualified stated interest payments, and (ii) the amount
of any amortizable bond premium applied to reduce interest on the Debt
Security. A United States Holder will generally recognize gain or loss on the
sale or retirement of a Debt Security equal to the difference between
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
the amount realized on the sale or retirement and the tax basis of the Debt
Security. The amount realized on a sale or retirement for an amount in
Specified Currency will be the U.S. dollar value of such amount on the date of
sale or retirement. Except to the extent described above under "Original Issue
Discount--Short-Term Debt Securities" or "Original Issue Discount--Market
Discount", described in the next succeeding paragraph or attributable to
accrued but unpaid interest, gain or loss recognized on the sale or retirement
of a Debt Security will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital
gain or loss if the Debt Security was held for more than one year.
 
  Gain or loss recognized by a United States Holder on the sale or retirement
of a Debt Security that is attributable to changes in exchange rates will be
treated as ordinary income or loss. However, exchange gain or loss is taken
into account only to the extent of total gain or loss realized on the
transaction.
 
EXCHANGE OF AMOUNTS IN OTHER THAN U.S. DOLLARS
 
  Specified Currency received as interest on a Debt Security or on the sale or
retirement of a Debt Security will have a tax basis equal to its U.S. dollar
value at the time such interest is received or at the time of such sale or
retirement. Specified Currency that is purchased will generally have a tax
basis equal to the U.S. dollar value of the Specified Currency on the date of
purchase. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or other disposition of a
Specified Currency (including its use to purchase Debt Securities or upon
exchange for U.S. dollars) will be ordinary income or loss.
 
INDEXED DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain a discussion of any special
United States federal income tax rules with respect to Debt Securities payments
on which are determined by reference to any index.
 
CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain a discussion of any special
United States federal income tax consequences of holding Debt Securities that
are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.
 
UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS
 
  For purposes of this discussion, a "United States Alien Holder" is any holder
who or which is (i) a nonresident alien individual, (ii) a foreign corporation,
partnership or estate or trust, in either case not subject to United States
federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of a Debt Security.
 
  Under present United States federal income and estate tax law and subject to
the discussion of backup withholding below:
 
    (i) if the Debt Securities are offered, sold and delivered, and principal
  and interest thereon are paid in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
  and the applicable Underwriting Agreement, payments of principal, premium
  (if any) and interest (including original issue discount) by the Company or
  any of its paying agents to any holder of a Debt Security or coupon who or
  which is a United States Alien Holder will not be subject to United States
  federal withholding tax; provided, that in the case of interest or original
  issue discount, (a) the beneficial owner of the Debt Security does not
  actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting
  power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (b) the
  beneficial owner of the Debt Security is not a controlled foreign
  corporation that is related to the Company through stock ownership, and (c)
  if the Debt Security is a Registered Security (as defined in the Indenture
  including such debt securities that were received in exchange for Bearer
  Securities), either (A) the beneficial owner of the Debt Security certifies
  to the Company or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a
  United States Holder and provides its name and address or (B) 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") and holds the Debt Security certifies to the
  Company or its agent under penalties of perjury that such statement has
  been received from the beneficial owner by it or by a financial institution
  between it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the payor with a copy
  thereof;
 
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 
    (ii) a United States Alien Holder of a Debt Security will not be subject
  to United States federal withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale
  or exchange of a Debt Security; and
 
    (iii) a Debt Security or coupon held by an individual who at the time of
  death is not a citizen or resident of the United States will not be subject
  to United States federal estate tax as a result of such individual's death
  if the individual does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of
  the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
  entitled to vote and the income on the Debt Security would not have been
  effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the individual.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
 
 United States Holders
 
  In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of
principal, and any premium and interest made on a Debt Security and the
proceeds of the sale of a Debt Security before maturity within the United
States to, and to the accrual of original issue discount on a Discount Debt
Security with respect to, non-corporate United States Holders, and "backup
withholding" at a rate of 31% will apply to such payments and to payments of
original issue discount if the United States Holder fails to provide an
accurate taxpayer identification number or to report all interest and dividends
required to be shown on its federal income tax returns.
 
 United States Alien Holders
 
  Information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to payments of
principal, premium (if any) and interest (including original issue discount)
made by the Company or a paying agent (i) outside the United States on Bearer
Securities, or (ii) on any Debt Security if the certification described in
clause (i)(c) under "United States Alien Holders" above is received, provided,
in either case, that the payor does not have actual knowledge that the holder
is a United States person.
 
  Payments of the proceeds from the sale by a United States Alien Holder of a
Debt Security made to or through a foreign office of a broker will not be
subject to information reporting or backup withholding, except that if the
broker is a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation for United
States tax purposes or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is
effectively connected with a United States trade or business for a specified
three-year period, information reporting may apply to such payments. Payments
of the proceeds from the sale of a Debt Security to or through the United
States office of a broker is subject to information reporting and backup
withholding unless the holder or beneficial owner certifies as to its non-
United States status or otherwise establishes an exemption from information
reporting and backup withholding.
 
WARRANTS
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain a discussion of the United
States federal income tax consequences of holding Warrants.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain a discussion of the United
States federal income tax consequences of holding Preferred Stock, including
Preferred Stock that is convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company may sell Offered Securities to one or more underwriters for
public offering and sale by them or may sell Securities to investors directly
or through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale
of the Offered Securities will be named in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. The Company also may, from time to time, authorize
underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell the Offered
Securities upon the terms and conditions as shall be set
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
 
forth in any Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Offered
Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the
Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from purchasers of Offered Securities for whom they may act
as agent. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions (which may be changed from
time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
 
  Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of Offered Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them
and any profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Act, as amended.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements with the
Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Act, and to reimbursement by the
Company for certain expenses.
 
  If so indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed
Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date
or dates stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an
amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of Offered Securities sold
pursuant to Contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts
stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom Contracts, when
authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to the
approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except
(i) the purchase by an institution of the Offered Securities covered by its
Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any
jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject, and
(ii) if the Offered Securities are being sold to underwriters, the Company
shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the Offered
Securities less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts. Agents and
underwriters will have no responsibility in respect of the delivery or
performance of Contracts.
 
  Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any
Offered Securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it will
not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, Offered Securities in
bearer form in the United States or to United States persons (other than
qualifying financial institutions) during the restricted period (as defined in
United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)). See
"Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities".
 
  The Securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in Great
Britain other than to persons whose ordinary business it is to buy or sell
shares or debentures (except in circumstances which do not constitute an offer
to the public within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985), and this
Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement or any other offering material
relating to the Securities may not be distributed in or from Great Britain
other than to persons whose business involves the acquisition and disposal, or
the holding, of securities whether as principal or as agent.
 
  All Offered Securities will be a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriters to whom Offered Securities are sold by the
Company for public offering and sale may make a market in such Offered
Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be
given as to the liquidity of the secondary market for any Offered Securities.
 
  Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers
of, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                         VALIDITY OF OFFERED SECURITIES
 
  The validity of the Offered Securities will be passed upon for the Company by
Denis A. Demblowski, Esq., Managing General Attorney of the Company, and for
any underwriters or agents by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York. Sullivan
& Cromwell will rely, as to all matters governed by Pennsylvania law, on the
opinion of Denis A. Demblowski, Esq. Mr. Demblowski is a participant in the
stock option plan and various other employee benefit plans offered to employees
of the Company. Sullivan & Cromwell also may act as special tax counsel to the
Company in connection with the Offered Securities.
 
                         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements and related schedules in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus, have been incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon the reports of Coopers & Lybrand given upon their authority as
experts in auditing and accounting.
 
  With respect to the unaudited financial information for the periods ended
March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1993 and 1992, incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus, the independent accountants have reported that they have
applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a
review of such information. However, their separate report included in the
Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1993,
June 30, 1993 and September 30, 1993, and incorporated by reference herein,
states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that
interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their
report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature
of the review procedures applied. The accountants are not subject to the
liability provisions of Section 11 of the Act for their report on the unaudited
interim financial information because that report is not a "report" or a "part"
of the registration statement prepared or certified by the accountants within
the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
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 NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE.
 
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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                                                                           PAGE
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
Summary of Financial Information............................................ S-2
Use of Proceeds and Capital Expenditures.................................... S-3
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................................... S-3
Certain Terms of the Notes.................................................. S-3
Underwriting................................................................ S-4
Validity of the Notes....................................................... S-5
</TABLE>
                                  PROSPECTUS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
Available Information.......................................................   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.............................   2
Aluminum Company of America.................................................   2
Use of Proceeds.............................................................   3
Description of Debt Securities..............................................   3
Description of Warrants.....................................................  17
Description of Preferred Stock..............................................  18
Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities................................  21
United States Taxation......................................................  22
Plan of Distribution........................................................  29
Validity of Offered Securities..............................................  31
Independent Public Accountants..............................................  31
</TABLE>
 
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                                  LOGO OF THE
                               ALUMINUM COMPANY 
                                  OF AMERICA


                                 $250,000,000
 
                             5 3/4% Notes Due 2001
 
                      -----------------------------------
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                      -----------------------------------
 
                               CS First Boston 
                             Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
                                Lehman Brothers
 
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