<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ____________)
Northwestern Steel and Wire Company
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
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(Title of Class of Securities)
66836 20 4
------------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [X].
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 1 of 8 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
KNSW Acquisition Company, L.P.
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE LINE IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (A) [X]
(B) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
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12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
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*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 1 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 2 of 8 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Kohlberg Associates, L.P.
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
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*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 2 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 3 of 8 Pages
- -------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Kohlberg & Kohlberg
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
New York
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
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*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 3 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 4 of 8 Pages
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Kim G. Davis
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 4 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 5 of 8 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Jerome Kohlberg Jr.
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 5 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 6 of 8 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
James A. Kohlberg
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 6 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 7 of 8 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
George W. Peck, IV
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 7 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
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CUSIP NO. 668367204 13G Page 8 of 8 Pages
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1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Robert Svikhart
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [_]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 5 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------
6 SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
EACH ----------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
8,687,000 of Common Stock, par value $.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
35.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Page 8 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>
ITEM 1(A) NAME OF ISSUER:
--------------
Northwestern Steel and Wire Company
ITEM 1(B) ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
-----------------------------------------------
121 Wallace Street
Sterling, Illinois 61081
ITEM 2(A) NAME OF PERSON FILING:
---------------------
KNSW Acquisition Company, L.P. ("KNSW")
Kohlberg Associates, L.P. ("Associates")
Kohlberg & Kohlberg ("KK")
Kim G. Davis
Jerome Kohlberg Jr.
James A. Kohlberg
George W. Peck, IV
Robert Svikhart
ITEM 2(B) ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:
-----------------------------------------------------------
c/o Kohlberg & Co., L.P.
116 Radio Circle
Mt. Kisco, New York 10549
ITEM 2(C) CITIZENSHIP:
-----------
KNSW and Associates are limited partnerships organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware. KK is a New York general
partnership. Messrs. Davis, Kohlberg, Kohlberg, Peck and
Svikhart are United States citizens.
ITEM 2(D) TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:
----------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Shares")
ITEM 2(E) CUSIP NUMBER:
------------
668367 20 4
ITEM 3 IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13D-1(B), OR 13D-
2(B), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A:
-------------------------------------------------------------
This statement is not filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d-
2(b).
<PAGE>
ITEM 4 OWNERSHIP:
---------
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 8,687,000
(b) Percent of Class: 35.3%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: None.
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 8,687,000
Shares.
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
None.
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition
of: 8,687,000 Shares.
KNSW directly owns 8,687,000 Shares. Associates is the general
partner of KNSW. KK, Kim G. Davis, George W. Peck, IV and Robert
Svikhart are the general partners of Associates. Jerome Kohlberg
Jr. and James A. Kohlberg are the general partners of KK.
Messrs. Kohlberg, Kohlberg, Davis, Peck and Robert Svikhart may
be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to
the Shares. Messrs. Kohlberg, Kohlberg, Davis, Peck and Svikhart
disclaim such beneficial ownership.
ITEM 5 OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS:
--------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
ITEM 6 OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON
---------------------------------------------------------------
No other person has the right to receive or the power to direct
the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of,
the Shares.
ITEM 7 IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING
COMPANY:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
-2-
<PAGE>
ITEM 8 IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP:
---------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
ITEM 9 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP:
------------------------------
Not applicable.
ITEM 10 CERTIFICATION:
-------------
Not applicable.
-3-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
KOHLBERG ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: /s/ Kim G. Davis
---------------------
Kim G. Davis
General Partner
-4-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
KNSW ACQUISITION COMPANY, L.P.
By: Kohlberg Associates,
L.P., its general partner
By: /s/ Kim G. Davis
-------------------------
Kim G. Davis
General Partner
-5-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
/s/ Kim G. Davis
-------------------------
Kim G. Davis
-6-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
/s/ James A. Kohlberg
------------------------------
James A. Kohlberg
-7-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
/s/ Jerome Kohlberg Jr.
------------------------------
Jerome Kohlberg Jr.
-8-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
/s/ George W. Peck, IV
------------------------------
George W. Peck, IV
-9-
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 1, 1994
/s/ Robert Svikhart
------------------------------
Robert Svikhart
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
---------
SCHEDULE 13G JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
The undersigned and each other person executing this joint filing
agreement agree as follows:
(i) The undersigned and each other person executing this joint filing
agreement are individually eligible to use the Schedule 13G to which this
Exhibit is attached, and such Schedule 13G is filed on behalf the undersigned
and each other person executing this joint filing agreement; and
(ii) The undersigned and each other person executing this joint filing
agreement are responsible for the timely filing of such Schedule 13G and any
amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information
concerning such person contained therein; but none of the undersigned or any
other person executing this joint filing agreement is responsible for the
completeness or accuracy of the information concerning any other persons making
the filing, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such
information is inaccurate.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts by each
person executing this joint filing agreement, and each such counterparts shall
be an original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and
the same instrument.
Dated: February 1, 1994
KNSW ACQUISITION COMPANY, L.P.
By: Kohlberg Associates,
L.P., its general partner
By: /s/ Kim G. Davis
-------------------------
Kim G. Davis
General Partner
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<PAGE>
KOHLBERG ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: /s/ Kim G. Davis
-------------------------
Kim G. Davis
General Partner
/s/ Kim G. Davis
-------------------------
Kim G. Davis
/s/ Jerome Kohlberg Jr.
-------------------------
Jerome Kohlberg Jr.
/s/ James A. Kohlberg
-------------------------
James A. Kohlberg
/s/ George W. Peck, IV
-------------------------
George W. Peck, IV
/s/ Robert Svikhart
-------------------------
Robert Svikhart
-12-
