SILGAN HOLDINGS INC
10-K, 1997-03-24
FABRICATED STRUCTURAL METAL PRODUCTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

                        FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
                     PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

[X]          ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
             EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                       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 number 000-22117

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                                          06-1269834
- ------------------------                    ------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

4 Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut                    06901
- ----------------------------------------                  ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 975-7110

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                     Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
                     ---------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

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.  [X]

As of February 28, 1997, the aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant was $147,502,669 million.

As of February 28, 1997, the number of shares  outstanding  of the  registrant's
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was 18,862,834.


                    Documents Incorporated by Reference: None


<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                          Page

                                                                          ----

PART I...................................................................... 1
      Item 1.  Business..................................................... 1
      Item 2.  Properties.................................................. 11
      Item 3.  Legal Proceedings........................................... 13
      Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 14

PART II.................................................................... 15
      Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
                 Stockholder Matters....................................... 15
      Item 6.  Selected Financial Data..................................... 15
      Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                 Condition and Results of Operations....................... 20
      Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 35
      Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                 Accounting and Financial Disclosure....................... 35

PART III................................................................... 36
      Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant......... 36
      Item 11.  Executive Compensation..................................... 40
      Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
                  Management............................................... 44
      Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions............. 49

PART IV.................................................................... 53
      Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules, and
                  Reports on Form 8-K...................................... 53



                                       -i-

<PAGE>


                                     PART I

Item 1.  Business

General

         Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  ("Holdings",  and together  with its direct and
indirect  owned  subsidiaries,  the  "Company"),  is a  leading  North  American
manufacturer  of consumer goods packaging  products that currently  produces (i)
steel and  aluminum  containers  for human and pet food,  (ii)  custom  designed
plastic containers for personal care, health, food, pharmaceutical and household
chemical products and (iii) specialty packaging items,  including metal caps and
closures,  plastic  bowls and paper  containers  used by  processors in the food
industry.  The Company is the largest  manufacturer  of metal food containers in
North America, with a unit sale market share for the twelve months ended October
31, 1996 of 35% in the United States,  and is a leading  manufacturer of plastic
containers in North America for personal care products.  The Company's  strategy
is to  increase  shareholder  value  by  growing  its  existing  businesses  and
expanding into other segments by applying its expertise in acquiring, financing,
integrating and efficiently operating consumer goods packaging businesses.

         The  Company  was  founded in 1987 by its  current  Co-Chief  Executive
Officers.  Since its  inception,  the  Company  has  acquired  and  successfully
integrated ten businesses,  including the recent  acquisitions of  substantially
all of the  assets  of the Food  Metal  and  Specialty  business  ("AN  Can") of
American  National  Can Company  ("ANC") in August 1995 for a purchase  price of
approximately  $362.0 million  (including net working  capital of  approximately
$156.0 million) and the U.S. metal container  manufacturing  business ("DM Can")
of Del Monte  Corporation ("Del Monte") in December 1993 for a purchase price of
approximately  $73.3 million  (including  net working  capital of  approximately
$21.9  million).  In  addition,  on October 9, 1996 the  Company  completed  its
acquisition of Finger Lakes Packaging Company,  Inc. ("Finger Lakes"), the metal
food container  manufacturing  subsidiary of Curtice Burns Foods, Inc. ("Curtice
Burns").  See  "--Company  History" and "--Recent  Developments".  The Company's
strategy  has  enabled it to  rapidly  increase  its net sales and  income  from
operations.  The Company's net sales have  increased from $630.0 million in 1992
to  $1,405.7  million in 1996,  representing  a compound  annual  growth rate of
approximately  22%. During this period,  income from  operations  increased from
$42.2 million in 1992 to $123.3 million in 1996,  representing a compound annual
growth rate of approximately  31%, while the Company's income from operations as
a percentage of net sales increased 2.1 percentage points from 6.7% to 8.8% over
the same period.

         The  Company's   philosophy,   which  has  contributed  to  its  strong
performance since inception,  is based on: (i) a significant equity ownership by
management  and an  entrepreneurial  approach  to  business,  (ii)  its low cost
producer position and (iii) its long-term customer relationships.  The Company's
senior  management has a significant  ownership  interest in the Company,  which
fosters  an  entrepreneurial  management  style and  places a  primary  focus on
creating  shareholder value. The Company has achieved a low cost producer status
through  (i) the  maintenance  of a flat,  efficient  organizational  structure,
resulting in low selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
total  net  sales,  (ii)  purchasing   economies,   (iii)  significant   capital
investments that have generated manufacturing and production efficiencies,  (iv)
plant consolidations and rationalizations and (v) the proximity of its plants to
its  customers.  The  Company's  philosophy  has also been to develop  long-term
customer  relationships by acting in partnership  with its customers,  providing
reliable quality and service and utilizing its low cost producer position.  This
philosophy has resulted in numerous  long-term supply contracts,  high retention
of customers'  business and recognition  from its customers,  as demonstrated by
many quality and service awards.



                                       -1-

<PAGE>



  Growth Strategy

         The Company  intends to enhance its  position as a leading  supplier of
consumer goods packaging  products by aggressively  pursuing a strategy designed
to achieve  future growth and to increase  profitability.  The key components of
this  strategy  are to (i) increase  the  Company's  market share in its current
business  lines  through  acquisitions  and  internal  growth,  (ii) expand into
complementary business lines by applying the Company's acquisition and operating
expertise to other areas of the North American  consumer goods packaging  market
and (iii) improve the profitability of acquired businesses through  integration,
rationalization  and capital  investments  to enhance  their  manufacturing  and
production efficiency.

         Increase Market Share Through  Acquisitions  and Internal  Growth.  The
Company has  increased  its revenues  and market  share in the metal  container,
plastic  container  and  specialty  markets  through  acquisitions  and internal
growth.  As a result of this strategy,  the Company has diversified its customer
base,  geographic  presence and product line.  Management  believes that certain
industry  trends  exist  which will  enable the  Company to  continue to acquire
attractive businesses in its existing markets. For example,  during the past ten
years, the metal container market has experienced significant  consolidation due
to the desire by food  processors to reduce costs and deploy  resources to their
core operations. Self-manufacturers are increasingly outsourcing their container
needs  by  selling  their  operations  to  commercial  container   manufacturing
companies  and  agreeing  to  purchase  containers  from the buyer  pursuant  to
long-term  contracts.   The  Company's   acquisitions  of  the  metal  container
manufacturing  operations  of the  Nestle  Food  Company  ("Nestle"),  The  Dial
Corporation  and Del  Monte  reflect  this  trend.  As a  result  of its  growth
strategy,  the Company has more than tripled its overall share of the U.S. metal
food container market from  approximately  10% in 1987 to approximately  35% for
the twelve months ended October 31, 1996. The Company expects this consolidation
trend to continue as  evidenced  by its  October 9, 1996  acquisition  of Finger
Lakes. See "--Recent Developments". The Company's plastic container business has
also increased its market position  primarily  through  strategic  acquisitions,
from a sales  base of $88.8  million  in 1987 to  $216.4  million  in 1996.  The
plastic  container  segment of the consumer goods  packaging  industry is highly
fragmented, and management intends to pursue consolidation opportunities in that
segment.

         The  Company  also  expects  to  generate  internal  growth  due to its
participation  in certain higher growth segments of the consumer goods packaging
market.  For example,  due to increasing  consumer  preference  for plastic as a
substitute for glass, the Company is aggressively pursuing opportunities for its
custom designed polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") and high density polyethylene
("HDPE")  containers.  These opportunities  include producing PET containers for
regional bottled water companies,  and HDPE and PET containers for products such
as shampoo, mouthwash, salad dressing and liquor. The Company also believes that
there will be  opportunities to expand its specialty  business,  which generated
net sales of $90.7  million  in 1996.  Specialty  products  manufactured  by the
Company include metal closures for vacuum sealed glass containers,  its licensed
Omni plastic  container,  a plastic,  microwaveable bowl with an easy-open metal
end, and paper containers.

         Expand  into   Complementary   Business  Lines  Through   Acquisitions.
Management believes that it can successfully apply its acquisition and operating
expertise to new segments of the consumer goods packaging industry. For example,
with the AN Can acquisition,  the Company  expanded its specialty  business into
metal caps and  closures and its licensed  Omni  plastic  container.  Management
believes  that  certain  trends in and  characteristics  of the  North  American
consumer  goods  packaging   industry  will  continue  to  generate   attractive
acquisition  opportunities  in  complementary  business  lines.  The  Company is
focused  on  the  North  American  consumer  goods  packaging  industry,   which
represents a significant part of the $95 billion North American packaging market
(based on estimated total sales in 1994). Importantly,


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



the  industry  is  also   fragmented,   with  numerous   segments  and  multiple
participants  in  each  of  them.  In  addition,  many  of  these  segments  are
experiencing consolidation.

         Enhance  Profitability  of Acquired  Companies.  The  Company  seeks to
acquire   businesses   at  reasonable   cash  flow   multiples  and  to  enhance
profitability by rationalizing plants, by improving manufacturing and production
efficiencies  and through  purchasing  economies.  Since  1991,  the Company has
reduced  costs by closing  twelve  smaller,  higher cost  facilities.  Since its
inception in 1987,  the Company has  invested  approximately  $272.3  million to
upgrade acquired manufacturing facilities, aimed at generating manufacturing and
production efficiencies and achieving a low cost producer position. As a result,
the Company's  acquisitions  have  generally been accretive to earnings and have
produced high returns on assets. The AN Can acquisition  illustrates the ability
of the Company to enhance the profitability of acquired businesses.  The Company
estimates that it has reduced AN Can's  operating costs from its historical 1994
level by at  least  $21.0  million,  through  selling  and  administrative  cost
reductions,  improved  manufacturing and production  efficiencies and purchasing
economies.  The Company  expects to further reduce AN Can's operating costs over
the next few years by an aggregate of approximately $15.0 million (approximately
half of which is expected to be realized  in 1997)  through the  elimination  of
transitional  administrative costs, the realization of additional  manufacturing
and  production   synergies  with  its  metal   container   business  and  plant
rationalizations.

  Financial Strategy

         The  Company's  financial  strategy has been to use leverage to support
its  growth  and  optimize   shareholder   returns.  The  Company's  stable  and
predictable cash flow,  generated largely as a result of its long-term  customer
relationships, has supported its financial strategy. Management has successfully
operated its  businesses  and achieved its growth  strategy  while  managing the
Company's  indebtedness.  Management  intends to apply this  strategy to further
expand its  business.  Additionally,  on February  20, 1997,  an initial  public
offering (the  "Offering") of 5,175,000  shares of common stock,  par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock") of Holdings was completed,  providing the Company
with improved financial flexibility to implement its growth strategy.

  Business Segments

         Holdings is a holding  company that  conducts its business  through two
operating  companies,  Silgan Containers  Corporation  ("Containers") and Silgan
Plastics Corporation ("Plastics"), each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Silgan  Corporation  ("Silgan"),  which is in turn a wholly owned  subsidiary of
Holdings.

         Containers. For 1996, Containers had net sales of $1,189.3 million (85%
of the Company's net sales) and income from operations of $106.1 million (85% of
the  Company's  income from  operations)  (without  giving  effect to  corporate
expense). Containers has realized compound annual unit sales growth in excess of
24% since 1992,  despite the relative  maturity of the U.S.  food can  industry.
Containers  is  engaged  in the  manufacture  and  sale of  steel  and  aluminum
containers that are used primarily by processors and packagers for human and pet
food. Containers manufactures metal containers for vegetables,  fruit, pet food,
meat,  tomato based products,  coffee,  soup,  seafood and evaporated  milk. The
Company estimates that approximately 80% of Containers'  projected sales in 1997
will be pursuant to long-term  supply  arrangements.  Containers  has agreements
with Nestle  (the  "Nestle  Supply  Agreements")  pursuant  to which  Containers
supplies a majority of Nestle's metal container  requirements,  and an agreement
with Del Monte (the "DM Supply Agreement") pursuant to which Containers supplies
substantially  all of Del Monte's metal container  requirements.  In addition to
Nestle and Del Monte, Containers has multi-year supply arrangements with several
other major food processors.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>




         Containers  also  manufactures   certain  specialty   packaging  items,
including  metal caps and closures,  plastic bowls and paper  containers used by
processors in the food industry. For 1996, Containers had net sales of specialty
packaging items of $90.7 million.

         Plastics.  For 1996,  Plastics had net sales of $216.4  million (15% of
the Company's net sales) and income from operations of $18.4 million (15% of the
Company's income from operations)  (without giving effect to corporate expense).
Plastics is aggressively pursuing  opportunities in custom designed PET and HDPE
containers.  Plastics emphasizes value-added design,  fabrication and decoration
of custom containers in its business. Plastics manufactures custom designed HDPE
containers  for health and personal  care  products,  including  containers  for
shampoos,   conditioners,   hand  creams,  lotions,  cosmetics  and  toiletries,
household  chemical  products,   including  containers  for  scouring  cleaners,
cleaning  agents  and lawn and garden  chemicals  and  pharmaceutical  products,
including containers for tablets, antacids and eye cleaning solutions.  Plastics
also manufactures PET custom designed containers for mouthwash,  respiratory and
gastrointestinal  products,  liquid soap,  skin care lotions,  salad  dressings,
condiments,  instant coffee,  bottled water and liquor.  While many of Plastics'
larger  competitors that manufacture  extrusion  blow-molded  plastic containers
employ technology  oriented to large bottles and long production runs,  Plastics
has focused on mid-sized,  extrusion  blow-molded  plastic containers  requiring
special  decoration  and shorter  production  runs.  Because these  products are
characterized  by short  product life and a demand for creative  packaging,  the
containers  manufactured  for these products  generally have more  sophisticated
designs and decorations.

Manufacturing and Production

         As is the  practice  in the  industry,  most of the  Company's  can and
plastic  container  customers  provide it with quarterly or annual  estimates of
products and quantities  pursuant to which periodic  commitments are given. Such
estimates  enable the  Company to  effectively  manage  production  and  control
working capital requirements. Containers estimates that approximately 80% of its
projected  1997 sales will be pursuant to  multi-year  contracts.  Plastics  has
purchase  orders or contracts for containers with the majority of its customers.
In general,  these purchase  orders and contracts are for  containers  made from
proprietary  molds and are for a duration of 2 to 5 years.  Both  Containers and
Plastics  schedule  their  production  to meet  their  customers'  requirements.
Because the production time for the Company's  products is short, the backlog of
customer orders in relation to sales is not significant.

  Metal Container Business

         The  Company's  manufacturing  operations  include  cutting,   coating,
lithographing,  fabricating, assembling and packaging finished cans. Three basic
processes are used to produce cans. The traditional  three-piece method requires
three pieces of flat metal to form a cylindrical body with a welded side seam, a
bottom  and a top.  High  integrity  of the side seam is  assured  by the use of
sophisticated  electronic weld monitors and organic  coatings that are thermally
cured by induction and convection processes.  The other two methods of producing
cans start by forming a shallow cup that is then formed into the desired  height
using either the draw and iron process or the draw and redraw process. Using the
draw and redraw process,  the Company  manufactures steel and aluminum two-piece
cans,  the height of which does not exceed the diameter.  For cans the height of
which is greater than the diameter,  the Company  manufactures  steel  two-piece
cans by using a drawing and ironing  process.  Quality and  stackability of such
cans are comparable to that of the shallow  two-piece cans described  above. Can
bodies and ends are manufactured  from thin,  high-strength  aluminum alloys and
steels by  utilizing  proprietary  tool and die designs and  selected can making
equipment.



                                       -4-

<PAGE>



  Plastic Container Business

         The Company utilizes two basic processes to produce plastic bottles. In
the  extrusion  blow molding  process,  pellets of plastic  resin are heated and
extruded  into a tube of plastic.  A two-piece  metal mold is then closed around
the plastic tube and high pressure air is blown into it causing a bottle to form
in the mold's shape. In the injection blow molding  process,  pellets of plastic
resin are  heated  and  injected  into a mold,  forming a plastic  preform.  The
plastic  preform is then  blown  into a  bottle-shaped  metal  mold,  creating a
plastic bottle.

         The Company believes that its proprietary  equipment for the production
of HDPE  containers is  particularly  well-suited  for the use of  post-consumer
recycled  ("PCR") resins because of the relatively low capital costs required to
convert its equipment to utilize multi-layer container construction.

         The Company's  decorating  methods for its plastic products include (1)
in-mold  labeling  which  applies a paper or  plastic  film  label to the bottle
during the blowing process and (2) post-mold  decoration.  Post-mold  decoration
includes (i) silk screen  decoration which enables the applications of images in
multiple colors to the bottle,  (ii) pressure sensitive  decoration which uses a
plastic film or paper label with an  adhesive,  (iii) heat  transfer  decoration
which  uses a  plastic  coated  label  applied  by heat,  and (iv) hot  stamping
decoration  which transfers  images from a die using metallic foils. The Company
has state-of- the-art decorating equipment,  including, management believes, one
of the largest sophisticated decorating facilities in the country.

Raw Materials

         The Company does not believe that it is materially  dependent  upon any
single  supplier  for any of its raw  materials  and,  based  upon the  existing
arrangements with suppliers, its current and anticipated requirements and market
conditions,  the  Company  believes  that it has made  adequate  provisions  for
acquiring raw materials.  Although increases in the prices of raw materials have
generally  been passed along to the Company's  customers in accordance  with the
Company's long-term supply arrangements and otherwise, any inability to do so in
the future could have a significant impact on the Company's operating margins.

  Metal Container Business

         The Company uses tin plated and chromium plated steel, aluminum, copper
wire,  organic  coatings,  lining  compound  and  inks  in the  manufacture  and
decoration of its metal can products.  The Company's  material  requirements are
supplied through  purchase orders with suppliers with whom the Company,  through
its predecessors, has long-term relationships.  If its suppliers fail to deliver
under their  arrangements,  the Company will be forced to purchase raw materials
on the open market, and no assurances can be given that it would be able to make
such purchases at comparable  prices or terms. The Company believes that it will
be able to purchase  sufficient  quantities  of steel and aluminum can sheet for
the foreseeable future.

  Plastic Container Business

         The raw materials  used by the Company for the  manufacture  of plastic
containers  are primarily  resins in pellet form such as recycled PET,  HDPE-PCR
and virgin  HDPE and PET and,  to a lesser  extent,  low  density  polyethylene,
extrudable  polyethylene   terephthalate,   polyethylene  terephthalate  glycol,
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and medium density polyethylene. The Company's
resin  requirements  are acquired through  multi-year  arrangements for specific
quantities of resins with several major suppliers


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



of resins.  The price the Company pays for resin raw  materials is not fixed and
is subject  to market  pricing.  The  Company  believes  that it will be able to
purchase sufficient quantities of resins for the foreseeable future.

Sales and Marketing

         The  Company's  philosophy  has  been  to  develop  long-term  customer
relationships  by acting in partnership with its customers,  providing  reliable
quality and service and utilizing its low cost  producer  position.  The Company
markets its products in most areas of North America  primarily by a direct sales
force and for its plastic  container  business,  to a lesser  extent,  through a
network  of  distributors.  Because  of the  high  cost  of  transporting  empty
containers, the Company generally sells to customers within a 300 mile radius of
its manufacturing plants. See also "--Competition".

         In 1996, 1995 and 1994,  approximately 17%, 21% and 26%,  respectively,
of the  Company's  sales were to Nestle,  and  approximately  12%,  15% and 21%,
respectively,  of the  Company's  sales  were to Del  Monte.  No other  customer
accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total sales during such years.

  Metal Container Business

         The Company is the largest manufacturer of metal food can containers in
North America, with a unit sale market share for the twelve months ended October
31, 1996 of approximately 35% in the United States.  Containers has entered into
multi-year supply arrangements with many of its customers,  including Nestle and
Del Monte. The Company  estimates that  approximately 80% of its projected metal
container sales in 1997 will be pursuant to such arrangements.

         In 1987, the Company, through Containers,  and Nestle entered into nine
Nestle  Supply  Agreements  pursuant  to which  Containers  has agreed to supply
Nestle with,  and Nestle has agreed to purchase from  Containers,  substantially
all of the can requirements of the former  Carnation  operations of Nestle for a
period of ten years, subject to certain conditions. In 1996, sales of metal cans
by the Company to Nestle were $240.6 million.

         The Nestle  Supply  Agreements  provide for certain  prices and specify
that such prices will be increased or decreased  based upon cost change formulas
set forth therein.  The Nestle Supply Agreements contain provisions that require
Containers to maintain certain levels of product  quality,  service and delivery
in order to retain the Nestle business. In the event of a breach of a particular
Nestle Supply  Agreement,  Nestle may terminate such Nestle Supply Agreement but
the other Nestle Supply Agreements would remain in effect.

         The Company has  recently  agreed with  Nestle,  subject to  definitive
documentation,  to extend the term of certain  of the Nestle  Supply  Agreements
through 2004  (representing  approximately  10% of the Company's  estimated 1996
sales) in return for  certain  price  concessions  by the  Company.  The Company
believes that these price concessions will not have a material adverse effect on
its  results  of  operations.  Under  certain  limited  circumstances,   Nestle,
beginning in January 2000 (with respect to all of the containers  supplied under
the Nestle Supply  Agreements that have been extended through 2004), may receive
competitive  bids,  and  Containers  has the  right to match any such  bids.  If
Containers matches a competitive bid, it may result in reduced sales prices with
respect to the metal containers that are the subject of such competitive bid. In
the event that  Containers  chooses not to match a  competitive  bid, such metal
containers may be purchased from the  competitive  bidder at the competitive bid
price for the term of the bid.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



         Under the Company's recent  agreement with Nestle,  with respect to the
remaining  Nestle  Supply  Agreements  that expire in August 1997  (representing
approximately  6% of the Company's  estimated  1996 sales),  the Company has the
right to submit a bid to Nestle,  and to match any bid  received by Nestle,  for
the 1998 supply year with respect to the metal  containers  that are the subject
of such Nestle Supply Agreements. There can be no assurance that any such bid by
the Company will be made at sales prices equivalent to those currently in effect
or otherwise on terms  similar to those  currently in effect.  In addition,  the
Company  cannot  predict the effect,  if any,  on its results of  operations  of
matching or not matching any such bids.

         On December  21,  1993,  Containers  and Del Monte  entered into the DM
Supply  Agreement.  Under the DM  Supply  Agreement,  Del  Monte  has  agreed to
purchase  from  Containers,  and  Containers  has  agreed to sell to Del  Monte,
substantially all of Del Monte's annual  requirements for metal containers to be
used for the  packaging of food and beverages in the United  States,  subject to
certain limited exceptions. In 1996, sales of metal containers by the Company to
Del Monte were $168.0 million.

         The DM Supply  Agreement  provides  for  certain  prices  for all metal
containers  supplied by Containers to Del Monte  thereunder  and specifies  that
such prices will be  increased  or decreased  based upon  specified  cost change
formulas.

         Under the DM Supply  Agreement,  beginning in December  1998, Del Monte
may, under certain  circumstances,  receive  proposals with terms more favorable
than  those  under the DM  Supply  Agreement  from  independent  commercial  can
manufacturers  for the supply of containers of a type and quality similar to the
metal containers that Containers  furnishes to Del Monte,  which proposals shall
be for the remainder of the term of the DM Supply  Agreement and for 100% of the
annual volume of containers at one or more of Del Monte's canneries.  Containers
has the right to retain the business subject to the terms and conditions of such
competitive proposal.

         The sale of metal  containers  to  vegetable  and fruit  processors  is
seasonal  and  monthly  revenues  increase  during  the  months of June  through
October.  As is  common  in the  packaging  industry,  the  Company  must  build
inventory and then carry accounts  receivable for some seasonal customers beyond
the  end of the  season.  The  acquisition  of AN Can  increased  the  Company's
seasonal metal  container  business.  Consistent  with industry  practice,  such
customers may return  unused  containers.  Historically,  such returns have been
minimal.

  Plastic Container Business

         The Company is one of the leading manufacturers of custom designed HDPE
and PET  containers  sold in North  America.  The  Company  markets  its plastic
containers  in most  areas of North  America  through a direct  sales  force and
through a large network of distributors. Management believes that the Company is
a leading  manufacturer of plastic containers in North America for personal care
products.  More than 70% of the Company's plastic containers are sold for health
and personal care products,  such as hair care,  oral care,  pharmaceutical  and
other health care applications. The Company's largest customers in these product
segments  include  the Helene  Curtis and  Chesebrough-Ponds  USA  divisions  of
Unilever United States, Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Avon Products,  Inc., Andrew
Jergens Inc., The Dial Corporation,  Warner-Lambert  Company and Pfizer Inc. The
Company also  manufactures  plastic  containers for food and beverage  products,
such as salad  dressings,  condiments,  instant  coffee  and  bottled  water and
liquor.  Customers in these product segments include Procter & Gamble Co., Kraft
Foods Inc. and General Mills, Inc.



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



         As part of its marketing strategy, the Company has arrangements to sell
some of its plastic products to  distributors,  which in turn sell such products
primarily to regional  customers.  Plastic  containers sold to distributors  are
manufactured  by using  generic molds with  decoration,  color and neck finishes
added to meet  the  distributors'  individual  requirements.  The  distributors'
warehouses and their sales personnel  enable the Company to market and inventory
a wide range of such products to a variety of customers.

         Plastics has written  purchase  orders or contracts for containers with
the majority of its customers.  In general,  these purchase orders and contracts
are for containers made from proprietary  molds and are for a duration of 2 to 5
years.

Competition

         The packaging industry is highly  competitive.  The Company competes in
this  industry  with other  packaging  manufacturers  as well as  fillers,  food
processors and packers who manufacture containers for their own use and for sale
to others.  The Company attempts to compete  effectively  through the quality of
its products,  competitive pricing and its ability to meet customer requirements
for delivery,  performance  and technical  assistance.  The Company also pursues
market  niches such as the  manufacture  of easy-open  ends and special  feature
cans,  which may  differentiate  the Company's  products  from its  competitors'
products.

         Because of the high cost of transporting empty containers,  the Company
generally  sells to  customers  within a 300 mile  radius  of its  manufacturing
plants. Strategically located existing plants give the Company an advantage over
competitors from other areas, and the Company would be disadvantaged by the loss
or relocation of a major customer. As of December 31, 1996, the Company operated
48  manufacturing  facilities,  geographically  dispersed  throughout the United
States and Canada, that serve the distribution needs of its customers.

  Metal Container Business

         Of the commercial metal can manufacturers, Crown Cork and Seal Company,
Inc.  and  Ball  Corporation  are  the  Company's  most   significant   national
competitors.   As  an  alternative  to  purchasing   cans  from  commercial  can
manufacturers,   customers   have  the  ability  to  invest  in   equipment   to
self-manufacture  their  cans.  However,  some  self-manufacturers  have sold or
closed can manufacturing operations and entered into long-term supply agreements
with the new owners or with commercial can manufacturers.

         Although  metal  containers  face continued  competition  from plastic,
paper and composite  containers,  management  believes that metal containers are
superior to plastic and paper containers in applications  where the contents are
processed  at high  temperatures,  where the  contents  are packaged in large or
institutional  quantities  (14 to 64  oz.) or  where  long-term  storage  of the
product is desirable. Such applications include canned vegetables, fruits, meats
and pet foods.  These  sectors  are the  principal  areas for which the  Company
manufactures its products.

  Plastic Container Business

         Plastics competes with a number of large national  producers of health,
personal care, food,  beverage,  pharmaceutical  and household  chemical plastic
container products,  including  Owens-Brockway  Plastics Products, a division of
Owens-Illinois, Inc., Constar Plastics Inc., a subsidiary of Crown Cork and Seal
Company,  Inc., Johnson Controls Inc.,  Continental  Plastics Inc. and Plastipak
Packaging Inc. In order to compete effectively in the constantly changing market
for plastic bottles, the Company must


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



remain  current  with,  and to some  extent  anticipate  innovations  in,  resin
composition and applications and changes in the technology for the manufacturing
of plastic bottles.

Employees

         As of December  31,  1996,  the Company  employed  approximately  1,080
salaried and 4,445 hourly employees on a full-time basis.  Approximately  64% of
the Company's hourly plant employees are represented by a variety of unions.

         The Company's labor contracts  expire at various times between 1997 and
2008.  Contracts  covering  approximately  13% of the Company's hourly employees
presently expire during 1997. The Company expects no significant  changes in its
relations with these unions.  Management believes that its relationship with its
employees is good.

Regulation

         The Company is subject to federal,  state and local  environmental laws
and regulations.  In general,  these laws and regulations limit the discharge of
pollutants  into the air and water and establish  standards  for the  treatment,
storage,  and disposal of solid and hazardous  waste.  The Company believes that
all of its facilities are either in compliance in all material respects with all
presently  applicable  environmental  laws and  regulations  or are operating in
accordance with  appropriate  variances,  delayed  compliance  orders or similar
arrangements.

         In addition to costs associated with regulatory compliance, the Company
may be held liable for alleged  environmental  damage  associated  with the past
disposal of hazardous substances. Generators of hazardous substances disposed of
at sites at which  environmental  problems are alleged to exist,  as well as the
owners of those  sites and  certain  other  classes of  persons,  are subject to
claims  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,   Compensation,  and
Liability  Act of 1980  ("CERCLA")  regardless  of fault or the  legality of the
original disposal.  Liability under CERCLA and under many similar state statutes
is joint and several,  and, therefore,  any responsible party may be held liable
for the entire  cleanup  cost at a  particular  site.  Other state  statutes may
impose  proportionate  rather  than joint and  several  liability.  The  federal
Environmental  Protection  Agency  or a  state  agency  may  also  issue  orders
requiring  responsible  parties  to  undertake  removal or  remedial  actions at
certain sites.  Pursuant to the agreement relating to the acquisition in 1987 of
the can operations of Nestle ("Nestle Can"),  the Company has assumed  liability
for the past waste  disposal  practices  of Nestle  Can.  In 1989,  the  Company
received  notice  that it is one of many  potentially  responsible  parties  (or
similarly  designated parties) for cleanup of hazardous waste at a site to which
it (or its predecessor  Nestle Can) is alleged to have shipped such waste and at
which the  Company's  share of  cleanup  costs  exceeded  $100,000.   See "Legal
Proceedings".

         Pursuant  to the  agreement  relating to the  acquisition  in 1987 from
Monsanto Company  ("Monsanto") of substantially  all of the business and related
fixed assets and inventory of Monsanto's plastic containers  business ("Monsanto
Plastic  Containers"),   Monsanto  has  agreed  to  indemnify  the  Company  for
substantially all of the costs attributable to the past waste disposal practices
of Monsanto  Plastic  Containers.  In connection with the acquisition of AN Can,
subject to certain  limitations,  ANC has agreed to indemnify  the Company for a
period of three years for the costs  attributable to any noncompliance by AN Can
with any environmental law prior to the closing, including costs attributable to
the past waste disposal practices of AN Can.

         The  Company is subject to the  Occupational  Safety and Health Act and
other laws regulating noise exposure levels and other safety and health concerns
in the production areas of its plants.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



         Management  does not believe  that any of the matters  described  above
individually  or in the aggregate  will have a material  effect on the Company's
capital expenditures, earnings, financial position or competitive position.

Research and Product Development

  Metal Container Business

         The Company's  research,  product  development and product  engineering
efforts relating to its metal containers are currently conducted at its research
centers at Oconomowoc,  Wisconsin and Neenah, Wisconsin. The Company is building
a  state-of-the-art  research  facility  in  Oconomowoc,  Wisconsin  in order to
consolidate its two main research centers into one facility.

  Plastic Container Business

         The Company's  research,  product  development and product  engineering
efforts with respect to its plastic  containers  are currently  performed by its
manufacturing  and  engineering  personnel  located  at  its  Norcross,  Georgia
facility.  In addition to its own research and  development  staff,  the Company
participates in arrangements with three non-U.S. plastic container manufacturers
that allow for an exchange of technology among these manufacturers.  Pursuant to
these  arrangements,  the Company  licenses its blow molding  technology to such
manufacturers.

Company History

         Holdings is a Delaware  corporation  organized in April 1989,  that, in
June 1989,  through a merger  acquired  all of the  outstanding  common stock of
Silgan.  Holdings'  principal asset is all of the  outstanding  capital stock of
Silgan. Prior to June 30, 1989, Holdings did not engage in any business.  Silgan
is a Delaware  corporation formed in August 1987 as a holding company to acquire
interests in various packaging manufacturers.

         Since its  inception in 1987,  the Company has  completed the following
acquisitions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Acquired Business                      Year           Products
- ------------------------------------------------      ----           ---------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>
Metal Container Manufacturing division of Nestle      1987      Metal food containers
Monsanto Company's plastic container business         1987      Plastic containers
Fort Madison Can Company of The Dial Corporation      1988      Metal food containers
Seaboard Carton Division of Nestle                    1988      Paper containers
Aim Packaging, Inc.                                   1989      Plastic containers
Fortune Plastics Inc.                                 1989      Plastic containers
Express Plastic Containers Limited                    1989      Plastic containers
Amoco Container Company                               1989      Plastic containers
Del Monte's U.S. can manufacturing operations         1993      Metal food containers
Food Metal and Specialty business of ANC              1995      Metal food containers, metal caps and
                                                                closures and Omni plastic containers
Finger Lakes, a subsidiary of Curtice Burns           1996      Metal food containers
</TABLE>



                                      -10-

<PAGE>



Recent Developments

  Initial Public Offering

         On February 20, 1997, Holdings completed the Offering. In the Offering,
Holdings sold to the underwriters 3,700,000 previously unissued shares of Common
Stock at an initial public  offering price of $20.00 per share for aggregate net
proceeds  to the  Company  of  $68,820,000  (after  deducting  the  underwriting
discount but before deducting  estimated  expenses of $1,000,000  payable by the
Company in connection with the Offering).  The Company used a portion of the net
proceeds  received  by it from the  Offering  to prepay  on  February  20,  1997
approximately $5.4 million and $3.5 million principal amount of A term loans and
B term loans, respectively,  under the Credit Agreement (as defined herein), and
will use the remaining  net proceeds  received by it from the Offering to redeem
on March 26,  1997 all of its  remaining  outstanding  13-1/4%  Senior  Discount
Debentures due 2002 (the  "Discount  Debentures")  (approximately  $59.0 million
aggregate principal amount).

         At the advice of the managing underwriters for the Offering, the number
of shares of Common  Stock sold in the  Offering was  increased  from  3,700,000
shares (the number of shares originally contemplated to be sold in the Offering)
to 5,175,000 shares  (including the underwriters  over-allotment).  The managing
underwriters for the Offering also advised that the additional  shares of Common
Stock to be included in the  Offering  be sold by The Morgan  Stanley  Leveraged
Equity  Fund II,  L.P.  ("MSLEF  II") and  Bankers  Trust  New York  Corporation
("BTNY"),   existing   stockholders  of  the  Company  prior  to  the  Offering.
Accordingly,  in the  Offering,  MSLEF  II and  BTNY  sold  to the  underwriters
1,317,246 and 157,754  previously issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock
owned by them,  respectively  (including  602,807  and  72,193  shares of Common
Stock, respectively, which were sold as a result of the underwriters exercise of
their  over-allotment  option in full),  or  approximately  18% of the shares of
Common  Stock  owned by each of them.  The  Company  did not  receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock by MSLEF II or BTNY.

         Neither of the Company's two other existing  stockholders  prior to the
Offering,  Messrs.  R. Philip  Silver,  the  Chairman of the Board and  Co-Chief
Executive  Officer of the  Company,  and D. Greg  Horrigan,  the  President  and
Co-Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company,  sold any shares of Common Stock in
the  Offering.  See  "Securities  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners and
Management".

  Acquisition

         On October 9, 1996, Containers acquired substantially all of the assets
of Finger Lakes, a metal food container  manufacturer  with facilities in Lyons,
New York and Benton  Harbor,  Michigan and a wholly owned  subsidiary of Curtice
Burns,  for a purchase  price of  approximately  $29.9  million  (including  net
working  capital of  approximately  $8.0 million).  As part of the  transaction,
Containers entered into a ten year supply agreement with Curtice Burns to supply
all of the metal food container requirements of Curtice Burns' Comstock Michigan
Fruit and  Brooks  Foods  divisions.  For its fiscal  year ended June 29,  1996,
Finger  Lakes  had net  sales  of  $48.8  million.  The  Company  financed  this
acquisition through working capital borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

Item 2.  Properties

         Holdings'  and Silgan's  principal  executive  offices are located at 4
Landmark Square,  Stamford,  Connecticut 06901. The administrative  headquarters
and  principal  places of business  for  Containers  and Plastics are located at
21800 Oxnard Street,  Woodland Hills, California 91367 and 14515 N. Outer Forty,
Chesterfield,  Missouri 63017, respectively.  All of these offices are leased by
the Company.


                                      -11-

<PAGE>




         The Company owns and leases  properties for use in the ordinary  course
of  business.   Such  properties   consist   primarily  of  33  metal  container
manufacturing  facilities,  11 plastic container manufacturing  facilities and 4
specialty  packaging  manufacturing  facilities.  Twenty of these facilities are
owned and 28 are  leased by the  Company.  The leases  expire at  various  times
through 2020. Some of these leases provide renewal options.

         Below  is a  list  of the  Company's  operating  facilities,  including
attached warehouses, as of February 28, 1997 for its metal container business:

                                                     Approximate Building Area
Location                                                    (square feet)
- --------                                             -------------------------
City of Industry, CA...............................     50,000 (leased)
Kingsburg, CA......................................     37,783 (leased)
Modesto, CA........................................     35,585 (leased)
Modesto, CA........................................    128,000 (leased)
Modesto, CA........................................    150,000 (leased)
Riverbank, CA......................................    167,000
San Leandro, CA....................................    200,000 (leased)
Stockton, CA.......................................    243,500
Norwalk, CT........................................     14,359 (leased)
Broadview, IL......................................     85,000
Hoopeston, IL......................................    323,000
Rochelle, IL.......................................    175,000
Waukegan, IL.......................................     40,000 (leased)
Woodstock, IL......................................    160,000 (leased)
Evansville, IN.....................................    188,000
Hammond, IN........................................    160,000 (leased)
Laporte, IN........................................    144,000 (leased)
Fort Madison, IA...................................     66,000
Ft. Dodge, IA......................................     49,500 (leased)
Benton Harbor, MI..................................     20,246 (leased)
Savage, MN.........................................    160,000
St. Paul, MN.......................................    470,000
West Point, MS.....................................     25,000 (leased)
Mt. Vernon, MO.....................................    100,000
Northtown, MO......................................    112,000 (leased)
St. Joseph, MO.....................................    173,725
St. Louis, MO......................................    174,000 (leased)
Edison, NJ.........................................    280,000
Lyons, NY..........................................    145,000
Crystal City, TX...................................     26,045 (leased)
Toppenish, WA......................................     98,000
Vancouver, WA......................................    127,000 (leased)
Menomonee Falls, WI................................    116,000
Menomonie, WI......................................     60,000 (leased)
Oconomowoc, WI.....................................    105,200
Plover, WI.........................................     58,000 (leased)
Waupun, WI.........................................    212,000



                                      -12-

<PAGE>



         Below  is a  list  of the  Company's  operating  facilities,  including
attached warehouses, as of February 28, 1997 for its plastic container business:

                                                     Approximate Building Area
Location                                                    (square feet)
- --------                                             -------------------------
Anaheim, CA........................................    127,000 (leased)
Deep River, CT.....................................    140,000
Monroe, GA.........................................    117,000
Norcross, GA.......................................     59,000 (leased)
Ligonier, IN.......................................    477,000 (284,000 leased)
Seymour, IN........................................    406,000
Franklin, KY.......................................    122,000 (leased)
Port Clinton, OH...................................    336,000 (leased)
Langhorne, PA......................................    156,000 (leased)
Mississauga, Ontario...............................     80,000 (leased)
Mississauga, Ontario...............................     60,000 (leased)


         The Company owns and leases certain other warehouse facilities that are
detached from its manufacturing facilities.  All of the Company's facilities are
subject to liens in favor of the banks party to the Credit Agreement.

         The Company  believes that its plants,  warehouses and other facilities
are in good operating condition, adequately maintained, and suitable to meet its
present needs and future  plans.  The Company  believes  that it has  sufficient
capacity to satisfy the demand for its products in the  foreseeable  future.  To
the extent that the Company needs additional capacity,  management believes that
the Company can convert certain  facilities to continuous  operation or make the
appropriate capital expenditures to increase capacity.


Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

         On  October  17,  1989,  the  State of  California,  on  behalf  of the
California  Department of Health  Services  ("DHS"),  filed a suit in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of California against the owners
and operators of a recycling facility operated by Summer del Caribe,  Inc., Dale
Summer and Lynn Rodich. The complaint also named 16 can manufacturing companies,
including Containers,  that had sent amounts of solder dross to the facility for
recycling  as  "Potentially  Responsible  Parties"  ("PRPs")  under the  Federal
Superfund  statute.  Containers is one of the 15 defendant  can companies  which
agreed to  participate as a group in response to the DHS suit (the "PRP Group").
In the PRP  Group  agreement,  Containers  agreed  with the  other  can  company
defendants  that its  apportioned  share of cleanup  costs would be 6.72% of the
total cost of cleanup.  The PRP Group has undertaken a feasibility study for the
purpose of developing,  designing and  implementing a final remedy for the site.
The  feasibility  study  was  approved  by the  California  Department  of Toxic
Substances  Control ("DTSC") in June 1994. On March 14, 1995, the court approved
a settlement  agreement and consent decree which ordered the PRP Group to submit
a draft  Remedial  Action  Plan to the DTSC for  approval,  which  the PRP Group
submitted  to the DTSC on September 5, 1995.  On  September  13, 1995,  the DTSC
notified the PRP Group by letter that the Remedial  Action Plan had been adopted
for the Summer del Caribe  site.  According to the  Remedial  Action  Plan,  the
overall cost of site cleanup is estimated to be $3,000,000. Site cleanup is near
completion.  However,  monitoring at the site will be required for approximately
one year, the expenses for which  represent a small portion of the total expense
of cleanup.  The PRP Group has assessed  approximately  $201,264 as  Containers'
share of the cleanup cost, which amount has been paid. The Company believes that
significant additional expenditures on its behalf are unlikely.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>




         Other  than the action  mentioned  above,  there are no other  material
pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of its
properties are subject.


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

         None.



                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                                     PART II

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

         During 1996,  Holdings had three  classes of Common Stock  outstanding,
its Class A Common  Stock,  par  value  $.01 per share  (the  "Holdings  Class A
Stock"), its Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Holdings Class
B Stock"), and its Class C Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Holdings
Class C Stock"),  none of which were publicly  traded on any market or exchange.
At December 31, 1996,  there were two holders of record of the Holdings  Class A
Stock (Messrs. Silver and Horrigan),  one holder of record of the Holdings Class
B Stock  (MSLEF  II),  and one  holder of record of the  Holdings  Class C Stock
(BTNY).

         On July 22,  1996,  Holdings  sold  50,000  shares of its  Exchangeable
Preferred Stock Mandatorily Redeemable 2006 (the "Exchangeable Preferred Stock")
for an aggregate  offering  price of $50 million (the  "Preferred  Stock Sale").
Morgan  Stanley  acted as the placement  agent in connection  with the Preferred
Stock Sale and received certain fees amounting to $1.8 million. The Exchangeable
Preferred Stock was sold only to "qualified institutional buyers" in reliance on
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"),
and to a limited number of institutional  "accredited  investors" (as defined in
Rule 501(a)(1),  (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act). For a description of
the terms of the  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock,  see  "Description of Holdings
Capital Stock--Preferred Stock".

         On February 20, 1997,  Holdings completed the Offering.  Since February
14,  1997,  the Common Stock has been  trading  publicly on the Nasdaq  National
Market.  As of February 28, 1997 there were  approximately  51 record holders of
the Common Stock.

         Holdings has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Common Stock.
The Company  currently  anticipates  that it will retain all available funds for
use in the  operation  and  expansion of its  business  and does not  anticipate
paying any cash  dividends on the Common Stock in the  foreseeable  future.  Any
future  determination  to  pay  cash  dividends  will  be at the  discretion  of
Holdings' Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's results of
operations,  financial  condition,  contractual  restrictions  and other factors
deemed  relevant by Holdings' Board of Directors.  In addition,  the Amended and
Restated Holdings Guaranty, dated as of August 1, 1995 made by Holdings in favor
of the banks under the Credit  Agreement,  and the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock
(and, when issued in exchange for the Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock,  Holdings'
Subordinated  Debentures due 2006 (the "Exchange Debentures")) limit the ability
of Holdings to pay  dividends,  and the Credit  Agreement  and Silgan's  11-3/4%
Senior  Subordinated  Notes Due 2002 (the "11-3/4%  Notes") limit the ability of
Silgan to pay dividends to Holdings.


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

         Set forth below are selected historical  consolidated financial data of
Holdings at December 31, 1996,  1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992 and for the years then
ended.

         The  selected  historical  consolidated  financial  data of Holdings at
December  31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period  ended
December 31, 1996 (with the  exception  of employee  data) were derived from the
historical  consolidated  financial statements of Holdings for such periods that
were audited by Ernst & Young LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report appears
elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K.  The  selected   historical
consolidated financial data of Holdings at December


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



31, 1994,  1993 and 1992 and for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992 were
derived  from  the  historical  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of
Holdings for such periods.

         The selected  historical data of Holdings were derived from, and should
be read in conjunction with,  "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical  financial statements of
Holdings,  including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.



                                      -16-

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Selected Financial Data

                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1996(a)       1995(a)       1994(b)       1993(b)        1992
                                                      ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------     --------
                                                                (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

<S>                                                   <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating Data:
Net sales...........................................  $1,405.7      $1,101.9        $861.4        $645.5        $630.0
Cost of goods sold..................................   1,223.6         970.5         748.3         571.2         555.0
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
Gross profit........................................     182.1         131.4         113.1          74.3          75.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses........      58.8          46.9          38.0          32.5          32.8
Reduction in carrying value of assets(c)............        -           14.7          16.7            -             -
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
Income from operations..............................     123.3          69.8          58.4          41.8          42.2
Interest expense and other related financing costs..      89.4          80.7          65.8          54.3          57.0
Minority interest expense...........................        -             -             -             -            2.7
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
Income (loss) before income taxes...................      33.9         (10.9)         (7.4)        (12.5)        (17.5)
Income tax provision................................       3.3           5.1           5.6           1.9           2.2
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
Income (loss) before extraordinary charges
 and cumulative effect of changes in accounting
 principles.........................................      30.6         (16.0)        (13.0)        (14.4)        (19.7)
Extraordinary charges relating to early
 extinguishment of debt.............................      (2.2)         (5.8)           -           (1.3)        (23.6)
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
 principles(d)......................................        -             -             -           (6.3)           -
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
Net income (loss) before preferred stock dividend
 requirement........................................      28.4         (21.8)        (13.0)        (22.0)        (43.3)
Preferred stock dividend requirement................      (3.0)           -             -             -             -
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders.  $   25.4      $  (21.8)       $(13.0)       $(22.0)       $(43.3)
                                                      ========      ========        =======       ======        ======

Net income (loss) per common share(e):
 Income (loss) before extraordinary charges.........  $   1.60      $  (0.77)       $(0.63)       $(0.87)       $(1.21)
 Extraordinary charges..............................     (0.12)        (0.29)           -          (0.08)        (1.44)
 Cumulative effect of accounting changes............        -             -             -          (0.38)           -
 Preferred stock dividend requirement...............     (0.16)           -             -             -             -
                                                       -------       -------         -----         -----         -----
         Total......................................  $   1.32      $  (1.06)       $(0.63)       $(1.33)       $(2.65)
                                                      ========      ========        ======        ======        ======

Weighted average number of common and
 common equivalent shares outstanding(f)............19,178,730    20,656,877    20,656,877    16,479,206    16,373,591

Selected Segment Data:
Net sales:
 Metal container business...........................  $1,189.3      $  882.3        $657.1        $459.2        $437.4
 Plastic container business.........................     216.4         219.6         204.3         186.3         192.6
Income (loss) from operations:(g)
 Metal container business...........................     106.1          58.2          59.8          42.3          40.7
 Plastic container business.........................      18.4          13.2          (0.1)          0.6           2.3

Other Data:
Adjusted EBITDA(h)..................................  $  186.0      $  132.4        $114.5        $ 76.1        $ 74.0
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales........      13.2%         12.0%         13.3%         11.8%         11.7%
Income from operations as a percentage of net sales.       8.8           6.3           6.8           6.5           6.7
Capital expenditures................................  $   56.9      $   51.9        $ 29.2        $ 42.5        $ 23.4
Depreciation and amortization(i)....................      59.3          45.4          37.2          33.8          31.8
Cash flows provided by operating activities.........     125.2         209.6          47.3          48.1          15.4
Cash flows used for investing activities............     (98.3)       (397.1)        (27.9)       (116.1)        (23.0)
Cash flows (used for) provided by financing
 activities.........................................     (27.9)        186.9         (17.0)         65.3           8.6
Number of employees (at end of period)(j)...........     5,525         5,110         4,000         3,330         3,340

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Total assets........................................  $  913.5      $  900.0        $504.3        $497.6        $389.0
Total long-term debt................................     693.8         750.9         510.8         505.7         383.2
Redeemable preferred stock..........................      53.0            -             -             -             -
Deficiency in stockholders' equity..................    (190.2)       (179.8)       (158.0)       (145.0)       (138.0)


                                                                                                 (footnotes follow)
</TABLE>


                                      -17-

<PAGE>



                        Notes to Selected Financial Data

(a)  On August 1, 1995,  the  Company  acquired  AN Can for a purchase  price of
     $362.0  million  (including the purchase from ANC of its St. Louis facility
     in May 1996 for $13.1  million).  The  acquisition  was  accounted for as a
     purchase  transaction and the results of operations have been included with
     the Company's  historical  results from the acquisition date. See Note 3 to
     the Consolidated  Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1996
     included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b)  On December 21, 1993,  the Company  acquired DM Can for a purchase price of
     approximately  $73.3  million.  The  acquisition  was  accounted  for  as a
     purchase  transaction and the results of operations have been included with
     the Company's historical results from the acquisition date.

(c)  Based upon a review of its depreciable  assets, the Company determined that
     certain  adjustments  were  necessary  to properly  reflect net  realizable
     values.  In 1995,  the metal  container  business  recorded a write-down of
     $14.7 million for the excess of carrying  value over  estimated  realizable
     value of machinery  and equipment at existing  facilities  which had become
     underutilized due to excess capacity.  In 1994, charges of $7.2 million and
     $9.5  million  were  recorded by the metal  container  business and plastic
     container business,  respectively,  to write-down the excess carrying value
     over estimated  realizable  value of various plant facilities held for sale
     and for technologically obsolete and inoperable machinery and equipment.

(d)  During  1993,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting
     Standards  ("SFAS")  No.  106,  "Employers  Accounting  for  Postretirement
     Benefits Other than Pensions," SFAS No. 109,  "Accounting for Income Taxes"
     and SFAS No. 112, "Employers Accounting for Postemployment  Benefits".  The
     Company did not elect to restate prior years' financial  statements for any
     of these pronouncements.

(e)  Net income  (loss)  per share is based on the  weighted  average  number of
     shares  outstanding  during the period,  as adjusted in all periods for the
     17.133145  to 1 stock  split of the  outstanding  Common  Stock of Holdings
     effected in  connection  with the Offering (the "Stock  Split"),  and after
     giving  effect to stock  options  considered  to be dilutive  common  stock
     equivalents using the treasury stock method.  Primary and fully diluted net
     income  (loss)  per share are the same for each of the  periods.  Under the
     terms of the stock option plans of Containers  and Plastics,  stock options
     issued under such plans were converted to options under the Silgan Holdings
     Inc.  Fourth Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option
     Plan") at the time of the Offering. Such conversion was made based upon the
     allocable  value of Containers  and Plastics  determined in relation to the
     value  of the  Company.  Weighted  average  number  of  shares  outstanding
     includes the subsidiary options which are considered to be issued within 12
     months prior to the Offering at less than the initial public offering price
     due to  their  conversion  feature.  Supplementary  net  income  per  share
     (unaudited),   assuming  the  repayment  as  of  January  1,  1996  of  the
     indebtedness  from the net  proceeds  to the Company  from the  Offering as
     described under "Business--Recent  Developments--Initial  Public Offering",
     was $1.42 for the year ended December 31, 1996.

(f)  The  weighted  average  number  of  common  and  common  equivalent  shares
     outstanding gives effect to the Stock Split.

(g)  Income  (loss)  from  oprations  in  the  selected  segment  data  includes
     charges  incurred for the reduction in carrying value of certain assets for
     the metal  containers  business of $14.7  million and $7.2  million for the
     years  ended  December  31,  1995 and 1994 and for the  plastic  containers
     business of $9.5 million for the year ended  December 31, 1994, as referred
     to in  footnote  (c)  above.  Income  from  operations  for both the  metal
     container and plastic container businesses excludes corporate expense.

(h)  "Adjusted  EBITDA"  means  consolidated  net  income  before  extraordinary
     charges,   cumulative  effect  of  changes  in  accounting  principles  and
     preferred  stock  dividends  plus,  to the extent  reflected  in the income
     statement for the  applicable  period,  without  duplication,  consolidated
     interest  expense,  income tax expense and  depreciation  and  amortization
     expense, as adjusted to add back expenses relating to postretirement health
     care costs (which amounted to $2.6 million,  $1.7 million, $0.7 million and
     $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 1996,


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



     1995,  1994 and 1993,  respectively),  the  reduction in carrying  value of
     assets  (which  were $14.7  million  and $16.7  million for the years ended
     December  31,  1995 and 1994,  respectively)  and  certain  other  non-cash
     charges (which included  charges  relating to the vesting of benefits under
     Stock  Appreciation  Rights  ("SARs") of $0.8 million for each of the years
     ended  December  31,  1996 and 1995 and  $1.5  million  for the year  ended
     December 31, 1994). The Company has included information regarding Adjusted
     EBITDA because  management  believes that many investors  consider it to be
     important  in  assessing  a  company's  ability to service  and incur debt.
     Accordingly,  this  information has been disclosed  herein to permit a more
     complete  analysis of the Company's  financial  condition.  Adjusted EBITDA
     should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute  for net income or
     other  consolidated  statement of operations or cash flows data prepared in
     accordance  with Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles  ("GAAP") as a
     measure  of  the  profitability  or  liquidity  of  the  Company.  See  the
     consolidated  statements of operations and consolidated  statements of cash
     flows of Holdings,  including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this
     Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account the
     Company's debt service requirements and other commitments and, accordingly,
     is  not  necessarily  indicative  of  amounts  that  may be  available  for
     discretionary  uses.  Additionally,  Adjusted  EBITDA  is not  computed  in
     accordance  with GAAP and may not be comparable to other  similarly  titled
     measures of other companies.

(i)  Depreciation  and  amortization  excludes  amortization  of debt  financing
     costs.

(j)  The number of employees at December 31, 1995 includes  approximately  1,400
     employees  who  joined  the  Company  on  August 1, 1995 as a result of the
     acquisition  by  Containers  of AN Can. The number of employees at December
     31, 1993 excludes 650 employees who joined the Company on December 21, 1993
     as a result of the acquisition by Containers of DM Can.



                                      -19-

<PAGE>



Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations.

         The  following  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  consolidated
financial  statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information  contained in "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of  Operations"  and
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K  regarding  the Company's  expected
operations,  financial  results,  cost  savings,  future  liquidity,  plans  and
strategy for its business and related financing and general financial  condition
includes forward looking  statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions
of the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking
statements  involve  uncertainties  and risks,  including,  but not  limited to,
factors  described  in this Annual  Report on Form 10-K and in  Holdings'  other
filings  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  The  Company's  actual
operations,  financial  results,  cost  savings,  future  liquidity,  plans  and
strategy for its business and related financing and general financial  condition
may differ from such forward looking statements.

Overview

         The Company is a leading North American  manufacturer of consumer goods
packaging products that currently produces (i) steel and aluminum containers for
human and pet food, (ii) custom designed  plastic  containers for personal care,
health, food, pharmaceutical and household chemical products and (iii) specialty
packaging  items,  including  metal caps and  closures,  plastic bowls and paper
containers  used by processors in the food industry.  The Company is the largest
manufacturer of metal food containers in North America,  with a unit sale market
share for the twelve months ended October 31, 1996 of 35% in the United  States,
and is a  leading  manufacturer  of  plastic  containers  in North  America  for
personal care products.  The Company has focused on growth through acquisitions,
followed by plant  rationalizations  and  consolidations  and  investment in the
acquired  businesses to gain  manufacturing  and production  efficiencies and to
provide for internal growth.  Since its inception,  the Company has acquired and
successfully integrated ten businesses,  including the recent acquisitions of AN
Can in  August  1995  for a  purchase  price  of  approximately  $362.0  million
(including net working  capital of  approximately  $156.0 million) and DM Can in
December 1993 for a purchase price of approximately $73.3 million (including net
working capital of approximately $21.9 million). In addition, on October 9, 1996
the Company  completed  its  acquisition  of Finger Lakes,  the metal  container
manufacturing subsidiary of Curtice Burns. See "Business--Recent  Developments".
The Company's future growth will depend in large part on additional acquisitions
of consumer goods packaging businesses.

         The Company is continually evaluating and intends to continue to pursue
acquisition opportunities in the North American consumer goods packaging market.
Although the Company has no present  binding  agreements or  commitments to make
any  acquisition,  the Company  has  expressed  indications  of interest or made
preliminary bids on three acquisition  opportunities presented to it, which have
annual sales ranging from  approximately  $30 million to $250 million.  Any such
acquisition may be financed  through the incurrence of additional  indebtedness.
No assurance can be given that the Company will complete any such acquisition.

         Holdings is a holding  company that  conducts its business  through two
operating  companies,  Containers and Plastics,  each of which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Silgan.



                                      -20-

<PAGE>



  Cost Reductions and Investments Following Acquisitions

         The Company believes that its acquisitions and investments have enabled
it to  achieve a low cost  position  in the metal  food  container  segment.  To
further  enhance its low cost position,  the Company has realized cost reduction
opportunities through plant  rationalizations and capital improvements,  as well
as from improved  production  scheduling and line  reconfiguration.  Since 1991,
Containers has closed eight  smaller,  higher cost metal  container  facilities,
including  five  facilities  that  were  closed  in  1995  as a  result  of  the
integration  of the  manufacturing  operations  of DM Can.  Because  most of the
facilities  that were closed in 1995 were  closed late in the year,  the Company
began to realize the benefits from the closing of such  facilities in 1996. From
1991  through  1993,   Plastics  closed  three   manufacturing   facilities  and
consolidated the technical and administrative functions of its plastic container
businesses.  An additional  facility was closed in 1995. In 1994, Plastics began
to realize the benefits of this consolidation and  rationalization  program,  as
well as from its capital investment  program. In the fourth quarter of 1996, the
Company  initiated  further  downsizing and  rationalizations  of certain of its
facilities.   Management  expects  that  these  actions,   along  with  improved
production  scheduling,  will enable the Company to achieve lower  manufacturing
costs in 1997 as compared to 1996.

  AN Can Acquisition

         Management believes that the acquisition of AN Can, which has seventeen
manufacturing  facilities,  provides the Company  with  further  cost  reduction
opportunities, not only through purchasing economies and manufacturing synergies
which it will  realize  from the  combined  operations,  but  also  through  the
integration of selling, general and administrative operations of AN Can into the
Company's  existing metal  container  business.  In 1996,  the Company  realized
certain of the manufacturing synergies. In 1997, the Company expects to complete
the  integration  of the  selling,  general and  administrative  functions.  The
Company  believes that it will realize the full benefits of the  integration  of
the selling,  general and administrative functions in 1998, and that benefits to
be realized by the  rationalization  of plant  operations will begin to occur in
1997.

         Although   employee   termination   costs  in  connection   with  plant
rationalizations, administrative workforce reductions and other plant exit costs
associated  with the  acquisition of AN Can have been accrued  through  purchase
accounting  adjustments,  the  Company  incurred  in  1995  and  in  1996  other
non-recurring  costs  which  under  current  accounting  pronouncements  will be
charged  against  operating  income.  These costs,  which  include  transitional
charges related to the integration of selling and administrative  functions,  as
well as costs  associated  with  plant  rearrangement  and  clean-up,  were $3.2
million in 1995 and were approximately $3.5 million in 1996. The Company expects
that it will  eliminate  the redundant  charges  related to the  integration  of
selling and administrative functions in 1997.

  Net Sales

         Long-term  Contracts.   The  Company  seeks  to  develop  and  maintain
long-term   relationships  with  its  customers.   The  Company  estimates  that
approximately  80% of  Containers'  projected  sales in 1997 will be pursuant to
long-term supply  arrangements.  Containers' has agreements with Nestle pursuant
to  which   Containers   supplies  a  majority  of  Nestle's   metal   container
requirements,  and an  agreement  with Del Monte  pursuant  to which  Containers
supplies  substantially  all of Del Monte's U.S. metal  container  requirements.
Revenues from these two customers represented  approximately 29% of net sales by
Containers  in 1996.  In  addition  to  Nestle  and Del  Monte,  Containers  has
multi-year supply arrangements with several other customers, including contracts
which AN Can had with many of its  customers.  The Company has  recently  agreed
with Nestle, subject to definitive documentation,  to extend the term of certain
of the Nestle Supply Agreements through 2004 (representing  approximately 10% of
the


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



Company's  1996 sales) in return for certain price  concessions  by the Company.
See  "Business--Sales  and  Marketing".  The Company  believes  that these price
concessions  will  not  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  its  results  of
operations.  Under the Company's recent  agreement with Nestle,  with respect to
the remaining Nestle Supply Agreements that expire in August 1997  (representing
approximately  6% of the  Company's  1996  sales),  the Company has the right to
submit a bid to Nestle,  and to match any bid  received by Nestle,  for the 1998
supply year with  respect to the metal  containers  that are the subject of such
Nestle  Supply  Agreements.  There can be no assurance  that any such bid by the
Company will be made at sales prices  equivalent to those currently in effect or
otherwise on terms similar to those currently in effect. The loss by the Company
of either Nestle or Del Monte as a customer would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations. See "Business--Sales and Marketing".

         The Company's  long-term supply contracts generally provide for pricing
changes in accordance with cost change formulas,  thereby significantly reducing
the exposure of the Company's  results from  operations to the volatility of raw
material  costs.  In  addition,  the  terms of the  Company's  long-term  supply
contracts limit the Company's ability to increase margins.

         Agricultural  Harvest and  Seasonality.  The Company's  metal container
business sales are  dependent,  in part,  upon the  vegetable,  tomato and fruit
harvests in the midwest and western  regions of the United States.  The size and
quality of these harvests varies from year to year, depending in large part upon
the weather conditions in those regions. The fruit and vegetable pack harvest in
1994 was better than the below normal fruit and vegetable  pack harvest in 1995,
resulting in greater sales to fruit and vegetable pack  processing  customers in
1994 as compared to 1995. The 1996 midwest  vegetable harvest was better than in
1995,  but, due to cool wet weather  during the 1996 planting  season,  was less
than the harvest in 1994.

         The Company's  business is affected by seasonal  variations as a result
of the timing of the harvest.  Accordingly,  the Company experiences higher unit
sales volume in the second and third quarters and, as a result,  the Company has
historically  generated  a  disproportionate  amount of its annual  income  from
operations during these quarters.  In 1996, the Company generated  substantially
all of its net income in the second and third quarters. See "--Quarterly Results
of Operations".

  Interest Expense

         In order to increase its  financial  flexibility,  during 1995 and 1996
the  Company  refinanced  portions of its higher  cost  capital  with lower cost
capital.  Upon completion of the redemption of the remaining Discount Debentures
on March 26, 1997 with the  proceeds  from the  Offering,  the Company will have
refinanced all of the Discount Debentures.  The net result of these refinancings
will be  approximately  $19.5 million of annual  current cash  interest  savings
(excluding   non-cash  interest   relating  to  the  Exchange   Debentures)  and
approximately  $25.9  million of current  cash tax  savings  (as a result of the
deduction  by the  Company of the  accreted  interest  of  approximately  $103.5
million on the retired Discount Debentures).

         The  Company's  aggregate  interest  expense  and the  preferred  stock
dividend  requirement  in 1996 was $92.4  million.  On a pro forma  basis  after
giving  effect to (i) the  Offering  and the use of the  proceeds  therefrom  to
redeem the remaining Discount  Debentures and repay bank indebtedness,  (ii) the
use of the proceeds from the Preferred Stock Sale to (a) purchase 250,000 shares
of  Holdings'  Class B Common  Stock  held by Mellon  Bank N.A.  ("Mellon"),  as
trustee  for First  Plaza  Group Trust  ("First  Plaza"),  and (b) redeem  $12.0
million principal amount of Discount Debentures,  (iii) the incurrence of $125.0
million of  additional  B term  loans in July 1996 and $17.4  million of working
capital  loans in June 1996  under  the  Credit  Agreement,  and the use of such
proceeds to redeem a portion of the Discount Debentures, and


                                      -22-

<PAGE>



(iv) the planned  issuance by  Holdings  prior to July 22, 1997 of the  Exchange
Debentures in exchange for the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock (collectively,  the
"Refinancing"),  the Company's interest expense for 1996 (including  interest on
the Exchange  Debentures which, as part of the Refinancing,  are assumed to have
been exchanged for the  Exchangeable  Preferred Stock as of the beginning of the
year) would have been $83.2 million.  For 1997, assuming that the floating rates
of interest to be borne by the Company's  indebtedness in 1997 are comparable to
1996  rates and  without  giving  effect to  incremental  borrowings  to finance
acquisitions, if any, the Company expects that its interest expense will decline
by approximately $10.0 million as compared to 1996. Since the Company refinanced
a  substantial  amount of the Discount  Debentures in the third quarter of 1996,
the Company  expects that most of this reduction in interest  expense will occur
during the first and second  quarters of 1997 as compared to the same periods in
1996.

         As of December  31, 1996,  on a pro forma basis after giving  effect to
the  Refinancing,  the Company would have had  approximately  $745.2  million of
indebtedness  outstanding,  including  $27.8 million of working  capital  loans.
Historically,  the Company's working capital loans are at their lowest amount at
year-end. Because the Company sells metal containers used in vegetable and fruit
processing,  the Company must access working capital to build inventory and then
carry accounts  receivable  for some customers  beyond the end of the summer and
fall packing  season.  Due to these  seasonal  requirements,  the Company incurs
short term indebtedness to finance its working capital requirements. At its peak
in September 1996,  approximately $182.5 million of the working capital revolver
under the Credit Agreement, including letters of credit, was utilized.

         The Company's  financial results are sensitive to changes in prevailing
market  rates of  interest.  At December  31,  1996,  on a pro forma basis after
giving effect to the  Refinancing  and including  working capital loans of $27.8
million,  47.9% of the Company's  indebtedness  bore interest at floating rates,
taking into account interest rate swap agreements entered into by the Company to
mitigate  the effect of interest  rate  fluctuations.  These  agreements  have a
notional  amount of $200.0  million,  including  interest  rate swap  agreements
entered into during the fourth quarter of 1996 with a notional  amount of $100.0
million. Under these agreements,  floating rate interest was exchanged for fixed
rates of  interest  ranging  from  5.6% to 6.2% plus the  Company's  incremental
margin,  which  currently  ranges  from  2.5% to  3.0%.  Depending  upon  market
conditions,  the Company may enter into  additional  interest rate swap or hedge
agreements in the future to hedge its exposure to interest rate volatility.

  Income Tax Considerations

         Federal  Tax  Liability.  Because  the  Discount  Debentures  represent
"applicable  high yield  discount  obligations,"  the tax  deduction  that would
otherwise  have been  available to the Company for the accreted  interest on the
Discount Debentures during the five years that no cash interest was paid thereon
was not available until the retirement of the Discount Debentures.  After giving
effect to the Refinancing,  the Company will have redeemed or repurchased all of
the  Discount  Debentures  from  1995 to 1997,  providing  the  Company  with an
allowable  deduction of approximately  $103.5 million for the amount of accreted
interest on such indebtedness, and resulting in no federal tax liability for the
Company in 1996.  At December 31, 1996,  the Company had a regular net operating
loss  carryforward  of  approximately  $164.0  million.  This net operating loss
carryforward  resulted  principally  from  both the  deduction  of the  accreted
interest on the Discount Debentures  refinanced in 1996 and 1995 and significant
tax  depreciation  deductions from the acquisition of AN Can. Upon completion of
the  Refinancing,  after giving effect to the deduction of accreted  interest on
the remaining Discount Debentures,  the Company estimates it will have a regular
net operating loss  carryforward of  approximately  $185.0  million.  Subject to
certain  limitations,  this net operating loss carryforward will be available to
offset taxable income that the


                                      -23-

<PAGE>



Company  expects to  generate  in 1997 and in the future  until such time as the
regular net operating loss carryforward is fully utilized.

         Effective in 1993,  however,  the Company became subject to alternative
minimum tax ("AMT") for federal income tax purposes.  Due to the availability of
an AMT net operating loss carryforward, the Company incurred an AMT liability at
the rate of 2% of AMT taxable  income for 1993 through 1995.  Beginning in 1996,
the Company would have fully utilized its AMT net operating  loss  carryforwards
and would have  incurred an AMT  liability at the  statutory  rate of 20% of AMT
taxable  income if it had not realized the benefit of the  deduction of accreted
interest on the retired Discount Debentures.  As a result of this deduction, the
Company  will have  reduced its federal tax  liability  by  approximately  $20.7
million and state tax liability by approximately $5.2 million for 1996 and 1997.
Management  expects  that the  Company  will fully  utilize  the benefit of this
deduction  in late 1997 or early 1998 at which time it will then become  subject
to AMT at the statutory rate.

         Book Accounting Implications.  SFAS No. 109 of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") requires that a valuation allowance be recorded when it
is more  likely  than not that some  portion or all of the  future tax  benefits
arising from the  deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Because the Company
incurred  losses from its  inception  through  1995,  SFAS No. 109  required the
Company to record a  valuation  allowance.  Although  the Company  reported  net
income for 1996,  it has not yet met the criteria  under SFAS No. 109 to release
any of its valuation  allowance.  The ultimate realization of all or part of the
Company's  deferred  income  tax  assets  depends  on the  Company's  ability to
generate  sufficient taxable income in the future.  When preparing future period
interim and annual financial statements, the Company will evaluate its strategic
plans, in light of evolving  business  conditions,  and the valuation  allowance
will be adjusted based on such evaluation. The Company expects that it will meet
the  realization  criteria of SFAS No. 109 in 1997,  and that it will  release a
portion  of  its  deferred  tax  asset  valuation  allowance,  resulting  in the
recognition  of a tax benefit.  After the  expected  release of a portion of its
valuation  allowance in 1997, the Company  expects to provide for federal income
taxes at the statutory rate.

         The Company's  income tax rate varied from the U.S.  statutory  rate in
1996 due to the  utilization  of net operating loss  carryforwards.  In 1995 and
1994, the Company's  income tax rate varied from the U.S.  statutory rate due to
losses which resulted in temporary  differences  between book and taxable income
for which recognition of a deferred tax asset was not considered  appropriate at
the time. In accordance  with SFAS No. 109, the Company has provided a provision
for income taxes based upon federal,  state and foreign taxes currently payable.
See  Note  14  to  the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

  Charges Relating to Stock Options and Discount Debenture Redemption

         Concurrent  with the Offering,  all  outstanding  stock options  issued
under the stock option plans of Containers  and Plastics were converted to stock
options under the Stock Option Plan. See "Executive  Compensation--Stock  Option
Plan". In accordance with  Accounting  Principles  Board ("APB") No. 25, options
granted  under  such  plans  are  considered   variable  options  with  a  final
measurement  date at the time of conversion.  The Company  recognized a non-cash
charge of approximately  $22.5 million,  net of $3.7 million previously accrued,
at the time of the  Offering in the  Company's  first  quarter in 1997,  for the
excess of fair  market  value over grant  price of these  options  less  amounts
previously accrued.

         With proceeds from the Offering,  the Company will redeem the remaining
Discount  Debentures on March 26, 1997. In connection with such redemption,  the
Company will recognize an extraordinary charge, net of tax, in the first quarter
of 1997 of $0.7 million.



                                      -24-

<PAGE>



Results of Operations

         The following  table sets forth certain  income  statement data for the
Company,  expressed  as a  percentage  of net  sales,  for  each of the  periods
presented,  and should be read in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial
statements of the Company and related notes thereto  included  elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                                             --------------------------------------
                                                                              1996            1995            1994
                                                                             ------          ------          ------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
Operating Data:
Net sales:
  Metal container business..............................................      84.6%           80.1%           76.3%
  Plastic container business............................................      15.4            19.9            23.7
                                                                            ------          ------          ------
    Total...............................................................     100.0           100.0           100.0
Cost of goods sold......................................................      87.0            88.1            86.9
                                                                            ------          ------          ------
Gross profit............................................................      13.0            11.9            13.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses............................       4.2             4.3             4.4
Reduction in carrying value of assets...................................       --              1.3             1.9
                                                                            ------          ------          ------
Income from operations..................................................       8.8             6.3             6.8
Interest expense and other related financing costs......................       6.4             7.3             7.6
                                                                            ------          ------          ------
Income (loss) before income taxes.......................................       2.4            (1.0)           (0.8)
Income tax provision....................................................       0.2             0.5             0.7
                                                                            ------          ------          ------
Income (loss) before extraordinary charges..............................       2.2            (1.5)           (1.5)
Extraordinary charges relating to early extinguishment of debt..........      (0.2)           (0.5)            --
                                                                            -------         ------          ------
Net income (loss) before preferred stock dividend requirement...........       2.0            (2.0)           (1.5)
Preferred stock dividend requirement....................................      (0.2)            --              --
                                                                            ------          ------          ------
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders.....................       1.8%           (2.0)%          (1.5)%
                                                                            ======          ======          ======
</TABLE>


         Summary  historical  results for the Company's  two business  segments,
metal and plastic  containers,  for the calendar  years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 and summary pro forma results for these business  segments for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1995 (after giving effect to the acquisition of
AN Can as of the beginning of such period) are provided below.

         The unaudited pro forma financial data includes the historical  results
of the  Company  and AN Can and  reflects  the  effect  of  purchase  accounting
adjustments based on appraisals and valuations, the financing of the acquisition
of AN Can, the  refinancing  of certain of the Company's debt  obligations,  and
certain other  adjustments,  as if these events  occurred as of the beginning of
the periods presented.  The unaudited pro forma financial data do not purport to
represent what the Company's  financial  position or results of operations would
actually have been had these  transactions  in fact occurred at the beginning of
the periods indicated, or to project the Company's financial position or results
of operations for any future date or period.  The unaudited pro forma  financial
data do not give effect to adjustments  for decreased  costs from  manufacturing
synergies resulting from the integration of AN Can with Containers' existing can
manufacturing operations and benefits the Company may realize as a result of its
planned rationalization of plant operations. The pro forma information presented
should be read in conjunction  with the historical  results of operations of the
Company included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                                      -25-

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Historical                        Pro Forma
                                                          -----------------------------------------------  --------------
                                                               1996            1995             1994            1995
                                                          --------------  ---------------  --------------  --------------
                                                                               (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>               <C>            <C>
Net sales:
  Metal container business..............................     $1,189.3        $  882.3          $657.1         $1,184.8
  Plastic container business............................        216.4           219.6           204.3            219.6
                                                              -------         -------           -----          -------
  Consolidated..........................................     $1,405.7        $1,101.9          $861.4         $1,404.4
                                                             ========        ========          ======         ========
Income from operations:
  Metal container business..............................     $  106.1        $   72.9          $ 67.0         $   95.7
  Plastic container business............................         18.4            13.2             9.4             13.2
  Reduction in asset value<F1>..........................          --            (14.7)          (16.7)           (14.7)
  Corporate expense.....................................         (1.2)           (1.6)           (1.3)            (1.5)
                                                              -------         -------           -----          -------
        Consolidated....................................     $  123.3        $   69.8          $ 58.4         $   92.7
                                                             ========        ========          ======         ========


- -------------------
<FN>
<F1> Included in the  historical  and pro forma  income from  operations  of the
     Company in 1995 are charges  incurred  for the  reduction  of the  carrying
     value of certain  underutilized  equipment to net realizable value of $14.7
     million  allocable  to  the  metal  container  business.  Included  in  the
     historical  income  from  operations  of the  Company  in 1994 are  charges
     incurred for the reduction of the carrying  value of certain  underutilized
     and obsolete equipment to net realizable value of $16.7 million in 1994, of
     which $7.2 million was allocable to the metal  container  business and $9.5
     million to the plastic container business.
</FN>
</TABLE>

  Historical Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared with Historical Year Ended
  December 31, 1995

         Net Sales.  Consolidated net sales increased $303.8 million,  or 27.6%,
to $1.4 billion for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  as compared to net sales
of  $1.1  billion  for  the  same  period  in  1995.   This  increase   resulted
predominantly from net sales generated by the former AN Can operations.

         Net sales for the metal container business  (including net sales of its
specialty  business of $90.7  million) were $1,189.3  million for the year ended
December  31,  1996,  an  increase  of $307.0  million  from net sales of $882.3
million for the same period in 1995. Net sales of metal cans of $1,098.6 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996 were $253.1 million  greater than net sales
of metal  cans of $845.5  million  for the same  period in 1995.  This  increase
resulted from the inclusion of a full year of sales generated from the former AN
Can operations,  including net sales of approximately  $236.0 million during the
first seven months of 1996, and increased  unit sales due to a better  vegetable
pack harvest in 1996 as compared to 1995,  offset to a limited  extent by volume
losses with certain customers.

         Sales of  specialty  items  included  in the  metal  container  segment
increased $53.9 million to $90.7 million during the year ended December 31, 1996
as compared to the same period in 1995, due  predominantly  to additional  sales
generated by the former AN Can operations.

         Net sales for the plastic  container  business of $216.4 million during
the year ended December 31, 1996 decreased $3.2 million from net sales of $219.6
million  for the same period in 1995.  Despite an  increase  in unit sales,  net
sales of plastic  containers  declined as a result of the pass  through of lower
resin costs.

         Cost of Goods Sold.  Cost of goods sold as a percentage of consolidated
net sales was 87.0% ($1.2  billion)  for the year ended  December  31,  1996,  a
decrease of 1.1 percentage points as compared


                                      -26-

<PAGE>



to 88.1% ($970.5  million) for the same period in 1995.  The decrease in cost of
goods  sold  as a  percentage  of net  sales  was  principally  attributable  to
synergies realized from the AN Can acquisition,  improved operating efficiencies
due  to  can  plant  consolidations  as  well  as  the  improved   manufacturing
performance by the plastic  container  business,  offset, in part, by the higher
cost base of the former AN Can operations and the realization of higher per unit
costs  due to  the  Company's  one-time  planned  reduction  in  finished  goods
inventory. The additional production capacity provided by AN Can has enabled the
Company  to produce  its  product  closer to the time of sale and,  as a result,
during 1996 the Company reduced the amount of finished goods that it carries.

         Selling,  General and  Administrative  Expenses.  Selling,  general and
administrative  expenses as a percentage of consolidated net sales decreased 0.1
percentage  points to 4.2% ($58.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 1996,
as compared to 4.3% ($46.9  million) for the year ended December 31, 1995.  This
decrease in selling,  general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net
sales reflects the expected lower  administrative  expenses realized as a result
of the integration of the  administrative  functions of AN Can with the Company,
despite the incurrence of certain redundant costs, estimated to be $3.5 million,
associated with the  integration of the AN Can operations.  In 1997, the Company
expects  to  eliminate  all  of  these  redundant  costs  as  it  completes  its
integration of the administrative functions of AN Can with the Company.

         Income from  Operations.  Income from  operations  as a  percentage  of
consolidated net sales increased 2.5 percentage  points to 8.8% ($123.3 million)
for the year ended December 31, 1996, as compared with 6.3% ($69.8  million) for
the same period in the prior year.  Included in income from  operations for 1995
was a charge of $14.7 million for the write-off of certain underutilized assets.
Without giving effect to this charge,  income from operations as a percentage of
consolidated  net sales would have  increased 1.1  percentage  points in 1996 as
compared to 1995,  primarily as a result of the  aforementioned  improvement  in
gross margin.

         Income  from  operations  as a  percentage  of net  sales for the metal
container business improved to 8.9% ($106.1 million) for the year ended December
31, 1996,  from 8.3% ($72.9  million)  (without  giving  effect to the charge of
$14.7  million to adjust the  carrying  value of  certain  assets)  for the same
period in 1995.  This increase in income from  operations as a percentage of net
sales for the metal container business was principally attributable to synergies
resulting from the acquisition of AN Can, improved operating efficiencies due to
plant  consolidations  and  the  benefit  of  cost  reductions  provided  by the
Company's capital investment  program,  offset, in part, by the higher cost base
of the AN Can  operations  and the  negative  impact of the  Company's  one-time
planned reduction in the amount of finished goods inventory.

         Income from  operations  as a  percentage  of net sales for the plastic
container  business improved to 8.5% ($18.4 million) for the year ended December
31, 1996, from 6.0% ($13.2 million) for the same period in 1995. The improvement
in the operating  performance of the plastic container  business was principally
attributable to increased  production  volumes as well as the benefits  realized
through  capital  investment  and improved  production  planning and  scheduling
efficiencies.

         Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense  increased  $8.7 million to $89.4
million  for the year  ended  December  31,  1996,  principally  as a result  of
increased  borrowings  to  finance  the  acquisition  of AN Can in August  1995,
offset,  in part, by the benefit  realized from the redemption of $154.4 million
of the Discount  Debentures with lower cost bank  borrowings  (additional B term
loans of $125.0  million and working  capital  loans of $17.4  million) and with
$12.0  million of the  proceeds  from the  Preferred  Stock  Sale,  and by lower
average bank borrowing rates.



                                      -27-

<PAGE>



         Upon  completion of the  Refinancing,  the Company will have refinanced
all of the Discount  Debentures with lower cost borrowings and proceeds from the
Preferred  Stock  Sale and the  Offering.  Since a  substantial  portion  of the
Discount  Debentures  were  refinanced in the third quarter of 1996, the Company
expects that its interest  expense will decline  significantly  in the first and
second quarters of 1997 as compared to the same quarters in the prior year.

         Income  Taxes.  The  provisions  for income  taxes for the years  ended
December  31,  1996 and 1995  provide  for  federal,  state  and  foreign  taxes
currently  payable.  The  decrease  in the  provision  for income  taxes of $1.8
million for the year ended  December  31, 1996 as compared to the same period in
1995  reflects  the benefit of the current  cash tax savings  realized  from the
deduction of accreted interest on the retired Discount Debentures.

         Net Income.  As a result of the items  discussed  above,  net income of
$30.6 million  (before  extraordinary  charges of $2.2 million and the preferred
stock dividend requirement of $3.0 million) increased $46.6 million for the year
ended  December 31,  1996,  as compared to a net loss of $16.0  million  (before
extraordinary  charges,  net of  taxes,  of $5.8  million)  for the  year  ended
December 31, 1995.

         During  1996,  the  Company  incurred an  extraordinary  charge of $2.2
million for the write-off of unamortized  debt costs  associated  with the early
redemption  of  Discount   Debentures.   In  1995,   the  Company   incurred  an
extraordinary  charge  of $5.8  million,  net of  taxes,  for the  write-off  of
unamortized debt costs related to the refinancing of its secured debt facilities
to fund the AN Can  acquisition,  the  repurchase  of a portion of the  Discount
Debentures,  and premiums  paid on the  repurchase of a portion of such Discount
Debentures.

  Historical Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared with Pro Forma Year Ended
  December 31, 1995

         Net Sales.  Consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 1996
of $1.4 billion were comparable to pro forma consolidated net sales for the same
period  in  1995.  Increased  unit  sales of  metal  containers  due to a better
vegetable  pack harvest in 1996 as compared to 1995 offset the loss of an AN Can
customer whose product line was acquired by a company that  manufactured its own
cans and volume  losses  with  certain  other  customers.  Although  the plastic
container  business had increased  unit volume in 1996,  net sales declined $3.2
million due to the pass through of lower resin costs.

         Income from  Operations.  Income from  operations  as a  percentage  of
consolidated  net sales for the year  ended  December  31,  1996  increased  1.2
percentage points to 8.8% ($123.3 million), as compared to pro forma income from
operations as a percentage of pro forma  consolidated  net sales of 7.6% ($107.4
million)  (without  giving effect to the charge to adjust the carrying  value of
certain  assets of $14.7  million) for the year ended  December  31,  1995.  The
increase  in income  from  operations  for the year ended  December  31, 1996 as
compared  to pro forma  income from  operations  for the same period in 1995 was
attributable  to more  efficient  production  planning,  the  realization of can
manufacturing  synergies  resulting from the acquisition of AN Can, the benefits
realized from plant  consolidations  and capital  investments,  and the improved
operating  performance of the plastic  container  business,  offset, in part, by
redundant costs associated with the AN Can operations and the negative impact of
the  Company's  one-time  planned  reduction  of the  amount of  finished  goods
inventory.



                                      -28-

<PAGE>



  Historical Year Ended December 31, 1995 Compared with Historical Year Ended
  December 31, 1994

         Net Sales.  Consolidated net sales increased $240.5 million,  or 27.9%,
to $1.1 billion for the year ended  December 31, 1995,  as compared to net sales
of $861.4 million for the same period in 1994.  This increase  resulted from net
sales of $264.3 million generated by AN Can since its acquisition in August 1995
and a $15.3 million increase in sales of plastic  containers offset, in part, by
a decline in sales of metal  containers  to Silgan's  existing  customer base of
$39.1 million.

         Net sales for the metal  container  business  (including  its specialty
business)  were $882.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1995, an increase
of $225.2  million from net sales of $657.1 million for the same period in 1994.
Excluding  net sales of metal cans of $236.0  million  generated by AN Can since
its acquisition,  net sales of metal cans to the Company's customers were $609.5
million  during the year ended  December 31, 1995, as compared to $647.5 million
for the same  period  in 1994.  Net  sales to the  Company's  customers  in 1995
decreased  principally due to lower unit volume  resulting from the below normal
1995 vegetable pack offset,  in part, by slightly higher sales prices due to the
pass through of raw material cost increases.

         Sales of  specialty  items  included  in the  metal  container  segment
increased $27.2 million to $36.8 million during the year ended December 31, 1995
as compared to the same period in 1994,  due to the  acquisition of AN Can which
generated sales of $28.3 million of specialty items since its acquisition.

         Net sales for the plastic  container  business of $219.6 million during
the year ended  December  31, 1995  increased  $15.3  million  over net sales of
$204.3 million for the same period in 1994.  This increase was  attributable  to
increased  unit sales for new  customer  products  and to higher  average  sales
prices due to the pass through of higher average resin costs.

         Cost of Goods Sold.  Cost of goods sold as a percentage of consolidated
net sales was 88.1%  ($970.5  million) for the year ended  December 31, 1995, an
increase of 1.2 percentage  points as compared to 86.9% ($748.3 million) for the
same period in 1994.  The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage  of net
sales principally resulted from increased per unit manufacturing costs resulting
from reduced can production volumes,  lower margins realized on certain products
due to competitive  market conditions and lower margins on sales made by AN Can,
offset, in part, by improved  manufacturing  operating efficiencies due to plant
consolidations and lower  depreciation  expense due to a change in the estimated
useful life of certain equipment.

         Selling,  General and  Administrative  Expenses.  Selling,  general and
administrative  expenses as a percentage of consolidated  net sales declined 0.1
percentage  points to 4.3% ($46.9  million) for the year ended December 31, 1995
as compared to 4.4% ($38.0  million) for the year ended  December 31, 1994.  The
decrease in selling,  general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net
sales resulted from the Company's continued control of these expenses in respect
of the Company's  existing  business,  offset partially by a temporarily  higher
level of expenses incurred during the integration of AN Can. The Company expects
that its selling, general and administration costs as a percentage of sales will
decline  in 1997  after  it  completes  the  integration  of the  administrative
functions of its metal container business.

         Income from  Operations.  Income from  operations  as a  percentage  of
consolidated  net sales was 6.3% ($69.8 million) for the year ended December 31,
1995,  as  compared  with  6.8%  ($58.4  million)  for the same  period in 1994.
Included in income from  operations  were  charges for the  write-off of certain
underutilized  assets  of $14.7  million  and  $16.7  million  in 1995 and 1994,
respectively. Without giving


                                      -29-

<PAGE>



effect to these charges,  income from operations as a percentage of consolidated
net  sales  would  have  declined  1.0% in 1995,  primarily  as a result  of the
aforementioned decline in gross margin.

         Income  from  operations  as a  percentage  of net  sales for the metal
container  business  (without giving effect to charges of $14.7 million and $7.2
million in 1995 and 1994, respectively,  to adjust the carrying value of certain
assets)  was 8.3% ($72.9  million)  for the year ended  December  31,  1995,  as
compared to 10.2%  ($67.0  million)  for the same period in the prior year.  The
decrease in income from  operations  as a  percentage  of net sales  principally
resulted from higher per unit  manufacturing  costs realized on lower production
volume,  lower margins  realized on certain  products due to competitive  market
conditions,  inefficiencies  caused by work  stoppages  at two of the  Company's
California  facilities,  and lower  margins  realized  on sales  made by AN Can,
offset, in part, by operating efficiencies due to plant consolidations.

         Income from operations as a percentage of net sales attributable to the
plastic container  business (without giving effect to the charge of $9.5 million
in 1994 to adjust the carrying value of certain assets) was 6.0% ($13.2 million)
for the year ended December 31, 1995, as compared to 4.6% ($9.4 million) for the
same period in 1994. The operating performance of the plastic container business
improved as a result of  production  planning and  scheduling  efficiencies  and
benefits  realized from capital  investment,  offset, in part, by increased unit
production costs incurred as a result of an inventory reduction program.

         Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense,  including  amortization of debt
financing costs,  increased by approximately  $14.9 million to $80.7 million for
the  year  ended  December  31,  1995,  principally  as a  result  of  increased
borrowings  to finance  the  acquisition  of AN Can and to fund  higher  working
capital needs as a result of the increased  seasonality  of the Company's  metal
container business,  and higher average interest rates. Accretion of interest on
the Discount  Debentures in 1995  approximated the prior year's accretion due to
the  repurchase  of $61.7  million  principal  amount at  maturity  of  Discount
Debentures in the third quarter of 1995.

         Income  Taxes.  The  provisions  for income  taxes for the years  ended
December 31, 1995 and 1994 were  comprised of federal,  state and foreign income
taxes currently payable.  The decrease in the provision for income taxes in 1995
reflects a  decrease  in  federal  income  taxes  currently  payable  due to the
deductibility  of  accrued  interest  on  the  Discount   Debentures  that  were
repurchased in 1995.

         Net Income.  As a result of the items discussed  above, net loss before
the extraordinary charge for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $16.0 million,
as compared to a net loss of $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1994.

         As a result of the  early  extinguishment  of  amounts  owed  under its
secured debt facilities,  the Company  incurred an extraordinary  charge of $5.8
million (net of tax of $2.6 million) in 1995.

Quarterly Results of Operations

         The Company's  business is affected by seasonal  variations as a result
of the timing of the harvest.  Accordingly,  the Company experiences higher unit
sales volume in the second and third quarters and, as a result,  the Company has
historically  generated  a  disproportionate  amount of its annual  income  from
operations during these quarters.



                                      -30-

<PAGE>



         The  following  table  presents  certain  of  the  Company's  unaudited
consolidated quarterly financial data for the years 1996, 1995 and 1994.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              1996
                                                                   ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    First          Second          Third          Fourth
                                                                   -------        --------        -------        --------
                                                                                     (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>
Net sales.....................................................     $279.9         $327.1          $473.6         $325.1
Gross profit..................................................       36.5           48.7            58.8           38.1
Income from operations........................................       23.7           34.3            43.6           21.7
Interest expense..............................................       22.6           23.3            22.4           21.1
Income before extraordinary charges and preferred
  stock dividend requirements.................................        0.1            9.5            20.7            0.3
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders............        0.1            9.5            17.3           (1.5)
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              1995
                                                                   -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                    First          Second         Third          Fourth
                                                                   -------        -------        -------        --------
                                                                                     (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales.....................................................     $203.3         $201.7         $406.5         $290.4
Gross profit..................................................       29.0           29.8           41.7           30.9
Income from operations........................................       18.8           22.3           28.3            0.4
Interest expense..............................................       17.3           17.5           22.9           23.0
Income before extraordinary charges and preferred
  stock dividend requirements.................................       (1.4)           3.5            3.7          (21.8)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders............       (1.4)           3.5           (2.1)         (21.8)
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              1994
                                                                   -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    First          Second           Third          Fourth
                                                                   -------        --------         -------        --------
                                                                                     (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
Net sales.....................................................     $186.2         $201.0           $286.0         $188.2
Gross profit..................................................       22.7           28.3             36.4           25.7
Income from operations........................................       14.0           18.7             27.2           (1.5)
Interest expense..............................................       15.6           16.3             16.8           17.1
Income before extraordinary charges and preferred
  stock dividend requirements.................................       (2.2)           1.5              9.0          (21.3)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders............       (2.2)           1.5              9.0          (21.3)
</TABLE>


         The  Company's   income  from  operations   includes  charges  for  the
write-down of the carrying value of certain underutilized and obsolete equipment
to net  realizable  value of $14.7  million  and  $16.7  million  in the  fourth
quarters  of  1995  and  1994,   respectively.   Net  income   (loss)   includes
extraordinary charges for debt refinancing costs of $2.2 million incurred in the
third  quarter of 1996 and $5.8  million,  net of taxes,  incurred  in the third
quarter of 1995.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

         The  Company's   liquidity   requirements   arise  primarily  from  its
obligations under the indebtedness  incurred in connection with its acquisitions
and the refinancing of such indebtedness, capital investment in new and existing
equipment  and the funding of the  Company's  seasonal  working  capital  needs.
Historically, the Company has met these liquidity requirements through cash flow
generated from operating activities and working capital borrowings.

         On February 20, 1997,  the Company  completed  the  Offering.  With net
proceeds to the Company of approximately  $68.8 million from the Offering (after
deducting the underwriting discount but before


                                      -31-

<PAGE>



deducting  estimated  expenses  of  $1.0  million  payable  by  the  Company  in
connection with the Offering),  the Company prepaid  approximately  $5.4 million
and  $3.5  million   principal  amount  of  A  term  loans  and  B  term  loans,
respectively,  under  the  Credit  Agreement,  and  will use the  remaining  net
proceeds  received  by it from  the  Offering  to  redeem  all of the  remaining
outstanding Discount Debentures (approximately $59.0 million aggregate principal
amount).

         On July 22, 1996, the Company  completed the Preferred Stock Sale. With
net  proceeds  of $47.8  million  from the  Preferred  Stock  Sale,  the Company
purchased the Holdings  Class B Stock held by Mellon for $35.8 million  pursuant
to its right to  purchase  such  stock for such  amount  under the  Amended  and
Restated Organization  Agreement dated as of December 21, 1993 among the Company
and its stockholders  and, on August 26, 1996,  redeemed $12.0 million principal
amount of Discount Debentures.

         On August 1, 1995,  Silgan,  Containers  and Plastics  entered into the
credit agreement with the lenders named therein, Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers
Trust"), as Administrative Agent and Co-Arranger,  and Bank of America Illinois,
as  Documentation  Agent and  Co-Arranger  (as amended, the "Credit  Agreement")
(which originally provided Silgan with $225.0 million of A term loans and $225.0
million of B term loans and provided  Containers  and Plastics with a commitment
of $225.0  million for working  capital  loans) to finance  the  acquisition  by
Containers  of AN Can and to refinance and repay in full all amounts owing under
the Company's  previous  credit  agreement  and under  Silgan's  Senior  Secured
Floating Rate Notes due 1997. With borrowings of $200.0 million under the Credit
Agreement (as amended in May 1996 to include an additional  $125.0  million of B
term loans),  Holdings  repurchased  and redeemed an aggregate of $204.1 million
principal amount at maturity of Discount  Debentures.  The Credit Agreement also
provided the Company with improved financial  flexibility by (i) enabling Silgan
to transfer  funds to Holdings for payment by Holdings of cash  dividends on the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock (or cash interest on the Exchange Debentures), (ii)
extending the maturity of the Company's  secured debt facilities  until December
31,  2000,  (iii)  lowering  the  interest  rate  spread  on its  floating  rate
borrowings by 1/2%, as well as providing for further interest rate reductions in
the event the Company attains certain financial  targets,  and (iv) lowering the
Company's  average cost of indebtedness by permitting  Holdings to repurchase or
redeem Discount Debentures.

         Upon completion of the  Refinancing,  the Company will have retired all
of the Discount  Debentures.  By refinancing all of the Discount Debentures with
borrowings under the Credit Agreement and proceeds from the Preferred Stock Sale
and from the  Offering,  the  Company  will have  lowered  its  average  cost of
indebtedness,  will realize  approximately  $19.5 million of annual current cash
interest savings (excluding non-cash interest on the Exchange  Debentures),  and
will realize approximately $25.9 million of current cash tax savings as a result
of the deduction by the Company of the accreted interest on the retired Discount
Debentures.  In  addition,  as a result  of the  Company's  net  operating  loss
carryforwards,  the Company did not have any federal tax liability in 1996,  and
expects to incur  minimal  federal tax  liability  in 1997.  For  several  years
thereafter,  the Company expects to incur federal tax liability at the AMT rates
then in effect. See "--Overview--Income Tax Considerations".

         During  1996,   cash  generated  from  operations  of  $125.2  million,
borrowings  of $125.0  million of B term loans under the Credit  Agreement,  net
proceeds of $47.8  million from the  Preferred  Stock Sale,  net  borrowings  of
working capital loans under the Credit  Agreement of $20.7 million,  proceeds of
$1.6 million from the sale of assets and $1.1 million of cash balances were used
to fund capital  expenditures of $56.9 million, the purchase of Finger Lakes for
$29.9  million and the purchase of ANC's St. Louis  facility for $13.1  million,
the redemption of $154.4 million of Discount Debentures,  the repayment of $29.5
million of term loans under the Credit Agreement, the payment of $1.8 million of
financing  costs  associated with the borrowing of additional B term loans under
the Credit Agreement,  and the purchase of Holdings Class B Stock held by Mellon
for $35.8 million.


                                      -32-

<PAGE>



         The Company's  Adjusted  EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 1996 in
comparison to 1995 increased by $53.6 million to $186.0 million. The increase in
Adjusted  EBITDA  resulted  primarily from increased cash earnings  generated by
both  the  metal  container  business   (including  earnings  from  the  AN  Can
operations) and the plastic container business.  Although the Adjusted EBITDA of
the Company  was higher in 1996 as compared to 1995 and the Company  reduced the
amount of finished goods  inventory in 1996,  cash flow from  operations in 1996
would have  remained  constant  with 1995  (assuming AN Can had been acquired at
December  31, 1995  rather  than at its  seasonal  peak).  The Company  incurred
greater  cash  interest  expense  in 1996 due to the  refinancings  of  Discount
Debentures (for which no cash interest was required  through June 15, 1996) with
bank borrowings, and in 1995 the Company adopted similar year-end vendor payment
terms to those of AN Can.

         During  1995,   cash  generated  from   operations  of  $209.6  million
(including  cash of $112.0  million  generated  by AN Can  during the five month
period  from its  acquisition  on  August 1,  1995),  proceeds  of $3.5  million
realized from the sale of assets and a decrease of $0.6 million in cash balances
were used to repay $142.8 million of working capital borrowings used to fund the
acquisition of AN Can, fund capital  expenditures  of $51.9 million,  repay $9.7
million  of term  loans and $5.5  million of  working  capital  loans,  and make
payments  to  former   shareholders  of  $3.8  million  in  full  settlement  of
outstanding  litigation.  The  Company's  Adjusted  EBITDA  for the  year  ended
December  31,  1995 as  compared to 1994  increased  by $17.9  million to $132.4
million.  The increase in Adjusted EBITDA reflected the generation of additional
cash flow from AN Can since its acquisition on August 1, 1995,  partially offset
by a decline in the cash earnings of the Company's existing business principally
as a result of lower unit volume due to the below normal 1995 vegetable pack.

         For the year ended  December 31, 1995,  the operating  cash flow of the
Company  increased  significantly  from the prior year due to the  generation of
cash by AN Can since its  acquisition  on August 1, 1995 and the adoption by the
Company of similar year-end vendor payment terms to those of AN Can. At December
31,  1995,  the trade  receivable  balance  of AN Can was $44.2  million  ($90.2
million on August 1, 1995),  the  inventory  balance was $98.9  million  ($137.9
million on August 1, 1995),  and the trade  payables  balance was $58.2  million
($64.2 million on August 1, 1995).

         Because the Company sells metal  containers used in fruit and vegetable
pack processing,  its sales are seasonal.  As a result, a significant portion of
the Company's revenues are generated in the first nine months of the year. As is
common in the packaging  industry,  the Company must access  working  capital to
build inventory and then carry accounts receivable for some customers beyond the
end of the summer and fall  packing  season.  Seasonal  accounts  are  generally
settled by year end. The acquisition of AN Can increased the Company's  seasonal
metal containers  business.  The Company's average outstanding trade receivables
increased in 1996 as compared to 1995 due to the acquisition of AN Can which had
more  seasonal  sales than the Company.  As a result the Company  increased  the
amount of working  capital  loans  available to it under its credit  facility to
$225.0 million. Due to the Company's seasonal requirements,  the Company expects
to incur short term  indebtedness to finance its working  capital  requirements.
Approximately  $182.5 million of the working  capital  revolver under the Credit
Agreement,  including  letters of credit,  was utilized at its peak in September
1996.

         As of December 31, 1996, the  outstanding  principal  amount of working
capital loans was $27.8 million and,  subject to a borrowing base limitation and
taking into account outstanding letters of credit, the unused portion of working
capital commitments at such date was $190.0 million.

         In addition to its operating cash needs,  the Company believes its cash
requirements over the next several years consist primarily of (i) annual capital
expenditures of $50.0 to $60.0 million,  (ii) scheduled  principal  amortization
payments of term loans under the Credit  Agreement  (after  giving effect to the
use


                                      -33-

<PAGE>



of a portion of the net  proceeds  from the  Offering to prepay $8.9  million of
bank terms loans) of $29.6 million, $53.4 million, $53.4 million, $126.1 million
and $155.9 million over the next five years, respectively, (iii) expenditures of
approximately  $30.0  million  over the next three years  associated  with plant
rationalizations,  employee severance and administrative  workforce  reductions,
other  plant  exit  costs  and  employee  relocation  costs of AN Can,  (iv) the
Company's  interest  requirements,  including interest on working capital loans,
the principal  amount of which will vary depending  upon seasonal  requirements,
the bank term loans, most of which bear fluctuating  rates of interest,  and the
11-3/4%  Notes,  and (v) payments of  approximately  $5.0 million  (based on the
Company's  current  estimate  of its 1997 net  income) for federal and state tax
liabilities in 1997. Beginning in 1998, the Company expects to incur federal tax
liability  at  the  AMT  rates  then  in  effect.  See  "--Overview--Income  Tax
Considerations".

         Management  believes that cash  generated by operations  and funds from
working capital borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet
the Company's  expected  operating  needs,  planned capital  expenditures,  debt
service and tax  obligations  for the  foreseeable  future.  The Company is also
continually  evaluating  and  pursuing  acquisition  opportunities  in the North
American  consumer  goods  packaging  market.  The  Company  may  need to  incur
additional  indebtedness  to  finance  any  such  acquisition  and to  fund  any
resulting  increased  operating  needs.  Depending upon market  conditions,  the
Company may also consider  refinancing  certain of its outstanding  indebtedness
through  other  debt  financings.  Such  financings  for  acquisitions  and debt
refinancings  will  have  to  be  effected  in  compliance  with  the  Company's
agreements  in respect of its  indebtedness  then  outstanding.  There can be no
assurance  that the  Company  will be able to effect any such  financing  for an
acquisition or any such debt refinancings.

         The Credit Agreement,  the indenture with respect to the 11-3/4% Notes,
the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock and, when issued, the Exchange Debentures each
contain  restrictive  covenants  that,  among other things,  limit the Company's
ability  to  incur  debt,  sell  assets  and  engage  in  certain  transactions.
Management  does not expect these  limitations to have a material  effect on the
Company's  business or results of operations.  The Company is in compliance with
all financial and operating covenants contained in such financing agreements and
believes  that it will  continue to be in  compliance  during 1997 with all such
covenants.

Effect of Inflation and Interest Rate Fluctuations

         Historically,  inflation has not had a material  effect on the Company,
other than to increase its cost of borrowing.  In general,  the Company has been
able to increase the sales  prices of its  products to reflect any  increases in
the prices of raw materials. See "--Overview--Net Sales--Long-term Contracts".

         Because the Company has  indebtedness  which bears interest at floating
rates,  the  Company's  financial  results  will  be  sensitive  to  changes  in
prevailing  market  rates of interest.  As of December 31, 1996,  on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to the Refinancing and including working capital loans
of $27.8 million, the Company had $745.2 million of indebtedness outstanding, of
which  $357.2  million  bore  interest at floating  rates,  taking into  account
interest rate swap agreements entered into by the Company to mitigate the effect
of interest rate  fluctuations.  Under these agreements,  floating rate interest
was  exchanged  for fixed rates of interest  ranging  from 5.6% to 6.2% plus the
Company's  incremental  margin,  which  currently  ranges from 2.5% to 3.0%. The
notional principal amounts of these agreements totaled $200.0 million, including
interest  rate swap  agreements  entered into during the fourth  quarter of 1996
with a notional amount of $100.0 million, and mature in the year 1999. Depending
upon market conditions, the Company may enter into additional interest rate swap
or hedge agreements (with counterparties  that, in the Company's judgment,  have
sufficient  creditworthiness)  to  hedge  its  exposure  against  interest  rate
volatility.


                                      -34-

<PAGE>



New Accounting Pronouncements

  Long-Lived Asset Impairment

         The Company  adopted SFAS No. 121,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment of
Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to be Disposed  of," in the first
quarter of 1996. Under SFAS No. 121,  impairment  losses will be recognized when
events or changes in  circumstances  indicate that the  undiscounted  cash flows
generated by assets are less than the carrying value of such assets.  Impairment
losses are then measured by comparing the fair value of assets to their carrying
amount.  There were no impairment  losses  recognized during 1996. See Note 2 to
the Consolidated  Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

  Stock-Based Compensation

         In  October  1995,  the FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  123,  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based  Compensation",  effective for the 1996 fiscal year.  Under SFAS No.
123,  compensation  expense  for all  stock-based  compensation  plans  would be
recognized  based on the fair value of the options at the date of grant using an
option  pricing model.  As permitted  under SFAS No. 123, the Company may either
adopt  the new  pronouncement  or  follow  the  current  accounting  methods  as
prescribed  under APB No. 25. The  Company has not elected to adopt SFAS No. 123
and continues to recognize  compensation  expense in accordance with APB No. 25.
In addition,  the Company is required to include in its 1996 year end  financial
statements pro forma information  regarding  compensation  expense  recognizable
under SFAS No. 123. See Note 17 to the Consolidated  Financial Statements of the
Company included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

         See Item 14 below for a listing of financial  statements  and schedules
included therein.


Item 9.  Changes  in  and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
         Financial Disclosure.

         Not applicable.



                                      -35-

<PAGE>



                                    PART III


Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Directors and Executive Officers of Holdings and Silgan

         The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of December
31,  1996)  concerning  the  directors  and  executive  officers of Holdings and
Silgan.

Name                             Age   Position
- ----                             ---   --------
R. Philip Silver..............   54    Chairman of the Board, Co-Chief Executive
                                         Officer and Director
D. Greg Horrigan..............   53    President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and
                                         Director
Robert H. Niehaus.............   41    Director
Leigh J. Abramson.............   28    Director
Harley Rankin, Jr.............   57    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Treasurer
Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr.......   41    Vice President, Controller and Assistant
                                         Treasurer
Glenn A. Paulson..............   53    Vice President


Executive Officers of Containers

         The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of December
31, 1996) concerning the executive officers of Containers.

Name                             Age   Position
- ----                             ---   --------
James D. Beam.................   53    President
Gerald T. Wojdon..............   60    Vice President--Operations and Assistant
                                         Secretary
Gary M. Hughes................   54    Vice President--Sales & Marketing
H. Dennis Nerstad.............   59    Vice President--Production Services
Joseph A. Heaney..............   43    Vice President--Finance


Executive Officers of Plastics

         The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of December
31, 1996) concerning the executive officers of Plastics.

Name                              Age    Position
- ----                              ---    --------
Russell F. Gervais............    53    President
Howard H. Cole................    51    Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Charles Minarik...............    59    Vice President--Operations and
                                          Commercial Development
Alan H. Koblin................    44    Vice President--Sales & Marketing
Colleen J. Jones..............    36    Vice President--Finance, Chief Financial
                                          Officer and Assistant Secretary



                                      -36-

<PAGE>



         Mr.  Silver  has been  Chairman  of the  Board and  Co-Chief  Executive
Officer of  Holdings  and Silgan  since  March  1994.  Mr.  Silver is one of the
founders of the Company and was formerly  President of Holdings and Silgan.  Mr.
Silver has been a Director of Holdings and Silgan since their inception in April
1989 and August 1987, respectively. Mr. Silver has been a Director of Containers
since its inception in August 1987 and Vice  President of  Containers  since May
1995.  Mr. Silver has been a Director of Plastics  since its inception in August
1987 and Chairman of the Board of Plastics  since March 1994.  Prior to founding
the Company in 1987, Mr. Silver was a consultant to the packaging industry.  Mr.
Silver was President of  Continental  Can Company from June 1983 to August 1986.
From September 1989 through August 1993, Mr. Silver held various  positions with
Sweetheart Holdings Inc. and Sweetheart Cup Company, Inc., including Chairman of
the  Board  and  Director.  Mr.  Silver  is  a  Director  of  Johnstown  America
Corporation.

         Mr.  Horrigan  has been  President  and Co-Chief  Executive  Officer of
Holdings and Silgan since March 1994. Mr. Horrigan is one of the founders of the
Company  and was  formerly  Chairman of the Board of  Holdings  and Silgan.  Mr.
Horrigan  has been a Director of Holdings  and Silgan  since their  inception in
April 1989 and August 1987, respectively.  Mr. Horrigan has been Chairman of the
Board of  Containers  and a Director  of  Containers  and  Plastics  since their
inception  in August  1987.  Mr.  Horrigan  was  Executive  Vice  President  and
Operating  Officer of Continental  Can Company from 1984 to 1987. From September
1989 through August 1993, Mr.  Horrigan held various  positions with  Sweetheart
Holdings Inc. and Sweetheart Cup Company,  Inc., including Chairman of the Board
and Director.

         Mr.  Niehaus  has been a Director of Holdings  since its  inception  in
April 1989 and a  Director  of  Silgan,  Containers  and  Plastics  since  their
inception in August 1987. Mr.  Niehaus joined Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
("Morgan  Stanley") in 1982 and has been a Managing  Director of Morgan  Stanley
since  1990.  Mr.  Niehaus  has been a Vice  Chairman  and a Director  of Morgan
Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, Inc. ("MSLEF II, Inc.") since January 1990 and
a Vice  Chairman and a Director of the managing  general  partner of the general
partner of Morgan Stanley Capital  Partners III, L.P. ("MSCP III") since January
1994.  Mr. Niehaus is also a Director of American  Italian Pasta  Company,  Fort
Howard  Corporation  and  Waterford  Crystal  Ltd.,  and  Chairman of  Waterford
Wedgwood UK plc.

         Mr.  Abramson has been a Director of Holdings,  Silgan,  Containers and
Plastics since  September 1996. He has been an Associate of Morgan Stanley since
1994 and a Vice President of MSLEF II, Inc. and of the managing  general partner
of the general partner of MSCP III since 1995. Mr. Abramson has been with Morgan
Stanley since 1990, first in the Corporate  Finance Division and, since 1992, in
the  Merchant  Banking  Division.  Mr.  Abramson  is also a Director of PageMart
Wireless, Inc., PageMart, Inc. and Jefferson Smurfit Corporation.

         Mr.  Rankin  has been  Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial
Officer of Holdings  since its inception in April 1989 and Treasurer of Holdings
since  January  1992.  Mr. Rankin has been  Executive  Vice  President and Chief
Financial  Officer of Silgan since  January  1989 and  Treasurer of Silgan since
January  1992.  Mr. Rankin has been Vice  President of  Containers  and Plastics
since  January 1989 and was  Treasurer of Plastics from January 1994 to December
1994.  Prior to joining the Company,  Mr.  Rankin was Senior Vice  President and
Chief Financial Officer of Armtek Corporation. Mr. Rankin was Vice President and
Chief Financial  Officer of Continental Can Company from November 1984 to August
1986. From September 1989 to August 1993, Mr. Rankin was Vice  President,  Chief
Financial  Officer and Treasurer of Sweetheart  Holdings Inc. and Vice President
of Sweetheart Cup Company, Inc.

         Mr.  Rodriguez  has been Vice  President  of Holdings  and Silgan since
March 1994 and Controller  and Assistant  Treasurer of Holdings and Silgan since
March 1990. Prior to March 1990, Mr. Rodriguez


                                      -37-

<PAGE>



was Assistant  Controller  and  Assistant  Treasurer of Holdings and Silgan from
April 1989 and October 1987, respectively. Mr. Rodriguez has been Vice President
of Containers and Plastics since March 1994. From September 1989 to August 1993,
Mr.  Rodriguez was Controller,  Assistant  Secretary and Assistant  Treasurer of
Sweetheart  Holdings  Inc. and Assistant  Secretary  and Assistant  Treasurer of
Sweetheart Cup Company,  Inc. From 1978 to 1987,  Mr.  Rodriguez was employed by
Ernst & Young LLP, last serving as Senior Manager specializing in taxation.

         Mr.  Paulson  has been Vice  President  of  Holdings  and Silgan  since
January 1996. Mr. Paulson was employed by Containers to manage the transition of
AN Can from August 1995 to December  1995.  From January 1989 to July 1995,  Mr.
Paulson was employed by ANC,  last serving as Senior Vice  President and General
Manager, Food Metal and Specialty,  North America.  Prior to his employment with
ANC,  Mr.  Paulson  was  President  of  the  beverage  packaging  operations  of
Continental Can Company.

         Mr.  Beam has been  President  of  Containers  since  July  1990.  From
September 1987 to July 1990, Mr. Beam was Vice  President--Marketing  & Sales of
Containers.  Mr. Beam was Vice President and General  Manager of Continental Can
Company, Western Food Can Division, from March 1986 to September 1987.

         Mr. Wojdon has been Vice  President--Operations and Assistant Secretary
of Containers  since September 1987. From August 1982 to August 1987, Mr. Wojdon
was  General  Manager of  Manufacturing  of the Can  Division  of the  Carnation
Company.

         Mr.  Hughes has been Vice  President--Sales  & Marketing of  Containers
since July 1990. From February 1988 to July 1990, Mr. Hughes was Vice President,
Sales and Marketing of the Beverage  Division of Continental Can Company.  Prior
to February 1988, Mr. Hughes was employed by Continental  Can Company in various
regional sales positions.

         Mr.  Nerstad has been a Vice  President of  Containers  since  December
1993.   From   August   1989  to   December   1993,   Mr.   Nerstad   was   Vice
President--Distribution  and  Container  Manufacturing  of  Del  Monte  and  was
Director of  Container  Manufacturing  of Del Monte from  November  1983 to July
1989.  Prior to 1983, Mr. Nerstad was employed by Del Monte in various  regional
and plant positions.

         Mr. Heaney has been Vice President--Finance of Containers since October
1995. From September 1990 to October 1995, Mr. Heaney was Controller, Food Metal
and Specialty  Division of ANC. From August 1977 to August 1990,  Mr. Heaney was
employed by ANC and  American  Can Company in various  divisional,  regional and
plant finance/accounting positions.

         Mr. Gervais has been  President of Plastics  since December 1992.  From
September  1989 to  December  1992,  Mr.  Gervais  was Vice  President--Sales  &
Marketing  of  Plastics.  From March 1984 to  September  1989,  Mr.  Gervais was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Aim Packaging, Inc.

         Mr. Cole has been Vice  President and  Assistant  Secretary of Plastics
since September 1987. From April 1986 to September 1987, Mr. Cole was Manager of
Personnel of the Monsanto Engineered Products Division of Monsanto.

         Mr.  Minarik  has  been  Vice   President--Operations   and  Commercial
Development of Plastics  since May 1993.  From February 1991 to August 1992, Mr.
Minarik was President of Wheaton Industries Plastics Group. Mr. Minarik was Vice
President--Marketing of Constar International,  Inc. from March 1983 to February
1991.



                                      -38-

<PAGE>



         Mr. Koblin has been Vice President--Sales & Marketing of Plastics since
1994.  From 1992 to 1994,  Mr.  Koblin  was  Director  of Sales &  Marketing  of
Plastics.  From  1990 to 1992,  Mr.  Koblin  was  Vice  President  of  Churchill
Industries.

         Ms. Jones has been Vice  President--Finance and Chief Financial Officer
of Plastics  since  December  1994 and  Assistant  Secretary  of Plastics  since
November  1993.  From October  1993 to December  1994,  Ms. Jones was  Corporate
Controller   of  Plastics  and  from  July  1989  to  October   1993,   she  was
Manager--Finance  of  Plastics.  From July 1982 to July 1989,  Ms.  Jones was an
Audit Manager for Ernst & Young LLP.

Board of Directors

         Holdings presently has a Board of Directors consisting of four members.
Holdings  intends to elect an  additional  two  persons to serve as  independent
directors  of Holdings.  The Board of  Directors  is divided into three  classes
(designated Class I, Class II and Class III). Class I consists of Mr. Silver and
Mr.  Abramson,  Class II consists of Mr. Horrigan and Mr.  Niehaus,  and the two
Class  III  directorships  are  vacant  and will  remain  so until  the Board of
Directors  elects two independent  persons to serve as Class III directors.  The
Class  I,  Class  II and  Class  III  directors  will  serve  until  the  annual
stockholder   meetings  of  Holdings  to  be  held  in  1998,   1999  and  2000,
respectively, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. At each
annual  stockholders'  meeting,  directors  nominated  to the class of directors
whose term is  expiring  at that  annual  meeting  will be elected for a term of
three years,  and the  remaining  directors  will continue in office until their
respective  terms  expire  and  until  their  successors  are duly  elected  and
qualified.  Accordingly,  at  each  annual  meeting  two  of the  Company's  six
directors  will be  elected,  and each  director  will be  required to stand for
election once every three years.  The four  directors  that are not  independent
will be elected pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, dated February 14, 1997,
by and among R. Philip  Silver,  D. Greg Horrigan and MSLEF II (the  "Principals
Stockholders Agreement").  Under the Principals Stockholders Agreement, MSLEF II
agreed that,  so long as Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan  hold in the  aggregate at
least  one-half of the number of shares of Common Stock held by them on the date
of this Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan will nominate
the two  independent  directors,  who must then be  elected in  accordance  with
Holdings'  Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation.  Officers are elected by the
Board of Directors and serve at the  discretion  of the Board of Directors.  See
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management-- Description of
Stockholders Agreements".

         The  Board of  Directors  has an Audit  Committee,  which is  presently
composed of Messrs. Silver and Niehaus. The Board of Directors will reconstitute
its Audit  Committee to consist of two  Directors  who are neither  officers nor
employees of Holdings.  The Audit Committee has the  responsibility of reviewing
and  supervising  the  financial  controls of  Holdings.  The Audit  Committee's
responsibilities  include (i) making  recommendations  to the Board of Directors
with respect to its financial  statements  and the  appointment  of  independent
auditors, (ii) reviewing significant audit and accounting policies and practices
of Holdings,  (iii) meeting with the Company's  independent  public  accountants
concerning,  among  other  things,  the scope of  audits  and  reports  and (iv)
reviewing  the  performance  of overall  accounting  and  financial  controls of
Holdings.

         The Board of Directors  expects to establish a  Compensation  Committee
and an Executive Committee.  The Compensation Committee will consist of at least
two Directors who are "outside  directors"  within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").  The Compensation
Committee  will have the  responsibility  of reviewing  the  performance  of the
executive officers of Holdings and recommending to the Board of Directors annual
salary and bonus amounts for all officers of the Company.


                                      -39-

<PAGE>



Compensation of Directors

         It is  anticipated  that directors who do not receive  compensation  as
officers or  employees of the Company or any of its  affiliates  will be paid an
annual retainer fee of $20,000 for their service on the Board of Directors,  and
a fee of $2,000 for each  meeting  of the Board of  Directors  or any  committee
thereof that they attend, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.


Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

         The following  table sets forth  information  concerning the annual and
long term  compensation  for services  rendered in all capacities to the Company
during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994 of those persons
who at December  31, 1996 were (i) the Chief  Executive  Officer of Holdings and
(ii) the other four most highly  compensated  executive officers of Holdings and
its  subsidiaries.  Prior  to the  Offering,  no  director  of  Holdings  or its
subsidiaries  received any compensation for serving as a director of Holdings or
its     subsidiaries.     See     "Certain     Relationships     and     Related
Transactions--Management Agreements".

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Summary Compensation Table

                                                                                  Long-Term
                                               Annual Compensation               Compensation
                                      ------------------------------------     ----------------
                                                                                    Awards
                                                                               ----------------
                                                                                  Securities
                                                                               Underlying Stock          All Other
Name and Principal Position           Year     Salary(a)(b)    Bonus(a)(c)      Options/SARs(d)       Compensation(e)
- ---------------------------           ----     ------------    -----------     ----------------       ---------------

<S>                                   <C>      <C>              <C>                <C>                    <C>
R. Philip Silver...................   1996     $1,875,000           --                --                     --
 (Chairman of the Board and           1995      1,830,000           --                --                     --
 Co-Chief Executive Officer           1994      1,684,135           --                --                     --
 of Holdings and Silgan and
 Chairman of the Board of
 Plastics)

D. Greg Horrigan...................   1996      1,875,000           --                --                     --
 (President and Co-Chief              1995      1,830,000           --                --                     --
 Executive Officer of Holdings        1994      1,684,135           --                --                     --
 and Silgan and Chairman of the
 Board of Containers)

Harley Rankin, Jr. ................   1996        425,007           --                --                     --
 (Executive Vice President, Chief     1995        408,978           --                --                     --
 Financial Officer and Treasurer      1994        384,930           --             102,798                   --
 of Holdings and Silgan)

James D. Beam......................   1996        372,600       $112,339              --                  $73,805
 (President of Containers)            1995        361,200           --                --                   66,394
                                      1994        350,000        169,092              --                   94,175

Russell F. Gervais.................   1996        234,000        111,400              --                    7,020
 (President of Plastics)              1995        226,000         59,000              --                    5,085
                                      1994        216,804         83,300           134,462                   --
</TABLE>



                                      -40-

<PAGE>



- -------------------
(a)  The compensation of Messrs. Horrigan, Silver, Rankin and Rodriguez reflects
     amounts as earned and was paid by S&H, Inc. ("S&H").  Such persons received
     no  direct   compensation   from  Holdings,   Silgan  or  their  respective
     subsidiaries.      See     "Certain      Relationships      and     Related
     Transactions--Management Agreements".
(b)  The  salaries  of Messrs.  Beam and  Gervais  were paid by  Containers  and
     Plastics, respectively.
(c)  Bonuses of Messrs.  Beam and  Gervais  were earned by them in such year and
     paid in the following year,  pursuant to the Silgan Containers  Corporation
     Performance  Incentive Plan and the Silgan Plastics  Corporation  Incentive
     Plan,  respectively.  Under such plans,  executive  officers  and other key
     employees of Containers  and Plastics may be awarded cash bonuses  provided
     that such company achieves certain assigned financial targets.
(d)  Reflects  options to  purchase  shares of Holdings  Common  Stock under the
     Stock  Option Plan,  and gives effect to the  17.133145 to 1 stock split of
     the  outstanding  Holdings  Common Stock  effected in  connection  with the
     Offering (the "Stock Split").  Such options are exercisable  ratably over a
     five-year  period which began on January 1, 1995. Mr. Gervais' options were
     calculated to give effect to the  conversion at the time of the Offering of
     his options  under  Plastics'  stock option plan to options under the Stock
     Option Plan.
(e)  In the case of Mr.  Beam,  includes  amounts  contributed  under the Silgan
     Containers   Corporation   Supplemental   Executive  Retirement  Plan  (the
     "Supplemental  Plan")  and  used  to pay  premiums  for  split-dollar  life
     insurance for Mr. Beam maintained in conjunction with the Supplemental Plan
     and includes amounts  contributed by Containers under the Silgan Containers
     Corporation  Deferred  Incentive  Savings Plan. In the case of Mr. Gervais,
     includes  amounts  allocated  to Mr.  Gervais  under  the  Silgan  Plastics
     Corporation Contributory Retirement Plan.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        OPTION VALUES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996

                                                     Number of Securities                  Value of Unexercised
                                                          Underlying                           in-the-Money
                                                    Unexercised Options at                      Options at
                                                       December 31, 1996                   December 31, 1996(a)
                                              -----------------------------------  -------------------------------------
                    Name                         Exercisable      Unexercisable       Exercisable       Unexercisable
   -------------------------------------         -----------      -------------       -----------       -------------

<S>                                                 <C>               <C>             <C>                 <C>
R. Philip Silver............................           --               --                 --                 --
D. Greg Horrigan............................           --               --                 --                 --
Harley Rankin, Jr.(b).......................        233,012           41,118          $ 4,091,680         $  676,661
James D. Beam(b)(c).........................        584,609             --             10,597,041             --
Russell F. Gervais(b)(c)....................         80,678           53,784            1,568,200          1,045,441
</TABLE>

- -------------------
(a)  For the  purposes of this table,  the fair market value per share of Common
     Stock at December 31, 1996 was estimated to be the initial public  offering
     price of $20.00 per share.
(b)  Options are for shares of Common Stock and give effect to the Stock Split.
(c)  Each of Messrs.  Beam's and Gervais' options were calculated to give effect
     to the  conversion  at the time of the  Offering of such  person's  options
     under  Containers'  and  Plastics'  stock option  plans,  respectively,  to
     options under the Stock Option Plan.

Stock Option Plan

         The Board of  Directors  and  stockholders  of  Holdings  approved  the
establishment  of the Stock  Option Plan.  Under the Stock  Option  Plan,  as an
additional  means  of  attracting  and  retaining  officers  and key  personnel,
Holdings may grant options to purchase  shares of Common Stock to  participants.
Options granted may be either  non-qualified  stock options or "incentive  stock
options".

         The Board of  Directors of  Holdings,  through a committee  (the "Stock
Option  Committee"),  administers  the Stock  Option  Plan and has the power to,
among other things,  choose  participants  and fix the type of grant and all the
terms and conditions thereof, including number of shares covered by a grant


                                      -41-

<PAGE>



and the exercise price. Only officers  (including  executive officers) and other
key  employees  of the Company are eligible to  participate  in the Stock Option
Plan.  The stock  issuable  under  the  Stock  Option  Plan  includes  shares of
Holdings'  authorized  and unissued or reacquired  Common  Stock.  The number of
shares for which  options  may be granted  under the Stock  Option  Plan may not
exceed 3,533,417 shares.

         Options are  exercisable  over such period as  determined  by the Stock
Option  Committee,  and generally,  except as otherwise  determined by the Stock
Option Committee,  no option may remain exercisable more than ten years from the
grant date, subject to earlier termination as provided in the Stock Option Plan.
Options  become  exercisable no earlier than one year from the date of grant and
in such installments as specified in the option agreement therefor.

         All options granted under the Stock Option Plan must be evidenced by an
option agreement  between  Holdings and the option  recipient  embodying all the
terms and  conditions  of the option grant,  provided  that (i) incentive  stock
options  granted must comply with Section 422 of the Code,  (ii) no option shall
be  transferable  or  assignable  other than by will or the laws of descent  and
distribution  and,  during the lifetime of the  recipient,  such option shall be
exercisable only by the recipient,  (iii) all options must expire upon or remain
exercisable for a limited time after termination of employment, all as specified
in the Stock Option Plan,  and (iv) upon  exercise of options,  full payment for
the  shares  covered  thereby  shall be made in cash or shares  of Common  Stock
already owned or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.

         Concurrent  with the Offering,  all  outstanding  stock options  issued
under the stock option plans of Containers  and Plastics were converted to stock
options under the Stock Option Plan in accordance  with the terms of such plans,
and Containers' and Plastics' stock option plans  terminated.  As a result,  the
only stock options  outstanding  since the  completion of the Offering are stock
options under the Stock Option Plan.

         As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K,  options to purchase
1,890,103 shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the Stock Option Plan at
exercise prices ranging from $0.56 to $22.13 per share.  With respect to certain
outstanding  options,  Holdings  has an  obligation  to pay to the  optionees an
amount per option as specified in the applicable option agreement (determined in
connection with the merger in which Holdings acquired Silgan with respect to the
issuance of options  under the Stock Option Plan in exchange for options under a
predecessor plan) upon exercise of such options. An aggregate amount of $943,589
would be  payable  by  Holdings  to such  optionees  upon the  exercise  of such
outstanding options.

Pension Plans

         The  Company  has  established  pension  plans  (the  "Pension  Plans")
covering substantially all of the salaried employees of Containers and Plastics,
respectively,  including the executive  officers (the "Containers  Pension Plan"
and the "Plastics  Pension Plan,"  respectively).  The Pension Plans are defined
benefit plans intended to be qualified pension plans under Section 401(a) of the
Code,  under which pension costs are determined  annually on an actuarial  basis
with contributions made accordingly.

         The following table  illustrates the estimated annual normal retirement
benefits that are payable under the Containers Pension Plan. Such benefit levels
assume retirement at age 65, the years of service shown,  continued existence of
the Containers  Pension Plan without  substantial change and payment in the form
of a single life annuity.



                                      -42-

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Containers Pension Plan Table

                                                    Years of Service
     Final Average     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Earnings          10            15            20            25            30            35
     -------------     --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
       <S>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>    
       $ 50,000        $7,130        $10,640       $14,260       $17,830       $21,390       $24,960
         75,000        11,510         17,260        23,010        28,760        34,520        40,270
        100,000        15,880         23,820        31,760        39,700        47,640        55,580
        125,000        20,260         30,380        40,510        50,640        60,770        70,890
        150,000        24,630         36,950        49,260        61,580        73,890        86,210
        175,000        29,010         43,510        58,010        72,510        87,020       101,520
        200,000        33,380         50,070        66,760        83,450       100,140       116,830
        225,000        37,760         56,630        75,510        94,390       113,270       132,140
</TABLE>


         Benefits   under  the   Containers   Pension  Plan  are  based  on  the
participant's  average base pay (the "Salary" column in the Summary Compensation
Table) over the final three years of employment.  The amount of average base pay
taken into  account for any year is limited by Section  401(a)(17)  of the Code,
which imposes a cap of $150,000 (to be indexed for  inflation)  on  compensation
taken into account for 1994 and later years (the limit for 1993 was $235,840).

         Benefits  under  the  Containers  Pension Plan accrued prior to July 1,
1994 may be offset by a social security amount (the plan provides benefits based
on the greater of three  formulas;  prior to July 1, 1994,  one of such formulas
provided for a social  security  offset).  Each of the benefit  estimates in the
above table is based on the  formula  that  produces  the  greatest  benefit for
individuals with the stated earnings and years of service.

         As of December 31, 1996,  James D. Beam,  the only  eligible  executive
officer  named in the  Summary  Compensation  Table,  had nine years of credited
service under the  Containers  Pension Plan. Mr. Beam also  participates  in the
Supplemental  Plan,  which is designed to make up for benefits not payable under
the Containers  Pension Plan due to Code limitations.  Mr. Beam's benefits under
the Supplemental  Plan are funded through a split-dollar  life insurance policy;
income  attributable to this life insurance policy is included in the "All Other
Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table.

         The following table  illustrates the estimated annual normal retirement
benefits that are payable under the Plastics  Pension Plan.  Such benefit levels
assume retirement age at 65, the years of service shown,  continued existence of
the Plastics Pension Plan without  substantial change and payment in the form of
a single life annuity.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Plastics Pension Plan Table

                                                    Years of Service
     Final Average     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Earnings          10            15            20            25            30            35
     -------------     --------      --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
       <S>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
       $ 50,000        $7,000        $10,550       $14,000       $17,500       $21,000       $24,500
         75,000        10,500         15,750        21,000        26,250        31,500        36,750
        100,000        14,000         21,000        28,000        35,000        42,000        49,000
        125,000        17,500         26,250        35,000        43,750        52,500        61,250
        150,000        21,000         31,500        42,000        52,500        63,000        73,950
        175,000        24,500         36,750        49,000        61,250        73,950        87,075
        200,000        28,000         42,000        56,000        70,200        85,200       100,200
        225,000        31,500         47,250        63,000        79,575        96,450       113,325
</TABLE>


         Benefits under the Plastics Pension Plan are based on the participant's
average total cash compensation (the "Salary" and "Bonus" columns in the Summary
Compensation  Table) over the final 36 months of  employment or over the highest
three of the final five calendar  years of  employment,  whichever  produces the
greater average compensation. In computing this average, compensation for any


                                      -43-

<PAGE>



year cannot exceed 125% of base pay.  Compensation used in determining  benefits
is also  limited by Section  401(a)(17)  of the Code,  which  imposes the limits
indicated above.

         Benefits  under  the  Plastics  Pension  Plan may be offset by a social
security  amount  (the plan  provides  benefits  based on the  greater  of three
formulas,  only one of which provides for a social security offset). Each of the
benefit  estimates in the above table is based on the formula that  produces the
greatest benefit for individuals with the stated earnings and years of service.

         As of  December  31,  1996,  Russell  F.  Gervais,  the  only  eligible
executive  officer named in the Summary  Compensation  Table, had seven years of
credited service under the Plastics Pension Plan.

Certain Employment Agreements

         Certain  executive  officers and other key employees of Containers  and
Plastics   (including  Messrs.   Beam  and  Gervais)  have  executed  employment
agreements.  The initial  term of each such  employment  agreement  is generally
three years from its effective date and is automatically extended for successive
one year  periods  unless  terminated  pursuant to the terms of such  agreement.
Generally,  these  employment  agreements  provide for,  among other  things,  a
minimum  severance benefit equal to the employee's base salary and benefits for,
in most cases, a period of one year following  termination  (or the remainder of
the term of the  agreement,  if longer) (i) if the employee is terminated by his
employer for any reason other than  disability  or for cause as specified in the
agreement or (ii) if the employee  voluntarily  terminates  employment  due to a
demotion  and, in some cases,  significant  relocation,  all as specified in the
agreement.

         The foregoing  summaries of the various benefit plans and agreements of
the Company are qualified by reference to such plans and  agreements,  copies of
certain of which have been filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

         Holdings  did  not  have a  Compensation  Committee  during  1996.  The
compensation of Messrs. Silver, Horrigan,  Rankin and Rodriguez was paid by S&H,
which was paid by the Company for providing certain  management  services to the
Company   pursuant  to  the  Management   Agreements  (as  defined  in  "Certain
Relationships and Related  Transactions--Management  Agreements").  See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions--Management Agreements". The compensation
of all other  executive  officers of the Company  was  determined  by the senior
management of the Company.


Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

Certain Beneficial Owners of Holdings' Capital Stock

         The  following  table sets forth,  as of  February  28,  1997,  certain
information  with  respect to the  beneficial  ownership  by certain  persons of
outstanding shares of capital stock of Holdings.  Except as otherwise  described
below,  each of the persons  named in the table has sole  voting and  investment
power with respect to the securities beneficially owned.



                                      -44-

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Number of Shares of          Percentage Ownership of
                                                           Common Stock Owned              Common Stock(<F1>
                                                          -------------------          -----------------------

<S>                                                             <C>                            <C>
R. Philip Silver <F2>................................           3,576,545                      18.96%
D. Greg Horrigan <F2>................................           3,576,545                      18.96%
Robert H. Niehaus <F3>...............................               --                           --
Leigh J. Abramson <F3>...............................               --                           --
Harley Rankin, Jr. <F4>..............................             233,012                       1.22%
James D. Beam <F5>...................................             584,809                       3.01%
Russell F. Gervais <F6>..............................              80,728                         *
The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund
  II, L.P. <F7>......................................           5,835,842                      30.94%
All officers and directors as a group................           8,735,191                      42.73%

- -------------------
<FN>
<F1> An asterisk denotes beneficial ownership of 1% or less of the Common Stock.
<F2> Director of Holdings,  Silgan, Containers and Plastics.  Messrs. Silver and
     Horrigan  are  parties to a voting  agreement  pursuant  to which they have
     agreed  to use their  best  efforts  to vote  their  shares as a block.  In
     addition,  Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan share voting and  investment  power
     with respect to one (1) share of Common Stock,  which share of Common Stock
     is  owned by S&H.  The  address  for  such  person  is 4  Landmark  Square,
     Stamford, CT 06901.
<F3> Director of Holdings, Silgan, Containers and Plastics. The address for such
     person  is c/o  Morgan  Stanley  & Co.  Incorporated,  1221  Avenue  of the
     Americas, New York, NY 10020.
<F4> Reflects  shares that may be acquired  through the exercise of vested stock
     options  granted   pursuant  to  the  Stock  Option  Plan.  See  "Executive
     Compensation--Stock Option Plan". The address for such person is 4 Landmark
     Square, Stamford, CT 06901.
<F5> Reflects  shares that may be acquired  through the exercise of vested stock
     options  granted   pursuant  to  the  Stock  Option  Plan.  See  "Executive
     Compensation--Stock  Option  Plan".  The  address  for such person is 21800
     Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
<F6> Reflects  shares that may be acquired  through the exercise of vested stock
     options  granted   pursuant  to  the  Stock  Option  Plan.  See  "Executive
     Compensation--Stock  Option Plan".  The address for such person is 14515 N.
     Outer Forty, Chesterfield, MO 63017.
<F7> The address for The Morgan Stanley  Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P., is 1221
     Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         See  "--Description  of Holdings Capital Stock" and  "--Description  of
Stockholders  Agreements" for additional  information about the capital stock of
Holdings, the holders thereof and certain arrangements among them.

Description of Holdings Capital Stock

  General

         Holdings is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Under
its Certificate of  Incorporation,  Holdings has authority to issue  100,000,000
shares of Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per  share,  and  10,000,000  shares of
preferred stock,  par value $.01 per share. As of February 28, 1997,  18,862,834
shares of Common  Stock were  issued and  outstanding,  12,988,931  of which are
beneficially  owned by Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan and MSLEF.  There are 53,258
shares of Exchangeable  Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.  All outstanding
shares of capital stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

  Common Stock

         Each  outstanding  share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to
one vote on all  matters  submitted  to a vote of  stockholders,  including  the
election  of  directors.  There  is no  cumulative  voting  in the  election  of
directors;  consequently, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock can elect all of the  directors  then  standing for  election.  See
"--Description of Stockholders Agreements". Holders of Common Stock are entitled
to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may


                                      -45-

<PAGE>



be declared  from time to time by the Board of  Directors  out of funds  legally
available  therefor.  See "Market  for  Registrant's  Common  Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters". In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of the affairs of the Company, holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share
ratably in the assets of the Company  remaining  after  provision for payment of
liabilities to creditors and obligations to holders of preferred stock.  Holders
of Common  Stock have no  preemptive,  subscription,  redemption  or  conversion
rights and are not liable for further  calls or  assessments.  In addition,  any
action  taken by the holders of Common  Stock must be taken at a meeting and may
not be taken by consent in writing,  and a special  meeting of the  stockholders
may only be called by the Chairman of the Board or the  President of the Company
or by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, and may not be called
by the holders of Common Stock.

  Preferred Stock

         General.   The  Company's  Board  of  Directors,   without  stockholder
authorization, is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock
in one or more series and to fix the preferences, rights and privileges thereof,
including any dividend  rights,  conversion  rights,  voting rights,  redemption
rights and terms of any sinking fund provisions,  liquidation  preferences,  the
number of shares  constituting a series and the designation of such series.  The
Board may, without stockholder  approval,  issue preferred stock with voting and
other  rights  that could  adversely  affect the voting  power of the holders of
Common Stock.  Currently,  53,258  shares of  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock are
issued and  outstanding.  However,  prior to July 22, 1997,  Holdings intends to
exchange  its  outstanding   Exchangeable   Preferred  Stock  for  the  Exchange
Debentures.  The Company has no present plans to issue any additional  shares of
preferred stock other than shares that may be issued to pay dividend obligations
on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock.

         Terms of Outstanding Preferred Stock. The following is a summary of the
terms of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock.

         The Exchangeable Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000
per  share  and  ranks  senior to all  outstanding  capital  stock of  Holdings.
Holdings  is  required  to  redeem  the  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  at  its
liquidation  preference of $1,000 per share,  plus accrued and unpaid dividends,
on July 15, 2006.

         Dividends on the  Exchangeable  Preferred Stock are cumulative from the
date of issuance at 13- 1/4% per annum on the  liquidation  preference  thereof,
and are payable  quarterly  in cash or, on or prior to July 15, 2000 at the sole
option of Holdings,  in additional  shares of Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock, on
January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15,  commencing  October 15, 1996. The
Exchangeable  Preferred Stock is generally exchangeable into Exchange Debentures
at any time at the option of Holdings,  in whole but not in part. If by July 22,
1997 the  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock has not been exchanged for the Exchange
Debentures,  the dividend rate on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock will increase
by 0.5% per annum to 13-3/4%  per annum of the  liquidation  preference  thereof
until  such  exchange  occurs.  The  Company  currently  plans to  exchange  the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock for the Exchange Debentures prior to July 22, 1997.

         On or  after  July  15,  2000,  the  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  is
redeemable,  at the  option  of  Holdings,  in whole or in part,  at the rate of
109.938%  (declining  ratably  to 100%  by July  15,  2003)  of the  liquidation
preference thereof, plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption date. In
addition,  at any  time,  or from  time to time,  on or prior to July 15,  2000,
Holdings  may,  at its  option,  redeem  all  (but  not  less  than  all) of the
outstanding  shares of Exchangeable  Preferred Stock at a redemption price equal
to 110% of the liquidation preference thereof, plus accrued and unpaid dividends
to the redemption


                                      -46-

<PAGE>



date, with the proceeds of one or more sales of common stock of Holdings. Upon a
Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Designation  relating to the
Exchangeable  Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of  Designation")),  Holdings is
required to make an offer to purchase all shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock
at a purchase price equal to 101% of their liquidation preference,  plus accrued
and unpaid dividends to the date of purchase.

         Holders  of the  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  have no voting  rights
except as provided by law and as provided in Holdings'  Restated  Certificate of
Incorporation or in the Certificate of Designation.  In the event that dividends
are not paid for four  consecutive  quarters  or upon  certain  other  events as
described in the  Certificate of Designation  (including  failure to comply with
covenants  under the Certificate of Designation and failure to pay the mandatory
redemption price on the Exchangeable  Preferred Stock when due), then the number
of  directors  constituting  Holdings'  Board of  Directors  will be adjusted to
permit  the  holders  of the  majority  of  the  then  outstanding  Exchangeable
Preferred Stock,  voting separately as a class, to elect the number of directors
that is equal to the  greater  of (i) one and (ii)  the  whole  number  obtained
(rounding down to the nearest whole number) by (a) multiplying 1/6 by the number
of directors then in office and (b) adding one.

         The Certificate of Designation  contains certain covenants which, among
other things,  restricts the ability of Holdings and its  subsidiaries  to incur
additional  indebtedness  and  issue  preferred  stock;  pay  dividends  or make
distributions in respect of their capital stock;  purchase,  redeem or otherwise
acquire for value shares of capital stock;  make investments in any affiliate or
unrestricted   subsidiary;   enter  into   transactions   with  shareholders  or
affiliates; create restrictions on the ability of Holdings' subsidiaries to make
certain payments; issue or sell stock of Holdings' subsidiaries; engage in sales
of assets; and engage in mergers or consolidations.

Description of Stockholders Agreements

         Holdings, MSLEF II, BTNY and Messrs. Silver and Horrigan are parties to
the  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of  December  21, 1993 (as  amended,  the
"Stockholders  Agreement")  which  provides for certain  rights and  obligations
among  such  stockholders  and  between  such  stockholders  and  Holdings.  The
following is a summary of the material provisions of the Stockholders Agreement,
which is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

         The  Stockholders  Agreement  provides that for a period of eight years
after  the  Offering,  MSLEF II shall  have the  right to  demand  two  separate
registrations of its shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that such demand
right will  terminate at such time as MSLEF II,  together  with its  affiliates,
owns less than five  percent  of the  issued  and  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock.  If, at any time or from time to time for a period of eight  years  after
the Offering,  Holdings shall determine to register  additional shares of Common
Stock  (other  than in  connection  with  certain  non-underwritten  offerings),
Holdings  will offer each of MSLEF II, BTNY and Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan the
opportunity  to  register  shares  of  Common  Stock it  holds  in a  "piggyback
registration".

         The  Stockholders  Agreement  prohibits the transfer  prior to June 30,
1999 by MSLEF II or by Messrs.  Silver or Horrigan of Common  Stock  without the
prior written consent of the others, except for (i) transfers made in connection
with a public offering or a Rule 144 Open Market  Transaction (as defined in the
Stockholders Agreement), (ii) transfers made to an affiliate, which, in the case
of a transfer by MSLEF II to an affiliate, must be an Investment Entity (defined
generally to be any person who is primarily engaged in the business of investing
in securities of other companies and not taking an active role in the management
or operations  of such  companies),  (iii)  certain  transfers by MSLEF II to an
Investment  Entity or, in the event of  certain  defaults  under the  Management
Agreement between S&H


                                      -47-

<PAGE>



and Holdings,  to a third party, in each case that comply with certain rights of
first  refusal  granted to the Group (the "Group" is defined  generally to mean,
collectively,  Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan and their respective  affiliates and
certain  related  family  transferees  and  estates,  with  Mr.  Silver  and his
affiliates and certain related family transferees and estates being deemed to be
collectively  one member of the Group,  and Mr.  Horrigan and his affiliates and
certain  related family  transferees and estates being deemed to be collectively
another  member of the  Group)  set forth in the  Stockholders  Agreement,  (iv)
certain  transfers  by either  member of the Group to a third  party that comply
with certain  rights of first  refusal  granted to the other member of the Group
and MSLEF II set  forth in the  Stockholders  Agreement,  and (v) in the case of
MSLEF II, a  distribution  of all or  substantially  all of the shares of Common
Stock  then  owned  by  MSLEF  II  to  the   partners  of  MSLEF  II  (a  "MSLEF
Distribution").  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  each of  Messrs.  Silver  and
Horrigan  and MSLEF II may pledge his or its shares of Common  Stock to a lender
or lenders reasonably acceptable to Holdings to secure a loan or loans to him or
it. In the event of any proposed foreclosure of such pledge, such shares will be
subject  to  certain  rights  of first  refusal  set  forth in the  Stockholders
Agreement.

         Concurrent with the Offering,  MSLEF II and Messrs. Silver and Horrigan
entered into the Principals Stockholders Agreement.  The Principals Stockholders
Agreement  provides  that  (i)  for so  long  as  MSLEF  II and  its  affiliates
(excluding the non-affiliated limited partners of MSLEF II who acquire shares of
Common Stock from MSLEF II in a MSLEF  Distribution)  hold at least  one-half of
the number of shares of Common Stock held by MSLEF II  immediately  prior to the
Offering,  each of  Messrs.  Silver  and  Horrigan  will  use his  best  efforts
(including  to vote any shares of Common  Stock owned or  controlled  by him) to
cause the  nomination  and  election of two members of the Board of Directors of
Holdings to be chosen by MSLEF II;  provided,  however,  that each such  nominee
shall be either (a) an employee of Morgan  Stanley whose primary  responsibility
is managing  investments for MSLEF II (or a successor or related partnership) or
(b) a person  reasonably  acceptable to the Group not engaged in (as a director,
officer,  employee, agent or consultant or as a holder of more than five percent
of the equity securities of) a business  competitive with that of Holdings,  and
(ii) from and after the time that  MSLEF II and its  affiliates  (excluding  the
non-affiliated  limited  partners of MSLEF II who acquire shares of Common Stock
from MSLEF II in a MSLEF  Distribution) hold less than one-half of the number of
shares of Common  Stock held by MSLEF II  immediately  prior to the Offering and
until such time that MSLEF II and its affiliates  (excluding the  non-affiliated
limited partners of MSLEF II who acquire shares of Common Stock from MSLEF II in
a MSLEF Distribution) hold less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common
Stock beneficially owned, each of Messrs.  Silver and Horrigan will use his best
efforts  (including  to vote any shares of Common Stock owned or  controlled  by
him) to  cause  the  nomination  and  election  of one  member  of the  Board of
Directors  of Holdings to be chosen by MSLEF II;  provided,  however,  that such
nominee  shall be (i)  either  an  employee  of  Morgan  Stanley  whose  primary
responsibility  is managing  investments for MSLEF II (or a successor or related
partnership) or (ii) a person reasonably  acceptable to the Group not engaged in
(as a director,  officer,  employee,  agent or consultant or as a holder of more
than five percent of the equity securities of) a business  competitive with that
of Holdings.

         In addition,  the Principals  Stockholders  Agreement provides that (i)
for so long as the  Group  holds at least  one-half  of the  number of shares of
Common Stock held by it in the  aggregate  on the date of this Annual  Report on
Form 10-K,  MSLEF II will use its best efforts  (including to vote any shares of
Common Stock owned or controlled by it) to cause the  nomination and election of
two  individuals  nominated by the holders of a majority of the shares of Common
Stock  held by the Group as  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of  Holdings;
provided, however, that at least one of such nominees shall be Mr. Silver or Mr.
Horrigan and the other  person,  if not Mr.  Silver or Mr.  Horrigan,  will be a
person reasonably acceptable to MSLEF II, so long as MSLEF II and its affiliates
(excluding  the  non-affiliated  limited  partners  of MSLEF II who may  acquire
shares of Common  Stock  from  MSLEF II in a MSLEF  Distribution)  hold at least
one-half of the number of shares of Common Stock held by MSLEF II


                                      -48-

<PAGE>



immediately  prior to the Offering,  (ii) from and after the time that the Group
holds less than  one-half of the number of shares of Common  Stock held by it in
the  aggregate  on the date hereof and until such time that the Group holds less
than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock beneficially owned, MSLEF
II will use its best efforts (including to vote any shares of Common Stock owned
or  controlled  by it) to cause the  nomination  and election of one  individual
nominated by the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock held by the
Group as a member of the Board of Directors of Holdings; provided, however, that
such nominee shall be Silver or Horrigan or, if not Silver or Horrigan, a person
reasonably  acceptable  to MSLEF  II,  so long as  MSLEF  II and its  affiliates
(excluding the non-affiliated limited partners of MSLEF II who acquire shares of
Common Stock from MSLEF II in a MSLEF  Distribution)  hold at least  one-half of
the number of shares of Common Stock held by MSLEF II  immediately  prior to the
Offering,  and (iii) so long as the Group holds at least  one-half of the number
of shares of Common Stock held by it in the aggregate on the date of this Annual
Report on form 10-K,  the Group will have the right to nominate for election all
directors  of  Holdings  other  than  the  directors  referred  to above in this
paragraph and in the preceding paragraph,  and upon such nomination by the Group
such  nominees  will stand for  election  to  Holdings'  Board of  Directors  in
accordance with Holdings'  Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,  and MSLEF II
will  vote  all  shares  of  Common  Stock  owned  or  controlled  by it and its
affiliates  against any director  standing for election for  Holdings'  Board of
Directors  that has not been  nominated by the Group,  other than the  directors
referred to above in this paragraph and in the preceding paragraph.

         The Principals  Stockholders  Agreement  further provides that MSLEF II
will vote all shares of Common Stock held by it against any unsolicited  merger,
or sale of Holdings'  business or assets,  if such transaction is opposed by the
holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock held by the Group, unless as
of the  applicable  record date for such vote,  the Group holds less than ninety
percent of the number of shares of Common  Stock held by it in the  aggregate at
the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

         The foregoing provisions of the Principals Stockholders Agreement could
have the effect of delaying,  deferring or preventing a change of control of the
Company  and  preventing  the  stockholders  from  receiving a premium for their
shares of Common Stock in any proposed acquisition of the Company.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

Management Agreements

         Holdings,  Silgan, Containers and Plastics each entered into an amended
and  restated  management  services  agreement  dated as of  December  21,  1993
(collectively,  the "Management Agreements") with S&H to replace in its entirety
its then existing management services agreement,  as amended, with S&H. Pursuant
to the Management  Agreements,  S&H provided  Holdings,  Silgan,  Containers and
Plastics  and  their  respective   subsidiaries  with  general   management  and
administrative services (the "Services"). The Management Agreements provided for
payments to S&H (i) on a monthly basis, of $5,000 plus an amount equal to 2.475%
of consolidated earnings before depreciation, interest and taxes of Holdings and
its  subsidiaries  ("Holdings  EBDIT"),  for such calendar  month until Holdings
EBDIT for the  calendar  year  shall  have  reached  an amount  set forth in the
Management  Agreements for such calendar year (the "Scheduled Amount") and 1.65%
of Holdings  EBDIT for such calendar month to the extent that Holdings EBDIT for
the calendar year shall have  exceeded the  Scheduled  Amount but shall not have
been greater than an amount (the "Maximum  Amount") set forth in the  Management
Agreements  and (ii) on a  quarterly  basis,  of an  amount  equal to  2.475% of
Holdings EBDIT for such calendar quarter until


                                      -49-

<PAGE>



Holdings EBDIT for the calendar year shall have reached the Scheduled Amount and
1.65% of Holdings  EBDIT for such  calendar  quarter to the extent that Holdings
EBDIT for the calendar year shall have  exceeded the Scheduled  Amount but shall
not have been greater than the Maximum Amount (the "Quarterly  Management Fee").
The  Scheduled  Amount was $83.5  million for the  calendar  year 1996,  and the
Maximum  Amount was $98.101  million for the calendar year 1996.  The Management
Agreements  provided  that upon receipt by Silgan of a notice from Bankers Trust
that certain events of default under the Credit  Agreement  have  occurred,  the
Quarterly  Management Fee shall continue to accrue, but shall not be paid to S&H
until the  fulfillment  of certain  conditions,  as set forth in the  Management
Agreements.

         Additionally, the Management Agreements provided that Holdings, Silgan,
Containers, Plastics and their respective subsidiaries shall reimburse S&H, on a
monthly  basis,  for all  out-of-pocket  expenses  paid by S&H in providing  the
Services,  including fees and expenses to consultants,  subcontractors and other
third parties,  in connection with such Services.  All fees and expenses paid to
S&H under each of the Management  Agreements were credited  against amounts paid
to S&H under the other Management Agreements.  Under the terms of the Management
Agreements,  Holdings,  Silgan,  Containers and Plastics had agreed,  subject to
certain exceptions,  to indemnify S&H and its affiliates,  officers,  directors,
employees,  subcontractors,  consultants  or  controlling  persons  against  any
losses,  damages, costs and expenses they may sustain arising in connection with
the Management Agreements.

         The  Management   Agreements  also  provided  that  S&H  may  select  a
consultant,  subcontractor or agent to provide the Services. S&H retained Morgan
Stanley to render  financial  advisory  services to S&H. In connection with such
retention, S&H agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a fee equal to 9.1% of the fees paid
to S&H under the Management Agreements.

         Concurrent with the Offering, each of Holdings,  Silgan, Containers and
Plastics  entered into an amended and  restated  management  services  agreement
(collectively,  the "New  Management  Agreements")  with S&H to replace in their
entirety  the  Management  Agreements.  The New  Management  Agreements  contain
substantially the same terms as the Management Agreements, except that after the
initial term of the New Management  Agreements  (which  continues until June 30,
1999),  the  New  Management   Agreements  will  be  automatically  renewed  for
successive  one-year terms unless either party gives written notice at least 180
days prior to the end of the then current term of its election not to renew. The
independent  directors of Holdings  will  determine  on behalf of the  companies
whether to give such written notice not to renew. The New Management  Agreements
may be terminated (i) at the option of each of the respective companies upon the
failure or refusal of S&H to perform its  obligations  under the New  Management
Agreements,  if such failure or refusal  continues  unremedied  for more than 60
days after written  notice of its existence  shall have been given;  (ii) at the
option of S&H upon the failure or refusal of any of the respective  companies to
perform its obligations under the New Management Agreements,  if such failure or
refusal  continues  unremedied for more than 60 days after written notice of its
existence  shall have been given;  (iii) at the option of S&H or the  respective
companies (a) if S&H or one of the  companies is declared  insolvent or bankrupt
or a  voluntary  bankruptcy  petition  is  filed  by any of  them,  (b) upon the
occurrence  of any of the  following  events  with  respect to S&H or one of the
companies  if not cured,  dismissed or stayed  within 45 days:  the filing of an
involuntary petition in bankruptcy,  the appointment of a trustee or receiver or
the  institution  of  a  proceeding   seeking  a  reorganization,   arrangement,
liquidation or dissolution, (c) if S&H or one of the companies voluntarily seeks
a  reorganization  or  arrangement  or makes an  assignment  for the  benefit of
creditors  or (d) upon the  death or  permanent  disability  of both of  Messrs.
Silver and  Horrigan;  (iv) upon at least 180 days prior  written  notice at the
option of each of the respective companies for any reason; (v) upon at least 180
days prior  written  notice at the option of S&H for any reason other than Cause
or a Change of Control (each as defined in the New Management Agreements);  (vi)
at the option of S&H after a Change of Control; (vii)


                                      -50-

<PAGE>



at the option of the  respective  companies in the event of criminal  conduct or
gross  negligence by S&H in the  performance  of the Services;  or (viii) at the
option of S&H or the respective companies upon the termination of any of the New
Management  Agreements  for  Cause  (as  defined  therein).  The New  Management
Agreements  prohibit S&H from competing with the Company during the term thereof
and, only if S&H terminates the New Management Agreements pursuant to clause (v)
above,  for a period of one year  after  such  termination.  The New  Management
Agreements  provide  that,  in the event that they are  terminated  pursuant  to
clause (iv) above,  each of the respective  companies will be required to pay to
S&H the present value of the amount of the payments that would have been payable
to S&H  thereunder  through the end of the initial term or renewed  term, as the
case may be,  thereof.  In addition,  under the New  Management  Agreements  the
Scheduled  Amount is $89.5  million,  $95.5  million and $101.5  million for the
calendar  years 1997,  1998 and 1999,  respectively,  and the Maximum  Amount is
$100.504  million,  $102.964 million and $105.488 million for the calendar years
1997,  1998 and 1999,  respectively.  For the calendar year 2000,  the Scheduled
Amount and the Maximum  Amount is $108.653  million,  and for each calendar year
thereafter the Scheduled  Amount and Maximum Amount increases by 3% from that of
the previous year.

         The Company  believes  that it is difficult  to  determine  whether the
Management  Agreements  were, and whether the New Management  Agreements are, on
terms no less favorable than those available from  unaffiliated  parties because
of the personal nature of the services provided thereunder and the expertise and
skills of the  individuals  providing such services.  The Company  believes that
arrangements  under the Management  Agreements  were, and that the  arrangements
under the New Management Agreements are, fair to both parties.

         For the  years  ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and  1994,  under the
Management  Agreements,   S&H  earned  aggregate  fees,  including  reimbursable
expenses and fees payable to Morgan Stanley,  of $5.3 million,  $5.4 million and
$5.0 million, respectively,  from Holdings, Silgan, Containers and Plastics, and
during 1996, 1995 and 1994 Morgan Stanley earned fees of $425,000,  $409,000 and
$383,000, respectively.

Other

         In  connection  with the  refinancings  of the  Company's  bank  credit
agreement  in 1995 and 1993,  the banks  thereunder  (including  Bankers  Trust)
received  certain fees  amounting to $17.2  million and $8.1 million in 1995 and
1993,  respectively.  In  connection  with a  recent  amendment  to  the  Credit
Agreement in May 1996, the banks thereunder  (including  Bankers Trust) received
certain fees amounting to $1.6 million.  In connection  with the Preferred Stock
Sale,  Morgan  Stanley,  which  acted  as  the  placement  agent  in  connection
therewith, received certain fees amounting to $1.8 million. Morgan Stanley acted
as one of the several  underwriters in connection with the Offering and received
fees of  approximately  $1.2  million in  connection  therewith.  See  "Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management--Certain Beneficial Owners
of Holdings'  Capital  Stock" for a description of the ownership by MSLEF II, an
affiliate of Morgan Stanley, of certain securities of Holdings.

         Messrs. Silver and Horrigan, BTNY, MSLEF II and Holdings are parties to
the  Stockholders  Agreement,  which provides for certain rights and obligations
among them and between them and  Holdings.  See  "Security  Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management--Description of Stockholders Agreements".

         In the event that the Company enters into any future  transactions with
any of its affiliates,  the Company expects to enter into any such  transactions
on terms no less favorable than those available from unaffiliated parties.


                                      -51-

<PAGE>



                                     PART IV

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

(a)

Financial Statements:


Report of Independent Auditors............................................  F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995.................  F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
       December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994...................................  F-3

Consolidated Statements of Deficiency in Stockholders' Equity 
       for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994...............  F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
       December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994...................................  F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-7


Schedules:

I.     Condensed Financial Information of Silgan Holdings Inc.:
           Condensed Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995......... F-34
           Condensed Statements of Operations for the years ended
              December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994............................ F-35
           Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
              December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994............................ F-36

II.    Schedules of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years
           ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994........................  F-37


All other  financial  statements  and  schedules  not listed  have been  omitted
because  they are not  applicable,  or not  required,  or because  the  required
information  is  included  in the  consolidated  financial  statements  or notes
thereto.



                                      -52-

<PAGE>



Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number                         Description
- -------                        -----------

   *3.1       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Holdings.

   *3.2       Amended and Restated By-laws of Holdings.

    4.1       Indenture,  dated as of June 29, 1992,  between Holdings and Fleet
              National Bank, as trustee, with respect to the Discount Debentures
              (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit 1 filed  with  Holdings'
              Current  Report on Form 8-K dated July 15, 1992,  Commission  File
              No. 33-47632).

    4.2       Indenture  dated as of June 29,  1992,  between  Silgan  and Fleet
              National  Bank,  as Trustee,  with  respect to the  11-3/4%  Notes
              (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  1 filed  with  Silgan's
              Current  Report on Form 8-K dated July 15, 1992,  Commission  File
              No. 33- 46499).

    4.3       Silgan  Holdings Inc.  Certificate  of  Designation of the Powers,
              Preferences  and  Relative,  Participating,   Optional  and  Other
              Special  Rights  of  13-1/4%  Cumulative  Exchangeable  Redeemable
              Preferred Stock and  Qualifications,  Limitations and Restrictions
              Thereof  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  3  filed  with
              Holdings'  Current  Report  on Form  8-K  dated  August  2,  1996,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).

    4.4       Form of Holdings'  13-1/4%  Senior  Discount  Debentures  Due 2002
              (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.4 filed with  Holdings'
              Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1992,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).

    4.5       Form of  Silgan's  11-3/4%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes  due  2002
              (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.5 filed with  Holdings'
              Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1992,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).

    4.6       Registration  Rights  Agreement,  dated  July  22,  1996,  between
              Holdings and Morgan Stanley  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              5 filed with Holdings'  Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 2,
              1996, Commission File No. 33-28409).

    4.7       Form  of  Holdings'  13-1/4%  Cumulative  Exchangeable  Redeemable
              Preferred  Stock   Certificate   (incorporated   by  reference  to
              Amendment No. 1 to Holdings'  Registration  Statement on Form S-4,
              dated September 9, 1996, Commission File No. 333-9979).

    4.8       Indenture,  dated as of July 22, 1996,  between Holdings and Fleet
              National Bank, as Trustee, with respect to the Exchange Debentures
              (incorporated  by reference  to Exhibit 4.10 filed with  Holdings'
              Amendment  No. 2 to  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-4,  dated
              October 31, 1996, Registration Statement No. 33-9979).

    4.9       Form of Holdings'  Subordinated  Debentures due 2006 (incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 4.11 filed with Holdings'  Amendment No. 2
              to  Registration  Statement on Form S-4,  dated  October 31, 1996,
              Registration Statement No. 33-9979).



                                      -53-

<PAGE>


Exhibit
Number                         Description
- -------                        -----------


   10.1       Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and  Nestle  for  Hanford,
              California effective August 31, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 10(xi) filed with Silgan's Registration  Statement on Form
              S-1, dated January 11, 1988,  Registration Statement No. 33-18719)
              (Portions  of this Exhibit are subject to  confidential  treatment
              pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.2       Amendment to Supply Agreement for Hanford,  California, dated July
              1, 1990  (incorporated  by reference  to Exhibit  10.31 filed with
              Silgan's Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18, 1992,
              Registration Statement No. 33-46499) (Portions of this Exhibit are
              subject  to  confidential  treatment  pursuant  to  order  of  the
              Commission).

   10.3       Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and Nestle for  Riverbank,
              California effective August 31, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 10(xii) filed with Silgan's Registration Statement on Form
              S-1, dated January 11, 1988,  Registration Statement No. 33-18719)
              (Portions  of this Exhibit are subject to  confidential  treatment
              pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.4       Supply  Agreement  between   Containers  and  Nestle  for  Morton,
              Illinois,  effective August 31, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 10(vii) filed with Silgan's Registration Statement on Form
              S-1, dated January 11, 1988,  Registration Statement No. 33-18719)
              (Portions  of this Exhibit are subject to  confidential  treatment
              pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.5       Amendment to Supply Agreement for Morton,  Illinois, dated July 1,
              1990  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.36  filed with
              Silgan's Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18, 1992,
              Registration Statement No. 33-46499) (Portions of this Exhibit are
              subject  to  confidential  treatment  pursuant  to  order  of  the
              Commission).

   10.6       Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and Nestle for Ft.  Dodge,
              Iowa,  effective  August 31, 1987  (incorporated  by  reference to
              Exhibit 10(xiv) filed with Silgan's Registration Statement on Form
              S-1, dated January 11, 1988,  Registration Statement No. 33-18719)
              (Portions  of this Exhibit are subject to  confidential  treatment
              pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.7       Amendment to Supply Agreement for Ft. Dodge,  Iowa, dated March 1,
              1990  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.38  filed with
              Silgan's Registration statement on Form S-1, dated March 18, 1992,
              Registration Statement No. 33-46499) (Portions of this Exhibit are
              subject  to  confidential  treatment  pursuant  to  order  of  the
              Commission).

   10.8       Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and Nestle for St. Joseph,
              Missouri,  effective August 31, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit  10(xvii)  filed with Silgan's  Registration  Statement on
              Form S-1,  dated  January 11,  1988,  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-18719)  (Portions of this  Exhibit are subject to  confidential
              treatment pursuant to order of the Commission).



                                      -54-

<PAGE>


Exhibit
Number                         Description
- -------                        -----------

   10.9       Amendment to Supply  Agreement  for St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  dated
              March 1, 1990  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.42 filed
              with Silgan's Registration  Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18,
              1992,  Registration  Statement  No.  33-46499)  (Portions  of this
              Exhibit are subject to confidential treatment pursuant to order of
              the Commission).

   10.10      Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and  Nestle  for  Trenton,
              Missouri,  effective August 31, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit  10(xviii) filed with Silgan's  Registration  Statement on
              Form S-1,  dated  January 11,  1988,  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-18719)  (Portions of this  Exhibit are subject to  confidential
              treatment pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.11      Amendment to Supply Agreement for Trenton,  Missouri,  dated March
              1, 1990  (incorporated  by reference  to Exhibit  10.44 filed with
              Silgan's Registration Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18, 1992,
              Registration Statement No. 33-46499) (Portions of this Exhibit are
              subject  to  confidential  treatment  pursuant  to  order  of  the
              Commission).

   10.12      Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and Nestle for Moses Lake,
              Washington,  effective August 31, 1987  (incorporated by reference
              to Exhibit 10(xxii) filed with Silgan's Registration  Statement on
              Form S-1,  dated  January 11,  1988,  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-18719)  (Portions of this  Exhibit are subject to  confidential
              treatment pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.13      Amendment to Supply  Agreement for Moses Lake,  Washington,  dated
              March 1, 1990  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.51 filed
              with Silgan's Registration  Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18,
              1992,  Registration  Statement  No.  33-46499)  (Portions  of this
              Exhibit are subject to confidential treatment pursuant to order of
              the Commission).

   10.14      Supply  Agreement  between  Containers  and Nestle for  Jefferson,
              Wisconsin, effective August 31, 1987 (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit  10(xxiii) filed with Silgan's  Registration  Statement on
              Form S-1,  dated  January 11,  1988,  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-18719)  (Portions of this  Exhibit are subject to  confidential
              treatment pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.15      Amendment to Supply  Agreement  for  Jefferson,  Wisconsin,  dated
              March 1, 1990  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.53 filed
              with Silgan's Registration  Statement on Form S-1, dated March 18,
              1992,  Registration  Statement  No.  33-46499)  (Portions  of this
              Exhibit are subject to confidential treatment pursuant to order of
              the Commission).

   10.16      Amendment to Supply  Agreements,  dated  November 17, 1989 for Ft.
              Dodge, Iowa; Hillsboro, Oregon; Jefferson,  Wisconsin; St. Joseph,
              Missouri;  and  Trenton,  Missouri  (incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 10.49 filed with  Silgan's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
              the year ended December 31, 1989,  Commission  File No.  33-18719)
              (Portions  of this Exhibit are subject to  confidential  treatment
              pursuant to order of the Commission).

   10.17      Employment  Agreement,  dated as of September  14,  1987,  between
              James Beam and Canaco  Corporation  (Containers)  (incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10(vi) filed with


                                      -55-

<PAGE>


Exhibit
Number                         Description
- -------                        -----------

              Silgan's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1,  dated  January 11,
              1988, Registration Statement No. 33-18719).

   10.18      Employment  Agreement,  dated as of  September  1,  1989,  between
              Silgan,  InnoPak  Plastics  Corporation  (Plastics),   Russell  F.
              Gervais and Aim  Packaging,  Inc.  (incorporated  by  reference to
              Exhibit 5 filed with Silgan's  Report on Form 8-K, dated March 15,
              1989).

   10.19      InnoPak Plastics Corporation  (Plastics) Pension Plan for Salaried
              Employees  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.32 filed with
              Silgan's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
              31, 1988, Commission File No. 33-18719).

   10.20      Containers  Pension Plan for Salaried  Employees  (incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit  10.34 filed with  Silgan's  Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1988,  Commission  File
              No. 33-18719).

  *10.21      Silgan Holdings Inc. Fourth Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option
              Plan.

  *10.22      Form of Holdings Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement.

   10.23      Stockholders  Agreement,  dated as of December 21, 1993,  among R.
              Philip Silver,  D. Greg Horrigan,  MSLEF II, BTNY, First Plaza and
              Holdings  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  3 filed  with
              Holdings'  Current  Report on Form  8-K,  dated  March  25,  1994,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).

  *10.24      Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997, between S&H and Holdings.

  *10.25      Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997, between S&H and Silgan.

  *10.26      Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997, between S&H and Containers.

  *10.27      Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997, between S&H and Plastics.

   10.28      Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as  of  September  3,  1993,  between
              Containers and Del Monte  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 1
              filed with Holdings' Current Report on Form 8- K, dated January 5,
              1994, Commission File No. 33-28409).

   10.29      Amendment  to Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of December 10, 1993,
              between  Containers  and Del Monte  (incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 2 filed with  Holdings'  Current Report on Form 8-K, dated
              January 5, 1994, Commission File No. 33-28409).



                                      -56-

<PAGE>


Exhibit
Number                         Description
- -------                        -----------

   10.30      Supply  Agreement,   dated  as  of  September  3,  1993,   between
              Containers  and Del Monte  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit
              10.118 filed with Silgan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
              ended December 31, 1993,  Commission File No. 1-11200).  (Portions
              of this  Exhibit are subject to an  application  for  confidential
              treatment filed with the Commission.)

   10.31      Amendment  to Supply  Agreement,  dated as of December  21,  1993,
              between  Containers  and Del Monte  (incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 10.119 filed with Silgan's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
              the year ended December 31, 1993,  Commission  File No. 1- 11200).
              (Portions  of this  Exhibit  are  subject  to an  application  for
              confidential treatment filed with the Commission.)

   10.32      Credit  Agreement,  dated as of  August  1,  1995,  among  Silgan,
              Containers, Plastics, the lenders from time to time party thereto,
              Bankers Trust, as Administrative  Agent and as a Co-Arranger,  and
              Bank of  America  Illinois,  as  Documentation  Agent and as a Co-
              Arranger  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2 filed  with
              Holdings'  Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated  August  14,  1995,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).

   10.33      Amended  and  Restated  Holdings  Guaranty,  dated as of August 1,
              1995,  made by Holdings  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4
              filed with Holdings'  Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 14,
              1995, Commission File No. 33-28409).

   10.34      Amended and  Restated  Borrowers  Guaranty,  dated as of August 1,
              1995, made by Silgan, Containers, Plastics,  California-Washington
              Can  Corporation  and  SCCW  Can  Corporation   (incorporated   by
              reference to Exhibit 3 filed with Holdings' Current Report on Form
              8-K, dated August 14, 1995, Commission File No. 33-28409).

   10.35      Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of June 18, 1992,
              among  Plastics,  Containers  and Bankers Trust  (incorporated  by
              reference to Exhibit 8 filed with Silgan's  Current Report on Form
              8-K dated July 15, 1992, Commission File No. 33-46499).

   10.36      Amended and Restated  Pledge  Agreement dated as of June 18, 1992,
              made by Holdings  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 7 filed
              with  Silgan's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  July 15,  1992,
              Commission File No. 33-46499).

   10.37      Amended and Restated  Pledge  Agreement dated as of June 18, 1992,
              made by Silgan  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 filed with
              Silgan's   Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  dated  July  15,  1992,
              Commission File No. 33-46499).

   10.38      Amended and Restated  Pledge  Agreement dated as of June 18, 1992,
              made by  Containers  and  Plastics  (incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 6 filed  with  Silgan's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated
              July 15, 1992, Commission File No. 33-46499).

   10.39      Asset Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of June 2, 1995,  between ANC
              and Containers  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 filed with
              Holdings'  Current  Report on Form 8- K, dated  August  14,  1995,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).


                                      -57-

<PAGE>





  *10.40      Underwriting  Agreement,  dated as of  February  13,  1997,  among
              Holdings,  Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics,  MSLEF II, BTNY and the
              underwriters listed on Schedule I thereto.

   10.41      Placement  Agreement  between  Holdings and Morgan Stanley,  dated
              July 17, 1996  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 6 filed with
              Holdings'  Current  Report  on Form  8-K  dated  August  2,  1996,
              Commission File No. 33-28409).

  *10.42      Amendment  to  Stockholders  Agreement,  dated as of February  14,
              1997, among R. Philip Silver, D. Greg Horrigan, MSLEF II, BTNY and
              Holdings.

   11         Statement of Computation of Earnings per Share for the years ended
              December 31,  1996,  1995 and 1994  (incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 11 filed with  Amendment  No. 4 to  Holdings  Registration
              Statement on Form S-2, dated February 4, 1997, Commission File No.
              333-11989).

   21         Subsidiaries  of the  Registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
              Exhibit 21 filed with Holdings' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File No. 33-28409).

  *27         Financial Data Schedule.


(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

         No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of 1996.


- --------------------
*Filed herewith




                                      -58-

<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.

                                          SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.



Date:  March 21, 1997                    By  /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                              ______________________
                                              R. Philip Silver
                                              Chairman of the Board and Co-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.


Signature                             Title                           Date
- ---------                             -----                           ----

                              Chairman of the Board and
/s/ R. Philip Silver          Co-Chief Executive Officer
____________________________  (Principal Executive Officer)      March 21, 1997
(R. Philip Silver)


/s/ D. Greg Horrigan          President, Co-Chief Executive
____________________________       Officer and Director          March 21, 1997
(D. Greg Horrigan)


/s/ Robert H. Niehaus
____________________________           Director                  March 21, 1997
(Robert H. Niehaus)


/s/ Leigh J. Abramson
____________________________           Director                  March 21, 1997
(Leigh J. Abramson)


                              Executive Vice President, Chief
/s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.        Financial Officer and Treasurer
____________________________   (Principal Financial Officer)     March 21, 1997
(Harley Rankin, Jr.)


                              Vice President, Controller and
/s/ Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr.        Assistant Treasurer
____________________________  (Principal Accounting Officer)     March 21, 1997
(Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr.)



                                      -59-

<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Silgan Holdings Inc.



     We have  audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of Silgan
Holdings  Inc. as of December  31, 1996 and 1995,  and the related  consolidated
statements of operations,  deficiency in stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended  December 31, 1996.  Our audits also
included the financial  statement schedules listed in the index at Item 14(a) of
the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996.
These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements and schedules 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,  the consolidated  financial  statements  referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Silgan Holdings Inc. at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results
of its  operations  and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended  December 31, 1996,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.  Also, in our opinion,  the related financial  statement  schedules,
when considered in relation to the basic financial  statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.



                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Stamford,  Connecticut
January 31, 1997 except for Note 22,
as to which date is February 13, 1997





                                      F-1
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                             (Dollars in thousands)

                                                             1996        1995
                                                             ----        ----
Assets
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents .......................   $  1,017    $  2,102
     Accounts receivable, less allowances for
      doubtful accounts of $4,045 and $4,843 for
      1996 and 1995, respectively ....................    101,436     109,929
     Inventories .....................................    195,981     210,471
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets .......      7,403       5,801
                                                         --------    --------
         Total current assets ........................    305,837     328,303

Property, plant and equipment, net ...................    499,781     487,301
Goodwill, net ........................................     77,176      53,562
Other assets .........................................     30,752      30,880
                                                         --------    --------
                                                         $913,546    $900,046
                                                         ========    ========
Liabilities and Deficiency in Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
     Trade accounts payable ..........................   $122,623    $138,195
     Accrued payroll and related costs ...............     41,799      32,805
     Accrued interest payable ........................      9,522       4,358
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities ..     35,456      43,457
     Bank working capital loans ......................     27,800       7,100
     Current portion of long-term debt ...............     38,427      28,140
                                                         --------     -------
         Total current liabilities ...................    275,627     254,055

Long-term debt .......................................    693,783     750,873
Deferred income taxes ................................      6,836       6,836
Other long-term liabilities ..........................     74,508      68,086

Cumulative exchangeable redeemable
  preferred stock (10,000,000 shares authorized,
  51,556 shares issued and outstanding) ..............     52,998        --

Deficiency in stockholders' equity:
     Common stock ($0.01 par value per share;
       100,000,000 shares authorized, 15,162,833
       and 19,446,120 shares issued and outstanding
       in 1996 and 1995, respectively) ...............        152         195
     Additional paid-in capital ......................     18,466      33,423
     Accumulated deficit .............................   (208,824)   (213,422)
                                                         --------    --------
         Total deficiency in stockholders' equity ....   (190,206)   (179,804)
                                                         --------    --------
                                                         $913,546    $900,046
                                                         ========    ========

                             See accompanying notes.



                                      F-2
<PAGE>



                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                             1996          1995         1994
                                             ----          ----         ----

Net sales .............................   $1,405,742    $1,101,905    $861,374

Cost of goods sold ....................    1,223,684       970,491     748,290
                                          ----------    ----------    --------

     Gross profit .....................      182,058       131,414     113,084

Selling, general and administrative
  expenses ............................       58,768        46,848      37,997

Reduction in carrying value of assets .         --          14,745      16,729
                                          ----------    ----------    --------

     Income from operations ...........      123,290        69,821      58,358

Interest expense and other related
  financing costs .....................       89,353        80,710      65,789
                                          ----------    ----------    --------

     Income (loss) before income taxes        33,937       (10,889)     (7,431)

Income tax provision ..................        3,300         5,100       5,600
                                          ----------    ----------    --------

     Income (loss) before extraordinary
       charge .........................       30,637       (15,989)    (13,031)

Extraordinary charges relating to early
  extinguishment of debt, net of taxes        (2,222)       (5,817)       --
                                          ----------    ----------    --------

     Net income (loss) before preferred
       stock dividend requirement .....       28,415       (21,806)    (13,031)

Preferred stock dividend requirement ..       (3,006)         --          --
                                          ----------    ----------    --------

     Net income (loss) available to
       common stockholders ............   $   25,409    $  (21,806)   $(13,031)
                                          ==========    ==========    ========

Income (loss) per common share:
     Income (loss) before extraordinary
       charges ........................        $1.60        $(0.77)     $(0.63)
     Extraordinary charges ............        (0.12)        (0.29)        --
     Preferred stock dividend
       requirement ....................        (0.16)          --          --
                                               -----        ------      ------
     Net income (loss)                         $1.32        $(1.06)     $(0.63)
                                               =====        ======      ======

Weighted average number of common and
  common equivalent shares outstanding    19,178,730    20,656,877  20,656,877
                                          ==========    ==========  ==========


                             See accompanying notes.




                                      F-3
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF DEFICIENCY IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


                                  Common Stock                         Total
                                  ------------ Additional  Accum-  deficiency in
                                           Par   paid-in   ulated  stockholders'
                                  Shares  Value  capital   deficit    equity
                                  ------  -----  -------   -------    ------

Balance at December 31, 1993    1,135,000  $ 12  $33,606  $(178,585) $(144,967)

  Adjustment for 17.133145
    for 1 stock split ......   18,311,120   183     (183)      --         --
                               ----------  ----  -------  ---------  ---------

As restated at December 31,
  1993 for stock split .....   19,446,120   195   33,423   (178,585)  (144,967)

Net loss ...................         --     --       --     (13,031)   (13,031)
                               ----------  ----  -------  ---------  ---------

Balance at December 31, 1994   19,446,120   195   33,423   (191,616)  (157,998)

Net loss ...................         --     --       --     (21,806)   (21,806)
                               ----------  ----  -------  ---------  ---------

Balance at December 31, 1995   19,446,120   195   33,423   (213,422)  (179,804)

Purchase and retirement of
  250,000 shares of Class B
  Common Stock .............   (4,283,287)  (43) (14,957)   (20,811)   (35,811)

Net income .................         --     --       --      25,409     25,409
                               ----------  ----  -------  ---------  ---------

Balance at December 31, 1996   15,162,833  $152  $18,466  $(208,824) $(190,206)
                               ==========  ====  =======  =========  =========








                             See accompanying notes.




                                      F-4
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                             (Dollars in thousands)


                                                   1996       1995       1994
                                                   ----       ----       ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income (loss) before preferred stock
    dividend requirement ....................   $ 28,415   $ (21,806)  $(13,031)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
    to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Depreciation ..........................     54,830      42,217     35,392
      Amortization ..........................      8,993       8,083      7,075
      Accretion of discount on discount
        debentures ..........................     12,077      28,672     27,477
      Reduction in carrying value of assets .       --        14,745     16,729
      Extraordinary charge relating to early
        extinguishment of debt ..............      2,222       6,301       --
      Changes in assets and liabilities, net
        of effect of acquisitions:
           Decrease (increase) in accounts
              receivable ....................     15,102      (1,011)   (21,267)
           Decrease (increase) in inventories     20,348      10,852    (16,741)
           (Decrease) increase in trade
              accounts payable ..............    (17,145)     43,108      4,478
           Net working capital provided by AN
             Can from 8/1/95 to 12/31/95 ....       --        85,213       --
           Other, net (decrease) increase ...       (357)     (6,745)     7,221
                                                --------   ---------   --------
               Total adjustments ............     96,784     231,435     60,364
                                                --------   ---------   --------
      Net cash provided by operating
        activities ..........................    125,199     209,629     47,333
                                                --------   ---------   --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of businesses .................    (43,043)   (348,762)       519
  Capital expenditures ......................    (56,851)    (51,897)   (29,184)
  Proceeds from sale of assets ..............      1,557       3,541        765
                                                --------   ---------   --------
      Net cash used in investing activities .   $(98,337)  $(397,118)  $(27,900)
                                                --------   ---------   --------



                       Continued on following page.




                                      F-5
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                             (Dollars in thousands)


                                                 1996        1995        1994
                                                 ----        ----        ----

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Borrowings under working capital loans ..    $952,050    $669,260    $393,250
  Repayments under working capital loans ..    (931,350)   (674,760)   (382,850)
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt      125,000     450,000        --
  Repayments of long-term debt ............    (183,880)   (234,506)    (20,464)
  Proceeds from issuance of cumulative
    redeemable exchangeable preferred stock      50,000        --          --
  Repurchase of common stock ..............     (35,811)       --          --
  Debt financing costs ....................      (3,956)    (19,290)       --
  Payments to former shareholders of Silgan        --        (3,795)     (6,911)
                                               --------    --------    --------
      Net cash (used by) provided for
        financing activities ..............     (27,947)    186,909     (16,975)
                                               --------    --------    --------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and
  cash equivalents ........................      (1,085)       (580)      2,458

Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of year .......................       2,102       2,682         224
                                               --------    --------    --------

Cash and cash equivalents at
  end of year .............................    $  1,017    $  2,102    $  2,682
                                               ========    ========    ========


Supplementary data:
  Interest paid                                $ 68,390    $ 45,293    $ 30,718
  Income tax (refunds) payments, net....         (4,836)      8,967       2,588
  Preferred stock dividend in lieu of
    cash dividend.......................          2,998        --          --








                             See accompanying notes.




                                      F-6
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


1.  Basis of Presentation

Silgan Holdings Inc. ("Holdings",  together with its wholly-owned  subsidiaries,
the  "Company")  is a company  controlled  by Silgan  management  and The Morgan
Stanley  Leveraged  Equity Fund II, L. P. ("MSLEF  II"),  an affiliate of Morgan
Stanley & Co.,  Incorporated ("MS & Co.").  Holdings owns all of the outstanding
common stock of Silgan Corporation ("Silgan").

The Company,  together with Silgan and its wholly-owned  operating  subsidiaries
Silgan Containers  Corporation  ("Containers")  and Silgan Plastics  Corporation
("Plastics"),  is predominantly engaged in the manufacture and sale of steel and
aluminum  containers  for  human  and  pet  food  products.   The  Company  also
manufactures  custom  designed  plastic  containers used for health and personal
care products,  specialty packaging items including metal caps and closures, and
plastic bowls and paper  containers  used by  processors  in the food  industry.
Principally,  all of the Company's  businesses  are based in the United  States.
Foreign  subsidiaries  are  not  significant  to  the  consolidated  results  of
operations or financial position of the Company.


2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries,  all of which are wholly-owned.  All significant  intercompany
transactions  have been  eliminated.  Assets and  liabilities  of the  Company's
foreign  subsidiary are translated at rates of exchange in effect at the balance
sheet date.  Income  statement  amounts are translated at the average of monthly
exchange rates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents represent short-term, highly liquid investments having original
maturities  of three  months or less  from the time of  purchase.  The  carrying
values  of these  assets  approximate  their  fair  values.  As a result  of the
Company's cash management  system,  checks issued and presented to the banks for
payment may create  negative  cash  balances.  Checks  outstanding  in excess of
related cash balances totaling  approximately $49.6 million at December 31, 1996
and $30.0 million at December 31, 1995 are included in trade accounts payable.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value) and
are principally accounted for by the last-in, first-out method (LIFO).





                                      F-7
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property,  plant and equipment are stated at  historical  cost less  accumulated
depreciation.  Major renewals and  betterments  that extend the life of an asset
are capitalized and repairs and maintenance  expenditures are charged to expense
as incurred.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over their
estimated  useful lives.  The principal  estimated useful lives are 35 years for
buildings and range between 3 to 18 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold
improvements  are amortized over the shorter of the life of the related asset or
the life of the lease.

Goodwill

The Company has  classified  as goodwill the cost in excess of fair value of net
assets  acquired  in  purchase  transactions.  Goodwill  is  stated at cost less
accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed on a straight-line basis over
periods  ranging from 20 to 40 years.  The Company  periodically  evaluates  the
existence of goodwill impairment to access whether goodwill is fully recoverable
from  projected,  undiscounted  net cash  flows of the  related  business  unit.
Impairments would be recognized in operating results if a permanent reduction in
values were to occur.

Long-Lived Assets

Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard  ("SFAS") No. 121,  "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for  Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed Of".  Under SFAS No. 121,  impairment
losses will be recognized when events or changes in circumstances  indicate that
the  undiscounted  cash flows generated by the assets are less than the carrying
value of such assets.  Impairment losses are then measured by comparing the fair
value of  assets to their  carrying  amount.  There  were no  impairment  losses
recognized during 1996.

Other Assets

Other  assets  consist  principally  of debt  issuance  costs  which  are  being
amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related debt agreements
(5 to 10 years).  Other  intangible  assets are  amortized  over their  expected
useful lives using the straight-line method.





                                      F-8
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

Income Taxes

The Company  accounts for income taxes using the liability  method in accordance
with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". The provision for income taxes
includes  federal,  state, and foreign income taxes currently  payable and those
deferred because of temporary  differences  between the financial  statement and
tax bases of assets and liabilities.

Stock Based Compensation

SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation"  was issued in October
1995,  effective  for the 1996 fiscal  year.  Under SFAS No.  123,  compensation
expense for all stock-based  compensation plans would be recognized based on the
fair value of the options at the date of grant using an option pricing model. As
permitted under SFAS No. 123, the Company may either adopt the new pronouncement
or may continue to follow the accounting  method as prescribed under APB No. 25,
"Accounting  for Stock Issued to Employees".  The Company has chosen to continue
to recognize compensation expense in accordance with APB No. 25.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The  Company's use of derivative  financial  instruments  is limited to interest
rate swap agreements  which assist in managing  exposure to adverse  movement in
interest  rates on a portion of its  indebtedness.  The Company does not utilize
financial instruments for speculative  purposes.  The difference between amounts
to be paid or  received  on  interest  rate  swap  agreements  are  recorded  as
adjustments to interest  expense.  The methods and assumptions  used to estimate
fair  values of these and other  debt  instruments  reflected  in the  financial
statements are discussed in Note 10.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, as
well as footnote  disclosures  in the financial  statements.  Actual results may
differ from those estimates.





                                      F-9
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

Per Share Information

Per share amounts have been computed  based upon the weighted  average number of
common and common  equivalent  shares  outstanding  for all  periods  presented.
Weighted  average  shares include  options to purchase  shares which were issued
within the twelve  month  period  prior to the  initial  public  offering of the
Company at less than the initial public offering price.  All share and per share
data have been adjusted to reflect a 17.133145 for 1 stock split which  occurred
at the time of the initial  public  offering.  For a  discussion  of the initial
public offering, see Note 22.


3.  Acquisitions

On October 9, 1996,  the  Company  acquired  substantially  all of the assets of
Finger Lakes Packaging  Company,  Inc. ("Finger Lakes"),  a metal food container
manufacturer,  which had net sales of $48.8 for its  fiscal  year ended June 29,
1996.  The purchase price was $29.9 million  (including  net working  capital of
$8.0 million) and was primarily allocated to property, plant, and equipment, and
net  working  capital  acquired  based  on fair  market  value as of the date of
acquisition.  The  excess of the  purchase  price over the fair value of the net
assets  acquired  was $5.2 million and has been  recorded as goodwill,  which is
being amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years.

On August 1, 1995,  Containers  acquired  from  American  National  Can  Company
("ANC")  substantially all of the fixed assets and working capital,  and assumed
certain specified limited liabilities,  of ANC's Food Metal & Specialty business
("AN Can"),  which  manufactures,  markets and sells metal food  containers  and
rigid  plastic  containers  for a variety  of food  products  and metal caps and
closures for food and beverage products. The final purchase price for the assets
acquired and the assumption of certain specified  liabilities was $362.0 million
(including  $13.1 million paid in 1996).  The aggregate  purchase price has been
allocated to the assets  acquired and  liabilities  assumed  based on their fair
values.  The purchase  price  allocation  was  adjusted in 1996 for  differences
between the actual and preliminary  valuations for the asset  appraisals and for
projected employee benefit costs as well as for a revision in estimated costs of
plant  rationalizations,  administrative  workforce reductions and various other
acquisition  liabilities.  The final  purchase price  allocation  resulted in an
adjustment to increase  goodwill by $20.7 million.  The aggregate  excess of the
purchase  price  over the fair  value of the  assets  acquired  and  liabilities
assumed for AN Can was $45.6 million and has been recorded as goodwill, which is
being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years.





                                      F-10
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


3.  Acquisitions  (continued)

The Finger Lakes and AN Can  acquisitions  were accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting and accordingly, the results of operations for Finger Lakes
and AN Can have been included in the  consolidated  financial  statements of the
Company from the dates of acquisition.

Set forth  below are the  Company's  summary  unaudited  pro  forma  results  of
operations  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1995,  giving  effect  to  the
acquisition  of AN Can. The summary  unaudited  pro forma  results of operations
include the historical  results of the Company and AN Can and reflect the effect
of purchase  accounting  adjustments  based on appraisals  and  valuations,  the
financing of the  acquisition of AN Can by the Company,  the  refinancing of the
Company's  related debt  obligations,  and certain other adjustments as if these
events occurred as of the beginning of 1995. Pro forma results of operations for
Finger  Lakes have not been  presented  for 1996 or included in the 1995 summary
unaudited pro forma results of operations  since the impact of such  acquisition
was not significant.

The pro forma  results  of  operations  do not give  effect to  adjustments  for
decreased costs from manufacturing  synergies  resulting from the integration of
AN Can with the Company's existing can manufacturing operations and benefits the
Company  may  realize  as a  result  of its  planned  rationalization  of  plant
operations. Pro forma adjustments have not been made to interest expense for the
year ended  December  31,  1995 for the  portion  of  Holdings'  13 1/4%  Senior
Discount  Debentures  due  2002  ("Discount  Debentures")  redeemed  in  1996 as
described in Note 8 or for the subsequent events discussed in Note 22.

The pro forma  information  does not  purport to  represent  what the  Company's
results of operations  actually would have been if the operations  were combined
as of January 1, 1995, or to project the Company's results of operations for any
future period:
                                                     1995
                                             (Dollars in thousands,
                                             except per share data)

             Net sales .....................   $ 1,404,382
             Income from operations ........        92,749(1)
             Income before income taxes.....         4,064
             Net loss ......................        (2,736)
             Net loss per common share......         (0.13)

(1)  Included  in pro  forma  income  from  operations  for the  year  ended
     December  31, 1995 is a charge of $14.7  million to adjust the carrying
     value of  certain  underutilized  machinery  and  equipment  at  Silgan
     facilities (existing prior to the AN Can acquisition) to net realizable
     value.




                                      F-11
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


4.  Inventories

The  components  of  inventories  at December  31, 1996 and 1995  consist of the
following:
                                                     1996        1995 
                                                     ----        ---- 
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)

      Raw materials ...........................   $ 40,280    $ 46,027
      Work-in-process .........................     27,861      24,869
      Finished goods ..........................    116,498     135,590
      Spare parts and other ...................      7,771       6,344
                                                  --------    --------
                                                   192,410     212,830
      Adjustment to value inventory
         at cost on the LIFO method............      3,571      (2,359)
                                                  --------    --------
                                                  $195,981    $210,471
                                                  ========    ========

The amount of inventory  recorded on the first-in  first-out  method at December
31, 1996 and 1995 was $19.8 million and $17.6 million, respectively.


5.  Property, Plant and Equipment

Property,  plant and  equipment  at December  31,  1996 and 1995  consist of the
following:

                                                     1996        1995
                                                     ----        ----
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)

      Land ....................................   $  6,425    $  6,355
      Buildings and improvements ..............     79,923      68,860
      Machinery and equipment .................    621,232     584,526
      Construction in progress ................     49,771      33,764
                                                  --------    --------
                                                   757,351     693,505
      Accumulated depreciation and amortization    257,570)   (206,204)
                                                  --------    --------
            Property, plant and equipment, net    $499,781    $487,301
                                                  ========    ========

For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994,  depreciation expense was
$54.8 million, $42.2 million and $35.4 million,  respectively.  The total amount
of repairs and maintenance  expense was $32.0 million in 1996,  $26.9 million in
1995 and $19.9 million in 1994.






                                      F-12
<PAGE>


                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


5.  Property, Plant and Equipment  (continued)

In 1995  and  1994,  based  on a  review  of  depreciable  assets,  the  Company
determined that certain adjustments were necessary to properly reflect net fixed
asset  realizable  values.  In 1995, the Company  recorded a write-down of $14.7
million  for the excess of carrying  value over  estimated  realizable  value of
machinery and equipment at existing  facilities  which had become  underutilized
due to excess  capacity.  In 1994,  charges of $16.7 million were recorded which
included $2.6 million to write-down  the excess  carrying  value over  estimated
realizable value of various plant facilities held for sale and $14.1 million for
technologically obsolete and inoperable machinery and equipment.


6.  Goodwill

Goodwill  amortization  charged to  operations  was $2.3  million in 1996;  $1.3
million in 1995; and $1.2 million in 1994. Accumulated  amortization of goodwill
at December 31, 1996,  1995, and 1994 was $7.7 million;  $5.0 million;  and $3.7
million, respectively.


7.  Other Assets

Other assets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 consist of the following:

                                                  1996       1995
                                                  ----       ----
                                               (Dollars in thousands)

            Debt issuance costs ...........     $30,515    $30,148
            Other .........................       8,576      8,027
                                                -------    -------
                                                 39,091     38,175
            Less:  accumulated amortization      (8,339)    (7,295)
                                                -------    -------
                                                $30,752    $30,880
                                                =======    =======

During 1996,  the Company  wrote off $2.2 million of  unamortized  debt issuance
costs,  with no tax benefit,  and capitalized  $4.0 million of new debt issuance
costs in connection with the refinancing of Discount Debentures.  As part of the
acquisition of AN Can and the related refinancing of its secured debt facilities
and  Discount  Debentures  in  1995,  the  Company  wrote  off $6.3  million  of
unamortized  debt  issuance  costs and  capitalized  $19.3  million  of new debt
issuance  costs.  Amortization  expense  relating to debt issuance for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 was $4.5 million, $4.9 million, and $5.3
million, respectively.






                                      F-13
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


8.  Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

The  Company  has a  revolving  credit  facility  which it uses to  finance  its
seasonal  liquidity  needs.  As of December  31, 1996 and 1995,  the Company had
$27.8 million and $7.1 million,  respectively,  of loans  outstanding  under the
revolving credit facility ("Working Capital Loans").

Long-term debt consists of the following:
                                                        1996       1995
                                                        ----       ----
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)

        Bank A Term Loans ........................   $194,554   $220,000
        Bank B Term Loans ........................    343,716    222,750
        11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
           June 15, 2002 .........................    135,000    135,000
        13 1/4% Senior Subordinated Debentures due
           December 15, 2002 .....................     58,940    201,263
                                                     --------   --------
                                                      732,210    779,013
        Less: Amounts due within one year ........     38,427     28,140
                                                     --------   --------
                                                     $693,783   $750,873
                                                     ========   ========

The aggregate  annual  maturities of long-term  debt at December 31, 1996 are as
follows (in thousands):

                           1997..................    $ 38,427
                           1998..................      53,393
                           1999..................      53,393
                           2000..................     126,112
                           2001..................     155,880
                           2002 and thereafter...     305,005
                                                     --------
                                                     $732,210
                                                     ========

Refinancings

Effective August 1, 1995, Silgan,  Containers and Plastics entered into a $675.0
million credit agreement (the "Credit  Agreement") with various banks to finance
the  acquisition  by  Containers  of AN Can, to refinance  and repay in full all
amounts  owing under the previous  bank credit  agreement  and  Silgan's  Senior
Secured  Notes (the "Secured  Notes"),  and to repurchase up to $75.0 million of
Discount Debentures.





                                      F-14
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


8.  Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt  (continued)

The Credit Agreement, as entered into during 1995, provided the Company with (i)
$225.0  million of A Term Loans,  (ii) $225.0  million of B Term Loans and (iii)
Working  Capital Loans of up to $225.0  million.  The Company used proceeds from
the Credit  Agreement  to acquire AN Can for  $348.9  million  (excluding  $13.1
million  paid in 1996),  repay  $117.1  million of term loans under the previous
credit agreement, repay in full $50.0 million of Secured Notes, repurchase $61.7
million  principal amount at maturity of Discount  Debentures for $57.6 million,
and  incur  debt  issuance  costs of $19.3  million.  As a result  of the  early
redemption  of the Secured  Notes and a portion of the  Discount  Debentures  in
1995,  the Company  incurred an  extraordinary  charge of $5.8  million,  net of
taxes, for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $6.4 million
and premiums of $2.0 million paid on the redemption of the Discount Debentures.

In 1996, the Credit Agreement was amended to provide the Company with additional
B Term Loans of $125.0  million.  With  borrowings  of $17.4  million of Working
Capital  Loans,  $12.0 million  representing  a portion of the proceeds from the
issuance of Holdings' 13 1/4% Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock
("Preferred  Stock"),  and the  additional  B Term Loans,  the Company  redeemed
$154.4 principal amount of Discount  Debentures at par. As a result of the early
redemption of a portion of the Discount Debentures in 1996, the Company incurred
an  extraordinary  charge  of $2.2  million  for the  write-off  of  unamortized
deferred financing costs.

Bank Credit Agreement

The A Term Loans  mature on December  31,  2000,  and the B Term Loans mature on
March 15, 2002.  Principal repayments of $25.4 million and $5.0 million on the A
Term Loans and $4.0  million  and $2.3  million on the B Term Loans were made in
1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Principal  is to be repaid on each of the A and B
Term  Loans in  installments  in  accordance  with the  Credit  Agreement  until
maturity.

As provided in the Credit  Agreement,  the Company is required to repay the term
loans  (ratably  allocated  between the A Term Loans and the B Term Loans) in an
amount equal to 80% of the net sale  proceeds from certain asset sales and up to
100% of the net equity proceeds from certain sales of equity.  Effective for the
year ended  December  31, 1996 and each year  thereafter  during the term of the
Credit  Agreement,  the Company is  required  to prepay the term loans  (ratably
allocated  between the A Term Loans and the B Term Loans) in an amount  equal to
50% of the  Company's  excess  cash flow.  Amounts  repaid  under the term loans
cannot be reborrowed.




                                      F-15
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


8.  Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt  (continued)

Bank Credit Agreement  (continued)

The Credit Agreement  provides  Containers and Plastics,  together,  a revolving
credit  facility of up to $225.0 million for working  capital needs.  Borrowings
available  under the revolving  credit  facility were $190.0 million at December
31, 1996, after taking into account  outstanding  Working Capital Loans of $27.8
million  and  outstanding  letters of credit of $7.2  million.  The  Company may
utilize  up to a maximum  of $20.0  million  in letters of credit as long as the
aggregate amount of borrowings of Working Capital Loans and letters of credit do
not exceed the amount of the commitment under the revolving credit facility. The
aggregate  amount of Working  Capital  Loans and letters of credit  which may be
outstanding  at any time is also  limited to the  aggregate  of 85% of  eligible
accounts receivable and 50% of eligible inventory.  Working Capital Loans may be
borrowed,  repaid,  and reborrowed  over the life of the Credit  Agreement until
final maturity on December 31, 2000.

The  borrowings  under the Credit  Agreement may be designated by the respective
borrowers  as Base  Rate or  Eurodollar  Rate  borrowings.  The Base Rate is the
higher of (i) 1/2 of 1% in excess of Adjusted  Certificate  of Deposit  Rate, or
(ii) Bankers  Trust  Company's  prime lending rate.  Base Rate  borrowings  bear
interest at the Base Rate plus a margin of 1.50% in the case of A Term Loans and
Working  Capital  Loans;  and a  margin  of  2.0% in the  case of B Term  Loans.
Eurodollar Rate borrowings bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of
2.50% in the case of A Term Loans and  Working  Capital  Loans;  and a margin of
3.0% in the case of B Term Loans.  In accordance with the Credit  Agreement,  if
the Company meets certain financial tests, the interest rate margin on Base Rate
and Eurodollar  Rate borrowings may be reduced from the existing  margin.  As of
December 31, 1996, the interest rate for Base Rate  borrowings was 9.75% and the
interest rate for  Eurodollar  Rate  borrowings  ranged  between 8.0% and 8.63%.
During 1996, the Company entered into interest rate swap arrangements to convert
interest  rate exposure from variable to fixed rates of interest on A Term Loans
and B Term Loans in an aggregate  amount of $200.0  million (for a discussion of
the interest rate swap agreements, see Note 9).

For 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively,  the average  amount of  borrowings  of
Working Capital Loans was $104.1 million,  $67.6 million and $14.4 million;  the
weighted  average annual interest rate paid on such  borrowings was 8.4%,  8.9%,
and 8.4%; and the highest amount of such borrowings was $175.1  million,  $188.1
million, and $46.0 million.




                                      F-16
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


8.  Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt  (continued)

Bank Credit Agreement  (continued)

The Credit  Agreement  provides for the payment of a commitment  fee of 0.5% per
annum on the daily average  unused portion of  commitments  available  under the
working  capital  revolving  credit facility as well as a 2.75% per annum fee on
outstanding letters of credit.

The  indebtedness  under the Credit Agreement is guaranteed by Holdings and each
of Silgan,  Containers  and  Plastics  and  secured by a  security  interest  in
substantially  all of the real and personal  property of Silgan,  Containers and
Plastics.  The  stock  of  Silgan  and  the  stock  of  principally  all  of its
subsidiaries have been pledged to the lenders under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement  contains various covenants which limit or restrict,  among
other things,  investments,  indebtedness,  liens,  dividends,  leases,  capital
expenditures, and the use of proceeds from asset sales, as well as requiring the
Company to meet certain specified financial covenants.  The Company is currently
in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.

11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes

The Company's 11 3/4% Senior  Subordinated  Notes (the "11 3/4%  Notes"),  which
mature on June 15, 2002,  represent  unsecured  general  obligations  of Silgan,
subordinate  in right of payment to  obligations of the Company under the Credit
Agreement  and  effectively  subordinate  to  all  of  the  obligations  of  the
subsidiaries  of  Silgan.  Interest  is  payable  semi-annually  on  June 15 and
December 15.

The 11 3/4% Notes are  redeemable  at the option of the Company,  in whole or in
part, at any time during the twelve months  commencing  June 15 of the following
years at the  indicated  percentages  of their  principal  amount,  plus accrued
interest:

                                               Redemption
                  Year                         Percentage
                  ----                         ----------
                  1997...............           105.8750%
                  1998...............           102.9375%
                  1999 and thereafter           100.0000%

The 11 3/4% Notes Indenture  contains  covenants which are comparable to or less
restrictive than those under the terms of the Credit Agreement.





                                      F-17
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


8.  Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt  (continued)

13 1/4% Senior Discount Debentures

The 13 1/4% Senior  Discount  Debentures,  which are due on December  15,  2002,
represent  unsecured  general  obligations of Holdings,  subordinate in right of
payment to the  obligations of Silgan and its  subsidiaries.  The original issue
discount  was  amortized  through  June 15,  1996 with a yield to maturity of 13
1/4%. From and after June 15, 1996,  interest on the Discount Debentures accrues
on the  principal  amount  thereof at the rate of 13 1/4% and is payable in cash
semiannually.  The Discount Debentures are redeemable at any time, at the option
of Holdings, in whole or in part, at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued
interest to the redemption date. The Company  redeemed $154.4 million  principal
amount  of its  Discount  Debentures  in  1996  and  repurchased  $61.7  million
principal  amount at maturity of its Discount  Debentures  for $57.6  million in
1995.

The Discount  Debenture  Indenture contains covenants which are comparable to or
less restrictive than those under the Credit Agreement and the 11 3/4% Notes.


9.  Financial Instruments and Risk Management

The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements with various banks to
manage its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. The agreements are with major
financial  institutions  which are  expected  to fully  perform  under the terms
thereof.  The interest rate swap agreements  effectively  convert  interest rate
exposure from variable rates to fixed rates of interest  without the exchange of
the  underlying  principal  amounts.  A  portion  of  the  Company's  term  debt
instruments  carries a variable rate of interest  based on the London  interbank
offered rate  ("LIBOR") plus a margin  currently  ranging from 2.5% to 3.0%. The
interest rate swap agreements require the Company to pay fixed rates of interest
based  on LIBOR  ranging  from  5.6% to 6.2%  plus  the  aforementioned  margin.
Notional  principal  amounts of these  agreements total $200.0 million and these
agreements mature in the year 1999. The notional amounts are used to measure the
interest to be paid or received and do not  represent  the amount of exposure to
credit loss.  Net payments of $0.3 million under these  agreements  made in 1996
were recorded as adjustments to interest expense.





                                      F-18
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


9.  Financial Instruments and Risk Management  (continued)

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company derives a significant  portion of its revenue from multi-year supply
agreements with many of its customers.  Aggregate  revenues from its two largest
customers  accounted for approximately  29.1% of its net sales in 1996 and 36.0%
of its  net  sales  in  1995.  The  receivable  balances  from  these  customers
collectively  represented 20.3% and 28.2% of the Company's  accounts  receivable
before allowances at December 31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  As is common in
the packaging industry,  the Company provides extended payment terms for some of
its customers due to the  seasonality  of the vegetable and fruit pack business.
Exposure to losses is  dependent  on each  customer's  financial  position.  The
Company  performs  ongoing  credit  evaluations  of  its  customer's   financial
condition and its receivables are not  collateralized.  The Company maintains an
allowance for doubtful  accounts which management  believes is adequate to cover
potential  credit  losses  based  on  customer  credit  evaluations,  collection
history, and other information.


10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The  carrying  amounts  and  estimated  fair values of the  Company's  financial
instruments at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:
                                              1996                  1995
                                       -------------------   -------------------
                                       Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair
                                        Amount      Value     Amount      Value
                                        ------      -----     ------      -----
                                                 (Dollars in thousands)

Working Capital Facility ...........   $ 27,800   $ 27,800   $  7,100   $  7,100
Bank A Term Loans ..................    194,554    194,554    220,000    220,000
Bank B Term Loans ..................    343,716    343,716    222,750    222,750
11 3/4% Senior Subordinated
  Notes due June 15, 2002 ..........    135,000    144,500    135,000    144,500
13 1/4% Senior Subordinated
  Debentures due December 15, 2002 .     58,940     59,235    201,263    205,873
Cumulative exchangeable redeemable
  preferred stock ..................     52,998     58,671       --         --
Interest Rate Swap Agreements ......       --          504       --         --

Methods and assumptions used in estimating fair values are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for
cash and cash equivalents  approximates  fair value due to the short duration of
those investments.




                                      F-19
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments  (continued)

Short and long-term debt: The carrying amounts of the Company's borrowings under
its working capital loans and  variable-rate  borrowings  approximate their fair
value.  The fair  values of  fixed-rate  borrowings  are based on quoted  market
prices.

Convertible  exchangeable preferred stock: The fair value of the preferred stock
is estimated based on quoted market prices.

Interest  Rate Swap  Agreements:  Fair values of interest  rate swap  agreements
reflect the  estimated  amounts that the Company  would receive to terminate the
contracts at the reporting date based on quoted market prices.


11. Commitments

The Company has a number of noncancelable  operating leases for office and plant
facilities, equipment and automobiles that expire at various dates through 2020.
Certain  operating leases have renewal  options.  Minimum future rental payments
under these leases are (in thousands):

                  1997.......................      $13,779
                  1998.......................       10,615
                  1999.......................        8,181
                  2000.......................        6,257
                  2001.......................        4,431
                  2002 and thereafter........        9,213
                                                   -------
                                                   $52,476
                                                   =======

Rent expense was approximately $13.9 million in 1996; $10.8 million in 1995; and
$9.1 million in 1994.


12. Retirement Plans

The  Company  sponsors  pension  and  defined  contribution  plans  which  cover
substantially   all   employees,   other   than  union   employees   covered  by
multi-employer   defined  benefit  pension  plans  under  collective  bargaining
agreements.  Pension  benefits  are provided  based on either a career  average,
final pay or years of service formula. With respect to certain hourly employees,
pension  benefits  are  provided  for based on stated  amounts  for each year of
service.  It is the  Company's  policy  to  fund  accrued  pension  and  defined
contribution  costs in compliance with ERISA  requirements.  Assets of the plans
consist primarily of equity and bond funds.





                                      F-20
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


12. Retirement Plans  (continued)

The following  table sets forth the funded  status of the  Company's  retirement
plans as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:
                                         Plans in which        Plans in which
                                          Assets Exceed          Accumulated
                                           Accumulated            Benefits
                                            Benefits            Exceed Assets
                                       ------------------    ------------------
                                         1996       1995       1996       1995
                                         ----       ----       ----       ----
                                                (Dollars in thousands)
Actuarial present value of
 benefit obligations:
  Vested benefit obligations .......   $14,009    $12,135    $33,558    $31,465
  Non-vested benefit obligations ...       383        547      4,718      3,158
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------
Accumulated benefit obligations ....    14,392     12,682     38,276     34,623
Additional benefits due to
  future salary levels .............     6,255      5,667      6,526      7,132
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------
Projected benefit obligations ......    20,647     18,349     44,802     41,755
Plan assets at fair value ..........    15,055     12,988     31,265     23,535
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------
Projected benefit obligation
  in excess of plan assets .........     5,592      5,361     13,537     18,220
Unrecognized actuarial gain (loss)..       110       (165)     3,476      1,237
Unrecognized prior service costs ...      (565)      (615)    (2,052)    (2,128)
Additional minimum liability .......      --         --        1,124      1,990
                                       -------    -------    -------    -------
Accrued pension liability
  recognized in the balance sheet...   $ 5,137    $ 4,581    $16,085    $19,319
                                       =======    =======    =======    =======

For certain pension plans with accumulated  benefits in excess of plan assets at
December  31,  1996 and  December  31,  1995,  the  balance  sheet  reflects  an
additional  minimum  pension  liability  and  related  intangible  asset of $1.1
million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The  components of net periodic  pension costs for defined  benefit plans are as
follows:

                                                     1996       1995       1994
                                                     ----       ----       ----
                                                       (Dollars in thousands)
 
Service cost .................................     $5,229     $3,067     $2,947
Interest cost ................................      4,452      3,887      3,334
Actual loss (return) on assets ...............     (3,946)    (7,284)       539
Net amortization and deferrals ...............        650      5,008     (2,698)
                                                   ------     ------     ------
    Net periodic pension cost ................     $6,385     $4,678     $4,122
                                                   ======     ======     ======





                                      F-21
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


12. Retirement Plans  (continued)

The Company participates in several  multi-employer  pension plans which provide
defined  benefits to certain of its union  employees.  The  composition of total
pension cost for 1996, 1995, and 1994 in the Company's  Consolidated  Statements
of Operations is as follows:

                                                  1996     1995     1994
                                                  ----     ----     ----
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)

       Net periodic pension cost ............   $ 6,385   $4,678   $4,122
       Settlement and curtailment losses, net        48      418     --
       Contributions to multi-employer
         union plans ........................     3,813    2,708    2,700
                                                -------   ------   ------
           Total pension costs ..............   $10,246   $7,804   $6,822
                                                =======   ======   ======

The assumptions used in determining the actuarial  present value of plan benefit
obligations as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:

                                                   1996     1995     1994
                                                   ----     ----     ----

       Discount rate ........................      7.5%     7.5%     8.5%
       Weighted average rate of
         compensation increase ..............      4.0%     4.0%     4.5%
       Expected long-term rate of
         return on plan assets ..............      9.0%     8.5%     8.5%

The Company also sponsors defined  contribution pension and profit sharing plans
covering  substantially all employees.  Company contributions to these plans are
based upon employee  contributions  and operating  profitability.  Contributions
charged to income for these  plans were $4.5  million in 1996;  $1.7  million in
1995;  and $2.5  million  in 1994.  Improved  operating  performance  in 1996 as
compared  to 1995  resulted in greater  contributions  to the  Company's  profit
sharing plans.


13. Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

The Company  has  defined  benefit  health  care and life  insurance  plans that
provide   postretirement   benefits   to  certain   employees.   The  plans  are
contributory,  with retiree  contributions  adjusted annually,  and contain cost
sharing features including deductibles and coinsurance.  Retiree health benefits
are paid as covered expenses are incurred.




                                      F-22
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


13. Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions  (continued)

The following table presents the funded status of the  postretirement  plans and
amounts  recognized in the  Company's  balance sheet as of December 31, 1996 and
1995:

                                                          1996       1995
                                                          ----       ----
                                                       (Dollars in thousands)
     Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
       Retirees ...................................     $ 2,691    $ 1,587
       Fully eligible active plan participants ....       5,576     11,647
       Other active plan participants .............      18,214     14,770
                                                        -------    -------
     Total accumulated postretirement
       benefit obligation .........................      26,481     28,004
     Unrecognized net loss (gain) .................       2,993     (2,929)
     Unrecognized prior service costs .............        (275)      (298)
                                                        -------    -------
     Accrued postretirement benefit liability .....     $29,199    $24,777
                                                        =======    =======

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost include the following components:

                                                    1996     1995     1994
                                                    ----     ----     ----
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)

     Service cost .............................    $  871   $  372   $ 321
     Interest cost ............................     1,766    1,097     412
     Net amortization and deferral ............       25       42     (14)
                                                   ------   ------   -----
       Net periodic postretirement benefit cost    $2,662   $1,511   $ 719
                                                   ======   ======   =====

The  weighted   average   discount  rate  used  to  determine  the   accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 was 7.5%. The
net periodic  postretirement benefit costs were calculated using a discount rate
of 7.5% in 1996 and  discount  rates  ranging  from 7.5% to 8.5% for  1995.  The
assumed  health  care  cost  trend  rates  used  in  measuring  the  accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation in 1996 ranged from 10% to 9.5% for pre-age 65
retirees  and was 9.0% for  post-age  65  retirees,  declining  gradually  to an
ultimate rate of 5.5% over the next 12 years.

A 1% increase in the health care cost trend rate  assumption  would increase the
accumulated  postretirement  benefit  obligation  as of  December  31,  1996  by
approximately  $1.7  million  and  increase  the  aggregate  of the  service and
interest  cost  components of the net periodic  postretirement  benefit cost for
1996 by approximately $0.2 million.





                                      F-23
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


14. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense are as follows:

                                           1996       1995       1994
                                           ----       ----       ----
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
       Current
         Federal .....................    $ --       $  500     $2,500
         State .......................     3,000      1,900      3,200
         Foreign .....................       300        100       (100)
                                          ------     ------     ------
                                           3,300      2,500      5,600
       Deferred
         Federal .....................      --         --         --
         State .......................      --         --         --
         Foreign .....................      --         --         --
                                          ------     ------     ------
                                            --         --         --
                                          ------     ------     ------
                                          $3,300     $2,500     $5,600
                                          ======     ======     ======

Income tax expense is included in the financial statements as follows:

                                           1996       1995       1994
                                           ----       ----       ----
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
       Income before
         extraordinary charges .......    $3,300     $5,100     $5,600
       Extraordinary charges .........      --       (2,600)      --
                                          ------     ------     ------
                                          $3,300     $2,500     $5,600
                                          ======     ======     ======

The income tax provision  varied from that computed by using the U.S.  statutory
rate as a result of the following:


                                           1996       1995       1994
                                           ----       ----       ----
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
       Income tax benefit at the U.S. 
         federal income tax rate .....   $11,100    $(3,811)    $(2,601)
       State and foreign tax expense,
         net of federal income benefit     2,145      1,820       2,015
       Amortization of goodwill ......       621        471         576
       Change in valuation allowance .   (10,566)     6,620       5,610
                                         -------    -------     -------
                                         $ 3,300    $ 5,100     $ 5,600
                                         =======    =======     =======





                                      F-24
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


14. Income Taxes  (continued)

Deferred  income  taxes  reflect  the net tax  effect of  temporary  differences
between the carrying  amounts of assets and liabilities for financial  reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's  deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 1996 and 1995
are as follows:

                                                        1996      1995
                                                        ----      ----
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
      Deferred tax liabilities:
        Tax over book depreciation ................   $65,000   $53,400
        Book over tax basis of assets acquired ....    13,200    16,100
        Other .....................................     4,100     3,900
                                                      -------   -------
          Total deferred tax liabilities ..........    82,300    73,400

      Deferred tax assets:
        Book reserves not yet deductible
          for tax purposes ........................    59,200    56,300
        Deferred interest on high yield obligations     7,700    25,100
        Net operating loss carryforwards ..........    57,200    35,600
        Other .....................................       500     1,200
                                                      -------   -------
          Total deferred tax assets ...............   124,600   118,200
        Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets    49,136    51,636
                                                      -------   -------
          Net deferred tax assets .................    75,464    66,564
                                                      -------   -------

      Net deferred tax liabilities ................   $ 6,836   $ 6,836
                                                      =======   =======

The Company has a net deferred tax asset  position  primarily as a result of its
net operating loss carryforwards and net temporary  differences.  In years prior
to 1996 the Company reported book losses,  therefore,  under current  accounting
principles  the full  amount of the  deferred  tax  asset  has been  offset by a
valuation  allowance.  The valuation allowance will be reduced at the time it is
more likely than not that the Company will generate taxable income sufficient to
realize a portion of the tax benefits  associated  with the net  operating  loss
carryforwards and future deductible temporary differences.  The Company believes
this  will  occur in 1997.  At the time the  valuation  allowance  is  reduced a
portion of the benefit will be recorded as a reduction to income tax expense and
the remainder will be recorded as a reduction to goodwill.

The valuation  allowance decline in 1996 represented the reversal of the reserve
for  prior  years'  operating  losses  not  previously  recognized,  net  of the
additional  deferred tax asset recorded as a result of the  finalization  of the
purchase price allocation for AN Can.





                                      F-25
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


14. Income Taxes  (continued)

The Company  files a  consolidated  federal  income tax return.  At December 31,
1996, the Company has net operating loss  carryforwards of approximately  $164.0
million which are available to offset future consolidated  taxable income of the
group and expire from 2001  through  2011.  The Company also has $3.9 million of
alternative  minimum  tax credits  which are  available  indefinitely  to reduce
future tax payments for regular federal income tax purposes.


15. Acquisition Reserves

In  connection  with the  acquisition  of AN Can, the Company has  finalized its
plant  rationalization  and integration  plans. These plans consist primarily of
the closing or downsizing of certain manufacturing plants and the integration of
the  selling,  general  and  administrative  functions  of  the  former  AN  Can
operations with the Company.  Provisions were established for such planned costs
which  include  approximately  $22.6 million  related to employee  severance and
relocation costs, $3.5 million related to administrative  workforce  reductions,
and $23.4 million related to plant exit costs and other acquisition liabilities.
The timing of the plant rationalizations,  among other things, will be dependent
on covenants in existing labor  agreements and  accordingly  these costs will be
incurred  during the period  through 1998.  During 1996 and 1995,  respectively,
costs of $6.5 million and $0.9 million were incurred  primarily  for  relocation
and severance in connection with administrative workforce reductions.


16. Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock

On July  22,  1996,  the  Company  issued  50,000  shares  of  Preferred  Stock,
mandatorily  redeemable  in 2006,  at $1,000  per  share  which  represents  the
liquidation preference of the Preferred Stock. The Company used $35.8 million of
these proceeds to purchase  4,283,286 shares of its Class B Common Stock held by
Mellon  Bank,  as trustee for First  Plaza Group Trust  pursuant to its right to
purchase  such  stock for such  amount  under  the  Organization  Agreement.  In
aggregate,  common  stock and  additional  paid in capital were reduced by $15.0
million,  the original  issuance  amount received for such Class B Common Stock,
and the remainder of the payment was applied to Holdings' accumulated deficit.

The Preferred Stock holders are entitled to receive  cumulative  dividends of 13
1/4% per annum,  which are payable quarterly in cash or, on or prior to July 15,
2000 at the sole option of the Company, in additional shares of Preferred Stock.
After July 15, 2000,  dividends may be paid only in cash. During 1996, dividends
of $1.6  million  were paid in  additional  shares  of  Preferred  Stock.  As of
December 31, 1996,  the Company  accrued  dividends  of $1.4  million,  which it
intends to pay in additional shares of Preferred Stock.




                                      F-26
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


16. Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock (continued)

The Preferred Stock is exchangeable into Holdings'  Subordinated  Debentures due
2006 (the "Exchange  Debentures"),  in whole but not in part, at any time at the
option of the Company,  subject to certain  conditions.  The Exchange Debentures
will bear  interest at the dividend rate in effect with respect to the Preferred
Stock. Interest on the Exchange Debentures will be payable semi-annually and, on
or prior  to July 15,  2000,  the  Company  may pay  such  interest  by  issuing
additional Exchange Debentures.  If by July 22, 1997 the Preferred Stock has not
been exchanged for Exchange Debentures, the dividend rate on the Preferred Stock
will increase by 0.5% per annum to 13 3/4% per annum until such exchange occurs.

The Company is required to redeem the Preferred Stock or Exchange  Debentures on
July 15,  2006,  but may  elect  to  redeem  the  Preferred  Stock  or  Exchange
Debentures,  in whole or in part,  at any time  during the twelve  month  period
beginning  July 15 of each of the years set forth below,  at a redemption  price
(expressed as a percentage of the liquidation  preference of the Preferred Stock
or principal amount of the Exchange Debentures), plus an amount equal to all the
accumulated and unpaid dividends or accrued and unpaid interest.

                   Year                           Percentage
                   ----                           ----------
                   2000 ....................       109.938%                    
                   2001 ....................       106.625%
                   2002 ....................       103.313%
                   2003 and thereafter .....       100.000%

In addition,  all (but not less than all) of the outstanding  Preferred Stock or
Exchange  Debentures may be redeemed prior to July 15, 2000 at the option of the
Company for a redemption  price equal to 110% of the  liquidation  preference of
the Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends,  or 110% of the principal
amount of the  Exchange  Debentures  plus  accrued and unpaid  interest,  to the
redemption  date with the proceeds of any sale by Holdings of its common  stock.
Upon the  occurrence  of a Change of Control (as defined in the  Certificate  of
Designation  relating to the Preferred  Stock or the  indenture  relating to the
Exchange  Debentures),  the Company is required to make an offer to purchase all
of the shares of Preferred Stock or all of the Exchange Debentures at a purchase
price equal to 101% of the liquidation  preference of the Preferred Stock,  plus
accrued and unpaid  dividends to the date of purchase,  or 101% of the principal
amount of the Exchange Debentures,  plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date
of purchase.

The  Preferred  Stock will rank senior to all common  stock of Holdings and upon
conversion,  the Exchange  Debentures will be subordinate to the indebtedness of
Holdings. The holders of the Preferred Stock do not have voting rights except in
certain limited  circumstances.  The Company's Credit Agreement and various debt
indentures restrict the Company's ability to, among other things, pay dividends,
incur additional indebtedness, and purchase or redeem shares of capital stock.




                                      F-27
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

17. Stock Option Plans

Holdings,  Containers and Plastics have established stock option plans for their
key employees  pursuant to which  options to purchase  shares of common stock of
Holdings and its  subsidiaries  and stock  appreciation  rights  ("SARs") may be
granted.

Options  granted  under  the  plans may be either  incentive  stock  options  or
non-qualified  stock  options.  To date,  all stock  options  granted  have been
non-qualified  stock  options.  Under the plans,  Holdings has reserved  411,196
shares  of its  Class C Common  Stock  and  Containers  and  Plastics  have each
reserved 1,200 shares of their common stock for issuance under their  respective
plans.  Containers has 13,764 shares and Plastics has 13,800 shares of $0.01 par
value common stock currently issued, and all such shares are owned by Silgan.

The SARs  extend to the shares  covered by the options  for the  Containers  and
Plastics  plans and  provide for the payment to the holders of the options of an
amount in cash equal to the excess of, in the case of Containers' plans, the pro
forma book value,  as defined,  of a share of common stock (or in the event of a
public  offering  or a change of control  (as  defined in such  plan),  the fair
market value of a share of common stock) over the exercise  price of the option,
with certain adjustments for the portion of vested stock appreciation rights not
paid at the  time of the  recapitalization  in June  1989;  or,  in the  case of
Plastics'  plan,  in the event of a public  offering  or a change in control (as
defined in such plan), the fair market value of a share of common stock over the
exercise price of the option.

Prior to a public  offering  or change in  control,  should  an  employee  leave
Containers,  Containers  has the right to  repurchase,  and the employee has the
right to require  Containers to repurchase,  the common stock of Containers held
by the employee at the then pro forma book value.

At December 31, 1996,  there were  outstanding  options for 411,196 shares under
the Holdings plan, 936 shares under the Containers  plan, and 1,200 shares under
the Plastics plan.  The exercise  prices per share range from $2.04 to $3.54 for
the Holdings  options,  $2,122 to $4,933 for the Containers  options and $126 to
$993 for the  Plastics  options.  The stock  options and SARs  generally  become
exercisable  ratably over a five-year  period.  At December 31, 1996, there were
318,675  options   exercisable   under  the  Holdings  plan,  846   options/SARs
exercisable  under the Containers plan, and 420 options/SARs  exercisable  under
the Plastics plan. For the year ended  December 31, 1994,  154,197  options were
granted under the Holdings  plan,  240 options were granted under the Containers
plan,  and 900 options were granted under the Plastics  plan. For the year ended
December 31, 1995, 300 options were granted under the Plastics plan.  There were
no grants in 1996.  For the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995,  and 1994, no
options were  exercised  under any of the plans.  The Company  incurred  charges
relating to the vesting of benefits under the stock option plans of $0.8 million
in 1996 and 1995, and $1.5 million in 1994.




                                      F-28
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


17. Stock Option Plans  (continued)

In the event of a public offering of any of Holdings'  capital stock or a change
in control of  Holdings,  (i) the options  granted by  Containers  and  Plastics
pursuant to the plans and (ii) any stock issued by  Containers  upon exercise of
such  options are  convertible  into  either  stock  options or common  stock of
Holdings,  as the case may be. The  conversion of such options or shares will be
based upon a valuation of Holdings and an  allocation  of such value between the
subsidiaries  after giving  affect to, among other  things,  that portion of the
outstanding indebtedness of Holdings allocable to each such subsidiary.

For the year ended December 31, 1995, the value of the options granted under the
Plastic  plan  were  significant.  Accordingly,  the  impact on net  income  and
earnings per share from the issuance of these  options  would not be  materially
different from amounts currently reported and would not require SFAS No. 123 pro
forma disclosure.


18. Deficiency in Stockholders' Equity

Deficiency in  stockholders'  equity  includes the  following  classes of common
stock ($.01 par value):
                                             Shares
                                     Issued and Outstanding
                  Class                   December 31,
                  -----                   ------------
                                        1996        1995
                                        ----        ----
                    A ............   7,153,088    7,153,088 
                    B ............   7,153,088   11,436,375
                    C ............     856,657      856,657
                                    ----------   ----------
                                    15,162,833   19,446,120
                                    ==========   ==========
                  
The rights,  privileges  and powers of the Class A Common  Stock and the Class B
Common Stock are identical, with shares of each class being entitled to one vote
on all matters to come before the  stockholders of Holdings.  The Class C Common
Stock does not have voting rights except in certain circumstances.

As  discussed  in Note 22,  in  connection  with the  initial  public  offering,
Holdings amended its Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  and converted Class
A, Class B and Class C Common Stock into Common Stock on a one for one basis and
effected a stock split of 17.133145 to 1.






                                      F-29
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


19. Related Party Transactions

Pursuant to various management services agreements (the "Management Agreements")
entered into between  Holdings,  Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics,  and S&H,  Inc.
("S&H"),  a company  wholly-owned  by Mr.  Silver,  the  Chairman  and  Co-Chief
Executive  Officer of Holdings and Silgan,  and Mr. Horrigan,  the President and
Co-Chief Executive Officer of Holdings and Silgan, S&H provides Holdings, Silgan
and its subsidiaries  with general  management,  supervision and  administrative
services.

In consideration  for its services,  S&H receives a fee of 4.95% (of which 0.45%
is payable to MS & Co.) of Holdings'  consolidated earnings before depreciation,
amortization,  interest  and taxes  ("EBIDTA")  until  EBIDTA  has  reached  the
Scheduled Amount set forth in the Management  Agreements and 3.3% (of which 0.3%
is payable to MS & Co.) after EBIDTA has exceeded the Scheduled Amount up to the
Maximum Amount as set forth in the Management Agreements, plus reimbursement for
all  related  out-of-pocket  expenses.  The  total  amount  incurred  under  the
Management  Agreements was $5.3 million in 1996,  $5.4 million in 1995, and $5.0
million in 1994, and was allocated,  based upon EBIDTA, as a charge to operating
income of each business  segment.  Included in accounts  payable at December 31,
1996  and  1995,  was  $0.1  million  payable  to S&H.  Under  the  terms of the
Management Agreements, the Company has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to
indemnify  S&H  and  any  of its  affiliates,  officers,  directors,  employees,
subcontractors,  consultants or controlling  persons  against any loss or damage
they may sustain arising in connection with the Management Agreements.

In connection with the Credit Agreement and its related  amendments entered into
during 1996 and 1995,  the banks  thereunder  (including  Bankers Trust Company)
received fees totaling $1.6 million in 1996 and $17.2 million in 1995.


20. Litigation

In  connection  with the  acquisition  by Holdings of Silgan as of June 30, 1989
(the  "Merger"),  a  decision  was  rendered  in 1995 by the  Delaware  Court of
Chancery  with  respect  to  appraisal   proceedings  filed  by  certain  former
stockholders  of 400,000  shares of stock of Silgan.  Pursuant to that decision,
these former  holders were awarded  $5.94 per share,  plus simple  interest at a
rate of 9.5%. This award was less than the amount,  $6.50 per share,  that these
former  holders  would have  received in the Merger.  The right of these  former
holders to appeal the Chancery  Court's  decision  has expired,  and the Company
tendered payment of $3.8 million to these former holders in 1995. In 1994, prior
to the trial for appraisal,  the Company and the former holders of an additional
650,000  shares of stock of Silgan  agreed to a  settlement  in respect of their
appraisal  rights,  and the Company  made a payment of $6.9  million,  including
interest, in respect of the settlement.




                                      F-30
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


20. Litigation  (continued)

There are no other pending legal  proceedings to which the Company is a party or
to which any of its properties are subject which would have a material effect on
the Company's financial position.


21. Business Segment Information

The Company is engaged in the packaging industry and operates principally in two
business  segments.  Both  segments  operate  in  North  America.  There  are no
intersegment  sales.  Presented  below  is  a  tabulation  of  business  segment
information for each of the past three years:

                                Net       Oper.   Identifiable  Dep. &   Capital
                               Sales     Profit      Assets     Amort.   Expend.
                               -----     ------      ------     ------   -------
1996                                        (Dollars in millions)
- ----                                    
Metal container
  & specialty(1) .....       $1,189.3     $106.1     $750.7     $44.7     $39.1
Plastic container ....          216.4       18.4      158.5      14.6      17.6
                              -------     ------     ------     -----     -----
  Total ..............       $1,405.7     $124.5     $909.2     $59.3     $56.7
                             ========     ======     ======     =====     =====

1995
- ----
Metal container
  & specialty(1) .....       $  882.3     $ 58.2 (2) $736.7     $31.6     $32.5
Plastic container ....          219.6       13.2      159.4      13.8      19.4
                             --------     ------    -------     -----     -----
  Total ..............       $1,101.9     $ 71.4     $896.1     $45.4     $51.9
                             ========     ======     ======     =====     =====

1994
- ----
Metal container
  & specialty(1) .....       $  657.1     $ 59.8 (3) $335.3     $23.1     $16.9
Plastic container ....          204.3       (0.1)(3)  162.8      14.1      12.3
                             --------     ------    -------     -----     -----
  Total ..............       $  861.4     $ 59.7     $498.1     $37.2     $29.2
                             ========     ======     ======     =====     =====

(1)   Specialty  packaging  sales  include  closures,  plastic bowls,  and paper
      containers  used  by processors and packagers in the food industry and are
      not significant enough to be reported as a separate segment.

(2)   Includes charge for reduction in carrying value of assets of $14.7 million
      for the metal container segment.

(3)   Includes  charges  for  reduction  in  carrying  value of  assets  of $7.2
      million for the metal container  segment and $9.5 million  for the plastic
      container segment, respectively.




                                      F-31
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


21. Business Segment Information  (continued)

Operating profit is reconciled to income before tax as follows:

                                           1996     1995     1994
                                           ----     ----     ----
                                            (Dollars in millions)

             Operating profit .........   $124.5   $ 71.4    $59.7
             Interest expense .........     89.4     80.7     65.8
             Corporate expense ........      1.2      1.5      1.3
                                          ------   ------    -----
               Income (loss) before
                  income taxes ........   $ 33.9   $(10.8)   $(7.4)
                                          ======   ======    =====

Identifiable assets are reconciled to total assets as follows:

                                           1996     1995     1994
                                           ----     ----     ----
                                            (Dollars in millions)

             Identifiable assets ......   $909.2   $896.1   $498.1
             Corporate assets .........      4.3      3.9      6.2
                                          ------   ------   ------
               Total assets ...........   $913.5   $900.0   $504.3
                                          ======   ======   ======

Metal  container and other  segment  sales to Nestle Food Company  accounted for
17.1%,  21.4%,  and 25.9% of net sales of the  Company  during  the years  ended
December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.  Sales to Del Monte Corporation
accounted  for 12.0%,  14.5%,  and 21.4% of net sales of the Company  during the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.


22. Subsequent Events

Initial Public Offering

On February 13, 1997, the Company's registration statement for an initial public
offering ("IPO") of 5,175,000 shares of its Common Stock was declared  effective
by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In connection with the IPO, Holdings
amended its  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  to change its  authorized
capital stock to 100,000,000  shares of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share,
and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. In addition,
in  connection  with the IPO the  existing  Class A,  Class B and Class C Common
Stock of Holdings  were  converted to Common  Stock on a one for one basis,  and
thereafter,  Holdings  effected a 17.133145 to 1 stock split.  Share information
and per share  data have  been  adjusted  to give  effect  to the  amendment  to
Holdings' Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the stock split.




                                      F-32
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


22. Subsequent Events  (continued)

Initial Public Offering  (continued)

Supplementary  net income per share  (unaudited),  assuming the  repayment as of
January 1, 1996 of the  indebtedness,  described below, from the net proceeds to
the Company from the IPO, was $1.42 for the year ended December 31, 1996.

Under the terms of the stock  option plans of  Containers  and  Plastics,  stock
options issued under such plans were converted to Holdings'  options at the time
of the IPO. In accordance with APB No. 25, options granted under these plans are
considered  variable  options  with a  final  measurement  date  at the  time of
conversion.  The Company will recognize a non-cash charge of approximately $22.5
million,  net of $3.7 million previously  accrued, in the first quarter of 1997,
for the excess of the fair market  value over the grant  price of these  options
less amounts previously accrued.

Use of Proceeds

The  Company  intends  to use net  proceeds  from  the IPO to  redeem  Holdings'
remaining  Discount  Debentures  (approximately  $59.0  million)  and  to  repay
approximately  $8.9  million  of bank term  loans.  These  debt  repayments  are
expected to occur during the first  quarter of 1997.  In  connection  with early
redemption of the remaining Discount  Debentures,  the Company will recognize an
extraordinary  charge  of  approximately  $0.7  million,  net of  tax,  for  the
write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.






                                      F-33
<PAGE>




                                                                     SCHEDULE I


             CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                             (Dollars in thousands)


ASSETS
                                                            1996        1995
                                                            ----        ----
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ..........................   $     70    $     10
  Other current assets ...............................         74          70
                                                         --------    --------
    Total current assets .............................        144          80

Investment in and other amounts due
  from subsidiary ....................................       --        19,040
Notes receivable-subsidiary ..........................      1,489       1,489
Debt issuance costs and other assets .................      3,533       3,418
                                                         --------    --------
                                                         $  5,166    $ 24,027
                                                         ========    ========

LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
   Accrued expenses ..................................   $  1,339    $    393
   Amount payable to subsidiary ......................      2,810       2,175
                                                         --------    --------
      Total current liabilities ......................      4,149       2,568

Excess of distributions over investment
   in subsidiary .....................................     79,285        --
Long-term debt .......................................     58,940     201,263

Cumulative exchangeable redeemable
  preferred stock ....................................     52,998        --

Deficiency in stockholders' equity:
  Common stock .......................................        152         195
  Additional paid-in capital .........................     18,466      33,423
  Accumulated deficit ................................   (208,824)   (213,422)
                                                         --------    --------
    Total deficiency in stockholders' equity .........   (190,206)   (179,804)
                                                         --------    --------
                                                         $  5,166    $ 24,027
                                                         ========    ========


     See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for Silgan Holdings Inc.
                           appearing elsewhere herein.




                                      F-34
<PAGE>




                                                                    SCHEDULE I


             CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                             (Dollars in thousands)

                                                  1996       1995        1994
                                                  ----       ----        ----

Net sales ....................................  $  --      $   --      $   --

Cost of goods sold ...........................     --          --          --
                                                -------    --------    --------

     Gross profit ............................     --          --          --

Selling, general and administrative
  expenses ...................................      713       1,113         837
                                                -------    --------    --------

     Loss from operations ....................     (713)     (1,113)       (837)

Equity in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiaries ...............................   31,611       6,806      12,053

Interest expense and other related
  financing costs ............................   17,861      28,248      29,647
                                                -------    --------    --------

     Income (loss) before income taxes .......   13,037     (22,555)    (18,431)

Income tax benefit ...........................   17,600       4,100       5,400
                                                -------    --------    --------

     Income (loss) before extraordinary charge   30,637     (18,455)    (13,031)

Extraordinary charges relating to
  early extinguishment of debt ...............   (2,222)     (3,351)       --
                                                -------    --------    --------

     Net income (loss) before preferred stock
         dividend requirement ................   28,415     (21,806)    (13,031)

Preferred stock dividend requirement .........   (3,006)       --          --
                                                -------    --------    --------

     Net income (loss) available to
         common stockholders .................  $25,409    $(21,806)   $(13,031)
                                                =======    ========    ========

     See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for Silgan Holdings Inc.
                           appearing elsewhere herein.




                                      F-35
<PAGE>




                                                                    SCHEDULE I


             CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                             (Dollars in thousands)


                                                   1996        1995      1994
                                                   ----        ----      ----

Cash flows from operating activities: .......  $  (4,868)   $     (7)   $    (2)
                                               ---------    --------    -------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Cash distribution received from subsidiary     147,539      61,391      6,911
                                               ---------    --------    -------
    Net cash provided by investing activities    147,539      61,391      6,911
                                               ---------    --------    -------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayment of long-term debt ...............   (154,400)    (57,596)      --
  Proceeds from issuance preferred stock ....     50,000        --         --
  Repurchase of common stock ................    (35,811)       --         --
  Debt financing costs ......................     (2,400)       --         --
  Payments to former shareholders of Silgan .       --        (3,795)    (6,911)
                                               ---------    --------    -------
    Net cash used by financing activities ...   (142,611)    (61,391)    (6,911)
                                               ---------    --------    -------

Net increase (decrease) in cash
   and cash equivalents .....................         60          (7)        (2)

Cash and cash equivalents at
  the beginning of year .....................         10          17         19
                                               ---------    --------    -------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ....  $      70    $     10    $    17
                                               =========    ========    =======



     See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for Silgan Holdings Inc.
                           appearing elsewhere herein.




                                      F-36
<PAGE>




                                                                    SCHEDULE II

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                 SCHEDULES OF VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                             (Dollars in thousands)


Column A                 Column B        Column C          Column D    Column E
                                         Additions
                                         ---------
                                                Charged
                        Balance at  Charged to  to other                Balance
                        beginning   costs and   accounts   Deductions  at end of
Description             of period    expenses   describe   describe(1)  period
- -----------             ---------    --------   --------   -----------  ------

For the year ended 
 December 31, 1994:

Allowance for
  doubtful accounts
  receivable ............  $1,084      $621     $    58        $206      $1,557
                           ======      ====     =======        ====      ======


For the year ended
 December 31, 1995:

Allowance for
  doubtful accounts
  receivable ............  $1,557      $295     $ 3,872(2)     $881      $4,843
                           ======      ====     =======        ====      ======


For the year ended
 December 31, 1996:

Allowance for
  doubtful accounts
  receivable ............  $4,843      $572     $(1,041)(3)    $329      $4,045
                           ======      ====     =======        ====      ======


(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

(2) Represents the accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts assumed 
    upon the acquisition of AN Can.

(3) Principally   represents  the  final  purchase  price  allocation  for  the
    acquisition of AN Can.


                                      F-37
<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit No.                               Exhibit
- -----------                               -------

     3.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Holdings.

     3.2      Amended and Restated By-laws of Holdings.

    10.21     Silgan Holdings Inc. Fourth Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option
              Plan.

    10.22     Form of Holdings Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement.

    10.24     Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997 between S&H and Holdings.

    10.25     Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997 between S&H and Silgan.

    10.26     Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997 between S&H and Containers.

    10.27     Amended and Restated Management  Services  Agreement,  dated as of
              February 14, 1997 between S&H and Plastics.

    10.40     Underwriting  Agreement,  dated as of  February  13,  1997,  among
              Holdings,  Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics,  MSLEF II, BTNY and the
              underwriters listed on Schedule I thereto.

    10.42     Amendment  to  Stockholders  Agreement,  dated as of February  14,
              1997, among R. Philip Silver, D. Greg Horrigan, MSLEF II, BTNY and
              Holdings.

    27        Financial Data Schedule.



<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.1





                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                        PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 242 AND 245
                         OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
                            OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE



                  SILGAN  HOLDINGS  INC., a Delaware  corporation,  the original
Certificate of  Incorporation  of which was filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of  Delaware on April 6, 1989,  HEREBY  CERTIFIES  that this  Restated
Certificate  of   Incorporation,   restating,   integrating   and  amending  its
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  was duly proposed by its Board of Directors and
adopted by its  stockholders  in  accordance  with  Sections  242 and 245 of the
General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware,  and that the capital of the
Corporation  is not being  reduced  under or by reason of any  amendment in this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

                  FIRST:  The name of this corporation  (the  "Corporation")  is
SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.

                  SECOND:   The  address  of  the   registered   office  of  the
Corporation  in the State of Delaware is Corporation  Trust Center,  1209 Orange
Street,  in the  City of  Wilmington,  County  of New  Castle.  The  name of its
registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

                  THIRD:  The  purpose  of the  Corporation  is to engage in any
lawful  act or  activity  for which a  corporation  may be  organized  under the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "GCL"),  and, in general,
to possess and exercise all the powers and  privileges  granted by the GCL or by
any other law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, together



<PAGE>



with any powers  incidental  thereto,  so far as such powers and  privileges are
necessary or convenient to the conduct,  promotion or attainment of the business
or purposes of the Corporation.

                  FOURTH:   A.  The  number  of  directors  of  the  Corporation
constituting  the entire Board of Directors shall be six. The Board of Directors
shall be divided into three equal classes,  with the term of office of the first
class  (the  "Class I  Directors")  to  expire  at the 1998  annual  meeting  of
stockholders,  the term of office of the second class (the "Class II Directors")
to expire at the 1999 annual meeting of  stockholders  and the term of office of
the third class (the "Class III Directors") to expire at the 2000 annual meeting
of stockholders.  After the filing of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,  the  stockholders  of the
Corporation  shall elect the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  at the 1997
annual meeting of stockholders or by the consent in writing, in lieu of the 1997
annual  meeting of  stockholders,  of the  holders of  outstanding  stock of the
Corporation  having  not less than the  minimum  number of votes  that  would be
necessary  to  authorize  or take such  action at a meeting  at which all shares
entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.  Any  vacancies in the Board of
Directors for any reason,  and any directorships  resulting from any increase in
the number of directors,  may be filled only by the Board of Directors  (and not
by the stockholders),  acting by a majority of the directors then in office, and
any  directors so chosen shall hold office until the next  election of the class
for which such directors shall have been chosen and until their successors shall
be elected and qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise
required by law, whenever the holders of any one or


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



more  series of  Preferred  Stock (as defined in Article  SIXTH)  shall have the
right,  voting  separately  as a class,  to elect one or more  directors  of the
Corporation,  the terms of the  director or  directors  elected by such  holders
shall expire at the next succeeding  annual meeting of stockholders.  Subject to
the  foregoing,  at each annual  meeting of  stockholders  the successors to the
class of directors  whose term shall then expire shall be elected to hold office
for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting.

                  B. At all  meetings of the Board of  Directors,  a majority of
the Directors then in office shall be required to constitute a quorum ("Quorum")
for the transaction of business.  The approval of a majority of the entire Board
of Directors,  at a meeting at which a Quorum is present and acting  throughout,
shall be required to approve all matters  submitted  to the Board of  Directors;
provided,  however,  that the  approval  of a  majority  of the  members  of any
committee  of the Board of  Directors  shall be  required to approve all matters
submitted to such committee.

                  C. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation  or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and  notwithstanding  the fact
that some  lesser  percentage  may be  specified  by law,  this  Certificate  of
Incorporation  or the ByLaws of the  Corporation),  any  director  or the entire
Board of Directors of the  Corporation  may be removed at any time, but only for
cause  and only by the  affirmative  vote of the  holders  of 75% or more of the
outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock  of the  Corporation  entitled  to  vote
generally  in the  election of  directors  (considered  for this  purpose as one
class)  cast  at  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders  called  for  that  purpose.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise required


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



by law,  whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock shall
have the right,  voting separately as a class, to elect one or more directors of
the  Corporation,  the  provisions  of Section C of this Article shall not apply
with respect to the  director or directors  elected by such holders of Preferred
Stock.

                  D. There shall be an Audit Committee consisting of two or more
of the directors of the  Corporation,  who shall perform such functions as shall
be established by the Board of Directors.

                  FIFTH:  The business and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be
managed by or under the direction of the Board of  Directors,  provided that the
Corporation  may retain such  qualified  persons (as  determined by the Board of
Directors) to provide the Corporation with general  management,  supervision and
administrative services relating to the operations of the Corporation.

                  Except as  specifically  authorized by the Board of Directors,
approval  of the  following  actions  shall  not be  delegated  to any  officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation:

                  1. Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of
the  Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries.

                  2.  Issuance,  sale,  purchase  or  redemption  of any capital
stock,  warrants,  options or other  securities of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries  (other  than,  in  the  case  of  any  issuance  or  sale,  to the
Corporation  or  any  direct  or  indirect   wholly  owned   subsidiary  of  the
Corporation) except as may be otherwise provided in this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



                  3.  Sale  of  assets  other  than  inventory  to or  from  the
Corporation or any of its  subsidiaries  in excess of $2 million (i) in one or a
series of related  transactions  (regardless of the period of time in which such
transaction or series of related  transactions take place) or (ii) in any number
of transactions within a six-month period.

                  4. Merger,  consolidation,  dissolution  or liquidation of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

                  5. Filing of any  petition by or on behalf of the  Corporation
seeking relief under the federal  bankruptcy act or similar relief under any law
or statute of the United States or any state thereof.

                  6.  Setting  aside,  declaration  or making of any  payment or
distribution by way of dividend or otherwise to the  Corporation's  stockholders
(or setting dividend policy).

                  7. Incurrence  (other than in the ordinary course of business)
of new indebtedness  (including  capitalized leases, but excluding  indebtedness
incurred  pursuant to debt  instruments  of the  Corporation in existence on the
date hereof and excluding indebtedness and guarantees thereof incurred under the
Bank Financing (as defined in Article NINTH) pursuant to commitments approved by
the Board of Directors) or any fixed or contingent  liabilities  in excess of $2
million.

                  8.  Creation or  incurrence  of a lien or  encumbrance  on the
property  of  the  Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries,  except  for  liens
relating to the Bank Financing or other minor liens,  including  liens for taxes
or those arising by operation of law,  permitted to exist under the terms of the
Bank Financing.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



                  9.  Guarantees  in  excess  of $1  million  of  payment  by or
performance of obligations of third parties other than in the ordinary course of
business.

                  10.  The   Corporation's   institution   of,   termination  or
settlement  of  litigation  not  in the  ordinary  course  of the  Corporation's
business (in each case where such litigation represents a case or controversy in
excess of $2 million).

                  11.  Surrendering  or  abandoning  any  property,  tangible or
intangible, or any rights having a book value in excess of $1 million.

                  12. Except as set forth in subsection 16 below with respect to
leases which are not capitalized,  any commitment of the Corporation (other than
in the ordinary  course of its business) which creates a liability or commitment
in excess of $2 million.

                  13. Capital  expenditures  in excess of the amounts  permitted
under the Bank Financing.

                  14.  Donations of money or property in excess of $100,000 in a
single year.

                  15.  Any   investment  of  the   Corporation  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries in another  corporation,  partnership or joint venture in excess of
$2  million  (in one or a series or  related  transactions  or in any  number of
transactions within six months).

                  16.  Entering into any lease (other than a  capitalized  lease
which shall be subject to the  limitation  set forth in  subsection 12 above) of
any assets of the  Corporation  located in any one place  having a book value in
excess of $4 million, or in excess of $1 million if the lease has a term of more
than five years.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



                  17. Entering into agreements or material  transactions between
the Corporation  and a director or officer of any of the following  companies or
their  Affiliates (as defined in Article NINTH):  the Corporation and The Morgan
Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

                  18. Replacement of independent accountants for the Corporation
or any of its subsidiaries.

                  19. Modification of significant accounting methods, practices,
procedures and policies.

                  20. Removal of officers.

                  21.  Termination  of, or amendment or waiver of any  provision
of,  the  Amended  and  Restated   Management  Services  Agreement  between  the
Corporation and S&H Inc.

                  SIXTH:  The total number of shares of capital  stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 110,000,000  shares,  consisting of
100,000,000  shares  of common  stock,  par value  $.01 per share  (the  "Common
Stock"), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Preferred Stock").

                  A. The rights,  privileges  and powers,  including  the voting
powers, of each share of the Common Stock shall be identical, with each share of
the Common  Stock  being  entitled to one vote on all matters to come before the
stockholders  of the  Corporation.  Subject  to any  voting  rights  that may be
conferred upon the holders of any series of the Preferred  Stock  established by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to authority herein provided,
and except as otherwise  provided herein or by law, the affirmative  vote of the
holders of not less than a majority of the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock
shall be required for the approval of any matter to come before the


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



stockholders  of the  Corporation.  Except as  expressly  provided  in the third
sentence of Article FOURTH hereof,  no action  required to be taken or which may
be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may
be taken without a meeting,  and the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  may not
consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action.

                  B.  The  Board  of  Directors  of the  Corporation  may  cause
dividends  to be paid to the  holders  of shares  of  Common  Stock out of funds
legally  available for the payment of dividends by declaring an amount per share
as a dividend. When and as dividends are declared, other than dividends declared
with respect to any  outstanding  Preferred  Stock,  whether payable in cash, in
property or in shares of stock of the  Corporation,  the holders of Common Stock
shall be entitled to share equally, share for share, in such dividends.

                  C. Shares of Preferred  Stock of the Corporation may be issued
from  time to time in one or more  classes  or  series,  each of which  class or
series shall have such distinctive designation or title as shall be fixed by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation  prior to the  issuance  of any  shares
thereof.  Each such class or series of  Preferred  Stock  shall have such voting
powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such preferences and relative,
participating,  optional  or  other  special  rights  and  such  qualifications,
limitations  or  restrictions  thereof,  as shall be stated  in such  resolution
providing  for the issue of such  class or series of  Preferred  Stock as may be
adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors prior to the issuance of any
shares thereof pursuant to


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



the authority  hereby expressly vested in it, all in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware.

                  SEVENTH: A. The Executive Officers of the Corporation shall be
the Chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and of the Board of Directors,  and the President.  All officers of
the  Corporation  shall serve until  voluntary  resignation  or  retirement,  or
removal by the Board of Directors in accordance  with the  provisions  set forth
herein.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person,  unless otherwise
prohibited by law, this Restated  Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of
the Corporation. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of the
Corporation  nor,  except in the case of the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
need such officers be directors of the Corporation.

                  B.  The  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  the  President  of the
Corporation  shall be  nominated  and  elected  to their  positions,  and may be
removed from their  positions,  by a majority of the Board of Directors.  All of
the other officers of the Corporation  shall be nominated by the Chairman of the
Board and the  President,  and such  other  officers  shall be  elected to their
positions,  and may be removed from their positions,  by a majority of the Board
of Directors.

                  C. All officers of the  Corporation  shall hold their  offices
for such terms and shall  exercise  such powers and perform such duties as shall
be determined  from time to time by the Board of Directors;  and all officers of
the  Corporation  shall  hold  office  until  their  successors  are  chosen and
qualified,  or until their earlier  resignation or removal.  The salaries of all
officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                  EIGHTH:  In  furtherance  and not in  limitation of the powers
conferred by statute, the By-Laws of the Corporation may be altered,  amended or
repealed  in whole or in part,  or new ByLaws may be  adopted by  approval  of a
majority of the Board of Directors voting at a meeting of the Board of Directors
at which a Quorum is present and acting throughout.

                  NINTH: As used in this Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,
the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

                  1.  "Affiliate"  shall mean with  respect to any  Person,  any
other Person directly or indirectly  controlling,  controlled by or under common
control  with such  Person.  For the  purpose of this  definition,  (i) the term
"control"  (including  with  correlative  meanings,   the  terms  "controlling",
"controlled  by" and "under common control  with"),  as used with respect to any
person,  shall mean the  possession,  directly  or  indirectly,  of the power to
direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise, and (ii)
the term "Person" shall mean any  individual,  partnership,  corporation,  joint
venture, firm, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise
or any  government  or  political  subdivision  or  any  agency,  department  or
instrumentality thereof.

                  2. "Bank Financing" shall mean the Credit Agreement,  dated as
of August 1, 1995,  among Silgan  Corporation,  Silgan  Containers  Corporation,
Silgan Plastics  Corporation,  the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank
of America Illinois, as Documentation Agent and a Co-Arranger, and Bankers Trust
Company, as Administrative Agent and a Co-Arranger, as in effect from time


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



to time, and any  refinancings,  renewals,  amendments or extensions  thereof or
additional borrowings thereunder.

                  TENTH:  The  Corporation  reserves the right to amend,  alter,
change or  repeal  any  provision  contained  in this  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation  in the manner now or hereafter  prescribed by law,  provided that
(i) the resolution  approving such  amendment,  alteration,  change or repeal be
adopted by the Board of  Directors by approval of a majority of the entire Board
of  Directors,  at a meeting at which a Quorum is present and acting  throughout
and (ii) the proposed amendment,  alteration,  change or repeal be approved by a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

                  ELEVENTH:  A. The  Corporation  shall indemnify to the fullest
extent permitted by law (as now or hereafter in effect) any person, his testator
or  intestate,  made,  or  threatened to be made, a defendant or involved in any
manner  in  any  action,   suit  or   proceeding   (whether   civil,   criminal,
administrative, investigative or otherwise) by reason of the fact that he, is or
was a director,  officer,  employee or agent of the  Corporation or by reason of
the fact that such director,  officer,  employee or agent, at the request of the
Corporation,  is or  was  serving  any  other  corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise,  in any capacity. The
payment of any amounts to any person  pursuant to this  Article  ELEVENTH  shall
subrogate  the  Corporation  to any right such person may have against any other
person or  entity.  The  rights  conferred  in this  Article  ELEVENTH  shall be
contract   rights.   Nothing   contained  herein  shall  affect  any  rights  to
indemnification  to which  employees  other than  directors  and officers may be
entitled to by law. No amendment or repeal of this paragraph A of Article


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



ELEVENTH  shall  apply to or have any  effect  on any  right to  indemnification
provided hereunder with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal.

                  B. No director of the Corporation  shall be personally  liable
to the Corporation or its  stockholders  for monetary  damages for any breach of
fiduciary duty by such a director as a director.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing
sentence,  a director  shall be liable to the extent  provided by applicable law
(i) for any breach of the director's  duty of loyalty to the  Corporation or its
stockholders,  (ii) for acts or  omissions  not in good  faith or which  involve
intentional  misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section
174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction  from which such director derived an
improper  personal  benefit.  No amendment  to or repeal of this  paragraph B of
Article  ELEVENTH  shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged
liability of any director of the  Corporation for or with respect to any acts or
omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

                  C.  In  furtherance  and  not  in  limitation  of  the  powers
conferred by statute:

                      (i) the Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation,  or is serving at the  request of the  Corporation  as a  director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust,  employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against  him and  incurred  by him in any such  capacity,  or arising out of his
status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify
him against such liability under the provisions of law; and


                                      -12-

<PAGE>


                      (ii) the  Corporation  may  create a trust  fund,  grant a
security interest and/or use other means (including, without limitation, letters
of credit,  surety bonds and/or other  similar  arrangements),  as well as enter
into  contracts  providing  indemnification  to the full  extent  authorized  or
permitted by law and including as part thereof provisions with respect to any or
all of the  foregoing  to ensure  the  payment  of such  amounts  as may  become
necessary to effect indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere.

                  TWELFTH:  Meetings  of  stockholders  may be  held  within  or
without the State of Delaware,  as the By-Laws of the  Corporation  may provide.
The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision  contained in
the GCL)  outside  the  State of  Delaware  at such  place or  places  as may be
designated  from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the By-Laws of the
Corporation.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  SILGAN  HOLDINGS  INC.  has caused  this
Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  to be executed in its corporate name by
its Chairman on the 11th day of February, 1997.

                                            SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.



                                      By:   /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                            ______________________________
                                            Name:  R. Philip Silver
                                            Title: Chairman of the Board



                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.2




                          AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                     (hereinafter called the "Corporation")


                                    ARTICLE I

                                     OFFICES
                                     -------

                  Section 1.  Registered  Office.  The registered  office of the
Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington,  County of New Castle,  State of
Delaware.

                  Section  2.  Other  Offices.  The  Corporation  may also  have
offices at such other  places  both  within and without the State of Delaware as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.


                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            ------------------------

                  Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for
the election of directors  or for any other  purpose  shall be held at such time
and place, either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated
from  time to time by the Board of  Directors  and  stated in the  notice of the
meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

                  Section  2.   Annual   Meetings.   The  annual   meetings   of
stockholders  shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated
from  time to time by the Board of  Directors  and  stated in the  notice of the
meeting,  at which meetings the stockholders  shall elect the class of directors
of the Board of



<PAGE>



Directors  standing  for  election,  and  transact  such other  business  as may
properly be brought before the meeting.

                  Section 3. Special  Meetings.  Unless otherwise  prescribed by
law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the  "Certificate
of  Incorporation"),  special  meetings  of  stockholders,  for any  purpose  or
purposes may be called by either the Chairman of the Board or the President, and
shall be called by any such  officer at the  request in writing of a majority of
the Board of Directors.  Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the
proposed  meeting.  Stockholders  are not permitted to call a special meeting of
stockholders, or to require that the Chairman of the Board or the President call
such a special meeting, or to require that the Board request the calling of such
a special meeting.

                  Section 4. Quorum.  Except as otherwise  provided by law or by
the Certificate of Incorporation,  the holders of a majority of the stock of the
Corporation,  issued and  outstanding  and entitled to vote thereat,  present in
person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the
stockholders for the transaction of business.  In the event of a lack of quorum,
the  chairman  of the  meeting or a majority  in  interest  of the  stockholders
present in person or  represented  by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to
time without notice other than  announcement at the meeting until a quorum shall
be  obtained.  At any such  adjourned  meeting at which  there is a quorum,  any
business  may be  transacted  which  might have been  transacted  at the meeting
originally called.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                  Section 5. Voting. At each meeting of the stockholders,  every
stockholder  having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote, in person or by
proxy appointed by an instrument in writing  subscribed by such  stockholder and
bearing a date not more than three  years  prior to said  meeting,  unless  said
instrument  provides  for a longer  period.  Unless  otherwise  provided  in the
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  each  stockholder  shall have one vote for each
share of stock having  voting power  registered  in his name on the books of the
Corporation  on the date  fixed as the  record  date  for the  determination  of
stockholders  entitled to vote. The vote for directors,  and, upon the demand of
any  stockholder,  the vote upon any question  before the  meeting,  shall be by
ballot.  Directors  shall be elected by the vote of the  holders of stock of the
Corporation  having  voting  power with  respect to the election of directors as
provided in the Certificate of  Incorporation.  Except as otherwise  provided by
law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws,  all other matters
submitted  to the  meeting  shall be decided by a  majority  of all  outstanding
shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matters. All proxies
shall be filed with the Secretary.

                  Section 6. List of Stockholders  Entitled to Vote. The officer
of the Corporation  who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation  shall
prepare and make,  at least ten days before  every  meeting of  stockholders,  a
complete list of the stockholders  entitled to vote at the meeting,  arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



and the number of shares registered in the name of each  stockholder.  Such list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder,  for any purpose germane to
the meeting,  during ordinary  business hours, for a period of at least ten days
prior to the meeting,  either at a place within the city where the meeting is to
be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not
so specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also
be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting  during the whole time
thereof,  and may be  inspected by any  stockholder  of the  Corporation  who is
present.

                  Section 7. Stock Ledger.  The stock ledger of the  Corporation
shall be the only  evidence as to who are the  stockholders  entitled to examine
the stock ledger, the list required by Section 6 of this Article II or the books
of the  Corporation,  or to  vote  in  person  or by  proxy  at any  meeting  of
stockholders.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS
                                    ---------

                  Section 1.  Number and  Election of  Directors.  The number of
directors  of the  Corporation  shall be as  prescribed  in the  Certificate  of
Incorporation.  The directors of the Corporation  shall be elected as prescribed
in the Certificate of Incorporation.

                  Section 2. Vacancies.  In the event that any vacancy among the
Directors shall occur at any time prior to the next


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



annual meeting of stockholders,  such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with
the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

                  Section 3. Duties and Powers.  Except as otherwise  prescribed
by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have
and exercise all the powers belonging to or pertaining to the Corporation.

                  Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation
may hold meetings,  both regular and special, either within or without the State
of  Delaware.  Regular  meetings of the Board of  Directors  may be held with 48
hours  prior  notice at such time and at such  place as may from time to time be
determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by the Chairman of the Board,  the  President or any member of the
Board of Directors.  Written notice thereof stating the place,  date and hour of
the meeting shall be given to each director not less than seventy-two (72) hours
before the date of the meeting.

                  Section  5.  Quorum;  Actions  of  Board  at  a  Meeting.  The
requirements  for a quorum and actions of the Board of Directors at a meeting of
such Board shall be as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

                  Section 6. Actions of Board  Without a Meeting.  Except as may
be otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws,  any
action  required  or  permitted  to be  taken  at any  meeting  of the  Board of
Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all the
members of the Board


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



of Directors or committee,  as the case may be, consent thereto in writing,  and
the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of  proceedings  of the Board
of Directors or committee.

                  Section 7. Meetings by Means of Conference  Telephone.  Except
as may be  otherwise  provided  by the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or these
By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation,  or any committee
designated by the Board of Directors,  may participate in a meeting of the Board
of  Directors or such  committee  by means of a conference  telephone or similar
communications  equipment  by means of which all  persons  participating  in the
meeting can hear each other,  and  participation  in a meeting  pursuant to this
Section 7 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

                  Section 8. Committees. Except as may be otherwise specifically
provided by the  Certificate of  Incorporation  or these  By-Laws,  the Board of
Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one
or more of the  directors  of the  Corporation.  Any  committee,  to the  extent
allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall
have and may exercise all the powers and  authority of the Board of Directors in
the  management of the business and affairs of the  Corporation.  Each committee
shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required. A
majority of the members of any such committee shall  constitute a quorum for the
transaction  of  business  by the  committee  and the act of a  majority  of the
members of the committee present at a meeting at which a quorum shall be present


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



shall be the act of the  committee.  Any  director  may be removed from any such
committee  with or without  cause by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the
entire Board.

                  Section  9.  Compensation.  The  directors  may be paid  their
expenses,  if any, of  attendance  at each meeting of the Board of Directors and
may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors
or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from
serving  the  Corporation  in any  other  capacity  and  receiving  compensation
therefor.  Members  of  special  or  standing  committees  may be  allowed  like
compensation for attending committee meetings.

                  Section 10. Interested  Directors.  No contract or transaction
between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between
the Corporation and any other corporation,  partnership,  association,  or other
organization  in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers,  or have a financial  interest,  shall be void or voidable  solely for
this  reason,  or solely  because  the  director  or  officer  is  present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are
counted for such purpose if (i) the  material  facts as to his  relationship  or
interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the
Board of Directors or the committee,  and the Board of Directors or committee in
good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative  votes of a
majority of


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



the disinterested  directors,  even though the  disinterested  directors be less
than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and
as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders
entitled to vote  thereon,  and the  contract  or  transaction  is  specifically
approved by vote of the  stockholders;  or (iii) the contract or  transaction is
fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified
by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. Common or interested directors
may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board
of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS
                                    --------

                  Section  1.  General.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in the
Certificate of Incorporation, the day-to-day operations of the Corporation shall
be managed by its Executive Officers, who shall be the Chairman of the Board and
the President, and its other officers. These officers shall perform their duties
in a manner  consistent with directions  which may be given from time to time by
the Board of Directors.

                  Section 2.  Chairman of the Board.  The Chairman of the Board,
if there shall be one, shall preside at all meetings of the  stockholders and of
the Board of  Directors.  Except where by law the  signature of the President is
required,  the  Chairman  of the  Board  shall  possess  the  same  power as the
President to sign


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



all contracts, certificates and other instruments of the Corporation. During the
absence or disability of the President, the Chairman of the Board shall exercise
all the powers and  discharge all the duties of the  President.  The Chairman of
the Board  shall also  perform  such other  duties and may  exercise  such other
powers as from time to time may be  assigned  to him by these  By-Laws or by the
Board of Directors.

                  Section 3. President. The President shall supervise and manage
the conduct of the current  business of the  Corporation and may exercise any of
the powers of the Chairman of the Board that shall have been delegated to him by
that officer or conferred  upon him by the Board of Directors.  He shall act for
and on behalf of the Corporation on matters in which action by the President, as
such,  is required by law. He shall do and perform all acts and things  incident
to the position of President,  other than such as are charged upon the Chairman,
and  such  other  duties  as may be  assigned  to him  from  time to time by the
Chairman of the Board or by the Board of Directors.

                  Section 4. Vice-Presidents. At the request of the President or
in his absence or in the event of his  inability or refusal to act (and if there
shall be no Chairman of the Board), the  Vice-President,  or the Vice-Presidents
if there is more than one (in the order  designated by the Board of  Directors),
shall  perform the duties of the President  and, when so acting,  shall have all
the powers of and be subject to all the  restrictions  upon the President.  Each
Vice-President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the
Board of Directors from


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



time to time may  prescribe.  If there  shall be no Chairman of the Board and no
Vice-President,  the Board of  Directors  shall  designate  the  officer  of the
Corporation  who,  in the  absence  of the  President  or in  the  event  of the
inability or refusal of the  President to act,  shall  perform the duties of the
President,  and when so  acting,  shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the President.

                  Section 5. Controller.  The Controller, if there shall be one,
shall exercise general supervision of the bookkeeping methods of the Corporation
and  shall  supervise  and be  responsible  for all  matters  pertaining  to the
auditing  and  accounting   functions  of  the  Corporation.   He  shall  render
periodically such balance sheets, earnings statements and other reports relating
to the business of the Corporation as may be required by the Board of Directors,
the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Audit Committee, if there shall be
any, or any other authorized officer of the Corporation.

                  Section 6. Secretary.  The Secretary shall attend all meetings
of the Board of Directors  and all meetings of  stockholders  and record all the
proceedings  thereat  in a book  or  books  to be kept  for  that  purpose;  the
Secretary  shall also  perform  like  duties for the  standing  committees  when
required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings
of the stockholders  and special  meetings of the Board of Directors,  and shall
perform such other duties as may be  prescribed by the Board of Directors or the
President, under whose supervision he shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the  stockholders
and  special  meetings  of the  Board of  Directors,  and if  there  shall be no
Assistant  Secretary,  then either the Board of Directors or the  President  may
choose  another  officer to cause such notice to be given.  The Secretary  shall
have custody of the seal of the  Corporation  and the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary,  if there shall be one, shall have authority to affix the same to any
instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature
of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary.  The Board
of Directors  may give general  authority to any other officer to affix the seal
of the  Corporation  and to attest the affixing by his signature.  The Secretary
shall see that all books, reports, statements,  certificates and other documents
and records  required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed,  as
the case may be.

                  Section 7. Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall have the custody of
the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate  accounts of
receipts  and  disbursements  in books  belonging to the  Corporation  and shall
deposit all moneys and other  valuable  effects in the name and to the credit of
the  Corporation  in such  depositories  as may be  designated  by the  Board of
Directors.  The Treasurer  shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be
ordered  by  the  Board  of   Directors,   taking   proper   vouchers  for  such
disbursements,  and shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at
its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



of all his  transactions  as  Treasurer  and of the  financial  condition of the
Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the
Corporation  a bond in such sum and with  such  surety or  sureties  as shall be
satisfactory  to the Board of  Directors  for the  faithful  performance  of the
duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation,  in case of his
death,  resignation,  retirement or removal from office,  of all books,  papers,
vouchers,  money and other  property of whatever kind in his possession or under
his control belonging to the Corporation.

                  Section 8. Assistant Controller.  An Assistant Controller,  if
there  shall be one,  shall  perform  the  duties  and have  the  powers  of the
Controller during the absence or disability of the Controller, and shall perform
such  other  duties  and have such  other  powers as the Board of  Directors  or
Controller shall designate from time to time.

                  Section 9. Assistant  Secretaries.  Except as may be otherwise
provided in these By-Laws,  Assistant Secretaries,  if there shall be any, shall
perform such duties and have such powers as may be assigned to them by the Board
of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President,  any Vice-President,  if
there shall be one, or the Secretary,  and in the absence of the Secretary or in
the event of his  disability or refusal to act,  shall perform the duties of the
Secretary,  and when so  acting,  shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the Secretary.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                  Section 10. Assistant  Treasurers.  Assistant  Treasurers,  if
there  shall-be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers from time to
time as may be assigned to them by the Board of  Directors,  the Chairman of the
Board,  the  President,  any  Vice-President,  if  there  shall  be one,  or the
Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his disability
or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer and when so acting,
shall have all the powers of and be  subject  to all the  restrictions  upon the
Treasurer.  If required by the Board of Directors,  an Assistant Treasurer shall
give the  Corporation  a bond in such sum and with such  surety or  sureties  as
shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful  performance of
the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation,  in case of
his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers,
vouchers,  money and other  property of whatever kind in his possession or under
his control belonging to the Corporation.

                  Section 11. Other  Officers.  Such other officers as the Board
of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers from time
to time as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.  The  stockholders
of the  Corporation  may delegate to any other  officer of the  Corporation  the
power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and
powers.

                  Section 12. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers
of  attorney,  proxies,  waivers  of  notice  of  meeting,  consents  and  other
instruments relating to securities


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



owned by the  Corporation  may be  executed  in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation by the President or any  Vice-President and any such officer may, in
the name of and on behalf of the  Corporation,  take all such action as any such
officer  may deem  advisable  to vote in  person or by proxy at any  meeting  of
security  holders of any Corporation in which the Corporation may own securities
and at any such  meeting  shall  possess and may exercise any and all rights and
power incident to the ownership of such  securities  which, as the owner thereof
the  Corporation  might have  exercised and  possessed if present.  The Board of
Directors  may,  by  resolution,  from time to time  confer like powers upon any
other person or persons.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                      STOCK
                                      -----

                  Section 1. Form of Certificates.  Every holder of stock in the
Corporation  shall be entitled to have a certificate  signed, in the name of the
Corporation (i) by the Chairman of the Board,  the President or a Vice-President
and (ii) by the Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary,  certifying  the number of
shares owned by him in the Corporation.

                  Section 2. Signatures. Where a certificate is countersigned by
(i) a transfer  agent  other than the  Corporation  or its  employee,  or (ii) a
registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the
certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar
who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



certificate  shall have ceased to be such officer,  transfer  agent or registrar
before such certificate is issued,  it may be issued by the Corporation with the
same effect as if he were such officer,  transfer agent or registrar at the date
of issue.

                  Section  3.  Lost  Certificates.  The Board of  Directors  may
direct a new  certificate to be issued in place of any  certificate  theretofore
issued by the Corporation  alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed,  upon
the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person  claiming the  certificate
of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed,  which affidavit shall be satisfactory
in form and substance to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary.  When authorizing
such issue of a new  certificate,  the Board of Directors may, in its discretion
and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof,  require the owner of such
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise
the same in such manner as the Board of Directors  shall require  and/or to give
the  Corporation  a bond in such sum as it may direct as  indemnity  against any
claim that may be made against the  Corporation  with respect to the certificate
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

                  Section  4.  Transfers.  Stock  of the  Corporation  shall  be
transferable  in the manner  prescribed  by law,  by that  certain  Stockholders
Agreement,  dated as of  December  21,  1993,  among R. Philip  Silver,  D. Greg
Horrigan,  The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P.,  Bankers Trust New
York Corporation,  First Plaza Group Trust and the Corporation,  as the same may
be amended from time to time, and by these By-Laws. Transfers of stock


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



shall be made on the books of the  Corporation  only by the person  named in the
certificate  or by his  attorney  lawfully  constituted  in writing and upon the
surrender  of the  certificate  therefor,  which shall be canceled  before a new
certificate shall be issued.

                  Section 5.  Record  Date.  In order that the  Corporation  may
determine  the  stockholders  entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or any adjournment  thereof,  or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any  rights,  or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change,  conversion  or exchange of stock,
or for the purpose of any other lawful  action,  the Board of Directors may fix,
in  advance,  a record  date,  which  shall not  precede the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which
shall not be more than sixty days nor less than ten days before the date of such
meeting,  nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of
stockholders  of  record  entitled  to  notice  of or to  vote at a  meeting  of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;  provided,  however,
that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

                  Section  6.  Beneficial   Owners.  The  Corporation  shall  be
entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as
the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold
liable for calls and  assessments a person  registered on its books as the owner
of shares,  and shall not be bound to recognize  any equitable or other claim to
or interest in such share or shares


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



on the part of any other  person,  whether or not it shall have express or other
notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                     NOTICES
                                     -------

                  Section 1.  Notices.  Whenever  written  notice is required by
law,  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or these  ByLaws,  to be given to any
director,  member of a  committee  or  stockholder,  such notice may be given by
mail, addressed to such director,  member of a committee or stockholder,  at his
address as it appears on the records of the  Corporation,  with postage  thereon
prepaid,  and such notice  shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same
shall be actually  received.  Written notice may also be given  personally or by
telegram, telex or cable.

                  Section 2. Waivers of Notice.  Whenever any notice is required
by law, the  Certificate of  Incorporation  or these ByLaws,  to be given to any
director,  member of a committee or  stockholder,  a waiver  thereof in writing,
signed,  by the person or persons  entitled to said  notice,  whether  before or
after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance of
a person  at a meeting  shall  constitute  a waiver  of notice of such  meeting,
except when the person  attends a meeting for the express  purpose of objecting,
at the beginning of the meeting,  to the transaction of any business because the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened.



                                      -17-

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE VII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
                               ------------------

                  Section 1. Dividends.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the
Corporation,  subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation,  if
any,  may be  declared  by the Board of  Directors  at any  regular  or  special
meeting, and may be paid in cash, in property,  or in shares of capital stock of
the Corporation.  Before payment of any dividend,  there may be set aside out of
any funds of the  Corporation  available for  dividends  such sum or sums as the
Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute  discretion,  deems proper
as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies,  or for equalizing dividends, or
for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation,  or for any proper
purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

                  Section 2. Disbursements.  All checks or demands for money and
notes of the  Corporation  shall be signed by such  officer or  officers or such
other  person  or  persons  as the  Board of  Directors  may  from  time to time
designate.

                  Section 3. Fiscal  Year.  The fiscal  year of the  Corporation
shall be the calendar year.

                  Section  4.  Corporate  Seal.  The  corporate  seal shall have
inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation,  the year of its organization and
the words  "Corporate Seal,  Delaware".  The seal may be used by causing it or a
facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.



                                      -18-

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                 INDEMNIFICATION
                                 ---------------

                  Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings
Other than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation.  Subject to Section 3 of
this Article VIII, the  Corporation  shall  indemnify any person who was or is a
party  or is  threatened  to be  made a  party  to any  threatened,  pending  or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative  (other than an action by or in the right of the  Corporation)  by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director,  officer,  employee or agent of
the  Corporation,  or is or was serving at the request of the  Corporation  as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership, joint
venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  against  expenses  (including  attorneys'
fees),  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection  with such action,  suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Corporation,  and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding,  had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action,  suit or proceeding by judgment,  order,  settlement,
conviction,  or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,  shall not, of
itself,  create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner  which  he  reasonably  believed  to be in or not  opposed  to  the  best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or


                                      -19-

<PAGE>



proceeding,  had  reasonable  cause to believe  that his conduct  was  unlawful.

                  Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings
by or in the Right of the  Corporation.  Subject  to  Section 3 of this  Article
VIII,  the  Corporation  shall  indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened,  pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director,  officer,  employee or agent of
the  Corporation,  or is or was serving at the request of the  Corporation  as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership, joint
venture,  trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually  and  reasonably  incurred  by him in  connection  with the  defense or
settlement  of such  action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably  believed  to be in or not  opposed  to  the  best  interests  of the
Corporation;  except  that no  indemnification  shall be made in  respect of any
claim,  issue or matter as to which such person  shall have been  adjudged to be
liable  to the  Corporation  unless  and only to the  extent  that the  Court of
Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought  shall  determine
upon application that,  despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably  entitled to
indemnity  for such  expenses  which the Court of  Chancery  or such other court
shall deem proper.


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



                  Section   3.    Authorization    of    Indemnification.    Any
indemnification  under this Article  VIII  (unless  ordered by a court) shall be
made by the  Corporation as authorized in the specific case upon a determination
that  indemnification of the director,  officer,  employee or agent is proper in
the  circumstances  because he has met the  applicable  standard  of conduct set
forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII. Such determination shall be made
(i) by the Board of  Directors  by a  majority  vote of a quorum  consisting  of
directors who were not parties to such action,  suit or  proceeding,  or (ii) if
such  a  quorum  is  not  obtainable,  or,  even  if  obtainable,  a  quorum  of
disinterested  directors so directs,  by independent  legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (iii) by the stockholders.  To the extent, however, that a director,
officer,  employee or agent of the Corporation has been successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,  he shall be indemnified  against
expenses (including  attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection  therewith  without the  necessity of  authorization  in the specific
case.

                  Section  4.  Good  Faith   Defined.   For   purposes   of  any
determination  under Section 3 of this Article VIII, a person shall be deemed to
have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably  believed to be in or not
opposed  to the best  interests  of the  Corporation,  or,  with  respect to any
criminal  action or proceeding,  to have had no reasonable  cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful, if his action is based on the records or


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



books of account of the  Corporation  or another  enterprise,  or on information
supplied to him by the officers of the Corporation or another  enterprise in the
course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or
another  enterprise  or on  information  or records given or reports made to the
Corporation or another enterprise by an independent  certified public accountant
or by an  appraiser  or  other  expert  selected  with  reasonable  care  by the
Corporation or another enterprise. The term "another enterprise" as used in this
Section 4 shall mean any other  corporation or any  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other  enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request
of the Corporation as a director,  officer, employee or agent. The provisions of
this  Section 4 shall not be deemed to be  exclusive  or to limit in any way the
circumstances  in  which a  person  may be  deemed  to have  met the  applicable
standards of conduct set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII.

                  Section 5.  Indemnification  by a Court.  Notwithstanding  any
contrary  determination  in the  specific  case under  Section 3 of this Article
VIII,  and  notwithstanding  the absence of any  determination  thereunder,  any
director,  officer,  employee  or  agent  may  apply to any  court of  competent
jurisdiction  in the  State  of  Delaware  for  indemnification  to  the  extent
otherwise  permissible under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII. The basis of
such  indemnification  by a court  shall be a  determination  by such court that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the


                                      -22-

<PAGE>



circumstances  because he has met the applicable  standards of conduct set forth
in  Sections  1 and 2 of  this  Article  VIII.  Notice  of any  application  for
indemnification  pursuant  to this  Section 5 shall be given to the  Corporation
promptly  upon the filing of such  application.  If  successful,  in whole or in
part, the director,  officer,  employee or agent seeking  indemnification  shall
also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such application.

                  Section 6. Expenses Payable in Advance.  Expenses  incurred by
an  officer  or  director  in  defending  a civil or  criminal  action,  suit or
proceeding  or  administrative  proceeding or  investigation  may be paid by the
Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, proceeding
or investigation upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director,
officer,  employee  or agent to repay  such  amount  if it shall  ultimately  be
determined  that he is not  entitled to be  indemnified  by the  Corporation  as
authorized in this Article VIII.  Such expenses  incurred by other employees and
agents may be so paid upon such terms and  conditions,  if any,  as the Board of
Directors deems appropriate.

                  Section 7.  Non-exclusivity  and Survival of  Indemnification.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, the other  subsections of this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other  rights to which  those  seeking  indemnification  or  advancement  of
expenses may be entitled under any By-Law,  agreement,  vote of  stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to


                                      -23-

<PAGE>



action in his  official  capacity  and as to action in  another  capacity  while
holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification
of the persons  specified in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII shall be made
to the fullest  extent  permitted  by law. The  provisions  of this Article VIII
shall not be deemed to  preclude  the  indemnification  of any person who is not
specified in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article VIII but whom the  Corporation  has
the power or  obligation  to  indemnify  under  the  provisions  of the  General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise.  The indemnification and
advancement of expenses  provided by, or granted  pursuant to, this Article VIII
shall,  unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified,  continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a  director,  officer,  employee  or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

                  Section  8.  Insurance.   The  Corporation  may  purchase  and
maintain  insurance  on behalf of any person who is or was a director,  officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director,  officer,  employee or agent of another  corporation,
partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or other  enterprise  against any liability
asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of
his  status as such,  whether  or not the  Corporation  would  have the power to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.


                                      -24-

<PAGE>



                  Section 9.  Meaning of  "Corporation"  for Purposes of Article
VIII. For purposes of this Article VIII,  references to "the Corporation"  shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation,  any constituent  corporation
(including  any  constituent of a constituent)  absorbed in a  consolidation  or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued,  would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that
any  person  who is or was a  director,  officer,  employee  or  agent  of  such
constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
corporation as a director,  officer,  employee or agent of another  corporation,
partnership,  joint venture, trust or other enterprise,  shall stand in the same
position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting
or  surviving  corporation  as he would have with  respect  to such  constituent
corporation if its separate existence had continued.

                  Section  10.  Subrogation.  The  payment of any amounts to any
person  pursuant to this Article VIII shall  subrogate  the  Corporation  to any
right  such  person may have  against  any other  person or  entity.  The rights
conferred in this Article VIII shall be contract rights.



                                      -25-

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   AMENDMENTS
                                   ----------

                  Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered,  amended or repealed,
in whole or in part,  or new  By-Laws  may be  adopted  in  accordance  with the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.



                                      -26-

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.21



                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.


               FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED 1989 STOCK OPTION PLAN



I.  PURPOSE OF PLAN; DEFINITIONS.

         1.1      Purpose.

                  The purpose of the Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  Fourth  Amended and
Restated  1989 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to strengthen  Silgan  Holdings
Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  by providing an additional means
of attracting and retaining officers and key personnel. It is intended that this
purpose be achieved by  extending  to  designated  officers or  employees of the
Company an added  long-term  incentive  for high levels of  performance  and for
unusual  efforts  designed to improve the financial  performance of the Company,
through the grant of options to purchase  shares of common  stock of the Company
(as described  herein).  It is further  intended that pursuant to this Plan, the
Committee  may  grant  either  ISOs or  Nonstatutory  Options  (both as  defined
herein).

         1.2      Definitions.

                  For  purposes  of this  Plan,  the  following  terms  shall be
defined as indicated,  unless otherwise clearly required by the context in which
the term appears:

         "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

         "Carryover  Amount"  shall  mean,  in the case of all  persons  to whom
         Options were granted effective as of June 30, 1989, an amount per share
         determined  by the  Committee,  and in the case of all  other  persons,
         zero.

         "Change of Control"  shall mean any sale of the assets or voting  stock
         of the Company,  whether by purchase,  merger,  consolidation  or other
         similar transaction, pursuant to which there is a transfer of ownership
         of more than fifty  percent  (50%) of the assets or the voting stock of
         the  Company to a Person  which  theretofore  did not own,  directly or
         indirectly, any of the voting stock of the Company; provided,  however,
         that a merger  or  consolidation  of the  Company  with or into  Silgan
         Corporation  or  other  restructuring  of  the  Company  in  which  the
         stockholders  of the Company retain at least fifty percent (50%) of the
         voting  stock of the  surviving  Person shall not be deemed a Change of
         Control.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
         amended.



<PAGE>




         "Committee"  shall mean the committee of three or more persons selected
         by the Board of Directors to administer this Plan.

         "Common Stock" shall mean the  authorized and issuable  common stock of
         the Company ($.01 par value).

         "Fair  Market  Value" shall mean (i) if the stock is listed or admitted
         to trade on a national  securities  exchange,  the closing price of the
         stock  on the  composite  tape  of the  principal  national  securities
         exchange on which the stock is so listed or admitted to trade,  (ii) if
         the stock is not listed or admitted  to trade on a national  securities
         exchange,  the mean  between the last  reported bid and asked price for
         the  stock as  furnished  by the  National  Association  of  Securities
         Dealers,  Inc. through NASDAQ or a similar organization if NASDAQ is no
         longer reporting such information,  or (iii) if the stock is not listed
         or admitted to trade on a national  securities  exchange and if bid and
         asked  prices for the stock are not so  furnished  through  NASDAQ or a
         similar organization,  the fair market value of the stock as determined
         in good faith by the Committee in such manner as it deems  appropriate,
         taking into  consideration,  among other  things,  recent  sales of the
         stock.

         "ISO"  shall mean  incentive  stock  option(s)  within  the  meaning of
         Section 422 of the Code.

         "Nonstatutory  Options"  shall mean an option  granted  pursuant to the
         Plan which does not qualify as an ISO.

         "Option(s)"  shall mean  option(s) to purchase  Common Stock under this
         Plan and shall  include  Options  that  result from the  conversion  of
         options  under and as provided in stock option plans of any  Subsidiary
         to which the Company is a party.

         "Option Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.

         "Person"  shall  mean  any  individual,   partnership,  joint  venture,
         corporation,  association,  trust, or any other entity or organization,
         including  a  government  or  political  subdivision  or any  agency or
         instrumentality thereof.

         "Public  Offering"  shall mean a primary,  public offering of shares of
         Common  Stock,  pursuant  to  an  effective   registration   statement,
         registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "S&H Stockholders" shall mean R. Philip Silver and D. Greg
         Horrigan.



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



         "Subsidiary"  shall  mean any  corporation  if 50% or more of the total
         combined  voting  power  and  value of all  classes  of stock is owned,
         either directly or indirectly, by the Company or another Subsidiary.


II.  ADMINISTRATION; PARTICIPATION.

         2.1      Administration.

                  This Plan shall be administered by the Committee,  none of the
members of which are  currently  eligible  to receive  Options and have not been
eligible  to receive  Options for at least  twelve  (12)  months  prior to their
selection  to the  Committee.  The action of the  Committee  with respect to the
administration  of this Plan shall be taken  pursuant to a majority  vote or the
written  consent  of a  majority  of its  members.  In the  event  action by the
Committee  is taken  by  written  consent  of its  members,  the  action  by the
Committee  shall be  deemed  to have  been  taken  at the  time the last  member
required for valid action by the Committee signs the consent.

                  Subject to the express  provisions of this Plan, the Committee
shall have the authority to construe and interpret  this Plan and any agreements
defining the rights and obligations of the Company and  participants  under this
Plan, to further  define the terms used in this Plan,  to  prescribe,  amend and
rescind rules and regulations  relating to the  administration  of this Plan, to
determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence which may be granted to
participants without constituting a termination of their employment for purposes
of this Plan and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the
administration  of  this  Plan.  The  determinations  of  the  Committee  on the
foregoing matters shall be conclusive.

                  Subject to the express  provisions of this Plan, the Committee
shall select from the eligible class of employees of the Company or a Subsidiary
and make corresponding  recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the
individuals  to whom Options  shall be granted and the terms and  provisions  of
such  Options  (which  need  not  be  identical)  including,  but  not by way of
limitation,  the time at which such Options shall be granted,  whether an Option
granted  hereunder  shall be intended to be treated as an ISO or a  Nonstatutory
Option, the number of shares subject to each Option and the Option Price and the
consideration  acceptable  in payment of the Option Price.  The Committee  shall
also determine, as to each individual to whom Options shall be granted effective
as of  June  30,  1989,  the  Carryover  Amount,  if  any,  applicable  to  such
individual.

                  No member of the  Committee  shall be liable  for any  action,
failure to act,  determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect



                                       -3-

<PAGE>



to this  Plan  or any  transaction  hereunder.  The  Company  hereby  agrees  to
indemnify  each member of the  Committee  for all costs and expenses and, to the
extent  permitted by  applicable  law, any  liability  incurred by any member in
connection with defending against,  responding to, negotiating the settlement of
or  otherwise  dealing  with any  claim,  cause of action or dispute of any kind
arising in connection with the member's  actions in  administering  this Plan or
authorizing or denying authorization to any transaction hereunder.

                  The  Board  of  Directors,  at any  time  it so  desires,  may
increase or  decrease  the number of members of the  Committee,  may remove from
membership on the  Committee all or any portion of its members,  and may appoint
such  person or  persons  as it  desires  to fill any  vacancy  existing  on the
Committee, whether caused by removal, resignation or otherwise.

         2.2      Participation.

                  Only  officers  or  key  employees  of  the  Company,  or of a
Subsidiary,  whose responsibility levels indicate their ability to substantially
contribute  to the  Company's  growth  and  development  shall be  eligible  for
selection by the Committee to participate in this Plan; provided,  however, that
members of the Committee shall not, while members of this Committee, be eligible
to  receive  Options  under  this  Plan.  In  addition,  members of the Board of
Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company or of any  Subsidiary
shall not be eligible to receive  Options under this Plan. An individual who has
been granted an Option may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Options
if the Committee so determines.

                  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,  during the
initial term of the Amended and Restated  Management Services Agreement dated as
of February 12, 1997 by and between S&H, Inc. and the Company (i.e.,  until June
30, 1999,  unless such initial  term is  terminated  for any reason prior to the
expiration thereof), Options may be granted under this Plan to either of the S&H
Stockholders  if, and only if, any such  grant of Options is  approved  by (i) a
majority of the members of the Committee (which majority must include a majority
of the members of the Committee  excluding any of the S&H Stockholders  that are
members of the  Committee)  and (ii) a majority  of the  members of the Board of
Directors (which majority must include a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors excluding any of the S&H Stockholders that are members of the Board of
Directors).

         2.3      Stock Subject to the Plan.

                  Subject to Section 4.1 hereof,  the stock to be offered  under
this Plan shall be shares of  authorized  but  unissued  Common  Stock or Common
Stock held in  treasury.  The  aggregate  amount of Common Stock to be delivered
upon exercise of all Options  granted under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of
(i) 124,000 shares plus (ii) such number of shares issuable upon exercise of all


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



Options  that will be  outstanding  upon and in the event of the  conversion  to
Options of  options  under and in  accordance  with  stock  option  plans of all
Subsidiaries,  with such sum being subject to adjustment as set forth in Section
4.1 of this Plan.  Such amount of Common  Stock is hereby  reserved for issuance
under this Plan. If any Option shall expire or terminate for any reason  without
having been fully exercised,  the unexercised shares subject thereto shall again
be available for the purposes of this Plan.

         2.4      Stock Option Agreements.

                  Each Option  granted  pursuant to this Plan shall be evidenced
by an Incentive Stock Option Agreement or a Nonstatutory  Stock Option Agreement
(any of which are at times  herein  referred  to as an  "Option  Agreement"  or,
collectively,  as  "Option  Agreements"),  which  shall  set forth the terms and
conditions  of the option and specify  whether  such option is intended to be an
ISO or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.


III.  OPTIONS.

         3.1      Option Price.

                  Except as otherwise  provided  herein,  the purchase price per
share of the Common Stock  covered by each Option (the "Option  Price") shall be
determined  by the  Committee;  provided,  however,  the Option Price for an ISO
shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock  covered by the
Option at the time of grant.  The Option Price of any share  purchased  shall be
paid in full at the time of each purchase in cash, by check,  or,  provided that
all necessary regulatory approvals have been received, and provided further that
the Option  Agreement  provides for such  exercise,  the person  exercising  the
Option  may  deliver  in  payment  of  all or a  portion  of  the  Option  Price
certificates  for other shares of Common Stock which shall be valued at the Fair
Market Value of such Common Stock as of the date of exercise of the Option.

         3.2      Option Period.

                  Except as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise determined
by the  Committee,  each Option and all rights or obligations  thereunder  shall
expire on such date as shall be provided in the Option Agreement,  but not later
than the tenth anniversary  (fifth  anniversary in the case of an ISO granted to
an  employee  who owns or is  deemed  to own at the time of grant  more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined  voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or a Subsidiary)  of the date on which the Option is granted,  and shall
be subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided.



                                       -5-

<PAGE>



         3.3      Exercise of Options.

                  Each Option shall become  exercisable  and the total number of
shares  subject  thereto shall be  purchasable  no sooner than one year from the
date of the grant of the Option, and only in such  installments,  which need not
be equal, as specified in the Option Agreement. If the holder of an Option shall
not in any given installment  period purchase all of the shares which the holder
is entitled  to  purchase in such  installment  period,  the  holder's  right to
purchase any shares not so purchased in such  installment  period shall continue
until  the  expiration  or  earlier  termination  of the  holder's  Option.  The
Committee  may,  at any time  after  grant of the  Option and from time to time,
increase  the number of shares  purchasable  in any  installment  so long as the
total  number of shares  subject  to the Option is not  increased.  No Option or
installment  thereof shall be exercisable except in respect of whole shares, and
fractional  share  interests  shall  be  disregarded  except  that  they  may be
accumulated in accordance with the second sentence of this Section 3.3. No fewer
than ten (10) shares may be purchased at one time unless the number purchased is
the total  number at the time  available  for  purchase  under the  Option.  The
Committee may impose such  conditions or  limitations,  as shall be specified in
the  applicable  Option  Agreement,  on the sale or  transfer  of  Common  Stock
acquired upon exercise of an Option as it may deem necessary or desirable.

         3.4      Nontransferability of Options.

                  An Option  granted  under this Plan  shall,  by its terms,  be
nontransferable  by the holder  other  than by will or the laws of  descent  and
distribution,  and shall be exercised  during the holder's  lifetime only by the
holder or a duly appointed guardian or personal representative.

         3.5      Termination of Employment.

                  (a) If an Option holder ceases to be an officer of or employed
by the  Company  or a  Subsidiary  because  of  the  Option  holder's  voluntary
termination of employment, the Option will be exercisable only until the date of
resignation from office or termination of employment, to the extent, and only to
the extent, installments had become exercisable as of the date of termination of
employment or resignation from office.

                  (b) If an Option holder ceases to be an officer of or employed
by either  the  Company or a  Subsidiary  for any  reason  other than  voluntary
termination  specified in Section  3.5(a),  the Option  holder shall have ninety
(90) days, or such other period provided in the Option Agreement,  from the date
of termination of employment to exercise his or her Option,  to the extent,  and
only to the extent,  installments  had become  exercisable  prior to the date of
termination of employment or removal or resignation from office.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>




         3.6      Permanent Disability of Employee.

                  If an Option  holder is no longer an officer of or employed by
either the Company or a  Subsidiary,  as a result of  permanent  disability  (as
defined below), the holder shall have twelve (12) months, or such shorter period
as is  provided  in the  Option  Agreement,  from  the  date of  termination  of
employment to exercise his or her Option.  The Option shall expire at the end of
such  12-month  period  (or such  shorter  period as is  provided  in the Option
Agreement  or as  provided  pursuant  to Section  3.2  hereof) to the extent not
exercised within that period. As used herein,  "permanent disability" shall mean
the  inability  of an Option  holder by reason of  illness  or injury to perform
substantially  all of his or her  duties  as an  employee  of the  Company  or a
Subsidiary during any continued period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

         3.7      Death of Employee.

                  If an Option  holder  dies while an officer of or  employed by
the Company or a Subsidiary,  or during the periods  described in Section 3.5(b)
or 3.6 hereof,  the holder's Option shall be exercisable during the twelve-month
period, or such shorter period as is provided in the Option Agreement, following
the holder's death, by the executor of the holder's will, the  administrator  of
the holder's estate, or as otherwise provided in the Option Agreement,  (and not
otherwise, regardless of any community property or other interest therein of the
spouse of the holder or such spouse's  successor in interest),  provided that in
no event shall the Option be exercised  after the period provided for in Section
3.2 hereof.  Unless  sooner  terminated  pursuant to the Plan,  the Option shall
expire at the end of such  twelve-month  period  (or such  shorter  period as is
provided  in the Option  Agreement  or as is  provided  pursuant  to Section 3.2
hereof) to the extent not  exercised  within that period.  In the event that the
holder's spouse shall have acquired a community property interest in the Option,
the holder, the executor of the holder's will, the administrator of the holder's
estate,  or such other Person as is otherwise  provided in the Option Agreement,
may exercise  the option on behalf of the spouse of the holder or such  spouse's
successor in interest.

         3.8      Limitation on Grant of ISOs.

                  The aggregate Fair Market Value  (determined as of the date or
dates the ISO or ISOs are granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which the
ISO or ISOs  granted to an employee are  exercisable  for the first time by such
employee  during any one calendar year (under this Plan and all other  incentive
stock option plans of the Company or any Subsidiary) shall not exceed $100,000.



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



         3.9      Option Shall be Designated an ISO or Nonstatutory  Option.

                  The Option Agreement for each option grant shall state whether
the Options granted thereby are intended to be ISOs or Nonstatutory Options.


IV.  OTHER PROVISIONS.

         4.1      Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization and Ownership.

                  Subject to Section  4.2 below,  if the  outstanding  shares of
Common Stock are  increased,  decreased  or changed  into,  or exchanged  for, a
different  number or kind of  shares  or  securities  of the  Company  through a
reorganization  or  merger  in  which  the  Company  is  the  surviving  entity,
combination,  recapitalization,  reclassification, stock split-up, reverse stock
split,  stock dividend,  stock  consolidation  or otherwise,  an appropriate and
proportionate  adjustment  shall be made in the  number  and kind of shares  for
which  Options  may be  granted  as set forth in  Section  2.3 hereof and in the
Carryover  Amount.  A  corresponding  adjustment  changing the number or kind of
shares and the  exercise  price per share  allocated to  unexercised  Options or
portions  thereof,  which shall have been granted prior to any such change,  and
the  Carryover  Amount,  shall also be made.  Subject,  in the case of ISOs,  to
Section 424 of the Code,  any such  adjustment,  however,  shall be made without
change in the total price  applicable to the  unexercised  portion of the Option
but with a corresponding adjustment in the price for each share.

                  Upon  the  dissolution  or  liquidation  of the  Company,  or,
subject to Section 4.2 below, upon a reorganization,  merger or consolidation of
the Company  with one or more  corporations  as a result of which the Company is
not the  surviving  corporation,  in which  such  surviving  corporation  (or an
affiliate), if applicable,  does not assume all obligations of the Company under
this Plan and  substitute  for the  unexercised  Options  granted under the Plan
options to purchase  securities  of such  surviving  corporation  having a value
substantially  equivalent  to or greater  than the Common  Stock  issuable  upon
exercise of such Options and on terms  substantially  the same as or better than
those granted under the Plan, such Options shall become immediately  exercisable
upon the  occurrence  of such an  event,  but in no event  may such  Options  be
exercised  after  the  exercise  period  specified  in  each  individual  Option
Agreement.

                  Adjustments  under  this  Section  4.1  shall  be  made by the
Committee,  whose  determination as to what  adjustments  shall be made, and the
extent thereof, shall be final, binding and conclusive.  No fractional shares of
Common Stock shall be issued under this Plan on account of any such  adjustment.
If for any reason any person becomes entitled to any interest in a fractional


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



share, a cash payment shall be made of an equivalent value of such interest.

         4.2      Change of Control.

                  In the  event of a Change  of  Control  other  than a  Pooling
Transaction  (as  hereinafter  defined)  during the term of one or more Options,
such Options shall,  subject to Section 4.1 above,  remain outstanding and shall
become  exercisable  by the holder  thereof upon the terms and conditions of the
Plan and the Option  Agreement  between such holder and the  Company;  provided,
however, the Committee may, in its discretion, take one or more of the following
actions  in  connection   with  a  Change  of  Control  (other  than  a  Pooling
Transaction):

                           (a)  The  Committee  may  declare  that  any  or  all
Options  shall  terminate  as of a date to be  fixed  by the  Committee  and may
require that the respective  holders thereof surrender all or a portion of their
unexercised Options for cancellation by the Company prior to such date and, upon
such  surrender,  such holders shall  receive (i) the cash,  securities or other
consideration   they  would  have  received  had  they  exercised  such  Options
immediately  prior to such  Change of  Control  and had they  disposed  of their
shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon such  exercise in  connection  with such
Change of Control (subject to required deductions and withholdings),  minus (ii)
an amount of cash or fair market value of securities or other such consideration
equal to the Option Price for such Options surrendered; or

                           (b)  The  Committee   may  declare  that,   upon  the
exercise  by a  holder  of any or all  Options  after a  Change  of  Control  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of the Plan,  such holder shall be entitled to
receive  only the cash,  securities  or other  consideration  he would have been
entitled to receive had he  exercised  such  Options  immediately  prior to such
Change of Control  and had he disposed of the Common  Stock  issuable  upon such
exercise in connection with such Change of Control; or

                           (c)  The  Committee  may  declare  that  any  or  all
Options  shall  terminate as of a date to be fixed by the Committee and give the
holders thereof the right to exercise their Options prior to such date as to all
or any part thereof; or

                           (d)  The   Committee   may   permit   the   successor
corporation  to assume  the  obligations  of the  Company  under the Plan and to
substitute  for the  unexercised  Options  granted  under  the Plan  options  to
purchase  securities of such successor  corporation having a value substantially
equivalent  to or greater than the Common Stock  issuable  upon exercise of such
Options  and on terms  substantially  the same as or better  than those  granted
under the Plan,  all as determined by the Committee,  whereupon all  outstanding
Options and all future Options granted under the Plan shall  thenceforth  become
options to purchase such securities of such successor corporation on such terms.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>




                  Notwithstanding  anything herein or in any Option Agreement to
the contrary,  if,  during the term of one or more Options,  there shall occur a
Change of Control which is intended to qualify as a "pooling of  interests"  for
accounting and financial reporting purposes (a "Pooling Transaction"),  it shall
be a condition to the  effectiveness of such Change of Control  transaction that
the acquiror  agree to assume the  obligations of the Company under the Plan and
to provide for the substitution of options to purchase securities equivalent to,
and with terms the same as, those granted  under the Plan,  all as determined by
the Committee.

         4.3      Continuation of Employment.

                  Nothing  contained  in this  Plan  (or in any  Option  granted
pursuant to this Plan) or in any Option Agreement shall confer upon any employee
any right to continue in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary or constitute
any contract or agreement of  employment  or interfere in any way with the right
of the Company or a Subsidiary to reduce any person's compensation from the rate
in  existence at the time of the granting of an Option or Right or to change any
person's  position or duties or to demote or terminate such person's  employment
with or without cause,  but nothing  contained herein or in any Option Agreement
shall effect any contractual rights of an employee obtained otherwise than under
this Plan.

         4.4      Government Regulations.

                  This Plan and the  grant  and  exercise  of  Options  shall be
subject to all applicable rules and regulations of governmental authorities.

         4.5      Withholding.

                  The Company  may  require,  as a  condition  to (1) issuing or
delivering  to the holder of an Option  shares or  certificates  evidencing  the
shares  upon  exercise  of the Option or (2)  allowing  the  transfer  of shares
subsequent to their  issuance to the holder of an Option,  that the holder of an
Option or other person  exercising the Option pay any sums that federal,  state,
or local tax law  requires  to be  withheld  with  respect to such  exercise  or
transfer.  Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  shall be obligated to advise
any  holder of an Option of the  existence  of the tax or the  amount  which the
Company will be so required to withhold.

         4.6      Amendment, Termination, and Reissuance.

                  (a) The Board of Directors may at any time  suspend,  amend or
terminate this Plan (or any part thereof) and, with the consent of the holder of
an  Option,  may make such  modifications  of the terms and  conditions  of such
holder's Option as it shall deem advisable.  No Option may be granted during any



                                      -10-

<PAGE>



suspension of this Plan or after such termination. The amendment,  suspension or
termination  of this Plan shall  not,  without  the  consent of the holder of an
Option,  adversely  alter or impair any rights or  obligations  under any Option
theretofore granted under this Plan. The Committee shall have the power and may,
with the consent of the holder of any  Option,  cancel any  existing  Option and
reissue Options to the holder of those canceled Options,  having a new and lower
Option Price, but otherwise bearing  substantially similar terms to the canceled
Options.

                  (b) In  addition  to the Board of  Directors'  approval of any
amendment,  if the  amendment  would  (i)  increase  the  benefits  accruing  to
participants  in this Plan,  (ii) increase the aggregate  number of shares which
may be issued under this Plan, or (iii) modify the  requirements  of eligibility
for  participation  in this Plan,  then such amendment  shall be approved by the
holders of a majority of the Company's  outstanding  capital stock  present,  or
represented,  and  entitled  to vote at a meeting  duly held for the  purpose of
approving  such  amendment.   For  purposes  of  this  Subsection   4.6(b),  any
cancellation  and  reissuance of Options at the same, or a new or lower,  Option
Price pursuant to Subsection  4.6(a) hereof shall not constitute an amendment of
the Plan.

         4.7      Time of Grant and Exercise.

                  (a)  Except  as the  Committee  or  Board of  Directors  shall
otherwise  determine,  the granting of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall take
place at the time of the  resolutions  adopted by the  Committee  granting  such
Option; provided,  however, that if the appropriate resolutions of the Committee
indicate that an Option is to be granted as of or at some future date,  the date
of grant shall be such future date.

                  (b) An  Option  shall  be  deemed  to be  exercised  when  the
Secretary  of the Company  receives  written  notice of such  exercise  from the
person  entitled to exercise  the Option,  together  with payment in full of the
purchase  price  made  in  accordance  with  Section  3.1 of this  Plan  and all
applicable withholding taxes.

         4.8      Privileges of Stock Ownership; Nondistributive Intent.

                  The holder of an Option shall not be entitled to the privilege
of stock  ownership  as to any shares of Common  Stock not  actually  issued and
delivered  to him or her.  Upon  exercise  of an Option,  unless a  registration
statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to
the Common Stock  issuable  upon  exercise and there is available for delivery a
prospectus  meeting the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of said Act, the Common
Stock  may be issued  to the  option  holder  only if he or she  represents  and
warrants in writing to the Company and its counsel that the shares purchased are
being acquired for investment and not with a view to the resale or  distribution
thereof. No shares shall be issued upon the exercise of any Option  unless  and 


                                      -11-

<PAGE>


until  there  shall  have  been  full   compliance   with  any  then  applicable
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission,  or any other regulatory
agencies  having  jurisdiction  over this Plan (and of any exchanges  upon which
stock of the Company may be listed).

         4.9      Issuance of Stock Certificates.

                  Upon exercise of an Option,  the person receiving Common Stock
shall be entitled to one stock  certificate  evidencing the shares acquired upon
such exercise;  provided,  however,  that any person who tenders Common Stock to
the  Company  in  payment  of a portion  or all of the  purchase  price of stock
purchased  upon  exercise  of an  Option,  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  two
certificates,  one representing a number of shares equal to the number of shares
exchanged for the stock acquired upon  exercise,  and another  representing  the
additional shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.

         4.10      Effective Date of this Plan.

                  This  Plan  shall,  subject  to its  adoption  by the Board of
Directors and the Company's  stockholders  in accordance with applicable law and
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, be effective as of June 30, 1989.

         4.11      Expiration.

                  Unless previously  terminated by the Board of Directors,  this
Plan shall  expire at the close of  business  on the date that is ten (10) years
less one day from the date  executed  below and no Option shall be granted under
it  thereafter,  but such  expiration  shall not affect  any Option  theretofore
granted.

         4.12      Governing Law.

                  This Plan and the Options issued  hereunder  shall be governed
by,  and  construed  in  accordance  with,  the  laws of the  State  of New York
applicable  to contracts  made and performed  within such State,  except as such
laws may be supplanted  by the laws of the United States of America,  which laws
shall then govern its effect and its  construction  to the extent they  supplant
New York law.

                  EXECUTED as of the 14th day of February, 1997.

                                       SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.


                                       By /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                         ---------------------------------------


                                       Title Co-Chief Executive Officer
                                            ------------------------------------



                                      -12-

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.22

                                     FORM OF

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.

                       NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT



                  THIS  AGREEMENT is dated as of the ___ day of ________,  ____,
by and between Silgan Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
_________________ (the "Optionee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS,  the Stock  Option  Plan  Committee  under the Silgan
Holdings  Inc.  Fourth  Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan")
has  determined  to grant to the  Optionee,  an [officer  and  employee]  of the
Company,  nonstatutory  stock options under the Plan to purchase ________ shares
of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock");
and

                  WHEREAS,  terms not  otherwise  defined  herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. Grant of Option.  The Company  hereby grants on the date hereof (the
"Date of  Grant")  to the  Optionee  the  right and  option  (the  "Option")  to
purchase,  in  accordance  with the Plan and on the terms and  conditions of the
Plan  and  those  hereinafter  set  forth,  all or any part of an  aggregate  of
________ shares of Common Stock at the price of $________ per share (the "Option
Price"),  exercisable  from  time  to time  subject  to the  provisions  of this
Agreement  prior to the close of  business  on  _____________  ____,  _____ (the
"Expiration Date"). Such price equals the Option Price as defined in the Plan.

         2.       Exercisability of Option.  Except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement, on or after _________________, _____, the
Option may be exercised from time to time for the number of
shares of Common Stock as follows:

                        Date After Which
                        Option Installment
                        May Be Exercised        Number of Shares
                        ------------------      ----------------











<PAGE>



;  provided,  however,  that the Option may not be exercised as to less than ten
(10)  shares  of Common  Stock at any one time  unless  the  number of shares of
Common Stock  purchased is the total number at the time  available  for purchase
under an  installment  of the  Option.  If the  Optionee  does not in any  given
installment period purchase all of the shares of Common Stock which he or she is
entitled  to  purchase  in such  installment  period,  the  Optionee's  right to
purchase any shares of Common Stock not so purchased  shall  continue  until the
Expiration Date, unless theretofore terminated in accordance with the provisions
hereof and of the Plan.  The Option may be  exercised  only as to whole  shares;
fractional  share  interests  shall  be  disregarded  except  that  they  may be
accumulated.

         3. Method of Exercise and Payment.  Each exercise of an  installment of
the Option  shall be by means of written  notice of  exercise  delivered  to the
Company,  specifying  the number of whole shares of Common Stock with respect to
which the  Option  is being  exercised,  together  with any  written  statements
required pursuant to Section 9 hereof and payment of the Option Price in full in
cash or by check  payable to the order of the  Company.  The  Optionee  may also
deliver,  in payment of a portion or all of the Option Price,  certificates  for
Common  Stock,  which  shall be valued at the Fair  Market  Value of such Common
Stock,  as defined in Section  1.2 of the Plan,  on the date of  exercise of the
Option.

         4. Continuance of Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in
the Plan shall  confer upon the  Optionee any right to continue in the employ of
the Company or a Subsidiary or shall interfere in any way with the rights of the
Company  or of such  Subsidiary,  which  are  hereby  reserved,  to  reduce  the
Optionee's  compensation  from the rate in  existence on the Date of Grant or to
change  the  Optionee's  position  or  duties  or to  demote  or  terminate  the
Optionee's employment for any reason.

         5.  Effect of  Termination  of  Relationship.  The Option and all other
rights hereunder, to the extent such rights shall not have been exercised, shall
terminate and become null and void at such time as the Optionee  ceases to be an
officer of or employed by either the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however,
that  in the  event  the  Optionee's  removal  or  resignation  from  office  or
termination of employment is other than voluntary,  the Optionee may at any time
within any applicable period specified in Sections 5(a) and 5(b) below, exercise
the Option,  to the extent,  and only to the extent,  installments of the Option
had become exercisable as of the date of such removal, resignation, termination,
death or permanent disability:

                  (a) up to ninety (90) days after removal or  resignation  from
office  or  termination  of  employment,  other  than  termination  for death or
permanent disability; or



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                  (b) up to twelve (12)  months  after the  Optionee's  death or
permanent  disability if the Optionee dies or is  permanently  disabled while in
the employ of the Company or a  Subsidiary  or during the period  referred to in
Section  5(a).  During the period  after  death,  the Option  may, to the extent
exercisable  on the date of death or earlier  termination,  be  exercised by the
person  or  persons  to whom  the  Optionee's  rights  under  the  Plan and this
Agreement  shall  pass  by  will  or by  the  applicable  laws  of  descent  and
distribution.

                  Unless  sooner  terminated  pursuant  to the Plan,  the Option
shall expire at the end of the applicable  period  specified in Section 5(a) and
5(b) above, to the extent not exercised within that period.  Notwithstanding any
other  provision of the Plan and this  Agreement,  the Option shall terminate on
the  date of  termination  of  employment  for any  reason  (including  death or
permanent  disability)  to the extent that the Option is not  exercisable on the
date of such termination of employment.  In no event may the Option be exercised
by any person after the Expiration Date.

         6.  Non-Assignability of Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 5
above and of the Plan, the Option and all other rights and privileges  conferred
hereby are not transferable or assignable and may not be offered, sold, pledged,
hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way (whether by operation of law or
otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment,  garnishment, levy
or similar process.  During the Optionee's lifetime, the Option may be exercised
only by the Optionee or,  subject to the  provisions of Section 5 and within the
period  specified  in  Section  5(b)  after  his  or  her  death,  by his or her
transferees  by will or under  the laws of  descent  and  distribution,  and not
otherwise, regardless of any community property or other interest therein of the
Optionee's spouse or such spouse's successor in interest.  In the event that the
spouse of the Optionee shall have acquired a community  property interest in the
Option,  the  Optionee,  or such  transferees,  may exercise it on behalf of the
spouse of the Optionee or such spouse's successor in interest.

         7. Adjustments and Other Rights.  The rights of the Optionee  hereunder
are subject to adjustments and  modifications in certain  circumstances and upon
occurrence of certain events including a  reorganization,  merger,  combination,
recapitalization,  reclassification,  stock split,  reverse  stock split,  stock
dividend or stock consolidation, as set forth in Section 4.1 of the Plan.

         8. Optionee  Not a  Stockholder.  Neither  the  Optionee  nor any other
person  entitled  to  exercise  the  Option  shall  have  any of the  rights  or
privileges of a stockholder  of the Company as to any shares of Common Stock not
actually  issued and  delivered  to him or her. No  adjustment  will be made for
dividends  or other  rights  for which the  record  date is prior to the date on



                                       -3-

<PAGE>



which such stock certificate or certificates are issued even if such record date
is  subsequent  to the date upon which notice of exercise was  delivered and the
tender of payment was accepted.

         9.  Application  of  Securities  Laws. No shares of Common Stock may be
purchased   pursuant  to  the  Option  unless  and  until  any  then  applicable
requirements of the Securities and Exchange  Commission and any other regulatory
agencies,   including  any  other  state  securities  law  commissioners  having
jurisdiction over the Company or such issuance, and any exchanges upon which the
Common  Stock may be  listed,  shall  have been fully  satisfied.  The  Optionee
represents, agrees and certifies that:

                  (a) if the Optionee  exercises  the Option in whole or in part
at a time when  there is not in  effect  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended  (the  "Act"),  a  registration  statement  relating to the Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Option, the Optionee will acquire the Common Stock
issuable upon such exercise for the purpose of investment  and as a condition to
each such exercise, he or she will furnish to the Company a written statement to
such effect, satisfactory in form and substance to the Company; and

                  (b) if and when the  Optionee  proposes to  publicly  offer or
sell the Common  Stock  issued to him or her upon  exercise of the  Option,  the
Optionee  will  notify the Company  prior to any such  offering or sale and will
abide by the  opinion  of counsel  to the  Company as to whether  and under what
conditions and circumstances,  if any, he or she may offer and sell such shares,
but such  procedure  need not be  followed  if the  Common  Stock  issued to the
Optionee  is  registered  under the Act and is listed on a  national  securities
exchange or quoted on NASDAQ.

                  The Optionee  understands that the certificate or certificates
representing the Common Stock acquired  pursuant to the Option may bear a legend
referring to the foregoing  matters and any limitations  under the Act and state
securities  laws with  respect to the  transfer  of such Common  Stock,  and the
Company may impose stop transfer instructions to implement such limitations,  if
applicable.  Any person or persons  entitled  to exercise  the Option  under the
provisions  of  Section  5 above  shall  be  bound by and  obligated  under  the
provisions of this Section 9 to the same extent as is the Optionee.

         10.  Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of
this  Agreement or pursuant to the Plan shall be in writing and addressed to the
Secretary of the Company at its  principal  office and any notice to be given to
the Optionee  shall be addressed to him or her at the address  given beneath the
Optionee's  signature  hereto,  or at such  other  address  as either  party may
hereafter  designate  in writing to the other  party.  Any such notice  shall be
deemed to have been duly  given when  enclosed  in a  properly  sealed  envelope
addressed as  aforesaid,  registered or  certified,  and deposited  (postage and



                                       -4-

<PAGE>



registry or  certification  fee  prepaid) in a post office or branch post office
regularly maintained by the United States Government.

         11. Effect of Agreement.  The Agreement shall be assumed by, be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of any  successor or  successors of the Company to
the extent provided in the Plan.

         12.  Withholding.  The provisions of Section 4.5 of the Plan are hereby
incorporated  and,  among other  things,  shall  govern the  Company's  right to
condition the issuance of certificates  for, or a transfer of, Common Stock upon
compliance with the applicable  withholding  requirements of federal,  state and
local authorities.

         13. Fourth  Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan. The Option and
this  Agreement  are subject to, and the  Company and the  Optionee  agree to be
bound by,  all of the  terms and  conditions  of the  Plan,  including,  without
limitation, Section 4.2 of the Plan. The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy
of the Plan,  which is made a part hereof by this  reference.  The rights of the
Optionee are subject to limitations, adjustments,  modifications, suspension and
termination  in  certain  circumstances  and upon  the  occurrences  of  certain
conditions  as set forth in the Plan. In the event of any  inconsistency  in the
terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

         14.  Laws  Applicable  to  Construction.  The Option has been  granted,
executed and  delivered as of the day and year first above  written in New York,
New York, and the interpretation,  performance and enforcement of the Option and
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.




                                       -5-

<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company has caused this Agreement to
be executed on its behalf by a duly  authorized  officer  and the  Optionee  has
hereunto set his or her hand as of the date and year first above written.

                                       SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.



                                       By:----------------------------------
                                          Title:

OPTIONEE



- -----------------------------------
(Signature)


- -----------------------------------
(Print Name)


- -----------------------------------
(Address)


- -----------------------------------
(City, State, Zip Code)


- -----------------------------------
(Social Security Number)





                                       -6-

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.24




                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT


                  This Amended and Restated  Management  Services Agreement (the
"Agreement")  is made as of this 14th day of  February,  1997 by and between S&H
INC., a Connecticut  corporation  ("S&H"),  and SILGAN HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Holdings").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and  Holdings  have entered into the Amended and
Restated  Management  Services  Agreement  dated as of  December  21,  1993 (the
"Original  Management  Services  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which  S&H  provides
general management,  supervision,  administrative and other services to Holdings
in accordance with the terms of the Original Management Services Agreement;

                  WHEREAS,  S&H  also  is a party  to an  Amended  and  Restated
Management  Services Agreement dated as of December 21, 1993 with each of Silgan
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings ("Silgan"), Silgan Containers
Corporation,  a wholly owned  subsidiary  of Silgan  ("Containers"),  and Silgan
Plastics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silgan ("Plastics");

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and each of Silgan,  Containers and Plastics are
entering into an amended and restated  management services agreement dated as of
the  date  hereof  (collectively,  as  so  amended and restated, the "Affiliate 
Management Services Agreements"); and




<PAGE>



                  WHEREAS,  in  contemplation  of the consummation of an initial
public  offering  of the  common  stock of  Holdings  pursuant  to an  effective
registration  statement  under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  S&H and
Holdings  desire to amend and restate  hereby the Original  Management  Services
Agreement.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual agreements contained herein, S&H and Holdings agree as follows:

                  1.  Management Services.

                           (a)      S&H and Holdings hereby agree that, during
the period  beginning  on the date  hereof and  continuing  throughout  the term
hereof,  S&H and its Affiliates  shall provide to Holdings  general  management,
supervision and administrative  services,  including,  without  limitation,  the
preparation of the annual and long-term business plans of Holdings,  and perform
such other duties and provide such other services as Holdings shall be permitted
to request of S&H  pursuant to the  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or
By-Laws of Holdings or pursuant to  applicable  law,  which power and  authority
Holdings  hereby grants to S&H  ("General  Management  Services").  (The General
Management Services are hereinafter  collectively  referred to as the "Services"
and individually as a "Service").

                           (b)      Any Service hereunder shall be provided to
Holdings only by S&H or its Affiliates or such  consultants,  subcontractors  or



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



agents  as may be  selected  from  time  to  time  by S&H to  assist  S&H in its
provision of the Services.  It is understood  and agreed that S&H may retain the
services of Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  or another  suitable  investment
bank as financial  advisor to Holdings or as an underwriter  or placement  agent
for offerings of securities by Holdings.  

                  2. Fees; Payment. 

                           (a)      In  consideration  for  General   Management
Services  provided  by S&H to  Holdings  hereunder,  Holdings  shall  pay to S&H
aggregate fees or compensation therefor (not including any related out-of-pocket
expenses),  (i) on a monthly  basis,  an amount equal to five  thousand  dollars
($5,000)  plus 2.475% of EBDIT (as defined in  Paragraph  2(i)  hereof) for such
calendar month of Holdings until EBDIT for the calendar year to date has reached
the  Scheduled  Amount (as defined in Paragraph  2(d) hereof) for such  calendar
year,  and 1.65% of EBDIT for such calendar month of Holdings to the extent that
EBDIT for the  calendar  year to date  exceeds the  Scheduled  Amount but is not
greater  than the Maximum  Amount (as defined in  Paragraph  2(d)  hereof)  (the
"Monthly  Management  Fee");  and (ii) on a quarterly  basis, an amount equal to
2.475%  of EBDIT for such  calendar  quarter  of  Holdings  until  EBDIT for the
calendar year to date has reached the Scheduled  Amount,  and l.65% of EBDIT for
such calendar quarter of Holdings to the extent that EBDIT for the calendar year
to date exceeds the Scheduled  Amount but is not greater than the Maximum Amount
(the "Quarterly Management Fee").

                           (b)      Such Quarterly Management Fee shall continue
to accrue, but shall not be paid, to S&H by Holdings in the  event  that,  and


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



from the date on which,  Silgan shall have received  written  notice  ("Notice")
from the Agent (as  defined  below)  that an Event of  Default  (as such term is
defined  in the Credit  Agreement,  dated as of August 1,  1995,  among  Silgan,
Containers, Plastics, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bankers Trust
Company, as Administrative Agent and as a Co-Arranger (the "Agent"), and Bank of
America Illinois, as Documentation Agent and as a Co-Arranger, as in effect from
time to time, and any refinancings,  renewals,  amendments or extensions thereof
(the "Credit  Agreement"))  exists under any of Sections 9.01, 9.03 (but only to
the extent  resulting from the violation of one or more of Sections 8.08,  8.09,
8.10,  and 8.11 of the Credit  Agreement),  9.04(i)(x),  9.04(ii) or 9.05 of the
Credit Agreement (each of the foregoing Events of Default, a "Financial Covenant
Event of Default")  until, and shall be paid by Holdings to S&H on, the earliest
to occur of (x) the first  date  after  receipt  of such  Notice  upon  which no
Financial  Covenant  Event of Default to which the Notice  related or  otherwise
known to S&H or Holdings shall be in existence (and so long as no such Financial
Covenant  Event of Default  would be in  existence  after  giving  effect to the
payment of such unpaid portion of the Quarterly  Management  Fee), (y) the first
date  occurring 180 days or more after  receipt by Holdings of a written  notice
from the Agent stating that no Event of Default exists under Section 9.01 of the
Credit  Agreement,   or  (z)  the  date  that  Silgan,   Containers,   Plastics,
California-Washington Can Corporation,  a wholly owned subsidiary of Containers,
and  SCCW  Can  Corporation,  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary   of   Containers,


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



shall have paid all  outstanding  Obligations (as such term is defined under the
Credit  Agreement).  In the  event  that a Notice  is  delivered  by the  Agent,
Holdings  shall pay to S&H that portion of any unpaid  Quarterly  Management Fee
that has accrued with respect to that portion of such calendar  quarter prior to
the  occurrence of any Financial  Covenant Event of Default to which such Notice
relates.

                           (c)      Nothing  contained in  Paragraph  2(b) shall
prevent  the Agent  from  giving  successive  Notices of the type  described  in
Paragraph  2(b) (in which case the rules set forth in Paragraph 2(b) shall apply
to, and the time  periods set forth  therein  shall begin to run on, the date of
such  subsequent  Notice);  provided  that only one Notice  relating to a single
Financial  Covenant Event of Default and all other Financial  Covenant Events of
Default in  existence at the date of the giving of any such Notice may be given.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein, if at any time after the
giving of Notice  by the Agent to  Silgan,  S&H  shall  certify  in  writing  to
Holdings  that all  Financial  Covenant  Events of Default to which such  Notice
relates  have been  cured or  waived,  and that S&H knows of no other  Financial
Covenant  Event of Default then in  existence,  then Holdings  shall,  unless it
knows of the  existence of a Financial  Covenant  Event of Default which has not
yet been cured or waived, pay to S&H any accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management
Fee or portion thereof in the manner set forth in Paragraph 2(g) hereof unless a
Financial  Covenant  Event of Default would result from such payment.  S&H shall



                                       -5-

<PAGE>



not be  required  to  deliver  any  such  certification  to  Holdings  upon  the
occurrence  of the dates or events set forth in clauses (y) or (z) of  Paragraph
2(b), and promptly after the occurrence of such date or event, Holdings will pay
to S&H any accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management Fee or portion thereof.

                           (d)      For any given  calendar year during the term
of this Agreement, the Scheduled Amount and the Maximum Amount for such calendar
year will be the amounts set forth in Schedule I hereto.
     
                           (e)      In addition to the  Monthly  Management  Fee
and the Quarterly Management Fee, Holdings shall also reimburse S&H in an amount
equal  to all  out-of-pocket  expenses  paid by S&H in  providing  the  Services
hereunder,  including fees and expenses paid to consultants,  subcontractors and
other third parties,  in connection  with such Services.  Such expenses shall be
payable by Holdings to S&H monthly in arrears.

                           (f)      (i) Not later than fifteen (15) days after
the end of each  calendar  month  during  the term  hereof  with  respect to the
Monthly Management Fee and (ii) not later than thirty (30) days after the end of
each full calendar  quarter during the term hereof with respect to the Quarterly
Management  Fee, S&H shall  furnish  Holdings with a bill for an amount equal to
the Monthly Management Fee and the Quarterly Management Fee, respectively,  then
owing with respect to periods ended on or before the end of such calendar  month
or such calendar quarter.

                           (g)      Each bill furnished to Holdings hereunder
shall  be  paid  in  full  within  thirty (30) days of the receipt of such bill,


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



except that any accrued and unpaid  Quarterly  Management Fee or portion thereof
shall be paid on the earliest date on which such payment is permitted to be made
pursuant to Paragraphs  2(a),  2(b) and 2(c) hereof.  All payments of such bills
shall be sent to:

                           S&H Inc.
                           4 Landmark Square
                           Suite 400
                           Stamford, CT  06901
                           Attention: R. Philip Silver

or to such other address as S&H may specify from time to time by written  notice
to Holdings.

                           (h)      All fees and expenses paid to S&H by Silgan,
Containers  and  Plastics,  pursuant to their  respective  Affiliate  Management
Services  Agreements with S&H, shall be credited to the Monthly  Management Fee,
the Quarterly Management Fee and the expenses referred to in Paragraphs 2(a) and
2(e) hereof.

                           (i)      For purposes of this Section 2, EBDIT shall
mean,  for  any  period,  the  consolidated  net  income  of  Holdings  and  its
subsidiaries, before interest expense and provision for income taxes and without
giving effect to any  extraordinary  non-cash  gains or  extraordinary  non-cash
losses and any adjustments resulting from changes in the value of employee stock
options and/or stock appreciation rights, and adjusted by adding thereto (i) the
amount of any fees and expenses paid pursuant to this Agreement or the Affiliate
Management  Services  Agreements,  (ii) the amount of all charges  and  expenses
incurred in connection with any refinancing, restructuring,  recapitalization or
reorganization  involving  Holdings  and  its  subsidiaries  (which charges and 


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



expenses have been charged  against the  consolidated  net income of Holdings or
its  subsidiaries),  and (iii) the amount of all  amortization  of  intangibles,
covenants not to compete, goodwill and debt financing costs and all depreciation
(which  amortization and depreciation have been charged against the consolidated
net income of Holdings and its subsidiaries,  before interest expense), computed
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                  3.  Direct Expenses.

                  It is understood that the consideration to be paid by Holdings
to S&H for Services  hereunder  shall not be in lieu of, and that Holdings shall
be directly  liable for,  direct  expenses  incurred by  Holdings,  or by S&H on
Holdings'  behalf (other than the  out-of-pocket  expenses billed to Holdings by
S&H pursuant to Paragraph  2(e)  hereof),  for services  rendered to Holdings by
third  parties,  including,  but not limited to, legal and  accounting  fees and
insurance  premiums.  Holdings shall pay any  compensation  (including  employee
benefit  costs and any related  out-of-pocket  expenses)  to officers  and other
employees of Holdings who provide substantially  full-time services to Holdings,
other than Messrs. R. Philip Silver ("Silver"),  D. Greg Horrigan  ("Horrigan"),
Harley Rankin,  Jr.  ("Rankin") and Harold J. Rodriguez,  Jr.  ("Rodriguez") who
shall receive no salaries (it being  understood,  however,  that Holdings  shall
reimburse  S&H in respect  of  compensation  paid by S&H to  Messrs.  Rankin and
Rodriguez  consistent  with the  reimbursement  therefor  by  Holdings to S&H in
1996), notwithstanding that said officers and other employees may simultaneously


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



be officers or employees of S&H or one of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

                  4.       Term.

                           (a)      The term of this Agreement shall commence on
the date hereof and shall continue until June 30, 1999. Thereafter,  the term of
this Agreement  shall be  automatically  renewed for  successive  one-year terms
unless prior to the date that is 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial
term or the then current  one-year  term, as the case may be, either party shall
have given the other party written  notice of its election not to renew the term
of this  Agreement  (it being  understood  that the  determination  by  Holdings
whether to give such  written  notice of its  election  not to renew the term of
this Agreement will be made by the independent members of the Board of Directors
of  Holdings).  For purposes  hereof,  the  independent  members of the Board of
Directors  of Holdings  shall not include any  employee or affiliate of S&H, any
officer of Holdings or any member of the Board of Directors  that is  affiliated
with any entity that is  receiving  or is  entitled to receive any payment  from
Holdings  under this  Agreement or any payment from S&H in connection  with this
Agreement.  The term of this Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration
of the initial term or the then current  one-year term by written  notice to the
other party as follows:  (i) by Holdings for Cause, (ii) by S&H for Cause, (iii)
by  Holdings  for any  reason  other  than  Cause,  upon at least 180 days prior
written  notice,  (iv) by S&H for any reason other than (A) Cause or (B) because



                                       -9-

<PAGE>



of a Change of Control,  upon at least 180 days prior written notice,  or (v) by
S&H at any time after a Change of Control.

                           (b)      Upon termination of any Affiliate Management
Services Agreement by the party thereto other than S&H for any reason other than
"Cause"  as  defined  in such  Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement,  this
Agreement shall be deemed to have been terminated by Holdings pursuant to clause
(iii) of the last  sentence of Section 4(a) hereof,  effective as of the date of
termination of such Affiliate Management Services Agreement. Upon termination by
S&H of any  Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement for any reason other than
"Cause" or because of a "Change of Control,"  each as defined in such  Affiliate
Management  Services  Agreement,  this  Agreement  shall be  deemed to have been
terminated  by S&H pursuant to clause (iv) of the last  sentence of Section 4(a)
hereof,  effective as of the date of termination  of such  Affiliate  Management
Services Agreement.

                           (c)      For purposes of this Section 4, a "Change of
Control"  shall be  deemed  to have  occurred  when a  majority  of the Board of
Directors  of Holdings  shall not consist of  "Continuing  Holdings  Directors,"
which shall mean (i) the  directors of Holdings on the date hereof and (ii) each
other director of Holdings who is either recommended,  approved or nominated for
election,  or is elected, to the Board of Directors of Holdings by a majority of
the other Continuing Holdings Directors.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                  5.  Events of Default.

                  Any one of the following defaults shall constitute an Event of
Default  (other than by reason of an Event of Force  Majeure in the case of each
of Paragraphs 5(a)-(f)):

                           (a)      (i) The failure or refusal of S&H to comply
with or perform its obligations  under this Agreement if such failure or refusal
continues unremedied for more than 60 days after written notice of the existence
of such failure or refusal  shall have been given to S&H by Holdings or (ii) the
failure or refusal of Holdings to comply with or perform its  obligations  under
this Agreement if such failure or refusal continues  unremedied for more than 60
days after written notice of the existence of such failure or refusal shall have
been given to Holdings by S&H;

                           (b)      S&H or  Holdings is  declared  insolvent  or
bankrupt by any court of  competent  jurisdiction,  or a  voluntary  petition in
bankruptcy is filed in any court of competent jurisdiction by either of them;

                           (c)      An involuntary petition in bankruptcy is
filed in any court of competent  jurisdiction against S&H or Holdings and within
forty-five (45) days thereafter shall not have been dismissed or stayed (and, in
the  event of any such  stay,  such  stay  shall not have been set aside and the
petition  dismissed  within  forty-five (45) days after the stay shall have been
granted);


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                           (d)      A trustee or receiver is  appointed  for S&H
or Holdings and remains  undischarged  for more than  forty-five (45) days after
being appointed;

                           (e)      A  proceeding   seeking  a   reorganization,
arrangement,  liquidation  or  dissolution of S&H or Holdings is instituted in a
court of competent jurisdiction and remains undismissed for more than forty-five
(45) days after being instituted;

                           (f)      S&H or Holdings voluntarily seeks any such
reorganization or arrangement or makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or

                           (g)      Death or permanent disability of both
Horrigan and Silver. For the purposes of this Agreement,  "permanent disability"
shall mean the inability of Horrigan or Silver, as the case may be, by reason of
illness or injury to perform  substantially all of his duties as Chairman of the
Board or as  President  of Holdings  (or in  performing  his duties in any other
office in Holdings or any of its  respective  Affiliates to which he may be duly
appointed) during any continuous period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

                  6.       Cause.

                           (a)      The occurrence of any of the following shall
constitute  "Cause" for  purposes of clause (i) of the last  sentence of Section
4(a) of this Agreement:

                                    (i)  An Event of Default, except for the
         Event of Default described in Section 5(a)(ii) of this
         Agreement; or


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                                    (ii)  Criminal  conduct or gross negligence
         by S&H in the performance of the Services; or

                                    (iii)  The termination of any Affiliate
         Management Services Agreement by Silgan, Containers or Plastics, as the
         case may be, for "Cause" as defined therein.

                           (b)      The occurrence of either of the following
shall  constitute  "Cause" for  purposes of clause (ii) of the last  sentence of
Section 4(a) of this Agreement:

                                    (i)  An Event of Default, except for the
         Event of Default described in Section 5(a)(i) of this
         Agreement; or

                                    (ii)  The termination of any Affiliate
         Management Services Agreement by S&H for "Cause" as defined therein.

                  7.       Remedies.

                           (a) In the event this Agreement is terminated (or
deemed  terminated) by Holdings prior to June 30, 1999 for any reason other than
for Cause,  Holdings  shall be  required  to pay to S&H as  liquidated  damages,
within thirty (30) days of such termination, the present value of the sum of (i)
the Monthly Management Fee (or any portion thereof) that would have been payable
by Holdings to S&H for each month (or any portion thereof) from the date of such
termination through June 30, 1999 and (ii) the Quarterly  Management Fee (or any
portion  thereof)  that would  have been  payable  by  Holdings  to S&H for each
quarter  (or  portion  thereof)  from  the  date  of  such  termination through


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



June 30, 1999, in each case calculated based on a discount rate of eight percent
(8%) per annum.

                           (b)      In the event this Agreement is terminated by
Holdings after June 30, 1999 for any reason other than for Cause, Holdings shall
be required to pay to S&H as liquidated damages, within thirty (30) days of such
termination,  the present value of the sum of (i) the Monthly Management Fee (or
any portion  thereof)  that would have been  payable by Holdings to S&H for each
month (or any portion thereof) from the date of such termination through the end
of the then current one-year term and (ii) the Quarterly  Management Fee (or any
portion  thereof)  that would  have been  payable  by  Holdings  to S&H for each
quarter (or portion thereof) from the date of such  termination  through the end
of the then current  one-year term, in each case calculated  based on a discount
rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.

                           (c)     The amounts described in clauses (i) and (ii)
of Sections  7(a) and 7(b) shall be  calculated  based upon the  projections  of
Holdings'  EBDIT for the period from the date of such  termination  through June
30, 1999 or through the end of the then current  one-year  term, as the case may
be,  which  projections  are (1) included in Holdings'  most  recently  prepared
forecast  statements  required  under the Credit  Agreement or (2) if the Credit
Agreement is not in  existence,  included in Holdings'  most  recently  prepared
forecast statements  presented to its Board of Directors (provided such forecast
statements are prepared on a basis  consistent with the  requirements  under the
Credit Agreement that was in effect last).


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  8.       Force Majeure.

                  The term "Event of Force  Majeure"  as used herein  shall mean
any  failure  of a party to perform  any of its  obligations  hereunder  if such
failure is due to  circumstances  beyond its control,  including but not limited
to, any requisition by any government  authority,  act of war, strike,  boycott,
lockout,  picketing,  riot, sabotage, civil commotion,  insurrection,  epidemic,
disease,  act of God,  fire,  flood,  accident,  explosion,  earthquake,  storm,
failure of public utilities or common carriers,  mechanical failure, embargo, or
prohibition imposed by any governmental body or agency having authority over the
party,  which would have  constituted  an Event of Default but for the fact that
such events  constituted  an Event of Force  Majeure.  The party  affected by an
Event of Force  Majeure  shall give prompt  notice  thereof to the other parties
hereto and each party shall use its best  efforts to minimize  the  duration and
consequences of, and to eliminate, any such Event of Force Majeure. At such time
as an Event of Force Majeure no longer exists, the respective obligations of the
parties  hereto shall be reinstated  and this  Agreement  shall continue in full
force and effect.

                  9.       Insurance.

                  S&H agrees that for the term of this  Agreement it shall cause
Holdings to obtain and  maintain  insurance  for such risks and in such  amounts
similar to companies of  comparable  size which are engaged in similar  business
activities,  provided  that S&H  shall be deemed  to be in  compliance  with the



                                      -15-

<PAGE>



provisions of this paragraph if Holdings  maintains a level of insurance  which 
complies  with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement.

                  10.      Indemnification.

                           (a)      Holdings  shall  indemnify  to  the fullest
extent  permitted  by law (as now or  hereafter  in effect)  S&H and each of its
Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, consultants and subcontractors,  and
any Person  controlling S&H and each of its Affiliates or any such consultant or
subcontractor   (each,  an  "S&H   Indemnitee,"  and   collectively,   the  "S&H
Indemnitees") to the extent that any S&H Indemnitee is made, or threatened to be
made,  a defendant  to, or is  involved  in any manner in, any  action,  suit or
proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise)
by reason of the fact that such S&H Indemnitee is or was an agent of Holdings.
                 
                           (b)      In furtherance and not in limitation of the
powers conferred by statute:
                                     (i)  Holdings may purchase and maintain
         insurance  on  behalf  of any S&H  Indemnitee  as an agent of  Holdings
         against any liability  asserted against any S&H Indemnitee and incurred
         by any S&H  Indemnitee  in such  capacity,  or  arising  out of any S&H
         Indemnitee's  status as such,  whether or not  Holdings  would have the
         power to indemnify such S&H Indemnitee against such liability under the
         provisions of law; and

                                    (ii)  Holdings may create a trust fund, 
         grant  a   security  interest  and/or  use   other  means  (including,


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



         without  limitation,  letters  of credit,  surety  bonds  and/or  other
         similar  arrangements),  as  well as  enter  into  contracts  providing
         indemnification  to the full extent  authorized or permitted by law and
         including as part thereof  provisions with respect to any or all of the
         foregoing to ensure the payment of such amounts as may become necessary
         to effect indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere.

                           (c)      The manner of any indemnification under this
Agreement shall be in accordance with Section 2.8 of the Stockholders  Agreement
dated as of  December  21,  1993 among  Silver,  Horrigan,  The  Morgan  Stanley
Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P., Bankers Trust New York Corporation,  First Plaza
Group  Trust and  Holdings  (as  amended  from time to time,  the  "Stockholders
Agreement").

                  11.  Noncompetition.

                           (a)      During  the  term  of  this  Agreement,  S&H
hereby agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, own, render services to,
manage, operate, control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation
or control of a business that is engaged in any "Business". For purposes hereof,
the term "Business" shall mean the manufacture and sale anywhere in the world of
consumer goods packaging products.

                           (b)      In   the  event  that  this  Agreement is
terminated  by S&H pursuant to clause (iv) of the last  sentence of Section 4(a)
hereof,  S&H hereby agrees that,  for a period of one year beginning on the date
of such  termination,  it will not,  directly  or  indirectly:  (i) own,  render



                                      -17-

<PAGE>



services  to,  manage,  operate,  control,  or  participate  in  the  ownership,
management,  operation or control of a business that is engaged in any Business;
(ii)  interfere  with any  customer or supplier  relationship  between  Holdings
and/or  its  subsidiaries  and any other  person or  business  entity;  or (iii)
disclose or use any confidential or proprietary information relating to Holdings
and its  subsidiaries'  businesses,  except for any  information  already in the
public  domain  through  no act of S&H and except as may be  required  by law or
governmental or court order.

                           (c)      Notwithstanding   anything  herein  to  the
contrary,   nothing  herein,   however,  shall  restrict  S&H  from  making  any
investments  in any  company  whose  stock is  listed on a  national  securities
exchange or actively  traded in the  over-the-counter  markets,  so long as such
investment  does not give S&H the  right to  control  or  influence  the  policy
decisions of any such company engaged in any Business.

                           (d)      If  any  particular provision or portion of
this  Section  11 shall be  adjudicated  to be invalid  or  unenforceable,  this
Section 11 shall be deemed amended to delete therefrom such provision or portion
adjudicated to be invalid or  unenforceable,  and such amendment will apply only
with  respect to the  operation of such  provision or portion in the  particular
jurisdiction in which such adjudication was sought.

                           (e)      The parties  recognize that the  performance
of  the  obligations  under  this  Section  11 by  S&H is  special,  unique  and
extraordinary in character, and that in the event of a breach,  or  threatened



                                      -18-

<PAGE>



breach, of any of the terms and conditions of this Section 11, Holdings shall be
entitled,  if it so elects,  in  addition  to any other  remedies  available  to
Holdings,  to enforce the specific  performance  thereof or to enjoin any breach
thereof.

                  12.  Notices.

                  All   notices   and  other   communications   required  by  or
specifically  provided  for in this  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given (a) when  delivered in person,  (b) when sent by telex
or telecopier with  answerback  received,  or (c)  seventy-two  (72) hours after
having been  deposited in the U.S.  mails,  certified  mail with return  receipt
requested and postage prepaid,  and in any case addressed to the party for which
it is  intended at that  party's  address as set forth  below,  or at such other
address as the addressee shall have designated by notice  hereunder to the other
party.

         If to S&H:

                  S&H Inc.
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver

         If to Holdings:

                  Silgan Holdings Inc.
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver



                                      -19-

<PAGE>



         If a notice is sent to any of the  above,  a copy  shall be sent to the
following:
                  
                  Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
                  Financial Centre
                  695 East Main Street
                  P.O. Box 6760
                  Stamford, CT  06904-6760
                  Attention: Frank W. Hogan, III, Esq.

Any notice or request sent by telecopier or similar facsimile  telecommunication
shall be  confirmed  promptly by the sending of a copy of such notice or request
to the addressee thereof by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested.

                  13.      Definitions.

                  Terms not defined herein which are defined in the Stockholders
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them therein.

                  14.      Amendment; Assignment; Binding Effect.

                  This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written  instrument  signed by the  parties  hereto.  No party  shall  assign or
transfer this  Agreement,  in whole or in part, or any of such party's rights or
obligations  hereunder,  to any other person or entity without the prior written
consent of the other party hereto, except that S&H may transfer or assign all of
its rights  and  obligations  hereunder  to any entity  directly  or  indirectly
succeeding to S&H by merger,  consolidation  or  reorganization.  This Agreement
shall be binding  upon and inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their
respective permitted assigns.

                  15.      Waiver; Severability.

                  The  failure  of  a  party to insist in any instance upon the 
strict and punctual performance of any provision of this  Agreement  shall  not


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



constitute a continuing  waiver of such  provision.  No party shall be deemed to
have  waived  any  right,  power,  or  privilege  under  this  Agreement  or any
provisions  hereof  unless  such  waiver  shall  have been in  writing  and duly
executed by the party to be charged with such waiver, and such waiver shall be a
waiver only with respect to the specific  instance  involved and shall in no way
impair the rights of the waiving party or the  obligations of any other party in
any other respect or at any other time. If any provision of this Agreement shall
be waived, or be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,  the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall be unaffected  thereby and shall remain binding and in full
force and effect.

                  16.  Relationship of the Parties.

                  In  all  matters  relating  to  this  Agreement,  each  party
hereto shall be solely responsible for the acts of its employees,  and employees
of one party shall not be  considered  employees of the other  party.  Except as
otherwise provided herein, no party shall have any right, or authority to create
any obligation, express or implied, on behalf of any other party.

                  17.  Governing Law.

                  This   Agreement   shall  be  governed  by  and  construed  in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without  giving effect to its
conflict of laws rules and laws.

                  18.  Entire Agreement; Termination of Original Management 
Services Agreement.

                  This Agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement  between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, either oral or written, with
respect thereto. Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Original
Management  Services  Agreement  shall be  terminated  and shall be of no effect
whatsoever.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have  executed  this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                  S&H INC.



                                  By: /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                     ----------------------------------
                                     Title:  President and Co-Chief
                                             Executive Officer


                                  SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.



                                  By: /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     Title: Executive Vice President,
                                            Chief Financial Officer
                                            and Treasurer




                                      -22-

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I
                                 (000's Omitted)






          Scheduled Amount1/                Maximum Amount1/

1997                $ 89,500              1997            $ 100,504
1998                  95,500              1998              102,964
1999                 101,500              1999              105,488
2000                 108,653              2000              108,653






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

1. For each  calendar year after 2000,  the  Scheduled  Amount for such calendar
year shall be an amount equal to the Maximum  Amount for such calendar year. For
each calendar year after 2000,  the Maximum  Amount for such calendar year shall
be equal to one hundred and three percent  (103%) of the Maximum  Amount for the
prior calendar year.




<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.25






                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

                  This Amended and Restated  Management  Services Agreement (the
"Agreement")  is made as of this 14th day of  February,  1997 by and between S&H
INC., a Connecticut  corporation  ("S&H"),  and SILGAN  CORPORATION,  a Delaware
corporation ("Silgan").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and Silgan  have  entered  into the  Amended and
Restated  Management  Services  Agreement  dated as of  December  21,  1993 (the
"Original  Management  Services  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which  S&H  provides
general management, supervision,  administrative and other services to Silgan in
accordance with the terms of the Original Management Services Agreement;

                  WHEREAS,  S&H  also  is a party  to an  Amended  and  Restated
Management  Services Agreement dated as of December 21, 1993 with each of Silgan
Holdings  Inc.,  the  parent  holding  company  of Silgan  ("Holdings"),  Silgan
Containers Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silgan ("Containers"),  and
Silgan Plastics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silgan ("Plastics");

                  WHEREAS, S&H and each of Holdings, Containers and Plastics are
entering into an amended and restated  management services agreement dated as of
the date  hereof  (collectively,  as so amended  and  restated,  the  "Affiliate
Management Services Agreements"); and



<PAGE>



                  WHEREAS,  in  contemplation  of the consummation of an initial
public  offering  of the  common  stock of  Holdings  pursuant  to an  effective
registration  statement  under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  S&H and
Silgan  desire to amend and  restate  hereby the  Original  Management  Services
Agreement.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual agreements contained herein, S&H and Silgan agree as follows:

                  1.  Management Services.
                      -------------------

                      (a) S&H and Silgan  hereby  agree that,  during the period
beginning on the date hereof and continuing  throughout the term hereof, S&H and
its  Affiliates  shall provide to Silgan  general  management,  supervision  and
administrative services,  including,  without limitation, the preparation of the
annual and long-term  business plans,  and perform such other duties and provide
such other  services as Silgan  shall be permitted to request of S&H pursuant to
the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Holdings or pursuant to
applicable law, which power and authority  Silgan hereby grants to S&H ("General
Management   Services").   (The  General  Management  Services  are  hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Services" and individually as a "Service").

                      (b) Any Service hereunder shall be provided to Silgan only
by S&H or its Affiliates or such consultants, subcontractors or agents as may be
selected  from  time  to  time  by S&H to  assist  S&H in its  provision  of the
Services. It is understood and agreed that S&H may retain the services of Morgan


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  or another  suitable  investment  bank as financial
advisor to Silgan or as an  underwriter  or  placement  agent for  offerings  of
securities by Silgan.

                  2.  Fees; Payment.
                      -------------

                      (a)  In  consideration  for  General  Management  Services
provided by S&H to Silgan  hereunder,  Silgan shall pay to S&H aggregate fees or
compensation therefor (not including any related out-of-pocket expenses), (i) on
a monthly basis, an amount equal to five thousand  dollars  ($5,000) plus 2.475%
of EBDIT (as defined in  Paragraph  2(i) hereof) for such  calendar  month until
EBDIT for the calendar year to date has reached the Scheduled Amount (as defined
in Paragraph  2(d) hereof) for such calendar  year,  and 1.65% of EBDIT for such
calendar  month to the extent that EBDIT for the  calendar  year to date exceeds
the Scheduled  Amount but is not greater than the Maximum  Amount (as defined in
Paragraph 2(d) hereof) (the "Monthly  Management  Fee"); and (ii) on a quarterly
basis, an amount equal to 2.475% of EBDIT for such calendar  quarter until EBDIT
for the calendar  year to date has reached the  Scheduled  Amount,  and l.65% of
EBDIT for such  calendar  quarter to the extent that EBDIT for the calendar year
to date exceeds the Scheduled  Amount but is not greater than the Maximum Amount
(the "Quarterly Management Fee").

                      (b)  Such  Quarterly  Management  Fee  shall  continue  to
accrue,  but shall not be paid, to S&H by Silgan in the event that, and from the
date on which,  Silgan shall have received  written notice  ("Notice")  from the
Agent (as  defined  below)  that an Event of Default (as such term is defined in
the Credit


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1995, among Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics, the
lenders  from  time  to  time  party   thereto,   Bankers  Trust   Company,   as
Administrative  Agent and as a Co-Arranger  (the  "Agent"),  and Bank of America
Illinois, as Documentation Agent and as a Co-Arranger, as in effect from time to
time,  and any  refinancings,  renewals,  amendments or extensions  thereof (the
"Credit  Agreement"))  exists under any of Sections 9.01,  9.03 (but only to the
extent resulting from the violation of one or more of Sections 8.08, 8.09, 8.10,
and 8.11 of the Credit  Agreement),  9.04(i)(x),  9.04(ii) or 9.05 of the Credit
Agreement (each of the foregoing Events of Default, a "Financial  Covenant Event
of Default") until, and shall be paid by Silgan to S&H on, the earliest to occur
of (x) the first  date  after  receipt of such  Notice  upon which no  Financial
Covenant Event of Default to which the Notice related or otherwise  known to S&H
or Silgan shall be in existence (and so long as no such Financial Covenant Event
of Default  would be in  existence  after  giving  effect to the payment of such
unpaid  portion of the Quarterly  Management  Fee), (y) the first date occurring
180 days or more  after  receipt  by Silgan of a written  notice  from the Agent
stating  that no  Event of  Default  exists  under  Section  9.01 of the  Credit
Agreement,    or   (z)   the   date   that   Silgan,    Containers,    Plastics,
California-Washington Can Corporation,  a wholly owned subsidiary of Containers,
and SCCW Can Corporation,  a wholly owned  subsidiary of Containers,  shall have
paid all  outstanding  Obligations  (as such term is  defined  under the  Credit
Agreement).  In the event that a Notice is delivered by the Agent,  Silgan shall
pay to S&H that portion of


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



any  unpaid  Quarterly  Management  Fee that has  accrued  with  respect to that
portion  of such  calendar  quarter  prior to the  occurrence  of any  Financial
Covenant Event of Default to which such Notice relates.

                      (c) Nothing  contained in Paragraph 2(b) shall prevent the
Agent from giving successive Notices of the type described in Paragraph 2(b) (in
which case the rules set forth in  Paragraph  2(b) shall  apply to, and the time
periods set forth  therein  shall  begin to run on, the date of such  subsequent
Notice);  provided that only one Notice relating to a single Financial  Covenant
Event of Default and all other Financial Covenant Events of Default in existence
at the date of the  giving  of any such  Notice  may be  given.  Notwithstanding
anything  to the  contrary  stated  herein,  if at any time  after the giving of
Notice by the Agent to Silgan,  S&H shall  certify in writing to Silgan that all
Financial  Covenant  Events of Default to which such  Notice  relates  have been
cured or  waived,  and that S&H knows of no other  Financial  Covenant  Event of
Default then in existence,  then Silgan shall,  unless it knows of the existence
of a Financial Covenant Event of Default which has not yet been cured or waived,
pay to S&H any accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management Fee or portion thereof in
the manner set forth in Paragraph 2(g) hereof unless a Financial  Covenant Event
of Default would result from such payment.  S&H shall not be required to deliver
any such  certification to Silgan upon the occurrence of the dates or events set
forth in clauses (y) or (z) of Paragraph 2(b), and promptly after the occurrence
of such date or event, Silgan will


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



pay to S&H any accrued and unpaid  Quarterly  Management Fee or portion thereof.

                      (d) For any given  calendar  year  during the term of this
Agreement,  the Scheduled  Amount and the Maximum  Amount for such calendar year
will be the amounts set forth in Schedule I hereto.

                      (e) In  addition  to the  Monthly  Management  Fee and the
Quarterly  Management Fee, Silgan shall also reimburse S&H in an amount equal to
all  out-of-pocket  expenses  paid by S&H in providing  the Services  hereunder,
including fees and expenses paid to consultants,  subcontractors and other third
parties,  in connection  with such  Services.  Such expenses shall be payable by
Silgan to S&H monthly in arrears.

                      (f) (i) Not later than  fifteen (15) days after the end of
each  calendar  month  during  the  term  hereof  with  respect  to the  Monthly
Management  Fee and (ii) not later than  thirty  (30) days after the end of each
full  calendar  quarter  during the term  hereof with  respect to the  Quarterly
Management  Fee, S&H shall furnish Silgan with a bill for an amount equal to the
Monthly  Management Fee and the Quarterly  Management  Fee,  respectively,  then
owing with respect to periods ended on or before the end of such calendar  month
or such calendar quarter.

                      (g) Each bill furnished to Silgan  hereunder shall be paid
in full within  thirty  (30) days of the  receipt of such bill,  except that any
accrued and unpaid Quarterly  Management Fee or portion thereof shall be paid on
the earliest  date on which such  payment is  permitted  to be made  pursuant to
Paragraphs 2(a),


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



2(b) and 2(c) hereof.  All payments of such bills shall be sent to:

                           S&H Inc.
                           4 Landmark Square
                           Suite 400
                           Stamford, CT  06901
                           Attention: R. Philip Silver

or to such other address as S&H may specify from time to time by written  notice
to Silgan.

                      (h)  All  fees  and  expenses  paid  to S&H  by  Holdings,
Containers  and  Plastics,  pursuant to their  respective  Affiliate  Management
Services  Agreements with S&H, shall be credited to the Monthly  Management Fee,
the Quarterly Management Fee and the expenses referred to in Paragraphs 2(a) and
2(e) hereof.

                      (i) For purposes of this Section 2, EBDIT shall mean,  for
any period, the consolidated net income of Holdings and its subsidiaries, before
interest expense and provision for income taxes and without giving effect to any
extraordinary   non-cash  gains  or   extraordinary   non-cash  losses  and  any
adjustments resulting from changes in the value of employee stock options and/or
stock appreciation  rights, and adjusted by adding thereto (i) the amount of any
fees and expenses  paid pursuant to this  Agreement or the Affiliate  Management
Services  Agreements,  (ii) the amount of all charges and  expenses  incurred in
connection   with   any   refinancing,   restructuring,    recapitalization   or
reorganization  involving  Holdings  and its  subsidiaries  (which  charges  and
expenses have been charged  against the  consolidated  net income of Holdings or
its subsidiaries), and (iii) the amount


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



of all amortization of intangibles,  covenants not to compete, goodwill and debt
financing costs and all depreciation  (which  amortization and depreciation have
been  charged  against  the   consolidated   net  income  of  Holdings  and  its
subsidiaries,  before interest  expense),  computed in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

                  3.  Direct Expenses.
                      ---------------

                  It is understood that the  consideration  to be paid by Silgan
to S&H for Services  hereunder shall not be in lieu of, and that Silgan shall be
directly liable for, direct expenses  incurred by Silgan,  or by S&H on Silgan's
behalf (other than the  out-of-pocket  expenses billed to Silgan by S&H pursuant
to Paragraph  2(e) hereof),  for services  rendered to Silgan by third  parties,
including, but not limited to, legal and accounting fees and insurance premiums.
Silgan shall pay any  compensation  (including  employee  benefit  costs and any
related  out-of-pocket  expenses) to officers and other  employees of Silgan who
provide substantially full-time services to Silgan, other than Messrs. R. Philip
Silver ("Silver"), D. Greg Horrigan ("Horrigan"),  Harley Rankin, Jr. ("Rankin")
and Harold J.  Rodriguez,  Jr.  ("Rodriguez")  who shall receive no salaries (it
being  understood,  however,  that  Silgan  shall  reimburse  S&H in  respect of
compensation  paid by S&H to Messrs.  Rankin and Rodriguez  consistent  with the
reimbursement  therefor  by Silgan to S&H in  1996),  notwithstanding  that said
officers and other employees may  simultaneously be officers or employees of S&H
or one of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



                  4.  Term.
                      ----

                      (a) The term of this Agreement  shall commence on the date
hereof and shall  continue  until  June 30,  1999.  Therefore,  the term of this
Agreement shall be  automatically  renewed for successive  one-year terms unless
prior to the date that is 180 days prior to the  expiration  of the initial term
or the then current  one-year  term, as the case may be, either party shall have
given the other party  written  notice of its  election not to renew the term of
this Agreement (it being understood that the  determination by Silgan whether to
give such written notice of its election not to renew the term of this Agreement
will be made by the independent  members of the Board of Directors of Holdings).
For  purposes  hereof,  the  independent  members of the Board of  Directors  of
Holdings  shall not include any  employee or  affiliate  of S&H,  any officer of
Holdings or any member of the Board of  Directors  that is  affiliated  with any
entity that is  receiving  or is entitled to receive any payment  from  Holdings
under this Agreement or any payment from S&H in connection  with this Agreement.
The term of this  Agreement  may be  terminated  prior to the  expiration of the
initial term or the then current  one-year  term, as the case may be, by written
notice to the other party as follows:  (i) by Silgan for Cause,  (ii) by S&H for
Cause,  (iii) by Silgan for any reason other than Cause,  upon at least 180 days
prior  written  notice,  (iv) by S&H for any reason  other than (A) Cause or (B)
because of a Change of Control,  upon at least 180 days prior written notice, or
(v) by S&H at any time after a Change of Control.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                      (b) Upon termination of any Affiliate  Management Services
Agreement by the party  thereto other than S&H for any reason other than "Cause"
as defined in such Affiliate Management Services Agreement, this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been terminated by Silgan pursuant to clause (iii) of the last
sentence of Section 4(a) hereof, effective as of the date of termination of such
Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement.  Upon  termination  by  S&H  of  any
Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement  for any reason other than "Cause" or
because of a "Change of Control," each as defined in such  Affiliate  Management
Services  Agreement,  this Agreement  shall be deemed to have been terminated by
S&H  pursuant  to clause  (iv) of the last  sentence  of  Section  4(a)  hereof,
effective as of the date of termination of such  Affiliate  Management  Services
Agreement.

                      (c) For  purposes of this Section 4, a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have  occurred  when a majority of the Board of  Directors of
Holdings shall not consist of "Continuing  Holdings Directors," which shall mean
(i) the directors of Holdings on the date hereof and (ii) each other director of
Holdings who is either  recommended,  approved or nominated for election,  or is
elected,  to the Board of  Directors  of  Holdings  by a  majority  of the other
Continuing Holdings Directors.

                  5.  Events of Default.
                      -----------------

         Any one of the following  defaults shall constitute an Event of Default
(other  than by  reason  of an  Event of  Force  Majeure  in the case of each of
Paragraphs 5(a)-(f)):


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                      (a) (i) The  failure or  refusal of S&H to comply  with or
perform  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  if such  failure  or  refusal
continues unremedied for more than 60 days after written notice of the existence
of such  failure or  refusal  shall have been given to S&H by Silgan or (ii) the
failure or refusal of Silgan to comply  with or perform  its  obligations  under
this Agreement if such failure or refusal continues  unremedied for more than 60
days after written notice of the existence of such failure or refusal shall have
been given to Silgan by S&H;

                      (b) S&H or Holdings is declared  insolvent  or bankrupt by
any court of competent  jurisdiction,  or a voluntary  petition in bankruptcy is
filed in any court of competent jurisdiction by either of them;

                      (c) An involuntary  petition in bankruptcy is filed in any
court of competent  jurisdiction  against S&H or Holdings and within  forty-five
(45) days thereafter  shall not have been dismissed or stayed (and, in the event
of any such  stay,  such stay  shall  not have  been set aside and the  petition
dismissed within forty-five (45) days after the stay shall have been granted);

                      (d) A trustee or receiver is appointed for S&H or Holdings
and  remains  undischarged  for more  than  forty-five  (45)  days  after  being
appointed;

                      (e) A proceeding  seeking a  reorganization,  arrangement,
liquidation  or  dissolution  of S&H or  Holdings  is  instituted  in a court of
competent jurisdiction and remains



                                      -11-

<PAGE>



undismissed for more than forty-five (45) days after being  instituted;

                      (f)  S&H  or   Holdings   voluntarily   seeks   any   such
reorganization  or  arrangement  or  makes  an  assignment  for the  benefit  of
creditors; or

                      (g) Death or  permanent  disability  of both  Horrigan and
Silver.  For the purposes of this Agreement,  "permanent  disability" shall mean
the inability of Horrigan or Silver, as the case may be, by reason of illness or
injury to perform substantially all of his duties as Chairman of the Board or as
President  of  Holdings  (or in  performing  his  duties in any other  office in
Holdings or any of its respective  Affiliates to which he may be duly appointed)
during any continuous period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

                  6.  Cause.
                      -----

                      (a)  The   occurrence  of  any  of  the  following   shall
constitute  "Cause" for  purposes of clause (i) of the last  sentence of Section
4(a) of this Agreement:

                      (i) An Event of  Default,  except for the Event of Default
                  described in Section 5(a)(ii) of this Agreement; or

                      (ii)  Criminal  conduct or gross  negligence by S&H in the
                  performance of the Services; or

                      (iii) The termination of any Affiliate Management Services
                  Agreement by Holdings, Containers or Plastics, as the case may
                  be, for "Cause" as defined therein.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                      (b)  The  occurrence  of  either  of the  following  shall
constitute  "Cause" for purposes of clause (ii) of the last  sentence of Section
4(a) of this Agreement:

                      (i) An Event of  Default,  except for the Event of Default
                  described in Section 5(a)(i) of this Agreement; or

                      (ii) The termination of any Affiliate  Management Services
                  Agreement by S&H for "Cause" as defined therein.

                  7.  Remedies.
                      --------

                      (a) In the event this  Agreement is terminated  (or deemed
terminated)  by Silgan  prior to June 30,  1999 for any  reason  other  than for
Cause,  Silgan  shall be required to pay to S&H as  liquidated  damages,  within
thirty (30) days of such  termination,  the present  value of the sum of (i) the
Monthly  Management Fee (or any portion thereof) that would have been payable by
Silgan to S&H for each  month  (or any  portion  thereof)  from the date of such
termination through June 30, 1999 and (ii) the Quarterly  Management Fee (or any
portion  thereof) that would have been payable by Silgan to S&H for each quarter
(or portion thereof) from the date of such termination through June 30, 1999, in
each case calculated based on a discount rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.

                      (b) In the event this  Agreement is  terminated  by Silgan
after  June 30,  1999 for any  reason  other  than for  Cause,  Silgan  shall be
required to pay to S&H as  liquidated  damages,  within thirty (30) days of such
termination,  the present value of the sum of (i) the Monthly Management Fee (or
any  portion  thereof)  payable by Silgan to S&H for each month (or any  portion
thereof) from the date of such termination through the end of the then


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



current  one-year  term and (ii) the  Quarterly  Management  Fee (or any portion
thereof) payable by Silgan to S&H for each quarter (or portion thereof) from the
date of such  termination  through the end of the then current one-year term, in
each case calculated based on a discount rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.

                      (c) The  amounts  described  in  clauses  (i) and  (ii) of
Sections 7(a) and 7(b) shall be calculated  based upon the  projections of EBDIT
for the  period  from  the date of such  termination  through  June 30,  1999 or
through the end of the then  current  one-year  term,  as the case may be, which
projections  are (1)  included in  Holdings'  most  recently  prepared  forecast
statements required under the Credit Agreement or (2) if the Credit Agreement is
not  in  existence,  included  in  Holdings'  most  recently  prepared  forecast
statements   presented  to  its  Board  of  Directors  (provided  such  forecast
statements are prepared on a basis  consistent with the  requirements  under the
Credit Agreement that was in effect last).

                  8.  Force Majeure.
                      -------------

                  The term "Event of Force  Majeure"  as used herein  shall mean
any  failure  of a party to perform  any of its  obligations  hereunder  if such
failure is due to  circumstances  beyond its control,  including but not limited
to, any requisition by any government  authority,  act of war, strike,  boycott,
lockout,  picketing,  riot, sabotage, civil commotion,  insurrection,  epidemic,
disease,  act of God,  fire,  flood,  accident,  explosion,  earthquake,  storm,
failure of public utilities or common


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



carriers,   mechanical   failure,   embargo,   or  prohibition  imposed  by  any
governmental  body or agency having  authority over the party,  which would have
constituted an Event of Default but for the fact that such events constituted an
Event of Force  Majeure.  The party  affected by an Event of Force Majeure shall
give prompt notice  thereof to the other parties hereto and each party shall use
its best efforts to minimize the duration and consequences of, and to eliminate,
any such Event of Force  Majeure.  At such time as an Event of Force  Majeure no
longer  exists,  the  respective  obligations  of the  parties  hereto  shall be
reinstated and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

                  9.  Insurance.
                      ---------

                  S&H agrees that for the term of this  Agreement it shall cause
Silgan to obtain  and  maintain  insurance  for such  risks and in such  amounts
similar to companies of  comparable  size which are engaged in similar  business
activities,  provided  that S&H  shall be deemed  to be in  compliance  with the
provisions  of this  paragraph if Silgan  maintains a level of  insurance  which
complies with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement.

                  10. Indemnification.
                      ---------------

                      (a) Silgan shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted
by law (as now or hereafter in effect) S&H and each of its Affiliates, officers,
directors, employees, consultants and subcontractors, and any Person controlling
S&H and each of its Affiliates or any such consultant or subcontractor (each, an
"S&H  Indemnitee," and collectively,  the "S&H  Indemnitees") to the extent that
any S&H Indemnitee is made, or threatened to be made,


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



a defendant to, or is involved in any manner in, any action,  suit or proceeding
(whether civil, criminal, administrative,  investigative or otherwise) by reason
of the fact that such S&H Indemnitee is or was an agent of Holdings.

                      (b) In  furtherance  and not in  limitation  of the powers
conferred by statute:

                      (i) Silgan may purchase  and maintain  insurance on behalf
                  of any S&H  Indemnitee  as an  agent  of  Silgan  against  any
                  liability  asserted against any S&H Indemnitee and incurred by
                  any S&H Indemnitee in such capacity, or arising out of any S&H
                  Indemnitee's  status as such, whether or not Silgan would have
                  the  power to  indemnify  such  S&H  Indemnitee  against  such
                  liability under the provisions of law; and

                      (ii)  Silgan  may  create a trust  fund,  grant a security
                  interest   and/or   use  other   means   (including,   without
                  limitation,  letters  of credit,  surety  bonds  and/or  other
                  similar  arrangements),   as  well  as  enter  into  contracts
                  providing  indemnification  to the full extent  authorized  or
                  permitted by law and including as part thereof provisions with
                  respect to any or all of the  foregoing  to ensure the payment
                  of  such   amounts   as  may   become   necessary   to  effect
                  indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere.

                      (c) The manner of any indemnification under this Agreement
shall be in accordance with Section 2.8 of the  Stockholders  Agreement dated as
of December 21, 1993 among Silver, Horrigan, The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity
Fund II,


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



L.P.,  Bankers Trust New York Corporation,  First Plaza Group Trust and Holdings
(as   amended   from  time  to  time,   the   "Stockholders   Agreement").

                  11. Noncompetition.
                      --------------

                      (a) During the term of this  Agreement,  S&H hereby agrees
that it will not,  directly or  indirectly,  own,  render  services to,  manage,
operate,  control,  or participate in the  ownership,  management,  operation or
control of a business that is engaged in any  "Business".  For purposes  hereof,
the term "Business" shall mean the manufacture and sale anywhere in the world of
consumer goods packaging products.

                      (b) In the event that this  Agreement is terminated by S&H
pursuant to clause (iv) of the last sentence of Section 4(a) hereof,  S&H hereby
agrees that, for a period of one year beginning on the date of such termination,
it will not,  directly or  indirectly:  (i) own,  render  services  to,  manage,
operate,  control,  or participate in the  ownership,  management,  operation or
control of a business that is engaged in any Business;  (ii)  interfere with any
customer or supplier  relationship  between Holdings and/or its subsidiaries and
any other person or business  entity;  or (iii) disclose or use any confidential
or  proprietary   information   relating  to  Holdings  and  its   subsidiaries'
businesses,  except for any information  already in the public domain through no
act of S&H and except as may be required by law or governmental or court order.

                      (c)  Notwithstanding  anything  herein  to  the  contrary,
nothing herein, however, shall restrict S&H from making


                                      -17-

<PAGE>



any  investments  in any company whose stock is listed on a national  securities
exchange or actively  traded in the  over-the-counter  markets,  so long as such
investment  does not give S&H the  right to  control  or  influence  the  policy
decisions of any such company engaged in any Business.

                      (d) If any particular provision or portion of this Section
11 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, this Section 11 shall be
deemed amended to delete  therefrom such provision or portion  adjudicated to be
invalid or unenforceable, and such amendment will apply only with respect to the
operation of such provision or portion in the particular  jurisdiction  in which
such adjudication was sought.

                      (e) The  parties  recognize  that the  performance  of the
obligations under this Section 11 by S&H is special, unique and extraordinary in
character,  and that in the event of a breach,  or threatened  breach, of any of
the terms and conditions of this Section 11, Silgan shall be entitled,  if it so
elects,  in addition to any other remedies  available to Silgan,  to enforce the
specific performance thereof or to enjoin any breach thereof.

                  12. Notices.
                      -------

                  All   notices   and  other   communications   required  by  or
specifically  provided  for in this  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given (a) when  delivered in person,  (b) when sent by telex
or telecopier with  answerback  received,  or (c)  seventy-two  (72) hours after
having been  deposited in the U.S.  mails,  certified  mail with return  receipt
requested and postage prepaid, and in any case addressed to the


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



party for which it is intended at that party's address as set forth below, or at
such other address as the addressee shall have designated by notice hereunder to
the other party.

         If to S&H:

                  S&H Inc.
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver

         If to Silgan:

                  Silgan Corporation
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver


         If a notice is sent to any of the  above,  a copy  shall be sent to the
following:

                  Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
                  Financial Centre
                  695 East Main Street
                  P.O. Box 6760
                  Stamford, CT  06904-6760
                  Attention: Frank W. Hogan, III, Esq.


Any notice or request sent by telecopier or similar facsimile  telecommunication
shall be  confirmed  promptly by the sending of a copy of such notice or request
to the addressee thereof by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested.

                  13. Definitions.
                      -----------

                  Terms not defined herein which are defined in the Stockholders
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them therein.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>



                  14. Amendment; Assignment; Binding Effect.
                      -------------------------------------

                  This  Agreement  may be amended or modified  only by a written
instrument  signed by the parties hereto. No party shall assign or transfer this
Agreement,  in whole or in part,  or any of such party's  rights or  obligations
hereunder,  to any other person or entity  without the prior written  consent of
the other party hereto, except that S&H may transfer or assign all of its rights
and obligations hereunder to any entity directly or indirectly succeeding to S&H
by merger, consolidation or reorganization. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective  permitted
assigns.

                  15. Waiver; Severability.
                      --------------------

                  The  failure  of a party to  insist in any  instance  upon the
strict and punctual  performance  of any provision of this  Agreement  shall not
constitute a continuing  waiver of such  provision.  No party shall be deemed to
have  waived  any  right,  power,  or  privilege  under  this  Agreement  or any
provisions  hereof  unless  such  waiver  shall  have been in  writing  and duly
executed by the party to be charged with such waiver, and such waiver shall be a
waiver only with respect to the specific  instance  involved and shall in no way
impair the rights of the waiving party or the  obligations of any other party in
any other respect or at any other time. If any provision of this Agreement shall
be waived, or be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,  the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall be unaffected  thereby and shall remain binding and in full
force and effect.


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



                  16. Relationship of the Parties.
                      ---------------------------

                  In all matters  relating to this Agreement,  each party hereto
shall be solely responsible for the acts of its employees,  and employees of one
party shall not be considered  employees of the other party. Except as otherwise
provided  herein,  no party  shall have any right,  or  authority  to create any
obligation, express or implied, on behalf of any other party.

                  17. Governing Law.
                      -------------

                  This   Agreement   shall  be  governed  by  and  construed  in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without  giving effect to its
conflict of laws rules and laws.

                  18. Entire Agreement; Termination of Original Management
                      Services Agreement.
                      ----------------------------------------------------

                  This Agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement  between the
parties  hereto with respect to the subject  matter  hereof,  and supersedes all
prior  agreements  and  understandings,  either  oral or written,  with  respect
thereto.  Upon the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the  Original
Management  Services  Agreement  shall be  terminated  and shall be of no effect
whatsoever.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have  executed  this
Agreement as of the date first above written.


                                            S&H INC.



                                            By: /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                                ________________________________
                                                Title: President and Co-Chief
                                                       Executive Officer



                                            SILGAN CORPORATION



                                            By: /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                                ________________________________
                                                Title: Executive Vice President,
                                                       Chief Financial Officer
                                                       and Treasurer




                                      -22-

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I
                                 (000's Omitted)






    Scheduled Amount1/                                   Maximum Amount1/
    -----------------                                    ----------------

1997                $ 89,500                       1997               $ 100,504
1998                  95,500                       1998                 102,964
1999                 101,500                       1999                 105,488
2000                 108,653                       2000                 108,653


- -------- 1 For each  calendar  year after 2000,  the  Scheduled  Amount for such
calendar  year shall be an amount equal to the Maximum  Amount for such calendar
year.  For each calendar year after 2000,  the Maximum  Amount for such calendar
year  shall be equal to one  hundred  and three  percent  (103%) of the  Maximum
Amount for the prior calendar year.



<PAGE>

                                                               EXHIBIT 10.26






                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

                  This Amended and Restated  Management  Services Agreement (the
"Agreement")  is made as of this 14th day of  February,  1997 by and between S&H
INC., a Connecticut  corporation ("S&H"), and SILGAN CONTAINERS  CORPORATION,  a
Delaware corporation ("Containers").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and Containers have entered into the Amended and
Restated  Management  Services  Agreement  dated as of  December  21,  1993 (the
"Original  Management  Services  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which  S&H  provides
general management, supervision, administrative and other services to Containers
in accordance with the terms of the Original Management Services Agreement;

                  WHEREAS,  S&H  also  is a party  to an  Amended  and  Restated
Management  Services Agreement dated as of December 21, 1993 with each of Silgan
Holdings Inc.  ("Holdings"),  Silgan  Corporation,  a wholly owned subsidiary of
Holdings and the parent  holding  company of Containers  ("Silgan"),  and Silgan
Plastics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silgan ("Plastics");

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and each of  Holdings,  Silgan and  Plastics are
entering into an amended and restated  management services agreement dated as of




<PAGE>



the date  hereof  (collectively,  as so amended  and  restated,  the  "Affiliate
Management Services Agreements"); and

                  WHEREAS,  in  contemplation  of the consummation of an initial
public  offering  of the  common  stock of  Holdings  pursuant  to an  effective
registration  statement  under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  S&H and
Containers desire to amend and restate hereby the Original  Management  Services
Agreement.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual agreements contained herein, S&H and Containers agree as follows:

                  1.  Management Services.

                           (a)      S&H and Containers hereby agree that, during
the period  beginning  on the date  hereof and  continuing  throughout  the term
hereof, S&H and its Affiliates shall provide to Containers  general  management,
supervision and administrative  services,  including,  without  limitation,  the
preparation of the annual and long-term  business plans,  and perform such other
duties and provide  such other  services as  Containers  shall be  permitted  to
request  of S&H  pursuant  to the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or By-Laws of
Holdings or pursuant to applicable  law,  which power and  authority  Containers
hereby grants to S&H ("General  Management  Services").  (The General Management
Services  are  hereinafter  collectively  referred  to  as  the  "Services"  and
individually as a "Service").

                           (b)      Any Service hereunder shall be provided to
Containers only by S&H or its Affiliates or such consultants,  subcontractors or



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



agents  as may be  selected  from  time  to  time  by S&H to  assist  S&H in its
provision of the Services.  It is understood  and agreed that S&H may retain the
services of Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  or another  suitable  investment
bank as financial  advisor to Containers or as an underwriter or placement agent
for offerings of securities by Containers.

                  2.       Fees; Payment.

                           (a)      In  consideration  for  General  Management
Services  provided by S&H to Containers  hereunder,  Containers shall pay to S&H
aggregate fees or compensation therefor (not including any related out-of-pocket
expenses), (i) on a monthly basis, an amount equal to Containers'  Proportionate
Percentage (as defined below) of five thousand  dollars  ($5,000) plus 2.475% of
EBDIT (as defined in Paragraph  2(i) hereof) for such calendar month until EBDIT
for the calendar  year to date has reached the  Scheduled  Amount (as defined in
Paragraph  2(d)  hereof)  for such  calendar  year,  and 1.65% of EBDIT for such
calendar  month to the extent that EBDIT for the  calendar  year to date exceeds
the Scheduled  Amount but is not greater than the Maximum  Amount (as defined in
Paragraph 2(d) hereof) (the "Monthly  Management  Fee"); and (ii) on a quarterly
basis,  an amount equal to  Containers'  Proportionate  Percentage  of 2.475% of
EBDIT for such  calendar  quarter  until EBDIT for the calendar year to date has
reached the Scheduled  Amount,  and l.65% of EBDIT for such calendar  quarter to
the extent that EBDIT for the calendar year to date exceeds the Scheduled Amount
but is not greater than the Maximum Amount (the "Quarterly Management Fee"). For
purposes of this Section 2, "Proportionate  Percentage" means such percentage of



                                       -3-

<PAGE>



EBDIT for a given period that is attributable to the results of Containers for 
such period.

                           (b)      Such Quarterly Management Fee shall continue
to accrue,  but shall not be paid, to S&H by  Containers in the event that,  and
from the date on which,  Containers or Silgan shall have received written notice
("Notice")  from the Agent (as defined  below) that an Event of Default (as such
term is  defined  in the Credit  Agreement,  dated as of August 1,  1995,  among
Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics,  the  lenders  from time to time party  thereto,
Bankers  Trust  Company,  as  Administrative  Agent  and as a  Co-Arranger  (the
"Agent"),  and  Bank  of  America  Illinois,  as  Documentation  Agent  and as a
Co-Arranger,  as in effect from time to time,  and any  refinancings,  renewals,
amendments or extensions thereof (the "Credit  Agreement"))  exists under any of
Sections 9.01, 9.03 (but only to the extent  resulting from the violation of one
or more of  Sections  8.08,  8.09,  8.10,  and  8.11 of the  Credit  Agreement),
9.04(i)(x),  9.04(ii)  or 9.05 of the Credit  Agreement  (each of the  foregoing
Events of Default, a "Financial  Covenant Event of Default") until, and shall be
paid by  Containers to S&H on, the earliest to occur of (x) the first date after
receipt of such  Notice  upon which no  Financial  Covenant  Event of Default to
which the Notice  related or otherwise  known to S&H or  Containers  shall be in
existence (and so long as no such  Financial  Covenant Event of Default would be
in existence  after giving  effect to the payment of such unpaid  portion of the
Quarterly  Management  Fee), (y) the first date occurring 180 days or more after



                                       -4-

<PAGE>



receipt by Silgan of a written  notice from the Agent  stating  that no Event of
Default exists under Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement,  or (z) the date that
Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics,  California-Washington Can Corporation, a wholly
owned  subsidiary  of  Containers,  and SCCW  Can  Corporation,  a wholly  owned
subsidiary of Containers,  shall have paid all outstanding  Obligations (as such
term is  defined  under the  Credit  Agreement).  In the event  that a Notice is
delivered by the Agent,  Containers  shall pay to S&H that portion of any unpaid
Quarterly  Management  Fee that has accrued with respect to that portion of such
calendar  quarter prior to the  occurrence of any  Financial  Covenant  Event of
Default to which such Notice relates.

                           (c)      Nothing  contained  in Paragraph 2(b) shall
prevent  the Agent  from  giving  successive  Notices of the type  described  in
Paragraph  2(b) (in which case the rules set forth in Paragraph 2(b) shall apply
to, and the time  periods set forth  therein  shall begin to run on, the date of
such  subsequent  Notice);  provided  that only one Notice  relating to a single
Financial  Covenant Event of Default and all other Financial  Covenant Events of
Default in  existence at the date of the giving of any such Notice may be given.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein, if at any time after the
giving of Notice by the Agent to Silgan,  S&H shall certify in writing to Silgan
that all Financial  Covenant Events of Default to which such Notice relates have
been cured or waived, and that S&H knows of no other Financial Covenant Event of
Default  then in  existence,  then  Containers  shall,  unless  it  knows of the
existence of a Financial Covenant Event of Default which has not yet been cured


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



or waived, pay to S&H any accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management Fee or portion
thereof in the manner set forth in  Paragraph  2(g)  hereof  unless a  Financial
Covenant  Event of Default  would  result  from such  payment.  S&H shall not be
required to deliver any such  certification to Silgan upon the occurrence of the
dates or events set forth in clauses (y) or (z) of Paragraph  2(b), and promptly
after  the  occurrence  of such date or  event,  Containers  will pay to S&H any
accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management Fee or portion thereof.

                           (d)      For any given calendar year during the term
of this Agreement, the Scheduled Amount and the Maximum Amount for such calendar
year will be the amounts set forth in Schedule I hereto.

                           (e)      In addition to the  Monthly  Management  Fee
and the Quarterly  Management  Fee,  Containers  shall also  reimburse S&H in an
amount equal to all out-of-pocket expenses paid by S&H in providing the Services
hereunder,  including fees and expenses paid to consultants,  subcontractors and
other third parties,  in connection  with such Services.  Such expenses shall be
payable by Containers to S&H monthly in arrears.

                           (f)      (i) Not later than fifteen (15) days after
the end of each  calendar  month  during  the term  hereof  with  respect to the
Monthly Management Fee and (ii) not later than thirty (30) days after the end of
each full calendar  quarter during the term hereof with respect to the Quarterly
Management Fee, S&H shall furnish  Containers with a bill for an amount equal to
the Monthly Management Fee and the Quarterly Management Fee, respectively, then


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



owing with respect to periods  ended on or before the end of such calendar month
or such calendar quarter.

                           (g)      Each bill furnished to Containers hereunder
shall be paid in full  within  thirty  (30) days of the  receipt  of such  bill,
except that any accrued and unpaid  Quarterly  Management Fee or portion thereof
shall be paid on the earliest date on which such payment is permitted to be made
pursuant to Paragraphs  2(a),  2(b) and 2(c) hereof.  All payments of such bills
shall be sent to:

                           S&H Inc.
                           4 Landmark Square
                           Suite 400
                           Stamford, CT  06901
                           Attention: R. Philip Silver

or to such other address as S&H may specify from time to time by written  notice
to Containers.

                           (h)      All  fees  and  expenses   paid  to  S&H  by
Holdings and Silgan pursuant to their respective  Affiliate  Management Services
Agreements  with S&H,  shall be  credited  to the Monthly  Management  Fee,  the
Quarterly  Management  Fee and the expenses  referred to in Paragraphs  2(a) and
2(e) hereof.

                           (i)      For purposes of this Section 2, EBDIT shall
mean,  for  any  period,  the  consolidated  net  income  of  Holdings  and  its
subsidiaries, before interest expense and provision for income taxes and without
giving effect to any  extraordinary  non-cash  gains or  extraordinary  non-cash
losses and any adjustments resulting from changes in the value of employee stock
options and/or stock appreciation rights, and adjusted by adding thereto (i) the
amount of any fees and expenses paid pursuant to this Agreement or the Affiliate


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



Management  Services  Agreements,  (ii) the amount of all charges  and  expenses
incurred in connection with any refinancing, restructuring,  recapitalization or
reorganization  involving  Holdings  and its  subsidiaries  (which  charges  and
expenses have been charged  against the  consolidated  net income of Holdings or
its  subsidiaries),  and (iii) the amount of all  amortization  of  intangibles,
covenants not to compete, goodwill and debt financing costs and all depreciation
(which  amortization and depreciation have been charged against the consolidated
net income of Holdings and its subsidiaries,  before interest expense), computed
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                  3.  Direct Expenses.

                  It  is  understood  that  the  consideration  to  be  paid  by
Containers  to S&H for  Services  hereunder  shall  not be in lieu of,  and that
Containers shall be directly liable for, direct expenses incurred by Containers,
or by S&H on Containers' behalf (other than the out-of-pocket expenses billed to
Containers by S&H pursuant to Paragraph 2(e) hereof),  for services  rendered to
Containers by third parties, including, but not limited to, legal and accounting
fees and insurance  premiums.  Containers shall pay any compensation  (including
employee benefit costs and any related  out-of-pocket  expenses) to officers and
other employees of Containers who provide  substantially  full-time  services to
Containers,  other than Messrs.  R. Philip Silver  ("Silver"),  D. Greg Horrigan
("Horrigan"),  Harley  Rankin,  Jr.  ("Rankin")  and  Harold J.  Rodriguez,  Jr.
("Rodriguez") who shall receive no salaries (it being understood, however, that


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



Containers shall reimburse S&H in respect of compensation paid by S&H to Messrs.
Rankin and Rodriguez consistent with the reimbursement therefor by Containers to
S&H in  1996),  notwithstanding  that said  officers  and  other  employees  may
simultaneously  be officers or  employees of S&H or one of its  subsidiaries  or
Affiliates.

                  4.       Term.

                           (a)      The term of this Agreement shall commence on
the date hereof and shall continue until June 30, 1999. Thereafter,  the term of
this Agreement  shall be  automatically  renewed for  successive  one-year terms
unless prior to the date that is 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial
term or the then current  one-year  term, as the case may be, either party shall
have given the other party written  notice of its election not to renew the term
of this  Agreement (it being  understood  that the  determination  by Containers
whether to give such  written  notice of its  election  not to renew the term of
this Agreement will be made by the independent members of the Board of Directors
of  Holdings).  For purposes  hereof,  the  independent  members of the Board of
Directors  of Holdings  shall not include any  employee or affiliate of S&H, any
officer of Holdings or any member of the Board of Directors  that is  affiliated
with any entity that is  receiving  or is  entitled to receive any payment  from
Holdings  under this  Agreement or any payment from S&H in connection  with this
Agreement.  The term of this Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration
of the initial term or the then current  one-year  term,  as the case may be, by



                                       -9-

<PAGE>



written notice to the other party as follows:  (i) by Containers for Cause, (ii)
by S&H for Cause,  (iii) by Containers for any reason other than Cause,  upon at
least 180 days prior written  notice,  (iv) by S&H for any reason other than (A)
Cause or (B)  because  of a Change  of  Control,  upon at least  180 days  prior
written notice, or (v) by S&H at any time after a Change of Control.

                           (b)      Upon termination of any Affiliate Management
Services Agreement by the party thereto other than S&H for any reason other than
"Cause"  as  defined  in such  Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement,  this
Agreement  shall be deemed to have been  terminated  by  Containers  pursuant to
clause (iii) of the last  sentence of Section  4(a) hereof,  effective as of the
date of  termination  of such  Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement.  Upon
termination by S&H of any Affiliate Management Services Agreement for any reason
other than "Cause" or because of a "Change of Control,"  each as defined in such
Affiliate Management Services Agreement,  this Agreement shall be deemed to have
been  terminated  by S&H pursuant to clause (iv) of the last sentence of Section
4(a)  hereof,  effective  as of  the  date  of  termination  of  such  Affiliate
Management Services Agreement.

                           (c)      For purposes of this Section 4, a "Change of
Control"  shall be  deemed  to have  occurred  when a  majority  of the Board of
Directors  of Holdings  shall not consist of  "Continuing  Holdings  Directors,"
which shall mean (i) the  directors of Holdings on the date hereof and (ii) each
other director of Holdings who is either recommended, approved or nominated for


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



election,  or is elected, to the Board of Directors of Holdings by a majority of
the other Continuing Holdings Directors.

                  5.  Events of Default.

                  Any one of the following defaults shall constitute an Event of
Default  (other than by reason of an Event of Force  Majeure in the case of each
of Paragraphs 5(a)-(f)):

                           (a)      (i) The failure or refusal of S&H to comply
with or perform its obligations  under this Agreement if such failure or refusal
continues unremedied for more than 60 days after written notice of the existence
of such failure or refusal  shall have been given to S&H by  Containers  or (ii)
the failure or refusal of Containers  to comply with or perform its  obligations
under this  Agreement if such failure or refusal  continues  unremedied for more
than 60 days after  written  notice of the  existence of such failure or refusal
shall have been given to Containers by S&H;

                           (b)      S&H or  Holdings is  declared  insolvent  or
bankrupt by any court of  competent  jurisdiction,  or a  voluntary  petition in
bankruptcy is filed in any court of competent jurisdiction by either of them;

                           (c)      An involuntary petition in bankruptcy is
filed in any court of competent  jurisdiction against S&H or Holdings and within
forty-five (45) days thereafter shall not have been dismissed or stayed (and, in
the  event of any such  stay,  such  stay  shall not have been set aside and the
petition  dismissed  within  forty-five (45) days after the stay shall have been
granted);


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                           (d)     A trustee or receiver is appointed for S&H or
Holdings and remains undischarged for more than forty-five (45) days after being
appointed;

                           (e)      A  proceeding  seeking  a  reorganization,
arrangement,  liquidation  or  dissolution of S&H or Holdings is instituted in a
court of competent jurisdiction and remains undismissed for more than forty-five
(45) days after being instituted;

                           (f)      S&H or Holdings voluntarily seeks any such
reorganization or arrangement or makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or

                           (g)      Death or  permanent  disability  of  both
Horrigan and Silver. For the purposes of this Agreement,  "permanent disability"
shall mean the inability of Horrigan or Silver, as the case may be, by reason of
illness or injury to perform  substantially all of his duties as Chairman of the
Board or as  President  of Holdings  (or in  performing  his duties in any other
office in Holdings or any of its  respective  Affiliates to which he may be duly
appointed) during any continuous period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

                  6.       Cause.

                           (a) The occurrence of any of the following shall
constitute  "Cause" for  purposes of clause (i) of the last  sentence of Section
4(a) of this Agreement:

                               (i)  An Event of Default, except for the Event of
                     Default described in Section 5(a)(ii) of this Agreement; or


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                               (ii)  Criminal conduct or gross negligence by S&H
                     in the performance of the Services; or

                               (iii) The termination of any Affiliate Management
                     Services Agreement by Holdings,  Silgan or Plastics, as the
                     case may be, for "Cause" as defined therein.

                           (b)      The  occurrence  of either of the  following
shall  constitute  "Cause" for  purposes of clause (ii) of the last  sentence of
Section 4(a) of this Agreement:

                               (i)  An Event of  Default,  except for the Event
                     of Default  described in Section 5(a)(i) of this Agreement;
                     or

                               (ii)  The termination of any Affiliate Management
                     Services Agreement by S&H for "Cause" as defined therein.

                  7.       Remedies.  (a)   In  the  event  this  Agreement is
terminated (or deemed  terminated) by Containers  prior to June 30, 1999 for any
reason  other  than for Cause,  Containers  shall be  required  to pay to S&H as
liquidated  damages,  within thirty (30) days of such  termination,  the present
value of the sum of (i) the Monthly Management Fee (or any portion thereof) that
would have been  payable  by  Containers  to S&H for each month (or any  portion
thereof)  from the date of such  termination  through June 30, 1999 and (ii) the
Quarterly  Management Fee (or any portion  thereof) that would have been payable
by Containers to S&H for each quarter (or portion thereof) from the date of such
termination  through June 30, 1999, in each case calculated  based on a discount
rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



                           (b)      In the event this Agreement is terminated by
Containers  after June 30, 1999 for any reason other than for Cause,  Containers
shall be required to pay to S&H as liquidated  damages,  within thirty (30) days
of such termination,  the present value of the sum of (i) the Monthly Management
Fee (or any portion thereof) payable by Containers to S&H for each month (or any
portion thereof) from the date of such  termination  through the end of the then
current  one-year  term and (ii) the  Quarterly  Management  Fee (or any portion
thereof) payable by Containers to S&H for each quarter (or portion thereof) from
the date of such termination  through the end of the then current one-year term,
in each case  calculated  based on a  discount  rate of eight  percent  (8%) per
annum.

                           (c)      The  amounts  described  in clauses  (i) and
(ii) of Sections 7(a) and 7(b) shall be calculated based upon the projections of
Holdings'  EBDIT for the period from the date of such  termination  through June
30, 1999 or through the end of the then current  one-year  term, as the case may
be,  which  projections  are (1) included in Holdings'  most  recently  prepared
forecast  statements  required  under the Credit  Agreement or (2) if the Credit
Agreement is not in  existence,  included in Holdings'  most  recently  prepared
forecast statements  presented to its Board of Directors (provided such forecast
statements are prepared on a basis  consistent with the  requirements  under the
Credit Agreement that was in effect last).


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  8.       Force Majeure.

                  The term "Event of Force  Majeure"  as used herein  shall mean
any  failure  of a party to perform  any of its  obligations  hereunder  if such
failure is due to  circumstances  beyond its control,  including but not limited
to, any requisition by any government  authority,  act of war, strike,  boycott,
lockout,  picketing,  riot, sabotage, civil commotion,  insurrection,  epidemic,
disease,  act of God,  fire,  flood,  accident,  explosion,  earthquake,  storm,
failure of public utilities or common carriers,  mechanical failure, embargo, or
prohibition imposed by any governmental body or agency having authority over the
party,  which would have  constituted  an Event of Default but for the fact that
such events  constituted  an Event of Force  Majeure.  The party  affected by an
Event of Force  Majeure  shall give prompt  notice  thereof to the other parties
hereto and each party shall use its best  efforts to minimize  the  duration and
consequences of, and to eliminate, any such Event of Force Majeure. At such time
as an Event of Force Majeure no longer exists, the respective obligations of the
parties  hereto shall be reinstated  and this  Agreement  shall continue in full
force and effect.

                  9.       Insurance.

                  S&H agrees that for the term of this  Agreement it shall cause
Containers  to obtain and maintain  insurance for such risks and in such amounts
similar to companies of  comparable  size which are engaged in similar  business
activities,  provided  that S&H  shall be deemed  to be in  compliance  with the
provisions of this paragraph if Containers maintains a level of insurance which


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



complies with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement.

                  10.      Indemnification.

                           (a)      Containers shall indemnify to the fullest
extent  permitted  by law (as now or  hereafter  in effect)  S&H and each of its
Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, consultants and subcontractors,  and
any Person  controlling S&H and each of its Affiliates or any such consultant or
subcontractor   (each,  an  "S&H   Indemnitee,"  and   collectively,   the  "S&H
Indemnitees") to the extent that any S&H Indemnitee is made, or threatened to be
made,  a defendant  to, or is  involved  in any manner in, any  action,  suit or
proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise)
by reason of the fact that such S&H Indemnitee is or was an agent of Containers.
                 

                           (b)      In furtherance and not in limitation of the
powers conferred by statute:
                               (i)   Containers   may   purchase   and  maintain
                     insurance  on behalf of any S&H  Indemnitee  as an agent of
                     Containers  against any liability  asserted against any S&H
                     Indemnitee  and  incurred  by any  S&H  Indemnitee  in such
                     capacity,  or arising out of any S&H Indemnitee's status as
                     such,  whether  or not  Containers  would have the power to
                     indemnify such S&H Indemnitee  against such liability under
                     the provisions of law; and
                                 
                               (ii)  Containers may create a trust fund, grant a
                     security   interest  and/or  use  other  means  (including,
                     without limitation, letters of credit, surety bonds and/or


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



                     other  similar   arrangements),   as  well  as  enter  into
                     contracts  providing  indemnification  to the  full  extent
                     authorized  or  permitted  by law  and  including  as  part
                     thereof  provisions  with  respect  to  any  or  all of the
                     foregoing  to ensure  the  payment  of such  amounts as may
                     become  necessary  to effect  indemnification  as  provided
                     therein, or elsewhere.
         
                           (c)      The manner of any indemnification under this
Agreement shall be in accordance with Section 2.8 of the Stockholders  Agreement
dated as of  December  21,  1993 among  Silver,  Horrigan,  The  Morgan  Stanley
Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P., Bankers Trust New York Corporation,  First Plaza
Group  Trust and  Holdings  (as  amended  from time to time,  the  "Stockholders
Agreement").

                  11.  Noncompetition.

                           (a)     During the term of this Agreement, S&H hereby
agrees that it will not,  directly  or  indirectly,  own,  render  services  to,
manage, operate, control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation
or control of a business that is engaged in any "Business". For purposes hereof,
the term "Business" shall mean the manufacture and sale anywhere in the world of
consumer goods packaging products.

                           (b)      In  the  event  that  this  Agreement  is
terminated  by S&H pursuant to clause (iv) of the last  sentence of Section 4(a)
hereof,  S&H hereby agrees that,  for a period of one year beginning on the date
of such  termination,  it will not,  directly  or  indirectly:  (i) own,  render
services  to,  manage,  operate,  control,  or  participate  in  the  ownership,



                                      -17-

<PAGE>



management,  operation or control of a business that is engaged in any Business;
(ii)  interfere  with any  customer or supplier  relationship  between  Holdings
and/or  its  subsidiaries  and any other  person or  business  entity;  or (iii)
disclose or use any confidential or proprietary information relating to Holdings
and its  subsidiaries'  businesses,  except for any  information  already in the
public  domain  through  no act of S&H and except as may be  required  by law or
governmental or court order.

                           (c)      Notwithstanding  anything   herein  to  the
contrary,   nothing  herein,   however,  shall  restrict  S&H  from  making  any
investments  in any  company  whose  stock is  listed on a  national  securities
exchange or actively  traded in the  over-the-counter  markets,  so long as such
investment  does not give S&H the  right to  control  or  influence  the  policy
decisions of any such company engaged in any Business.

                           (d)      If   any  particular provision or portion of
this  Section  11 shall be  adjudicated  to be invalid  or  unenforceable,  this
Section 11 shall be deemed amended to delete therefrom such provision or portion
adjudicated to be invalid or  unenforceable,  and such amendment will apply only
with  respect to the  operation of such  provision or portion in the  particular
jurisdiction in which such adjudication was sought.

                           (e)      The parties  recognize that the  performance
of  the  obligations  under  this  Section  11 by  S&H is  special,  unique  and
extraordinary  in  character,  and that in the event of a breach,  or threatened
breach,  of any of the terms and conditions of this Section 11, Containers shall



                                      -18-

<PAGE>



be entitled,  if it so elects,  in addition to any other  remedies  available to
Containers,  to enforce the specific performance thereof or to enjoin any breach
thereof.

                  12.      Notices.

                  All   notices   and  other   communications   required  by  or
specifically  provided  for in this  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given (a) when  delivered in person,  (b) when sent by telex
or telecopier with  answerback  received,  or (c)  seventy-two  (72) hours after
having been  deposited in the U.S.  mails,  certified  mail with return  receipt
requested and postage prepaid,  and in any case addressed to the party for which
it is  intended at that  party's  address as set forth  below,  or at such other
address as the addressee shall have designated by notice  hereunder to the other
party.

         If to S&H:

                  S&H Inc.
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver

         If to Containers:

                  Silgan Containers Corporation
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver

         If a notice is sent to any of the  above,  a copy  shall be sent to the
following:

                  Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
                  Financial Centre
                  695 East Main Street
                  P.O. Box 6760
                  Stamford, CT  06904-6760
                  Attention: Frank W. Hogan, III, Esq.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>





Any notice or request sent by telecopier or similar facsimile  telecommunication
shall be  confirmed  promptly by the sending of a copy of such notice or request
to the addressee thereof by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested.

                  13.      Definitions.

                  Terms not defined herein which are defined in the Stockholders
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them therein.

                  14.      Amendment; Assignment; Binding Effect.

                  This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written  instrument  signed by the  parties  hereto.  No party  shall  assign or
transfer this  Agreement,  in whole or in part, or any of such party's rights or
obligations  hereunder,  to any other person or entity without the prior written
consent of the other party hereto, except that S&H may transfer or assign all of
its rights  and  obligations  hereunder  to any entity  directly  or  indirectly
succeeding to S&H by merger,  consolidation  or  reorganization.  This Agreement
shall be binding  upon and inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their
respective permitted assigns.

                  15.      Waiver; Severability.

                  The  failure  of a party to  insist in any  instance  upon the
strict and punctual  performance  of any provision of this  Agreement  shall not
constitute a continuing  waiver of such  provision.  No party shall be deemed to
have  waived  any  right,  power,  or  privilege  under  this  Agreement  or any
provisions  hereof  unless  such  waiver  shall  have been in  writing  and duly
executed  by  the  party  to  be  charged  with  such  waiver,  and such waiver


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



shall be a waiver only with respect to the specific  instance involved and shall
in no way impair the rights of the waiving party or the obligations of any other
party in any  other  respect  or at any other  time.  If any  provision  of this
Agreement  shall  be  waived,  or be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  the
remaining  provisions of this  Agreement  shall be unaffected  thereby and shall
remain binding and in full force and effect.

                  16.  Relationship of the Parties.

                  In all matters relating to this Agreement, each party
hereto shall be solely responsible for the acts of its employees,  and employees
of one party shall not be  considered  employees of the other  party.  Except as
otherwise provided herein, no party shall have any right, or authority to create
any obligation, express or implied, on behalf of any other party.

                  17.  Governing Law.

                  This   Agreement   shall  be  governed  by  and  construed  in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without  giving effect to its
conflict of laws rules and laws.

                  18.  Entire  Agreement;  Termination of Original Management 
Services Agreement.

                  This Agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement  between the
parties  hereto with respect to the subject  matter  hereof,  and supersedes all
prior  agreements  and  understandings,  either  oral or written,  with  respect
thereto.  Upon the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the  Original
Management  Services  Agreement  shall be  terminated  and shall be of no effect
whatsoever.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have  executed  this
Agreement as of the date first above written.


                                       S&H INC.



                                       By: /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Title:  President and Co-Chief
                                                  Executive Officer




                                       SILGAN CONTAINERS CORPORATION



                                       By:/s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Title:  Vice President


                                      -22-

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I
                                 (000's Omitted)






     Scheduled Amount1                  Maximum Amount1/

1997              $ 89,500            1997         $ 100,504
1998                95,500            1998           102,964
1999               101,500            1999           105,488
2000               108,653            2000           108,653


- --------
1 For each calendar year after 2000, the Scheduled Amount for such calendar year
shall be an amount equal to the Maximum  Amount for such calendar year. For each
calendar  year after 2000,  the Maximum  Amount for such  calendar year shall be
equal to one hundred and three percent (103%) of the Maximum Amount for the
prior calendar year.



<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.27






                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

                  This Amended and Restated  Management  Services Agreement (the
"Agreement")  is made as of this 14th day of  February,  1997 by and between S&H
INC., a Connecticut  corporation  ("S&H"),  and SILGAN PLASTICS  CORPORATION,  a
Delaware corporation ("Plastics").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and  Plastics  have entered into the Amended and
Restated  Management  Services  Agreement  dated as of  December  21,  1993 (the
"Original  Management  Services  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which  S&H  provides
general management,  supervision,  administrative and other services to Plastics
in accordance with the terms of the Original Management Services Agreement;

                  WHEREAS,  S&H  also  is a party  to an  Amended  and  Restated
Management  Services Agreement dated as of December 21, 1993 with each of Silgan
Holdings Inc.  ("Holdings"),  Silgan  Corporation,  a wholly owned subsidiary of
Holdings and the parent company of Plastics  ("Silgan"),  and Silgan  Containers
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silgan ("Containers");

                  WHEREAS,  S&H and each of Holdings,  Silgan and Containers are
entering into an amended and restated  management services agreement dated as of
the date  hereof  (collectively,  as so amended  and  restated,  the  "Affiliate
Management Services Agreements"); and



<PAGE>



                  WHEREAS,  in  contemplation  of the consummation of an initial
public  offering  of the  common  stock of  Holdings  pursuant  to an  effective
registration  statement  under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  S&H and
Plastics  desire to amend and restate  hereby the Original  Management  Services
Agreement.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual agreements contained herein, S&H and Plastics agree as follows:

                  1.  Management Services.
                      -------------------

                      (a) S&H and Plastics hereby agree that,  during the period
beginning on the date hereof and continuing  throughout the term hereof, S&H and
its Affiliates  shall provide to Plastics  general  management,  supervision and
administrative services,  including,  without limitation, the preparation of the
annual and long-term  business plans,  and perform such other duties and provide
such other services as Plastics shall be permitted to request of S&H pursuant to
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  By-Laws  of  Holdings  or  pursuant  to
applicable  law,  which  power  and  authority  Plastics  hereby  grants  to S&H
("General   Management   Services").   (The  General  Management   Services  are
hereinafter  collectively  referred to as the "Services" and  individually  as a
"Service").

                      (b) Any  Service  hereunder  shall be provided to Plastics
only by S&H or its Affiliates or such  consultants,  subcontractors or agents as
may be selected  from time to time by S&H to assist S&H in its  provision of the
Services. It is understood and agreed that S&H may retain the services of Morgan


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



Stanley & Co.  Incorporated  or another  suitable  investment  bank as financial
advisor to Plastics or as an  underwriter  or placement  agent for  offerings of
securities by Plastics.

                  2.  Fees; Payment.
                      -------------

                      (a)  In  consideration  for  General  Management  Services
provided by S&H to Plastics hereunder,  Plastics shall pay to S&H aggregate fees
or compensation therefor (not including any related out-of-pocket expenses), (i)
on a monthly basis,  an amount equal to Plastics'  Proportionate  Percentage (as
defined  below)  of five  thousand  dollars  ($5,000)  plus  2.475% of EBDIT (as
defined in Paragraph  2(i) hereof) for such  calendar  month until EBDIT for the
calendar year to date has reached the Scheduled  Amount (as defined in Paragraph
2(d) hereof) for such calendar  year, and 1.65% of EBDIT for such calendar month
to the extent that EBDIT for the  calendar  year to date  exceeds the  Scheduled
Amount but is not greater than the Maximum  Amount (as defined in Paragraph 2(d)
hereof) (the "Monthly Management Fee"); and (ii) on a quarterly basis, an amount
equal to Plastics Proportionate  Percentage of 2.475% of EBDIT for such calendar
quarter  until EBDIT for the  calendar  year to date has  reached the  Scheduled
Amount,  and l.65% of EBDIT for such  calendar  quarter to the extent that EBDIT
for the calendar  year to date exceeds the  Scheduled  Amount but is not greater
than the Maximum Amount (the "Quarterly  Management  Fee"). For purposes of this
Section 2, "Proportionate Percentage" means such percentage of EBDIT for a given
period that is attributable to the results of Plastics for such period.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



                      (b)  Such  Quarterly  Management  Fee  shall  continue  to
accrue,  but shall not be paid,  to S&H by Plastics in the event that,  and from
the date on which,  Plastics  or  Silgan  shall  have  received  written  notice
("Notice")  from the Agent (as defined  below) that an Event of Default (as such
term is  defined  in the Credit  Agreement,  dated as of August 1,  1995,  among
Silgan,  Containers,  Plastics,  the  lenders  from time to time party  thereto,
Bankers  Trust  Company,  as  Administrative  Agent  and as a  Co-Arranger  (the
"Agent"),  and  Bank  of  America  Illinois,  as  Documentation  Agent  and as a
Co-Arranger,  as in effect from time to time,  and any  refinancings,  renewals,
amendments or extensions thereof (the "Credit  Agreement"))  exists under any of
Sections 9.01, 9.03 (but only to the extent  resulting from the violation of one
or more of  Sections  8.08,  8.09,  8.10,  and  8.11 of the  Credit  Agreement),
9.04(i)(x),  9.04(ii)  or 9.05 of the Credit  Agreement  (each of the  foregoing
Events of Default, a "Financial  Covenant Event of Default") until, and shall be
paid by  Plastics  to S&H on, the  earliest to occur of (x) the first date after
receipt of such  Notice  upon which no  Financial  Covenant  Event of Default to
which the  Notice  related or  otherwise  known to S&H or  Plastics  shall be in
existence (and so long as no such  Financial  Covenant Event of Default would be
in existence  after giving  effect to the payment of such unpaid  portion of the
Quarterly  Management  Fee), (y) the first date occurring 180 days or more after
receipt by Silgan of a written  notice from the Agent  stating  that no Event of
Default exists under Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement,  or (z) the date that
Silgan, Containers,


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



Plastics,  California-Washington  Can Corporation,  a wholly owned subsidiary of
Containers,  and SCCW Can Corporation,  a wholly owned subsidiary of Containers,
shall have paid all  outstanding  Obligations (as such term is defined under the
Credit  Agreement).  In the  event  that a Notice  is  delivered  by the  Agent,
Plastics  shall pay to S&H that portion of any unpaid  Quarterly  Management Fee
that has accrued with respect to that portion of such calendar  quarter prior to
the  occurrence of any Financial  Covenant Event of Default to which such Notice
relates.

                      (c) Nothing  contained in Paragraph 2(b) shall prevent the
Agent from giving successive Notices of the type described in Paragraph 2(b) (in
which case the rules set forth in  Paragraph  2(b) shall  apply to, and the time
periods set forth  therein  shall  begin to run on, the date of such  subsequent
Notice);  provided that only one Notice relating to a single Financial  Covenant
Event of Default and all other Financial Covenant Events of Default in existence
at the date of the  giving  of any such  Notice  may be  given.  Notwithstanding
anything  to the  contrary  stated  herein,  if at any time  after the giving of
Notice by the Agent to Silgan,  S&H shall  certify in writing to Silgan that all
Financial  Covenant  Events of Default to which such  Notice  relates  have been
cured or  waived,  and that S&H knows of no other  Financial  Covenant  Event of
Default then in existence, then Plastics shall, unless it knows of the existence
of a Financial Covenant Event of Default which has not yet been cured or waived,
pay to S&H any accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management Fee or portion thereof in
the manner set forth in Paragraph 2(g)


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



hereof  unless a  Financial  Covenant  Event of Default  would  result from such
payment.  S&H shall not be required to deliver any such  certification to Silgan
upon the  occurrence  of the dates or events set forth in clauses  (y) or (z) of
Paragraph  2(b),  and  promptly  after  the  occurrence  of such  date or event,
Plastics  will pay to S&H any accrued  and unpaid  Quarterly  Management  Fee or
portion thereof.

                      (d) For any given  calendar  year  during the term of this
Agreement,  the Scheduled  Amount and the Maximum  Amount for such calendar year
will be the amounts set forth in Schedule I hereto.

                      (e) In  addition  to the  Monthly  Management  Fee and the
Quarterly  Management Fee,  Plastics shall also reimburse S&H in an amount equal
to all out-of-pocket  expenses paid by S&H in providing the Services  hereunder,
including fees and expenses paid to consultants,  subcontractors and other third
parties,  in connection  with such  Services.  Such expenses shall be payable by
Plastics to S&H monthly in arrears.

                      (f) (i) Not later than  fifteen (15) days after the end of
each  calendar  month  during  the  term  hereof  with  respect  to the  Monthly
Management  Fee and (ii) not later than  thirty  (30) days after the end of each
full  calendar  quarter  during the term  hereof with  respect to the  Quarterly
Management  Fee, S&H shall  furnish  Plastics with a bill for an amount equal to
the Monthly Management Fee and the Quarterly Management Fee, respectively,  then
owing with respect to periods ended on or before the end of such calendar  month
or such calendar quarter.



                                       -6-

<PAGE>



                      (g) Each bill  furnished  to Plastics  hereunder  shall be
paid in full within  thirty  (30) days of the receipt of such bill,  except that
any accrued and unpaid Quarterly Management Fee or portion thereof shall be paid
on the earliest  date on which such payment is permitted to be made  pursuant to
Paragraphs 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) hereof.  All payments of such bills shall be sent
to:

                           S&H Inc.
                           4 Landmark Square
                           Suite 400
                           Stamford, CT  06901
                           Attention: R. Philip Silver

or to such other address as S&H may specify from time to time by written  notice
to Plastics.

                      (h) All  fees and  expenses  paid to S&H by  Holdings  and
Silgan pursuant to their respective  Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreements
with S&H,  shall be  credited  to the  Monthly  Management  Fee,  the  Quarterly
Management Fee and the expenses referred to in Paragraphs 2(a) and 2(e) hereof.

                      (i) For purposes of this Section 2, EBDIT shall mean,  for
any period, the consolidated net income of Holdings and its subsidiaries, before
interest expense and provision for income taxes and without giving effect to any
extraordinary   non-cash  gains  or   extraordinary   non-cash  losses  and  any
adjustments resulting from changes in the value of employee stock options and/or
stock appreciation  rights, and adjusted by adding thereto (i) the amount of any
fees and expenses  paid pursuant to this  Agreement or the Affiliate  Management
Services Agreements, (ii) the amount of all charges and expenses incurred in


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



connection   with   any   refinancing,   restructuring,    recapitalization   or
reorganization  involving  Holdings  and its  subsidiaries  (which  charges  and
expenses have been charged  against the  consolidated  net income of Holdings or
its  subsidiaries),  and (iii) the amount of all  amortization  of  intangibles,
covenants not to compete, goodwill and debt financing costs and all depreciation
(which  amortization and depreciation have been charged against the consolidated
net income of Holdings and its subsidiaries,  before interest expense), computed
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                  3.  Direct Expenses.
                      ---------------

                  It is understood that the consideration to be paid by Plastics
to S&H for Services  hereunder  shall not be in lieu of, and that Plastics shall
be directly  liable for,  direct  expenses  incurred by  Plastics,  or by S&H on
Plastics'  behalf (other than the  out-of-pocket  expenses billed to Plastics by
S&H pursuant to Paragraph  2(e)  hereof),  for services  rendered to Plastics by
third  parties,  including,  but not limited to, legal and  accounting  fees and
insurance  premiums.  Plastics shall pay any  compensation  (including  employee
benefit  costs and any related  out-of-pocket  expenses)  to officers  and other
employees of Plastics who provide substantially  full-time services to Plastics,
other than Messrs. R. Philip Silver ("Silver"),  D. Greg Horrigan  ("Horrigan"),
Harley Rankin,  Jr.  ("Rankin") and Harold J. Rodriguez,  Jr.  ("Rodriguez") who
shall receive no salaries (it being  understood,  however,  that Plastics  shall
reimburse S&H in respect of compensation paid by S&H to Messrs. Rankin and


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



Rodriguez  consistent  with the  reimbursement  therefor  by  Plastics to S&H in
1996), notwithstanding that said officers and other employees may simultaneously
be officers or employees of S&H or one of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

                  4.  Term.
                      ----

                      (a) The term of this Agreement  shall commence on the date
hereof and shall  continue  until June 30,  1999.  Thereafter,  the term of this
Agreement shall be  automatically  renewed for successive  one-year terms unless
prior to the date that is 180 days prior to the  expiration  of the initial term
or the then current  one-year  term, as the case may be, either party shall have
given the other party  written  notice of its  election not to renew the term of
this Agreement (it being  understood that the  determination by Plastics whether
to give  such  written  notice  of its  election  not to renew  the term of this
Agreement will be made by the  independent  members of the Board of Directors of
Holdings).  For  purposes  hereof,  the  independent  members  of the  Board  of
Directors  of Holdings  shall not include any  employee or affiliate of S&H, any
officer of Holdings or any member of the Board of Directors  that is  affiliated
with any entity that is  receiving  or is  entitled to receive any payment  from
Holdings  under this  Agreement or any payment from S&H in connection  with this
Agreement.  The term of this Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration
of the initial term or the then current  one-year  term,  as the case may be, by
written notice to the other party as follows: (i) by Plastics for Cause, (ii) by
S&H for Cause, (iii) by Plastics for any reason other than Cause, upon at


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



least 180 days prior written  notice,  (iv) by S&H for any reason other than (A)
Cause or (B)  because  of a Change  of  Control,  upon at least  180 days  prior
written notice, or (v) by S&H at any time after a Change of Control.

                      (b) Upon termination of any Affiliate  Management Services
Agreement by the party  thereto other than S&H for any reason other than "Cause"
as defined in such Affiliate Management Services Agreement, this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been  terminated  by Plastics  pursuant to clause (iii) of the
last sentence of Section 4(a) hereof, effective as of the date of termination of
such Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement.  Upon termination by S&H of any
Affiliate  Management  Services  Agreement  for any reason other than "Cause" or
because of a "Change of Control," each as defined in such  Affiliate  Management
Services  Agreement,  this Agreement  shall be deemed to have been terminated by
S&H  pursuant  to clause  (iv) of the last  sentence  of  Section  4(a)  hereof,
effective as of the date of termination of such  Affiliate  Management  Services
Agreement.

                      (c) For  purposes of this Section 4, a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have  occurred  when a majority of the Board of  Directors of
Holdings shall not consist of "Continuing  Holdings Directors," which shall mean
(i) the directors of Holdings on the date hereof and (ii) each other director of
Holdings who is either  recommended,  approved or nominated for election,  or is
elected,  to the Board of  Directors  of  Holdings  by a  majority  of the other
Continuing Holdings Directors.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                  5.  Events of Default.
                      -----------------

         Any one of the following  defaults shall constitute an Event of Default
(other  than by  reason  of an  Event of  Force  Majeure  in the case of each of
Paragraphs 5(a)-(f)):

                      (a) (i) The  failure or  refusal of S&H to comply  with or
perform  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  if such  failure  or  refusal
continues unremedied for more than 60 days after written notice of the existence
of such failure or refusal  shall have been given to S&H by Plastics or (ii) the
failure or refusal of Plastics to comply with or perform its  obligations  under
this Agreement if such failure or refusal continues  unremedied for more than 60
days after written notice of the existence of such failure or refusal shall have
been given to Plastics by S&H;

                      (b) S&H or Holdings is declared  insolvent  or bankrupt by
any court of competent  jurisdiction,  or a voluntary  petition in bankruptcy is
filed in any court of competent jurisdiction by either of them;

                      (c) An involuntary  petition in bankruptcy is filed in any
court of competent  jurisdiction  against S&H or Holdings and within  forty-five
(45) days thereafter  shall not have been dismissed or stayed (and, in the event
of any such  stay,  such stay  shall  not have  been set aside and the  petition
dismissed within forty-five (45) days after the stay shall have been granted);


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                      (d) A trustee or receiver is appointed for S&H or Holdings
and  remains  undischarged  for more  than  forty-five  (45)  days  after  being
appointed;

                      (e) A proceeding  seeking a  reorganization,  arrangement,
liquidation  or  dissolution  of S&H or  Holdings  is  instituted  in a court of
competent  jurisdiction  and remains  undismissed  for more than forty-five (45)
days after being instituted;

                      (f)  S&H  or   Holdings   voluntarily   seeks   any   such
reorganization  or  arrangement  or  makes  an  assignment  for the  benefit  of
creditors; or

                      (g) Death or  permanent  disability  of both  Horrigan and
Silver.  For the purposes of this Agreement,  "permanent  disability" shall mean
the inability of Horrigan or Silver, as the case may be, by reason of illness or
injury to perform substantially all of his duties as Chairman of the Board or as
President  of  Holdings  (or in  performing  his  duties in any other  office in
Holdings or any of its respective  Affiliates to which he may be duly appointed)
during any continuous period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

                  6.  Cause.
                      -----

                      (a)  The   occurrence  of  any  of  the  following   shall
constitute  "Cause" for  purposes of clause (i) of the last  sentence of Section
4(a) of this Agreement:

                      (i) An Event of  Default,  except for the Event of Default
                  described in Section 5(a)(ii) of this Agreement; or


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                      (ii)  Criminal  conduct or gross  negligence by S&H in the
                  performance of the Services; or

                      (iii) The termination of any Affiliate Management Services
                  Agreement by Holdings,  Silgan, or Containers, as the case may
                  be, for "Cause" as defined therein.

                      (b)  The  occurrence  of  either  of the  following  shall
constitute  "Cause" for purposes of clause (ii) of the last  sentence of Section
4(a) of this Agreement:

                      (i) An Event of  Default,  except for the Event of Default
                  described in Section 5(a)(i) of this Agreement; or

                      (ii) The termination of any Affiliate  Management Services
                  Agreement by S&H for "Cause" as defined therein.

                  7.  Remedies.
                      --------

                      (a) In the event this  Agreement is terminated  (or deemed
terminated)  by Plastics  prior to June 30,  1999 for any reason  other than for
Cause,  Plastics shall be required to pay to S&H as liquidated  damages,  within
thirty (30) days of such  termination,  the present  value of the sum of (i) the
Monthly  Management Fee (or any portion thereof) that would have been payable by
Plastics  to S&H for each month (or any portion  thereof)  from the date of such
termination through June 30, 1999 and (ii) the Quarterly  Management Fee (or any
portion  thereof)  that would  have been  payable  by  Plastics  to S&H for each
quarter (or portion thereof) from the date of such termination  through June 30,
1999, in each case calculated based on a discount rate of eight percent (8%) per
annum.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



                      (b) In the event this  Agreement is terminated by Plastics
after June 30,  1999,  for any reason  other than for Cause,  Plastics  shall be
required to pay to S&H as  liquidated  damages,  within thirty (30) days of such
termination,  the present value of the sum of (i) the Monthly Management Fee (or
any portion  thereof)  payable by Plastics to S&H for each month (or any portion
thereof) from the date of such  termination  through the end of the then current
one-year term and (ii) the  Quarterly  Management  Fee (or any portion  thereof)
payable by Plastics to S&H for each quarter (or portion  thereof)  from the date
of such  termination  through the end of the then current one-year term, in each
case calculated based on a discount rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.

                      (c) The  amounts  described  in  clauses  (i) and  (ii) of
Sections  7(a) and 7(b)  shall  be  calculated  based  upon the  projections  of
Holdings'  EBDIT for the period from the date of such  termination  through June
30, 1999 or through the end of the then current  one-year  term, as the case may
be,  which  projections  are (1) included in Holdings'  most  recently  prepared
forecast  statements  required  under the Credit  Agreement or (2) if the Credit
Agreement is not in  existence,  included in Holdings'  most  recently  prepared
forecast statements  presented to its Board of Directors (provided such forecast
statements are prepared on a basis  consistent with the  requirements  under the
Credit Agreement that was in effect last).


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  8.  Force Majeure.
                      -------------

                  The term "Event of Force  Majeure"  as used herein  shall mean
any  failure  of a party to perform  any of its  obligations  hereunder  if such
failure is due to  circumstances  beyond its control,  including but not limited
to, any requisition by any government  authority,  act of war, strike,  boycott,
lockout,  picketing,  riot, sabotage, civil commotion,  insurrection,  epidemic,
disease,  act of God,  fire,  flood,  accident,  explosion,  earthquake,  storm,
failure of public utilities or common carriers,  mechanical failure, embargo, or
prohibition imposed by any governmental body or agency having authority over the
party,  which would have  constituted  an Event of Default but for the fact that
such events  constituted  an Event of Force  Majeure.  The party  affected by an
Event of Force  Majeure  shall give prompt  notice  thereof to the other parties
hereto and each party shall use its best  efforts to minimize  the  duration and
consequences of, and to eliminate, any such Event of Force Majeure. At such time
as an Event of Force Majeure no longer exists, the respective obligations of the
parties  hereto shall be reinstated  and this  Agreement  shall continue in full
force and effect.

                  9.  Insurance.
                      ---------

                  S&H agrees that for the term of this  Agreement it shall cause
Plastics to obtain and  maintain  insurance  for such risks and in such  amounts
similar to companies of  comparable  size which are engaged in similar  business
activities,  provided  that S&H  shall be deemed  to be in  compliance  with the
provisions of this paragraph if Plastics maintains a level of insurance which


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



complies with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement.

                  10. Indemnification.
                      ---------------

                      (a)  Plastics  shall   indemnify  to  the  fullest  extent
permitted by law (as now or hereafter in effect) S&H and each of its Affiliates,
officers, directors, employees,  consultants and subcontractors,  and any Person
controlling   S&H  and  each  of  its  Affiliates  or  any  such  consultant  or
subcontractor   (each,  an  "S&H   Indemnitee,"  and   collectively,   the  "S&H
Indemnitees") to the extent that any S&H Indemnitee is made, or threatened to be
made,  a defendant  to, or is  involved  in any manner in, any  action,  suit or
proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise)
by reason of the fact that such S&H Indemnitee is or was an agent of Plastics.

                      (b) In  furtherance  and not in  limitation  of the powers
conferred by statute:

                      (i) Plastics may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
                  of any S&H  Indemnitee  as an agent of  Plastics  against  any
                  liability  asserted against any S&H Indemnitee and incurred by
                  any S&H Indemnitee in such capacity, or arising out of any S&H
                  Indemnitee's  status as such,  whether or not  Plastics  would
                  have the power to indemnify such S&H  Indemnitee  against such
                  liability  under the  provisions of law; and

                      (ii)  Plastics  may create a trust fund,  grant a security
                  interest   and/or   use  other   means   (including,   without
                  limitation, letters of credit, surety bonds and/or


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



                  other similar  arrangements),  as well as enter into contracts
                  providing  indemnification  to the full extent  authorized  or
                  permitted by law and including as part thereof provisions with
                  respect to any or all of the  foregoing  to ensure the payment
                  of  such   amounts   as  may   become   necessary   to  effect
                  indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere.

                      (c) The manner of any indemnification under this Agreement
shall be in accordance with Section 2.8 of the  Stockholders  Agreement dated as
of December 21, 1993 among Silver, Horrigan, The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity
Fund II, L.P.,  Bankers Trust New York Corporation,  First Plaza Group Trust and
Holdings (as amended from time to time, the "Stockholders Agreement").

                  11. Noncompetition.
                      --------------

                      (a) During the term of this  Agreement,  S&H hereby agrees
that it will not,  directly or  indirectly,  own,  render  services to,  manage,
operate,  control,  or participate in the  ownership,  management,  operation or
control of a business that is engaged in any  "Business".  For purposes  hereof,
the term "Business" shall mean the manufacture and sale anywhere in the world of
consumer goods packaging products.

                      (b) In the event that this  Agreement is terminated by S&H
pursuant to clause (iv) of the last sentence of Section 4(a) hereof,  S&H hereby
agrees that, for a period of one year beginning on the date of such termination,
it will not,  directly or  indirectly:  (i) own,  render  services  to,  manage,
operate, control, or participate in the ownership, management,


                                      -17-

<PAGE>



operation  or  control  of a business  that is  engaged  in any  Business;  (ii)
interfere with any customer or supplier relationship between Holdings and/or its
subsidiaries and any other person or business  entity;  or (iii) disclose or use
any  confidential  or  proprietary  information  relating  to  Holdings  and its
subsidiaries'  businesses,  except  for any  information  already  in the public
domain  through  no  act  of  S&H  and  except  as  may  be  required  by law or
governmental or court order.

                      (c)  Notwithstanding  anything  herein  to  the  contrary,
nothing herein,  however,  shall restrict S&H from making any investments in any
company  whose  stock is listed on a national  securities  exchange  or actively
traded in the over-the-counter markets, so long as such investment does not give
S&H the right to control or influence  the policy  decisions of any such company
engaged in any Business.

                      (d) If any particular provision or portion of this Section
11 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, this Section 11 shall be
deemed amended to delete  therefrom such provision or portion  adjudicated to be
invalid or unenforceable, and such amendment will apply only with respect to the
operation of such provision or portion in the particular  jurisdiction  in which
such adjudication was sought.

                      (e) The  parties  recognize  that the  performance  of the
obligations under this Section 11 by S&H is special, unique and extraordinary in
character,  and that in the event of a breach,  or threatened  breach, of any of
the terms and conditions of this Section 11,  Plastics shall be entitled,  if it
so elects,


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



in addition to any other remedies available to Plastics, to enforce the specific
performance thereof or to enjoin any breach thereof.

                  12. Notices.
                      -------

                  All   notices   and  other   communications   required  by  or
specifically  provided  for in this  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given (a) when  delivered in person,  (b) when sent by telex
or telecopier with  answerback  received,  or (c)  seventy-two  (72) hours after
having been  deposited in the U.S.  mails,  certified  mail with return  receipt
requested and postage prepaid,  and in any case addressed to the party for which
it is  intended at that  party's  address as set forth  below,  or at such other
address as the addressee shall have designated by notice  hereunder to the other
party.

         If to S&H:

                  S&H Inc.
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver

         If to Plastics:

                  Silgan Plastics Corporation
                  4 Landmark Square
                  Suite 400
                  Stamford, CT  06901
                  Attention:  R. Philip Silver

         If a notice is sent to any of the  above,  a copy  shall be sent to the
following:

                  Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
                  Financial Centre
                  695 East Main Street
                  P.O. Box 6760
                  Stamford, CT  06904-6760
                  Attention: Frank W. Hogan, III, Esq.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>





Any notice or request sent by telecopier or similar facsimile  telecommunication
shall be  confirmed  promptly by the sending of a copy of such notice or request
to the addressee thereof by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested.

                  13. Definitions.
                      -----------

                  Terms not defined herein which are defined in the Stockholders
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them therein.

                  14. Amendment; Assignment; Binding Effect.
                      -------------------------------------

                  This  Agreement  may be amended or modified  only by a written
instrument  signed by the parties hereto. No party shall assign or transfer this
Agreement,  in whole or in part,  or any of such party's  rights or  obligations
hereunder,  to any other person or entity  without the prior written  consent of
the other party hereto, except that S&H may transfer or assign all of its rights
and obligations hereunder to any entity directly or indirectly succeeding to S&H
by merger, consolidation or reorganization. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective  permitted
assigns.

                  15. Waiver; Severability.
                      --------------------

                  The  failure  of a party to  insist in any  instance  upon the
strict and punctual  performance  of any provision of this  Agreement  shall not
constitute a continuing  waiver of such  provision.  No party shall be deemed to
have  waived  any  right,  power,  or  privilege  under  this  Agreement  or any
provisions  hereof  unless  such  waiver  shall  have been in  writing  and duly
executed by the party to be charged with such waiver, and such waiver


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



shall be a waiver only with respect to the specific  instance involved and shall
in no way impair the rights of the waiving party or the obligations of any other
party in any  other  respect  or at any other  time.  If any  provision  of this
Agreement  shall  be  waived,  or be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  the
remaining  provisions of this  Agreement  shall be unaffected  thereby and shall
remain binding and in full force and effect.

                  16. Relationship of the Parties.
                      ---------------------------

                  In all matters  relating to this Agreement,  each party hereto
shall be solely responsible for the acts of its employees,  and employees of one
party shall not be considered  employees of the other party. Except as otherwise
provided  herein,  no party  shall have any right,  or  authority  to create any
obligation, express or implied, on behalf of any other party.

                  17. Governing Law.
                      -------------

                  This   Agreement   shall  be  governed  by  and  construed  in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without  giving effect to its
conflict of laws rules and laws.

                  18. Entire Agreement; Termination of Original Management
                      Services Agreement.
                      ----------------------------------------------------

                  This Agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement  between the
parties  hereto with respect to the subject  matter  hereof,  and supersedes all
prior  agreements  and  understandings,  either  oral or written,  with  respect
thereto.  Upon the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the  Original
Management  Services  Agreement  shall be  terminated  and shall be of no effect
whatsoever.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have  executed  this
Agreement as of the date first above written.


                                            S&H INC.



                                            By: /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                                ________________________________
                                                Title:  President and Co-Chief
                                                        Executive Officer




                                            SILGAN PLASTICS CORPORATION



                                            By: /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                                ________________________________
                                                Title:  Vice President




                                      -22-

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I
                                 (000's Omitted)






     Scheduled Amount1/                                Maximum Amount1/
     ------------------                                ----------------

1997                   $ 89,500                   1997               $ 100,504
1998                     95,500                   1998                 102,964
1999                    101,500                   1999                 105,488
2000                    108,653                   2000                 108,653


- --------
1 For each calendar year after 2000, the Scheduled Amount for such calendar year
shall be an amount equal to the Maximum  Amount for such calendar year. For each
calendar  year after 2000,  the Maximum  Amount for such  calendar year shall be
equal to one hundred  and three  percent  (103%) of the  Maximum  Amount for the
prior calendar year.



<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 10.40

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                                  Common Stock
                            par value $.01 per share


                             Underwriting Agreement

                                                     February 13, 1997

Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
Salomon Brothers Inc,
         As representatives of the several Underwriters
           named in Schedule I hereto,
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
85 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10004


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Silgan Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject  to the terms and  conditions  stated  herein,  to issue and sell to the
Underwriters  named in Schedule I hereto (the  "Underwriters")  an  aggregate of
3,700,000  shares of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share  ("Stock"),  of the
Company and the  stockholders  of the  Company  named in Schedule II hereto (the
"Selling  Stockholders")  propose,  subject to the terms and  conditions  stated
herein,  to sell to the Underwriters an aggregate of 800,000 shares of Stock and
at the election of the Underwriters,  up to 675,000  additional shares of Stock.
The  aggregate of shares to be sold by the Company and the Selling  Stockholders
is herein  called the "Firm  Shares"  and the  aggregate  of 675,000  additional
shares to be sold by the Selling  Stockholders  is herein  called the  "Optional
Shares".  The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to
purchase  pursuant to Section 2 hereof being  collectively  called the "Shares".
Silgan Corporation ("Silgan"),  Silgan Containers Corporation ("Containers") and
Silgan Plastics Corporation ("Plastics"),  each a Delaware corporation,  and the
Company are each referred to as a "Member of the Silgan Group."

         1.       (a)      Each  Member  of  the  Silgan  Group  represents  and
         warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

                           (i) A  registration  statement  on Form S-2 (File No.
                  333-11989) (the "Initial  Registration  Statement") in respect
                  of the Shares has been filed with the  Securities and Exchange
                  Commission  (the  "Commission");   the  Initial   Registration
                  Statement and any post-effective  amendment  thereto,  each in
                  the form heretofore  delivered to you, and, excluding exhibits
                  thereto but including all documents  incorporated by reference
                  in the prospectus  contained  therein,  to you for each of the
                  



<PAGE>



                  other  Underwriters,  have  been  declared  effective  by  the
                  Commission in such form; other than a registration  statement,
                  if any,  increasing  the size of the  offering (a "Rule 462(b)
                  Registration Statement"),  filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under
                  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended (the  "Act"),  which
                  became  effective upon filing,  no other document with respect
                  to  the  Initial   Registration   Statement  or  any  document
                  incorporated  by reference  therein has heretofore  been filed
                  with  the  Commission;   and  no  stop  order  suspending  the
                  effectiveness  of  the  Initial  Registration  Statement,  any
                  post-effective   amendment   thereto   or  the   Rule   462(b)
                  Registration  Statement,  if  any,  has  been  issued  and  no
                  proceeding  for that purpose has been  initiated or threatened
                  by the Commission (any preliminary  prospectus included in the
                  Initial  Registration  Statement or filed with the  Commission
                  pursuant  to Rule 424(a) of the rules and  regulations  of the
                  Commission under the Act, is hereinafter called a "Preliminary
                  Prospectus";  the various  parts of the  Initial  Registration
                  Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration  Statement, if any,
                  including   all  exhibits   thereto  and   including  (i)  the
                  information  contained in the form of final  prospectus  filed
                  with the  Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and
                  regulations of the Commission under the Act in accordance with
                  Section  6(a)  hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A of the
                  rules and  regulations of the  Commission  under the Act to be
                  part of the Initial Registration  Statement at the time it was
                  declared   effective   or  such   part  of  the  Rule   462(b)
                  Registration  Statement,  if any,  at the  time it  became  or
                  hereafter   becomes   effective   and   (ii)   the   documents
                  incorporated  by reference in the prospectus  contained in the
                  registration   statement   at  the  time   such  part  of  the
                  registration  statement became  effective,  each as amended at
                  the  time  such  part  of the  registration  statement  became
                  effective,    is   hereinafter    collectively    called   the
                  "Registration  Statement";  such final prospectus, in the form
                  first  filed   pursuant  to  Rule  424(b)  of  the  rules  and
                  regulations  of the  Commission  under the Act, is hereinafter
                  called  the  "Prospectus";  and any  reference  herein  to any
                  Preliminary  Prospectus or the  Prospectus  shall be deemed to
                  refer to and include the documents  incorporated  by reference
                  therein  pursuant  to Item 12 of Form S-2 under the Act, as of
                  the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus,  as the
                  case may be);

                           (ii) No order preventing or suspending the use of any
                  Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission,  and
                  each  Preliminary  Prospectus,  at the time of filing thereof,
                  conformed in all material  respects to the requirements of the
                  Act  and  the  rules  and   regulations   of  the   Commission
                  thereunder,  and did not  contain  an  untrue  statement  of a
                  material  fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
                  stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
                  the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
                  misleading;  provided,  however,  that this representation and
                  warranty  shall not apply to any  statements or omissions made
                  in reliance upon and in conformity with information  furnished
                  in writing to the Company by an Underwriter  through  Goldman,
                  Sachs  &  Co.  expressly  for  use  therein  or  by a  Selling
                  Stockholder  expressly  for  use  in  the  preparation  of the
                  answers therein to Item 7 of Form S-2;

                           (iii) The documents  incorporated by reference in the
                  Prospectus,   when  they  were  filed  with  the   Commission,
                  


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                  conformed in all materials respects to the requirements of the
                  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Exchange
                  Act"),  and  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Commission
                  thereunder,  and none of such  documents  when  filed with the
                  Commission contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
                  omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
                  or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

                           (iv) The  Registration  Statement  conforms,  and the
                  Prospectus  and any further  amendments or  supplements to the
                  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus will conform, in all
                  material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules
                  and  regulations of the  Commission  thereunder and do not and
                  will  not,  as of  the  applicable  effective  date  as to the
                  Registration  Statement and any amendment  thereto,  and as of
                  the  applicable  filing  date  as to the  Prospectus  and  any
                  amendment or supplement  thereto,  contain an untrue statement
                  of a material  fact or omit to state a material  fact required
                  to be  stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the  statements
                  therein  not   misleading;   provided,   however,   that  this
                  representation  and warranty shall not apply to any statements
                  or  omissions  made in reliance  upon and in  conformity  with
                  information   furnished  in  writing  to  the  Company  by  an
                  Underwriter  through  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.  expressly for use
                  therein or by a Selling  Stockholder  expressly for use in the
                  preparation of the answers therein to Item 7 of Form S-2;

                           (v) Neither  the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries
                  has sustained  since the date of the latest audited  financial
                  statements  included  or  incorporated  by  reference  in  the
                  Prospectus any material loss or interference with its business
                  from fire, explosion,  flood or other calamity, whether or not
                  covered by  insurance,  or from any labor  dispute or court or
                  governmental  action,  order or decree,  otherwise than as set
                  forth  or  contemplated  in the  Prospectus;  and,  since  the
                  respective  dates  as of  which  information  is  given in the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus,  there has not been
                  any  change  in the  capital  stock or  long-term  debt of the
                  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or any  material  adverse
                  change,  or any development  involving a prospective  material
                  adverse  change,  in or affecting  the  business,  management,
                  financial  position,   stockholders'  equity  (deficiency)  or
                  results of  operations  of the Company  and its  subsidiaries,
                  otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;

                           (vi) The Company and its  subsidiaries  have good and
                  marketable  title in fee simple to all real  property and good
                  and marketable  title to all personal  property owned by them,
                  in each  case free and clear of all  liens,  encumbrances  and
                  defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or such
                  as do not materially  affect the value of such property and do
                  not  interfere  with the use made and  proposed  to be made of
                  such  property by the Company  and its  subsidiaries;  and any
                  real  property and  buildings  held under lease by the Company
                  and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid,  subsisting
                  and  enforceable  leases  with  such  exceptions  as  are  not
                  material and do not  interfere  with the use made and proposed
                  to be made of such  property and  buildings by the Company and
                  its subsidiaries;



                                       -3-

<PAGE>



                           (vii) Each of the  Company and its  subsidiaries  has
                  all  necessary  consents,  authorizations,  approval,  orders,
                  certificates  and  permits  of and  from,  and  has  made  all
                  declarations and filings with, all federal,  state,  local and
                  other   governmental    authorities,    all    self-regulatory
                  organizations  and all  courts  and other  tribunals,  to own,
                  lease,  license  and  use its  properties  and  assets  and to
                  conduct  its   business  in  the  manner   described   in  the
                  Prospectus,  except to the extent  where the failure to obtain
                  any such consent, authorization,  approval, order, certificate
                  or permit  or make any such  declaration  or filing  would not
                  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company  and  its
                  subsidiaries;

                           (viii) The Company has been duly  incorporated and is
                  validly  existing as a corporation  in good standing under the
                  laws of the  State  of  Delaware,  with  power  and  authority
                  (corporate  and other) to own its  properties  and conduct its
                  business as  described  in the  Prospectus,  and has been duly
                  qualified  as a foreign  corporation  for the  transaction  of
                  business  in and is in good  standing  under  the laws of each
                  other  jurisdiction  in which it owns or leases  properties or
                  conducts  any  business so as to require  such  qualification,
                  except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be
                  in good standing  would not have a material  adverse effect on
                  the Company and its  subsidiaries;  and each subsidiary of the
                  Company has been duly  incorporated,  is validly existing as a
                  corporation   in  good   standing   under   the  laws  of  its
                  jurisdiction  of  incorporation,  has the power and  authority
                  (corporate  and other) to own its  property and to conduct its
                  business as described in the  Prospectus and is duly qualified
                  to  transact   business  and  is  in  good  standing  in  each
                  jurisdiction  in which  the  conduct  of its  business  or its
                  ownership or leasing of property requires such  qualification,
                  except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be
                  in good standing  would not have a material  adverse effect on
                  the Company and its subsidiaries;

                           (ix) The Company has an authorized  capitalization as
                  set forth in the  Prospectus,  and all of the issued shares of
                  capital  stock of the  Company  have  been  duly  and  validly
                  authorized and issued,  are fully paid and  non-assessable and
                  conform  to  the   description   thereof   contained   in  the
                  Prospectus;  and all of the issued  shares of capital stock of
                  each  subsidiary  of the  Company  have been duly and  validly
                  authorized and issued,  are fully paid and  non-assessable and
                  are owned  directly or  indirectly  by the  Company,  free and
                  clear of all liens,  encumbrances,  equities  or claims  other
                  than such pledges of such capital  stock  existing on the date
                  hereof made in connection with the Credit Agreement,  dated as
                  of August 1, 1995, among Silgan, Containers,  Plastics and the
                  banks parties thereto;

                           (x) The Shares to be issued  and sold by the  Company
                  to the  Underwriters  hereunder  have  been  duly and  validly
                  authorized and, when issued delivered against payment therefor
                  as provided  herein,  will be duly and validly  issued,  fully
                  paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description of
                  the Stock contained in the Prospectus;

                           (xi) The issue  and sale of the  Shares to be sold by
                  the Company and the  compliance by the Company with all of the
                  


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



                  provisions  of  this  Agreement  and the  consummation  of the
                  transactions  herein  contemplated  will not conflict  with or
                  result  in a  breach  or  violation  of any of  the  terms  or
                  provisions of, or constitute a default  under,  any indenture,
                  mortgage,  deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
                  instrument to which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries is
                  a party or by which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries is
                  bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company
                  or any of its  subsidiaries  is subject,  nor will such action
                  result in any violation of the  provisions of the  Certificate
                  of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the Company or any statute or
                  any order,  rule or  regulation  of any court or  governmental
                  agency or body having  jurisdiction over the Company or any of
                  its subsidiaries or any of their  properties;  and no consent,
                  approval, authorization,  order, registration or qualification
                  of or with any such  court or  governmental  agency or body is
                  required  for the issue  and sale of the  Shares to be sold by
                  the  Company  or  the  consummation  by  the  Company  of  the
                  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,   except  the
                  registration  under the Act of the Shares  and such  consents,
                  approvals, authorizations,  registrations or qualifications as
                  may be  required  under state  securities  or Blue Sky laws in
                  connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by
                  the Underwriters;

                           (xii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
                  is in violation of its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws
                  or  in  default  in  the  performance  or  observance  of  any
                  obligation,  agreement, covenant or condition contained in any
                  indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement,  lease or
                  other  agreement  or  instrument  to which it is a party or by
                  which it or any of its  properties  or  assets  may be  bound,
                  except  for  such  defaults  as do not  and  will  not  have a
                  material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries;

                           (xiii)  The  statements  set forth in the  Prospectus
                  under the caption  "Description of Capital Stock",  insofar as
                  they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock
                  and under the caption "Underwriting",  insofar as they purport
                  to describe the provisions of the laws and documents  referred
                  to therein, are accurate, complete and fair;

                           (xiv)  Other  than as set  forth  in the  Prospectus,
                  there  are no legal or  governmental  proceedings  pending  to
                  which the Company or any of its  subsidiaries is a party or of
                  which any  property of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries
                  is the subject which,  if determined  adversely to the Company
                  or any  of  its  subsidiaries,  would  individually  or in the
                  aggregate  have a material  adverse  effect on the  current or
                  future consolidated  financial position,  stockholders' equity
                  or results of operations of the Company and its  subsidiaries;
                  and,  to  the  best  of  the  Company's  knowledge,   no  such
                  proceedings  are threatened or  contemplated  by  governmental
                  authorities or threatened by others;

                           (xv) The Company is not and,  after giving  effect to
                  the  offering  and  sale  of  the  Shares,   will  not  be  an
                  "investment   company"  or  an  entity   "controlled"   by  an
                  "investment  company",  as  such  terms  are  defined  in  the
                  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended (the  "Investment
                  Company Act"),  assuming The Morgan Stanley  Leveraged  Equity
                  


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



                  Fund II, L.P. ("MSLEF") is not an "investment  company" and is
                  not "controlled" by an "investment company";

                           (xvi)  Neither the Company nor any of its  affiliates
                  does business  with the  government of Cuba or with any person
                  or  affiliate  located in Cuba  within the  meaning of Section
                  517.075, Florida Statutes;

                           (xvii) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified  certain
                  financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries,  and
                  Price  Waterhouse  LLP, who have certified  certain  financial
                  statements  of American  National Can  Company's  Food Metal &
                  Specialty Division, are each independent public accountants as
                  required  by the Act  and the  rules  and  regulations  of the
                  Commission thereunder;

                           (xviii)  Except as described in the  Prospectus,  the
                  Company and its  subsidiaries  (A) are in compliance  with any
                  and all applicable foreign,  federal, state and local laws and
                  regulations  relating to the  protection  of human  health and
                  safety,  the  environment or hazardous or toxic  substances or
                  wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (B)
                  have  received  all  permits,   licenses  or  other  approvals
                  required  of  them  under  applicable  Environmental  Laws  to
                  conduct their respective  businesses and (C) are in compliance
                  with all terms and  conditions of any such permit,  license or
                  approval,  except where such  noncompliance with Environmental
                  Laws,  failure to receive required permits,  licenses or other
                  approvals  or failure to comply with the terms and  conditions
                  of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in
                  the aggregate,  have a material  adverse effect on the Company
                  and its subsidiaries; and

                           (xix) In the  ordinary  course of its  business,  the
                  Company   conducts  a   periodic   review  of  the  effect  of
                  Environmental Laws on the business,  operations and properties
                  of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it
                  identifies  and  evaluates  associated  costs and  liabilities
                  (including,   without  limitation,  any  material  capital  or
                  operating  expenditures  required  for  clean-up,  closure  of
                  properties  or  compliance  with  Environmental  Laws  or  any
                  material permit,  license or approval, any related constraints
                  on  operating  activities  material  to the  Company  and  its
                  subsidiaries,  and any potential material liabilities to third
                  parties).  On the  basis  of  such  review,  the  Company  has
                  reasonably   concluded   that   such   associated   costs  and
                  liabilities  would  not,  singly or in the  aggregate,  have a
                  material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries.
           
                  (b)      Each of the Selling Stockholders severally represents
         and  warrants  to, and agrees with,  each of the  Underwriters  and the
         Company that:

                           (i)  All  consents,  approvals,   authorizations  and
                  orders  necessary  for  the  execution  and  delivery  by such
                  Selling  Stockholder  of this  Agreement  and for the sale and
                  delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling  Stockholder
                  have been  obtained;  and such  Selling  Stockholder  has full
                  right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
                  sell,  assign,  transfer  and deliver the Shares to be sold by
                  such Selling Stockholder hereunder;


                                       -6-

<PAGE>




                           (ii)  The  sale  of the  Shares  to be  sold  by such
                  Selling  Stockholder  hereunder  and  the  compliance  by such
                  Selling  Stockholder  with  all  of  the  provisions  of  this
                  Agreement  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  herein
                  contemplated  will not conflict  with or result in a breach or
                  violation of any of the terms or provisions  of, or constitute
                  a default under,  any statute,  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
                  trust,  loan  agreement or other  agreement or  instrument  to
                  which  such  Selling  Stockholder  is a party or by which such
                  Selling  Stockholder is bound, or to which any of the property
                  or assets of such  Selling  Stockholder  is subject,  nor will
                  such action result in any  violation of the  provisions of the
                  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  By-laws  of  such  Selling
                  Stockholder if such Selling Stockholder is a corporation,  the
                  Limited  Partnership  Agreement of such Selling Stockholder if
                  such  Selling  Stockholder  is a  limited  partnership  or any
                  statute  or any  order,  rule or  regulation  of any  court or
                  governmental  agency  or body  having  jurisdiction  over such
                  Selling   Stockholder   or  the   property  of  such   Selling
                  Stockholder;

                           (iii) Such Selling  Stockholder  has, and immediately
                  prior to each  Time of  Delivery  (as  defined  in  Section  4
                  hereof) such Selling Stockholder will have, valid title to the
                  Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder,  free
                  and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; and,
                  upon  delivery of such Shares and  payment  therefor  pursuant
                  hereto and thereto, valid title to such Shares, free and clear
                  of all liens,  encumbrances,  equities or claims, will pass to
                  the several Underwriters, as the case may be;

                           (iv) Such Selling  Stockholder has not taken and will
                  not take,  directly or indirectly (other than any action taken
                  by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated  ("MS&Co.") in connection
                  with the  performance  of its  obligations  as an  Underwriter
                  hereunder),  any  action  which is  designed  to or which  has
                  constituted or which might  reasonably be expected to cause or
                  result in  stabilization  or  manipulation of the price of any
                  security  of the Company to  facilitate  the sale or resale of
                  the Shares;

                           (v) To the extent that any  statements  or  omissions
                  made   in  the   Registration   Statement,   any   Preliminary
                  Prospectus,  the  Prospectus  or any  amendment or  supplement
                  thereto  are  made in  reliance  upon and in  conformity  with
                  written  information  furnished to the Company by such Selling
                  Stockholder   expressly  for  use  therein,  such  Preliminary
                  Prospectus  and  the  Registration   Statement  did,  and  the
                  Prospectus  and any further  amendments or  supplements to the
                  Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus,  when they become
                  effective  or are filed with the  Commission,  as the case may
                  be, will conform in all material  respects to the requirements
                  of the Act and the rules  and  regulations  of the  Commission
                  thereunder  and will not  contain  any untrue  statement  of a
                  material  fact or omit to state any material  fact required to
                  be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein
                  not misleading; and

                           (vi)  In  order   to   document   the   Underwriters'
                  compliance  with the reporting and  withholding  provisions of
                  the Tax  Equity  and  Fiscal  Responsibility  Act of 1982 with
                  respect to the transactions herein contemplated,  such Selling
                  Stockholder will deliver to you prior to or at the First Time


                                       -7-

<PAGE>



                  of Delivery (as hereinafter  defined) a properly completed and
                  executed United States Treasury  Department Form W-9 (or other
                  applicable form or statement  specified by Treasury Department
                  regulations in lieu thereof).

                  2. Subject to the terms and conditions  herein set forth,  (a)
the  Company  and each of the  Selling  Stockholders  agree,  severally  and not
jointly,  to  sell to each of the  Underwriters,  and  each of the  Underwriters
agrees,  severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and each of the
Selling  Stockholders,  at a purchase  price per share of $18.60,  the number of
Firm  Shares  (to  be  adjusted  by you so as to  eliminate  fractional  shares)
determined by multiplying the aggregate  number of Firm Shares to be sold by the
Company  and  each of the  Selling  Stockholders  as set  forth  opposite  their
respective names in Schedule II hereto by a fraction,  the numerator of which is
the aggregate  number of Firm Shares to be purchased by such  Underwriter as set
forth  opposite  the name of such  Underwriter  in  Schedule  I  hereto  and the
denominator  of which is the aggregate  number of Firm Shares to be purchased by
all of the  Underwriters  from the Company  and all of the Selling  Stockholders
hereunder  and (b) in the event and to the extent  that the  Underwriters  shall
exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, each of the
Selling Stockholders  agrees,  severally and not jointly, to sell to each of the
Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from each of the Selling Stockholders,  at the purchase price per share
set  forth in  clause  (a) of this  Section  2, that  portion  of the  number of
Optional  Shares as to which  such  election  shall have been  exercised  (to be
adjusted by you so as to eliminate  fractional shares) determined by multiplying
such number of  Optional  Shares by a fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the
maximum number of Optional Shares which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase
as set forth opposite the name of such  Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the
denominator  of which is the maximum  number of Optional  Shares that all of the
Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.

         The Selling Stockholders, as and to the extent indicated in Schedule II
hereto,  hereby grant,  severally and not jointly, to the Underwriters the right
to purchase at their  election up to 675,000  Optional  Shares,  at the purchase
price per  share  set forth in the  paragraph  above,  for the sole  purpose  of
covering  overallotments  in the sale of the Firm Shares.  Any such  election to
purchase  Optional  Shares shall be made in proportion to the maximum  number of
Optional Shares to be sold by each Selling  Stockholder as set forth in Schedule
II hereto.  Any such election to purchase  Optional Shares may be exercised only
by written notice from you to the Selling Stockholders, given within a period of
30  calendar  days  after  the date of this  Agreement  and  setting  forth  the
aggregate  number of Optional  Shares to be purchased and the date on which such
Optional  Shares  are to be  delivered,  as  determined  by you but in no  event
earlier  than the First Time of  Delivery  (as  defined in Section 4 hereof) or,
unless you and the Selling Stockholders otherwise agree in writing, earlier than
two or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.

                  MS&Co.   shall  not   receive  any   underwriting   discounts,
commissions  or fees related to the  purchase,  underwriting  or sale of 714,439
Firm Shares sold by MSLEF and such additional  Shares to be sold by MSLEF in the
event any Optional Shares are purchased.

                  3. The Company hereby confirms its engagement of Goldman, 
Sachs & Co. as, and Goldman, Sachs & Co. hereby confirms its agreement with the 



                                       -8-

<PAGE>



Company to render services as, a "qualified independent  underwriter" within the
meaning of Section 2(o) of Rule 2720 of the National  Association  of Securities
Dealers,  Inc. (the "NASD") with respect to the offering and sale of the Shares.
Goldman,  Sachs & Co., in its capacity as qualified independent  underwriter and
not  otherwise,  is referred  to herein as the "QIU".  As  compensation  for the
services of the QIU hereunder,  the Company agrees to pay the QIU $10,000 on the
Closing Date.

         4. Upon the authorization by you of the release of the Firm Shares, the
several  Underwriters  propose to offer the Firm  Shares for sale upon the terms
and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

         5. (a) The Shares to be purchased  by each  Underwriter  hereunder,  in
         definitive form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in
         such  names  as  Goldman,  Sachs  &  Co.  may  request  upon  at  least
         forty-eight  hours'  prior  notice  to  the  Company  and  the  Selling
         Stockholders  shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company and the
         Selling  Stockholders to Goldman,  Sachs & Co., for the account of such
         Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the
         purchase  price  therefor by wire  transfer or by certified or official
         bank  check or  checks,  payable  to the order of the  Company  and the
         Selling  Stockholders  in Federal  (same day) funds.  The Company  will
         cause the certificates representing the Shares to be made available for
         checking and packaging at least  twenty-four hours prior to the Time of
         Delivery  (as  defined  below)  with  respect  thereto at the office of
         Goldman,  Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street,  New York,  New York 10004 (the
         "Designated  Office").  The time and date of such  delivery and payment
         shall be, with  respect to the Firm  Shares,  9:30 a.m.,  New York City
         time,  on  February  20,  1997 or such other time and date as  Goldman,
         Sachs & Co., the Company and the Selling Stockholders may agree upon in
         writing,  and, with respect to the Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York
         City time, on the date specified by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the written
         notice given by Goldman,  Sachs & Co. of the Underwriters'  election to
         purchase such Optional Shares,  or such other time and date as Goldman,
         Sachs & Co.,  and the Selling  Stockholders  may agree upon in writing.
         Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the
         "First  Time of  Delivery",  such  time and date  for  delivery  of the
         Optional  Shares,  if not the First Time of Delivery,  is herein called
         the "Second Time of Delivery", and each such time and date for delivery
         is herein called a "Time of Delivery".

                  (b) The  documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by
         or on  behalf  of the  parties  hereto  pursuant  to  Section 8 hereof,
         including  the  cross  receipts  for  the  Shares  and  any  additional
         documents  requested  by the  Underwriters  pursuant  to  Section  8(o)
         hereof,  will be delivered  at the offices of Shearman & Sterling,  599
         Lexington  Avenue,  New York, New York 10022 (the "Closing  Location"),
         and the Shares will be delivered at the Designated  Office, all at such
         Time of  Delivery.  A meeting  will be held at the Closing  Location at
         2:00  p.m.,  New York  City  time,  on the New York  Business  Day next
         preceding  such Time of Delivery,  at which meeting the final drafts of
         the documents to be delivered  pursuant to the preceding  sentence will
         be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this
         Agreement,  "New York  Business  Day" shall mean each Monday,  Tuesday,
         Wednesday,  Thursday  and  Friday  which is not a day on which  banking
         institutions  in New York are generally  authorized or obligated by law
         or executive order to close.


                                      -9-

<PAGE>




         6. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters:

                  (a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to
         file  such  Prospectus  pursuant  to  Rule  424(b)  of  the  rules  and
         regulations  of the  Commission  under  the  Act  not  later  than  the
         Commission's close of business on the second business day following the
         execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement,  or, if  applicable,  such
         earlier  time as may be  required by Rule  430A(a)(3)  of the rules and
         regulations  of the  Commission  under  the  Act;  to make  no  further
         amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus
         which shall be  disapproved  by you promptly  after  reasonable  notice
         thereof;  to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof,  of
         the time when any  amendment  to the  Registration  Statement  has been
         filed and becomes  effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any
         amended  Prospectus  has been  filed  and to  furnish  you with  copies
         thereof;  to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof,  of
         the  issuance  by the  Commission  of any stop  order  or of any  order
         preventing  or  suspending  the use of any  Preliminary  Prospectus  or
         Prospectus,  of the suspension of the  qualification  of the Shares for
         offering or sale in any jurisdiction,  of the initiation or threatening
         of any  proceeding  for any  such  purpose,  or of any  request  by the
         Commission  for  the  amending  or  supplementing  of the  Registration
         Statement or  Prospectus  or for  additional  information;  and, in the
         event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order  preventing  or
         suspending  the use of any  Preliminary  Prospectus  or  Prospectus  or
         suspending any such qualification,  promptly to use its best efforts to
         obtain the withdrawal of such order;

                  (b) Promptly  from time to time to take such action as you may
         reasonably  request to qualify the Shares for  offering  and sale under
         the  securities  laws of such  jurisdictions  as you may request and to
         comply  with  such laws so as to permit  the  continuance  of sales and
         dealings therein in such  jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary
         to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in connection
         therewith  the  Company  shall not be  required to qualify as a foreign
         corporation  or to file a general  consent to service of process in any
         jurisdiction;

                  (c) Prior to 10:00 a.m.,  New York City time,  on the New York
         Business Day next  succeeding  the date of this Agreement and from time
         to time,  furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New
         York City in such quantities as you may reasonably request, and, if the
         delivery  of a  prospectus  is  required  at  any  time  prior  to  the
         expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the  Prospectus in
         connection  with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time
         any event shall have  occurred as a result of which the  Prospectus  as
         then amended or  supplemented  would  include an untrue  statement of a
         material fact or omit to state any material fact  necessary in order to
         make the statements  therein,  in the light of the circumstances  under
         which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading,
         or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such period to
         amend or supplement  the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, to
         notify you and upon your request to prepare and furnish  without charge
         to each  Underwriter  and to any dealer in securities as many copies as
         you may from time to time reasonably  request of an amended  Prospectus
         or a supplement to the Prospectus  which will correct such statement or
         omission  or effect such  compliance,  and in case any  Underwriter  is
         required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of any of the
         


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



         Shares at any time nine  months or more  after the time of issue of the
         Prospectus,  upon your request but at the expense of such  Underwriter,
         to prepare  and deliver to such  Underwriter  as many copies as you may
         request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section
         10(a)(3) of the Act;

                  (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon
         as  practicable,  but in any event not later than eighteen months after
         the effective  date of the  Registration  Statement (as defined in Rule
         158(c) of the rules and  regulations of the Commission  under the Act),
         an earnings  statement of the Company and its subsidiaries  (which need
         not be audited)  complying  with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules
         and regulations  thereunder  (including,  at the option of the Company,
         Rule 158);

                  (e)  During  the  period  beginning  from the date  hereof and
         continuing  to and  including  the date one year  after the date of the
         Prospectus,  not to offer, sell,  contract to sell or otherwise dispose
         of, except as provided  hereunder,  any  securities of the Company that
         are substantially  similar to the Shares,  including but not limited to
         any securities that are convertible  into or exchangeable  for, or that
         represent the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar
         securities (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing
         on, or upon the conversion or exchange of  convertible or  exchangeable
         securities  outstanding as of, the date of this Agreement and shares of
         Stock or securities  convertible  into such shares issued in connection
         with  acquisitions,  if the  holder  thereof  executes  and  delivers a
         lock-up  letter  to you in the form  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  A),
         without your prior written consent;

                  (f) To  furnish  to its  stockholders  as soon as  practicable
         after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance
         sheet and statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows of
         the Company and its consolidated  subsidiaries certified by independent
         public  accountants)  and, as soon as practicable after the end of each
         of the first three  quarters of each  fiscal year  (beginning  with the
         fiscal  quarter  ending after the  effective  date of the  Registration
         Statement),  consolidated summary financial  information of the Company
         and its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail;

                  (g) During a period of five years from the  effective  date of
         the Registration  Statement, to furnish to you copies of all reports or
         other  communications  (financial or other)  furnished to stockholders,
         and to deliver to you (i) as soon as they are available,  copies of any
         reports  and  financial  statements  furnished  to or  filed  with  the
         Commission  or any national  securities  exchange on which any class of
         securities  of  the  Company  is  listed;   and  (ii)  such  additional
         information  concerning  the  business and  financial  condition of the
         Company as you may from time to time reasonably request (such financial
         statements to be on a consolidated  basis to the extent the accounts of
         the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports  furnished
         to its stockholders generally or to the Commission);

                  (h) To use the net  proceeds  received  by it from the sale of
         the Shares  pursuant to this  Agreement in the manner  specified in the
         Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds";


                                      -11-

<PAGE>




                  (i) To use its best efforts to list for  quotation  the Shares
         on the National  Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
         National Market System ("NASDAQ");

                  (j) To file with the Commission such reports on Form SR as may
         be required by Rule 463 under the Act; and

                  (k) If the  Company  elects  to rely  upon  Rule  462(b),  the
         Company  shall  file a Rule  462(b)  Registration  Statement  with  the
         Commission  in compliance  with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M.,  Washington,
         D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement,  and the Company shall at the
         time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule
         462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable  instructions for the
         payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Act.

         7. The Company covenants and agrees with the several  Underwriters that
the  Company  will  pay or  cause  to be  paid  the  following:  (i)  the  fees,
disbursements   and  expenses  of  the  Company's  counsel  and  accountants  in
connection  with the  registration  of the  Shares  under  the Act and all other
expenses  in  connection  with  the  preparation,  printing  and  filing  of the
Registration  Statement,  any  Preliminary  Prospectus  and the  Prospectus  and
amendments  and  supplements  thereto and the mailing and  delivering  of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers;  (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement  among  Underwriters,  this  Agreement,  the Blue Sky  Memorandum,
closing documents  (including any compilations  thereof) and any other documents
in  connection  with the  offering,  purchase,  sale and delivery of the Shares;
(iii) all  expenses  in  connection  with the  qualification  of the  Shares for
offering  and sale under  state  securities  laws as  provided  in Section  6(b)
hereof,  including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in
connection with such  qualification  and in connection with the Blue Sky survey;
(iv) all fees and expenses in connection  with listing the Shares on the NASDAQ;
(v) the filing fees incident to, and the fees and  disbursements  of counsel for
the  Underwriters  in  connection  with,  securing  any  required  review by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the
Shares;  (vi) the  cost of  preparing  stock  certificates;  (vii)  the cost and
charges of any transfer agent or registrar;  and (viii) other costs and expenses
incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise
specifically  provided  for in  this  Section;  and  (b)  each  of  the  Selling
Stockholders  covenants  and agrees that such  Selling  Stockholder  will pay or
cause to be paid all costs and  expenses  incident  to the  performance  of such
Selling Stockholder's obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
provided for in this Section, including (i) any fees and expenses of counsel for
such Selling Stockholder and (ii) all taxes incident to the sale and delivery of
the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder to the Underwriters hereunder.
In connection with Clause (b)(ii) of the preceding  sentence,  Goldman,  Sachs &
Co. agrees to pay New York State stock transfer tax, and the Selling Stockholder
agrees to reimburse Goldman,  Sachs & Co. for associated  carrying costs if such
tax payment is not rebated on the day of payment and for any portion of such tax
payments not rebated.  It is understood,  however,  that the Company shall bear,
and the Selling  Stockholders  shall not be required to pay or to reimburse  the
Company for, the cost of any other matters not directly relating to the sale and
purchase of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement,  and that, except as provided
in this Section,  and Sections 9 and 13 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of
their  own  costs  and  expenses,  including  the fees of their  counsel,  stock
transfer  taxes on resale  of any of the  Shares  by them,  and any  advertising
expenses connected with any offers they may make.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>




         8. The obligations of the Underwriters  hereunder,  as to the Shares to
be delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to
the condition that all  representations  and warranties and other  statements of
each Member of the Silgan Group and each Selling  Stockholder herein are, at and
as of such Time of Delivery,  true and correct,  the condition  that the Company
and  the  Selling  Stockholders  shall  have  performed  all  of its  and  their
obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed,  and the following additional
conditions:

                  (a) The  Prospectus  shall have been filed with the Commission
         pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the  applicable  time period  prescribed
         for such  filing  by the  rules  and  regulations  under the Act and in
         accordance with Section 6(a) hereof; if the Company has elected to rely
         upon Rule 462(b),  the Rule 462(b)  Registration  Statement  shall have
         become effective by 10:00 P.M.,  Washington,  D.C. time, on the date of
         this  Agreement;  no stop order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the
         Registration  Statement or any part thereof  shall have been issued and
         no proceeding  for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened
         by the Commission;  and all requests for additional  information on the
         part of the Commission shall have been complied with to your reasonable
         satisfaction;

                  (b) Shearman & Sterling,  counsel for the Underwriters,  shall
         have  furnished  to you such  opinion or opinions (a draft of each such
         opinion  is  attached  as  Annex  II(a)  hereto),  dated  such  Time of
         Delivery,  with respect to the matters covered in paragraphs (i), (ii),
         (vi),  (x) and  (xiii) of  subsection  (c) below as well as such  other
         related matters as you may reasonably  request,  and such counsel shall
         have  received  such  papers  and  information  as they may  reasonably
         request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

                  (c)  Winthrop,  Stimson,  Putnam &  Roberts,  counsel  for the
         Company,  shall have furnished to you their written opinion (a draft of
         such  opinion is attached as Annex  II(b)  hereto),  dated such Time of
         Delivery,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to you,  to the effect
         that:

                           (i) The  Company  has been duly  incorporated  and is
                  validly  existing as a corporation  in good standing under the
                  laws of the  State  of  Delaware,  with  corporate  power  and
                  authority  to own its  properties  and conduct its business as
                  described in the Prospectus;

                           (ii) The Company has an authorized  capitalization as
                  set forth in the  Prospectus,  and all of the issued shares of
                  capital  stock of the  Company  (including  the  Shares  being
                  delivered at such Time of Delivery) have been duly and validly
                  authorized  and issued and are fully paid and  non-assessable;
                  and  the  Shares  conform  to the  description  of  the  Stock
                  contained in the Prospectus;

                           (iii)  The  Company  has  been  duly  qualified  as a
                  foreign  corporation for the transaction of business and is in
                  good  standing  under the laws of each other  jurisdiction  in
                  which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business as
                  described   in  the   Prospectus   so  as  to   require   such
                  qualification,  except to the extent that the failure to be so
                  qualified  or be in good  standing  would not have a  material
                  


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



                  adverse  effect  on the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  (such
                  counsel  being  entitled to rely in respect of matters of fact
                  upon  certificates  of officers of the Company,  provided that
                  such  counsel  shall state that they believe that both you and
                  they are justified in relying upon such certificates);

                           (iv) Each of Silgan, Containers and Plastics has been
                  duly  incorporated,  is validly  existing as a corporation  in
                  good  standing   under  the  laws  of  its   jurisdiction   of
                  incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own
                  its  property  and to conduct its business as described in the
                  Prospectus;  and all of the issued  shares of capital stock of
                  each of Silgan,  Containers  and  Plastics  have been duly and
                  validly   authorized   and   issued,   are   fully   paid  and
                  non-assessable,  and are owned  directly or  indirectly by the
                  Company, free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances,  equities
                  or  claims  other  than such  pledges  of such  capital  stock
                  existing on the date hereof made in connection with the Credit
                  Agreement,   dated  as  of  August  1,  1995,   among  Silgan,
                  Containers,  Plastics  and the  banks  parties  thereto  (such
                  counsel  being  entitled  to rely in respect of the opinion in
                  this clause upon  opinions of local  counsel and in respect to
                  matters of fact upon  certificates  of officers of the Company
                  or its  subsidiaries,  provided  that such counsel shall state
                  that  they  believe  that both you and they are  justified  in
                  relying upon such opinions and certificates);

                           (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other
                  than as set  forth in the  Prospectus,  there  are no legal or
                  governmental  proceedings  pending to which the Company or any
                  of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the
                  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is the subject which,  if
                  determined   adversely   to   the   Company   or  any  of  its
                  subsidiaries,  would  individually  or in the aggregate have a
                  material adverse effect on the current or future  consolidated
                  financial  position,   stockholders'   equity  or  results  of
                  operations  of the Company and its  subsidiaries;  and, to the
                  best of such  counsel's  knowledge,  no such  proceedings  are
                  threatened by governmental authorities or others;

                          (vi) This   Agreement  has  been  duly   authorized,
                  executed and delivered by the Company;

                           (vii) The  issue  and  sale  of  the  Shares   being
                  delivered  at such Time of  Delivery  by the  Company  and the
                  compliance  by the Company with all of the  provisions of this
                  Agreement  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  herein
                  contemplated  will not conflict  with or result in a breach or
                  violation of any of the terms or provisions  of, or constitute
                  a default under,  any material  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
                  trust,  loan agreement or other agreement or instrument  known
                  to  such   counsel  to  which  the   Company  or  any  of  its
                  subsidiaries  is a party or by which the Company or any of its
                  subsidiaries  is  bound  or to which  any of the  property  or
                  assets of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is subject,
                  nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions
                  of the Certificate of  Incorporation or By-laws of the Company
                  or any statute or any order,  rule or regulation known to such
                  counsel  of any  court or  governmental  agency or body of the
                  United States or the states of Connecticut,  New York or (only
                  with respect to the General Corporation


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  Law)  Delaware  having jurisdiction over the Company or any of
                  its subsidiaries or any of their properties;

                           (viii) No consent,  approval,  authorization,  order,
                  registration  or   qualification  of  or  with  any  court  or
                  governmental agency or body of the United States or the states
                  of Connecticut,  New York or (only with respect to the General
                  Corporation  Law)  Delaware is required for the issue and sale
                  of the  Shares  by the  Company  or  the  consummation  by the
                  Company of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement,
                  except the registration  under the Act of the Shares, and such
                  consents,   approvals,   authorizations,    registrations   or
                  qualifications  as may be required  under state  securities or
                  Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution
                  of the Shares by the Underwriters;

                           (ix) After  reasonable  due  inquiry,  to the best of
                  such counsel's  knowledge,  neither the Company nor any of its
                  subsidiaries   is  in   violation   of  its   Certificate   of
                  Incorporation  or By-laws or in default in the  performance or
                  observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition
                  contained in any material indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust,
                  loan  agreement,  lease or other  agreement or  instrument  to
                  which it is a party  or by  which it or any of its  properties
                  may be bound,  except for such defaults as do not and will not
                  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company  and  its
                  subsidiaries;

                           (x) The statements set forth in the Prospectus  under
                  the caption  "Description of Capital  Stock",  insofar as they
                  purport to  constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock and
                  under the caption  "Underwriting",  insofar as they purport to
                  describe the provisions of the laws and documents  referred to
                  therein, are accurate, complete and fair;

                           (xi) The Company is not an "investment company" or an
                  entity "controlled" by an "investment  company", as such terms
                  are defined in the Investment  Company Act,  assuming MSLEF is
                  not an  "investment  company"  and is not  "controlled"  by an
                  "investment company";

                           (xii) The documents  incorporated by reference in the
                  Prospectus (other than the financial  statements and schedules
                  and other  financial  data  therein,  as to which such counsel
                  need  express  no  opinion),  when  they were  filed  with the
                  Commission,  complied as to form in all material respects with
                  the  requirements  of the  Exchange  Act  and  the  rules  and
                  regulations  of the  Commission  thereunder;  and they have no
                  reason  to  believe  that  any of such  documents,  when  such
                  documents  were so filed,  contained an untrue  statement of a
                  material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in
                  order  to make the  statements  therein,  in the  light of the
                  circumstances  under which they were made when such  documents
                  were so filed, not misleading; and

                           (xiii) The Registration  Statement and the Prospectus
                  and any further amendments and supplements thereto made by the
                  Company  prior  to  such  Time of  Delivery  (other  than  the
                  financial  statements  and schedules and other  financial data
                  therein, as to which such counsel  need  express  no  opinion)


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



                  comply  as  to  form  in  all  material   respects   with  the
                  requirements   of  the  Act  and  the  rules  and  regulations
                  thereunder; although they do not assume any responsibility for
                  the  accuracy,  completeness  or  fairness  of the  statements
                  contained in the  Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus,
                  except for those  referred to in the opinion in subsection (x)
                  of this Section 8(c),  they have no reason to believe that, as
                  of its  effective  date,  the  Registration  Statement  or any
                  further  amendment  thereto made by the Company  prior to such
                  Time of Delivery  (other  than the  financial  statements  and
                  schedules and other  financial data therein,  as to which such
                  counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement
                  of a  material  fact  or  omitted  to  state a  material  fact
                  required  to be  stated  therein  or  necessary  to  make  the
                  statements therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the
                  Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement thereto made
                  by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery  (other than the
                  financial  statements  and schedules and other  financial data
                  therein,  as to which such  counsel  need  express no opinion)
                  contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
                  state  a  material  fact  necessary  to  make  the  statements
                  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under which they
                  were  made,  not  misleading  or  that,  as of  such  Time  of
                  Delivery,  either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
                  or any further  amendment  or  supplement  thereto made by the
                  Company  prior  to  such  Time of  Delivery  (other  than  the
                  financial  statements  and schedules and other  financial data
                  therein,  as to which such  counsel  need  express no opinion)
                  contains an untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omits to
                  state  a  material  fact  necessary  to  make  the  statements
                  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under which they
                  were  made,  not  misleading;  and  they  do not  know  of any
                  amendment to the Registration  Statement  required to be filed
                  or of any contracts or other documents of a character required
                  to be filed as an exhibit  to the  Registration  Statement  or
                  required to be  incorporated  by reference into the Prospectus
                  or required to be described in the  Registration  Statement or
                  the  Prospectus   which  are  not  filed  or  incorporated  by
                  reference or described as required;

                  (d)  McKenna  &  Cuneo,  L.L.P.  independent  counsel  for the
         Company,  shall have furnished to you their written opinion (a draft of
         such  opinion is attached as Annex  II(c)  hereto),  dated such Time of
         Delivery,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to you,  to the effect
         that:

                           (i) Based on such  counsel's  knowledge,  the Company
                  and its  subsidiaries:  (x) are in compliance with any and all
                  applicable  federal,  state  and  local  laws and  regulations
                  relating  to the  protection  of  human  health,  safety,  the
                  environment,  and  hazardous  or toxic  substances  or wastes,
                  pollutants or  contaminants  ("Environmental  Laws");  and (y)
                  have received and comply with all terms and  conditions of all
                  permits,  licenses or other  approvals  required of them under
                  applicable  Environmental  Laws to  conduct  their  respective
                  businesses -- except as otherwise described in or contemplated
                  by this  Agreement  and except  where  McKenna & Cuneo  L.L.P.
                  believes  such  noncompliance  with  Environmental  Laws,  and
                  failure to receive or comply with the terms and  conditions of
                  required permits, licenses or other approvals does not likely,
                  singly  or in the  aggregate  and  taken  as a  whole,  have a
                  material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries;


                                      -16-

<PAGE>




                           (ii) No opinion or other assessment (other than audit
                  response  letters)  has been  provided  as to any  pending  or
                  threatened litigation against the Company or any subsidiary;

                           (iii) Each of  California-Washington  Can Corporation
                  and SCCW Can Corporation (the "California  Subsidiaries") is a
                  corporation   incorporated,   validly  existing  and  in  good
                  standing under the laws of the State of California;

                           (iv) To such  counsel's  current,  actual  knowledge,
                  each of the California  Subsidiaries  has full corporate power
                  and  authority to conduct its business as currently  conducted
                  in accordance with its articles of incorporation. The articles
                  of incorporation of each California  Subsidiary  provides that
                  "[t]he purpose of this  corporation is to engage in any lawful
                  act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under
                  the  General  Corporation  Law of  California  other  than the
                  banking  business,  the trust company business or the practice
                  of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California
                  Corporations Code."

                  (e) Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn LLP, independent counsel
         for the Company,  shall have furnished to you their written  opinion (a
         draft of such  opinion is attached as Annex II(d)  hereto),  dated such
         Time of Delivery,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to you, to the
         effect that:

                  Nothing has come to such counsel's  attention which would lead
                  them to conclude  that the first  paragraph  under the caption
                  "Legal Proceedings",  insofar as such paragraph  constitutes a
                  summary  of  the  legal  matters,   documents  or  proceedings
                  referred  to  therein,  does not fairly  summarize  the matter
                  referred to therein.

                  (f)  The   respective   counsel   for  each  of  the   Selling
         Stockholders,  as  indicated  in  Schedule  II hereto,  each shall have
         furnished  to you their  written  opinion  with  respect to each of the
         Selling  Stockholders  for whom they are acting as counsel,  dated such
         Time of Delivery,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to you, to the
         effect that:

                           (i)  This   Agreement  has  been  duly  executed  and
                  delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder; and the
                  sale of the  Shares  to be sold  by such  Selling  Stockholder
                  hereunder and  thereunder  and the  compliance by such Selling
                  Stockholder  with all of the  provisions of this Agreement and
                  the consummation of the transactions  herein contemplated will
                  not  conflict  with or result in a breach or  violation of any
                  terms or  provisions  of, or constitute a default  under,  any
                  statute  (except  that no opinion need be expressed in respect
                  of the Investment Company Act), indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
                  trust,  loan agreement or other agreement or instrument  known
                  to such counsel to which such Selling  Stockholder  is a party
                  or by which such Selling Stockholder is bound, or to which any
                  of the  property  or assets  of such  Selling  Stockholder  is
                  subject,  nor will such action  result in any violation of the
                  provisions of the Certificate of  Incorporation  or By-laws of
                  such  Selling  Stockholder  if such Selling  Stockholder  is a
                  


                                      -17-

<PAGE>



                  corporation, the Limited Partnership Agreement of such Selling
                  Stockholder   if  such  Selling   Stockholder   is  a  limited
                  partnership  or any order,  rule or  regulation  known to such
                  counsel  of any court or  governmental  agency or body  having
                  jurisdiction over such Selling  Stockholder or the property of
                  such Selling Stockholder;

                           (ii) No consent, approval,  authorization or order of
                  any court or  governmental  agency or body is required for the
                  consummation   of  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this
                  Agreement  in  connection  with the  Shares to be sold by such
                  Selling  Stockholder  hereunder or thereunder,  except such as
                  have been  obtained  under the Act and such as may be required
                  under  state  or  foreign  securities  or  Blue  Sky  laws  in
                  connection  with the purchase and  distribution of such Shares
                  by the Underwriters; and

                           (iii)  Immediately  prior  to the date  hereof,  each
                  Selling  Stockholder  was the  sole  registered  owner  of the
                  Shares  to  be  sold  by  such   Selling   Stockholder;   upon
                  registration of the Shares in the names of the Underwriters in
                  the stock  records of the  Company,  and the  issuance  of new
                  certificates  registered  in the  names  of  the  Underwriters
                  representing such Shares,  assuming the Underwriters purchased
                  the Shares in good  faith and  without  notice of any  adverse
                  claim within the meaning of the Uniform  Commercial  Code, the
                  Underwriters   will   have   acquired   all   rights  of  such
                  Stockholders in the Shares free of any adverse claim, any lien
                  in favor of the  Company,  and any  restrictions  on  transfer
                  imposed by the Company,  and the owner of the Shares, if other
                  than  such  Selling   Stockholder,   will  be  precluded  from
                  asserting against the Underwriters the  ineffectiveness of any
                  unauthorized endorsement.

                           In  rendering  such  opinion,  such counsel may state
         that they express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction outside
         the United  States and in rendering the opinion in  subparagraph  (iii)
         such counsel may rely upon a certificate of such Selling Stockholder in
         respect of matters of fact as to ownership of, and liens, encumbrances,
         equities  or claims on the  Shares  sold by such  Selling  Stockholder,
         provided  that such counsel shall state that they believe that both you
         and they are justified in relying upon such certificate;

                  (g) On the  date  of the  Prospectus  at a time  prior  to the
         execution of this  Agreement,  at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the
         effective  date of any  post-effective  amendment  to the  Registration
         Statement  filed  subsequent to the date of this  Agreement and also at
         each Time of Delivery,  Ernst & Young LLP shall have furnished to you a
         letter or letters,  dated the respective dates of delivery thereof,  in
         form and  substance  satisfactory  to you,  to the  effect set forth in
         Annex I hereto (the executed copy of the letter  delivered prior to the
         execution of this Agreement is attached as Annex I hereto);

                  (h) On the  date  of the  Prospectus  at a time  prior  to the
         execution of this  Agreement,  at 9:30 a.m. New York City time,  on the
         effective  date of any  post-effective  amendment  to the  Registration
         Statement  filed  subsequent to the date of this  Agreement and also at
         


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



         each Time of Delivery,  Price  Waterhouse  LLP, shall have furnished to
         you a letter  or  letters,  dated  the  respective  dates  of  delivery
         thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to you.

                  (i)(i) Neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  shall
         have  sustained  since  the  date  of  the  latest  audited   financial
         statements  included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any
         loss or interference with its business from fire,  explosion,  flood or
         other calamity,  whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor
         dispute or court or  governmental  action,  order or decree,  otherwise
         than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, and (ii) since the
         respective  dates as of which  information  is given in the  Prospectus
         there shall not have been any change in the capital  stock or long-term
         debt of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  or any change,  or any
         development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
         affairs,  management,   financial  position,  stockholders'  equity  or
         results of  operations of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  otherwise
         than as set forth or  contemplated  in the  Prospectus,  the  effect of
         which,  in any such case  described  in clause (i) or (ii),  is in your
         judgment  so  material  and  adverse  as to  make it  impracticable  or
         inadvisable to proceed with the public  offering or the delivery of the
         Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the
         manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

                  (j) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading  shall have
         occurred  in the rating  accorded  the  Company's  debt  securities  or
         preferred  stock  by  any  "nationally  recognized  statistical  rating
         organization",  as that term is defined by the  Commission for purposes
         of Rule 436(g)(2)  under the Act, and (ii) no such  organization  shall
         have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review,  with
         possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's debt
         securities or preferred stock;

                  (k) On or after the date hereof there shall not have  occurred
         any of the  following:  (i) a  suspension  or  material  limitation  in
         trading in  securities  generally on the New York Stock  Exchange or on
         the NASDAQ;  (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the
         Company's  securities  on the  NASDAQ;  (iii) a general  moratorium  on
         commercial  banking  activities  declared by either Federal or New York
         State  authorities;  or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of  hostilities
         involving the United States or the  declaration by the United States of
         a national  emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified
         in  this  clause  (iv) in  your  judgment  makes  it  impracticable  or
         inadvisable to proceed with the public  offering or the delivery of the
         Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the
         manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

                  (l) The  Shares  to be sold  by the  Company  and the  Selling
         Stockholders  at such Time of Delivery  shall have been duly listed for
         quotation on NASDAQ;

                  (m) The Company has obtained and delivered to the Underwriters
         executed copies of an agreement from MSLEF, D. Greg Horrigan, R. Philip
         Silver,  Bankers Trust New York  Corporation  ("BTNY"),  Harley Rankin,
         Jr., James D. Beam and Russell F. Gervais,  substantially to the effect
         set forth in Section 6(e) hereof (except,  in respect of Harley Rankin,
         Jr., James D. Beam and Russell F. Gervais,  the duration of the lock-up
         shall be 180 days) in form and substance satisfactory to you;


                                      -19-

<PAGE>




                  (n) The Company  shall have  complied  with the  provisions of
         Section 6(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of  prospectuses  on
         the New York Business Day next  succeeding the date of this  Agreement;
         and

                  (o)  The  Company  and the  Selling  Stockholders  shall  have
         furnished  or caused to be  furnished  to you at such Time of  Delivery
         certificates  of  officers  of the  Company or any other  Member of the
         Silgan   Group   and  of  the   Selling   Stockholders,   respectively,
         satisfactory  to you  as to the  accuracy  of the  representations  and
         warranties  of  each  Member  of the  Silgan  Group  and  each  Selling
         Stockholder,  respectively,  herein at and as of such Time of Delivery,
         as  to  their  respective  performance  of  all  of  their  obligations
         hereunder to be  performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery,  as to
         the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (i) of this Section and as
         to such other matters as you may reasonably request.

                  9. (a) Each  Member  of the  Silgan  Group  will  jointly  and
         severally  indemnify  and hold harmless  each  Underwriter  against any
         losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such
         Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise,  insofar as
         such  losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  (or actions in respect
         thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue  statement or alleged
         untrue  statement  of a  material  fact  contained  in any  Preliminary
         Prospectus,  the  Registration  Statement  or  the  Prospectus,  or any
         amendment or supplement  thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
         omission or alleged  omission to state therein a material fact required
         to be stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not
         misleading,  and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other
         expenses  reasonably  incurred by such  Underwriter in connection  with
         investigating  or defending  any such action or claim as such  expenses
         are  incurred;  provided,  however,  that no Member of the Silgan Group
         shall be  liable  in any such case to the  extent  that any such  loss,
         claim,  damage or  liability  arises  out of or is based upon an untrue
         statement or alleged untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission
         made in any Preliminary  Prospectus,  the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectus or any such  amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
         conformity  with  written  information  furnished to the Company by any
         Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein.

                  (b) Each of MSLEF and BTNY will  indemnify  and hold  harmless
         each Underwriter  against any losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities,
         joint or several,  to which such Underwriter may become subject,  under
         the Act or  otherwise,  insofar  as such  losses,  claims,  damages  or
         liabilities  (or actions in respect  thereof) arise out of or are based
         upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
         contained in any Preliminary Prospectus,  the Registration Statement or
         the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of
         or are based upon the omission or alleged  omission to state  therein a
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only
         to the extent,  that such untrue  statement or alleged untrue statement
         or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus,
         the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or
         supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written  information
         furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder  expressly for use
         therein;  and will  reimburse each  Underwriter  for any legal or other
         expenses  reasonably  incurred by such  Underwriter in connection  with
         


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



         investigating  or defending  any such action or claim as such  expenses
         are incurred;  provided,  however,  that such Selling Stockholder shall
         not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
         damage or liability  arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement
         or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any
         Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
         any such  amendment or  supplement  in reliance  upon and in conformity
         with written  information  furnished to the Company by any  Underwriter
         through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein.

                  (c) Each  Underwriter  will  indemnify  and hold  harmless the
         Company  and each  Selling  Stockholder  against  any  losses,  claims,
         damages or liabilities to which the Company or such Seller  Stockholder
         may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
         claims,  damages or liabilities  (or actions in respect  thereof) arise
         out  of or are  based  upon  an  untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue
         statement of a material fact contained in any  Preliminary  Prospectus,
         the  Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus,  or any  amendment or
         supplement  thereto,  or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
         alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  in
         each case to the  extent,  but only to the  extent,  that  such  untrue
         statement or alleged untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission
         was made in any Preliminary  Prospectus,  the Registration Statement or
         the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and
         in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
         Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and
         will reimburse the Company and each Selling  Stockholder  for any legal
         or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred by the Company or such Selling
         Stockholder  in  connection  with  investigating  or defending any such
         action or claim as such expenses are incurred.

                  (d)  Promptly  after  receipt by an  indemnified  party  under
         subsection  (a), (b) or (c) above of notice of the  commencement of any
         action,  such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is
         to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify
         the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement  thereof; but the
         omission so to notify the indemnifying  party shall not relieve it from
         any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than
         under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought against
         any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
         commencement  thereof,  the  indemnifying  party  shall be  entitled to
         participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with
         any other indemnifying party similarly notified,  to assume the defense
         thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall
         not,  except with the consent of the  indemnified  party, be counsel to
         the indemnifying  party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party
         to such  indemnified  party of its  election  so to assume the  defense
         thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified
         party under such  subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or
         any  other  expenses,  in  each  case  subsequently  incurred  by  such
         indemnified  party,  in connection  with the defense thereof other than
         reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without
         the written consent of the indemnified party,  effect the settlement or
         compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to,
         any  pending  or  threatened  action  or  claim  in  respect of which


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



         indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not
         the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or
         claim) unless such  settlement,  compromise or judgment (i) includes an
         unconditional  release  of the  indemnified  party  from all  liability
         arising  out of such  action  or claim  and (ii)  does  not  include  a
         statement as to or an admission of fault,  culpability  or a failure to
         act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

                  (e) If the  indemnification  provided for in this Section 9 is
         unavailable to or  insufficient  to hold harmless an indemnified  party
         under  subsection  (a),  (b) or (c)  above in  respect  of any  losses,
         claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred
         to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount
         paid or payable by such  indemnified  party as a result of such losses,
         claims,  damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such
         proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative  benefits received
         by the  Members  of the  Silgan  Group on a  collective  basis  and the
         Selling  Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other
         from the offering of the Shares. If, however,  the allocation  provided
         by the  immediately  preceding  sentence is not permitted by applicable
         law or if the  indemnified  party  failed to give the  notice  required
         under  subsection  (d)  above,  then  each  indemnifying   party  shall
         contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified  party in
         such  proportion  as is  appropriate  to reflect not only such relative
         benefits but also the relative fault of the Members of the Silgan Group
         on a collective basis and the Selling  Stockholders on the one hand and
         the  Underwriters  on the other in  connection  with the  statements or
         omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
         (or  actions  in  respect  thereof),  as  well  as any  other  relevant
         equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Members
         of the Silgan Group on a collective basis and the Selling  Stockholders
         on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be
         in the same  proportion  as the total net  proceeds  from the  offering
         (before  deducting  expenses)  received  by the Company and the Selling
         Stockholders bear to the total  underwriting  discounts and commissions
         received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on
         the  cover  page  of  the  Prospectus.  The  relative  fault  shall  be
         determined by reference  to, among other things,  whether the untrue or
         alleged untrue  statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
         omission to state a material  fact relates to  information  supplied by
         any Member of the Silgan Group or Selling  Stockholder  on the one hand
         or the  Underwriters  on the other and the  parties'  relative  intent,
         knowledge,  access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
         such  statement or omission.  Each Member of the Silgan Group,  each of
         the Selling  Stockholders and the Underwriters  agree that it would not
         be just and equitable if contributions  pursuant to this subsection (e)
         were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the  Underwriters  were
         treated  as one  entity  for such  purpose)  or by any other  method of
         allocation which does not take account of the equitable  considerations
         referred to above in this subsection (e). The amount paid or payable by
         an  indemnified  party as a result of the  losses,  claims,  damages or
         liabilities (or actions in respect  thereof)  referred to above in this
         subsection  (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other  expenses
         reasonably  incurred  by such  indemnified  party  in  connection  with
         investigating  or defending  any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding
         the provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required
         to  contribute  any  amount in excess of the  amount by which the total
         price at which the Shares  underwritten  by it and  distributed  to the
         public were offered to the public exceeds the amount  of  any  damages


                                      -22-

<PAGE>



         which such  Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
         such  untrue  or  alleged  untrue  statement  or  omission  or  alleged
         omission. No person guilty of fraudulent  misrepresentation (within the
         meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to  contribution
         from   any   person   who   was   not   guilty   of   such   fraudulent
         misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (e)
         to  contribute   are  several  in   proportion   to  their   respective
         underwriting obligations and not joint.

                  (f) The obligations of each Member of the Silgan Group and the
         Selling  Stockholders  under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any
         liability  which  such  Member of the Silgan  Group and the  respective
         Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
         terms  and  conditions,  to each  person,  if  any,  who  controls  any
         Underwriter  within the meaning of the Act; and the  obligations of the
         Underwriters under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability
         which the respective  Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend,
         upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the
         Company and to each  person,  if any,  who  controls the Company or any
         Selling Stockholder within the meaning of the Act.

                  10.  (a) Each  Member of the  Silgan  Group  and each  Selling
         Stockholder  will jointly and  severally  indemnify  and hold  harmless
         Goldman,  Sachs & Co.,  in its  capacity  as QIU,  against  any losses,
         claims, damages or liabilities,  joint or several, to which the QIU may
         become  subject,  under the Act or  otherwise,  insofar as such losses,
         claims,  damages or liabilities  (or actions in respect  thereof) arise
         out  of or are  based  upon  an  untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue
         statement of a material fact contained in any  Preliminary  Prospectus,
         the  Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus,  or any  amendment or
         supplement  thereto,  or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
         alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  in
         each case, as to the Selling  Stockholders,  to the extent, but only to
         the extent,  that such untrue  statement or alleged untrue statement or
         omission or alleged  omission was made in any  Preliminary  Prospectus,
         the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or
         supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written  information
         furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder  expressly for use
         therein;  and will  reimburse  the QIU for any legal or other  expenses
         reasonably  incurred by the QIU in  connection  with  investigating  or
         defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.

                  (b)  Promptly  after  receipt  by  the  QIU of  notice  of the
         commencement  of any  action,  the QIU  shall,  if a claim  in  respect
         thereof is to be made  against  any  Member of the Silgan  Group or any
         Selling  Stockholder under subsection (a) above,  notify the Company or
         the  Selling  Stockholder,  as the  case  may  be,  in  writing  of the
         commencement  thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company or the
         Selling  Stockholder,  as the case may be, shall not relieve any Member
         of the Silgan Group or any Selling Stockholder from any liability which
         it may have to the QIU otherwise  than under such  subsection.  In case
         any such action  shall be brought  against the QIU and it shall  notify
         the Company and the Selling  Stockholders of the commencement  thereof,
         the Company or the Selling  Stockholder,  as the case may be,  shall be
         entitled to participate  therein and, to the extent that it shall wish,
         jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume
         


                                      -23-

<PAGE>



         the defense  thereof,  with counsel  satisfactory to the QIU (who shall
         not,  except  with the  consent of the QIU, be counsel to any Member of
         the Silgan Group), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to the
         QIU of its election so to assume the defense thereof,  the indemnifying
         party  shall not be liable to the QIU  under  such  subsection  for any
         legal  expenses of other  counsel or any other  expenses,  in each case
         subsequently  incurred  by the QIU,  in  connection  with  the  defense
         thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.  No Member of the
         Silgan Group or Selling Stockholder shall,  without the written consent
         of the  indemnified  party,  effect the settlement or compromise of, or
         consent to the entry of any  judgment  with  respect to, any pending or
         threatened  action  or claim in  respect  of which  indemnification  or
         contribution  may be  sought  hereunder  (whether  or not the QIU is an
         actual  or  potential  party  to such  action  or  claim)  unless  such
         settlement,  compromise  or  judgment  (i)  includes  an  unconditional
         release of the QIU from all  liability  arising  out of such  action or
         claim and (ii) does not include a statement  as to or an  admission  of
         fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the QIU.

                  (c) If the indemnification  provided for in this Section 10 is
         unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.,
         in its capacity as QIU,  under  subsection  (a) above in respect of any
         losses,  claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
         referred  to  therein,  then each  Member of the Silgan  Group and each
         Selling  Stockholder  shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
         the QIU as a result of such losses,  claims, damages or liabilities (or
         actions in respect  thereof) in such  proportion as is  appropriate  to
         reflect  the  relative  benefits  received by the Members of the Silgan
         Group on a  collective  basis and the Selling  Stockholders  on the one
         hand and the QIU on the other  from the  offering  of the  Shares.  If,
         however, the allocation provided by the immediately  preceding sentence
         is not  permitted  by  applicable  law or if the QIU failed to give the
         notice  required under  subsection  (b) above,  then each Member of the
         Silgan  Group and each Selling  Stockholder  shall  contribute  to such
         amount paid or payable by the QIU in such  proportion as is appropriate
         to reflect not only such relative  benefits but also the relative fault
         of the  Members  of the  Silgan  Group on a  collective  basis  and the
         Selling  Stockholders  on the one  hand  and the  QIU on the  other  in
         connection  with the  statements  or omissions  which  resulted in such
         losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof),
         as well as any other relevant  equitable  considerations.  The relative
         benefits  received by the Members of the Silgan  Group on a  collective
         basis and the Selling  Stockholders  on the one hand and the QIU on the
         other  shall be  deemed to be in the same  proportion  as the total net
         proceeds from the offering (before deducting  expenses) received by the
         Company and the Selling Stockholders,  as set forth in the table on the
         cover  page  of the  Prospectus,  bear to the  fee  payable  to the QIU
         pursuant to Section 3 hereof. The relative fault shall be determined by
         reference to, among other things,  whether the untrue or alleged untrue
         statement  of a material  fact or the  omission or alleged  omission to
         state a material fact relates to information  supplied by any Member of
         the Silgan Group or Selling  Stockholder  on the one hand or the QIU on
         the  other  and the  parties'  relative  intent,  knowledge,  access to
         information  and  opportunity  to correct or prevent such  statement or
         omission. Each Member of the Silgan Group, each Selling Stockholder and
         the QIU agree that it would not be just and equitable if  contributions
         pursuant to this  subsection (c) were determined by pro rata allocation
         or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
         equitable  considerations referred to above in this subsection (c). The
         


                                      -24-

<PAGE>



         amount  paid or payable by the QIU as a result of the  losses,  claims,
         damages or  liabilities  (or  actions in respect  thereof)  referred to
         above in this  subsection  (c) shall be deemed to include  any legal or
         other  expenses  reasonably  incurred  by  such  indemnified  party  in
         connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. No
         person  guilty of fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of
         Section  11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to  contribution  from any
         person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

                  (d) The  obligations  of each  Member of the Silgan  Group and
         each Selling  Stockholder under this Section 10 shall be in addition to
         any  liability  which such Member of the Silgan  Group and such Selling
         Stockholder  may otherwise  have and shall extend,  upon the same terms
         and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls the QIU within the
         meaning of the Act.

                  11. (a) If any Underwriter  shall default in its obligation to
         purchase the Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time
         of  Delivery,  you may in your  discretion  arrange  for you or another
         party or other parties to purchase  such Shares on the terms  contained
         herein.   If  within   thirty-six  hours  after  such  default  by  any
         Underwriter  you do not arrange for the purchase of such  Shares,  then
         the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall be entitled to a further
         period of  thirty-six  hours within which to procure  another  party or
         other parties reasonably satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on
         such  terms.  In the  event  that,  within  the  respective  prescribed
         periods,  you notify the Company and the Selling  Stockholders that you
         have so arranged for the  purchase of such  Shares,  or the Company and
         the Selling  Stockholders  notify you that it has so  arranged  for the
         purchase  of  such   Shares,   you  or  the  Company  and  the  Selling
         Stockholders shall have the right to postpone such Time of Delivery for
         a period  of not more than  seven  days,  in order to  effect  whatever
         changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration  Statement or
         the  Prospectus,  or in any other  documents or  arrangements,  and the
         Company  agrees to file  promptly any  amendments  to the  Registration
         Statement or the  Prospectus  which in your opinion may thereby be made
         necessary.  The  term  "Underwriter"  as used in this  Agreement  shall
         include any person  substituted  under this Section with like effect as
         if such  person  had  originally  been a party to this  Agreement  with
         respect to such Shares.

                  (b)  If,  after  giving  effect  to any  arrangements  for the
         purchase of the Shares of a defaulting  Underwriter or  Underwriters by
         you and the  Company  and  the  Selling  Stockholders  as  provided  in
         subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains
         unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all
         the Shares to be purchased  at such Time of Delivery,  then the Company
         shall  have the right to require  each  non-defaulting  Underwriter  to
         purchase the number of shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase
         hereunder at such Time of Delivery  and, in  addition,  to require each
         non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the
         number of Shares which such Underwriter  agreed to purchase  hereunder)
         of the Shares of such defaulting  Underwriter or Underwriters for which
         such  arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve
         a  defaulting  Underwriter  from  liability  for its default or require
         MS&Co. to purchase, underwrite or sell any MSLEF Shares.



                                      -25-

<PAGE>



                  (c)  If,  after  giving  effect  to any  arrangements  for the
         purchase of the Shares of a defaulting  Underwriter or  Underwriters by
         you and the  Company  and  the  Selling  Stockholders  as  provided  in
         subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains
         unpurchased  exceeds  one-eleventh  of the aggregate  number of all the
         Shares to be  purchased  at such Time of  Delivery,  or if the  Company
         shall not  exercise  the right  described  in  subsection  (b) above to
         require non-defaulting  Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting
         Underwriter or  Underwriters,  then this Agreement (or, with respect to
         the Second Time of Delivery,  the  obligations of the  Underwriters  to
         purchase and of the Selling  Stockholders to sell the Optional  Shares)
         shall  thereupon  terminate,  without  liability  on  the  part  of any
         non-defaulting  Underwriter or the Company or the Selling Stockholders,
         except for the  expenses  to be borne by the  Company  and the  Selling
         Stockholders  and the  Underwriters as provided in Section 7 hereof and
         the indemnity  and  contribution  agreements  in Section 9 hereof;  but
         nothing  herein shall relieve a defaulting  Underwriter  from liability
         for its default or require MS&Co.  to purchase,  underwrite or sell any
         MSLEF Shares.

                  12. The respective indemnities,  agreements,  representations,
         warranties and other statements of the Members of the Silgan Group, the
         Selling Stockholders and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this
         Agreement  or made by or on behalf of them,  respectively,  pursuant to
         this  Agreement,  shall remain in full force and effect,  regardless of
         any  investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by
         or on  behalf  of any  Underwriter  or any  controlling  person  of any
         Underwriter,  or  any  Member  of the  Silgan  Group,  or  any  Selling
         Stockholder,  or any officer or director or  controlling  person of any
         Member of the Silgan Group,  or any  controlling  person of any Selling
         Stockholder and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

                  13. If this Agreement shall be terminated  pursuant to Section
         11 hereof,  no Member of the Silgan Group nor the Selling  Stockholders
         shall then be under any liability to any Underwriter except as provided
         in Sections 7 and 9 hereof and to the QIU except as provided in Section
         10 hereof;  but, if for any other reason,  any Shares are not delivered
         by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein,  the Company,  or if
         for any other  reason,  any Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of
         the Selling Stockholders as provided herein, the Selling  Stockholders,
         will  reimburse  the  Underwriters  through  you for all  out-of-pocket
         expenses  approved in writing by you,  including fees and disbursements
         of  counsel,   reasonably   incurred  by  the  Underwriters  in  making
         preparations  for the purchase,  sale and delivery of the Shares not so
         delivered,  but no Member of the Silgan  Group or  Selling  Stockholder
         shall then be under any further liability to any Underwriter  except as
         provided  in  Sections 7 and 9 hereof and to the QIU except as provided
         in Section 10 hereof.

                  14. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each
         of the  Underwriters,  and the parties  hereto shall be entitled to act
         and rely upon any statement,  request, notice or agreement on behalf of
         any Underwriter made or given by you jointly or by Goldman, Sachs & Co.
         on behalf of you as the representatives.

                           All  statements,  requests,  notices  and  agreements
         hereunder  shall be in  writing,  and if to the  Underwriters  shall be
         delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to you as 


                                      -26-

<PAGE>



         the  representatives in care of Goldman,  Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street,
         New York, New York 10004, Attention: Registration Department; if to any
         Selling  Stockholder  shall  be  delivered  or sent by  mail,  telex or
         facsimile  transmission to counsel for such Selling  Stockholder at its
         address set forth in  Schedule  II hereto;  and if to any Member of the
         Silgan  Group shall be  delivered or sent by mail to the address of the
         Company  set  forth in the  Registration  Statement,  Attention:  Chief
         Financial Officer; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter
         pursuant to Section  9(d) hereof  shall be  delivered  or sent by mail,
         telex or facsimile  transmission to such Underwriter at its address set
         forth in its Underwriters'  Questionnaire,  or telex  constituting such
         Questionnaire,  which  address  will be  supplied to the Company or the
         Selling   Stockholders  by  you  upon  request.  Any  such  statements,
         requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

                  15. This Agreement  shall be binding upon, and inure solely to
         the benefit of, the  Underwriters,  the Members of the Silgan Group and
         the Selling  Stockholders and, to the extent provided in Sections 9, 10
         and 12 hereof,  the  officers  and  directors  of the  Company and each
         person  who  controls  the  Company,  any  Selling  Stockholder  or any
         Underwriter,  and their respective  heirs,  executors,  administrators,
         successors  and assigns,  and no other person shall acquire or have any
         right under or by virtue of this Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the
         Shares from any  Underwriter  shall be deemed a successor  or assign by
         reason merely of such purchase.

                  16.      Time shall be of the  essence of this  Agreement.  As
         used  herein,  the  term  "business  day"  shall  mean any day when the
         Commission's office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

                  17.      This Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
         accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                  18.      This  Agreement may be executed by any one or more of
         the parties hereto in any number of  counterparts,  each of which shall
         be deemed to be an original,  but all such counterparts  shall together
         constitute one and the same instrument.



                                      -27-

<PAGE>




                  If the  foregoing is in  accordance  with your  understanding,
         please sign and return to us nine (9) counterparts hereof, and upon the
         acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the  Underwriters,  this
         letter and such acceptance  hereof shall constitute a binding agreement
         between each of the  Underwriters,  each Member of the Silgan Group and
         each of the Selling Stockholders. It is understood that your acceptance
         of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the
         authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form
         of which shall be submitted to the Company and the Selling Stockholders
         for examination  upon request,  but without warranty on your part as to
         the authority of the signers thereof.

                              Very truly yours,

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.


                              By:    /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 Name:     Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                 Title:    Executive Vice President, Chief
                                           Financial Officer and Treasurer

                               SILGAN CORPORATION


                               By:    /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                  Title:    Executive Vice President, Chief
                                            Financial Officer and Treasurer

                                SILGAN CONTAINERS CORPORATION


                                By:    /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Name:     Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                   Title:    Vice President

                                SILGAN PLASTICS CORPORATION


                                By:    /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Name:     Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                   Title:    Vice President





                                      -28-

<PAGE>



                                  THE MORGAN STANLEY LEVERAGED EQUITY
                                  FUND II, L.P.

                                  By: Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund
                                      II, Inc.
                                      as general partner


                                  By:    /s/ Robert H. Niehaus
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     Name:     Robert H. Niehaus
                                     Title:    Vice Chairman



                                  By:    /s/ Alan E. Goldberg
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     Name:     Alan E. Goldberg
                                     Title:    Vice Chairman


                                  BANKERS TRUST NEW YORK CORPORATION


                                  By:    /s/ Joseph T. Wood
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     Name:     Joseph T. Wood
                                     Title:    Senior Vice President







Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Salomon Brothers Inc.


By:  /s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.
   -----------------------------------
     (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)
On behalf of each of the Underwriters





                                      -29-

<PAGE>




                                   SCHEDULE I



                                                                   Number of
                                                                Optional Shares
                                      Total Number of            to be Sold if
                                       Firm Shares to            Maximum Option
         Underwriters                       be Sold                  Exercised



Goldman, Sachs & Co.                        1,065,817                  159,873

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated*          1,065,815                  159,873

Salomon Brothers Inc                        1,065,815                  159,873

J.C. Bradford & Co.                            76,621                   11,493

Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation        127,701                   19,155

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities       127,701                   19,155
      Corporation

A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.                     127,701                   19,155

Janney Montgomery Scott Inc.                   76,621                   11,493

Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.                    76,621                   11,493

McDonald & Company Securities, Inc.            76,621                   11,493

Lehman Brothers Inc.                          127,701                   19,155

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith         127,701                   19,155
      Incorporated

PaineWebber Incorporated                      127,701                   19,155

Piper Jaffray Inc.                             76,621                   11,493

Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.                     76,621                   11,493

Wheat, First Securities, Inc.                  76,621                   11,493
                                          -----------            -------------

                  Total                     4,500,000                  675,000
                                          ===========            =============



- --------
*     With respect to the Firm Shares,  MS&Co.  will only underwrite Shares sold
      by the  Company  and BTNY.  In the event the  Optional  Shares are sold by
      MSLEF, rather than underwrite Optional Shares, MS&Co. will be obligated to
      purchase from the other  Representatives  on a pro rata basis an aggregate
      number of Shares  equal to the number of  Optional  Shares set forth above
      opposite MS&Co.



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE II



                                                              Number of Optional
                                          Total Number of     Shares to be Sold 
                                           Firm Shares to     if Maximum Option
                                              be Sold             Exercised

The Company......................................3,700,000               0

The Selling Stockholders:

 The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity  Fund
 II, L.P. (a)....................................  714,439              602,807

 Bankers Trust New York Corporation (b)..........   85,561               72,193
                                                 -----------            --------

 Total...........................................4,500,000              675,000
                                                 =========              =======




(a)     This Selling  Stockholder is represented by Davis, Polk & Wardwell,  450
        Lexington Avenue, New York, New York.

(b)     This Selling  Stockholder is represented by Davis, Polk & Wardwell,  450
        Lexington Avenue, New York, New York.





<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A

                             FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER

                                                          ___________, 1997



Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Salomon Brothers Inc

c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, NY  10004


Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  The  undersigned   understands  that  Goldman,   Sachs  &  Co.
("Goldman"), as representative of the several Underwriters,  has entered into an
Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with Silgan Holdings Inc.,
a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  which provided for the public offering
(the "Public  Offering")  by the several  Underwriters,  including  Goldman,  of
4,500,000  shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share,  of
the Company (the "Common Stock").  The undersigned  further understands that the
Company has agreed pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Underwriting Agreement, among
other  things,  not to offer,  sell,  contract to sell or  otherwise  dispose of
shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock in connection
with  acquisitions  unless the transferee  executes and delivers to Goldman this
letter.

                  In satisfaction of this  requirement,  the undersigned  hereby
agrees  that,  without  the prior  written  consent  of Goldman on behalf of the
Underwriters,  it will not, during the period  commencing on the date hereof and
ending six months after the date of the final prospectus  relating to the Public
Offering (the "Prospectus"),  offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose
of,  directly or indirectly,  any shares of Common Stock or any securities  that
are substantially similar to the Common Stock,  including but not limited to any
securities that are convertible into or exchangeable  for, or that represent the
right to receive, Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities.  In
addition,  the  undersigned  agrees that,  without the prior written  consent of
Goldman on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing
on the date hereof and ending six months after the date of the Prospectus,  make




<PAGE>


any demand for or exercise  any right with respect to, the  registration  of any
shares of Common Stock or any securities that are  substantially  similar to the
Common Stock,  including but not limited to any securities  that are convertible
into or exchangeable  for, or that represent the right to receive,  Common Stock
or any such substantially similar securities.

                                               Very truly yours,


                                               ---------------------------------
                                               (Name)


                                               ---------------------------------
                                               (Print Name)


                                               ---------------------------------
                                               (Address)



Accepted as of the date first set forth above:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.


By:-------------------------





<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.42

                       AMENDMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

                  This Amendment (this "Amendment") to Stockholders Agreement is
made and entered  into as of this 14th day of  February,  1997,  by and among R.
Philip Silver  ("Silver"),  D. Greg Horrigan  ("Horrigan"),  The Morgan  Stanley
Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P. ("MS Equity"), Bankers Trust New York Corporation
("BTNY"), and Silgan Holdings Inc. (the "Company").

                               W I T E S S E T H:
                               - - - - - - - - -

                  WHEREAS, Silver, Horrigan, MS Equity, BTNY and the Company are
parties  to the  Stockholders  Agreement  dated as of  December  21,  1993  (the
"Stockholders Agreement"); and

                  WHEREAS,  First  Plaza  Group  Trust,  who was a party  to the
Stockholders  Agreement,  no longer  holds any  shares of  capital  stock of the
Company and  therefore  is no longer a party to, and is not subject to the terms
and provisions of, the Stockholders Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, Silver, Horrigan, MS Equity, BTNY, and the Company to
desire to amend the Stockholders Agreement as provided in this Amendment.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  the parties hereto,  intending to be legally
bound hereby, agree as follows.

                  1.  Capitalized  terms used but not defined  herein shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Stockholders Agreement.


<PAGE>



                  2. Article II of the Stockholders  Agreement is hereby amended
by adding the following new section  immediately  following  Section 2.11 of the
Stockholders Agreement:

                  "2.12   Rights  of  Partners  of  MS  Equity.   Upon  a  MSLEF
Distribution,  all of the partners of MS Equity,  together and not  individually
(collectively, the "MS Selling Stockholder"),  shall be entitled to exercise any
remaining  rights,  if any, of MS Equity  under this  Article II with respect to
Demand  Registrations.  In furtherance thereof, the MS Selling Stockholder shall
be deemed to be a "Selling  Stockholder"  under the  provisions of Article II of
the Stockholders Agreement in connection with the exercise any of such remaining
rights, may exercise any such remaining rights only in accordance with the terms
of this  Article  II,  and  shall be  subject  to all  obligations  of MS Equity
provided for in this  Article II relating to the exercise of any such  remaining
rights.  Any request  for a Demand  Registration  by the MS Selling  Stockholder
under this Article II shall be made only by Morgan  Stanley Group Inc.  ("Morgan
Stanley")  on  behalf  of the MS  Selling  Stockholders  and may only be made if
shares of Common  Stock of the Company  owned by Morgan  Stanley are included in
such Demand Registration.  Additionally, Morgan Stanley, and only Morgan Stanley
and no other  partner  of MS  Equity,  shall  have the  power and  authority  to
exercise all rights, deliver all notices and requests, make all decisions and do
all other things required or permitted to be exercised,  delivered, made or done
by or on  behalf  of  the  MS  Selling  Stockholder.  Upon  and  after  a  MSLEF
Distribution, the obligation


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



of the Company to provide MS Equity with any notices,  documents or  information
as provided in this Article II shall be satisfied if the Company  provides  such
documents and  information to Morgan Stanley.  If the MS Selling  Stockholder is
required  to  execute  and  deliver  an  underwriting  agreement  or  any  other
agreements  or  documents  pursuant to this  Article II, then each partner of MS
Equity participating in the applicable registration shall be required to execute
and  deliver  such  underwriting  agreement  and any such other  agreements  and
documents."

                  3. Section 3.3 of the Stockholders Agreement is hereby amended
by adding the following new paragraph (c)  immediately  following  paragraph (b)
thereof:

                           "(c) Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement,
         each of Silver and  Horrigan may pledge his shares of Common Stock to a
         lender or lenders reasonably acceptable to the Company to secure a loan
         or  loans to him.  In the  event of any  proposed  foreclosure  of such
         pledge,  such shares  will be subject to the right of first  refusal of
         the Section  3.4(c)  Offerees (as defined below) as provided in Section
         3.4(c)."

                  4. This Amendment  amends the  Stockholders  Agreement only to
the extent specifically provided herein, and does not constitute an amendment or
modification of any other provision of the Stockholders Agreement.

                  5.  Each of the  parties  to  this  Amendment  represents  and
warrants that this Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
such party and constitutes the legal,


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms.

                  6.  This   Amendment   may  be   executed  in  any  number  of
counterparts,  each of which when so executed  shall be deemed an original,  and
all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.  This
Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have duly executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                            /s/ R. Philip Silver
                                            ______________________________
                                            R. Philip Silver


                                            /s/ D. Greg Horrigan
                                            ______________________________
                                            D. Greg Horrigan


                                            THE MORGAN STANLEY LEVERAGED EQUITY
                                            FUND II, L.P.

                                            By:  Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity
                                                 Fund II, Inc. (General Partner)


                                            By:  /s/ Robert H. Niehaus
                                                 _________________________
                                                 Name:  Robert H. Niehaus
                                                        Title: Director



                                            BANKERS TRUST NEW YORK CORPORATION


                                            By:  /s/ Joseph T. Wood
                                                 _________________________
                                                 Name:  Joseph T. Wood
                                                 Title: Managing Director



                                            SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.


                                            By:  /s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                                 _________________________
                                                 Name: Harley Rankin, Jr.
                                                 Title: Executive Vice
                                                        President, Chief
                                                        Financial Officer
                                                        and Treasurer



                                       -5-

<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

   
<ARTICLE> 5

            
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from Silgan
Holdings Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,017
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  105,481
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,045
<INVENTORY>                                    195,981
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               305,837
<PP&E>                                         757,351
<DEPRECIATION>                                 257,570
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 913,546
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          275,627
<BONDS>                                        693,783
                                0
                                     52,998
<COMMON>                                           152
<OTHER-SE>                                    (190,358)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   913,546
<SALES>                                      1,405,742
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,405,742
<CGS>                                        1,223,684
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,223,684
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              89,353
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,637
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,222)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,409
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.32
                  


</TABLE>


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