HANDY & HARMAN
DEFR14A, 1996-04-03
ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS
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<PAGE>   1
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
                    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.   )
 
Filed by the Registrant /X/
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
/ /  Preliminary Proxy Statement                / /  Confidential, for Use of the Commission
                                                Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/ /  Definitive Proxy Statement
/X/  Definitive Additional Materials
/ /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
 
                                 Handy & Harman
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
/ /  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), or 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
     or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
 
/ /  $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
     14a-6(i)(3).
 
/ /  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
     (5)  Total fee paid:
 
/ /  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
/ /  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:
 
     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
     (3)  Filing Party:
 
     (4)  Date Filed:
<PAGE>   2
[Handy & Harman Letterhead] 

 
R. N. DANIEL
CHAIRMAN
 
DEAR SHARE OWNER:
 
     This year the Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Tuesday, May
14, at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Corporation (formerly Chemical Banking
Corporation), 270 Park Avenue (Conference Room C, 11th Floor), in New York City,
beginning at 11:00 A.M. We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend and
participate in the business of the meeting. My associates, members of the Board
and other executives of the Company will be on hand to welcome you and to talk
individually with you before and after the meeting.
 
     Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, you can be sure your shares
are voted as you wish by promptly dating, signing and returning your Proxy card
in the enclosed envelope.
 
                                          Cordially,
 
                                          /s/ R. N. DANIEL
                                          ------------------
                                          R. N. DANIEL
 
April 1, 1996
<PAGE>   3
 
                                 HANDY & HARMAN
 
                               ------------------
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                               ------------------
 
                                  MAY 14, 1996
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
HANDY & HARMAN (the "Company") will be held at the offices of The Chase
Manhattan Corporation (formerly Chemical Banking Corporation), 270 Park Avenue
(Conference Room C, 11th Floor), New York, New York, on Tuesday, May 14, 1996,
at 11:00 A.M., for the purpose of (1) electing nine directors to serve for the
ensuing year and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified,
(2) ratifying the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, as independent auditors
of the Company for 1996 and (3) transacting such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
 
     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 27, 1996,
as the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments
thereof, and only shareholders of record as of such time are entitled to vote at
the meeting.
 
     You are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Whether or not you expect
to attend the meeting, please date, sign and return your Proxy in the enclosed
self-addressed stamped envelope.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          PAUL E. DIXON
                                                         Secretary
 
Dated: April 1, 1996
<PAGE>   4
 
                                 HANDY & HARMAN
 
                                250 PARK AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10177
                            TELEPHONE (212) 661-2400
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
     This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by and on
behalf of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Handy & Harman (the "Company")
of proxies for use at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (referred to, for
convenience, as the "Meeting") of the Company, to be held at the offices of The
Chase Manhattan Corporation (formerly Chemical Banking Corporation), 270 Park
Avenue (Conference Room C, 11th Floor), New York, New York, on Tuesday, May 14,
1996. The date of mailing of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy
card is on or about April 1, 1996.
 
     At the Meeting all shares represented by a properly executed and not
revoked Proxy in the accompanying form will be voted and, where instructions are
specified, will be voted in accordance with the specification. Where
instructions are not specified, the shares represented by such Proxy will be
voted (a) FOR the election of all of the nine nominees for director named in
this Proxy Statement and (b) FOR ratification of the appointment of independent
auditors. In addition, the Proxy will be voted in the discretion of the
proxyholders with respect to such other business as may come properly before the
Meeting.
 
     Any Proxy may be revoked by a shareholder, by a written communication to
the Secretary of the Company prior to or at the Meeting, to the extent the Proxy
has not been voted. Sending in a signed Proxy will not affect a shareholder's
right to attend the Meeting and to vote in person.
 
                  VOTING RIGHTS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
 
     In all matters each shareholder will be entitled to one vote for each share
of Common Stock held of record at the close of business on March 27, 1996 (the
"Record Date"). At the Record Date there were 14,030,372 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. Common Stock is the only class of stock of the Company outstanding
and the only security of the Company entitled to vote at the Meeting.

    
     As of the Record Date no person was known by the Board to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent of the Company's outstanding Common Stock,
except the Company understands from publicly available reports to the Securities
and Exchange Commission that Mario J. Gabelli, Gabelli Funds, Inc., Gamco
Investors, Inc., Gabelli & Company, Inc., Gabelli Performance Partnership and
Gabelli International Limited (each of One Corporate Center, Rye, New York
10580-1434) may be deemed to be a group beneficially owning 2,758,400 shares or
approximately 19.66 percent of the Company's outstanding Common Stock; and
Neuberger & Berman L.P., its affiliates and subsidiaries, of 605 Third Avenue,
New York, New York 10158-3698 may be deemed to be a group beneficially owning
1,249,000 shares or 8.9 percent of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. The
foregoing "groups" may be considered to have sole voting and investment power
with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the group, except insofar as
the voting and investment power may be shared within the group.
    
 
     As of February 1, 1996, the Officers and Directors of the Company owned
beneficially an aggregate of 524,230 shares or approximately 3.7 percent of the
Company's Common Stock, including 89,968 shares, or approximately 0.6 percent of
the Company's Common Stock which they may be deemed under the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to "beneficially own," but as to which they
have disclaimed beneficial ownership.
 
     As used in this Proxy Statement, "beneficial ownership" means the sole or
shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security or the sole or
shared investment power with respect to a security (i.e., the power to dispose
of, or to direct the disposition of, a security). In addition, for purposes of
this Proxy Statement, a person is deemed, as of any date, to have "beneficial
ownership" of any security that such person has the right to acquire within 60
days after such date. Accordingly, the shares used in computing the percentages
of Common Stock as a class include both the shares actually outstanding on the
Record Date plus 333,571 additional shares which may be acquired by Officers and
Directors of the Company within 60 days, upon the exercise of stock options. No
person who was during 1995 an Officer or Director of the Company or, to the
knowledge of the Company based on publicly available information, the beneficial
owner of more than ten percent of the Company's outstanding Common Stock failed
to file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   5
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Board has set the size of the Board at nine persons as authorized by
the By-Laws. At the Meeting, nine Directors (constituting the entire Board) are
to be elected to hold office for the ensuing year and until their respective
successors have been duly elected and qualified. Directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting. In tabulating the vote, broker
non-votes will be disregarded and will have no effect on the outcome of the
vote. All the nominees listed below, except Dr. Sussman and Mr. Tetrault, were
elected Directors at the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The following
table includes information concerning the nominees which has been furnished by
the nominees:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         BENEFICIAL
                                             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION         DIRECTOR          STOCK
       NAME OF DIRECTOR         AGE        AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS         SINCE        OWNERSHIP(4)
- ------------------------------  ----  ----------------------------------  --------   -------------------
<S>                             <C>   <C>                                 <C>        <C>
Clarence A. Abramson(3).......   63   Health Industry Consultant;           1991            3,290(6)
                                        President and a Director,
                                        Healthcare Ventures
                                        International, Inc. Director,
                                        PolyPharm Corp., Acorda
                                        Therapeutics, Inc. and
                                        Gulfstream Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
Robert E. Cornelia(3).........   63   Management Consultant.                1991            4,238(6)
Richard N. Daniel(1)..........   60   Chairman of the Board and Chief       1974          193,266(5)
                                        Executive Officer of the
                                        Company.
Gerald G. Garbacz(2)..........   59   President and Chief Executive         1988            2,890(6)
                                      Officer of Nashua Corporation.
Frank E. Grzelecki(1).........   58   President and Chief Operating         1988          123,156(5)
                                        Officer of the Company. Director
                                        of Zale Corp. and Chartwell Re
                                        Corporation.
Gouverneur M. Nichols(1)(2)...   77   Business Consultant.                  1973           18,865(6)
Hercules P. Sotos(3)..........   62   Retired 1995 as Vice Chairman and     1993            4,042(6)
                                        a Director of Playtex Products,
                                        Inc.
Elliot J. Sussman(2)..........   44   President and Chief Executive         1995            2,199(6)
                                        Officer of Lehigh Valley Hospital
                                        and Health Network; Professor of
                                        Medicine at Pennsylvania State
                                        University.
Roger E. Tetrault.............   54   President of General Dynamics Land    1996                0(7)
                                        Systems, Inc.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Member of the Executive Committee.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee.
(3) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(4) The information set forth concerning beneficial ownership is as of February
    1, 1996. At that date, each nominee individually had beneficial ownership of
    less than 1% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock,
    except Mr. Daniel whose beneficial ownership was approximately 1.4%. The
    shares set forth in the table do not include 89,968 shares owned by the wife
    of a nominee, as to which the nominee has disclaimed beneficial ownership.
(5) Includes 120,000 shares which Mr. Daniel has the right to acquire upon the
    exercise of stock options granted under the Company's 1995 Omnibus Stock
    Incentive Plan and 1991 Long-Term Incentive Stock Option Plan, and 117,000
    shares Mr. Grzelecki has the right to acquire upon the exercise of stock
    options granted under such Plans. For a discussion of such options, see
    "Stock Options" below.
(6) Includes 5,151 shares which Mr. Nichols may acquire, 2,790 shares which each
    of Mr. Abramson and Mr. Garbacz may acquire, 2,042 shares which Mr. Sotos
    may acquire and 699 shares which each of Mr. Cornelia and Dr. Sussman may
    acquire upon exercise of stock options granted under the Outside Director
    Stock Option Plan discussed under the caption "Compensation of Directors"
    below.
(7) Purchased 2,000 shares on February 22, 1996.
 
     If any nominee should become unavailable for election for any reason, the
Proxies will be voted for the election of an alternative nominee designated by
the Board. The management of the Company has no reason
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
to believe that any nominee will become unavailable. If no such alternative
nominee is so designated, the membership of the Board will be reduced, pursuant
to the By-Laws, to a number equal to the number of such nominees who are
available for election.
 
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES
 
     Each nominee has been engaged in his current principal occupation for at
least the last five years, except as indicated below.
 
     CLARENCE A. ABRAMSON -- Healthcare industry consultant since January 1994,
prior thereto Vice President and Secretary of Merck & Co., Inc. (a
pharmaceutical company).
 
     RICHARD N. DANIEL -- Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since May 1992 and prior thereto Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
 
     GERALD G. GARBACZ -- President and Chief Executive Officer of Nashua
Corporation since January 1996. Formerly Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Director of Baker & Taylor, Inc. (a distributor of books, video and other media
materials) from March 1992 to July 1994; and prior thereto Executive Vice
President of W. R. Grace & Co. (a multinational company).
 
     FRANK E. GRZELECKI -- President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
since May 1992 and prior thereto Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company.
 
     HERCULES P. SOTOS -- Retired since 1995. Formerly President of
International Playtex Inc. and Vice Chairman and a Director of Playtex Products,
Inc. (a manufacturer of health and beauty aid products) from prior to January
1991.
 
     ELLIOT J. SUSSMAN -- President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director
of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network since 1993; Professor of Medicine
at Pennsylvania State University since 1994. Formerly Associate Dean and
Professor of Medicine at University of Chicago from prior to January 1991.
 
     ROGER E. TETRAULT -- President, General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. since
1993. Formerly President, Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation
from 1991-1993.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
 
     The Company's Board has a standing Executive Committee, a standing
Compensation Committee and a standing Audit Committee. The Company's Board does
not have a Nominating Committee.
 
     The Executive Committee is empowered by the By-Laws to act, during the
intervals between meetings of the Board, and to exercise all powers of the Board
in the management and direction of the business of the Company except such
powers as, by law, by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or by the
Company's By-Laws, may not be delegated to the Committee. The Executive
Committee did not meet during 1995.
 
     The Audit Committee is empowered by the Board, under the Company's By-Laws,
to review the scope and procedures to be followed in the conduct of the audit by
the Company's independent auditors and also to review the findings and
recommendations by the auditors resulting from the audit. The Committee also
meets with the auditors to review the adequacy of the Company's internal
controls and any significant changes in the accounting practices or audit
reporting requirements followed. The Committee also functions to approve the
professional services by the independent auditors, review the independence of
the auditors and consider the amount and relationship of the non-audit fees to
the audit fees of the auditors. The Audit Committee met two times during 1995.
 
     The Compensation Committee, whose powers are discussed within the Executive
Compensation section of this document, met five times during 1995.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
BOARD PARTICIPATION
 
     The Board conducted seven meetings in person during 1995 in each month
January through May, September and October. Six additional meetings were
conducted during the months of July, September, November and December by
teleconference. During 1995, all of the nominees for Director who were then
Directors attended at least 75 percent of the meetings in person or by
teleconference of the Board and of the Committees on which they serve.
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Company's Executive Compensation Program is administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised of three
independent, non-employee Directors of the Company. The Compensation Committee
is empowered by the Board to review the salaries paid to the Company's Officers
each year and recommend to the Board any adjustments that it deems appropriate.
It also reviews the nature and scope of the services rendered each year by the
participants in the Management Incentive Plan of the Company and the
corresponding benefits derived by the Company from such services. Then, based on
the review of management recommendations, the Compensation Committee awards
bonuses to the participants in accordance with the Plan. The Committee also
reviews, and recommends to the Board the granting and awarding of restricted
stock under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan and the granting of stock
options and Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR's) under the Company's 1995 Omnibus
Stock Incentive Plan.
 
     The following table provides information on the compensation provided by
the Company to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly
paid Executive Officers:
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                                             ----------------------
                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION     RESTRICTED
                                                               STOCK       OPTIONS     ALL OTHER
                                     --------------------      AWARDS       SHARES    COMPENSATION
      NAME & POSITION        YEAR     SALARY      BONUS        ($)(3)        (#)          ($)
- ---------------------------  -----   --------    --------    ----------    --------   ------------
<S>                          <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>
R. N. Daniel                 1995    $423,862    $215,000           --       30,000     $  6,186(1)
  Chairman and CEO           1994    $399,634    $280,000     $ 53,813       25,000     $ 16,387(1)
                             1993    $369,621    $ 60,000           --       37,500     $ 16,462(1)
F. E. Grzelecki              1995    $363,860    $190,000           --       25,000     $  5,008(1)
  President and COO          1994    $341,354    $240,000     $ 38,438       20,000     $ 13,828(1)
                             1993    $316,342    $ 55,000           --       32,500     $ 14,587(1)
P. E. Dixon, Vice            1995    $164,346    $ 80,000           --       15,000     $  1,995(1)
  President, General         1994    $152,230    $101,000           --        5,000     $  3,453(1)
  Counsel & Secretary        1993    $144,577    $ 30,000           --       10,000     $  3,300(1)
J. M. McLoone, Vice          1995    $160,885    $ 70,000           --       10,000     $  3,068(1)
  President -- Financial     1994    $151,192    $101,000           --        5,000     $  6,027(1)
  Services                   1993    $139,153    $ 30,000           --       10,000     $  6,037(1)
J. S. McElya(4), Vice        1995    $222,436    $ 50,000           --           --     $ 13,002(1)(2)
  President; President of    1994    $177,038    $125,000     $ 33,825        5,000     $ 15,611(1)(2)
  Auto. Group                1993    $158,423    $ 30,000           --       10,000     $ 16,274(1)(2)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Company matching contributions under the 401(k) Savings Plan for Messrs.
    Daniel, Grzelecki, Dixon, McLoone and McElya: (A) for 1995 were $2,250,
    $2,250, $1,282, $2,250 and $2,250, respectively, (B) for 1994 were $2,250,
    $2,250, None, $2,250 and $2,250, respectively, and (C) for 1993 were $3,537,
    $3,537, None, $2,387 and $3,024, respectively.
 
    The Company maintains a supplemental life insurance program for its Officers
    providing a variable, appreciable life insurance policy on each participant
    in an amount equal to four times annual base salary up to retirement and two
    times such annual base salary after retirement. Such program replaces a
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
    predecessor benefit plan whereby, in the event of the death of the Officer,
    prior to retirement, the Company credited an amount equal to two times the
    Officer's salary to a deferred compensation account to be paid to his
    beneficiaries over a period of ten years. This program was funded by the
    Company purchasing individual insurance policies on the life of each
    Officer. The costs of this program for Messrs. Daniel, Grzelecki, Dixon,
    McLoone and McElya: (A) for 1995 were $3,936, $2,758, $713, $818 and $752,
    respectively, and the costs of the predecessor program: (B) for 1994 were
    $14,137, $11,578, $3,453, $3,777 and $3,361, respectively, and (C) for 1993
    were $12,925, $11,050, $3,300, $3,650 and $3,250, respectively.
 
(2) In 1992 the Company loaned Mr. McElya $40,000, secured by a series of four
    Promissory Notes for $10,000 each, to facilitate his move to Rye, New York,
    as a Group Vice President for Precious Metals. In December 1995, 1994, 1993
    and 1992, $10,000 of this amount was forgiven and that amount has been
    included in the above tables for each year.
 
(3) No restricted stock was awarded during 1995 as shown.
 
(4) Employment of Mr. McElya as President of Handy & Harman Automotive Group,
    Inc., the assets of which were sold in 1995, and as a Vice President of the
    Company, ceased on January 2, 1996.
 
                                 BASE SALARIES
 
     Officer salaries were increased based on the recommendations of the
Compensation Committee and of an outside independent report. These increases
reflected input submitted by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the
Committee's assessment of the individual performance contributions of each
Officer over the past year. The base salary of each Officer is determined by the
Compensation Committee annually. While the Committee uses the benchmarks as a
reference point, a particular Officer's base salary may vary depending upon his
salary history, experience, performance and salary guidelines imposed by the
budget.
 
                        ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR 1995
 
     The Company maintains the Management Incentive Plan (MIP) which is an
annual incentive program that rewards selected Officers and other key employees
each year based on their contributions to the profits of the Company. Prior to
the start of each Plan year, the Chief Executive Officer recommends those
Officers designated as Plan participants for the upcoming year. Final selection
of each participant rests with the Compensation Committee. For the 1995 fiscal
year, all Officers were selected for participation in the Plan.
 
     The available incentive pool for Officers and selected corporate management
participants is determined by a formula that represents seven and one half
percent of consolidated pre-tax earnings in excess of 15 percent of
shareholders' equity. An individual participant's award may not exceed 100
percent of the participant's salary in the fiscal year for which the Incentive
Award was earned. If the excess earnings criterion is not met, at the sole
discretion of the Committee, based upon the recommendation of the Chief
Executive Officer, an amount may be provided for Awards to participants to
recognize overall effort of achieving objectives which enhance the Company's
long-term growth potential. However, any discretionary Award may not increase an
employee's total Incentive Award under this provision to an amount in excess of
25 percent of the participant's base salary.
 
     For the 1995 fiscal year corporate pre-tax earnings were in excess of the
minimum shareholders' equity requirement and Incentive Awards to Officers ranged
from 14 percent to 46 percent of base salary.
 
                                 STOCK OPTIONS
 
                HANDY & HARMAN 1995 OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 (SUCCESSOR TO THE HANDY & HARMAN LONG-TERM INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN ADOPTED
                                    IN 1991)
 
     This Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Company and the
stockholders of Handy & Harman by providing officers and other employees of the
Company (including directors who are also employees of the Company) with
appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue
in the employ of the Company and to acquire a proprietary interest in the
long-term success of the Company.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
     After incorporating remaining "shares available for option" from the
predecessor plan, the combined number of shares subject to award under this Plan
adopted at the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall not exceed 1,000,000
shares of Common Stock. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may
grant options, stock appreciation rights (tandem or stand alone), shares of
restricted or phantom stock and stock bonuses, in such amounts and with such
terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee shall determine, subject to
the provisions of the Plan. Commencing one year after the date of grant, each
option becomes exercisable cumulatively at the rate of 25 percent per year (20
percent for predecessor plan awarded options) and will expire ten years from the
date such options were granted. Transactions under this successor Plan and the
predecessor plan (1994 and prior) are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               SHARES
                                              AVAILABLE             SHARES UNDER OPTION
                                                FOR            ------------------------------
                                               OPTION          SHARES         RANGE OF PRICE
                                              --------         -------       ----------------
    <S>                                       <C>              <C>           <C>
    Balance, January 1, 1993...............    474,000         526,000       $ 9.625-14.125
    Options granted........................   (171,000)        171,000       $12.937-15.3125
    Options exercised......................         --          (3,800)      $ 9.625-12.625
    Options expired........................     45,200         (45,200)      $12.625
                                              --------         -------       ----------------
    Balance, December 31, 1993.............    348,200         648,000       $ 9.625-15.3125
    Options granted........................   (118,000)        118,000       $13.75 -16.625
    Options exercised......................         --         (27,000)      $ 9.625-12.625
    Options expired........................     23,000         (23,000)      $12.625
                                              --------         -------       ----------------
    Balance, December 31, 1994.............    253,200         716,000       $ 9.625-16.625
    Increase in shares subject to award....    746,800
    Options granted........................   (162,000)        162,000       $15.125-15.438
    Options exercised......................         --         (22,800)      $ 9.625-12.937
    Options expired........................     28,200         (28,200)      $11.313-16.625
                                              --------         -------       ----------------
    Balance, December 31, 1995.............    866,200         827,000       $ 9.625-16.625
                                              ========         =======       ==============
</TABLE>
 
     During 1995 options to purchase 162,000 shares of Common Stock were awarded
and, as of December 31, 1995, options to purchase 827,000 shares of Common Stock
were outstanding and no SAR's had been issued. The exercise price of each option
cannot be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of a share of common
stock at the time the option is granted.
 
     The Company's 1991 Long-Term Incentive Stock Option Plan, which covered a
maximum of 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, was approved at the
1991 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such plan permitted the grant of
non-qualified stock options and SAR's. Outstanding shares under option for this
plan were incorporated into the successor Handy & Harman 1995 Omnibus Stock
Incentive Plan, as stated above.
 
     The Company's employee stock option plan (the "1982 Stock Option Plan"),
covering a total of 500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, was approved
at the 1982 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The 1982 Stock Option Plan permitted
the granting of incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options, or both,
in the discretion of the Company's Board, to executive Officers and other key
employees of the Company. During 1995 all options outstanding under the 1982
Stock Option Plan expired and options may no longer be granted under that plan.
 
     During 1995, options were granted to the Executive Officers named below.
SAR's may be granted under the 1995 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, but no such
rights are outstanding. Shown below is information concerning stock option
grants to any named Executive Officer who was granted a stock option during
1995:
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
                            STOCK OPTION GRANTS 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       POTENTIAL
                                                                                      REALIZABLE
                                                                                   VALUE AT ASSUMED
                               INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                    ANNUAL RATES OF
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------       STOCK PRICE
                                                          EXERCISE                 APPRECIATION FOR
                                 OPTION/                  OR BASE                   OPTION TERM(1)
                                  SARS                     PRICE     EXPIRATION   -------------------
                                 GRANTED                   ($/SH)       DATE         5%        10%
                                 -------                  --------   ----------   --------   --------
                                            % OF TOTAL
                                             OPTIONS
                                            GRANTED TO
                                           EMPLOYEES IN
                                           FISCAL YEAR
                                           ------------
<S>                              <C>       <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
R. N. Daniel...................  30,000          19%      $15.125     09/28/05    $285,360   $723,150
F. E. Grzelecki................  25,000          15%      $15.125     09/28/05    $237,800   $602,625
P. E. Dixon....................  15,000           9%      $15.125     09/28/05    $142,680   $361,575
J. M. McLoone..................  10,000           6%      $15.125     09/28/05    $ 95,120   $241,050
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at the
     5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and,
     therefore, are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if
     any, of the Company's stock price. No gain to the optionee is possible
     without an increase in stock price which will benefit all shareholders
     commensurately.
 
     The exercise price of the options granted is equal to the market value of
     the shares on the date of the grant. These options become exercisable at
     the cumulative rate of 25% per year on each of the first four anniversary
     dates.
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FOR YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
 
     The following table provides information with respect to options exercised
by any named Executive Officer during 1995. In addition, this table provides the
number and information with respect to unexercised options to purchase shares as
of December 31, 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF
                                                                  UNEXERCISED
                                                                 OPTIONS/SARS(1)     VALUE OF
                                                                                    UNEXERCISED
                                                                                  IN-THE-MONEY(2)
                                                                      AT           OPTIONS/SARS
                                                                  YEAR-END(#)     AT YEAR-END($)
                                       SHARES                    -------------   -----------------
                                     ACQUIRED ON      VALUE      EXERCISABLE/      EXERCISABLE/
               NAME                  EXERCISE(#)   REALIZED($)   UNEXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE
- -----------------------------------  -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
R. N. Daniel.......................      None           None     95,000/72,500   $243,445/$168,918
F. E. Grzelecki....................      None           None     93,000/64,500   $236,319/$151,354
P. E. Dixon........................     4,000        $12,251      6,800/22,200   $ 25,577/$ 47,177
J. M. McLoone......................      None           None     10,000/20,000   $ 40,877/$ 52,878
J. S. McElya.......................      None           None      16,000/9,000   $ 60,752/$ 33,003
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) No stock appreciation rights are outstanding.
 
(2) The value of the unexercised in-the-money options is calculated by
     multiplying the number of underlying shares by the difference between the
     closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
     at December 29, 1995 ($16.50) and the exercise price for these shares.
     These values have not been realized.
 
                            LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
 
     The Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan is a performance-based restricted
stock Plan where every other year key executives earn the right to receive
shares of Company stock based on achievement of pre-established financial and
individual performance goals. Plan participants are selected by the Compensation
Committee and include the five highest paid Officers. No shares of restricted
stock were awarded in 1995.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
     The Plan establishes overlapping cycles with each cycle encompassing five
fiscal years. Shares of restricted stock are awarded based on the results
attained on the selected performance measures over the first three years of a
cycle (Performance Period). The subsequent two-year time frame represents the
period when restrictions lapse and the stock is earned (Earn-out Period). Shares
are earned-out at the rate of 50 percent per year. Awards are made in the Spring
of the year immediately following the third year of each Performance Period.
During the Earn-out Period, the shares are held by the Company in escrow for the
executive. The executive receives dividends on the restricted stock during the
two-year Earn-out Period.
 
     The number of restricted shares granted for each cycle is determined by a
formula that considers the executive's base salary, the market value of the
Company's stock and the executive's duties and responsibilities. The grant
guidelines were developed by an independent compensation consultant hired by the
Company.
 
     Long-term objectives are established under the Plan which reflect both
Quantitative and Qualitative measures. Results achieved on the Quantitative
component determine 70 percent of the restricted share Award and results
achieved on the Qualitative component determine 30 percent of the Award.
 
     The Quantitative measures include the following:
 
     - Average Annual Return on Shareholders' Equity
 
     - Average Annual Return on Capital
 
     Qualitative performance measures include specific goals developed under
several categories. Each goal is also weighted according to its relative
importance to the executive's position.
 
     At the end of each three year cycle, the Compensation Committee determines
the number of shares to be awarded to each executive based upon the actual
performance compared to the Objectives.
 
     Based on the first three cycles completed under this Long-Term Incentive
Plan covering the eight year period from 1987 through 1995, a total of 76,600
shares of stock have been awarded net of forfeitures. The number of key
management participants in each cycle has been between 33 and 35.
 
            COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
OFFICER COMPENSATION POLICY
 
     In making determinations regarding compensation, the Committee takes into
account the duties of the respective employee and their contribution to the
success of the Company. In accordance with the Rules and Regulations established
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is required to disclose
certain compensation policies and practices applicable to the Chief Executive
Officer and all other Officers regarding compensation actions taken in 1995. For
this purpose, the members of the Committee, Messrs. Cornelia, Abramson and
Sotos, have prepared this report.
 
     The Compensation Committee supports several important policies as a
framework for administering the Executive Compensation program. THESE POLICIES
ARE DESIGNED TO 1) ALIGN THE INTERESTS OF EXECUTIVES WITH THE LONG-TERM INTEREST
OF SHAREHOLDERS, 2) PROVIDE COMPETITIVE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION THAT INTEGRATE
PAY WITH THE COMPANY'S SHORT AND LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, 3) ATTRACT,
MOTIVATE AND RETAIN KEY EXECUTIVES AND 4) STRIVE FOR FAIRNESS IN THE APPLICATION
OF PAY POLICIES ALONG WITH COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMS TO ASSURE THAT ALL KEY
EXECUTIVES UNDERSTAND THE ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES.
 
     The Committee is mindful of the new provision of the Internal Revenue Code
which may have the effect of disallowing the Company's deduction for Executive
Compensation over one million dollars in any year for each of the Executive
Officers named in the Summary Compensation table. The Committee will monitor
this issue closely and determine what actions, if any, should be taken with
respect to its Executive Compensation policies in order to preserve this
deduction.
 
     Currently, executive compensation is comprised of base salary, annual
incentive bonuses, long-term incentive opportunities in the form of
performance-based restricted stock, stock options and SAR's and
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
supplemental executive benefits. As an employee's responsibility level
increases, total compensation emphasizes variable pay based on performance
objectives over annual base salary.
 
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
     The policies and programs described above served as the basis for
determining the compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
 
     During 1995 the Board increased Mr. Daniel's base salary to $470,000, a
14.6 percent increase. Based on performance, total compensation considerations
and an outside independent report on salary levels of Chief Executive Officers
of comparable organizations, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr.
Daniel's annual salary should be moved to this level.
 
     Mr. Daniel's bonus Award of $215,000 for 1995 was determined in accordance
with the Management Incentive Plan of the Company based upon 1995 earnings which
were in excess of the net earnings requirement.
 
     Mr. Daniel received the stock option grants in 1995 indicated on the above
table entitled "Stock Option Grants 1995".
 
                                    PENSIONS
 
     The Company maintains the Handy & Harman Pension Plan, a defined benefit
pension plan, which provides benefits generally to all salaried employees. The
annual benefit for each participant that retires at Normal Retirement Age (age
65) with at least 25 years of service is equal to 50 percent of career average
pay minus $1,125. A proportionately reduced benefit is provided for retirement
at age 65 with less than 25 years of service. The formula is applied to earnings
averaged over the period from January 1, 1993, to retirement, with a minimum of
five years of earnings included in the average. This definition of Average
Earnings was adopted in 1992. Prior to the Amendment, the benefit was based on
the highest consecutive five years of earnings. Plan benefits accrued prior to
October 31, 1992, are subject to annual Cost of Living Adjustments up to a
maximum of four percent per year.
 
     Career Average Pay only includes salary, not bonuses or other incentive
compensation. The Company maintains the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
("SERP") to provide Corporate Officers the amount of reduction in their formula
pension benefits under the Handy & Harman Pension Plan on account of the
limitation on pay under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code (which
for 1996 is $150,000), and the limitation on benefits under Section 415 of the
Internal Revenue Code (which for 1996 is $120,000). The SERP also applies the
Handy & Harman Pension Plan formula to the Career Average Pay after including 50
percent of the amounts received under the Company's Management Incentive Plan
for services prior to 1995 (25 percent for services in 1995 and subsequently).
Amounts received under the SERP are not subject to Cost of Living increases.
 
     The following Table shows the projected Annual Retirement Benefits, payable
on the basis of ten years of certain payments and thereafter for life, to each
of the individuals listed in the Summary Compensation Table at age 65 assuming
continuation of employment to age 65 (except for Mr. McElya, as discussed above,
footnote (4) on page 5). The amounts shown under Salary reflect the current rate
of salary as plan compensation for Messrs. Daniel, Grzelecki, Dixon, McLoone and
McElya of $470,000, $410,000, $179,000, $164,000 and $225,000, respectively, and
include the benefits payable under both the Handy & Harman Pension Plan and the
SERP. The amount of benefits shown under Bonus would be payable under the SERP
and assumes continuation of the amount of Bonus for 1995 shown in the Summary
Compensation Table (except for Mr. McElya, who is not eligible for a benefit
under the SERP).
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
                           EXECUTIVE PENSION BENEFITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM:
                         NORMAL RETIREMENT                          ----------------------------------
         NAME               DATE (NRD)          SERVICE AT NRD       SALARY       BONUS        TOTAL
- -----------------------  -----------------     -----------------    ---------    --------    ---------
<S>                      <C>                   <C>                  <C>          <C>         <C>
R. N. Daniel...........  October 1, 2000       29 yrs.               $217,000     $29,781     $246,781
F. E. Grzelecki........  July 1, 2002          13 yrs.                 99,385      13,650      113,035
P. E. Dixon............  September 1, 2009     16 yrs. 10 mos.         57,622       6,842       64,464
J. M. McLoone..........  December 1, 2007      15 yrs. 5 mos.          48,581       5,663       54,244
J. S. McElya...........  September 1, 2012     22 yrs.                 39,615           0       39,615
</TABLE>
 
     During 1992 the Company entered into an individual retirement agreement
with Mr. Grzelecki which provides an additional retirement benefit commencing on
July 1, 1997, or his later retirement from the Company. The amount of monthly
pension vested as of June 30, 1995, was $4,000, which increases by an additional
$1,000 each subsequent June 30 during his continued employment up to a maximum
of $6,000 per month. The pension provides for benefits on the basis of a ten
year certain payment and for life thereafter. The Company has purchased an
annuity policy to provide a reserve for payment of its obligation of the $4,000
per month pension accrued at June 30, 1995, although the Company continues to be
liable for payments under the agreement.
 
                           COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Each Director of the Company, other than each Officer who was also a
Director, was compensated quarterly for all services as a Director including
regular Board attendance at the rate of $23,400 per annum, which rate has been
in effect since May 1, 1995. No extra amount is payable for Committee
participation or special assignment.
 
     The Company carries insurance providing indemnification, under certain
circumstances, to all the Directors and Officers of the Company for claims
against them by reason of, among other things, any act or failure to act in
their capacities as Directors or Officers. The current annual premium is
$239,400, all of which is paid by the Company. No sums have been paid to any
past or present Director or Officer of the Company under this or any prior
indemnification insurance policy.
 
     The Handy & Harman Outside Director Stock Option Plan (the "Directors'
Plan") which was approved by the shareholders in 1990, provides for the granting
of options to each non-employee member of the Company's Board of Directors. The
purpose of the Directors' Plan is to foster and promote the long-term financial
success of the Company and materially increase shareholder value by enabling the
Company to attract and retain the services as Directors of outstanding
individuals whose judgement, interest and special effort are essential to the
successful conduct of the Company's business and affairs.
 
     The Directors' Plan provides for the granting of options to Directors of
the Company (who are not employees of the Company) to acquire an aggregate of
100,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. The Directors' Plan provides that
annual grants of options are to be made on the first business day of each year
to purchase an amount of shares determined by dividing 50 percent of the annual
retainer fee of each outside Director by the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant. The options are exercisable for ten years
after the date of grant. The exercise price is one dollar per share and upon
exercise payment must be made in full in cash or cash equivalents. No options
may be granted after September 28, 1999. See footnote (6) to the table following
the list of nominees for Directors under the caption "Election of Directors"
above.
 
               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
                        AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into agreements with Mr. Daniel in 1986 and Mr.
Grzelecki in 1989 providing that if, after a change in control (as defined in
the agreements) of the Company, the Officer's position, duties,
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
responsibilities, status with the Company, base salary, employee benefits or
location are changed in a manner materially adverse to that Officer's interest,
then he may designate such change as an event which "triggers" a three-year
period of guaranteed employment of the Officer by the Company. In December 1988
the Board authorized amendments to these agreements to: (i) conform the
definition of "change in control" to the broader definition contained in the
Company's employee benefit Plans; and (ii) provide that the Company would
reimburse the Officers for any excise tax (and any income and excise tax due
with respect to such reimbursement) imposed on payments made to such Officers in
connection with a "Change In Control" of the Company pursuant to Section 280 G
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
     In 1989 the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Daniel which
replaced the one entered into with him and the other Corporate Officers of the
Company in 1986 (the "Daniel Agreement"). The Daniel Agreement provided for a
three year period of employment commencing on May 1, 1989, which may be (and
was) extended May 1 of each year 1992-1995 for an additional three-year term. If
not so extended, the Daniel Agreement terminates at the end of its then current
term. Effective October 1, 1995, the Board set Mr. Daniel's base salary at
$470,000 per annum and this amount may be increased at the discretion of the
Board. He is also entitled to participate in Company Benefit Plans, including
the Management Incentive Plan and the Omnibus Stock Incentive Stock Plan. If the
Company should terminate the Daniel Agreement other than for cause (as defined
therein) or Mr. Daniel should terminate it for good reason (as defined therein),
the Company is obligated to pay Mr. Daniel a lump sum amount equal to the Base
Salary he would receive to the end of the then current employment period plus an
amount equal to the Management Incentive Plan payment he last received times the
remaining years of the employment period or portions thereof. He also would
become entitled to additional pension benefits under the Handy & Harman Pension
Plan. The Company has also agreed to an amendment to the Daniel Agreement
providing that, when his employment by the Company ends for whatever reason
(other than for cause as defined therein), he would be entitled to medical
benefits for him and his wife during their lives without cost to them in the
same manner as then currently provided for active senior Officers of the
Company.
 
     The Company entered into a new Amended and Restated Agreement with Mr.
Grzelecki providing that, when his employment by the Company ends, he will be
entitled to severance rights of one year's salary payable over a five year
period, unless accelerated; plus: (i) the supplemental retirement benefit
described above under the caption "Executive Pension Benefits", (ii) medical
benefits for him and his wife during their lives without cost to them in the
same manner as then currently provided for active senior Officers of the
Company, (iii) certain adjustments of the exercise periods of outstanding stock
options and (iv) subject to limitations, office space and secretarial services
for a four year period.
 
     In connection with the sale during 1995 of the Handy & Harman Automotive
Group, Inc., the Company has implemented effective January 2, 1996, the
provisions of an agreement with Mr. McElya, the President of such Group, which
provides for his resignation in the event of such a sale and that he is entitled
to receive an amount equal to his annual salary and performance award under the
Management Incentive Plan and, unless such benefits are provided by his
employer, continuation of certain fringe benefits he is receiving for up to one
year. The Company has also agreed to an additional payment of $125,000 in lieu
of other payments or benefits and to appropriate adjustments under stock option,
restricted stock and life insurance programs.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
 
                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the Company's
cumulative total shareholder return to the cumulative total return of the
"Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index" and a peer industry group of companies. The
Company is classified in the "Metal Fabricating" industry by "The Value Line
Investment Survey" and in the "Precious Metals" industry group by Dow Jones. The
Company has selected as its peer industry the composite of the Companies in The
Value Line and Dow Jones groupings.
 
                               PERFORMANCE CHART
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      MEASUREMENT PERIOD            HANDY &
    (FISCAL YEAR COVERED)           HARMAN          S&P 500       PEER GROUP
<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>
1990                                    100.00          100.00          100.00
1991                                     87.95          130.47          111.23
1992                                    112.71          140.41          108.69
1993                                    118.22          154.56          156.37
1994                                    122.77          156.60          147.32
1995                                    133.84          214.86          174.36
</TABLE>
 
                    RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
 
     The Board has appointed the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
independent auditors of the Company for 1996. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and its
predecessors have served as the Company's auditors for a number of years. KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP has advised the Company that no member of the firm has any
direct or material indirect financial interest in the Company or its
subsidiaries, other than as independent auditors. A representative of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP is expected to be present at the Meeting with an opportunity to make
a statement if he desires to do so and to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
 
     A majority of the votes cast at the Meeting is required to approve the
selection of auditors. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP as independent auditors, the Board will consider selection of
another accounting firm.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP.
 
                                 OTHER BUSINESS
 
     Management knows of no other business which will be presented for
consideration at the Meeting. However, if any other business is properly brought
before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons appointed as Proxy
Agents in the accompanying Proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their best
judgement.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   16
 
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1997
 
     Shareholders intending to nominate director candidates for election at the
1997 Annual Meeting or to bring any other matter before the 1997 Annual Meeting
must deliver written notice, including specified information, to the Secretary
of the Company not less than 50 days nor more than 75 days prior to the 1997
Annual Meeting, provided that if less than 65 days' notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the 1997 Annual Meeting is given or made to
shareholders, shareholders must deliver written notice to the Secretary not
later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the 1997 Annual Meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. Any matter proposed to be brought before the 1997 Annual
Meeting must be timely noticed to the Company as discussed above.
 
     In addition, proposals by shareholders which are intended to be considered
for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and Proxy card for the 1997
Annual Meeting must be received by the Secretary of the Company in writing not
later than December 1, 1996. The inclusion of any proposal will be subject to
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
     The Company will bear the cost of soliciting Proxies for the Meeting. The
Company has retained
Georgeson & Company Inc., Wall Street Plaza, New York, New York, to assist it in
the solicitation of proxies from brokers, banks and other institutional holders.
It is estimated that the fees for the services of that firm will be $9,000, and
the Company will also reimburse that firm for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with providing the services. In addition to
solicitation by mail and by Georgeson & Company Inc., the Proxies may be
solicited by Officers and regular employees of the Company personally or by
telephone, telecopier or telegraph. The Company will reimburse banks, brokers
and other nominees, custodians and fiduciaries for their reasonable direct and
indirect expenses incurred in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners and
seeking authorization for the execution of Proxies.
 
           PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          PAUL E. DIXON
                                          Secretary
 
Dated:  April 1, 1996
 
                                  10-K REPORT
     Upon written request, the Company will provide, without charge, a copy of
its Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the
financial statement schedules thereto, but without Exhibits, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
Copies of the Exhibits will be furnished at the Company's cost for the
reproduction, postage and handling thereof. Letters requesting the 10-K Report
should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Handy & Harman, 250 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10177.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   17
                                     PROXY

                                 HANDY & HARMAN

             PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
                  THE COMPANY FOR ANNUAL MEETING MAY 14, 1996

     The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Richard N.
Daniel, Gerald G. Garbacz and Gouverneur M. Nichols, or any of them acting in
the absence of the others, with full power of substitution, the true and lawful
proxy agents of the undersigned, to attend the 1996 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of HANDY & HARMAN called to be held at 11:00 A.M., on May 14, 1996
and any adjournments thereof and thereat to vote the shares of stock of said
Company standing in the name of the undersigned with all the powers the
undersigned would possess if personally present at said Meeting, all in
accordance with and as more fully described in the Proxy Statement for said
Meeting.  

Election of Directors.  Nominees:                 Comments (change of Address)

  C.A. Abramson                                --------------------------------
  R.E. Cornelia
  A.N. Daniel                                  --------------------------------
  G.G. Garbacz
  F.E. Grzeleckl                               --------------------------------
  G.M. Nichols                                                                
  H.P. Sotos                                   (If you have written in the above
  E.J. Sussman                                  space, please mark the
  R.E. Tetrault                                 corresponding box on the reverse
                                                side of this card)
                                               

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes,
SEE REVERSE SIDE, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in
accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. The Proxy Agents
cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card.

                                                                     SEE REVERSE
                                                                         SIDE
                         
<PAGE>   18
                                             PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE AS THIS /X/


         THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
          DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
              VOTED FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.

            THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2.

1. Election of Directors (see reverse)

   For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):

_________________________________________________________________

                    FOR                            WITHHELD
                    / /                              / /


2. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, as auditors.

                    FOR            AGAINST          ABSTAIN
                    / /              / /              / /

3. In their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before
   the Meeting.

/ / Change of Address/Comments on Reverse Side.

Receipt of the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders and the Notice of Meeting and
Proxy Statement with respect to the aforesaid Meeting is hereby acknowledged.


Signature(s)___________________________________   Date __________________, 1996

NOTE: Please date and sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should
each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.








        


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