MEAD CORP
10-K, 1995-03-16
PAPERS & ALLIED PRODUCTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-K
     [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994
                                       OR
     [  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
     THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the transition period from _______________ to ______________ Commission
     File No. 1-2267

                              THE MEAD CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
              Ohio                                      31-0535759
     (State of Incorporation)               (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                            MEAD WORLD HEADQUARTERS
                           COURTHOUSE PLAZA NORTHEAST
                               DAYTON, OHIO 45463
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

     Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 513-495-6323
     Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                        Name of Each Exchange
     Title of Each Class                                  on which Registered
     -------------------                                ---------------------

     Common Shares Without Par Value                    New York Stock Exchange
      and Common Share Purchase Rights                  Chicago Stock Exchange
                                                        Pacific Stock Exchange
     9% Debentures due 2017                             New York Stock Exchange
                           _________________________

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

                           _________________________

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

                           _________________________

     As of January 27, 1995, the aggregate market value of the voting shares
held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $3,037,962,000
determined by multiplying the highest selling price of a Common Share on the New
York Stock Exchange--Composite Transactions Tape on such date times the amount
by which the total shares outstanding exceeded the shares beneficially owned by
directors and executive officers of the Registrant.  Such determination shall
not, however, be deemed to be an admission that any person is an "affiliate" as
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933.

     The number of Common Shares outstanding at February 28, 1995 was 
57,941,098.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders scheduled to be held on April 27, 1995, are incorporated by
reference in Part III; definitive copies of said Proxy Statement were filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 1995.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                     PART I

Item 1. Business

     Mead manufactures and sells paper, pulp, paperboard, lumber and other wood
products. Mead also manufactures and distributes school and office supplies,
distributes paper and other industrial supplies.

     Mead was incorporated in 1930 under the laws of the state of Ohio as the
outgrowth of a paper manufacturing business founded in 1846, and has its
principal executive offices at Mead World Headquarters, Courthouse Plaza
Northeast, Dayton, Ohio 45463, telephone (513) 495-6323. Except as otherwise
indicated by the context, the terms "Company" or "Mead" as used herein refer to
The Mead Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Segment Information

     Segment information is also included in Note T on page 55.

                                     Paper

     Mead's Fine Paper division manufactures cut-size copier paper; uncoated and
coated papers for commercial printing; form bond and carbonless paper and papers
for conversion by others into business forms; and other uncoated papers for
conversion by others into such products as greeting cards and bank checks.
Mead's Publishing Paper division manufactures web coated offset paper for use by
book, magazine, catalog and advertising brochure publishers. The Fine Paper
division sells papers manufactured by both divisions nationwide, both on a
direct basis to printers and converters and through paper merchants, including
merchants owned by Mead. Additionally, Escanaba Paper Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary, sells its output to the Publishing Paper division of Mead, which
resells the paper directly to publishers and printers. The pulp mills adjacent
to the paper mills of these divisions and the pulp mill owned by an affiliate
(see "Forest Products Affiliates") produce virtually all of the pulp required
for use in these paper mills.

     The Company's Gilbert division manufactures cotton content and premium
sulfite paper and premium recycled papers, including bond, banknote, texts and
cover, and technical and specialty papers, and sells these products principally
through paper merchants, including merchants owned by Mead.

     Mead's Specialty Paper division manufactures and sells, primarily through
its own sales force, decorative laminating papers. This division also
manufactures and sells absorbent, filter, synthetic fiber and other specialty
papers. The division's principal customers include manufacturers that serve the
building materials, automotive and furniture industries.

     The Mead Pulp Sales division sells market pulp worldwide manufactured by
Northwood Pulp and Timber Ltd. of Canada, Aracruz Celulose S.A. of Brazil, and
Escanaba Paper Company. Mead Pulp Sales also sells through its affiliates

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International Fibre Sales in Europe and Pulp Asia Ltd. in Japan, and through
independent agents in all major pulp consuming areas of the world.

                            Packaging and Paperboard

     The Mead Packaging division designs and produces multiple packaging and
packaging systems primarily for the beverage take-home market. The division
operates through a network of subsidiaries, affiliates and licensees in the
United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, the Far East and Pacific Rim, Mexico and
Latin America. Demand for most beverage packaging is seasonal with inventories
being built from November to March for the peak soft drink and beer sales of
April through October.

     Mead Coated Board, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mead, operates a
coated paperboard mill near Phenix City, Alabama, sawmills in Cottonton, Alabama
and Greenville, Georgia, and owns various timberlands in Alabama and Georgia.
The subsidiary is engaged primarily in the manufacture of coated natural kraft
products used by the beverage packaging industry and by manufacturers of folding
cartons for soaps, food products, hardware and apparel. The entire output of the
Phenix City mill is sold by Mead Coated Board, Inc. to the Mead Coated Board
division. The division sells approximately 50% of the mill output to the Mead
Packaging division. The remainder is sold to a wide range of domestic and
foreign carton converters. The division's customers are most concerned about
physical strength properties of the paperboard and its quality for
reprographics. Mead started up a new CNK(R) paperboard facility adjacent to the
Phenix City mill in late 1990, and has constructed additional sheeting
facilities in foreign countries to handle a portion of the increased capacity.
In 1993, the division commenced operations at new facilities at the Phenix City
mill designed to enable the division to meet beverage packaging customer demand
for post-consumer recycled content.

     The Mead Containerboard division sells standard and special purpose
corrugated shipping containers manufactured at eight converting plants located
in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States from raw
materials received from outside sources and from the division's Stevenson,
Alabama corrugating medium mill. The division also sells corrugating medium from
the Stevenson mill to unaffiliated manufacturers of containers.

                           Forest Products Affiliates

     Northwood Forest Industries Ltd. ("Northwood"), which is owned 50% by Mead
and 50% by Noranda Forest Inc. ("Noranda"), manufactures bleached softwood kraft
pulp at its 1,600 short ton-per-day mill in Prince George, British Columbia. The
principal markets for its pulp are in the United States, western Europe and
Japan. Lumber and plywood products are also produced at Northwood's five
sawmills and its plywood plant in British Columbia. Northwood has the annual
capacity to produce over one billion board feet of lumber and 175 million square
feet of plywood (3/8-inch basis). Northwood's solid wood products' operations
provide about 760,000 tons (Metric ODT) of wood chips or 70% of the fiber
requirements for the pulp mill. A wood preserving operation also treats lumber
and custom treats plywood from other sources.

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<PAGE>
 
     Northwood Panelboard Company ("Panelboard"), a partnership owned 50% by
Mead and 50% by Noranda located in Bemidji, Minnesota, has the annual capacity
to produce approximately 340 million square feet of oriented structural board
(3/8-inch basis).

     All of the wood products produced by Northwood and Panelboard are sold
through a subsidiary of Noranda primarily in North America with approximately
20% sold to export markets. All of the market pulp produced by Northwood is sold
by Mead Pulp Sales. Mead has a long-term contract with Northwood pursuant to
which Mead is entitled to purchase such of Northwood's pulp production as it may
require.


                                  Timberlands

     Mead obtains most of its wood requirements from private contractors or
suppliers and from Company owned timberlands. The annual wood requirement for
Mead's wholly-owned operations is approximately 7,500,000 tons, of which
approximately 18% is obtained from timberlands owned or leased by Mead.

     The approximate annual requirement of wood for both Northwood and
Panelboard is 5,800,000 tons. At Northwood, the majority of wood is obtained
from Crown Lands through various types of cutting rights which are terminable or
renegotiable at the government's initiative and from third parties having
similar cutting rights. At Panelboard, wood is obtained from both private
landowners and various governmental sources (federal, state and county).
 
     As of December 31, 1994, Mead owned or controlled approximately 1,350,000
acres of timberlands in the United States. Approximately 107,000 acres of land
are controlled by Mead under long-term agreements which expire at different
times through 2027.

                  Distribution and School and Office Products

     Zellerbach, Mead's distribution division, is a national distribution
business which distributes a full line of printing papers, industrial supplies
and packaging materials and equipment. These products are distributed through a
network of wholesale locations and printer-supply retail outlets. The business
units carry inventory or order products against sales orders, depending upon the
product and service requirements. Zellerbach distributes not only products of
Mead, but also those of several hundred other manufacturers. In the distribution
of paper and other products, competing merchants frequently distribute products
of the same supplier.

     The Mead School and Office Products division manufactures and distributes a
line of school supplies (including filler paper, wirebound notebooks, portfolios
and looseleaf binders) as well as a line of office supply products (including
envelopes, filing supplies and vinyl folders and binders). The division's
products are distributed primarily through mass market retailers, office supply
superstores and warehouse clubs. The school supply segment is highly seasonal
with inventories beginning to be built in the winter and spring

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
for shipment in late spring and summer, while the home and office products
portion of the business is generally less seasonal in nature. Manufacturing and
distribution is done from seven United States plants/distribution centers and
one in Canada. The division also has a small manufacturing facility operated in
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

                       International Sales and Operations

     Outside of the United States and Canada, Mead and its affiliates operate a
paperboard sheeting facility and are engaged in the manufacture of multiple
systems and folding carton packaging in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Mead
also has sales subsidiaries, affiliates, agents or distributors in a number of
countries in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

                                  Competition

     Mead competes on a world-wide basis in its product lines, and the markets
in which Mead sells its products are highly competitive. Several factors affect
Mead's competitive position, including quality, technology, product design,
customer service, price and cost. The Fine Paper and Publishing Paper divisions
compete with numerous other major paper manufacturers. The Specialty division
competes primarily with North American and European based decorative laminating
papermakers. The Gilbert division competes with a number of other manufacturers
of premium cotton, sulfite and recycled papers. The Coated Board division
competes with other boxboard producers, including manufacturers of all types of
coated recycled boxboard, coated solid bleach sulfate and folding boxboard. The
Packaging division competes with a number of carton suppliers and machine
manufacturers and one other global systems-based multiple packaging supplier.
The Containerboard division competes primarily with container producers in
several market areas. The Zellerbach division competes with national and
regional merchant chains, as well as independent local merchants. The School and
Office Products division competes with national and regional converters, some
with broad product offerings and others focused on narrow product segments.

                          Employee and Labor Relations

     Mead employs approximately 16,100 persons, of whom approximately 7,500 are
production, maintenance and clerical employees represented by labor unions.
Mead's 50% owned company, Northwood, employs approximately 2,400 persons. Mead
and Northwood have approximately 50 labor agreements currently in force of which
approximately one-third are subject to renegotiation each year.

     Mead's employee relation policies are based on mutual confidence and trust.
All Mead labor contract negotiations during 1994 were concluded without any
strikes.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                Trademarks, Trade Names, Patents, and Franchises

     Mead has a large number of trademarks and trade names under which it
conducts its business, including "Mead," "Mead Papers," "Mead Packaging,"
"Zellerbach," "Z," "Montag," "Super Shades," "Trans/Rite," "Trans/Tab,"
"Duodozen," "Cluster-Pak," "Cambridge," "Chief," "Apex," "Info," "Moistrite,"
"Trapper," "Trapper Keeper," "Neatbook," "Gilbert," "Gilcrest," "OPAS,"
"Signature," "CNK," "Five Star," "First Gear," "Neu-Tech," "Esse," "Organizer,"
"Spiral," "sig-NATURE," "Management Series," "NO! RULES," "Duraline," "Appli,"
"Duoply," and many others. Mead also has a great number and variety of patents,
patent rights, licenses and franchises relating to its business. While, in the
aggregate, the foregoing are of material importance to Mead's business, the loss
of any one or any related group of such intellectual property rights would not
have a material adverse effect on the business of Mead.

                       Environmental Laws and Regulations

     Mead's operations are subject to extensive regulation by various federal,
state, provincial and local environmental control statutes and regulations.
These regulations impose effluent and emission limitations, waste disposal and
other requirements upon the operations of Mead, and require Mead to obtain and
operate in compliance with the conditions of permits and similar authorizations
from the appropriate governmental authorities. Mead has obtained, has
applications pending, or is making application for such permits and
authorizations. Mead does not anticipate that compliance with such statutes and
regulations will have a material adverse effect on its competitive position
since its competition is subject to the same statutes and regulations to a
relatively similar degree.

     During the past five years (January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1994), Mead
(including its share of Northwood expenditures) constructed air and water
pollution control and other environmental facilities at a cost of approximately
$91.8 million. Significant environmental expenditures in the future are
anticipated to include long-term projects for maintenance and upgrade of
wastewater treatment plants, air emission controls and the construction of solid
waste disposal facilities. Due to changes in environmental laws and regulations,
the application of such laws and regulations and changes in environmental
control technology, it is not possible for Mead to predict with certainty the
amount of capital expenditures to be incurred for environmental purposes, though
management anticipates that these expenditures will increase as regulatory
requirements become more stringent. Taking these uncertainties into account,
Mead estimates that in the next five years it may be required to incur
expenditures of approximately $334 million.

     A substantial portion of the expected increase in capital expenditures for
the next five years is related to new regulations under the Clean Air Act and
Clean Water Act, which are expected to be promulgated in final form by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency ("USEPA") in early 1996. These
regulations, proposed in December 1993, are intended to reduce air and water
discharges of specific substances from pulp and paper mills in the United
States, and to require installation of additional pollution control equipment
based on

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
best available technology. The American Forest and Paper Association estimates
that these regulations, if implemented in their present form, could cost the
pulp and paper industry over $10 billion in capital expenditures, and force the
closing of approximately 30 plants and the loss of an estimated 19,000 mill
jobs. Mead believes, based on a review of Mead's operations, that implementation
of the proposed regulations in their present form could significantly increase
Mead's capital investments and operating costs over the next five years. Mead
opposes these regulations as proposed because it believes that the environment
can be protected for billions of dollars less in capital investment and without
a significant negative impact on the United States pulp and paper industry's
competitive position worldwide. Mead expects that the proposed regulations will
be modified before being issued in final form in 1996.

     The USEPA issued proposed regulations implementing the Federal Great Lakes
Critical Programs Act of 1990 ("GLCPA") in 1993, which was enacted as a result
of an agreement between the United States and Canada in the 1970s to seek
greater consistency for water quality standards among the Great Lakes states.
The proposed regulations establish minimum water quality criteria, anti-
degradation policies and implementation procedures. Current industry estimates
indicate that compliance with these proposed regulations may cost affected
forest products companies, in the aggregate, over $800 million. In September
1993, in response to the USEPA's request for comments on the proposed
regulations, and based on certain assumptions and uncertainties described in
Mead's comment letter, Mead estimated that the cost of complying with the
proposed regulations, in respect of Mead's Escanaba facility, could range from
$100 million to $150 million in capital expenditures, with a significant
increase in annual operating costs. These costs are not included in Mead's
anticipated environmental expenditures discussed above. Mead opposes these
regulations as proposed because Mead believes they are unnecessary and
unreasonable. At this time, Mead cannot make any conclusions as to the effect of
the final rules, which are expected to be promulgated by the USEPA in 1995.

     Mead believes that most of its earlier expenditures for environmental
control have been beneficial. However, Mead and its trade associations have
challenged and are continuing to challenge in administrative and judicial
proceedings federal and state environmental control regulations which they do
not believe are beneficial to the environment or the public. In some instances,
those trade associations may also seek legislative remedies to correct
unnecessary or impractical requirements of existing laws.

     Dioxin currently cannot be detected under normal operating conditions in
treated effluents from Mead's three U. S. bleached paper mills. Taking into
account current regulatory efforts and the process and control equipment
installed at Mead's bleached paper mills, management does not believe that any
required actions in response to dioxin concerns will have a material adverse
effect on the Company.

     Mead has been notified by the USEPA and by several state or local
governments that it may be liable under federal environmental laws or under
applicable state or local laws with respect to the cleanup of hazardous
substances at 13 sites currently operated or used by Mead. Mead is also
currently named as a potentially responsible party ("PRP"), or has received
third

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<PAGE>
 
party requests for contributions, in several superfund proceedings under
federal, state and local laws with respect to at least 18 sites sold by Mead
over many years or owned by contractors used by Mead for disposal purposes. Some
of these proceedings are described in more detail in Part I, Item 3, "Legal
Proceedings." There are other former Mead facilities and those of contractors
which may contain contamination or which may have contributed to potential
superfund sites but for which Mead has not received any notice or claim. Mead's
potential liability for all these sites will depend upon several factors,
including the extent of contamination, the method of remediation, insurance
coverage and contribution by other PRPs. Although the costs that Mead may be
required to pay for remediation of all these owned and unowned sites are not
certain at this time, Mead has established reserves of approximately $40 million
relating to current environmental litigation and proceedings which it believes
are probable and reasonably estimable. These reserves were established after
considering the number of other PRPs, their ability to pay their portion of the
costs, the volumetric amount, if any, of Mead's contribution, and other factors.
Expenses to be charged to this reserve are not included in the anticipated
capital expenditures for the next five years discussed above.

Item 2. Properties

     Mead considers that its facilities are suitable and adequate for the
operations involved. With the exception of certain warehouses, general offices
and timberlands which are leased, including properties which are leased from
corporations the common shares of which are owned by The Mead Retirement Master
Trust, and certain warehouses which are owned or leased and managed by third
parties for Zellerbach, Mead owns all of the properties described herein. For
additional information regarding leases see Note P on page 53. For additional
information concerning Mead's timberlands and properties of affiliates, see 
Item 1. Business.

     Mead's corporate headquarters are in Dayton, Ohio and its principal
facilities are at the locations listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Business Unit                   Facility Locations           Principal Use
- ---------------------------  -------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                          <C>                        <C>
Fine Paper                   Chillicothe, Ohio          Pulp mill, coated,
                                                        uncoated and carbonless
                                                        paper mill
 
                             Indianapolis, Indiana      Carbonless coating
                                                        facility
 
                             Kingsport, Tennessee/1/    Pulp mill, coated and
                                                        uncoated paper mill
 
Publishing Paper             Escanaba, Michigan         Pulp mill, coated paper
                                                        mill
 
Gilbert Paper                Menasha, Wisconsin         Cotton and recycled
                                                        content and specialty
                                                        paper mill
 
- -------------------------
</TABLE>
/1/ Mead announced in 1994 its intention to seek a buyer for this facility
      

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                        <C>
Specialty Paper              South Lee, Massachusetts   Decorative laminating
                                                        and specialty papers
                                                        mills

Packaging                    Anniston, Alabama          Paperboard packaging,
                             Atlanta, Georgia           multiple packaging
                             Godfrey, Illinois          systems for beverage
                             Fairless Hills,            and food, packaging
                             Pennsylvania               machinery manufacturing
                             Ajax, Ontario, Canada      or repair facilities
                             Chateauroux, France        and ink manufacture
                             Trento, Italy
                             Roosendaal, The
                             Netherlands
                             Trier-Ehrang, Germany
                             Bristol, England
                             Shimada, Japan
                             Bilbao, Spain
                             Buenos Aires, Argentina
                             Santiago, Chile
 
Containerboard               8 plants within the        Corrugated shipping
                             United States located      containers
                             primarily in midwest and   manufacturing facilities
                             southern regions
 
                             Stevenson, Alabama         Corrugating medium mill

Coated Board                 Phenix City, Alabama       Coated paperboard mill,
                             Venlo, The Netherlands     sheeting facilities and
                             Cottonton, Alabama         sawmills
                             Greenville, Georgia
                             Hong Kong
                             United Kingdom
 
School and Office Products   7 manufacturing and        Home, office and school
                             distribution locations     products manufacturing
                             throughout the United      and distribution
                             States, one in Toronto,    facilities
                             Ontario, Canada and one
                             manufacturing location
                             in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
 
Zellerbach                   48 wholesale locations     Paper, packaging
                             throughout the United      equipment and supplies
                             States; one converting     distribution facilities
                             operation; 35
                             printer-supply retail
                             outlets; and 5 third
                             party warehouses
 
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings

     In September 1993 Mead signed a Consent Order with USEPA under Section
3008(h) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act with respect to a landfill
(the Storage Depot Site) owned and operated by Mead Fine Paper division's
Chillicothe, Ohio, mill. Pursuant to the terms of that Order, Mead will
undertake certain investigative and remedial work designed to control releases
of hazardous substances from the Site. Work has begun and is expected to
continue through 1995. Mead believes that the U.S. Navy is legally responsible
for the groundwater contamination at the Storage Depot Site, including the cost
of implementing the Consent Order. In 1992, Mead filed a declaratory judgment
action against the U.S. Navy seeking to have the Navy take responsibility for
any required remediation. In 1993, both Mead and the U.S. Navy filed motions for
partial summary judgment on the issue of liability, and allocation of
responsibility for clean up costs, both of which motions were denied in January
1994. Attempts to mediate this proceeding ended in October 1993 without any
resolution. Proceedings continue in court.

     In March 1991, Mead was served with a complaint entitled Beazer East Inc.
                                                              ----------------
v. The Mead Corporation, C.A. No. 91-0408, filed in the United States
- -----------------------                                              
District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The complaint alleges
that the USEPA seeks to require Beazer to conduct a site-wide environmental
investigation regarding hazardous substances, wastes and constituents at the
Woodward Facility located in Dolomite, Alabama, and to propose preferred
corrective measures for the site. Mead acquired the Woodward Facility by merger
in 1968, and in 1974 sold it to Koppers, Inc., which was later acquired by
Beazer. The complaint alleges that Mead is liable to Beazer for contribution for
past and future costs to be incurred by Beazer as a result of any corrective
measures required at the site. In October 1992, the district court granted
Mead's motion to dismiss all of plaintiff's allegations in this proceeding
except those relating to alleged liability under CERCLA and alleged indemnity
under the 1974 sale contract. In June 1993, the court granted Mead's motion for
summary judgment and dismissed the case. This decision was reversed by the
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in September 1994.
Proceedings continue in court regarding Beazer's contribution claim. Although
the extent of contamination and the method of remediation to be required are not
known at this time, based on information currently available to Mead, after
considering established reserves, rights to contribution and potential insurance
coverage, Mead does not expect this proceeding will have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition or results of operation of the Company.

     The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation ("TDEC") advised
Mead in September 1991 that a closed coke manufacturing facility located in
Chattanooga, Tennessee (formerly owned by Mead) is a hazardous substance site
within the meaning of the Tennessee Hazardous Waste Management Act, and that
Mead may be a potentially responsible or liable party. In June 1994 Mead agreed
with TDEC to commence a removal action at the closed coke plant site to permit
demolition of structures, removal of asbestos, control of surface water ponding
and repairs to fencing. The removal action was completed by December 1994. In
August 1993, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
("ATSDR") issued a health advisory for a site identified as the Tennessee
Products Site, which included the coke manufacturing facility formerly owned by

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Mead. In January 1994, the USEPA proposed adding the Tennessee Products Site to
the National Priorities List ("NPL"). Mead objected to the proposed listing on
several grounds, but in particular because of the inclusion of the coke facility
with non-contiguous, geographically distinct properties in the area, including
the Chattanooga Creek. In November 1994, the USEPA sent special notice letters
under CERCLA to several PRPs, including Mead, regarding the performance of a
remedial investigation/feasibility study ("RI/FS") of the aggregated Tennessee
Products Site. The PRPs, including Mead, have responded that they will not
perform an RI/FS on the aggregated site. A preliminary PRP search by USEPA
indicates that dumping in Chattanooga Creek occurred when the coke plant was
doubled in size to meet World War II government requirements. The coke plant was
owned by the Defense Plant Corporation during World War II and sold by the War
Assets Administration in 1946. Woodward Iron Company, formerly a division of
Mead, acquired the coke plant in 1964, and Mead sold the coke plant site to
third parties in 1974. Although the extent of contamination and the possible
methods of remediation are not known at this time, based on information
currently available to Mead, after considering established reserves, rights to
contribution and potential insurance coverage, Mead does not believe that this
proceeding will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or
results of operation of the Company.

     In March 1994, Mead received a Notice of Violation from USEPA for alleged
violations of the Ohio State Implementation Plan ("SIP") under the Clean Air Act
and an Order to conduct a compliance test on one of its boilers. USEPA had
alleged that on two occasions emissions of particulate matter from one of the
boilers at the Mead Fine Paper mill in Chillicothe, Ohio exceeded levels allowed
under the SIP. Subsequent tests have demonstrated compliance. No penalties were
assessed and Mead does not anticipate any further action in this proceeding.

     Mead has been informed by Ohio EPA that it is contemplating an enforcement
action seeking penalties from Mead for various alleged, unrelated air violations
at the Mead Fine Paper mill in Chillicothe, Ohio dating back to 1989. The
alleged violations concerned particulate emissions from a coal-fired boiler in
1989, the absence of a permit for the facility's chlorine unloading station and
the untimely installation of equipment to control odors. Ohio EPA and Mead are
discussing these allegations, and Mead does not believe that any such proceeding
will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

     Additional information is included in Part I, Item 1, "Business--
Environmental Laws and Regulations," Note M on page 47 and Note Q on page 54.

     Mead is involved in various other litigation and administrative proceedings
arising in the normal course of business, which, in the opinion of management,
after considering established reserves, will not have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition or results of operations of Mead.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     Not applicable.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Executive Officers of the Company

     The Executive Officers of Mead as of February 1, 1995, their ages, their
positions and offices with Mead, and the principal occupation (unless otherwise
stated, position is with Mead) of such Executive Officers during the past five
years are as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
    Name              Age                 Position and Offices
    ----              ---                 --------------------
<S>                   <C>    <C>  
William R. Graber     51     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since
                             December 1993; prior to that Vice President and
                             Treasurer since April 1993; Treasurer since
                             September 1992; Controller since April 1991;
                             Manager, Finance Operations, Motor Business,
                             General Electric Company ("GE") since July 1990;
                             prior thereto Manager, Financial Service
                             Operations, GE Aircraft Engines.

Elias M. Karter       54     Vice President, Operating Officer since July 1994;
                             prior to that Vice President, Manufacturing &
                             Technology.

Raymond W. Lane       46     Vice President, Operating Officer since July 1994;
                             prior to that President of Mead School and Office
                             Products Division.

Steven C. Mason       58     Director; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                             Officer since May 1992 and President since December
                             1994; Vice Chairman during April 1991 to May 1992;
                             prior to that President and Chief Operating
                             Officer.

Charles J. Mazza      52     Vice President, Human Resources.

Wallace O. Nugent     56     Vice President, Purchasing and Logistics since
                             January 1993; prior to that Vice President,
                             Marketing and Supply.

Thomas E. Palmer      55     Vice President and General Counsel since September
                             1991; prior to that a partner with Squire, Sanders
                             & Dempsey.
                             
Jerome F. Tatar       48     Vice President, Operating Officer since July 1994;
                             prior to that President of Mead Fine Paper
                             Division. 

</TABLE>
All Executive Officers of Mead are elected annually by the Board of Directors.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

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

     Mead's Common Shares are listed on the New York, Chicago and Pacific Stock
Exchanges, trading under the symbol "MEA." Information on market prices and
dividends is set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
MARKET PRICES PER COMMON SHARE
- ------------------------------
                                   1994             1993
                             ----------------  ----------------
                              High      Low     High      Low
                             -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
First quarter                $48.125  $39.750  $45.875  $37.500
Second quarter                46.250   39.125   47.375   40.500
Third quarter                 52.875   42.000   48.500   41.250
Fourth quarter                53.250   43.375   45.750   39.500
 
DIVIDENDS PAID PER COMMON SHARE
- -------------------------------
                                    1994               1993
                                    ----               ----       
First quarter                      $ .25              $ .25
Second quarter                       .25                .25
Third quarter                        .25                .25
Fourth quarter                       .25                .25
                                 -------            -------
Year
                                   $1.00              $1.00
                                 =======            ======= 
</TABLE>

     The number of Common shareowners of record as of February 28, 1995, was
57,941,098. See Note H on page 42 for information regarding the amount of
retained earnings available for dividends.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Five-Year Data on Operations, Liquidity, Financial Condition and Capital
Resources
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                     (All dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     December 31                                   1994       1993       1992       1991       1990
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Operations:
      Net sales                                  $4,557.5   $4,239.0   $4,208.4   $4,109.7   $4,332.3
      Earnings from continuing operations            89.6       95.7       13.7       26.2       94.1
      Earnings from continuing operations per
        common and common equivalent share           1.52       1.61        .23        .45       1.51
Liquidity:
      Working capital                               806.5      380.3      375.2      284.5      273.9
      Current ratio                                   1.7        1.6        1.6        1.4        1.4
      Net cash provided by
        operating activities                        327.0      326.5      303.8      227.5      302.3
Assets:
      Property, plant and equipment-net           2,313.9    2,239.6    2,175.1    2,202.1    2,200.1
      Total assets                                4,862.6    4,073.3    3,934.4    3,900.4    3,807.8
Capital:
      Borrowed capital-long-term debt               957.7    1,360.0    1,317.5    1,300.4    1,245.0
      Equity capital                              2,182.6    1,578.0    1,495.4    1,478.4    1,531.3
                                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
      Total capital                              $3,140.3   $2,938.0   $2,812.9   $2,778.8   $2,776.3
Borrowed capital as a percent of total capital       30.5%      46.3%      46.8%      46.8%      44.8%
Cash dividends per common share                  $   1.00   $   1.00   $   1.00   $   1.00   $    .97
</TABLE>

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
        Results of Operations

                              REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
                              --------------------

OVERVIEW OF 1994
- ----------------

Mead's earnings (excluding the effect of significant items) improved over 1993
and 1992 levels. Driving the continued earnings growth were significantly
improved results from Mead's Northwood affiliates; the Fine Paper division's
Chillicothe, Ohio, paper mill; the Coated Board, Containerboard, Specialty
Paper, and School and Office Products divisions; and the positive effect of a
change in depreciable lives of most paper mill equipment. Earnings from Mead's
Packaging and Zellerbach divisions were lower than in 1993 and 1992.

Sales increased on higher sales volumes in nearly all Mead's businesses.
Pricing, which had remained at depressed levels in most businesses for several
years, began to strengthen in 1994. For pulp and containerboard, prices began to
improve by mid-year. In paper and coated board, price increases began to improve
near year-end, with average prices for the year still below 1993 levels for most
grades.

Pulp prices recovered in 1994 for Mead's affiliate, Northwood Forest Industries,
though a sharp increase in fiber costs delayed earnings increases from pulp
operations until late in the year. Prices for wood products, which had been very
strong in 1993, moderated somewhat during the year.

Within Mead's paper operations, sales volumes increased modestly over 1993 and
1992 levels. Strong volume growth and further productivity improvements,
especially at Chillicothe, drove earnings improvement. Price increases in coated
paper began to be realized in the fourth quarter.

Mead Coated Board continued sales volume growth over 1993 and 1992, increasing
earnings through cost control despite lower average prices for coated board.
Sales at Mead Packaging rebounded from a drop in 1993, but competitive pressures
on pricing and generally weaker foreign markets for most of the year resulted in
lower earnings. For the Containerboard division, demand and prices improved
significantly. Strong converting volume and mill operations at the Stevenson,
Alabama, mill led to an earnings improvement over 1993.

Sales grew at Zellerbach in all three of its business units, printing paper,
packaging and industrial supplies, as the market began to strengthen in the
second half of the year. However, margins did not improve due to higher
operating costs and restructuring charges which reduced results compared to 1993
and 1992.

School and Office Products continued its growth in sales and earnings over 1993
and 1992 levels. Strong operating results were driven by growing sales in its
fashion lines of school and office supplies and the successful introduction of
new licensed products.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
OPERATING RESULTS
- -----------------

Sales from continuing operations increased to $4.558 billion in 1994, compared
to $4.239 billion in 1993 and $4.208 billion in 1992. The gains in 1994 over
1993 came primarily from volume increases, with pricing improvements in most
products coming after mid-year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Earnings Per Share Analysis
                                        ---------------------------
                                         1994        1993      1992
                                         ----        ----      ----
<S>                                     <C>         <C>       <C>
Continuing operations before the 
  following items                       $ 2.29       $1.73    $1.43
Significant items                         (.77)                (.90)
Sale of business                                               (.30)
Effect of tax rate change                             (.12)
                                        ------       -----    -----
Continuing operations                     1.52        1.61      .23         
Discontinued operations                   9.87         .47      .40         
Extraordinary item                        (.18)                            
Cumulative effect of change in                                            
  accounting principle                                          .58
                                        ------       -----    ----- 
Net earnings                            $11.21       $2.08    $1.21
                                        ======       =====    =====
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

In 1994, the Company realized a gain of $10.05 per share from the sale of Mead
Data Central. Discontinued operations also included Mead Data Central's
operating earnings through the sale date; adjustments affecting Mead's
discontinued reinsurance business; and charges related to environmental matters
at Mead's previously discontinued Industrial Manufacturing segment. The
extraordinary item in 1994 was for losses associated with the extinguishment of
debt. The company also recorded a number of other significant items totaling
$.77 per share. Those items included charges for the estimated loss from the
sale of the Kingsport, Tennessee, paper mill, facilities consolidation and
related severance primarily at Zellerbach, the negative effect of an unusually
large dollar amount of pension settlement payments and other smaller matters.
Also included in significant items is the positive effect of an amount for
Mead's share of Northwood's earnings due to refunds of countervailing duties on
lumber exports from Canada in prior years.

In 1994, effective January 1, the depreciable lives of certain paper mill
equipment were changed to 20 years from 16 years to more closely reflect the
current service lives of the assets. The change increased net earnings by $27
million or $.42 per share for the year.

In 1992, earnings from continuing operations were reduced by a provision for a
comprehensive performance improvement program which resulted in an after tax
charge of $53 million or $.90 per share related to continuing operations, and by
a $18 million after tax or $.30 per share charge on a loss on the sale of the
Ampad office products business.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
In 1992, Mead adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
109, requiring the determination of all income tax liabilities at current rates.
The effect of adopting the new standard was an increase in net earnings of $34
million, or $.58 a share.

Depreciation, amortization and depletion of property, plant and equipment
amounted to $188 million in 1994, compared with $222 million in 1993 and $211
million in 1992.


                                     PAPER

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Summary (in millions)      1994       1993      1992
- ---------------                  ---------  --------  --------
<S>                              <C>        <C>       <C>
Sales                            $1,156.8   $1,111.4  $1,090.6
                                 ========   ========  ========
Earnings before significant 
  items and income taxes            137.9      101.9      85.6
Significant items                   (65.9)               (22.3)
                                 --------             --------
Earnings before income taxes     $   72.0   $  101.9  $   63.3
                                 ========   ========  ========
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Mead's paper segment earnings before significant items and income taxes improved
35% versus 1993, driven by increased volume and stronger operating results,
especially at the Chillicothe and Specialty paper mills, and a $28.7 million
reduction in depreciation expense due to a change in depreciable lives of most
paper mill equipment. Sales increased by 4% in 1994 to $1.157 billion. Sales
volume growth came from increases in both production and shipments from
inventory. In 1993, earnings before significant items and income taxes improved
19% over 1992 on a 2% increase in sales and an 11% volume growth.

Prices, which had been at depressed levels for several years, began to show
improvement in the second half of the year as demand for paper strengthened
rapidly. Prices began to improve after mid-year for uncoated paper, and near
year-end in coated grades.

Industry capacity for coated papers is expected to increase less than 2%
annually from 1995-97. In 1995, continued economic strength in the United States
and Europe is expected to keep demand for paper high.

Segment earnings for 1994 also include a charge for the estimated loss on the
sale of the Kingsport, Tennessee, mill and other smaller items.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Mead Publishing Paper
- ---------------------

The Publishing Paper division produces more than 500,000 tons of medium-weight
coated paper annually for book and magazine publishers, and catalog and
commercial printers.

Sales volume ran slightly ahead of last year. However, prices, which had been
falling since 1991, fell even further during the first half of 1994. Prices
began to improve after mid-year, though average selling price for the year was
below 1993. Continued productivity improvement partially offset the price
decline, and earnings were ahead of 1993. Sales and earnings in 1993 increased
over 1992.

An overall strengthening of the domestic and European economies at mid-year
began to firm demand for coated paper. Orders and backlogs grew, and, by the
fourth quarter, paper was on allocation and prices began to recover. Strong
demand is expected to continue in 1995 along with further strengthening of
prices. Paper is expected to remain in tight supply as no major capacity
additions have been announced in the marketplace.

Substantial progress was made on two major capital programs. Following paper
machine modifications completed in 1994, the division introduced a new coated
paper product, Vision(TM), based on proprietary technology that improves the
quality of the printing surface. Another capital project, to be completed in
1995, will improve grade mix by enabling the mill to produce double coated web
and sheet grade paper of superior quality. These capital programs will be
completed for less than $100 million.

Mead Fine Paper
- ---------------

Mead Fine Paper produces both coated and uncoated papers for business and
specialty uses and is a leading producer of carbonless paper.

Division sales improved modestly, and operating earnings before significant
items and income taxes improved as a result of strong operations at the
Chillicothe, Ohio, mill. Continued productivity improvements that included
improved mix of coated and carbonless grades, higher production volume and good
cost control combined to offset weak pricing which existed for most of the year.
In 1993, weak market conditions held sales growth to a modest increase over
1992, but earnings improved significantly over 1992 levels through improved
productivity and cost controls.

Weak market conditions and depressed prices during 1992 and 1993 continued
through the first half of 1994. Demand and prices began to strengthen in the
second half for uncoated paper and near year-end for coated paper. Continued
market strength and further price improvement should drive sales and earnings
growth in 1995. Increases in fiber costs are expected to be more than offset in
1995 by higher pricing, improved grade mix and volume as well as other cost
reductions at the Chillicothe mill.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
The $111 million capital investment project which is upgrading coated paper
quality at Chillicothe is on schedule and will be completed early in 1995.
During 1994, new carbonless paper products were introduced.

Mead announced in October its plans to sell the Kingsport, Tennessee, mill which
primarily produces uncoated papers and some coated label grades. The mill's
sales have remained flat since 1992. Operating results in 1994 and 1993 were
significantly below 1992 results.

Mead Specialty Paper
- --------------------

Mead Specialty Paper manufactures saturating papers for decorative laminates
used in commercial and home construction, remodeling and furniture; and,
specialty grades in various industrial applications, including automobiles.

The division's earnings improved sharply in 1994 over 1993. The improvement was
driven by increased volume in strengthening markets and significant productivity
improvements. The U.S. housing market, both in housing starts and remodeling
expenditures, which had begun to improve in 1993, strengthened further in 1994.
The U.S. automotive market was strong, and European markets also recovered in
1994.

Growth continued during the year for the division's products in low pressure
laminates and in overlay used in flooring applications. With continued market
strength, the division's current high volume is expected to remain in 1995.
However, recent cost increases in market pulp and other raw materials may be
only partially offset by expected productivity gains.

1993 sales increased over 1992, but earnings declined as a result of higher
operating costs during the year.

Gilbert Paper
- -------------

The Gilbert Paper division produces high-quality communications papers,
including cotton-content bonds, and specialty text and cover papers.

Gilbert reported sales even with 1993, with lower earnings as a result of higher
pulp costs, a less profitable product mix and some operating inefficiencies.

Strengthening prices, along with planned improvements in operating efficiency,
should offset higher pulp costs this year and lead to improved performance in
1995. A new line of super-premium ink jet papers introduced late in 1994 will be
in retail markets early in 1995. Sales to catalog and export markets continue to
grow. In 1993, the division reported a slight decline in sales and earnings
compared to 1992.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                            PACKAGING AND PAPERBOARD

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
Segment Summary (in millions)      1994       1993       1992
- ---------------                  --------   --------   --------
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>
 
Sales                            $1,254.5   $1,156.9   $1,163.2
                                 ========   ========   ========
Earnings before significant 
   items and income taxes           130.7      132.8      140.9
Significant items                    (6.9)                (23.8)
                                 --------   --------   --------
Earnings before income taxes     $  123.8   $  132.8   $  117.1
                                 ========   ========   ========
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Sales increased 8% in 1994 on higher volume in all businesses in the segment.
However, pricing pressures continued on coated board and converted cartons most
of the year, resulting in lower average pricing and reduced earnings for the
segment, despite a $14.0 million reduction in depreciation expense due to a
change in depreciable lives. In 1993, sales were flat with 1992, and earnings
before significant items and income taxes decreased.

Production volume and overall shipments increased at the Stevenson, Alabama,
containerboard mill, and the Mahrt coated board mill in Alabama. Sales volume
was also higher for packaging converting operations and container plants. While
pricing improved in containerboard markets during the year, it remained at
depressed levels for coated board and converted packaging.

A strengthened world economy is expected to continue to drive demand for
paperboard packaging in 1995.

Mead Containerboard
- -------------------

Mead's Containerboard division produces corrugating medium used in shipping
containers and operates eight corrugated container plants.

Sales and earnings improved sharply for the division. Markets improved
significantly in 1994, leading to improved prices for medium and containers
which had been depressed in 1993.

Operating improvements led to further increases in annual production over 1993
and 1992. Converting volume grew faster than the overall market in 1994.
Spending controls helped offset a sharp rise in recycled fiber costs during the
year.

1993 sales were about even with 1992, though 1993 earnings fell below 1992 as
cost controls and strong converting volume growth could not offset deteriorating
prices.

Four of the division's container plants obtained ISO 9001 certification by
meeting a set of international standards designed to improve product quality and
consistency. The medium mill obtained ISO 9002 certification in 1993.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Mead Coated Board
- -----------------

Mead Coated Board manufactures coated paperboard for use in multiple packaging
and folding cartons. Customers include folding carton manufacturers in North
America and Europe, in addition to Mead Packaging's worldwide business.

Division earnings continued to improve despite lower average prices for the
year. Earnings were driven primarily by higher volume, an improving product mix,
further cost reductions, and strong sawmill operations.

Production continued to increase over previous years, moving up 3% over 1993;
first quality coated board production increased 6%. Shipments outstripped
production as inventories fell sharply during the year. A grade simplification
program combined two folding carton grades into one, which will reduce overall
costs. The division also introduced a new wet strength additive for the beverage
carton grade, making it more recyclable.

Results in 1995 are expected to be driven by improvements in product mix and by
a recovery in prices for open market grades that began late in 1994. The effect
of improved pricing will be offset somewhat by rising raw materials costs.
Production volume is essentially sold out for 1995.

Sales and earnings have continued to increase since the Mahrt mill expansion was
completed in 1990. 1994 sales increased 11% over 1993; 1993 sales were up 6%
over 1992.

Mead Packaging
- --------------

Mead Packaging is a leading supplier of multiple beverage packaging and
packaging systems. It also provides multiple packaging for food and other
products. Customers include large and small brewers, soft drink bottlers, food
and other consumer products companies.

Increased volume, especially in the North American soft drink market, and a
strengthening economy in Europe late in the year led to an increase in worldwide
sales. Earnings, however, were lower compared to 1993. Sales and earnings in
1993 were lower than in 1992.

In the North American market, lower earnings in 1994 resulted from higher
production and freight costs associated with meeting a surge in demand among
beverage customers, continued pricing pressures and costs related to business
growth.

International sales were about even with last year. Weak economies in Japan and
in Europe for much of the year increased pricing pressures, and costs of
business growth in Latin America led to reduced earnings.

As part of its growth strategy, Packaging acquired a leading paperboard
packaging converter in Spain and began operations in Argentina, Chile and
Poland.

With further strengthening in world economies, packaging volume is expected to
continue to grow at a significant rate worldwide in 1995, especially in the
North

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
American market. Volume growth, firming prices and on-going cost reduction
efforts should drive improved performance in 1995.

                  DISTRIBUTION AND SCHOOL AND OFFICE PRODUCTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Summary (in millions)      1994       1993      1992
                                 --------   --------  --------
<S>                              <C>        <C>       <C>
Sales                            $2,146.2   $1,970.7  $1,954.6
                                 ========   ========  ========
Earnings before significant 
   items and income taxes            37.8       38.4      45.6
Significant items                   (17.3)               (16.3)
                                 --------             --------
Earnings before income taxes     $   20.5   $   38.4  $   29.3
                                 ========   ========  ========
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Sales increased 9% to $2.146 billion for the Distribution and School and Office
Products segment. Earnings before significant items and income taxes decreased
slightly. In 1993 sales were up slightly, but earnings before significant items
and income taxes were down 16% from 1992.

The School and Office Products division had strong growth in sales and earnings.
While sales increased in all three business units at the distribution division,
Zellerbach, continued pressure on margins and costs associated with a major
reorganization negatively impacted 1994 results.

Zellerbach
- ----------

Zellerbach is a distribution business with three units: printing papers;
packaging materials and equipment; and, industrial/commercial supplies. It
serves markets throughout much of the United States.

Sales increased in all three business units over 1993, primarily in the second
half of the year. Margins declined from 1993 and 1992 levels, and operating
results were lower. The division's results were also reduced by costs for a
major reorganization and facilities consolidation. These actions are intended
to improve performance in 1995 by reducing operating expenses as consolidations
and closures are made.

Market strengthening which began late in 1994, is expected to continue in 1995,
though at a lesser rate. Recent price increases in paper products passed through
to customers are expected to result in higher sales and improved performance in
1995.

School and Office Products
- --------------------------

Mead's School and Office Products division is the nation's largest converter of
paper-based school supplies. It also provides stationery products for home and
office use, and is an industry leader in fashion and product design.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
The division's sales grew approximately 7% in 1994 and 6% in 1993, excluding
sales related to the liquidation of inventory purchased from Union Camp's school
supply business in 1993. Growth in 1994 was driven by increased sales of Five
Star(R), Five Star(R) First Gear(R) and Cambridge(R) product lines, as well as
introduction of a new line of school supplies licensed through Nike, Inc.

Earnings for School and Office Products increased over 1993 levels reflecting
volume growth and controlled spending. Earnings growth was limited somewhat when
the division was unable to pass along major increases in tablet paper prices
late in the year. 1993 earnings increased over 1992 due to strong sales and
operating performance.

The division implemented a fully-integrated system for production planning,
inventory control, purchasing and accounts payable that is expected to reduce
costs over the long term.

On November 30, 1994, the division acquired the assets of Hilroy (a division of
Abitibi-Price Inc.), the leading converter of paper-based school supplies in
Canada, providing Mead the opportunity to expand into the Canadian market.

In 1995, continued growth is expected in value-added school supplies and the
Cambridge line of office products. Introduction of new licensed products with
the sports logos of NFL, NBA and NHL teams is planned for the back-to-school
season.

Investees
- ---------

Mead's primary investees are Northwood Forest Industries Ltd., a large producer
of bleached softwood kraft pulp and wood products in British Columbia, Canada,
and Northwood Panelboard Company, an oriented structural board (OSB) mill at
Bemidji, Minnesota. Both are 50%-owned by Mead and Noranda Forest Inc. of
Canada. Pulp from Northwood is sold throughout the world by Mead Pulp Sales.
Wood products sales are handled by Noranda Forest Sales Inc.

Northwood's 1994 sales were up 22% from 1993. Mead's share of 1994 earnings of
all investees was $59.8 million, up from $18.4 million in 1993. Mead's share of
1992 results was $6.0 million.

After declining for three straight years, pulp prices on a constant dollar basis
ended 1993 at a record low level. Prices rebounded sharply in 1994 on stronger
overseas demand for pulp and low producer and consumer inventories. Five
announced increases during the year pushed prices up 59% from the beginning of
the year. The average price for 1994 was up 54% from the prior year. Higher
prices for pulp was offset somewhat by higher wood chip costs.

Improving paper markets should keep pulp demand strong in 1995. Continued strong
demand and tight supply, from low pulp inventories and minimal capacity
increases for northern softwood pulp, could result in further price improvement.
Chip costs are expected to continue to increase, partially offsetting gains from
pulp price increases. Full realization of pulp price increases announced in 1994
should generate higher sales in 1995.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
In wood products, prices remained strong for a second consecutive year. Lumber
prices were up modestly from 1993, and OSB prices increased 15% from the prior
year. Higher log costs and lower prices in 1995, are expected to lead to reduced
earnings from wood products.

In addition to stronger operations and improving prices, Northwood, like
similarly situated Canadian companies, was advised that a refund was to be made
of export duties related to lumber shipments into the United States and it was
booked in the fourth quarter. Of the refund, $14.5 million ($9.1 million after
tax) of Mead's share related to years prior to 1994.

Selling, Administrative and Research Expenses
- ---------------------------------------------

Selling, administrative and research expenses rose by 16% in 1994 compared to a
13% decrease from the prior year in 1993. Both 1992 and 1994 contained
significant items affecting selling, administrative and research expenses. These
charges include costs of a comprehensive performance improvement program in
1992, and, in 1994, facilities consolidation and related severance, primarily
related to Zellerbach, the negative impact of an unusually large dollar amount
of pension settlements, and other smaller matters.

Excluding the effect of these significant items in those years, selling,
administrative and research expenses increased by 11% in 1994, while 1993
expenses were essentially even with 1992 levels. Most of the 1994 increase came
from higher sales-related expenses at Zellerbach and Mead Packaging; start-up
expenses at Mead Packaging in new markets, particularly in Latin America and the
Pacific Rim; and restructuring costs at several divisions.

In 1993, administrative expenses decreased from 1992 levels as a result of
Mead's performance improvement program announced in 1992. Selling expenses in
1993 were up slightly over 1992 levels.

Interest and Debt Expense
- -------------------------

Interest and debt expense rose to $101 million in 1994 from $95 million in 1993.
Although long-term debt levels were lower at year-end 1994 than at year-end
1993, $958 million compared with $1,360 million, average debt levels during 1994
were higher than average debt levels in 1993. That, coupled with higher interest
rates in 1994, caused the increase in interest and debt expense. The 1993
reduction from the 1992 levels of $100 million reflected lower average interest
rates in 1993 than in 1992.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                                FINANCIAL REVIEW
                                ----------------

Cash provided by operations was $327 million in 1994 and 1993, and $304 million
in 1992.

Working capital at year-end 1994 amounted to $807 million, compared with $380
million at the end of 1993 and $375 million at the end of 1992. The 1994
increase resulted primarily from the sale of Mead's Electronic Publishing
segment, Mead Data Central. The current ratio was 1.7 at the end of 1994
compared with 1.6 at the end of 1993 and 1992.

Inventory levels declined to $382 million in 1994, compared with $439 million in
1993 and $421 million in 1992. At the end of 1994, the replacement value of
inventories exceeded their LIFO value by $184 million. Adjusted for LIFO, Mead's
current ratio would be 1.8 at year-end.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of Mead's electronic publishing division,
Mead Data Central, were used to reduce debt levels in the fourth quarter of 1994
by approximately $480 million, with an additional reduction of $130 million
taking place in early 1995. At the end of 1994, Mead's long-term debt stood at
$958 million, compared with $1,360 million and $1,318 million at the end of 1993
and 1992, respectively.

The Company's ratio of long-term debt to total capital was 30.5% at the end of
1994, compared with 46% at the end of 1993 and 47% at the end of 1992. The 1994
ratio is in the Company's target ratio range of 30% to 40%. As Mead completes
its Board-authorized repurchase of $350 million of common stock ($44 million of
which was repurchased in December of 1994), the ratio will rise. The ratio would
also rise further as warranted by borrowings for strategic opportunities.

During 1993, Mead issued $150 million ($148.8 million net of discount) of 8-1/8%
debentures due February 1, 2023, and $150.0 million ($148.3 million net of
discount) of 7-1/8% debentures due August 1, 2025. The proceeds of both issues
were used to retire short-term borrowings previously classified as long-term.
Also, during 1993, Mead reduced the amount of its bank credit agreements from
$750 million to $550 million. That action was taken to reflect debenture issues
which lowered the size of the credit line needed and to reduce expense. The $550
million bank credit agreement was extended in 1994 to May 1998.

At the end of 1994, the Company paid a fixed rate or a capped rate on 78% of its
debt and paid a floating rate of interest on the remainder. A change of 1% in
the floating interest rate, on an annual basis, would result in a $.04 change in
net earnings per share for the year. The estimated market value of long-term
debt, excluding capital leases, was $27.6 million less than the book value at
the end of 1994.

In the fourth quarter of 1994, Mead recorded a number of significant items
affecting continuing operations, reducing the carrying value of certain assets,
accruing for certain expenses and reflecting actual cash payments. Of the
significant items, approximately $74 million relates to asset writedowns, $14
million was accrued with payments expected to be made over the next year, and $5

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
million of cash payments were made in 1994. Neither the cash payments made in
1994 nor those expected to be made in later years are expected to have a
materially adverse affect on Mead's liquidity.

Mead has filed shelf registration statements with the Securities and Exchange
Commission that would permit the Company to offer up to $300 million of debt
securities. Up to $154 million of medium-term notes are currently authorized to
be issued as part of this registered debt offering.

Mead common stock has paid a quarterly dividend of $.25 a share since June 1990.
Annual dividends have totaled $1.00 a share since that date.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ANALYSIS
- -----------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
(All dollar amounts in millions)
                                           1994    1993    1992    1991    1990
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Growth (including related environmental
   expenditures)                          $ 18.1  $ 29.2  $ 63.6  $ 75.6  $252.6
Maintenance                                 91.9   136.8    85.9    74.7    84.3
Cost-effectiveness                         189.1   126.4    44.5    68.6    74.9
Environmental projects                      16.5    13.7    24.0    12.3    11.3
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
        Total                             $315.6  $306.1  $218.0  $231.2  $423.1
                                          ======  ======  ======  ======  ======
 
</TABLE>

CAPITAL SPENDING
- ----------------

Capital spending totaled $316 million in 1994, compared to $306 million in 1993
and $218 million in 1992. The $211 million investment in the coated paper
operations at Chillicothe, Ohio, and Escanaba, Michigan, will be completed in
1995. At Chillicothe, this investment totaled $111 million, of which $57 million
was spent in 1994. At Escanaba, this investment totaled under $100 million, of
which $44 million was spent in 1994. These projects will be completed in the
first half of 1995.

Mead plans capital spending in 1995 in the range of $325-375 million. It expects
that funds to finance these projects will be internally generated. The Company
announced in 1994 an $85 million investment in coated board operations at the
Mahrt mill in Alabama. This project is expected to be completed in 1997.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEEDINGS
- -------------------------

Mead has been notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
("USEPA") and by several state or local governments that it may be liable under
federal environmental laws or under applicable state or local laws with respect
to the cleanup of hazardous substances at 13 sites currently operated or used by
Mead. Mead is also currently named a potentially responsible party ("PRP"), or
has received third party requests for contributions, in several superfund
proceedings under federal, state and local laws with respect to at least 18
sites sold by Mead over many years or owned by contractors used by Mead for
disposal purposes. There are other former Mead facilities and those of
contractors which

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
may contain contamination or which may have contributed to potential superfund
sites but for which Mead has not received any notice or claim. Mead's potential
liability for all these sites will depend upon several factors, including the
extent of contamination, the method of remediation, insurance coverage and
contribution by other PRPs. Although the costs that Mead may be required to pay
for remediation of all these owned and unowned sites are not certain at this
time, Mead has established reserves of approximately $40 million relating to
current environmental litigation and proceedings which it believes are probable
and reasonably estimable. Expenditures in 1995 from this reserve are expected to
be less than $5 million.

In 1993, the USEPA issued proposed regulations under the Clean Air Act and Clean
Water Act intended to reduce air and water discharges of specific substances
from U.S. paper and pulp mills, and other proposed regulations implementing the
Federal Great Lakes Critical Programs Act. At present, these regulations are in
the proposal stage, and are not expected to be finalized until early 1996.
However, if enacted in their present form, these regulations would significantly
increase Mead's capital spending and operating costs over the next five years.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION
- --------------------

Inflation remained at a moderate level in 1994 and is not expected to have a
significant effect over the long term. While it is true that inflation increases
the replacement cost of long-lived facilities and equipment, higher selling
prices and the repayment of borrowings with cheaper dollars would work to
maintain satisfactory cash flow.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Financial Statements
 
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
<S>                                                                      <C>
Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report........................................      28
  Statements of earnings..............................................      29
  Balance sheets......................................................   30-31
  Statements of shareowners' equity...................................      32
  Statements of cash flows............................................      33
  Notes to financial statements.......................................   34-57

<CAPTION> 
                               Supplementary Data

<S>                                                                      <C>
Selected quarterly financial data.....................................      58
</TABLE>

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


Board of Directors
The Mead Corporation
Dayton, Ohio

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The Mead Corporation and
consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related
statements of earnings, shareowners' equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1994. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a)2. These financial
statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of The Mead Corporation and consolidated
subsidiaries at December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in
our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material
respects the information set forth therein.

The Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes in 1992 (Note L).

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dayton, Ohio
January 26, 1995

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
 (All dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                          1994       1993       1992
- ------------------------------------------    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales                                     $4,557.5   $4,239.0   $4,208.4
Cost of products sold (Note E)                 3,805.8    3,550.7    3,552.6
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Gross profit                                   751.7      688.3      655.8
                                            
Selling, administrative and research 
 expenses (Note J)                               543.1      467.7      539.0
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Earnings from operations                       208.6      220.6      116.8
                                            
Other revenues (expenses) - net (Note K)         (55.1)       9.0       (1.5)
                                            
Interest and debt expense                       (101.1)     (94.6)     (99.5)
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Earnings from continuing operations before 
   income taxes                                   52.4      135.0       15.8
                                            
Income taxes (Note L)                             22.6       57.7        8.1
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Earnings from continuing operations before 
   equity in net earnings of investees            29.8       77.3        7.7
                                            
Equity in net earnings of investees (Note C)      59.8       18.4        6.0
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Earnings from continuing operations             89.6       95.7       13.7
                                            
Discontinued operations (Note M)                 617.4       28.4       23.9
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Earnings before extraordinary item and 
   cumulative effect of change in accounting 
   principle                                     707.0      124.1       37.6
                                            
Extraordinary item (Note F)                      (11.3)
                                            
Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
 principle (Note L)                                                     34.0
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Net earnings                                $  695.7   $  124.1   $   71.6
                                              ========   ========   ========
Per common and common equivalent share 
 (Note A):                            
  Earnings from continuing operations         $   1.52   $   1.61   $    .23
  Discontinued operations                         9.87        .47        .40
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Earnings before extraordinary item and 
   cumulative effect of change in accounting 
   principle                                     11.39       2.08        .63
                                            
  Extraordinary item                              (.18)
                                            
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting 
   principle                                                             .58
                                              --------   --------   --------
  Net earnings                                $  11.21   $   2.08   $   1.21
                                              ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

BALANCE SHEETS
 (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
ASSETS
December 31                                           1994        1993
- -------------------------------------------------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                         $   484.0   $     9.3
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for        
   doubtful accounts of $23.9 in 1994 and        
   $22.5 in 1993                                        606.6       489.3
  Inventories (Note B)                                  382.4       439.4
  Deferred tax asset (Note L)                            64.4        43.5
  Other current assets (Note L)                         356.6        28.4
                                                    ---------   ---------
     Total current assets                             1,894.0     1,009.9
                                                 
Investments and other assets:                    
  Investments in investees (Note C)                     108.2        65.1
  Other assets (Note D)                                 546.5       390.5
                                                    ---------   ---------
                                                        654.7       455.6
Property, plant and equipment, at cost           
 (Notes E, F and P):                             
  Land and land improvements                            130.1       128.0
  Buildings                                             539.1       528.5
  Machinery and equipment                             3,130.5     3,041.4
  Construction in progress                              138.8       126.1
                                                    ---------   ---------
                                                      3,938.5     3,824.0
  Less accumulated amortization and              
   depreciation                                      (1,849.3)   (1,803.7)
                                                    ---------   ---------
                                                      2,089.2     2,020.3
  Timber and timberlands, net of timber          
   depletion                                            224.7       219.3
                                                    ---------   ---------
     Property, plant and equipment, net               2,313.9     2,239.6
                                                 
Net assets of Electronic Publishing segment      
 (Note M)                                                           368.2
                                                    ---------   ---------
     Total assets                                   $ 4,862.6   $ 4,073.3
                                                    =========   =========
 
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                         1994       1993
- -----------------------------------------------   ---------  ---------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>
Current liabilities:                             
  Accounts payable:                              
    Trade                                         $  245.6   $  214.7
    Affiliated companies                              43.9       34.7
    Outstanding checks                                84.0       77.0
  Accrued wages                                       84.6       73.7
  Income taxes payable                               324.7        3.9
  Taxes, other than income                            53.2       53.5
  Other current liabilities                          235.4      165.7
  Current maturities of long-term debt                16.1        6.4
                                                  --------   --------
    Total current liabilities                      1,087.5      629.6
                                                 
Long-term debt (Note F)                              957.7    1,360.0
                                                 
Commitments and contingent liabilities           
 (Notes P and Q)                                 
                                                 
Deferred items:                                  
  Income tax liability (Note L)                      393.3      310.7
  Postretirement benefits (Note O)                   114.7      108.4
  Other                                              126.8       86.6
                                                  --------   --------
    Total deferred items                             634.8      505.7
                                                 
Shareowners' equity (Notes H and I):             
  Common shares                                      174.9      176.5
  Additional paid-in capital                                     26.3
  Foreign currency translation adjustment             (4.8)      (7.7)
  Net unrealized gain on securities                    3.7        9.1
  Retained earnings                                2,008.8    1,373.8
                                                  --------   --------
                                                   2,182.6    1,578.0
                                                  --------   --------
    Total liabilities and                        
     shareowners' equity                          $4,862.6   $4,073.3
                                                  ========   ========
</TABLE>

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENTS OF SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
 (All dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts; all share amounts in
  thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Foreign                    Net
                                              Common Shares     Additional   Currency     Unrealized
                                            -----------------     Paid-In    Translation   Gain on    Retained
                                            Shares    Amount     Capital     Adjustment   Securities  Earnings
                                            -------  --------  ------------  -----------  ----------  ---------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
December 31, 1991                           58,337    $174.0        $  1.5        $ 7.2      $        $1,295.7
 Net earnings                                                                                             71.6
 Stock option activity - net                   390       1.1          10.6
 Shares issued                                   7        .1            .2
 Cash dividends - $1.00 a common share                                                                   (58.6)
 Foreign currency translation adjustment                                           (8.0)
                                            ------     -----         -----         -----    -----      -------
December 31, 1992                           58,734     175.2          12.3          (.8)               1,308.7
 Net earnings                                                                                            124.1
 Stock option activity - net                   440       1.2          13.6
 Shares issued                                  11        .1            .4
 Cash dividends - $1.00 a common share                                                                   (59.0)
 Net unrealized gain on securities                                                            9.1
 Foreign currency translation adjustment                                           (6.9)
                                            ------     -----         -----         -----    -----      -------
December 31, 1993                           59,185     176.5          26.3         (7.7)      9.1      1,373.8
 Net earnings                                                                                            695.7
 Stock option activity - net                   363       1.1          12.8
 Shares issued                                  28        .1           1.2
 Shares purchased                             (927)     (2.8)        (40.3)                               (1.3)
 Cash dividends - $1.00 a common share                                                                   (59.4)
 Change in net unrealized gain on securities                                                 (5.4)
 Foreign currency translation adjustment                                            2.9
                                            ------     -----         -----         -----      -----    -------
December 31, 1994                           58,649    $174.9        $ --          $(4.8)     $ 3.7    $2,008.8
                                            ======     =====         =====         =====      =====    =======
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(All dollar amounts in millions)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                                      1994       1993        1992
- ------------------------------------------------------    --------   --------    --------  
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:           
 Net earnings                                              $ 695.7    $ 124.1     $  71.6
 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net   
  cash provided by operating activities:        
   Depreciation, amortization and depletion of  
    property, plant and equipment                            188.1      221.7       210.9
   Depreciation and amortization of other assets              37.4       32.0        30.9
   Deferred income taxes                                      (7.3)      37.5        11.1
   Investees - earnings and dividends                        (46.8)      (7.9)        3.9
   Discontinued operations                                  (617.4)     (28.4)      (23.9)
   Extraordinary item                                         11.3
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                              (34.0)
   Other                                                      47.5      (30.6)       13.7
 Change in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of 
  acquisitions and dispositions:         
   Accounts receivable                                      (109.4)      (1.5)      (20.6)
   Inventories                                                65.0      (18.6)        4.6
   Other current assets                                        3.7       19.2       (29.6)
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                   62.1      (41.3)       24.5
 Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations           (2.9)      20.3        40.7
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
     Net cash provided by operating activities               327.0      326.5       303.8
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
Cash flows from investing activities:               
 Capital expenditures                                       (315.6)    (306.1)     (218.0)
 Additions to equipment rented to others                     (49.0)     (48.0)      (40.5)
 Payments for acquired businesses                            (22.0)                  (7.9)
 Proceeds from sale of Electronic Publishing segment       1,500.0
 Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries                                                  31.5
 Restricted funds                                           (461.0)
 Other                                                       (18.8)      19.8         6.8
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     633.6     (334.3)     (228.1)
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
Cash flows from financing activities:               
 Additional borrowings                                       175.6      396.6        49.7
 Payments on borrowings                                     (572.9)    (354.2)      (40.0)
 Notes payable                                                                      (45.0)
 Cash dividends paid                                         (59.4)     (59.0)      (58.6)
 Common shares issued                                         15.2       15.3        12.0
 Common shares purchased                                     (44.4)
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
     Net cash (used in) financing activities                (485.9)      (1.3)      (81.9)
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents             474.7       (9.1)       (6.2)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                 9.3       18.4        24.6
                                                          --------   --------    --------  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                   $ 484.0    $   9.3     $  18.4
                                                          ========   ========    ========  
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1993 AND 1992


A - Accounting Policies

CONSOLIDATION.  The accompanying statements include the accounts of the Company
and all significant wholly-owned subsidiaries. Investments in investees are
stated at cost plus the Company's equity in their undistributed net earnings
(loss) since acquisition. All significant intercompany transactions are
eliminated.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.  The Company considers all highly liquid investments
with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash
equivalents.

INVENTORIES.  The inventories of finished and semi-finished products and raw
materials are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) basis. Stores and supplies are stated at cost determined on the
first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.

OTHER ASSETS.  Included in other assets are goodwill and other intangibles which
are being amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful
lives of ten to 40 years.

DEPRECIATION AND DEPLETION.  For financial reporting purposes, depreciation,
including amortization of capital leases and land improvements, is calculated
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
properties. The rates used to determine timber depletion are based on projected
quantities of timber available for cutting.

INTEREST RATE AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS.  Amounts currently due
to or from interest rate swap counterparties are recorded in interest expense in
the period in which they accrue. The premiums paid to purchase interest rate
caps, as well as gains or losses on terminated interest rate swap and cap
agreements, are included in long-term liabilities or assets and amortized to
interest expense over the shorter of the original term of the agreements or the
life of the financial instruments to which they are matched. Gains or losses on
foreign currency forward contracts are recognized currently through income and
generally offset the transaction losses or gains on the foreign currency cash
flows which they are intended to hedge.

ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES.  The Company records accruals for environmental costs
based on estimates developed in consultation with environmental consultants and
legal counsel in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 5. The estimated costs to be incurred in closing
existing landfills, based on current environmental requirements and
technologies, are accrued over the expected useful lives of the landfills.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE.  Net earnings per common
and common equivalent share are computed by dividing net earnings by the
weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect, if any, of
common share equivalents (convertible subordinated debentures and stock options)
outstanding during each year. Net earnings have been adjusted by adding back
interest expense (net of tax) on the debentures when dilutive. Fully diluted net
earnings per share data are substantially the same.


B - Inventories

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                   1994    1993
- -------------------------------------------  ------  ------
<S>                                          <C>     <C>
Finished and semi-finished products          $241.0  $295.5
Raw materials                                  78.9    79.4
Stores and supplies                            62.5    64.5
                                             ------  ------
                                             $382.4  $439.4
                                             ======  ======
</TABLE>

For purposes of comparison to non-LIFO companies, inventories valued at current
replacement cost would have been $183.8 million and $194.0 million higher than
reported at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively.


C - Investees

The Company's principal investee is the 50%-owned Northwood Forest Industries
Ltd., which manufactures bleached softwood kraft pulp, lumber and plywood. Under
an agreement with Northwood, Mead is entitled to purchase the pulp it requires.

Total investments in investees are as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                   1994     1993
- -------------------------------------------  -------  -------
<S>                                          <C>      <C>
Investments, at cost                         $ 26.1    $24.8
Foreign currency translation adjustment       (13.2)    (8.1)
Equity in undistributed net earnings           95.3     48.4
                                             ------    -----
Total investments in investees (equal to  
 Mead's share of investees' equity)          $108.2    $65.1
                                             ======    =====
</TABLE>

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
The summarized operating data for all investees is presented in the following
table:
                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                                  1994     1993      1992
- ----------------------------------------------------   ------  -------   -------
<S>                                                    <C>     <C>       <C>
Revenues:
  Sales to Mead                                        $ 38.6  $  18.2   $  26.9
  Sales to other customers                              692.6    547.9     481.0
                                                       ------  -------   -------
                                                       $731.2  $ 566.1   $ 507.9
                                                       ======  =======   =======
Gross profit                                           $215.6  $  86.5   $  51.9
                                                       ======  =======   =======
Net earnings                                           $131.1  $  47.0   $  20.5
                                                       ======  =======   =======
Mead's share of net earnings, after elimination of 
 intercompany transactions and reduction for Mead's
 income taxes on partnership earnings                  $ 59.8  $  18.4   $   6.0
                                                       ======  =======   =======
Dividends and partnership distributions received       $ 18.9  $  15.7   $  14.2
                                                       ======  =======   =======

</TABLE> 

The summarized balance sheet data for all investees is as follows:
 
                       (All dollar amounts in millions)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
December 31                                                       1994      1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------   -------   -------
<S>                                                            <C>       <C> 
Current assets                                                 $ 226.5   $ 171.6
Noncurrent assets                                                611.5     631.6
Current liabilities                                             (180.8)   (169.9)
Long-term debt and deferred items                               (440.8)   (503.1)
                                                               -------   -------
Shareholders' equity                                           $ 216.4   $ 130.2
                                                               =======   =======
</TABLE>

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
D - Other Assets

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                           1994    1993
- --------------------------------------------------   ------  ------
<S>                                                  <C>     <C>
Pension asset                                        $153.4  $141.4
Cash restricted for retirement of long-term       
 borrowings (Note F)                                  130.0
Rental equipment (net of accumulated              
 amortization of $178.7 in 1994 and $146.2        
 in 1993)                                              93.3    73.9
Goodwill and other intangibles (net of            
 accumulated amortization of $34.0 in 1994        
 and $31.0 in 1993)                                    80.0    74.8
Cash surrender value of life insurance, less      
 policy loans of $26.1 in 1994 and $21.4 in 1993       45.1    39.6
Miscellaneous                                          44.7    60.8
                                                     ------  ------
                                                     $546.5  $390.5
                                                     ======  ======
 
</TABLE>
E - Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company changed the remaining estimated useful lives of certain machinery
and equipment as of January 1, 1994 to more closely reflect the current service
lives of the assets. The useful lives of this machinery and equipment increased
from 16 years to 20 years. The effect of the change was to increase earnings
before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle and net earnings for 1994 by $26.5 million ($.42 per share).

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
F - Long-Term Debt

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                                  1994        1993
- ----------------------------------------------------   -------    --------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>
Capital lease obligations:                                    
  Industrial Development Revenue Bonds and                    
   Notes, average effective rate                              
   approximately 3.4%                                  $ 133.2    $  134.3
  Other, average effective rate 8.5%                      14.9        15.7
                                                       -------    --------
                                                         148.1       150.0
                                                              
Medium-term notes, 5-2/3% to 9-7/8%,                          
 face amount of $180.5 in 1994 and $186.0                     
 in 1993, due from 1996 through 2020                          
 (effective rate approximately 9.2%)                     173.4       177.7
8-1/8% debentures, face amount of $150.0,                     
 due 2023 (effective rate approximately 8.4%)            147.5       147.5
7-1/8% debentures, face amount of $150.0,                     
 due 2025 (effective rate approximately 7.4%)            146.7       146.6
9% debentures                                            130.0       130.0
Variable-rate Escanaba tax-exempt bonds,                      
 $10.0 due in 2013 and $83.5 due in 2023,                     
 average effective rate approximately 2.7%                93.5        93.5
Variable-rate Industrial Development Revenue                  
 Bonds, due from 2001 through 2023, average                   
 effective rate approximately 2.8%                        78.6        78.6
Purchase Note, 6-3/4% convertible subordinated                
 debentures and other (retired in 1994)                              384.7
Other                                                     39.9        51.4
                                                       -------    --------
                                                       $ 957.7    $1,360.0
                                                       =======    ========
</TABLE>

The variable-rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds and the variable-rate
Escanaba tax-exempt bonds are supported by letters of credit. The interest rates
on the variable-rate tax-exempt bonds closely follow the tax-exempt commercial
paper rate.

In January 1994, the Company prepaid the $165.5 million Purchase Note, due in
1998. In December 1994, the Company prepaid the 6-3/4% convertible subordinated
debentures and called the 9% debentures. The loss on extinguishment of debt, net
of $6.9 million income tax benefit, is included in the statement of earnings as
an extraordinary item and represents call premiums on these debentures and the
write-off of related financing expenses. As of December 31, 1994, the Board of
Directors has restricted cash balances for use in the retirement of the 9%
debentures, which were paid January 9, 1995.

The 8-1/8% and 7-1/8% debentures are callable by the Company at approximately
103% beginning in 2003.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
The Company has an unused $550 million bank credit agreement that extends until
May 1, 1998. This agreement contains restrictive covenants and requires
commitment fees in accordance with standard banking practice.

Maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are $16.1 million in 1995,
$101.8 million in 1996, $15.9 million in 1997, $7.3 million in 1998 and $8.5
million in 1999.

Property, plant and equipment carried at $98.5 million is pledged as collateral
under the above debt (principally capital leases).

The Company has guaranteed obligations of certain affiliated operations and
others totaling approximately $43.8 million at December 31, 1994. In addition,
the Company has a 50% interest in a partnership with Scott Paper Company which
has borrowed $300 million under a loan agreement with The Sumitomo Bank,
Limited, New York Branch, which matures in 1998. The loan, one-half of which has
been guaranteed by the Company, may be prepaid at any time either in cash or by
delivery of notes receivable from Georgia-Pacific Corporation held by the
partnership as part of the consideration from the 1988 sale of Brunswick Pulp
and Paper Company, a former affiliate. It is not practicable to estimate the
fair value of the above guarantees, however, the Company does not expect to
incur losses as a result of these guarantees.


G - Financial Instruments

The Company uses various derivative financial instruments as part of an overall
strategy to manage the Company's exposure to market risks associated with
interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company uses
foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign currency exchange rate
risks primarily associated with its international operations. The Company is
exposed to interest rate risks on its debt instruments, including the reset of
interest rates on variable rate debt, and utilizes interest rate swap and cap
agreements to diversify its portfolio. The Company does not hold or issue
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

The risk of loss to the Company in the event of nonperformance by any
counterparty under the derivative financial instrument agreements is not
significant. All counterparties are rated A or higher by Moody's and Standard
and Poor's with the majority of the contracts executed with counterparties rated
AA or higher by both agencies. Although the derivative financial instruments
expose the Company to market risk, fluctuations in the value of the derivatives
are mitigated by expected offsetting fluctuations in the matched instruments.

As part of an overall strategy to maintain an acceptable level of exposure to
the risk of interest rate fluctuation, the Company has developed a targeted mix
of fixed-rate and cap-protected debt versus variable-rate debt. To efficiently
manage this mix, the Company utilizes interest rate swap, cap and option
agreements to effectively convert the debt portfolio into an acceptable fixed-
rate, capped rate and variable-rate mix.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
Under interest rate swap agreements, the Company agrees with other parties to
exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and 
variable-rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon
notional principal amount. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements
is estimated using quotes from brokers and represents the cash requirement if
the existing agreements had been settled at year end.

Selected information related to the Company's interest rate swap agreements is
as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                      1994     1993
- ------------------------------  ------   ------
<S>                             <C>      <C>
Notional amount                 $130.0   $375.0
                                ======   ======
 
Fair value                      $(23.0)  $  (.7)
Carrying amount                  (12.2)     1.7
                                ------   ------
Net unrecognized gain (loss)    $(10.8)  $ (2.4)
                                ======   ======
</TABLE>

The Company utilizes interest rate cap agreements to reduce the impact of
increases in interest rates on its floating rate debt. The interest rate cap
agreements require premium payments to counterparties based upon a notional
principal amount. Interest rate cap agreements entitle the Company to receive
from the counterparties the amounts, if any, by which the selected market
interest rates exceed the strike rates stated in the agreements. The fair value
of the interest rate cap agreements is estimated by obtaining quotes from
brokers and represents the cash requirement if the existing contracts had been
settled at year end.

Selected information related to the Company's interest rate cap agreements is as
follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                      1994    1993
- ------------------------------  ------  ------
<S>                             <C>     <C>
Notional amount                 $250.0  $400.0
                                ======  ======
 
Fair value                      $  1.7  $  1.2
Carrying amount                    1.7     5.3
                                ------  ------
Net unrecognized gain (loss)    $   -   $ (4.1)
                                ======  ======
</TABLE>

The Company has no written interest rate options outstanding at December 31,
1994. For written options outstanding at December 31, 1993, the Company received
a premium at the outset and then bore the market risk, beyond the premium
received, of an unfavorable change in the value of the financial instruments

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
underlying the options. Written options were used to increase the Company's
exposure to fixed- or variable-rate debt, within defined limitations, as part of
the Company's overall interest rate risk management strategy. Included in
written options were options which would have allowed counterparties to enter
into interest rate swap agreements at terms unfavorable to the Company. There
were $175.0 million notional amount of written options outstanding at December
31, 1993, with a fair value and carrying amount of $(8.3) million.

The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to reduce exposure to
exchange rate risks primarily associated with transactions in the regular course
of the Company's international operations. The forward contracts establish the
exchange rates at which the Company will purchase or sell the contracted amount
of local currencies for specified foreign currencies at a future date. The
Company utilizes forward contracts which are short-term in duration (generally
one month) and receives or pays the difference between the contracted forward
rate and the exchange rate at the settlement date. The major currency exposures
hedged by the Company include the German mark, Canadian dollar, Dutch guilder,
French franc and British pound. The contract amount of foreign currency forwards
at December 31, 1994 and 1993, is $133.2 million and $114.4 million,
respectively. The carrying amount and fair value of these contracts are not
significant.

Foreign currency options were used by the Company as part of an overall strategy
to collar the Company's exposure to specific foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations. The Company has no purchased or written foreign currency options
outstanding at December 31, 1994. At December 31, 1993, the notional amounts of
purchased and written foreign currency options were $56.5 million and $36.2
million, respectively. The fair values for the purchased and written foreign
currency options at December 31, 1993 were an unrealized gain of $2.5 million
and an unrealized loss of $(.2) million, respectively. No carrying amounts were
recorded for these options.

The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated based on quoted
market prices for the same or similar issues or on current rates offered to the
Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of long-term
debt, excluding capital leases, was $782.0 million and $1,253.8 million at
December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and the related carrying amounts were
$809.6 million and $1,210.0 million, respectively.

At December 31, 1994, the Company held short-term investments which are included
in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The carrying amount of these
short-term investments is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
H - Shareowners' Equity

The Company has authorized 300 million no par common shares. There were
58,649,495 and 59,184,894 common shares outstanding at December 31, 1994 and
1993, respectively. In 1994, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to
purchase up to $350 million of common shares on the open market, of which $44.4
million of common shares were purchased through December 31, 1994. The Company
also has outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase up to
an additional 1,594,708 common shares for corporate purposes. A total of
6,334,852 and 5,405,292 common shares were held in treasury at December 31, 1994
and 1993, respectively.

Each outstanding common share presently has one right attached which trades with
the common share. Generally, the rights become exercisable and trade separately
ten days after a third party acquires 20% or more of the common shares or
commences a tender offer for a specified percentage of the common shares. In
addition, the rights become exercisable if any party becomes the beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the outstanding common shares and is determined by the
Board of Directors to be an adverse party. Upon the occurrence of certain
additional triggering events specified in the Rights Agreement, each right would
entitle its holder (other than, in certain instances, the holder of 20% or more
of the common shares) to purchase common shares of the Company (or, in some
cases, a potential acquiring company) or other property having a value of $180
for $90, the initial exercise price. The rights expire in 1996 and are presently
redeemable at $.025 per right. At December 31, 1994, there were 73,376,392
common shares reserved for issuance under this plan.

The Board of Directors has approved termination benefits for certain key
executives and a severance plan for all other salaried employees and established
a Benefit Trust in connection with the Company's unfunded supplemental
retirement plan, deferred compensation plan, directors retirement plan and
excess benefits plan to preserve the benefits earned thereunder in the event of
a change in control of the Company.

A Restricted Stock Plan provides for the issuance of restricted common shares to
certain selected employees and to directors who are not officers or employees of
the Company. As of December 31, 1994, 41,358 common shares are issued and
outstanding under the plan. There were 413,069 common shares reserved for
issuance under this plan at December 31, 1994.

The Company has preferred shares authorized but unissued as follows: 61,500
undesignated cumulative preferred, par value $100; 20,000,000 undesignated
voting cumulative preferred, without par value; 20,000,000 cumulative preferred,
without par value; and 295,540 cumulative second preferred, par value $50.

At December 31, 1994, undistributed net earnings of investees and partially-
owned foreign affiliates of $96.3 million are included in retained earnings. At
December 31, 1994, there is $1,311.6 million available for common dividends
which represents the maximum amount of additional indebtedness that can be
incurred solely to pay common dividends while remaining in compliance with
certain debt covenants.

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
I - Stock Options and Rights

Officers and key employees have been granted stock options under various plans.
Options as to 1,256,818 shares are accompanied by limited rights which may be
exercised in lieu of the option under certain circumstances. The exercise price
of all options equals the market price of the Company's stock on the date of the
grant. The options and rights have a maximum term of ten years and vest after
one year. There are 5,158,443 common shares reserved for issuance under these
plans.

The following summarizes the Company's stock option plans and the status of the
plans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                         Shares     Option Price
- ------------------------------------   ----------  --------------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>
Outstanding as of December 31, 1991    2,557,780   $ 9.25 -$46.50
Granted                                  696,050            36.63
Exercised                               (393,720)    9.25 - 35.00
Canceled                                 (97,725)   23.94 - 41.50
                                       ---------   --------------
Outstanding as of December 31, 1992    2,762,385    16.94 - 46.50
Granted                                  721,305    41.63 - 43.56
Exercised                               (459,412)   16.94 - 41.50
Canceled                                 (33,075)   26.63 - 43.50
                                       ---------   --------------
Outstanding as of December 31, 1993    2,991,203    16.94 - 46.50
Granted                                  935,075    44.00 - 49.69
Exercised                               (377,918)   16.94 - 43.50
Canceled                                 (32,487)   36.63 - 44.69
                                       ---------   --------------
Outstanding as of December 31, 1994    3,515,873   $21.75 -$49.69
                                       =========   ==============
Exercisable as of December 31, 1994    2,607,935   $21.75 -$46.50
                                       =========   ==============
</TABLE>


J - Comprehensive Performance Improvement Program

In 1992, the Company recorded a $95.0 million provision in connection with a
comprehensive performance improvement program, of which $85.8 million is
included primarily in selling, administrative and research expenses and $9.2
million is included in discontinued operations. The provision was principally
comprised of employee severance and related benefits. The Company expended $24.0
million in 1992, $58.0 million in 1993, and the remainder in 1994.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
K - Other Revenues (Expenses) - Net

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                             1994    1993    1992
- ------------------------------------------------  -------  -----  -------
<S>                                               <C>      <C>    <C>
Investment income                                 $  6.5   $ 1.8  $  1.5
Provision for (loss) on sale of facility           (60.0)
(Loss) on sale of subsidiary                                       (22.5)
(Loss) on interest rate option                
  transactions                                     (12.1)
Other                                               10.5     7.2    19.5
                                                  ------   -----  ------
                                                  $(55.1)  $ 9.0  $ (1.5)
                                                  ======   =====  ======
</TABLE>

In 1994, the Company recorded a charge to earnings to reflect the estimated loss
on sale of its Kingsport, Tennessee, facility.

The Company incurred a loss in 1994 on derivatives used to manage the Company's
exposure to interest rate risks, including the termination of certain leveraged
interest rate options entered into in conjunction with swap transactions.

Results of operations of the subsidiary sold in 1992 were not material.


L - Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 1992, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" and recognized a cumulative
effect to that date of the change of $34.0 million ($.58 per share). The effect
of adopting Statement No. 109 for the year ended December 31, 1992 was not
material.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
The principal current and non-current deferred tax assets and (liabilities) are
as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                           1994      1993
- --------------------------------------------------  --------  --------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes         $(333.6)  $(342.2)
  Nontaxable pension asset                            (58.7)    (50.7)
  Deferred installment gain                           (47.5)    (47.6)
  Other                                               (89.6)    (68.9)
                                                    -------   -------
                                                     (529.4)   (509.4)
                                                    -------   -------
Deferred tax assets:                       
  Alternative minimum tax carryforward                           73.6
  Compensation and fringe benefits accruals            48.5      41.2
  Postretirement benefit accrual                       42.0      39.9
  Loss provisions and other expenses not   
   currently deductible                                74.7      39.6
  Other                                                35.3      47.9
                                                    -------   -------
                                                      200.5     242.2
                                                    -------   -------
  Net deferred liability                            $(328.9)  $(267.2)
                                                    =======   =======
Included in the balance sheets:            
  Current assets - deferred tax asset               $  64.4   $  43.5
  Deferred items - income tax liability              (393.3)   (310.7)
                                                    -------   -------
    Net deferred liability                          $(328.9)  $(267.2)
                                                    =======   =======
</TABLE>

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
The significant components of income tax expense are as follows:

                        (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                     1994     1993     1992
- ---------------------------------------  --------  -------  -------
<S>                                      <C>       <C>      <C>
Currently payable:
 Federal                                 $ 358.0   $ 46.1   $ 12.9
 State and local                            17.0      3.3      2.9
 Foreign                                     5.2      3.2      3.3
                                         -------   ------   ------
                                           380.2     52.6     19.1
Change in deferred income taxes             61.7     30.6      9.1
                                         -------   ------   ------
                                           441.9     83.2     28.2
Allocation to partnership earnings          (5.9)    (5.1)    (4.3)
Allocation to discontinued operations     (420.3)   (20.4)   (15.8)
Allocation to extraordinary item             6.9
                                         -------   ------   ------
                                         $  22.6   $ 57.7   $  8.1
                                         =======   ======   ======
</TABLE>

The following table summarizes the major differences between the actual income
tax provision attributable to continuing operations and taxes computed at the
federal statutory rates:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                            1994     1993    1992
- ----------------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>     <C>
Taxes computed at statutory rate of         
 35% (34% for 1992)                               $18.4   $47.2   $ 5.4
State and local income taxes, net of        
 federal benefit                                     .2     1.1    (4.4)
Impact of loss on sale of subsidiary                                2.9
Effect of increase in federal income        
 tax rate as of January 1, 1993                             7.3
Impact of additional taxes related to       
 foreign operations                                 3.8     1.0     4.8
Other                                                .2     1.1     (.6)
                                                  -----   -----   -----
Income taxes                                      $22.6   $57.7   $ 8.1
                                                  =====   =====   =====
Effective tax rate                                 43.1%   42.7%   51.3%
                                                  =====   =====   =====
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1994, no domestic income taxes have been provided on Mead's
share of the undistributed net earnings of corporate investees and overseas
operations. Those earnings totaled $200.5 million, including foreign currency
translation adjustments. The aggregate amount of unrecognized deferred tax
liability is approximately $10.0 million at December 31, 1994.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
As of December 31, 1994, the Board of Directors has restricted cash balances of
$331.0 million, included in other current assets, for use in the payment of
current tax liabilities related to the gain on the sale of the Electronic
Publishing segment and other matters.

M - Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations consist of the following:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                     1994    1993    1992
- ----------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>
Earnings from operations of Electronic
 Publishing segment, net of income
 taxes of $27.8, $20.4 and $15.8,
 respectively                             $ 37.9   $28.4   $23.9
Gain on sale of Electronic Publishing
 segment, net of income tax of $420.2      628.8
Provision for loss in Insurance            
 operations, net of income tax             
 benefit of $18.2                          (33.8)
Provision for losses in Industrial         
 Manufacturing segment, net of             
 income tax benefit of $9.5                (15.5)
                                          ------  ------  ------
Discontinued operations                   $617.4   $28.4   $23.9
                                          ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>

In December 1994, the Company sold its Electronic Publishing segment (Mead Data
Central) for $1.5 billion in cash. The financial statements and notes have been
reclassified for all periods presented to reflect this segment as a discontinued
operation. Revenues of the Electronic Publishing segment were $565.2 million for
the period January 1, 1994 through November 30, 1994, and $551.3 million and
$494.8 million for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively.

In 1986, the Company adopted a plan to discontinue the insurance business which
had been conducted through its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries and wrote off
its investment. These subsidiaries were put in a "runoff" position whereby they
ceased underwriting activities but continued to settle claims. The remaining
unsettled insurance claims are long term in nature. During the fourth quarter of
1994, the Company revised its runoff strategy in view of the long-term nature of
the payout for claim settlements and sold one subsidiary and settled a
significant portion of the outstanding claims liability. The revised strategy
includes the disposition of the remaining insurance operations in the near term.
As a result, an additional provision for loss on the disposition of the
remaining insurance operations has been provided in the statement of earnings.
The net liabilities of the insurance operations at December 31, 1994, include
total assets of $92.9 million and claims and other reserves of $143.3 million.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
The provision for losses in the previously discontinued Industrial Manufacturing
segment is a result of environmental liabilities. Late in 1994, the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the opinion of a District Court which
had found the Company not responsible to the current owners for environmental
liabilities at a former plant. At another former plant, the Company was named,
in the fourth quarter, a potentially responsible party with regard to alleged
contamination of a nearby creek. As a result of these two factors, an additional
provision for losses for these estimated liabilities has been provided in the
statement of earnings.

In 1990, the Board of Directors approved a plan to curtail further development
of the Company's imaging products. The remaining assets and liabilities of these
operations are not material.

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
N - Pension Plans

The Company has pension plans that cover substantially all employees. Pension
benefits for bargaining employees are primarily based upon years of credited
service. Benefits for salaried and other non-bargaining employees are based upon
years of service and the employee's average final earnings. Mead's funding
policy is to contribute amounts to the plans sufficient to meet or exceed the
minimum requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Summary
information on the Company's funded plans is as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                            1994      1993
- ---------------------------------------------------  --------  --------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Financial status of plans:
  Plan assets at fair value (primarily common
   stocks, fixed income securities and
   real estate)                                      $ 695.5   $ 780.1
  Actuarial present value of accumulated
   benefit obligation:
    Vested                                            (468.6)   (543.3)
    Non-vested                                         (40.2)    (46.1)
  Estimated effect of future salary increases
   at 1% over expected inflation                       (47.2)    (66.4)
                                                     -------   -------
  Projected benefit obligation                        (556.0)   (655.8)
                                                     -------   -------
  Plan assets in excess of projected
   benefit obligation                                  139.5     124.3
Reconciliation of financial status of plans to
 amounts recorded in Mead's balance sheets:
  Unamortized plan assets in excess of plan
   liabilities (overfunding) at January 1,
   1986 - to be recognized as a reduction of
   future years' pension expense                       (57.1)    (69.8)
  Unrecorded effect of net loss arising
   from differences between actuarial assumptions
   used to determine periodic pension expense
   and actual experience                                58.3      76.7
  Unamortized prior service cost                        12.7      10.2
                                                     -------   -------
Pension asset recorded in the balance sheets         $ 153.4   $ 141.4
                                                     =======   =======
Benefit obligation discount rate                         8.5%      7.5%
                                                     =======   =======
</TABLE>

The projected benefit obligation for the Company's two unfunded plans was $16.8
million and $20.4 million at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, of which
$13.1 million and $15.6 million represent the accumulated benefit obligation. Of
the projected benefit obligation, $9.2 million and $14.2 million at December 31,
1994 and 1993, respectively, is subject to later amortization. Unfunded

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
accrued pension cost is $7.6 million and $6.2 million at December 31, 1994 and
1993, respectively.

The components of net pension (income) expense for all plans are as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                         1994      1993     1992
- --------------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------
<S>                                           <C>      <C>       <C>
Service cost, benefits earned               
 during the year                              $ 22.7   $  19.8   $ 20.1
Interest cost on projected benefit          
 obligation                                     48.7      46.8     43.5
Actual return on plan assets                   (10.0)   (103.8)   (39.8)
Net amortization and deferral                  (52.0)     23.9    (42.6)
                                              ------   -------   ------
Net pension (income) expense                     9.4     (13.3)   (18.8)
Less - net pension (income) expense         
 allocated to discontinued operations            3.9       3.2      3.4
                                              ------   -------   ------
Net pension (income) expense -              
 continuing operations                        $  5.5   $ (16.5)  $(22.2)
                                              ======   =======   ======
</TABLE>

Included in net pension (income) expense for 1994 is a charge of $11.5 million,
recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 88, as a result of significant settlements
of pension liabilities. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
used in determining net pension income was 9.5% in 1994 and 10% in 1993 and
1992. The net impact of the change in the long-term rate of return was to
increase net pension expense by approximately $4.0 million in 1994.

The Company's pension plans require the allocation of excess plan assets to plan
members if the plans are terminated, merged or consolidated following a change
in control (as defined) of the Company opposed by the Board of Directors of the
Company. Amendment of these provisions after such a change in control would
require approval of plan participants.

O - Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

The Company funds certain health care benefit costs principally on a pay-as-you-
go basis, with the retiree paying a portion of the costs. Certain retired
employees of businesses acquired by the Company are covered under other health
care plans that differ from current plans in coverage, deductibles and retiree
contributions.

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
Summary information on the Company's plans is as follows:

                        (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                                            1994      1993
- --------------------------------------------------   --------  --------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Financial status of plans:
  Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
    Retirees                                         $ (69.2)  $ (69.2)
    Fully eligible, active plan participants           (30.0)    (25.1)
    Other active plan participants                     (41.4)    (41.1)
                                                     -------   -------
                                                      (140.6)   (135.4)
  Less plan assets at fair value                         8.0       8.3
                                                     -------   -------
  Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
   in excess of plan assets                           (132.6)   (127.1)
 
Reconciliation of financial status of plans to
 amounts recorded in Mead's balance sheets -
  Unrecorded effect of net loss arising from
   differences between actuarial assumptions used
   to determine periodic postretirement benefit
   expense and actual experience                        17.9      18.7
                                                     -------   -------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost                  $(114.7)  $(108.4)
                                                     =======   =======
Benefit obligation discount rate                         8.5%      7.5%
                                                     =======   =======
</TABLE>

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost are as follows:

                        (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                              1994    1993    1992
- ------------------------------------------------   ------  ------  ------
<S>                                                <C>     <C>     <C>
Service cost, benefits attributed to            
 employee service during the year                  $ 3.9   $ 3.1   $ 2.4
Interest cost on accumulated                    
 postretirement benefit obligation                  11.2     9.5     9.4
Actual return on plan assets                         (.7)   (1.1)   (1.5)
Net amortization and deferral                        1.7      .1      .4
                                                   -----   -----   -----
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost            16.1    11.6    10.7
Less - net periodic postretirement benefit      
 cost allocated to discontinued operations            .8      .7      .7
                                                   -----   -----   -----
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost -      
 continuing operations                             $15.3   $10.9   $10.0
                                                   =====   =====   =====
</TABLE>

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in determining the net
periodic postretirement benefit cost was 8% in each year. The assumed health
care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation was 13% in 1994 and 14% in 1993, declining by 1% per year to an
ultimate rate of 6%.

If the health care cost trend rate assumptions were increased by 1%, the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1994, would be
increased by 11%. The effect of this change on the sum of the service cost and
interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1994
would be an increase of 10%.

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
P - Leases

At December 31, 1994, future minimum annual rental commitments under
noncancelable lease obligations are as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                            Capital   Operating
                                            Leases    Leases
                                            --------  ---------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>
Year Ending December 31:
  1995                                       $  8.1     $ 27.2
  1996                                          7.9       18.9
  1997                                          7.8       14.2
  1998                                          7.7       11.7
  1999                                          7.8        8.6
  Later years through 2026                    228.0       35.3
                                             ------     ------
Total minimum lease payments                  267.3     $115.9
                                                        ======
Less amount representing interest
 and other                                   (118.4)
                                             ------
Present value of net minimum lease payments   148.9
 
Less current maturities of capital lease
 obligations                                    (.8)
                                             ------
Capital lease obligations                    $148.1
                                             ======
</TABLE>

Capital leases are for manufacturing facilities, equipment and warehouse and
office space. Capital lease property included in property, plant and equipment
is as follows:

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
December 31                       1994     1993
- ------------------------------   ------   ------
<S>                              <C>      <C>
Land and buildings               $ 34.8   $ 34.8
Machinery and equipment           140.7    141.9
                                 ------   ------
                                  175.5    176.7
Less accumulated amortization     (84.6)   (79.0)
                                 ------   ------
                                 $ 90.9   $ 97.7
                                 ======   ======
</TABLE>

The majority of rent expense is for operating leases having terms of up to 25
years which are for office, warehouse and manufacturing facilities and delivery,
manufacturing and computer equipment. A number of these leases have renewal

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
options. Rent expense was $52.8 million, $48.5 million and $51.9 million in
1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.

The Company has additional subleases of property recorded under capital leases.
Total additional rentals to be received in future years are approximately $16.8
million at December 31, 1994.


Q - Litigation and Other Proceedings

The Company is involved in various litigation generally incidental to normal
operations, as well as proceedings regarding equal employment opportunity
matters, among others. The Company has also been identified as a potentially
responsible party in 31 environmental proceedings. It is not possible to
determine the ultimate liability, if any, in all these matters. The Company has
established reserves of approximately $40 million relating to environmental
matters, including those related to discontinued operations, which it believes
are probable and reasonably estimable. Expenditures in 1995 relating to these
environmental liabilities are expected to be less than $5 million. In the
opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel and after
considering established reserves, the resolution of pending litigation and
proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on the financial condition
or results of operations of the Company.


R - Additional Information on Cash Flows

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Year Ended December 31                           1994     1993     1992
- ----------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                                             <C>      <C>      <C>
Cash paid during the year for:                
  Interest                                       $98.4    $87.8   $101.6
    Less amount capitalized                       (5.7)    (2.6)    (2.3)
                                                 -----    -----   ------
    Interest, net of amount capitalized           92.7     85.2     99.3
                                              
  Income taxes                                    59.5     33.6     39.5
 
</TABLE>


S - Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the 1993 and 1992 financial
statements to conform to the classifications used in 1994. These
reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or shareowners' equity as
previously reported.

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
     T - Industry Segments

     The company operates in a number of industry segments.  The PAPER segment
     includes the manufacture and sale of printing, writing, carbonless copy,
     publishing and specialty paper and pulp.  The PACKAGING AND PAPERBOARD
     segment includes the manufacture and marketing of beverage and food
     packaging materials, corrugated shipping containers and paperboard.  The
     DISTRIBUTION AND SCHOOL AND OFFICE PRODUCTS segment includes the
     distribution of a full line of paper products and the manufacture and
     distribution of school and office products.

                                   (All dollar amounts in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Sales (1)
                                           -----------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31                             1994                1993                 1992
- ----------------------                     -------------------  ------------------   -----------------
                                           Unaffil-    Inter-   Unaffil-    Inter-   Unaffil-   Inter-
                                            iated      segment   iated     segment    iated    segment
                                           --------    -------  --------   -------   --------  -------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C> 
Industry segments:
 Paper                                     $1,156.8   $  206.4   $1,111.4   $ 169.0   $1,090.6  $ 162.6
 Packaging and Paperboard                   1,254.5        8.3    1,156.9       9.2    1,163.2      8.3
 Distribution and School
  and Office Products                       2,146.2       10.3    1,970.7       9.1    1,954.6     10.0
Intersegment elimination                                (225.0)              (187.3)             (180.9)
                                           --------               -------              -------
 Total                                     $4,557.5              $4,239.0             $4,208.4
                                           ========              ========             ========
</TABLE> 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                                     Earnings from                 
                                                  Continuing Operations                 Depreciation,
                                              Before Income Taxes (2)(3)(4)       Depletion and Amortization
                                           ------------------------------         -------------------------- 
Year Ended December 31                       1994       1993       1992            1994      1993     1992
- ----------------------                     --------   --------   --------         -------  --------  -------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>      <C>       <C> 
Industry segments:                                                                        
 Paper                                     $   72.0   $  101.9   $   63.3         $  69.6  $   94.2  $  88.1
 Packaging and Paperboard                     123.8      132.8      117.1           131.9     134.4    125.9
 Distribution and School                                                                  
  and Office Products                          20.5       38.4       29.3            12.9      12.0     13.6
Corporate and other                          (163.9)    (138.1)    (193.9)           11.1      13.1     14.2
                                           --------   --------   --------         -------  --------  -------
 Total                                     $   52.4   $  135.0   $   15.8         $ 225.5  $  253.7  $ 241.8
                                           ========   ========   ========         =======  ========  =======
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                                                                Capital Expenditures
                                                 Identifiable Assets (5)     (Including Capital Leases)
                                           -------------------------------  ----------------------------
Year Ended December 31                       1994       1993       1992      1994       1993     1992
- ----------------------                     --------   --------   --------   -------   --------  --------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C> 
Industry segments:
 Paper                                     $1,432.1   $1,345.7   $1,295.2   $ 175.7   $  158.6  $  92.2
 Packaging and Paperboard                   1,457.9    1,405.7    1,379.9     111.8      114.6    102.5
 Distribution and School
  and Office Products                         541.9      510.2      482.8       8.0       22.6     13.0
Intersegment elimination                      (29.5)     (17.8)     (17.3)
Corporate and other                         1,460.2      829.5      793.8      20.1       10.3     10.3
                                           --------   --------   --------    ------     ------  -------
     Total                                 $4,862.6   $4,073.3   $3,934.4    $315.6     $306.1  $ 218.0
                                           ========   ========   ========    ======     ======  =======  
</TABLE> 

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
     (1) Intersegment sales are made at substantially the same prices and on the
     same terms as to unaffiliated customers.

     (2) The earnings from continuing operations before income taxes includes
     the effect of the change in the depreciable lives of certain paper mill
     equipment (Paper - $28.7, Packaging and Paperboard - $14.0) in 1994.

     (3) Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes in 1994 include
     the provision for loss on the sale of a facility, costs of severance and
     closing costs for certain warehouses and office facilities and costs of
     pension settlements.  The effect of the above charges by segment is Paper -
     $65.9, Packaging and Paperboard - $6.9, Distribution and School and Office
     Products -$17.3 and Corporate and other - $2.7.  Included in 1992 are costs
     of a performance improvement program and a loss on the sale of a
     subsidiary.  The effect of these charges by segment is Paper - $22.3,
     Packaging and Paperboard -$23.8, Distribution and School and Office
     Products - $16.3 and Corporate and other - $45.9.

     (4) Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes for "Corporate
     and other" includes the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
Year Ended December 31                     1994      1993      1992
- ----------------------                   --------  --------  --------
<S>                                      <C>       <C>       <C>
Other revenues:                      
  (Loss) on sale of                  
   subsidiary                            $         $         $ (22.5)
  Other                                     (2.5)      3.7       7.7
Interest expense                          (101.1)    (94.6)    (99.5)
Comprehensive performance            
 improvement program                                           (23.4)
Other expenses                             (60.3)    (47.2)    (56.2)
                                         -------   -------   -------
                                         $(163.9)  $(138.1)  $(193.9)
                                         =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
     (5) The assets of "Corporate and other" consist primarily of cash and cash
     equivalents, property, plant and equipment, investments in investees and
     net assets of discontinued operations.

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
     U - Fourth Quarter Operations (Unaudited)

     During the fourth quarter of 1994, the Company recorded several significant
     transactions, including the sale of the Electronic Publishing segment, a
     charge for additional losses in its discontinued insurance operations and a
     provision for environmental remediation costs at two sites formerly part of
     Mead's previously discontinued Industrial Manufacturing segment (Note M).

     The Company recorded a charge to earnings of $60.0 million to reflect the
     estimated loss on sale of its Kingsport, Tennessee, facility.  The Company
     announced its intent to sell the facility in October 1994.  In addition,
     the Company recorded charges to earnings of $21.3 million, principally for
     severance and closing costs for certain warehouses and office facilities at
     its Coated Board and Zellerbach operations; a charge for settlements of
     pension liabilities of $11.5 million and an extraordinary loss on the
     extinguishment of debt of $11.3 million (after tax).

     Reflected in earnings of equity investees is $9.1 million (after-tax) of
     refunds from duties levied on lumber exported from Canada by Northwood
     Forest Industries Ltd. in prior years.

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
     Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
     (All dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                             1st Qtr.   2nd Qtr.   3rd Qtr.   4th Qtr.     Year
                             --------  ----------  ---------  ---------  --------
<S>                          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
     Net sales:
          1994               $1,007.6   $1,165.9   $1,208.2   $1,175.8   $4,557.5
          1993                1,005.5    1,130.8    1,120.9      981.8    4,239.0
          1992                  967.4    1,105.8    1,128.7    1,006.5    4,208.4
     Gross profit:
          1994                  162.5      204.3      201.6      183.3      751.7
          1993                  164.4      196.7      175.2      152.0      688.3
          1992                  145.3      173.8      184.4      152.3      655.8
     Earnings (loss) from
      continuing operations:
          1994                   15.9       44.7       41.6      (12.6)      89.6
          1993                   22.3       42.3       19.1       12.0       95.7
          1992                   10.4      (36.5)      28.5       11.3       13.7
     Earnings (loss) before
      extraordinary item
      and cumulative effect 
      of change in accounting
      principle:
          1994                   27.6       52.4       53.2      573.8      707.0
          1993                   25.6       47.2       30.0       21.3      124.1
          1992                   17.7      (34.7)      37.5       17.1       37.6
     Net earnings (loss):
          1994                   27.6       52.4       53.2      562.5      695.7
          1993                   25.6       47.2       30.0       21.3      124.1
          1992                   51.7      (34.7)      37.5       17.1       71.6
     Per common and common
      equivalent share:(1)
        Earnings (loss)
         from continuing
         operations:
          1994                    .27        .74        .68       (.18)      1.52
          1993                    .38        .70        .32        .20       1.61
          1992                    .19       (.62)       .48        .19        .23
        Earnings (loss)
         before extraordinary
         item and cumulative 
         effect of change in
         accounting principle:
          1994                    .46        .86        .87       9.18      11.39
          1993                    .43        .78        .50        .36       2.08
          1992                    .31       (.59)       .63        .29        .63
        Net earnings (loss):
          1994                    .46        .86        .87       9.00 (2)  11.21
          1993                    .43        .78        .50 (3)    .36       2.08
          1992                    .86       (.59) (4)   .63        .29       1.21
     Cash dividends per
      common share:
          1994                    .25        .25        .25        .25       1.00
          1993                    .25        .25        .25        .25       1.00
          1992                    .25        .25        .25        .25       1.00
</TABLE>

     (1) The number of shares used in the calculation of per share data varies
     from period to period since stock options and convertible debentures are
     included in the calculations only for the periods in which they are
     dilutive; therefore, the sum of individual quarterly earnings per share may
     not equal the annual computation.

     (2) Includes a charge of $.92 per share related to asset impairments,
     restructuring and related severance charges and pension settlement charges;
     a $.15 per share gain on refund of countervailing duties; a gain of $10.04
     per share on sale of Mead Data Central division; a $.79 per share charge
     related to discontinued insurance operations and environmental matters;
     and, a charge of $.18 per share for extinguishment of debt.

     (3) Includes $.12 per share charge related to the revaluation of deferred
     income taxes at January 1, 1993, resulting from 1993 income tax
     legislation.

     (4) Includes a charge of $.90 per share for other expenses related to a
     comprehensive performance improvement program and a charge of $.30 per
     share related to the sale of a subsidiary.

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
     Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
     Financial Disclosure.

               Not applicable.


                                    PART III

     Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

          Information pursuant to this item is incorporated herein by reference
     to pages 3 through 5, 22 and 23 of the Company's Proxy Statement,
     definitive copies of which were filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission ("Commission") on March 16, 1995.  Information concerning
     executive officers is also included in Part I of this report following 
     Item 4.

     Item 11.  Executive Compensation

          Information pursuant to this item is incorporated herein by reference
     to pages 9 through 23 of the Company's Proxy Statement (excluding the
     "Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation" on pages 10
     through 14 and the "Performance Graph" on page 20), definitive copies of
     which were filed with the Commission on March 16, 1995.

     Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

          Information pursuant to this item is incorporated herein by reference
     to pages 9 and 10 of the Company's Proxy Statement, definitive copies of
     which were filed with the Commission on March 16, 1995.

     Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

          Information pursuant to this item is incorporated herein by reference
     to pages 22 and 23 of the Company's Proxy Statement, definitive copies of
     which were filed with the Commission on March 16, 1995.


                                    PART IV

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

          (a)  1. Financial Statements

               The financial statements of The Mead Corporation and consolidated
     subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8.

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
                                    Investee

          The consolidated financial statements and financial statement
     schedules of Northwood Forest Industries Ltd. are included herein.  This
     investee meets the conditions for filing separate financial statements for
     the year ended December 31, 1994.  Financial statement schedules not listed
     in the following index have either been shown in the related financial
     statements or notes thereto or are not applicable and have therefore been
     omitted.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Northwood Forest Industries Ltd.:
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                        <C> 
Financial Statements:
 Auditors' report to the shareholders                                         71
 Consolidated balance sheets                                                  72
 Consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings                  73
 Consolidated statements of changes in financial position                     74
 Notes to consolidated financial statements                                75-85
 
</TABLE>

               2. Financial Statement Schedules
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>                                                                   Page
                                                                            ----
               <S>                                                          <C> 
               Schedule II--Valuation and Qualified Accounts                 69
</TABLE> 
          The information required to be submitted in Schedules I and III
     through V for The Mead Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries has either
     been shown in the financial statements or notes thereto, or is not
     applicable or required under rules of Regulation S-X, and, therefore, those
     schedules have been omitted.

               3. Exhibits

     (3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws:

                (i)  Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant adopted
             May 28, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) of
             Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended 
             December 31, 1987).

                (ii)  Regulations of the Registrant, as amended April 23, 1987
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(ii) of Registrant's
             Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1987).

     (4)     Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including
             indentures:

                (i)  Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 1989 with Bankers
             Trust Company, The First National Bank of Chicago, Morgan Guaranty
             Trust Company of New York and fifteen other banks (incorporated by

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
             reference to Exhibit (4)(i) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form
             10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989); Amendment No. 1 thereto
             dated as of November 30, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (4)(i) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1991), and Amendment No. 2 thereto dated as of
             May 1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(1) to
             Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period
             ended July 3, 1994).

                (ii)  Indenture dated as of July 15, 1982 between the Registrant
             and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, First Supplemental Indenture
             dated as of March 1, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (4)(iv) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1987), Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of
             October 15, 1989 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) to
             Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 11, 1989) and
             Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 15, 1991
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(ii) to Registrant's
             Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).

                (iii)  Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993 between Registrant
             and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (4)(iii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form
             10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992).

             The total amount of securities authorized under other long-term
             debt instruments does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the
             Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  A copy of
             each such instrument will be furnished to the Commission upon
             request.

     (10)    Material Contracts:

                (i)  Agreement dated as of April 24, 1964 between Northwood
             Mills Limited, Canamead, Inc., the Registrant and Noranda Mines,
             Limited and Supplemental Agreements relating thereto dated as of
             July 2, 1964, April 5, 1965, March 15, 1966, February 1, 1967,
             December 15, 1970 and April 1, 1974 (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit (10)(v) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the
             year ended December 31, 1980 included in File No. 1-2267 in the
             Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
             Washington, D.C.).

                (ii)  Pulp Purchase Agreement dated as of April 1, 1965 among
             Northwood Pulp Limited, the Registrant, Northwood Mills Ltd. and
             Noranda Mines Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (10)(vi) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1980 included in File No. 1-2267 in the Public
             Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
             Washington, D.C.).

                (iii)  Rights Agreement dated as of November 1, 1986 between
             Registrant and The First National Bank of Cincinnati, as Rights
             Agent, as amended December 29, 1987 and December 9, 1988
             (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Amendment No. 1
             on Form 8, dated

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
             November 28, 1986 and Exhibits 28(a) and 28(b) to Registrant's
             Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 1988).

                (iv)  Amended Board Purchase Agreement dated as of January 4,
             1988 among the Registrant, Georgia Kraft Company and Inland
             Container Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (1O)(xviii) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1987).

                (v)  Indemnification Agreement dated as of January 4, 1988 among
             the Registrant, Mead Coated Board, Inc., Temple-Inland Inc., Inland
             Container Corporation I, Inland Container Corporation, GK Texas
             Holding Company and Georgia Kraft Company (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (1O)(xix) of Registrant's Annual Report on
             Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1987).

                (vi)  Lease Agreement between The Industrial Development Board
             of the City of Phenix City, Alabama and Mead Coated Board, Inc.,
             dated as of December 1, 1988, as amended (incorporated by reference
             to Exhibit (10)(xviii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
             for the year ended December 31, 1989 and Exhibit (10)(xviii) to
             Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
             31, 1991).

                (vii)  Lease Agreement between The Industrial Development Board
             of   the City of Phenix City, Alabama and Mead Coated Board, Inc.,
             dated as of June 1, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (10)(3) to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
             Quarterly Period ended April 3, 1994).

                (viii)  Purchase Agreement dated October 4, 1994 between The
             Mead Corporation and Reed Elsevier plc. (incorporated by reference
             to exhibit (10)(1) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-
             Q filed for the Quarterly Period ended October 2, 1994), as amended
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) to the Registrant's
             Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 2, 1994).



             The following are compensatory plans and arrangements in which
             directors or executive officers participate:

                (ix)  1984 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant, as amended and
             restated as of January 25, 1990 (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit (10)(v) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
             year ended December 31, 1989), and Amendment dated January 23, 1992
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to Registrant's Annual
             Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).

                (x) 1991 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (10)(xxi) to the Registrant's Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
                (xi)  Incentive Compensation Election Plan of the Registrant as
             amended November 17, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (10)(viii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1987), as amended October 29, 1988 (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit (10)(vi) to Registrant's Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988).

                (xii)  1985 Supplement to Registrant's Incentive Compensation
             Election Plan, as amended November 17, 1987 (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (1O)(xi) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form
             10-K for the year ended December 31, 1985 and Exhibit (10)(ix) of
             Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
             31, 1987), and as further amended October 29, 1988 (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (10)(vii) to Registrant's Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988).

                (xiii)  Excess Benefit Plan of the Registrant (1988
             Restatement), dated October 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit (10)(vii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1990).

                (xiv)  Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (formerly The Mead
             Management Income Parity Plan) effective January 1, 1985, as
             amended and restated as of July 1, 1992 (incorporated by reference
             to Exhibit (10)(xiii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
             for the year ended December 31, 1992).

                (xv)  Form of Indemnification Agreement between Registrant and
             each of John C. Bogle, John G. Breen, William E. Hoglund, Barbara
             C. Jordan, John A. Krol, Steven C. Mason, Charles S. Mechem, Jr.,
             Paul F. Miller, Jr., William S. Shanahan, Thomas B. Stanley, Jr.
             and Lee J. Styslinger, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to
             Exhibit (10)(xiv) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1986).

                (xvi)  Form of Severance Agreement between Registrant and Steven
             C. Mason (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(xvi) of
             Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
             31, 1986 and Exhibit (10)(xii) of Registrant's Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988).

                (xvii)  Form of Severance Agreement between Registrant and each
             of William R. Graber, Elias M. Karter, Raymond W. Lane, Charles J.
             Mazza, Wallace 0. Nugent, Thomas E. Palmer, Jerome F. Tatar and
             other key employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (10)(xiii) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1988).

             (xviii)  Benefit Trust Agreement dated January 9, 1987 between
             Registrant and Society Bank, National Association (incorporated
             herein by reference to Exhibit (1O)(xviii) to Registrant's Annual
             Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1986), as
             amended October 29,

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
             1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xiv) of
             Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
             31, 1988) and January 24, 1991 (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit (10)(xiii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1990).

                (xix)  Restricted Stock Plan effective December 10, 1987, as
             amended through July 23, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             (10)(xviii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
             ended December 31, 1992), as amended through April 28, 1994
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(2) of Registrant's
             Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period ended April
             3, 1994).

                (xx)  Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of the
             Registrant, as amended through October 29, 1988 (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (10)(xix) of Registrant's Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989).

                (xxi)  1985 Supplement to Registrant's Deferred Compensation
             Plan for Directors, as amended through October 29, 1988
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xx) of Registrant's
             Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989).

                (xxii)  Directors Retirement Plan, effective October 27, 1990
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xx) of Registrant's
             Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).

                (xxiii)  Form of Executive Life Insurance Policy for Key
             Executives (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of
             Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period
             Ended March 31, 1991).

                (xxiv)  The "Direction 2000" Executive Incentive Plan, dated
             April 21, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) of
             Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period
             Ended April 4, 1993), amended for 1994 (incorporated by reference
             to Exhibit (10)(2) of Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             for the Quarterly Period ended July 3, 1994).

                (xxv)  Mead Management Incentive Plan for 1994 (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit (10)(i) of Registrant's Quarterly Report on
             Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended April 3, 1994).

     (11)   Calculation of Earnings per Share.

     (12)   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

     (21)   List of significant subsidiaries of the Registrant.

     (23)   Consent of Independent Auditors.

     (27)   Financial Data Schedule

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
             (b) Reports on Form 8-K

                A Form 8-K was filed on December 14, 1994 reporting under Item 2
             Registrant's consummation of the sale of its Mead Data Central
             division and the related subsidiaries and assets to Reed Elsevier
             plc.  Unaudited pro forma condensed statements of earnings for the
             three quarters ended October 2, 1994, and the year ended December
             31, 1993, were filed.  Also filed was an unaudited pro forma
             condensed balance sheet as of October 2, 1994.

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                   THE MEAD CORPORATION


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Steven C. Mason
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Steven C. Mason
                                       Chairman of the Board, President
                                        and Chief Executive Officer
 
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
     this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
     Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Steven C. Mason
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Steven C. Mason
                                       Director, Chairman of the Board,
                                          President and Chief Executive
                                            Officer
 


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ William R. Graber
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              William R. Graber
                                          Vice President and Chief
                                        Financial Officer (principal
                                          financial and accounting
                                           officer)



     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ John C. Bogle
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              John C. Bogle
                                                 Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ John G. Breen
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              John G. Breen
                                                 Director

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ William E. Hoglund
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              William E. Hoglund
                                                   Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Barbara C. Jordan
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Barbara C. Jordan
                                                  Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ John A. Krol
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              John A. Krol
                                                Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Charles S. Mechem, Jr.
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Charles S. Mechem, Jr.
                                                    Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Paul F. Miller, Jr.
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Paul F. Miller, Jr.
                                                   Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ William S. Shanahan
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              William S. Shanahan
                                                   Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Thomas B. Stanley, Jr.
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Thomas B. Stanley, Jr.
                                                    Director


     Date:   February 23, 1995       By   /s/ Lee J. Styslinger
                                       ----------------------------------
                                              Lee J. Styslinger
                                                  Director

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
               THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES



                         SCHEDULE FURNISHED PURSUANT TO
                           REQUIREMENTS OF FORM 10-K



                  Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(All dollar amounts in millions)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
          Column A               Column B            Column C             Column D    Column E   
- -----------------------------   ----------     ---------------------    -----------   --------
                                                    Additions
                                               ---------------------
                                                          
                                               Charged     Charged                    Balance
                                Balance at        to       to Other                     at              
                                Beginning       Costs &    Accounts-    Deductions-   End of
Description                     of Period      Expenses    Describe     Describe      Period
- -----------------------------   ----------     --------    ---------    -----------   --------
<S>                             <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1994:
 
Allowance for doubtful
 accounts                         $ 22.5        $  8.9      $  -0-        $  7.5*      $ 23.9
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
                                                        
Accumulated amortization of                             
 goodwill and other                                     
 intangibles                      $ 31.0        $  3.0      $  -0-        $  -0-       $ 34.0
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
                                                        
Reserve for asset                                       
 impairment                       $  -0-        $ 60.0      $  -0-        $  -0-       $ 60.0
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
Year Ended December 31, 1993:
 
Allowance for doubtful
 accounts                         $ 22.6        $ 10.8      $  -0-        $ 10.9*      $ 22.5
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
 
Accumulated amortization of
 goodwill and other
 intangibles                      $ 28.1        $  2.9      $  -0-        $  -0-       $ 31.0
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
Year Ended December 31,
 1992:
 
Allowance for doubtful
 accounts                         $ 25.9        $ 10.4      $  -0-        $ 13.7*      $ 22.6
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
 
Accumulated amortization of
 goodwill and other
 intangibles                      $ 24.8        $  3.3      $  -0-        $  -0-       $ 28.1
                                  ======        ======      ======        ======       ======
</TABLE>
       *Accounts charged off, net of recoveries.

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
                      Consolidated Financial Statements of

                        NORTHWOOD FOREST INDUSTRIES LTD.

                  Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Northwood Forest Industries
Ltd. as at December 31, 1993 and 1994 and the consolidated statements of
operations and retained earnings and changes in financial position for each of
the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1994. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 1993
and 1994 and the results of its operations and the changes in its financial
position for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1994
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada.



KPMG PEAT MARWICK THORNE
Chartered Accountants

Vancouver, Canada
January 10, 1995

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
NORTHWOOD FOREST INDUSTRIES LTD.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

December 31, 1993 and 1994
                                                     1994          1993
                                                 ------------  ------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>
Assets                                          
                                               
Current assets:                                 
  Trade accounts receivable from                
   affiliated companies                             $ 100,746     $  85,854
  Other receivables                                    48,082         7,891
  Inventories (note 2)                                150,001       115,357
  Prepaid expenses                                      5,370         6,510
                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                      304,199       215,612
                                               
Investments and other assets (note 3)                  16,119        11,393
                                               
Property, plant, equipment and                  
 timber (note 4)                                      405,949       413,228
                                                    ---------     ---------
                                               
                                                    $ 726,267     $ 640,233
                                                    =========     =========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity            
                                               
Current liabilities:                            
  Bank indebtedness (note 5)                        $   9,953     $  87,491
  Due to affiliated company                            45,000         3,000
  Accounts payable and accruals                       105,653        89,800
  Income tax payable                                   67,383        19,766
  Current portion of long-term debt             
   (note 5)                                            13,857        15,501
                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                      241,846       215,558
                                               
Accrued liabilities not due within one year            20,988        16,789
                                               
Long-term debt (note 5)                                88,625       159,306
                                               
Deferred income taxes                                  59,394        66,240
                                               
Shareholders' equity:                           
  Share capital (note 6)                               22,000        22,000
  Retained earnings                                   293,414       160,340
                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                      315,414       182,340
Commitments and contingencies                   
 (notes 5 and 7)                                
                                                    $ 726,267     $ 640,233
                                                    =========     =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
NORTHWOOD FOREST INDUSTRIES LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994
 
                                             1994      1993      1992
                                           --------  --------  ---------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenue:                         
  Net sales                                $831,197  $636,352  $530,147
                                 
Cost and expenses:               
  Cost of products sold                     593,847   512,970   454,339
  Depreciation and amortization              49,236    49,023    49,051
  General and administrative                 14,875    16,133    14,525
  Interest, net (note 8)                     12,350    16,940    20,727
                                           --------  --------  --------
                                            670,308   595,066   538,642
                                           --------  --------  --------
Earnings (loss) before           
 countervailing duty refund      
 and income taxes                           160,889    41,286    (8,495)
                                 
Countervailing duty refund       
 (note 9)                                    53,964
                                           --------  --------  --------
                                 
Earnings before income taxes                214,853    41,286    (8,495)
                                 
Income taxes (recoverable)       
 (note 10)                                   81,779    17,880    (2,442)
                                           --------  --------  --------
                                 
Earnings (loss) for the year                133,074    23,406    (6,053)
                                 
Retained earnings,               
 beginning of year                          160,340   136,934   142,987
                                           --------  --------  --------
                                 
Retained earnings, end of year             $293,414  $160,340  $136,934
                                           ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
NORTHWOOD FOREST INDUSTRIES LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994
 
                                                   1994       1993       1992
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash provided by (used in):                  
                                             
Operations:                                  
  Earnings (loss) for the year                   $133,074   $ 23,406   $ (6,053)
  Items not affecting working                
   capital:                                  
    Depreciation and                         
     amortization                                  49,236     49,023     49,051
    Deferred income taxes                          (6,846)    (7,636)   (18,425)
    Other                                            (589)       (79)     1,509
                                                 --------   --------   --------
                                                  174,875     64,714     26,082
                                             
  Changes in non-cash operating              
   working capital                                (28,341)   (32,585)    39,973
  Accrued liabilities not due                
   within one year                                  4,199       (990)     2,227
                                                 --------   --------   --------
                                                  150,733     31,139     68,282
Financing:                                   
  Repayment of long-term                     
   debt, net                                      (72,325)   (13,883)   (13,644)
  Advances from affiliated                   
   company                                         42,000     (1,000)    (1,000)
                                                 --------   --------   --------
                                                  (30,325)   (14,883)   (14,644)
Investments:                                 
  Additions to property, plant,              
   equipment and timber                           (38,915)   (22,363)   (17,704)
  Proceeds on sale of property,              
   plant, equipment and timber                        771      1,103        461
  Investments:                               
    B.C. Chemicals Ltd. and                  
     BC Chemicals Company                          (3,220)    (3,516)    (2,877)
    Other                                          (1,506)      (155)         3
                                                 --------   --------   --------
                                                  (42,870)   (24,931)   (20,117)
                                                 --------   --------   --------
Increase (decrease) in cash                  
 during the year                                   77,538     (8,675)    33,521
                                             
Bank indebtedness, beginning                 
 of year                                           87,491     78,816    112,337
                                                 --------   --------   --------
                                             
Bank indebtedness, end of year                   $  9,953   $ 87,491   $ 78,816
                                                 ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
NORTHWOOD FOREST INDUSTRIES LTD.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994


1.  Accounting policies:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared on the
historical cost basis in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in Canada.

A summary of significant accounting policies of the Company is set out below:

(a)    Principles of consolidation:

       The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
       and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Northwood Pulp and Timber Limited,
       Northwood Waferboard Limited, Northwood Properties Limited, Rustad Bros.
       & Co. Ltd., Bond Brothers Sawmill Ltd., Blackwater Construction Co. Ltd.
       and Gang-Nail Truss (P.G.) Ltd. All material intercompany transactions
       have been eliminated.

(b)    Inventories:

       Logs, seedlings and operating and maintenance supplies are carried at the
       lower of average cost and replacement cost. Chips, goods in process and
       finished goods are valued at the lower of average cost and net realizable
       value.

(c)    Investments:

       The Company's 50% investment in B.C. Chemicals Ltd. and BC Chemicals
       Company, a joint venture, which, on a combined basis, supply chemical to
       the pulp mill, and 30% investment in Vernon Seed Orchard Company, a joint
       venture, which will supply seed to the nursery centre, are accounted for
       by the equity method. The Company's share of the net earnings is included
       in the consolidated statement of operations as an adjustment to cost of
       products sold.

(d)    Property, plant, equipment and timber:

       The costs of additions, betterments and renewals are capitalized and
       expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense.
       Government grants received in connection with the construction or
       expansion of production facilities are credited to the cost of such
       assets. On retirement or disposal of property, plant and equipment, the
       cost thereof and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from
       the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated
       statement of operations.

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
       Buildings and equipment are depreciated, principally on a straight-line
       basis, at rates which will reduce the cost of each asset to estimated
       residual value over its economic life. The economic lives of the assets
       are estimated as follows:

              Timber cutting rights                           40 years
              Buildings                                 10 to 50 years
              Production machinery                       5 to 16 years
              Automotive and woods equipment                   5 years

       Timber and logging roads are amortized on the units of production basis.

(e)    Foreign currency:

       A substantial portion of the Company's sales is denominated in foreign
       currency. Transactions which are covered by forward exchange contracts
       are translated at contracted rates. In other cases, current assets and
       current liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange in effect at
       the balance sheet date and income and expense items are translated at
       average rates for the month in which they are earned or incurred.

(f)    Interest:

       Interest identifiable with major capital expenditures is capitalized
       during the construction period. All other interest is expensed as
       incurred.

(g)    Pension costs:

       The Company has various pension and post-retirement benefit plans which
       cover substantially all employees. The Company uses an accrued benefit
       actuarial method and best estimate assumptions to value benefit
       obligations. Adjustments arising from plan amendments, experience gains
       and losses and changes in assumptions are amortized over the estimated
       average remaining service lives of the employee groups. Current service
       costs are expensed in the period. Market related asset values are
       determined on a five year average basis.

(h)    Reforestation obligation:

       The Company harvests timber under various provincial tenures. Estimated
       future reforestation and silviculture obligations are accrued and charged
       to earnings based on the volume of timber removed.

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
2.     Inventories:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                             1994      1993
                                                           --------  --------
                                          (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                                        <C>       <C> 
Pulp                                                       $ 13,032  $  9,347
Lumber                                                       29,346    15,175
Plywood                                                       3,889     1,598
Sawlogs                                                      60,649    45,756
Chips                                                         8,905     9,877
Pulpwood                                                      4,063     5,680
Seedlings                                                     4,460     4,890
Operating and maintenance supplies                           25,657    23,034
                                                           --------  --------
 
                                                           $150,001  $115,357
                                                           ========  ========
</TABLE> 
 
3.     Investments and other assets:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1994      1993
                                                              --------  --------
                                              (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>  
Investment and advances to B.C. Chemicals
 Ltd. and BC Chemicals Company, carried
 on an equity basis                                           $ 13,456  $ 10,236
                                                            
Timber deposits and other                                        2,458       922
                                                            
Mortgages, agreements and property held                     
 for resale, at estimated realizable value                         205       235
                                                              --------  --------
 
                                                              $ 16,119  $ 11,393
                                                              ========  ========
</TABLE>

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
4.     Property, plant, equipment and timber:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1994                   1993
                                                ---------              ---------
                                     (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                             <C>                    <C>  
Buildings and equipment, at cost                $ 856,359              $ 827,840
  Less accumulated depreciation                   513,422                468,767
                                                ---------              ---------
                                                  342,937                359,073
 
Roads and bridges, at cost less
 amortization                                       7,634                  8,281
 
Timber and timber cutting rights, at
 cost less amortization                            35,578                 36,954
 
Land, at cost                                       4,265                  4,230
 
Construction in progress, at cost                  15,535                  4,690
                                                ---------              ---------
 
                                                $ 405,949              $ 413,228
                                                =========              =========
</TABLE> 
 
5.     Long-term debt:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                   1994                   1993
                                                ---------              ---------
                                     (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                             <C>                    <C>  
Revolving term loans                            $  63,000              $ 120,000
 
Term loan, repayable in
 quarterly installments of $3,400,000              39,200                 52,800
 
Western Diversification Fund loan                                          1,308
                             
 
Obligation under capital
 leases                                               282                    699
                                                ---------              ---------
                                                  102,482                174,807
 
Amount due within one year                         13,857                 15,501
                                                ---------              ---------
 
                                                $  88,625              $ 159,306
                                                =========              =========
</TABLE>

The revolving term loans and the bank indebtedness are unsecured except for a
letter of comfort from the shareholders that they will retain beneficial
ownership of the Company and a negative pledge over all assets of the Company,
excluding its investment in B.C. Chemicals Ltd. and BC Chemicals Company.

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
The term loan of $39,200,000 is secured by mortgages of certain properties of a
subsidiary.

The revolving term loans and term loan are currently represented by banker's
acceptances which bear interest at a weighted average rate of 7.24%.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                            (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
 
<S>                                                      <C>
    1995                                                 $ 13,857
    1996                                                   13,625
    1997                                                   75,000
                                                         --------
 
                                                         $102,482
                                                         ========
</TABLE> 
 
6.     Share capital:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                            1994          1993
                                                          -------       -------
                                             (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                                       <C>           <C> 
Class "A" shares of no par value
  Authorized and issued 4,000,000 shares                  $ 4,000       $ 4,000
Class "B" shares of no par value
  Authorized and issued 4,000,000 shares                    4,000         4,000
Class "C" non-cumulative non-voting
 shares of no par value
  Authorized and issued 14,000,000 shares                  14,000        14,000
                                                          -------       -------
 
                                                          $22,000       $22,000
                                                          =======       =======
</TABLE>

The Class "C" shares rank ahead of the Class "A" and Class "B" shares as to a
fixed non-cumulative dividend of 5% per annum on the amount paid up on the Class
"C" shares and are redeemable at their paid-up value together with any dividends
declared thereon and unpaid.

7.     Commitments and contingencies:

(a)    In 1990 an action was commenced in the Supreme Court of British Columbia
       by the Fort George Indian Band against the Company and another unrelated
       forest products company. The claim is that both companies have discharged
       waste products and noxious effluent into the Fraser River and as a result
       the lands and environment of the Band have been damaged.

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
       The plaintiff is claiming a full range of legal remedies and damages
       (including punitive damages) and injunctive relief. No specific amount of
       damage has been indicated.

       Many of the legal issues raised in this action are before the Courts of
       British Columbia in other actions and thus at this time the outcome of
       the above action cannot be anticipated.

(b)    The Company is the defendant in various other legal actions but in the
       opinion of management the outcome of these actions will not have a
       material effect on the financial position of the Company.

(c)    Foreign currency exchange contracts:

       Subsequent to year end the Company has entered into forward foreign
       exchange contracts, which require the Company to buy a specific amount of
       Canadian currency at a fixed price on a specific future date to hedge
       expected U.S. dollar denominated receivables over the next twelve months.

       In particular, the Company had various forward foreign exchange contracts
       with respect to U.S. $20,000,000 at exchange rates varying between Cdn.
       $1.4093 to $1.4133 for each U.S. $1.00.

(d)    The Company estimates that it will need approximately $50,000,000 to
       $60,000,000 of capital expenditures during the period 1995 to 1999 to
       comply with environmental regulations.

8.     Interest, net:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                      1994              1993             1992
                                    -------           -------          -------
                                        (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                 <C>               <C>              <C>   
Interest for the year
 comprises
 the following:
  Long-term debt                    $ 9,599           $11,119          $14,731
  Short-term debt and other           2,795             5,870            6,950
  Interest income                       (44)              (49)            (954)
                                    -------           -------          -------
 
                                    $12,350           $16,940          $20,727
                                    =======           =======          =======
</TABLE>

9.     Countervailing duty refund:

       During the period March 12, 1992 to August 17, 1994, the Government of
       the United States imposed a countervailing duty ("CVD") on all softwood
       lumber imported into the United States from Canada. The Company posted
       bonds for $5,634,000 (U.S. $4,303,000) and paid $44,902,000 (U.S.
       $32,427,000) on its shipments of softwood lumber in respect of the CVD
       imposed during this period.

                                       80
<PAGE>
 
       Pursuant to the provisions of the Canada-United States Free Trade
       Agreement, throughout the period various appeal processes were pursued by
       the Government of Canada, provincial governments and the Canadian forest
       industry. As it was uncertain the appeal processes would be successful,
       the Company deducted the CVD from sales in the amount of $13,362,000
       (U.S. $9,824,000) in 1992, $21,420,000 (U.S. $16,073,000) in 1993 and
       $15,754,000 (U.S. $10,833,000) in 1994.

       In December 1994, the appeal processes resulted in a final decision from
       the U.S. Department of Commerce to release the bonds posted and to refund
       the CVD paid with interest. Accordingly, the Company has recorded
       $53,964,000 (U.S. $38,253,000) as an unusual item being the refund of the
       duty plus interest less related expenses. Of this amount $38,226,000
       (U.S. $27,250,000) is included in other receivables at December 31, 1994.

10.    Income taxes:

The expected rate of income taxes is calculated as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1994       1993       1992
                                               -----      -----      -----
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                               
Federal:                                                       
  Basic tax net of provincial                                  
   abatement                                   28.0%      28.0%      28.0%
  Manufacturing and processing                                 
   reduction                                   (7.0)      (6.0)      (5.0)
  Logging tax abatement                        (4.3)      (2.3)      (2.3)
  Surtax                                         .7         .8         .8
                                               ----       ----       ----
                                               17.4       20.5       21.5     
                                                               
Provincial, net of logging tax                                 
 abatement                                     14.3       15.0       14.8
                                                               
Logging taxes                                   6.5        3.5        3.5
                                               ----       ----       ----
                                                               
                                               38.2%      39.0%      39.8%
                                               ====       ====       ====
</TABLE>

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
The actual income tax differs from that obtained by applying the expected income
tax rate to the income before tax for the following reasons:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1994         1993         1992
                                       -------      -------      -------
                                     (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
                              
Taxes at expected rate                 $82,074      $16,102      $(3,381)
                              
Tax effect of:                
 Deferred tax drawdown        
  accumulated at higher       
  tax rates                               (963)        (329)      (1,556)
 Amortization of purchase     
  differences on acquisition  
  of subsidiary                          1,220        1,254        1,412
 Large corporation tax                    (220)         815        1,021
 Equity in earnings of B.C.   
  Chemicals Ltd.                          (264)        (106)         (77)
 Other                                     (68)         144          139
                                       -------      -------      -------
                              
Income taxes (recoverable)             $81,779      $17,880      $(2,442)
                                       =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>

11.    Related party transactions:

       The Company is owned 50% by Noranda Forest Inc. ("Noranda") and
       indirectly 50% by The Mead Corporation ("Mead"). Sales to Mead, Noranda
       and their respective subsidiary and affiliated companies are at
       competitive prices. By agreements, a commission is paid to a subsidiary
       of Mead to act as exclusive agent for soliciting and servicing of certain
       pulp sales and to a subsidiary of Noranda for certain lumber and plywood
       sales.

       The Company purchases raw materials from B.C. Chemicals Ltd. and BC
       Chemicals Company.

       The aggregate of all related party transactions, including the purchase
       of a number of services from Noranda and affiliated companies, which is
       not disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements, is summarized as
       follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1994        1993        1992
                                         -------     -------     -------
                                      (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>
                                
Net sales before commissions             $97,995     $55,539     $96,185
                                         =======     =======     =======
Commissions                              $22,118     $16,023     $13,083
                                         =======     =======     =======
Net costs and expenses                   $16,306     $13,103     $11,404
                                         =======     =======     =======
Accounts payable and accruals            $ 2,530     $ 1,239     $ 1,243
                                         =======     =======     =======
</TABLE>

                                       82
<PAGE>
 
12.    Pension plans:

       Salaried employees of the Company and hourly employees of Rustad Bros. &
       Co. Ltd. are members of defined benefit pension plans. As at December 31,
       1994 the market value of the plans' assets amounted to $45,429,000 
       (1993 - $37,957,000) while the actuarial present value of the plans'
       accrued pension benefits was $51,649,000 (1993 - $43,865,000).

       Hourly employees, except those of Rustad Bros. & Co. Ltd., are members of
       negotiated plans to which the Company contributes amounts specified by
       collective agreements.

       The Company has implemented a post-retirement benefit plan for certain
       employees. Based on an actuarial valuation dated January 1, 1992 the
       actuarial present value of the plan's accumulated post-retirement benefit
       obligations is $890,000 (1993 - $940,000). The plan is funded on a
       current basis and the liability is being accrued over the estimated
       average remaining service life of the employee group.

       The current year's pension expense includes the required contribution to
       the union plans and the actuarially calculated cost to the Company of its
       obligations to the defined benefit plans attributable to the services
       rendered by the employees during the year and the actuarially calculated
       cost to the Company of its obligations to the post-retirement benefit
       plan.


13.    United States generally accepted accounting principles:

       The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
       accepted accounting principles in Canada ("Canadian GAAP") which, in the
       case of the Company, conform in all material respects with those in the
       United States ("United States GAAP"), with the following exceptions:

       (i)   The Company follows the Canadian method of accounting for income
       taxes, described as the deferral method, focusing on differences arising
       between financial statement income and taxable income. The method
       followed under United States GAAP, described as the liability method,
       focuses on differences between the book and tax value of assets and
       liabilities. In Canada, income taxes are recorded using tax rates and
       regulations applicable in the current year and are not changed in future
       years even though tax rates and regulations may change. In the United
       States, the tax liability is calculated using enacted tax rates and
       regulations and is adjusted in future years if those tax rates and
       regulations are changed.

       (ii)   United States GAAP requires recognition in the balance sheet of a
       liability that is at least equal to the unfunded accumulated benefit
       obligation if the unfunded benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of
       plan assets. Where a liability is recognized, an intangible asset of an
       equal amount is also recorded. Canadian GAAP only requires disclosure of
       the actuarial present value of accrued pension benefits attributed to
       services rendered up to the reporting date and the value pension fund
       assets.

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
       A further difference between Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP in
       accounting for pension costs is in the choice of discount rate used for
       computing the benefit obligation and the service and interest cost
       components of net periodic pension expense. Under Canadian GAAP, the
       discount rate used represents management's best estimate of the long-term
       rate of return on pension fund assets, whereas under United States GAAP
       the discount rate reflects the rate at which pension benefits can
       effectively be settled at the date of the financial statements.

       The impact of the differences on the Company's pension expense is not
       material. The impact of the differences on the funded status is included
       in the table below (note 13(vi)).

       (iii) United States GAAP requires disclosure of changes during the year
       in non-cash working capital balances pertaining to operating activities.
       The following table reflects such changes in the years ended December 31,
       1994, 1993 and 1992:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1994       1993       1992
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
                                        (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Decrease (increase) in        
 current assets:              
  Trade accounts receivable   
   from affiliated companies              $(14,892)  $(26,495)  $ (3,700)
  Other receivables                        (40,191)    (1,691)       782
  Inventories                              (34,644)   (11,901)   (15,893)
  Prepaid expenses                           1,140     (2,242)    (2,169)
                              
Increase (decrease) in        
 current liabilities:         
  Accounts payable and        
   accruals, net                            12,629     (4,746)    27,976
  Income tax payable                        47,617     14,490     32,977
                                          --------   --------   --------
                              
                                          $(28,341)  $(32,585)  $ 39,973
                                          ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

       (iv)  Other differences between Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP do
       not have a material effect, either collectively or individually, on net
       income.

                                       84
<PAGE>
 
       (v)   The following table reconciles earnings (loss) for the year as
       reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and
       retained earnings to earnings (loss) that would have been reported had
       the financial statements been prepared in accordance with United States
       GAAP:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1994       1993      1992
                                              ---------  --------  --------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>       <C>
                                            (in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Earnings (loss) in accordance   
 with Canadian GAAP                           $133,074   $23,406   $(6,053)
                                
Adjustments:                    
  Deferred income taxes                            389    13,575        41
  Amortization of goodwill                        (706)     (706)     (706)
                                              --------   -------   -------
                                                  (317)   12,869      (665)
                                              --------   -------   -------
Earnings (loss) in accordance   
 with United States GAAP                      $132,757   $36,275   $(6,718)
                                              ========   =======   =======
 
</TABLE>

       (vi)  The following table indicates the items in the consolidated balance
       sheet that would be affected had the financial statements been prepared
       in accordance with United States GAAP. The revised amounts would be as
       follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1994      1993
                                                       --------  --------
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>
                                             
Property, plant, equipment and timber                  $406,949  $414,228
Goodwill                                                 19,083    19,769
Investments and other assets                             19,339    14,301
Accrued liabilities not due within           
 one year                                                24,208    19,697
Deferred income taxes                                    69,028    76,273
Retained earnings                                       303,833   171,076
</TABLE>

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
                              THE MEAD CORPORATION



                      EXHIBITS TO FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT



                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

                                       86
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


(3)    Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws:

          (i)  Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant adopted May
       28, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) of Registrant's
       Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1987).

          (ii)  Regulations of the Registrant, as amended April 23, 1987
       (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(ii) of Registrant's Annual
       Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1987).

(4)    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including 
       indentures:

          (i)  Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 1989 with Bankers Trust
       Company, The First National Bank of Chicago, Morgan Guaranty Trust
       Company of New York and fifteen other banks (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit (4)(i) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
       ended December 31, 1989); Amendment No. 1 thereto dated as of November
       30, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(i) to Registrant's
       Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991), and
       Amendment No. 2 thereto dated as of May 1, 1994 (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit (10)(1) to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-
       Q for the Quarterly Period ended July 3, 1994).

          (ii)  Indenture dated as of July 15, 1982 between the Registrant and
       Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, First Supplemental Indenture dated as
       of March 1, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(iv) of
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31,
       1987), Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 15, 1989
       (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) to Registrant's Current Report
       on Form 8-K dated October 11, 1989) and Third Supplemental Indenture
       dated as of November 15, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (4)(ii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1991).

          (iii)  Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993 between Registrant and
       The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference
       to Exhibit (4)(iii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
       year ended December 31, 1992).

       The total amount of securities authorized under other long-term debt
       instruments does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and
       its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. A copy of each such instrument
       will be furnished to the Commission upon request.

                                       87
<PAGE>
 
(10)   Material Contracts:

          (i)     Agreement dated as of April 24, 1964 between Northwood Mills
       Limited, Canamead, Inc., the Registrant and Noranda Mines, Limited and
       Supplemental Agreements relating thereto dated as of July 2, 1964, April
       5, 1965, March 15, 1966, February 1, 1967, December 15, 1970 and April 1,
       1974 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(v) of Registrant's Annual
       Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1980 included in File
       No. 1-2267 in the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange
       Commission in Washington, D.C.).

          (ii)    Pulp Purchase Agreement dated as of April 1, 1965 among
       Northwood Pulp Limited, the Registrant, Northwood Mills Ltd. and Noranda
       Mines Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(vi) of
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31,
       1980 included in File No. 1-2267 in the Public Reference Room of the
       Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.).

          (iii)   Rights Agreement dated as of November 1, 1986 between
       Registrant and The First National Bank of Cincinnati, as Rights Agent, as
       amended December 29, 1987 and December 9, 1988 (incorporated herein by
       reference to Registrant's Amendment No. 1 on Form 8, dated November 28,
       1986 and Exhibits 28(a) and 28(b) to Registrant's Current Report on Form
       8-K dated December 9, 1988).

          (iv)    Amended Board Purchase Agreement dated as of January 4, 1988
       among the Registrant, Georgia Kraft Company and Inland Container
       Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1O)(xviii) of
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31,
       1987).

          (v)     Indemnification Agreement dated as of January 4, 1988 among
       the Registrant, Mead Coated Board, Inc., Temple-Inland Inc., Inland
       Container Corporation I, Inland Container Corporation, GK Texas Holding
       Company and Georgia Kraft Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (1O)(xix) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 1O-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1987).

          (vi)    Lease Agreement between The Industrial Development Board of
       the City of Phenix City, Alabama and Mead Coated Board, Inc., dated as of
       December 1, 1988, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (10)(xviii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1989 and Exhibit (10)(xviii) to Registrant's Annual Report
       on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).

          (vii)   Lease Agreement between The Industrial Development Board of
       the City of Phenix City, Alabama and Mead Coated Board, Inc., dated as of
       June 1, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(3) to
       Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period ended
       April 3, 1994).

                                       88
<PAGE>
 
          (viii)  Purchase Agreement dated October 4, 1994 between The Mead
       Corporation and Reed Elsevier plc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit
       (10)(1) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the
       Quarterly Period ended October 2, 1994), as amended (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit (2) to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
       dated December 2, 1994).



       The following are compensatory plans and arrangements in which directors
       or executive officers participate:

          (ix)    1984 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant, as amended and
       restated as of January 25, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (10)(v) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1989), and Amendment dated January 23, 1992 (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1991).

          (x)     1991 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit (10)(xxi) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
       10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).

          (xi)    Incentive Compensation Election Plan of the Registrant as
       amended November 17, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (10)(viii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1987), as amended October 29, 1988 (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit (10)(vi) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1988).

          (xii)   1985 Supplement to Registrant's Incentive Compensation
       Election Plan, as amended November 17, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit (1O)(xi) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
       ended December 31, 1985 and Exhibit (10)(ix) of Registrant's Annual
       Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987), and as further
       amended October 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(vii)
       to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
       31, 1988).

          (xiii)  Excess Benefit Plan of the Registrant (1988 Restatement),
       dated October 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(vii) to
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1990).

          (xiv)   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (formerly The Mead
       Management Income Parity Plan) effective January 1, 1985, as amended and
       restated as of July 1, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (10)(xiii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1992).

          (xv)    Form of Indemnification Agreement between Registrant and each
       of John C. Bogle, John G. Breen, William E. Hoglund, Barbara C. Jordan,
       John A. Krol, Steven C. Mason, Charles S. Mechem, Jr., Paul F. Miller,
       Jr., William S. Shanahan, Thomas B. Stanley, Jr. and Lee J.

                                       89
<PAGE>
 
       Styslinger, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(xiv) of
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1986).

          (xvi)   Form of Severance Agreement between Registrant and Steven C.
       Mason (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(xvi) of
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1986 and Exhibit (10)(xii) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
       the year ended December 31, 1988).

          (xvii)  Form of Severance Agreement between Registrant and each of
       William R. Graber, Elias M. Karter, Raymond W. Lane, Charles J. Mazza,
       Wallace 0. Nugent, Thomas E. Palmer, Jerome F. Tatar and other key
       employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xiii) of
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1988).

          (xviii) Benefit Trust Agreement dated January 9, 1987 between
       Registrant and Society Bank, National Association (incorporated herein by
       reference to Exhibit (1O)(xviii) to Registrant's Annual Report on 
       Form 1O-K for the year ended December 31, 1986), as amended October 29,
       1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xiv) of Registrant's
       Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988) and
       January 24, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xiii) to
       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1990).

          (xix)   Restricted Stock Plan effective December 10, 1987, as amended
       through July 23, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xviii)
       to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
       31, 1992), as amended through April 28, 1994 (incorporated by reference
       to Exhibit (10)(2) of Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
       Quarterly Period ended April 3, 1994).

          (xx)    Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of the Registrant, as
       amended through October 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
       (10)(xix) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
       December 31, 1989).

          (xxi)   1985 Supplement to Registrant's Deferred Compensation Plan for
       Directors, as amended through October 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference
       to Exhibit (10)(xx) of Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
       year ended December 31, 1989).

          (xxii)  Directors Retirement Plan, effective October 27, 1990
       (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(xx) of Registrant's Annual
       Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990).

          (xxiii) Form of Executive Life Insurance Policy for Key Executives
       (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of Registrant's Quarterly
       Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1991).

                                       90
<PAGE>
 
          (xxiv)  The "Direction 2000" Executive Incentive Plan, dated April 21,
       1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) of Registrant's
       Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended April 4,
       1993), amended for 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(2) of
       Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period ended
       July 3, 1994).

          (xxv)   Mead Management Incentive Plan for 1994 (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit (10)(i) of Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-
       Q for the Quarterly Period Ended April 3, 1994).

                                       91

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (11.1)

               THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

   CALCULATION OF PRIMARY NET EARNINGS PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE
              (All amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year Ended December 31
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       1994      1993     1992
                                                     --------  --------  -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
 
NET EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON AND COMMON        
 EQUIVALENT SHARES                                   $695,725  $124,166  $71,603
                                                   
ADJUSTMENT FOR OTHER POTENTIALLY DILUTIVE           
 SECURITIES - Interest Savings (net of tax) on      
 Convertible Subordinated Debentures as if          
 converted at the beginning of the period               5,661
                                                     --------  --------  -------
NET EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON AND COMMON        
 EQUIVALENT SHARES                                   $701,386  $124,166  $71,603
                                                     ========  ========  =======
                                                   
AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT      
SHARES OUTSTANDING:                                 
  Average number of common shares outstanding          59,333    59,021   58,606
                                                   
  Dilutive effect of stock options after            
   application of treasury stock method                   621       572      403
                                                   
  Adjustment of other potentially dilutive          
   securities - Dilutive effect of Convertible      
   Subordinated Debentures as if converted at       
   the beginning of the year                            2,601
                                                     --------  --------  -------
AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND COMMON                 
 EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING                         62,555    59,593   59,009
                                                     ========  ========  =======
PRIMARY NET EARNINGS PER COMMON                     
 AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE                           $11.21     $2.08  $  1.21
                                                     ========  ========  =======
</TABLE>


                                      92

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (11.2)


               THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

             CALCULATION OF FULLY DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON 
                        AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE (1)
              (All amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year Ended December 31
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       1994      1993     1992
                                                     --------  --------  -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
NET EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON AND COMMON        
 EQUIVALENT SHARES                                   $701,386  $124,166  $71,603
                                                     ========  ========  =======
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ON A           
 FULLY DILUTED BASIS:                               
  Shares used in calculating primary earnings       
   per share                                           62,555    59,593   59,009
                                                   
  Additional dilutive effect of stock options       
   after application of treasury stock method             172        99       76
                                                     --------  --------  -------
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ON A           
 FULLY DILUTED BASIS                                   62,727    59,692   59,085
                                                     ========  ========  =======
FULLY DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON               
 AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE                         $  11.18  $   2.08  $  1.21
                                                     ========  ========  =======
</TABLE>

(1) This calculation is submitted in accordance with 17 CFR 229.601(b)(11)
although not required by APB Opinion No. 15 because it results in dilution of
less than 3%.


                                      93

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (11.3)


               THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

             CALCULATION OF FULLY DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON 
                        AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE (1)
              (All amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year Ended December 31
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       1994      1993     1992
                                                     --------  --------  -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
NET EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON AND COMMON        
 EQUIVALENT SHARES                                   $701,386  $124,166  $71,603
                                                   
ADJUSTMENT FOR OTHER POTENTIALLY DILUTIVE           
 SECURITIES - Interest savings (net of tax) on      
 Convertible Subordinated Debentures as if          
 converted at the beginning of the period                         5,723    5,339
                                                     --------  --------  -------
NET EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON AND COMMON        
 EQUIVALENT SHARES ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS          $701,386  $129,889  $76,942
                                                     ========  ========  =======
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ON A           
 FULLY DILUTED BASIS                                
  Shares used in calculating primary earnings       
   per share                                           62,555    59,593   59,009
                                                   
  Dilutive effect of stock options after            
   application of treasury stock method                   172        99       76
                                                   
  Adjustment for other potentially dilutive         
   securities - Dilutive effect of Convertible      
   Subordinated Debentures as if converted at       
   the beginning of the period                                    2,630    2,630
                                                     --------  --------  -------
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ON A           
 FULLY DILUTED BASIS                                   62,727    62,322   61,715
                                                     ========  ========  =======
FULLY DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON               
 AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE                           $11.18     $2.08  $  1.25
                                                     ========  ========  =======
</TABLE>

(1) This calculation is submitted in accordance with 17 CFR 229.601(b)(11)
although it is contrary to paragraph 40 of APB Opinion No. 15 because it
produces an antidilutive result.


                                      94

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT (12)

              THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

                      RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                       (All dollar amounts in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                 Year Ended December 31
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          1994    1993    1992    1991     1990
                                         ------  ------  ------  -------  ------
<S>                                      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>
Earnings:
  The Mead Corporation earnings
   from continuing operations
   before income taxes                   $ 52.4  $135.0  $ 15.8  $ 64.3   $124.4
  Mead's share of earnings (loss) of
   investees before income taxes           95.7    30.3     9.4   (31.1)    17.9
  Interest and debt expense               113.4   107.5   116.0   137.4    114.9
  Amortization of capitalized interest:
    The Mead Corporation                    4.6     6.5     4.9     4.9      3.1
    Mead's share of investees               1.3     1.4     1.5     1.6      1.6
  Portion of rental payments deemed
   to be interest                          18.0    16.5    17.3    16.4     14.3
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
                                         $285.4  $297.2  $164.9  $193.5   $276.2
                                         ======  ======  ======  ======   ======
 
Combined fixed charges:
  Interest and debt expense:
    The Mead Corporation                 $101.1  $ 94.6  $ 99.5  $112.9   $ 92.0
    Mead's share of investees              12.3    12.9    16.5    24.5     22.9
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
                                          113.4   107.5   116.0   137.4    114.9
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
 
  Capitalized interest:
    The Mead Corporation                    5.7     2.6     2.3     4.5     20.1
    Mead's share of investees
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
                                            5.7     2.6     2.3     4.5     20.1
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
 
  Portion of rental payments deemed
   to be interest:
    The Mead Corporation                   17.6    16.2    17.3    16.3     14.2
    Mead's share of investees                .4      .3              .1       .1
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
                                           18.0    16.5    17.3    16.4     14.3
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------   ------
 
                                         $137.1  $126.6  $135.6  $158.3   $149.3
                                         ======  ======  ======  ======   ======
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges         2.08    2.35    1.22    1.22     1.85
                                         ======  ======  ======  ======   ======
</TABLE>



                                      95

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit (21)


                     SUBSIDIARIES OF THE MEAD CORPORATION*



                                                     State of Jurisdiction
Name                                                     of Incorporation
- -------------------------                            ---------------------  
                                                    
Escanaba Paper Company                                    Michigan
Forest Kraft Company                                      Delaware
M-B Pulp Company                                          Delaware
Mead Coated Board International, Inc.                     Delaware
Mead Holdings B.V.                                        The Netherlands
Mead Holdings S.A.                                        France
Mead Packaging International, Inc.                        Ohio
                                               
                                               
- --------------                                  

*    The names of additional subsidiaries have been omitted because the unnamed
     subsidiaries, considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not
     constitute a significant subsidiary. Subsidiaries which are consolidated
     into the above-listed subsidiaries are also omitted.


                                      96

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (23.1)


CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


We consent to the incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 33-37960) pertaining to The Mead Corporation Employees Stock
Purchase Plan, (ii) the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 2-90746) pertaining to the 1984 Stock Option Plan, (iii) the Form
S-8 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-37961 and 33-47580) pertaining to the Mead
Salaried Savings Plan, (iv) the Form S-3 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-14759
and 33-34009) pertaining to Common Shares of Selling Shareholders, (v) the Form
S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-51337) pertaining to $300,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of Debt Securities, (vi) the Form S-8 Registration Statement
(No. 33-40118) pertaining to the 1991 Stock Option Plan, and (vii) the Form S-8
Registration Statement (No. 33-53421) pertaining to the Mead Savings Plan for
Bargaining Unit Employees, and Prospectus pertaining to Common Shares of Selling
Shareholders, included in such Registration Statement, of our report dated
January 26, 1995, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Mead
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1994.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dayton, Ohio
March 13, 1995


                                      97

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Exhibit (23.2)


CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK THORNE


We consent to the incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 33-37960) pertaining to The Mead Corporation Employees Stock
Purchase Plan, (ii) the Post-Effective Amendent No. 2 to Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 2-90746) pertaining to the 1984 Stock Option Plan, (iii) the Form
S-8 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-37961 and 33-47580) pertaining to the Mead
Salaried Savings Plan, (iv) the Form S-3 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-14759
and 33-34009) pertaining to Common Shares of Selling Shareholders, (v) the Form
S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-51337) pertaining to $300,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of Debt Securities, (vi) the Form S-8 Registration Statement
(No. 33-40118) pertaining to the 1991 Stock Option Plan, and (vii) the Form S-8
Registration Statement (No. 33-53421) pertaining to the Mead Savings Plan for
Bargaining Unit Employees, and Prospectus pertaining to Common Shares of Selling
Shareholders, included in such Registration Statement, of our report dated
January 10, 1995, on the consolidated financial statements of Northwood Forest
Industries Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 1994, included in The Mead
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.



KPMG Peat Marwick Thorne
Chartered Accountants

Vancouver, Canada
March 13, 1995


                                      98

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF THE MEAD CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                             484
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      607
<ALLOWANCES>                                        24
<INVENTORY>                                        382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,894
<PP&E>                                           4,163
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,849
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,863
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,088
<BONDS>                                            958
<COMMON>                                           175
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,008
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,863
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,558
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,806
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   543
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 101
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     52
<INCOME-TAX>                                        23
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 29
<DISCONTINUED>                                     617
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (11)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       696
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    11.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00
        

</TABLE>


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