SILGAN HOLDINGS INC
10-K, 1998-03-26
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, 1997
                                       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. [ ]

As of February 27, 1998, the aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $462,588,501.

As of February 27, 1998, the number of shares  outstanding  of the  registrant's
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, was 18,874,834.

                      Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions  of  the  Registrant's  Proxy  Statement  for  its  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders  to be held on June 2, 1998 are  incorporated  by reference in Part
III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>


                                                                                           Page
                                                                                           ----

<S>                                                                                        <C>

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.........................13
PART II....................................................................................14
   Item 5.     Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.......14
   Item 6.     Selected Financial Data.....................................................14
   Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
               Operations..................................................................18
   Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................................31
   Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
               Disclosure..................................................................32
PART III...................................................................................32
   Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..........................35
   Item 11.    Executive Compensation......................................................35
   Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..............35
   Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............................35
PART IV....................................................................................36
   Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K..........36

</TABLE>





                                      -i-
<PAGE>



                                     PART I

Item 1.  Business

General

         Silgan Holdings Inc. ("Holdings", 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,  aluminum
roll-on  closures,  plastic bowls and paper containers used by processors in the
food and beverage  industry.  The Company is the largest  manufacturer  of metal
food  containers  in North  America,  with a unit sale market share for the year
ended December 31, 1997 of 36% in the United States,  a leading  manufacturer of
plastic  containers  in North  America for  personal  care  products and a major
supplier  of metal  closures  for  food and  beverage  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  Co-Chief  Executive  Officers.
Since its inception, the Company has acquired fourteen businesses, including the
acquisitions  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).  Since October 1996, the Company has acquired (i) the assets of
Winn  Packaging  Co.  ("Winn"),   a  manufacturer  of  decorated  rigid  plastic
containers;  (ii) the North American aluminum roll-on closure business ("Roll-on
Closures") of Alcoa Closure Systems  International,  Inc.  ("Alcoa");  (iii) the
North American plastic  container  business ("Rexam  Plastics") of Rexam plc and
Rexam Plastics Inc. (collectively, "Rexam"); and (iv) the assets 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."  Additionally,   the  Company  recently
announced  that it has reached an  agreement  in  principle to acquire the metal
container  manufacturing  assets of Campbell Soup Company  ("Campbell")  and, as
part of that  transaction,  to supply metal containers to Campbell pursuant to a
long-term supply agreement. See "--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 $645.5
million in 1993 to  $1,511.4  million in 1997,  representing  a compound  annual
growth rate of  approximately  24%.  During this period,  income from operations
increased  from $41.8 million in 1993 to $147.1  million in 1997  (excluding the
effect of the $22.5  million  non-cash  stock option charge  resulting  from the
Company's  initial  public  offering  (the "IPO") in February 1997 of its Common
Stock (the  "Common  Stock")),  representing  a compound  annual  growth rate of
approximately 37%, while the Company's income from operations as a percentage of
net sales (excluding the effect of such non-cash stock option charge)  increased
3.2 percentage points from 6.5% to 9.7% 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,


                                      -1-
<PAGE>



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  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 customers,  as demonstrated by its
many quality and service awards.

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
eleven  years,   the  metal  container   market  has   experienced   significant
consolidation  due to the desire by food  processors  to reduce  costs and focus
resources on their core  operations.  The  Company's  acquisitions  of the metal
container manufacturing  operations of Nestle Food Company ("Nestle"),  The Dial
Corporation ("Dial"), Del Monte and Curtice Burns reflect this trend. This trend
has  continued as evidenced by the  Company's  recent  agreement in principle to
acquire the metal  container  manufacturing  assets of Campbell.  See  "--Recent
Developments."  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  36% in 1997. The Company's  plastic
container  business has also increased its market  position from a sales base of
$88.8  million in 1987 to $263.3  million in 1997  primarily  through  strategic
acquisitions.  The plastic  container  segment of the consumer  goods  packaging
industry is highly fragmented,  and management  intends to pursue  consolidation
opportunities in that segment,  as evidenced by its recent  acquisitions of Winn
and Rexam Plastics.

         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 $113.6  million in 1997.  Specialty  products  manufactured  by the
Company  include  metal  closures for vacuum sealed glass  containers;  aluminum
roll-on closures; 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



                                      -2-
<PAGE>

expertise to new segments of the consumer goods packaging industry. For example,
with the Roll-on  Closures  and AN Can  acquisitions,  the Company  expanded its
specialty  business into aluminum roll-on closures,  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. Importantly,  the industry is fragmented, with numerous segments
and multiple  participants in the various  segments.  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  through  productivity  and  cost  reduction  opportunities.   The
additional  sales and production  capacity  provided through  acquisitions  have
enabled the Company to rationalize  plant operations and decrease overhead costs
through plant closings and downsizings.  In addition, the Company's acquisitions
have enabled it to realize manufacturing  efficiencies as a result of optimizing
production  scheduling and minimizing product  transportation costs. The Company
has also  benefited  from the economies of its increased  purchasing  volume and
from the elimination of redundant selling and administrative  functions, as well
as from the  investment  of capital  to  upgrade  the  acquired  facilities.  In
addition  to  the  benefits   realized   through  the  integration  of  acquired
businesses,  the Company has improved the operating  performance of its existing
plant facilities by making capital investments for productivity improvements and
manufacturing cost reductions.

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 and generally recession resistant business, supports its financial
strategy.  Management has successfully  operated its businesses and achieved its
growth strategy while managing the Company's indebtedness. Management intends to
continue to apply this  financial  strategy in its business.  Additionally,  the
Company's IPO in February 1997 provides it with improved  financial  flexibility
to implement its growth strategy.

         As the Company's  revenues and operating  income have increased and the
Company's financial position has improved, the Company has pursued a refinancing
strategy  to  further  improve  its cash flow and its  operating  and  financial
flexibility  by  refinancing  its  higher  cost  indebtedness  with  lower  cost
indebtedness  and equity and by extending the maturity of its  indebtedness.  As
part of this  refinancing  strategy,  the Company  refinanced all of its 13-1/4%
Senior  Discount  Debentures  due 2002 ($275.0  million  principal  amount) (the
"Discount  Debentures")  and its  11-3/4%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes  due 2002
($135.0  million  principal  amount)  (the  "11-3/4%  Notes")  with (i) proceeds
received from the IPO,  (ii) proceeds  received by the Company from the issuance
and  sale  of  $300  million  principal  amount  of its 9%  Senior  Subordinated
Debentures  due 2009  (the "9%  Debentures"),  (iii) a portion  of the  proceeds
received  by the  Company  from  the  issuance  and  sale  by the  Company  (the
"Preferred  Stock  Sale")  of  its  Exchangeable   Preferred  Stock  Mandatorily
Redeemable  2006  (the  "Exchangeable   Preferred  Stock")  (which  the  Company
subsequently  exchanged  for  $56.2  million  principal  amount  of its  13-1/4%
Subordinated Debentures due 2006 (the "Exchange  Debentures"),  thereby allowing
the  Company  to  deduct  interest  paid  thereon),  and (iv)  lower  cost  bank
indebtedness.

         In July 1997, the Company  completed the  refinancing of  approximately
$600 million of existing bank  indebtedness  by entering into a new U.S.  senior
secured credit facility.  This credit facility provided the Company with a total
senior secured credit facility of $1.0 billion, which included $450.0 million of
term loans (the "Term Loans") and a revolving loan  commitment of $550.0 million
(the  "Revolving Loan Facility" or the "Revolving  Loans").  The Revolving Loans
are  available  to the  Company for its  working  capital and general  corporate
purposes  (including  acquisitions).  The  Company  anticipates  that up to $150
million of the Revolving Loan Facility will be used in 1998 for seasonal working



                                      -3-
<PAGE>

capital  needs.  The balance of the Revolving  Loan Facility is available to the
Company to pursue its  growth  strategy  or for other  permitted  purposes.  The
Company  financed the  acquisition of Winn in January 1998 through the Revolving
Loan Facility,  and the Company intends to finance the acquisition of Campbell's
can  manufacturing  assets  through the Revolving  Loan  Facility.  The new U.S.
senior  secured  credit  facility  also (i)  lowered the  interest  rates on the
Company's  senior secured  borrowings by  approximately  150 basis points,  (ii)
extended the maturities of the Company's senior secured borrowings by 3-4 years,
and (iii) changed certain  covenants to further improve the Company's  operating
and financial  flexibility,  including  changes to provide more  flexibility  to
engage  in  mergers  and   acquisitions,   make  capital   expenditures,   incur
indebtedness,   pay   dividends,   repurchase   stock  and  refinance   existing
indebtedness.  See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations--Capital Resources and Liquidity."

         As a result of the refinancings described above, the Company's interest
expense  for 1997 was  reduced by 9.7%,  or $8.7  million,  to $80.7  million as
compared to $89.4 million for 1996. The Company  estimates that interest expense
for 1997 would have been approximately $75.8 million, or $13.6 million less than
interest  expense  for  1996,  if all  such  refinancings  had  occurred  at the
beginning  of 1997.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--Benefits of Debt Refinancings."

Business Segments

         Holdings is a holding  company that  conducts its business  through two
operating  companies,  Silgan Containers  Corporation  ("Containers") and Silgan
Plastics  Corporation  ("Plastics").  See Note 18 to the Company's  Consolidated
Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1997 included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

         Containers. For 1997, Containers had net sales of $1,248.1 million (83%
of the Company's net sales) and income from operations of $120.4 million (81% of
the Company's  income from  operations)  (without  giving effect to the non-cash
stock  option  charge  incurred  in  connection  with  the IPO and to  corporate
expense). Containers has realized compound annual unit sales growth in excess of
23% since 1993,  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 77% of Containers'  projected sales in 1998
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. See "--Sales and Marketing."

         Containers  also  manufactures   certain  specialty   packaging  items,
including metal caps and closures,  aluminum roll-on closures, plastic bowls and
paper  containers,  used by  processors in the food and beverage  industry.  For
1997, Containers had net sales of specialty packaging items of $113.6 million.

         Plastics.  For 1997,  Plastics had net sales of $263.3  million (17% of
the Company's net sales) and income from operations of $28.5 million (19% of the
Company's income from  operations)  (without giving effect to the non-cash stock
option  charge  incurred in connection  with the IPO and 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



                                      -4-
<PAGE>

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  manufacture  extrusion  blow-molded  plastic containers that
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  metal 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.  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 consumer orders in relation
to its 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.

Plastic Container Business

         The Company utilized 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



                                      -5-
<PAGE>

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,
several 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  results  of
operations.

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 a 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 of resins.  The price that 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,  in part,  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 1997, 1996 and 1995,  approximately 17%, 17% and 21%,  respectively,
of the  Company's  sales were to Nestle,  and  approximately  11%,  12% and 15%,
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.



                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Metal Container Business

         The Company is the largest  manufacturer  of metal food  containers  in
North America, with a unit sale market share in 1997 of approximately 36% 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  77% of its projected  metal container sales in 1998 will be
pursuant to such  arrangements.  To retain its multi-year  supply  arrangements,
historically  the Company has agreed to price  concessions  in exchange for term
extensions or other modifications to existing contracts.  Generally, the Company
has entered into such an agreement  with a customer  prior to the date that such
customer  can  receive   competitive   proposals  under  its  multi-year  supply
arrangement.  These price  concessions have not had a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations.  There can be no assurance,  however,  that
future price concessions, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations.

          Since  its  inception  in  1987,   Containers  has  supplied   Nestle
with substantially  all of the metal container  requirements of the former  
Carnation operations of Nestle pursuant to the Nestle Supply Agreements. In 
1997, sales of metal containers by the Company to Nestle were $252.6 million.

         Effective  November  1996,  the  terms of three  of the  Nestle  Supply
Agreements  (representing  approximately  10% of the Company's  1997 sales) were
extended  through  2004 in return for  certain  price  concessions.  These price
concessions did not have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  results of
operations.  These  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.  These  agreements  contain  provisions that require
Containers to maintain certain levels of product  quality,  service and delivery
in order to retain the business. In the event of a breach of any such agreement,
Nestle may terminate  such Nestle  Supply  Agreement but the other Nestle Supply
Agreements  would  remain  in  effect.  Under  certain  limited   circumstances,
beginning  in January  2000  Nestle may receive  competitive  bids for the metal
containers supplied by Containers under these agreements, 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. Until a
competitive bid is received,  the Company cannot predict the effect,  if any, on
its results of operations of matching or not matching any such bids.

         The terms of the remaining six Nestle Supply  Agreements  (representing
approximately  6% of the  Company's  1997  sales)  expired  in 1997.  Except for
one-third of such sales (approximately 2% of the Company's 1997 sales) which are
now being supplied to Del Monte pursuant to the DM Supply  Agreement as a result
of the  acquisition  by Del Monte of certain  assets of Nestle,  the  Company is
continuing  to supply such metal  containers to Nestle for the 1998 supply year.
There can be no  assurance,  however,  that the Company will  continue to supply
such metal  containers  to Nestle in any future  period.  However,  the  Company
believes  that the loss of any such  volume  would not have a  material  adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations.

         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, for a
period of ten years  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 1997, sales of metal
containers by the Company to Del Monte were $166.8 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



                                      -7-
<PAGE>

formulas.  Under the DM Supply  Agreement,  beginning in December 1998 Del Monte
may, under certain circumstances,  receive proposals 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
must 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. There can be no assurance that any such
proposal will be made at sales prices equivalent to those currently in effect or
otherwise  on terms  similar to those  currently in effect.  The Company  cannot
accurately  predict the effect, if any, on its results of operations of matching
or not matching any such 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.  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., Warner-Lambert Company, Avon
Products,  Inc.  and  Bristol-Myers  Squibb Co. The  Company  also  manufactures
plastic  containers  for food and beverage  products,  such as salad  dressings,
condiments,  and bottled water and liquor.  Customers in these product  segments
include Procter & Gamble Co., Kraft Foods Inc., The Torbitt & Castleman  Company
and General Mills, Inc.

         As part of its marketing strategy, the Company has arrangements to sell
some of its plastic  products to  distributors,  who 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 the supply of
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.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>


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  could be  disadvantaged  by the
relocation of a major customer. As of February 28, 1998, the Company operated 54
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 container  manufacturers,  Crown Cork and Seal
Company,  Inc. and Ball Corporation are the Company's most significant  national
competitors.  As an alternative  to purchasing  containers  from  commercial can
manufacturers,   customers   have  the  ability  to  invest  in   equipment   to
self-manufacture their containers.

         Although  metal  containers  face continued  competition  from plastic,
paper, glass 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.  Management  also believes that metal  containers are more
desirable  generally  than glass  containers  because metal  containers are more
durable and less costly to transport.

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.,  Schmalbach-Lubeca  AG, Continental  Plastics Inc. and Plastipak
Packaging Inc. In order to compete effectively in the constantly changing market
for plastic  bottles,  the Company must 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,  1997,  the Company  employed  approximately  1,195
salaried and 4,180 hourly employees on a full-time basis.  Approximately  60% of
the Company's hourly plant employees are represented by a variety of unions.

         The Company's labor contracts  expire at various times between 1998 and
2008.  Contracts  covering  approximately  14% of the Company's hourly employees
presently expire during 1998. The Company expects no significant  changes in its
relations with these unions.  Management believes that its relationship with its
employees is good.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


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.

         The Company is also 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.

         Management  does  not  believe  that  any  of  the  regulatory  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

         The Company's  research,  product  development and product  engineering
efforts  relating to its metal  containers  business  are  conducted  at its new
research facility in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

         The Company's  research,  product  development and product  engineering
efforts with  respect to its plastic  containers  business are  performed by its
manufacturing  and  engineering  personnel  located  at  its  Norcross,  Georgia
facility.  In  addition  to its  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  Corporation.  Silgan  Corporation was a Delaware  corporation  formed in
August  1987 as a holding  company to  acquire  interests  in various  packaging
manufacturers.  In June  1997,  Silgan  Corporation  was  merged  with  and into
Holdings,  with Holdings being the surviving  corporation.  Holdings'  principal
assets are all of the outstanding capital stock of Containers and Plastics.



                                      -10-
<PAGE>



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



        Acquired Business                         Year         Products
        -----------------                         ----         --------
                                                                
Metal Container Manufacturing division of Nestle  1987   Metal food containers
Monsanto Company's plastic container business     1987   Plastic containers
Fort Madison Can Company of Dial                  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
Alcoa's North American aluminum roll-on closure   1997   Aluminum roll-on 
business                                                 closures
Rexam's North American plastic container business 1997   Plastic containers and
                                                         closures
Winn Packaging Co.                                1998   Plastic containers



Recent Developments

         On February  18,  1998,  the Company  announced  that it had reached an
agreement  in  principle  with  Campbell  for the  purchase  of  Campbell's  can
manufacturing assets located in Campbell's facilities in Maxton, North Carolina;
Napoleon,  Ohio; Paris,  Texas; and Sacramento,  California.  The purchase price
payable by the  Company for the assets is  estimated  to be  approximately  $125
million,  and will be determined at the closing of the transaction.  The Company
expects to finance this  acquisition  with Revolving Loans under its U.S. credit
agreement. As part of the transaction,  the Company and Campbell will enter into
a  long-term  supply  agreement  for the supply by the  Company to  Campbell  of
substantially  all of Campbell's metal container  requirements.  Annual sales to
Campbell  under  the  supply  agreement  are  expected  to be in  excess of $200
million.  The  transaction is subject to negotiation and execution of definitive
documentation and other customary terms and conditions.

         On January 1, 1998,  Plastics acquired  substantially all of the assets
of Winn, a private manufacturer and marketer of rigid plastic containers serving
the personal  care,  automotive  and household  chemical  markets with estimated
sales of approximately $23 million in 1997. As part of the transaction, Plastics
leased Winn's facility in Fairfield,  Ohio.  Plastics  financed this acquisition
through Revolving Loans under the U.S. credit agreement.

Item 2.  Properties

         Holdings' 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  and 5
specialty   packaging   manufacturing   facilities  and  16  plastic   container
manufacturing facilities.  Twenty-three of these facilities are owned and 31 are
leased by the Company.  The leases expire at various time 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, 1998 for its metal container business:




                                                   Approximate Building Area
Location                                                (square feet)
- --------                                                -------------
                                                                      
Tarrant, AL .......................................      89,000 (leased)
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)
Richmond, IN ......................................     462,000
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
Mt. Vernon, MO ....................................     100,000
Northtown, MO .....................................     112,000 (leased)
St. Joseph, MO ....................................     173,725
St. Louis, MO .....................................     174,000 (leased)
Edison, NJ ........................................     260,000
Lyons, NY .........................................     149,687
Crystal City, TX ..................................      26,045 (leased)
Toppenish, WA .....................................     105,000
Vancouver, WA .....................................     127,000 (leased)
Menomonee Falls, WI ...............................     116,000
Menomonie, WI .....................................      60,000 (leased)
Oconomowoc, WI ....................................     105,200
Plover, WI ........................................      88,000 (leased)
Waupun, WI ........................................     212,000




                                      -12-
<PAGE>




         Below  is a  list  of the  Company's  operating  facilities,  including
attached warehouses, as of February 28, 1998 for its plastic container business:

                                                  Approximate Building Area
Location                                                (square feet)
- --------                                                -------------
                                   
Anaheim, CA .......................................     127,000 (leased)
Deep River, CT ....................................     140,000
Monroe, GA ........................................     139,600
Norcross, GA ......................................      59,000 (leased)
Flora, IL .........................................      56,400
Ligonier, IN ......................................     469,000 (276,000 leased)
Seymour, IN .......................................     406,000
Franklin, KY ......................................     122,000 (leased)
Fairfield, OH .....................................     185,350 (leased)
Port Clinton, OH ..................................     257,400 (leased)
Langhorne, PA .....................................     156,000 (leased)
Mississauga, Ontario ..............................      75,000 (leased)
Mississauga, Ontario ..............................      62,630 (leased)
Scarborough, Ontario ..............................     117,000
Lachine, Quebec ...................................     113,313 (leased)
Lachine, Quebec ...................................      77,820 (leased)



         The Company owns and leases certain other warehouse facilities that are
detached from its manufacturing facilities. All of the Company's U.S. facilities
are subject to liens in favor of the banks under the U.S. credit agreement,  and
all of the Company's  Canadian  facilities  are subject to liens in favor of the
banks under the Company's Canadian 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

         There are no 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.




                                      -13-
<PAGE>



                                     PART II

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

         The Common Stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq  National  Market System
since February 14, 1997 (Nasdaq Symbol:  SLGN).  As of February 27, 1998,  there
were  approximately  94 holders of record of the Common  Stock.  The Company has
never declared or paid cash dividends on its 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
its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash
dividends will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will
be dependent  upon the Company's  results of  operations,  financial  condition,
contractual  restrictions  and other  factors  deemed  relevant by the Company's
Board of Directors.  The Company's U.S. credit agreement,  the 9% Debentures and
the  Exchange  Debentures  allow the Company to pay  dividends  up to  specified
limits.  The  following  table sets forth the high and low bid  information  per
share of the Common Stock as quoted by the Nasdaq  National Market System during
each of the four quarters of 1997.

                                     High      Low
                                     ----      ---

              First Quarter      $  26.25   $ 21.875
              Second Quarter        39.625    24.75
              Third Quarter         41.50     36.375
              Fourth Quarter        40.25     28.50


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

         Set forth below are selected historical  consolidated financial data of
the Company at December 31, 1997,  1996,  1995,  1994 and 1993 and for the years
then ended.

         The selected historical  consolidated  financial data of the Company at
December  31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period  ended
December 31, 1997 (with the  exception  of employee  data) were derived from the
historical  consolidated  financial  statements  of the Company 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 the Company at December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
and for the  years  ended  December  31,  1994 and 1993  were  derived  from the
historical  audited  consolidated  financial  statements of the Company for such
periods.

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





                                      -14-
<PAGE>
                                                        Selected Financial Data

<TABLE>
                                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                                                -----------------------

                                                            1997       1996(a)      1995(a)      1994(b)      1993(b)
                                                           ------      -------      -------      -------      -------

                                                                        (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Operating Data:
Net sales ...........................................  $  1,511.4    $ 1,405.7    $ 1,101.9     $  861.4    $   645.5
Cost of goods sold ..................................     1,303.5      1,221.9        970.5        748.3        571.2
                                                         --------     --------      -------      -------       ------
Gross profit ........................................       207.9        183.8        131.4        113.1         74.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses ........        60.8         60.5         46.9         38.0         32.5
Non-cash stock option charge (c) ....................        22.5          --           --           --           --
Reduction in carrying value of assets (d) ...........        --            --          14.7         16.7          --
                                                         ---------    ---------     --------      -------       ------
Income from operations ..............................       124.6        123.3         69.8         58.4         41.8
Interest expense and other related financing costs...        80.7         89.4         80.7         65.8         54.3
                                                         ---------    ---------     --------      -------       ------
Income (loss) before income taxes ...................        43.9         33.9        (10.9)        (7.4)       (12.5)
Income tax (benefit) provision (e)...................        (6.7)         3.3          5.1          5.6          1.9
                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------      -------       ------
Income (loss) before extraordinary charges and
  cumulative effect of changes in accounting 
  principles..........................................       50.6         30.6        (16.0)       (13.0)       (14.4)  
Extraordinary charges relating to early
  extinguishment of debt..............................       16.4          2.2          5.8          --           1.3
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
  principles (f) .....................................        --           --           --           --           6.3
                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------      -------       ------
Net income (loss) before preferred stock dividend
  requirement ........................................       34.2         28.4        (21.8)       (13.0)       (22.0)
Preferred stock dividend requirement                          3.2          3.0          --           --           --
                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------      -------       ------
Net income (loss) applicable to  common shareholders.. $     31.0    $    25.4    $   (21.8)    $  (13.0)   $   (22.0)
                                                           =======      =======      =======      =======       =======
Basic earnings per common share: (g)..................
  Income (loss) before extraordinary charges ......... $     2.75    $    1.75    $   (0.82)    $  (0.67)   $   (0.94)
  Extraordinary charges ..............................      (0.89)       (0.13)       (0.30)         --         (0.09)
  Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
    principles ......................................         --           --           --           --         (0.41)
  Preferred stock dividend requirement...............       (0.18)       (0.17)         --           --           --
                                                           ---------    ---------     -------      -------      ------
  Net income (loss)  per common share ..............   $     1.68    $    1.45    $   (1.12)    $  (0.67)   $   (1.44)
                                                           =========    ========     ========     ========     =======
Diluted earnings per common share: (g)
  Income (loss) before extraordinary charges .......   $     2.56    $    1.65    $   (0.82)    $  (0.67)   $   (0.94)
  Extraordinary charges ............................        (0.83)       (0.12)       (0.30)         --         (0.09)
  Cumulative effect of changes in accounting 
    principles......................................          --           --           --           --         (0.41)
  Preferred stock dividend requirement..............        (0.16)       (0.16)         --           --           --
                                                           ---------    ---------    -------       -------      ------
  Net income (loss) per diluted common share .......   $     1.57    $    1.37    $   (1.12)    $  (0.67)   $   (1.44)
                                                           =========    =========    =========    =========    =======
Selected Segment Data:
Net sales:
  Metal container business .........................   $  1,248.1    $ 1,189.3    $   882.3     $  657.1    $   459.2
  Plastic container business .......................        263.3        216.4        219.6        204.3        186.3
Income (loss) from operations (h):
  Metal container business .........................        120.4        106.1         58.2         59.8         42.3
  Plastic container business .......................         28.5         18.4         13.2         (0.1)         0.6


Other Data:
Adjusted EBITDA (i) .................................  $    213.9    $   186.0    $   132.4     $  114.5    $    76.1
Capital expenditures ................................        62.2         56.9         51.9         29.2         42.5
Depreciation and amortization (j) ...................        63.4         59.3         45.4         37.2         33.8
Cash flows provided by operating activities .........       117.9        125.2        209.6         47.3         48.1
Cash flow used for investing activities .............      (100.5)       (98.3)      (397.1)       (27.9)      (116.1)
Cash flows provided by (used for) financing
 activities .........................................        35.3        (27.9)       186.9        (17.0)        65.3
Number of employees (at end of period) (k) ..........       5,375        5,525        5,110        4,000        3,330

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Total assets ........................................  $  1,050.6    $   913.5    $   900.0     $  504.3    $   497.6
Total debt ..........................................       805.3        760.0        786.1        545.3        527.9
Redeemable preferred stock ..........................        --           53.0         --           --           --
Deficiency in stockholders' equity ..................       (67.3)      (191.0)      (180.6)      (158.9)      (145.6)

                                                                                                  (footnotes follow)
</TABLE>

                              


                                      -15-
<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 2 to
     the Consolidated  Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1997
     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)  In  connection  with the IPO, the Company  recognized a non-cash  charge of
     $22.5  million at the time of the IPO in 1997 for the excess of fair market
     value over the grant  price of certain  stock  options,  less $3.7  million
     previously accrued.  See Note 13 to the Consolidated  Financial  Statements
     for the year ended  December  31, 1997  included  elsewhere  in this Annual
     Report on Form 10-K.

(d)  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.

(e)  During  1997,  the  Company  determined  that a portion  of the  future tax
     benefits arising from its net operating loss carryforward would be realized
     in future years due to the Company's continued  improvement in earnings and
     increased probability of future taxable income.  Accordingly, in accordance
     with  Statement of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 109, the
     Company  recognized an income tax benefit for its recoverable net operating
     loss carryforward. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for
     the year ended  December 31, 1997 included  elsewhere in this Annual Report
     on Form 10-K.

(f)  During 1993, the Company  adopted 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.

(g)  All earnings per share amounts for all periods presented have been restated
     and conform to the  requirements of SFAS No. 128. See Notes 1 and 16 to the
     Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for the year ended  December  31, 1997
     included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(h)  Income (loss) from operations 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 (d) above.  Income  (loss) from  operations  excludes the non-cash
     stock option  charge of $22.5  million  incurred as a result of the IPO, as
     referred to in footnote  (c) above.  Income  from  operations  for both the
     metal  container  and  plastic  container   businesses  excludes  corporate
     expense.

(i)  "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 $3.4 million,  $2.6  million,  $1.7 million,
     $0.7 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 1997,  1996,
     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  a charge of $22.5  million  incurred  in 1997 in
     connection  with the IPO as referred  to in footnote  (c) above and 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


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

     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 the Company,  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.

(j) Depreciation and amortization excluded amortization of debt financing costs.

(k)  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.





                                      -17-
<PAGE>




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

         The  following  discussion  and  analysis  is  intended to assist in an
understanding of the Company's  consolidated  financial condition and results of
operations  for the  three-year  period ended  December 31, 1997.  The Company's
consolidated  financial  statements and the notes thereto included  elsewhere in
this Annual  Report on Form 10-K  contain  detailed  information  that should be
referred to in conjunction with the following discussion and analysis.

General

         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,  aluminum roll-on closures,
plastic bowls and paper  containers  used by processors in the food and beverage
industry.  The Company is the largest  manufacturer  of metal food containers in
North  America,  with a unit sale market  share for the year ended  December 31,
1997 of 36% in the United States, a leading  manufacturer of plastic  containers
in North  America  for  personal  care  products  and a major  supplier of metal
closures for food and beverage products.

Revenue Growth

         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 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  eleven  years,  the metal  container  market  has  experienced
significant  consolidation  due to the desire by food processors to reduce costs
and focus resources on their core operations.  The Company's acquisitions of the
metal container  manufacturing  operations of Nestle, Dial, Del Monte and Finger
Lakes reflect this trend. This consolidation trend has continued as evidenced by
the  Company's  recent  agreement in  principle  to acquire the metal  container
manufacturing assets of Campbell. See "Business--Recent Developments."

         The Company's plastic container  business has also increased its market
position  from a sales base of $88.8  million in 1987 to $263.3  million in 1997
through strategic acquisitions and, to a lesser extent, through internal growth.
The plastic container segment of the consumer goods packaging industry is highly
fragmented, and management intends to pursue consolidation opportunities in that
segment, as evidenced by its recent acquisitions of Winn and Rexam Plastics.

         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 Roll-on  Closures and AN Can  acquisitions,  the Company
expanded its specialty  business into aluminum roll-on closures,  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.  Importantly,  the industry is
fragmented,  with  numerous  segments and multiple  participants  in the various
segments. Many of these segments are experiencing consolidation.


                                      -18-
<PAGE>


Operating Performance

         The  Company  seeks to  acquire  businesses  at  reasonable  cash  flow
multiples and to enhance  profitability  through productivity and cost reduction
opportunities.  The additional  sales and production  capacity  provided through
acquisitions  have  enabled  the Company to  rationalize  plant  operations  and
decrease overhead costs through plant closings and downsizings. In addition, the
Company's acquisitions have enabled it to realize manufacturing  efficiencies as
a  result  of  optimizing   production   scheduling   and   minimizing   product
transportation  costs.  The Company has also benefited from the economies of its
increased  purchasing  volume and from the elimination of redundant  selling and
administrative  functions,  as well as from the investment of capital to upgrade
the  acquired  facilities.  In addition  to the  benefits  realized  through the
integration  of acquired  businesses,  the Company has  improved  the  operating
performance of its existing plant  facilities  through the investment of capital
for productivity improvements and manufacturing cost reductions.

         Since 1995, the Company's  operating  margins  (excluding the effect of
the non-cash  stock option charge  incurred in 1997 in connection  with the IPO)
have  increased  3.4  percentage  points to 9.7% in 1997.  In order to  maintain
operating  margins at this level,  management  believes it will be  necessary to
realize further cost reduction  opportunities  to offset  continued  competitive
pricing pressure in the industry.

         Containers has entered into multi-year supply arrangements with many of
its  customers,  including  Nestle and Del Monte.  The  Company  estimates  that
approximately  77% of its  projected  metal  container  sales  in  1998  will be
pursuant to such  arrangements.  Although these multi-year  supply  arrangements
generally  provide  for the pass  through of  material  and labor  cost  changes
thereby  significantly  reducing  the  exposure  of  the  Company's  results  of
operations  to the  volatility  of these  costs,  these  arrangements  limit the
Company's  ability  to  increase  margins.   To  retain  its  multi-year  supply
arrangements,  historically  the  Company  has  agreed to price  concessions  in
exchange  for term  extensions  or other  modifications  to existing  contracts.
Generally,  the Company has entered into such an agreement with a customer prior
to the date that such  customer  can  receive  competitive  proposals  under its
multi-year supply  arrangement.  These price concessions have not had a material
adverse  effect  on  the  Company's  results  of  operations.  There  can  be no
assurance,  however,  that future  price  concessions,  if any,  will not have a
material  adverse effect on the Company's  results of  operations.  Beginning in
December 1998, under the DM Supply Agreement,  which  represented  approximately
11% of the Company's  net sales in 1997,  Del Monte may receive  proposals  from
other independent  commercial can manufacturers for the supply of all containers
for  the  remainder  of the  term of the DM  Supply  Agreement  that  Containers
currently furnishes to Del Monte at one of Del Monte's canneries, and Containers
has the right to match any such  proposals.  There can be no assurance  that any
such  proposal  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  accurately  predict  the effect,  if any, on its results of
operations of matching or not matching any such proposals.

         The Company's metal  container  business sales and, to a lesser extent,
operating  income 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
1996 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
1996 as compared to 1995.  The 1997  vegetable pack was better than in 1995, but
due to reduced planting  acreage was less than the 1996 vegetable pack.  Because
of the seasonality of the harvests,  the Company  experiences  higher unit sales
volume in the second and third quarters of its fiscal year and, as a result, has
historically  generated  a  disproportionate  amount of its annual  income  from
operations during these quarters.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>


Benefits of Debt Refinancings

         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 and generally recession resistant business, supports its financial
strategy.

         As the Company's  revenues and operating  income have increased and the
Company's financial position has improved, the Company has pursued a refinancing
strategy  to  further  improve  its cash flow and its  operating  and  financial
flexibility. As part of this strategy, over the past three years the Company has
refinanced  substantially  all of its higher cost  indebtedness  with lower cost
indebtedness and equity.  During that period,  the Company has refinanced all of
its Discount  Debentures,  11-3/4% Notes and higher cost bank debt with proceeds
from the IPO, the 9%  Debentures,  the Exchange  Debentures  and lower cost bank
debt. See "Business--General--Financial Strategy."

         In addition to reducing the Company's borrowing costs and extending the
maturities  of  its  debt,  the  new  debt  facilities  improved  the  Company's
flexibility to engage in mergers and  acquisitions,  make capital  expenditures,
incur  additional  indebtedness,  pay dividends,  repurchase stock and refinance
existing  indebtedness.  Furthermore,  the Company's  secured credit  facilities
provide  it with a  Revolving  Loan  Facility  of $550.0  million,  of which the
Company  anticipates  up to $150.0 million will be used in 1998 for its seasonal
working  capital needs.  The balance of the Revolving Loan Facility is available
to the Company to pursue its growth  strategy or for other  permitted  purposes.
The  Company  financed  the  acquisition  of Winn  through  the  Revolving  Loan
Facility,  and the Company  intends to finance the acquisition of Campbell's can
manufacturing assets through the Revolving Loan Facility.

         As a result of the  refinancings,  the Company's  interest  expense for
1997 was reduced by 9.7%, or $8.7 million, to $80.7 million as compared to $89.4
million for 1996.  The Company  estimates  that interest  expense for 1997 would
have been  approximately  $75.8  million,  or $13.6  million less than  interest
expense for 1996,  if all such  refinancings  had  occurred at the  beginning of
1997. Excluding the effect of interest expense on additional  borrowings used to
finance acquisitions,  the Company's interest expense for 1998 is expected to be
less than its interest expense in 1997 due to the benefits of such refinancings.
Further,  the Company's financial results are sensitive to changes in prevailing
market  rates  of  interest.  After  taking  into  account  interest  rate  swap
arrangements  that the  Company  has  entered  into to  mitigate  the  effect of
interest rate fluctuations,  at December 31, 1997 the Company had $249.0 million
of indebtedness  which bore interest at floating  rates. In addition,  revolving
loans  outstanding  under the  Company's  secured  credit  facilities  will bear
interest at floating rates.

         In   connection   with  these   refinancings,   the  Company   incurred
extraordinary  charges during the years ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995
for the write-off of unamortized debt financing costs and premiums paid upon the
early  redemption of debt, net of tax, of $16.4  million,  $2.2 million and $5.8
million,  respectively.  Additionally,  as a  result  of the  IPO,  the  Company
incurred a non-cash  stock option charge of $22.5 million in 1997 for the excess
of the fair market  value at the time of the IPO over the grant price of certain
stock options.

Income Tax Considerations

         Historically, the Company has incurred minimal income tax liability due
to its net operating  loss  position.  At December 31, 1997, the Company had net
tax operating  loss  carryforwards  of  approximately  $181.0 million which were
available  to offset  future  taxable  income.  However,  beginning  in 1998 the
Company  expects to become subject to  alternative  minimum tax at the statutory
rate of 20%, and as a result its current tax liability will increase.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>


         For financial  accounting  purposes the Company determined in 1997 that
it was more likely than not that the future tax  benefits  arising  from its net
operating  loss  carryforwards  would be  realized  in  future  years due to the
Company's  continued  improvement in earnings and  probability of future taxable
income.  As a result,  the Company  released its  deferred  tax asset  valuation
allowance  and  recognized  an income  tax  benefit in 1997.  Consequently,  the
Company's  effective tax rate for 1997 was significantly  less than what it will
be in future periods.  For 1998, the Company expects to provide for income taxes
at an  effective  rate of  approximately  38%.  For  years  prior to  1997,  the
Company's  provision for income taxes was based upon federal,  state and foreign
taxes currently payable.

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>

                                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                                     -----------------------
                                                                    1997      1996      1995
                                                                    ----      ----      ---- 
<S>                                                                <C>       <C>       <C> 
                                                                                        
Operating Data:
Net sales:
  Metal container & specialty business .......................      82.6%     84.6%     80.1%
  Plastic container business .................................      17.4      15.4      19.9
                                                                   -----     -----     -----
     Total ...................................................     100.0     100.0     100.0
Cost of goods sold ...........................................      86.2      86.9      88.1
                                                                   -----     -----     -----
Gross Profit .................................................      13.8      13.1      11.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses .................       4.0       4.3       4.3
Non-cash stock option charge .................................       1.5       --        --   
Reduction in carrying value of assets ........................       --        --        1.3
                                                                   -----     -----     -----  
Income from operations .......................................       8.3       8.8       6.3
Interest expense and other related financing costs ...........       5.4       6.4       7.3
                                                                   -----     -----     -----
Income (loss) before income taxes ............................       2.9       2.4      (1.0)
Income tax (benefit) provision ...............................      (0.5)      0.2       0.5
                                                                   -----     -----     -----
Income (loss) before extraordinary charges ...................       3.4       2.2      (1.5)
Extraordinary charges relating to early extinguishment of debt      (1.1)     (0.2)     (0.5)
                                                                   -----     -----     -----
Net income (loss) before preferred stock dividend requirement        2.3       2.0      (2.0)
Preferred stock dividend requirement .........................      (0.2)     (0.2)      --
                                                                   -----     -----     -----
Net income (loss) applicable to  common stockholders .........       2.1%      1.8%     (2.0)%
                                                                   =====     =====     =====
</TABLE>
                                                              

                                      -21-
<PAGE>


         Summary  historical  results for the Company's  two business  segments,
metal and plastic  containers,  for the calendar  years ended December 31, 1997,
1996, and 1995 are provided below.



                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                 ----------------------------
                                                 1997        1996        1995
                                                 ----        ----        ----
                                                                  
                                                      (Dollars in millions)

Net sales:
  Metal container & specialty business ..... $  1,248.1  $  1,189.3  $    882.3
  Plastic container business ...............      263.3       216.4       219.6
                                               --------    --------    --------
     Consolidated .......................... $  1,511.4  $  1,405.7  $  1,101.9
                                               ========    ========    ========

Income from operations:
  Metal container & specialty business ..... $    120.4  $    106.1  $     72.9
  Plastic container business ...............       28.5        18.4        13.2
  Non-cash stock option charge(1) ..........      (22.5)        --          --
  Reduction in asset value(2) ..............        --          --        (14.7)
  Corporate expense ........................       (1.8)       (1.2)       (1.6)
                                                 -------     -------     -------
     Consolidated .......................... $    124.6  $    123.3  $     69.8
                                                 =======     =======     =======



 (1) In  connection  with the IPO, the Company  recognized a non-cash  charge of
     $22.5  million for the excess of the fair market value over the grant price
     of  stock   options   converted   from  stock  option  plans  of  Holdings'
     subsidiaries to the Holdings' Stock Option Plan at the time of the IPO. See
     Note 13 to the Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for the year
     ended  December 31, 1997  included  elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
     10-K.

(2)  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.  See  Note 4 to the
     Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31,
     1997 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Historical Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared with Historical Year Ended 
December 31, 1996

         Net Sales. Consolidated net sales increased $105.7 million, or 7.5%, to
$1,511.4  million for the year ended December 31, 1997, as compared to net sales
of  $1,405.7  million  for the same  period  in  1996.  This  increase  resulted
primarily from additional sales generated by the recently acquired businesses.

         Net sales for the metal container business  (including net sales of its
specialty  business of $113.6 million) were $1,248.1  million for the year ended
December  31, 1997,  an increase of $58.8  million,  or 4.9%,  from net sales of
$1,189.3  million  for the same  period  in  1996.  Net  sales of metal  cans of
$1,134.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 were $35.9 million greater
than net sales of metal cans of  $1,098.6  million  for the same period in 1996.
This increase resulted  principally from sales generated through the acquisition
of Finger Lakes, which was acquired by the Company in October 1996.

         Sales of  specialty  items  included  in the  metal  container  segment
increased  $22.9  million,  or 25.2%,  to $113.6  million  during the year ended
December  31,  1997,  as compared to $90.7  million for the same period in 1996.
This increase  resulted from additional  revenues  generated by Roll-on Closures
which was acquired in April 1997,  and was partially  offset by lower unit sales
to existing specialty customers.

         Net sales for the plastic  container  business of $263.3 million during
the year ended December 31, 1997 increased  $46.9  million,  or 21.7%,  from net
sales of $216.4  million for the same period in 1996.  The increase in net sales
was  attributable to incremental  sales  generated by the Rexam  acquisition and
significantly higher volume from the existing business.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>


         Cost of Goods Sold.  Cost of goods sold as a percentage of consolidated
net sales was 86.2% ($1,303.5  million) for the year ended December 31, 1997, an
improvement of 0.7 percentage points as compared to 86.9% ($1,221.9 million) for
the same  period  in 1996.  The  improvement  in the  gross  profit  margin  was
principally attributable to improved operating efficiencies achieved as a result
of  benefits  realized  from the  consolidation  and  integration  of the AN Can
facilities,  higher  production  volumes of the plastic  container  business and
capital  investment,  partially  offset  by the  impact of  competitive  pricing
pressure on both the metal container and the specialty businesses.

         Selling,  General and  Administrative  Expenses.  Selling,  general and
administrative  expenses as a percentage of consolidated net sales decreased 0.3
percentage  points to 4.0% ($60.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 1997,
as compared to 4.3% ($60.5  million) for the year ended December 31, 1996.  This
decrease in selling,  general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net
sales  principally  related  to  increased  revenues  generated  from the recent
acquisitions   without  a   commensurate   increase  in  selling,   general  and
administrative cost and the expected lower administrative expenses realized as a
result of the completion of the integration of the  administrative  functions of
AN Can with the Company.

         Income from  Operations.  Before  consideration  of the non-cash  stock
option charge  incurred in connection  with the IPO, income from operations as a
percentage  of  consolidated  net sales for the year  ended  December  31,  1997
improved 0.9  percentage  points to 9.7% ($147.1  million),  as compared to 8.8%
($123.3  million) for 1996.  Including the non-cash stock option charge of $22.5
million,  income from operations as a percentage of  consolidated  net sales was
8.3% ($124.6 million) for 1997.

         At the time of the IPO in February 1997, stock options issued under the
stock option plans of Holdings'  subsidiaries were converted to stock options of
Holdings.  In accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  the
Company  recorded a charge of $22.5  million  for the excess of the fair  market
value of the stock options issued under the  subsidiary  stock option plans over
the grant  price of the  options.  The  Company  will not  recognize  any future
charges for these stock options.

         Income  from  operations  as a  percentage  of net  sales for the metal
container  business  improved 0.7 percentage points to 9.6% ($120.4 million) for
the year ended  December 31, 1997, as compared to 8.9% ($106.1  million) for the
same period in 1996.  The increase in income from  operations as a percentage of
net sales for the metal container  business  principally  resulted from improved
operating  efficiencies realized from plant consolidations,  the benefit of cost
reductions provided by the Company's capital investment program and a normalized
production  schedule  in 1997 as compared  to the  negative  impact of a planned
inventory reduction in 1996, offset in part by the impact of competitive pricing
pressure on both the metal container and specialty businesses.

         Income from  operations  as a  percentage  of net sales for the plastic
container  business  improved 2.3 percentage points to 10.8% ($28.5 million) for
the year ended  December 31, 1997,  as compared to 8.5% ($18.4  million) for the
same period in 1996. The improvement in the operating performance of the plastic
container  business was  principally  attributable  to both increased  sales and
production  volumes  which  resulted in lower per unit  manufacturing  costs and
continued manufacturing efficiencies due to capital investment benefits.

         Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense  decreased  $8.7 million to $80.7
million for the year ended  December 31, 1997,  as compared to $89.4  million in
1996. Since 1996, the Company has refinanced principally all of its indebtedness
with lower cost  indebtedness  and  equity.  The  decline  in  interest  expense
reflects  the  benefits  of these  refinancings,  offset  in part by  additional


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

borrowing  costs  incurred to finance the  purchases  of Finger  Lakes,  Roll-on
Closures and Rexam Plastics.  Because a substantial  portion of the refinancings
occurred in the summer of 1997,  the Company  expects that its interest  expense
for the first and second quarters of 1998 will be less than the interest expense
it incurred in the same periods in 1997.

         Income  Taxes.  During 1997,  the Company  determined  that it was more
likely than not that future tax  benefits  arising from its net  operating  loss
carryforwards  would be realized in future years due to the Company's  continued
improvement  in earnings and the  probability  of future  taxable  income.  As a
result,  in  accordance  with SFAS No. 109, the Company  released its  valuation
allowance and recognized an income tax benefit of $27.4 million.

         The net income tax benefit  recorded  for the year ended  December  31,
1997 of $6.7 million  reflects the benefit  realized  through the release of the
valuation  allowance,  partially offset by a provision for income taxes recorded
at an  effective  tax rate of 38%.  Prior to 1997,  the  Company had not met the
criteria of SFAS No. 109 to release the  valuation  allowance  and  recorded its
provision for income taxes based upon federal, state and foreign taxes currently
payable.

         Net Income and Earnings per Share. As a result of the matters discussed
above, net income for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $50.6 million (before
extraordinary  charges  of  $16.4  million  and  the  preferred  stock  dividend
requirement of $3.2  million),  an increase of $20.0 million over net income for
the year ended December 31, 1996 of $30.6 million (before  extraordinary charges
of $2.2 million and the preferred stock dividend requirement of $3.0 million).

         Earnings per share (diluted) before extraordinary charges and preferred
stock  dividend  requirements  for 1997 were $2.56,  as compared  with $1.65 for
1996. See "--New  Accounting  Pronouncements."  The Company  estimates that 1997
earnings before the preferred stock dividend  requirement  would have been $41.2
million,  or $2.09 per share (diluted),  as compared to $21.0 million,  or $1.13
per share  (diluted),  for 1996, if unusual items for the non-cash  stock option
charge and the extraordinary charges incurred in connection with the refinancing
of the  Company's  debt  obligations  had been excluded from earnings and if the
provision  for income taxes had been  calculated  assuming an effective  rate of
38%.

         During  1997,  the Company  incurred an  extraordinary  charge of $16.4
million,  net of tax,  or  $0.83  per  share  (diluted),  for the  write-off  of
unamortized debt costs and premiums paid associated with the early redemption of
Discount  Debentures and the 11-3/4% Notes and the  refinancing of the Company's
U.S.  senior  secured  credit  facility.   In  1996,  the  Company  incurred  an
extraordinary  charge of $2.2 million, net of tax, or $0.12 per share (diluted),
for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.

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 $1,405.7  million for the year ended  December 31,  1996,  as compared to net
sales of $1,101.9  million 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.


                                      -24-
<PAGE>


         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 86.9% ($1,221.9  million) for the year ended December 31, 1996, an
improvement of 1.2 percentage  points as compared to 88.1% ($970.5  million) for
the same period in 1995. The  improvement in gross profit margin 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  remained
constant  for the years ended  December  31, 1996 and  December 31, 1995 at 4.3%
($60.5  million and $46.9  million,  respectively).  Despite the  incurrence  of
certain  redundant  costs,  estimated to be $3.5  million,  associated  with the
integration  of the AN  Can  operations,  selling,  general  and  administrative
expenses as a percentage of net sales remained constant with the prior year.

         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 profit margins.

         Income  from  operations  as a  percentage  of net  sales for the metal
container  business  improved 0.6 percentage points to 8.9% ($106.1 million) for
the year ended December 31, 1996, as compared with 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 2.5 percentage  points to 8.5% ($18.4 million) for
the year ended December 31, 1996, as compared with 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.


                                      -25-
<PAGE>


         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 revolving  loans of $17.4 million under the previous
credit  agreement)  and with $12.0  million of the proceeds  from the  Preferred
Stock Sale, and by lower average bank borrowing rates.

         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 and Earnings per Share.  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. Earnings per share (diluted) before  extraordinary
charges and  preferred  stock  dividend  requirements  for 1996 were  $1.65,  as
compared with a loss of $0.82 for 1995. See "--New Accounting Pronouncements."

         During  1996,  the  Company  incurred an  extraordinary  charge of $2.2
million,  net of taxes,  or $0.12  per share  (diluted),  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,  or $0.30  per share  (diluted),  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.

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 revolving loan borrowings.

         Since August 1995,  the Company has pursued a  refinancing  strategy to
further  improve  its cash  flow and  operating  and  financial  flexibility  by
refinancing  its higher  cost  indebtedness  with lower  cost  indebtedness  and
equity.  As part of that  strategy,  the Company  refinanced all of its Discount
Debentures and 11-3/4% Notes and its higher cost bank facility with (i) proceeds
received from the IPO,  (ii) proceeds  received by the Company from the issuance
and sale of $300 million principal amount of its 9% Debentures,  (iii) a portion
of the  proceeds  received  by the  Company  from the  issuance  and sale of the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock, which the Company subsequently exchanged for $56.2
million principal amount of its Exchange Debentures,  and (iv) a lower cost bank
facility.

         In July 1997, the Company  completed the  refinancing of  approximately
$600 million of existing  bank term and  revolving  loans by entering into a new
U.S. senior secured credit facility.  This credit facility  provided the Company
with a total senior  secured  credit  facility of $1.0 billion,  which  included
$450.0  million of Term Loans and a Revolving  Loan Facility of $550.0  million.
The  Revolving  Loans are  available to the Company for its working  capital and
general corporate purposes (including acquisitions). The new U.S. senior secured
credit  facility (i) lowered the interest rates on the Company's  senior secured



                                      -26-
<PAGE>

borrowings by  approximately  150 basis points,  (ii) extended the maturities of
the Company's A Term Loans and Revolving  Loans  thereunder to December 31, 2003
and B Term  Loans  thereunder  to June  30,  2005,  and  (iii)  changed  certain
covenants to further improve the Company's operating and financial  flexibility,
including  changes  to  provide  more  flexibility  to  engage  in  mergers  and
acquisitions,  make capital  expenditures,  incur  indebtedness,  pay dividends,
repurchase stock, and refinance existing indebtedness.

         Since the refinancing of the U.S. senior secured credit  facility,  the
interest rate for the Company's A Term Loans and Revolving  Loans has been LIBOR
plus 1.0% or Bankers  Trust's prime lending rate, and 50 basis points higher for
the Company's B Term Loans.  These interest rates are reset quarterly based upon
the Company's  Leverage  Ratio,  as defined in the Company's U.S. senior secured
credit facility.

         In December 1997, the Company's  Canadian  subsidiaries  entered into a
new  secured  credit  facility  to  provide  the  Company  with  more  financing
flexibility and reduce the Company's  foreign  currency  exposure.  The Canadian
credit facility provided such subsidiaries with  approximately  $18.5 million of
term loans and up to  approximately  $4.5 million of revolving  loans.  The term
loan  proceeds  were used to prepay $14.3 million and $4.2 million of Term Loans
under the U.S. senior secured credit facility in December 1997 and January 1998,
respectively.  Additionally,  as a result of the Canadian credit  facility,  the
Revolving  Loan  Facility  under the U.S.  senior  secured  credit  facility was
reduced by $4.5 million,  the amount of the revolving loan commitment  under the
Canadian credit facility, from $550.0 million to $545.5 million.  Interest rates
for borrowings  under the Canadian credit  facility are generally  comparable to
interest rates under the U.S. senior secured credit facility.

         During 1997, in implementing its refinancing strategy, the Company used
proceeds of $67.2  million  from the IPO,  proceeds of $300.0  million  from the
issuance of the 9% Debentures,  along with borrowings of $75.0 million under the
previous  credit  agreement,  $450.0  million of Term  Loans  under the new U.S.
senior  secured  credit  facility  and $14.3  million  of  borrowings  under the
Canadian credit facility to repay $59.0 million principal amount of the Discount
Debentures,  refinance  $613.3  million of term loans under the previous  credit
agreement, redeem the 11-3/4% Notes for $142.9 million ($135.0 million principal
amount),  repay $14.3 million of Term Loans under the U.S. senior secured credit
facility,  and pay fees  and  expenses  related  to such  refinancings  of $13.0
million.

         For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company used excess  proceeds
of $64.0  million  realized  from the  refinancings  referred  to above and cash
provided by operations of $117.9 million to repay $1.0 million  principal amount
of B Term Loans and $27.8 million of Revolving Loans, make capital  expenditures
of $57.6 million (net of asset sales), fund the acquisitions of Roll-on Closures
and Rexam  Plastics  for $42.8  million,  and increase its cash balance by $52.7
million.

         During  1996,   cash  generated  from  operations  of  $125.2  million,
borrowings  of  $125.0  million  of B  term  loans  under  the  previous  credit
agreement,  net proceeds of $47.8  million from the  Preferred  Stock Sale,  net
borrowings of working capital loans under the previous 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  previous
credit agreement, the payment of $1.8 million of financing costs associated with
the  borrowing of additional B term loans under the previous  credit  agreement,
and the  purchase for $35.8  million of  Holdings'  Class B common stock held by
Mellon Bank N.A., as trustee for First Plaza Group Trust.





                                      -27-
<PAGE>




         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.

         Because the Company sells metal  containers used in fruit and vegetable
pack  processing,  its sales are  seasonal.  As is common in the  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.  Due to the
Company's seasonal  requirements,  the Company incurs short term indebtedness to
finance its working capital requirements.

         For 1998, the Company  estimates it will utilize  approximately  $150.0
million of its  Revolving  Loan  Facility for seasonal  working  capital  needs.
Amounts  available  under the Revolving Loan Facility in excess of such seasonal
working capital needs are available to the Company to pursue its growth strategy
and for other permitted  purposes.  The Company financed the acquisition of Winn
in January 1998 through the Revolving Loan Facility,  and intends to finance the
acquisition  of Campbell's can  manufacturing  assets through the Revolving Loan
Facility. See "Business--Recent Developments." Revolving Loan borrowings will be
due and payable on December  31, 2003.  As of December  31, 1997,  there were no
Revolving Loans outstanding,  and, after taking into account outstanding letters
of credit,  the unused  portion of the Revolving  Loan Facility at such date was
$538.1 million.

         In addition to its operating cash needs,  the Company believes its cash
requirements over the next several years (without taking into account the effect
of  future   acquisitions)   will  consist   primarily  of  (i)  annual  capital
expenditures of $60 to $70 million, (ii) annual principal  amortization payments
of bank term loans under its senior secured credit facilities  beginning in 1998
of  approximately  $20.2 million (which includes $4.2 million that was repaid in
January  1998 and $14.2  million  that will be  repaid no later  than  April 30,
1998),  $33.5  million,  $38.7 million,  $44.0 million and $59.7 million,  (iii)
expected  expenditures of $30 to $35 million over the next few years  associated
with plant  rationalizations,  employee severance and  administrative  workforce
reductions,  other plant exit costs and employee relocation costs relating to AN
Can, (iv) the Company's interest  requirements,  including interest on revolving
loans under its senior secured credit  facilities (the principal amount of which
will vary depending upon seasonal  requirements and  acquisitions) and bank term
loans under the senior secured credit facilities, most of which bear fluctuating
rates of interest,  the 9% Debentures and the Exchange Debentures (for which the
Company intends to make future interest  payments in cash),  and (v) payments of
approximately $17.0 million for federal and state tax liabilities in 1998, which
will increase annually thereafter.

         Management  believes that cash  generated by operations  and funds from
the revolving loans available under the Company's secured credit facilities 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  consumer  goods  packaging   market,   and  will  likely  incur  additional
indebtedness,  including  indebtedness  under its Revolving  Loan  Facility,  to
finance any such acquisition. See "Business--Recent Developments."

         The Company's secured credit facilities and the indentures with respect
to the 9% Debentures and the Exchange Debentures 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 1998 with all such covenants.


                                      -28-
<PAGE>


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   "Business--Sales   and  Marketing"  and
"--Operating Performance."

         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, 1997,  the Company had
$805.3  million  of  indebtedness  outstanding,  of which  $249.0  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  based on the three month LIBOR rate,  which rate ranges
from 5.6% to 6.2%. The notional  principal  amounts of these agreements  totaled
$200.0 million and mature in 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.

New Accounting Pronouncements

         In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB")
issued  SFAS  No.  128,  "Earnings  Per  Share".  SFAS  No.  128  specifies  the
computation,  presentation,  and disclosure  requirements for earnings per share
information  and is  designed  to improve  the  earnings  per share  information
provided in the financial  statements by simplifying  the existing  computation.
SFAS No. 128 replaced the calculation of primary and fully diluted  earnings per
share with basic and diluted  earnings per share.  Unlike  primary  earnings per
share,  basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive  effect of stock options.
Diluted  earnings per share is very  similar to the  previously  reported  fully
diluted  earnings  per share.  All  earnings  per share  amounts for all periods
presented have been restated and conform to the requirements of SFAS No. 128.

         In June 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments  of an  Enterprise  and
Related  Information".  SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for the reporting and
display  of  comprehensive  income and its  components  in a full set of general
purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for disclosures
of segment  information  about products and services,  geographic  areas,  major
customers and certain interim  disclosures of segment  information  which is not
required by accounting standards currently used by the Company. These statements
are required to be adopted in 1998. The Company does not anticipate  that either
SFAS No.  130 or SFAS No.  131 will  have a  material  impact  on the  Company's
consolidated financial statements.

     In February  1998,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 132,  "Employers'  Disclosures
about  Pensions  and  Other  Postretirement  Benefits".  SFAS  No.  132  revises
financial  statement  disclosure   requirements  concerning  pension  and  other
postretirement  benefit plans. As required,  the Company will adopt SFAS No. 132
in 1998.

Year 2000 Issues

         Year 2000 issues result from the inability of some computer programs or
computerized  equipment to accurately calculate,  store or use a date subsequent
to December 31,  1999.  The  erroneous  date can be  interpreted  in a number of
different  ways;  typically the year 2000 is interpreted as the year 1900.  This
could  result in a system  failure or  miscalculations  causing  disruptions  of



                                      -29-
<PAGE>

operations,  including,  among other  things,  a temporary  inability to process
transactions,  send  invoices  or engage in similar  operations  as  required by
normal business.

         The Company has recently  completed an assessment of its core financial
and  operational  software  systems to ensure  compliance with Year 2000 issues.
Further  assessment of other less critical software systems and various types of
equipment  is  continuing  and should be  completed  by late 1998.  The  Company
believes that the potential impact, if any, of these systems not being Year 2000
compliant  will  at  most  require  employees  to  manually  complete  otherwise
automated  tasks or  calculations,  and it  should  not  materially  impact  the
Company's production or sales activities.

         The Company has initiated  formal  communication  with its  significant
suppliers  and  customers  to  determine  the  extent  to which the  Company  is
vulnerable  to those  third  parties'  failure  to  correct  their own Year 2000
issues. There can be no guarantee,  however, that the systems of other companies
on which the Company's systems rely will be timely converted,  or that a failure
to convert by another  company,  or a conversion that is  incompatible  with the
Company's systems, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

         The Company has and will utilize both  internal and external  resources
to complete tasks and perform testing necessary to address Year 2000 issues. The
Company plans to complete its Year 2000 project no later than June 30, 1999. The
Company does not expect that costs relating to the assessment and remediation of
Year 2000 issues to exceed $2.0 million.

Forward Looking Statements

         Statements included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
of Operations  and Financial  Condition"  and elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K which are not historical facts are  "forward-looking  statements" made
pursuant to the safe harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These
forward-looking  statements are made based upon  management's  expectations  and
beliefs  concerning  future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a
number of uncertainties and risks. As a result, the actual results of operations
or  financial  condition  of the  Company  could  differ  materially  from those
expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that
could cause the actual  results of  operations  or  financial  condition  of the
Company to differ  from  those  expressed  or  implied in these  forward-looking
statements  include,  but are not  necessarily  limited  to, the  ability of the
Company to locate or  acquire  suitable  acquisition  candidates  on  acceptable
terms;  the  Company's  ability to  assimilate  the  operations  of its acquired
businesses into its existing operations;  the Company's ability to generate free
cash flow to invest in its  business and service its  indebtedness;  limitations
and restrictions contained in the Company's instruments and agreements governing
its  indebtedness;  the  ability of the  Company to retain  sales with its major
customers;  the size and quality of the vegetable,  tomato and fruit harvests in
the midwest and west  regions of the United  States;  changes in the pricing and
availability to the Company of raw materials or the Company's  ability generally
to pass raw  material  price  increases  through  to its  customers;  changes in
consumer  preferences for different packaging products;  competitive  pressures,
including  new  product  developments  or changes in  competitors'  pricing  for
products; changes in governmental regulations or enforcement practices;  changes
in general economic conditions,  such as fluctuations in interest rates; changes
in labor  relations  and costs;  and other factors  described  elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K or in the Company's other filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.





                                      -30-
<PAGE>




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.



                                      -31-
<PAGE>




                                    PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

     The  information  required by this Item is set forth in the Company's Proxy
Statement for its Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held on June 2, 1998 in
the sections  entitled  "Election of Directors"  and "Section  16(a)  Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance", and is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Officers of Holdings

         The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of December
31, 1997) concerning the executive officers of Holdings.


Name                              Age  Position
- ----                              ---  --------
R. Philip Silver................  55   Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief 
                                         Executive Officer
D. Greg Horrigan................  54   President and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Harley Rankin, Jr...............  58   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Treasurer
Frank W. Hogan, III.............  37   Vice President, General Counsel and 
                                         Secretary
Glenn A. Paulson................  54   Vice President--Corporate Development
Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr.........  42   Vice President, Controller and Assistant 
                                         Treasurer

Executive Officers of Containers

     The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of December 31,
1997) concerning the executive officers of Containers.

Name                               Age   Position
- ----                               ---   --------
James D. Beam...................   54    President
Gary M. Hughes..................   55    Executive Vice President
Gerald T. Wojdon................   61    Executive Vice President
Joseph A. Heaney................   44    Vice President--Finance
H. Dennis Nerstad...............   60    Vice President--Production Services
Ward B. Thompson................   49    Vice President--Sales and Marketing
John Wilbert....................   39    Vice President--Operations

Executive Officers of Plastics

     The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of December 31,
1997) concerning the executive officers of Plastics.

Name                               Age   Position
- ----                               ---   --------
Russell F. Gervais..............   54    President
Howard H. Cole..................   52    Vice President
Colleen J. Jones................   37    Vice President--Finance
Alan H. Koblin..................   45    Vice President--Sales & Marketing
Charles Minarik.................   60    Vice President--Operations and 
                                           Commercial Development




                                      -32-
<PAGE>

     Mr. Silver has been Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of
Holdings  since March 1994. Mr. Silver is one of the founders of the Company and
was formerly  President of Holdings.  Mr. Silver has been a Director of Holdings
since its  inception.  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
since March  1994.  Mr.  Horrigan is one of the  founders of the Company and was
formerly Chairman of the Board of Holdings.  Mr. Horrigan has been a Director of
Holdings  since its  inception.  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. Rankin has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Holdings  since its inception and Treasurer of Holdings  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.  Hogan  has been Vice  President,  General  Counsel  and  Secretary  of
Holdings  since  June  1997.  Mr.  Hogan has also been Vice  President,  General
Counsel and Secretary of Containers and Plastics since June 1997. From September
1995  until  June 1997,  Mr.  Hogan was a partner  at the law firm of  Winthrop,
Stimson,  Putnam & Roberts.  From April 1988 to September 1995, Mr. Hogan was an
associate at such firm.

     Mr.  Paulson  has been Vice  President--Corporate  Development  of Holdings
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.  Rodriguez  has been Vice  President  of Holdings  since March 1994 and
Controller and Assistant  Treasurer of Holdings since March 1990. Prior to March
1990, Mr. Rodriguez was Assistant Controller and Assistant Treasurer of Holdings
since its  inception.  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.


                                      -33-
<PAGE>


     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. Hughes has been Executive  Vice  President of Containers  since January
1998. Previously, Mr. Hughes was 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
sales positions.

     Mr. Wojdon has been Executive  Vice  President of Containers  since January
1998. Previously,  Mr. Wojdon was Vice President--Operations 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. 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.  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. Thompson has been Vice  President--Sales  & Marketing of Containers
since March 1998. Previously,  Mr. Thompson was employed by Rexam plc in various
officer  positions,   including  most  recently  as  Vice  President,   Business
Development (coated films and paper sector);  President (Metallising);  and Vice
President, General Manager (Metal Americas).

     Mr. Wilbert has been Vice President--Operations of Containers since January
1998.  From  October  1992 to January  1998,  Mr.  Wilbert  was Area  Manager of
Operations of Containers.

     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 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 Company.

     Ms. Jones has been Vice  President--Finance 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.

     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.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>


     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.


Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

     The  information  required by this Item is set forth in the Company's Proxy
Statement for its Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held on June 2, 1998 in
the  sections  entitled  "Executive  Compensation",  "Election  of  Directors --
Compensation of Directors" and  "Compensation  Committee  Interlocks and Insider
Participation", and is incorporated herein by reference.


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

     The  information  required by this Item is set forth in the Company's Proxy
Statement for its Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held on June 2, 1998 in
the  section  entitled  "Security  Ownership  of Certain  Beneficial  Owners and
Management", and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

     The  information  required by this Item is set forth in the Company's Proxy
Statement for its Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held on June 2, 1998 in
the section entitled "Certain  Relationships and Related  Transactions",  and is
incorporated herein by reference.





                                      -35-
<PAGE>




                                     PART IV

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

(a)

Financial Statements:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                           <C>

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

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 .................................................   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations of the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
     and 1995 .............................................................................................   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Deficiency in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
     December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 .....................................................................   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
     and 1995 .............................................................................................   F-5

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

</TABLE>




Schedules:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>

II. Schedules of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 .....................................................          [F-38]

</TABLE>

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.



                                      -36-
<PAGE>



Exhibits:

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

   3.1       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Holdings (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Holdings'  Annual Report
             on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  Commission
             File No. 000-22117).

   3.2       Amended  and  Restated  By-laws of  Holdings  (incorporated  by
             reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with Holdings'  Annual Report on
             Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, Commission File
             No. 000-22117).

   4.1       Indenture,  dated as of July 22,  1996,  between  Holdings  and
             State  Street  Bank & Trust  Company  (as  successor  to  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).

   4.2       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).

   4.3       Indenture,  dated  as of June 9,  1997,  between  Holdings  (as
             successor to Silgan Corporation) and The First National Bank of
             Chicago,  as  trustee,   with  respect  to  the  9%  Debentures
             (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Holdings'
             Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 9, 1997, Commission File
             No. 000-22117).

   4.4       First Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of June 24, 1997 among
             Holdings,  Silgan  Corporation  and The First  National Bank of
             Chicago,  as  trustee,  to the  Indenture,  dated as of June 9,
             1997, between Holdings (as successor to Silgan Corporation) and
             The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, with respect to
             the 9%  Debentures  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.2
             filed with Holdings'  Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated
             July 8, 1997, Registration Statement No. 333-30881).

   4.5       Form of Holdings' 9% Senior  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2009
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 filed with Holdings'
             Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4,  dated  July  8,  1997,
             Registration Statement No. 333-30881).

  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 Corporation'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).





                                      -37-
<PAGE>




  10.2       Amendment to Supply  Agreement for Hanford,  California,  dated
             July 1, 1990  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 filed
             with Holdings'  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 Corporation'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 Corporation'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
             Holdings'  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  Corporation'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
             Holdings'  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 be reference
             to   Exhibit   10(xvii)   filed   with   Silgan   Corporation'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).

  10.9       Amendment to Supply Agreement for St. Joseph,  Missouri,  dated
             March 1, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 filed
             with Holdings'  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).





                                      -38-
<PAGE>




  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   Corporation'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 12, 1990  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.44
             filed with Holdings'  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  Corporation'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 Holdings'  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   Corporation'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 Holdings'  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  Corporation'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 Silgan  Corporation's
             Registration  Statement  on Form S-1,  dated  January 11, 1988,
             Registration Statement No. 33-18719).





                                      -39-
<PAGE>




 +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 Corporation's Report on Form 8-K, 
             dated March 15, 1989, Commission File No. 33-18719).

 +10.19      InnoPak  Plastics  Corporation   (Plastics)  Pension  Plan  for
             Salaried Employees  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32
             filed with Silgan  Corporation'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  Corporation'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  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.21  filed  with
             Holdings'  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
             31, 1996, Commission File No. 000-22117).

 +10.22      Form  of   Holdings   Nonstatutory   Stock   Option   Agreement
             (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit   10.22  filed  with
             Holdings'  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for the  year  ended
             December 31, 1996, Commission File No. 000-22117).

  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  (incorporated  by
             reference to Exhibit 10.25 filed with  Holdings'  Annual Report
             on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  Commission
             File No. 000-22117).

 +10.25      Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement, dated as of
             February 14, 1997, between S&H and Containers  (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.26 filed with  Holdings'  Annual Report
             on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  Commission
             File No. 000-22117).

 +10.26      Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement, dated as of
             February 14, 1997,  between S&H and Plastics  (incorporated  by
             reference to Exhibit 10.27 filed with  Holdings'  Annual Report
             on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  Commission
             File No. 000-22117).

  10.27      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).





                                      -40-
<PAGE>




  10.28      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).

  10.29      Supply  Agreement,  dated  as of  September  3,  1993,  between
             Containers and Del Monte  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.118 filed with Silgan  Corporation'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.)

  10.30      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 Corporation'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      Credit  Agreement,  dated as of July 29, 1997,  among Holdings,
             Containers,  Plastics,  certain  other  subsidiaries  of any of
             them, various banks,  Bankers Trust Company,  as Administrative
             Agent and as a  Co-Arranger,  Bank of America  National Trust &
             Savings Association, as Syndication Agent and as a Co-Arranger,
             Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., as  Co-Documentation  Agent
             and as a Co-Arranger,  and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.,
             as Co-Documentation Agent and as a Co-Arranger (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 99.1 filed with  Holdings'  Current Report
             on  Form  8-K,  dated  August  8,  1997,  Commission  File  No.
             000-22117).

  10.32      Security Agreement,  dated as of July 29, 1997, among Holdings,
             Containers, Plastics, certain other subsidiaries of any of them
             and Bankers Trust Company, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 99.2 filed with  Holdings'  Current Report
             on Form 8-K, dated August 8, 1997, Commission File No.
             000-22117).

  10.33      Pledge  Agreement  dated as of July 29, 1997, made by Holdings,
             Containers,   Plastics  and  Silgan  Containers   Manufacturing
             Corporation   (as   successor  to   California-Washington   Can
             Corporation and SCCW Can Corporation), as Pledgors, in favor of
             Bankers  Trust  Company,  as  Collateral  Agent and as  Pledgee
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 filed with Holdings'
             Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated August 8, 1997,  Commission
             File No. 000-22117).

  10.34      Borrowers/Subsidiaries  Guaranty,  dated as of July  29,  1997,
             made by Holdings,  Containers,  Plastics and Silgan  Containers
             Manufacturing       Corporation      (as      successor      to
             California-Washington Can Corporation and SCCW Can Corporation)
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 filed with Holdings'
             Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated August 8, 1997,  Commission
             File No. 000-22117).

  10.35      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).





                                      -41-
<PAGE>




  10.36      Underwriting  Agreement,  dated as of February 13, 1997,  among
             Holdings, Silgan, Containers,  Plastics, MSLEF II, BTNY and the
             underwriters  listed on  Schedule  I thereto  (incorporated  by
             reference to Exhibit 10.40 filed with  Holdings'  Annual Report
             on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1996,
             Commission File No. 000-22117).

  10.37      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).

  10.38      Amendment to Stockholders  Agreement,  dated as of February 14,
             1997, among R. Philip Silver, D. Greg Horrigan,  MSLEF II, BTNY
             and Holdings  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 filed
             with  Holdings'  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
             ended December 31, 1996, Commission File No. 000-22117).

 *21         Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

 *23         Consent of Ernst & Young

 *27.1       Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
             1997.

 *27.2       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended 
             September 30, 1997.

 *27.3       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended 
             June 30, 1997.

 *27.4       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended 
             March 31, 1997.

 *27.5       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended 
             December 31, 1996.
             
 *27.6       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended 
             September 30, 1996.

 *27.7       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended 
             June 30, 1996.

 *27.8       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended  
             March 31, 1996.

 *27.9       Restated Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended  
             December 31, 1995.


(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

         No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of 1997.

- -----------------
*Filed herewith.
+Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.




                                      -42-
<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 26, 1998                      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
                              Co-Chief Executive Officer
/s/ R. Philip Silver         (Principal Executive Officer)       March 26, 1998
- --------------------
(R. Philip Silver)

                            President, Co-Chief Executive
/s/ D. Greg Horrigan            Officer and Director             March 26, 1998
- --------------------
(D. Greg Horrigan)

/s/ Robert H. Niehaus                Director                    March 26, 1998
- --------------------
(Robert H. Niehaus)

/s/ Leigh J. Abramson                Director                    March 26, 1998
- --------------------
(Leigh J. Abramson)

/s/ Thomas M. Begel                  Director                    March 26, 1998
- --------------------
(Thomas M. Begel)

/s/ Jeffrey C. Crowe                 Director                    March 26, 1998
- --------------------
(Jeffrey C. Crowe)

                           Executive Vice President, Chief
                           Financial Officer and Treasurer
/s/ Harley Rankin, Jr.      (Principal Financial Officer)        March 26, 1998
- ---------------------
(Harley Rankin, Jr.)

                            Vice President, Controller and
                                 Assistant Treasurer
/s/ Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr. (Principal Accounting Officer)      March 26, 1998
- -------------------------
(Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr.)





                                      -43-
<PAGE>


                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Silgan Holdings Inc.



         We have audited the accompanying  consolidated financial statements and
schedule of Silgan  Holdings  Inc. as listed in the  accompanying  index to the
financial  statements (Item 14(a)). These financial statements and schedule are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

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

         In our opinion,  the financial  statements  listed in the  accompanying
index to the financial  statements (Item 14(a)) present fairly,  in all material
respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the  consolidated  results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three  years in the  period  ended  December  31,
1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our
opinion, the related financial statement schedule,  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 26, 1998





                                      F-1
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           December 31, 1997 and 1996
                             (Dollars in thousands)

                                                              1997         1996
                                                              ----         ----
Assets
- ------
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents .....................    $   53,718    $   1,017
     Accounts receivable, less allowances for
       doubtful accounts of $3,415 and $4,045,
       respectively ................................       125,837      101,436
     Inventories ...................................       209,963      195,981
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets .....         9,997        7,403
                                                       -----------  -----------
         Total current assets ......................       399,515      305,837

Property, plant and equipment, net .................       531,765      499,781
Goodwill, net ......................................        66,895       77,176
Deferred tax asset .................................        32,024         --
Other non-current assets ...........................        20,368       30,752
                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                       $ 1,050,567  $   913,546
                                                       ===========  ===========
Liabilities and Deficiency in Stockholders' Equity
- --------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
     Trade accounts payable ........................   $   142,281  $   122,623
     Accrued payroll and related costs .............        40,621       41,799
     Accrued interest payable ......................        10,939        9,522
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities         20,871       35,456
     Current portion of long-term debt .............        20,218       38,427
                                                       -----------  -----------
         Total current liabilities .................       234,930      247,827

Long-term debt .....................................       785,036      721,583
Other long-term liabilities ........................        97,849       82,118

Cumulative exchangeable redeemable
  preferred stock (10,000,000 shares authorized,
  51,556 issued and outstanding in 1996) ...........          --         52,998

Deficiency in stockholders' equity:
     Common stock ($0.01 par value per share;
       100,000,000 shares authorized, 18,862,834
       and 15,162,833 shares issued and outstanding,
       respectively) ...............................           189          152
     Additional paid-in capital ....................       110,935       18,466
     Foreign currency translation adjustment .......          (508)        (774)
     Accumulated deficit ...........................      (177,864)    (208,824)
                                                       -----------  -----------
         Total deficiency in stockholders' equity ..       (67,248)    (190,980)
                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                       $ 1,050,567  $   913,546
                                                       ===========  ===========


                             See accompanying notes.




                                      F-2
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>

<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>

                                                       1997          1996           1995
                                                       ----          ----           ----

Net sales .....................................   $ 1,511,370    $ 1,405,742    $ 1,101,905

Cost of goods sold ............................     1,303,463      1,221,941        970,491
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

     Gross profit .............................       207,907        183,801        131,414

Selling, general and administrative expenses ..        60,826         60,511         46,848

Non-cash stock option charge ..................        22,522           --             --

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

     Income from operations ...................       124,559        123,290         69,821

Interest expense and other related
  financing costs .............................        80,693         89,353         80,710
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

     Income (loss) before income taxes ........        43,866         33,937        (10,889)

Income tax (benefit) provision ................        (6,700)         3,300          5,100
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

     Income (loss) before extraordinary charges        50,566         30,637        (15,989)

Extraordinary charges relating to early
  extinguishment of debt, net of income taxes .        16,382          2,222          5,817
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

     Net income (loss) before preferred stock
       dividend requirement ...................        34,184         28,415        (21,806)

Preferred stock dividend requirement ..........         3,224          3,006           --
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

     Net income (loss) available to
       common stockholders ....................   $    30,960    $    25,409    $   (21,806)
                                                  ===========    ===========    ===========

Basic earnings per common share:
     Income (loss) before extraordinary charges   $      2.75    $      1.75    $     (0.82)
     Extraordinary charges ....................         (0.89)         (0.13)         (0.30)
     Preferred stock dividend requirement .....         (0.18)         (0.17)          --
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
Net income (loss) per common share ............   $      1.68    $      1.45    $     (1.12)
                                                  ===========    ===========    ===========

Diluted earnings per common share:
     Income (loss) before extraordinary charges   $      2.56    $      1.65    $     (0.82)
     Extraordinary charges ....................         (0.83)         (0.12)         (0.30)
     Preferred stock dividend requirement .....         (0.16)         (0.16)          --
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
Net income (loss) per diluted common share ....   $      1.57    $      1.37    $     (1.12)
                                                  ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes.




                                      F-3
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF DEFICIENCY IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
              For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                        (Dollars and shares in thousands)

<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>       <C>      <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>

                                                                                      
                                 Common Stock                    Foreign                          Total  
                                 ------------      Additional    currency                     deficiency in
                                          Par       paid-in     translation    Accumulated    stockholders'
                                 Shares   Value     capital     adjustment      deficit          equity
                                 ------   -----     -------     ----------      -------          ------

Balance at January 1, 1995 .    19,446    $ 195    $  33,423      $(852)       $(191,616)     $(158,850)

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

Foreign currency translation      --       --           --           94             --               94
                               -------    -----    ---------      -----         ---------      ---------

Balance at December 31, 1995    19,446      195       33,423       (758)        (213,422)      (180,562)

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

Foreign currency translation      --       --           --          (16)            --              (16)

Purchase and retirement of
  4,283 shares of class B
  common stock .............    (4,283)     (43)     (14,957)       --           (20,811)       (35,811)
                               -------    -----    ---------      -----         ---------      ---------

Balance at December 31, 1996    15,163      152       18,466       (774)        (208,824)      (190,980)

Net income .................      --       --           --          --            30,960         30,960

Foreign currency translation      --       --           --          266              --             266

Issuance of common stock ...     3,700       37       67,183        --               --          67,220

Conversion of subsidiary
  stock options to options
  of parent company ........      --       --         25,286        --               --          25,286
                                -----     -----     --------       -----        ---------     ---------

Balance at December 31, 1997    18,863    $ 189    $ 110,935      $(508)       $(177,864)     $ (67,248)
                               =======    =====    =========       =====       =========      =========


</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes.




                                      F-4
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>

                                                           1997         1996         1995
                                                           ----         ----         ----

Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income (loss) before preferred stock
       dividend requirement ........................   $  34,184    $  28,415    $ (21,806)
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
       before preferred stock dividend requirement
       to net cash provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation ..............................      60,964       54,830       42,217
         Amortization ..............................       5,522        8,993        8,083
         Accretion of discount on discount
           debentures ..............................        --         12,077       28,672
         Non-cash stock option charge ..............      22,522         --           --
         Reduction in carrying value of assets .....        --           --         14,745
         Deferred income tax (benefit) .............      (8,100)        --           --
         Extraordinary charges relating to early
           extinguishment of debt ..................      16,382        2,222        5,817
         Changes in assets and liabilities, net
           of effect of acquisitions:
              (Increase) decrease in accounts
                 receivable ........................     (19,034)      15,102       (1,011)
              (Increase) decrease in inventories ...      (5,093)      20,348       10,852
              Increase (decrease) in trade
                 accounts payable ..................      16,188      (17,145)      43,108
              Net working capital provided by AN
                Can from 8/1/95 to 12/31/95 ........        --           --         85,213
              Other, net (decrease) increase .......      (5,675)         357       (6,261)
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------
                  Total adjustments ................      83,676       96,784      231,435
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------
         Net cash provided by operating
           activities ..............................     117,860      125,199      209,629
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Acquisition of businesses .....................     (42,775)     (43,043)    (348,762)
     Capital expenditures ..........................     (62,233)     (56,851)     (51,897)
     Proceeds from asset sales .....................       4,553        1,557        3,541
                                                        --------      -------     --------
         Net cash used in investing activities          (100,455)     (98,337)    (397,118)
                                                        --------      -------     --------

</TABLE>


                          Continued on following page.




                                      F-5
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
              For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>          <C>    

                                                        1997           1996          1995
                                                        ----           ----          ----

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Borrowings under revolving loans ...........     1,118,950      952,050      669,260
     Repayments under revolving loans ...........    (1,146,750)    (931,350)    (674,760)
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock .....        67,220         --           --
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ...       839,334      125,000      450,000
     Repayments and redemptions of
       long-term debt ...........................      (830,427)    (183,880)    (234,506)
     Proceeds from issuance of cumulative
       exchangeable redeemable preferred stock ..          --         50,000         --
     Repurchase of common stock .................          --        (35,811)        --
     Debt financing costs incurred ..............       (13,031)      (3,956)     (19,290)
     Payments to former shareholders ............          --           --         (3,795)
                                                    -----------    ---------    ---------
         Net cash provided by (used in) financing
           activities ...........................        35,296      (27,947)     186,909
                                                    -----------    ---------    ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
  cash equivalents ..............................        52,701       (1,085)        (580)

Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of year .............................         1,017        2,102        2,682
                                                    -----------    ---------    ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at
  end of year ...................................   $    53,718    $   1,017    $   2,102
                                                    ===========    =========    =========


Supplementary data:
     Interest paid...............................   $    76,385    $  68,390    $  45,293
     Income tax (refunds) payments, net .........         1,733       (4,836)       8,967
     Preferred stock dividend in lieu of
       cash dividend ............................         3,208        2,998         --

</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes.




                                      F-6
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


1.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature  of  Business.  Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  ("Holdings",  together  with  its
wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  the  "Company") is a company  principally  owned by
Holdings' management, The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, L. P. ("MSLEF
II"), an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("MS & Co."), and public
shareholders.  The Company 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,  and specialty packaging items including metal caps and closures,
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.

Principles of Consolidation.  The consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of Holdings and its subsidiaries,  all of which are  wholly-owned.  All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

In June 1997, Silgan  Corporation,  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Holdings,  was
merged into Holdings (the "Merger").  As a result,  all of the  indebtedness and
other obligations of Silgan Corporation have become indebtedness and obligations
of Holdings.  Since Holdings'  consolidated  financial  information included the
consolidated  financial  information  of Silgan  Corporation,  the Merger had no
effect on the consolidated financial results of Holdings.

Foreign Currency Translation.  The functional currency for the Company's foreign
operations  is the Canadian  dollar.  Balance  sheet  accounts of the  Company's
foreign  affiliates  are  translated at exchange  rates in effect at the balance
sheet date,  while revenue and expense  accounts are translated at average rates
prevailing during the year. Translation  adjustments are reported as a component
of  stockholders'  equity.  Foreign  subsidiaries  are  not  significant  to the
consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.

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 amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.





                                      F-7
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


1.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

Cash and cash equivalents.  Cash equivalents represent short-term, highly liquid
investments  which are readily  convertible to cash and have maturities of three
months or less at 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  $78.9  million at December 31, 1997 and $49.6 million at December
31, 1996 are included in trade accounts payable.

Inventories.  Inventories  are  valued  at the  lower of cost or  market  (net 
realizable  value)  and the cost is principally determined on the last-in, 
first-out basis (LIFO).

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 the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets.
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  principally  over  40  years.  The  Company  periodically  evaluates  the
existence of goodwill impairment to assess 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
value was to occur. Goodwill amortization charged to operations was $2.5 million
in  1997,  $2.3  million  in  1996,  and  $1.3  million  in  1995.   Accumulated
amortization of goodwill at December 31, 1997 and 1996 was $9.4 million and $7.7
million, respectively.

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 (6 to 12 years).  Other  intangible  assets are amortized  over their
expected useful lives using the straight-line method.

Income Taxes.  The Company  accounts for income taxes using the liability method
in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("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.




                                      F-8
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


1.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

Stock  Based  Compensation.   The  Company  has  elected  to  follow  Accounting
Principles  Board  Opinion  ("APB")  No.  25,  "Accounting  for Stock  Issued to
Employees"  and related  interpretations,  in accounting  for its employee stock
options.  Under APB No.  25, no  compensation  expense  is  recognized  when the
exercise  price  of  employee  stock  options  equals  the  market  price of the
underlying stock on the date of grant.

Earnings Per Share. In 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board ("FASB")
issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." SFAS No. 128 replaced the calculation
of primary and fully diluted  earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings
per share.  Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes
the dilutive effect of stock options. Diluted earnings per share is very similar
to the previously  reported fully diluted  earnings per share.  All earnings per
share  amounts for all periods  presented  have been restated and conform to the
requirements  of SFAS No. 128.  Additionally,  all share and per share data have
been  adjusted  to reflect a  17.133145  for 1 stock  split  which  occurred  in
February 1997 at the time of Holdings' initial public offering (the "Offering"),
see Note 15.

New  Accounting  Standards.  In 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income"  and SFAS No.  131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments  of an
Enterprise and Related Information".  SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for the
reporting and display of  comprehensive  income and its components in a full set
of general purpose financial statements.  SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for
disclosures  of segment  information  about  products and  services,  geographic
areas,  major customers and certain interim  disclosures of segment  information
which is not required by  accounting  standards  currently  used by the Company.
These  statements  are  required  to be adopted in 1998.  The  Company  does not
anticipate  that either SFAS No. 130 or SFAS No. 131 will have a material impact
on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132,  "Employers'  Disclosures  about
Pensions  and Other  Postretirement  Benefits".  SFAS No. 132 revises  financial
statement  disclosure  requirements  concerning pension and other postretirement
benefit plans. As required, the Company will adopt SFAS No. 132 in 1998.

Reclassifications.  Certain  reclassifications  have been  made to prior  years'
financial  statements  to conform with the current  year's  presentation.  These
changes  did not have a  material  impact  on  previously  reported  results  of
operations or stockholders' equity.






                                      F-9
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


2.       Acquisitions

In April 1997,  Containers  acquired the aluminum  roll-on  closure  business of
Alcoa Closure Systems International,  Inc. for $17.0 million, which was financed
through bank  borrowings.  The excess of the aggregate  purchase  price over the
fair market value of net assets  acquired of $1.1  million has been  recorded as
goodwill and is being amortized over 40 years.

In April 1997,  Plastics acquired the North American plastic container  business
of Rexam plc and Rexam  Plastics  Inc.  for $25.6  million,  which was  financed
through bank  borrowings.  The excess of the aggregate  purchase  price over the
fair market value of net assets  acquired of $1.6  million has been  recorded as
goodwill and is being amortized over 40 years.

In October 1996,  Containers acquired  substantially all of the assets of Finger
Lakes  Packaging  Company,   Inc.  ("Finger  Lakes"),  a  metal  food  container
manufacturer,  for $30.1 million.  The purchase price allocation was adjusted in
1997 for  differences  between the actual and  preliminary  valuations for asset
appraisals  resulting in an adjustment to increase goodwill by $4.5 million. The
excess of the purchase  price over the fair value of the net assets  acquired of
$9.8  million has been  recorded as  goodwill,  and is being  amortized  over 20
years.

In August 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")  for  $362.0  million  (including  $13.1  million  paid in  1996).  AN Can
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 aggregate excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of the assets acquired and  liabilities  assumed of $25.6 million has been
recorded as goodwill, and is being amortized over 40 years.

The aggregate  purchase  prices have been  allocated to the assets  acquired and
liabilities  assumed based on their fair values on the dates of  acquisition  as
follows:

                                             1997           1996         1995
                                             ----           ----         ----
                                                 (Dollars in thousands)

Working capital, net ...............     $   8,561      $   5,986     $ 158,612
Property, plant & equipment ........        38,356         14,395       233,764
Deferred tax asset .................           676           --          20,000
Goodwill ...........................         2,677          9,755        25,574
Other liabilities ..................        (7,709)          --         (76,067)
                                         ---------      ---------     ---------
     Purchase price ................     $  42,561      $  30,136     $ 361,883
                                         =========      =========     =========





                                      F-10
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


2.       Acquisitions  (continued)

Each of the acquisitions  referred to above was accounted for using the purchase
method of  accounting,  and  accordingly  the  results  of  operations  for each
respective   acquisition  has  been  included  in  the  consolidated   financial
statements of the Company from the dates of acquisition.

Assuming  the  acquisitions  had  taken  place as of the  first day of each year
presented, consolidated pro forma net sales of the Company would have been $1.53
billion for each of the years 1997 and 1996.  Consolidated  pro forma net income
and earnings per share, before  extraordinary  charges, of the Company would not
have been materially  different from the historical results of the Company.  The
above pro forma information,  unaudited,  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, 1997 or January 1, 1996,  or to project the  Company's
results of operations for any future period.


3.       Inventories

The components of inventories at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of the 
following:
                                                1997        1996
                                                ----        ----
                                            (Dollars in thousands)

              Raw materials ...............   $ 33,706   $ 30,127
              Work-in-process .............     43,529     38,014
              Finished goods ..............    121,369    116,498
              Spare parts and other .......      8,382      7,771
                                              --------   --------
                                               206,986    192,410
              Adjustment to value inventory
                 at cost on the LIFO method      2,977      3,571
                                              --------   --------
                                              $209,963   $195,981
                                              ========   ========

The amount of inventory  recorded on the first-in  first-out  method at December
31, 1997 and 1996 was $15.4 million and $11.8 million, respectively.






                                      F-11
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


4.       Property, Plant and Equipment

Property,  plant and  equipment  at December  31,  1997 and 1996  consist of the
following:

                                                     1997          1996
                                                     ----          ----
                                                   (Dollars in thousands)

       Land ...................................   $   7,217    $   6,425
       Buildings and improvements .............      92,467       79,923
       Machinery and equipment ................     706,062      621,232
       Construction in progress ...............      37,573       49,771
                                                  ---------    ---------
                                                    843,319      757,351
       Accumulated depreciation ...............    (311,554)    (257,570)
                                                  ---------    ---------
             Property, plant and equipment, net   $ 531,765    $ 499,781
                                                  =========    =========

Under SFAS No. 121, which became  effective in 1996,  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 such  assets  to their  carrying  amount.  There  were no  impairment  losses
recognized during 1997 and 1996.

In 1995, the Company made a review of its depreciable assets and determined that
certain   adjustments  were  necessary  to  properly  reflect  net  fixed  asset
realizable values. As a result of this review, 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.


5.       Other Assets

Other assets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of the following:

                                                 1997         1996
                                                 ----         ----
                                             (Dollars in thousands)

            Debt issuance costs ...........     14,910      30,515
            Other .........................      6,822       8,576
                                              --------    --------
                                                21,732      39,091
            Less:  accumulated amortization     (1,364)     (8,339)
                                              --------    --------
                                              $ 20,368    $ 30,752
                                              ========    ========




                                      F-12
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

5.       Other Assets  (continued)

In  connection  with  the  refinancing  of  principally  all of its  outstanding
indebtedness in 1997, the Company wrote off unamortized  debt financing costs of
$18.2 million and capitalized  $13.0 million of new debt issuance costs.  During
1996, the Company wrote off $2.2 million of unamortized  debt issuance costs and
capitalized  $4.0  million of new debt  issuance  costs in  connection  with the
refinancing  of a portion of its 13 1/4% Senior  Discount  Debentures  due 2002.
Amortization  expense  relating to debt  issuance  costs is included in interest
expense and other related financing costs. Debt amortization costs for the years
ended  December 31, 1997,  1996, and 1995 were $3.0 million,  $4.5 million,  and
$4.9 million, respectively.


6.       Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consists of the following:

                                                           1997           1996
                                                           ----           ----
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)
Bank Debt:
     Bank Revolving Loans ........................       $   --         $ 27,800
     Bank A Term Loans ...........................        235,714        194,554
     Bank B Term Loans ...........................        199,000        343,716
     Canadian Bank Facility ......................         14,334           --
                                                         --------       --------
        Total bank debt ..........................        449,048        566,070

Subordinated Debt:
     9% Senior Subordinated Debentures ...........        300,000           --
     11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes ...........           --          135,000
     13 1/4% Subordinated Debentures .............         56,206           --
     13 1/4% Senior Discount Debentures ..........           --           58,940
                                                         --------       --------
        Total subordinated debt ..................        356,206        193,940
                                                         --------       --------

Total Debt .......................................        805,254        760,010
     Less:  Amounts due within one year ..........         20,218         38,427
                                                         --------       --------
                                                         $785,036       $721,583
                                                         ========       ========

The aggregate  annual  maturities of long-term  debt at December 31, 1997 are as
follows (dollars in thousands):
                             1998................   $ 20,218
                             1999................     33,471
                             2000................     38,724
                             2001................     43,977
                             2002................     59,736
                             2003 and thereafter.    609,128
                                                     -------
                                                    $805,254
                                                    ========




                                      F-13
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

Bank Credit Agreement
- ---------------------

In July 1997, the Company  refinanced  the  indebtedness  outstanding  under its
previous bank credit  agreement  with  proceeds  from a new $1.0 billion  senior
secured credit facility (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement initially
provided  the  Company  with (i) $250.0  million of A Term  Loans,  (ii)  $200.0
million of B Term Loans and (iii) up to $550.0 million of Revolving Loans.

The A Term Loans and Revolving  Loans mature on December 31, 2003 and the B Term
Loans mature on June 30, 2005. Principal on the A Term Loans and B Term Loans is
required to be repaid in scheduled  annual  installments.  Amounts repaid on the
term loans may not be reborrowed.  Revolving Loans may be borrowed,  repaid, and
reborrowed over the life of the Credit Agreement until final maturity.

The Credit  Agreement  provides  that the Company is required to prepay the term
loans  with  proceeds  received  from the  incurrence  of  indebtedness,  except
proceeds used to refinance  existing  indebtedness;  with proceeds received from
certain  assets  sales;  and,  under  certain  circumstances,  with  50%  of the
Company's excess cash flow. Generally, prepayments are allocated pro rata to the
A Term Loans and B Term Loans and applied  first to the  scheduled  amortization
payments in the year of such  prepayments  and, to the extent in excess thereof,
pro rata to the remaining  installments  of the term loans.  An excess cash flow
prepayment  of $14.2  million will be paid in 1998 and has been  included in the
current portion of long term debt as of December 31, 1997.

The Credit Agreement provides  Containers and Plastics,  together,  a commitment
for a revolving  credit facility of up to $545.5 million (after giving effect to
the reduction of such facility by $4.5 million for the revolving loan commitment
under the Company's  Canadian  credit  facility)  for working  capital needs and
other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.  At December 31, 1997,
there were no  Revolving  Loans  outstanding  and,  after  taking  into  account
outstanding  letters of credit of $7.4 million,  borrowings  available under the
revolving  credit facility were $538.1 million.  The Company may utilize up to a
maximum of $30.0 million in letters of credit as long as the aggregate amount of
borrowings of Revolving  Loans and letters of credit do not exceed the amount of
the  commitment  under the  revolving  credit  facility.  The  Credit  Agreement
provides for the payment of a commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.375% (0.25%
at  December  31,  1997)  per  annum on the  daily  average  unused  portion  of
commitments  available  under the revolving  credit facility and at December 31,
1997 a 1.25% per annum fee on outstanding letters of credit.





                                      F-14
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

Bank Credit Agreement  (continued)
- ---------------------  -----------

The  borrowings  under the Credit  Agreement  may be  designated as Base Rate or
Eurodollar  Rate  borrowings.  The Base Rate is the higher of (i) 1/2 of 1.0% in
excess of the Adjusted  Certificate  of Deposit  Rate,  as defined in the Credit
Agreement,  (ii) 1/2 of 1.0% in  excess  of the  Federal  Funds  Rate,  or (iii)
Bankers Trust Company's prime lending rate. Currently, Base Rate borrowings bear
interest at the Base Rate in the case of A Term Loans and Revolving  Loans;  and
at the Base Rate plus a margin of 0.5% in the case of B Term  Loans.  Eurodollar
Rate borrowings  currently bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of
1.0% in the case of A Term Loans and  Revolving  Loans;  and a margin of 1.5% in
the case of B Term Loans. In accordance with the Credit Agreement,  the interest
rate margin on Base Rate and Eurodollar  Rate borrowings will be reset quarterly
based upon the Company's Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  As
of December 31, 1997,  the interest rate for Base Rate  borrowings  was 8.5% and
the interest rate for Eurodollar Rate borrowings ranged between 6.79% and 7.32%.
The Company has entered into interest rate swap  agreements to convert  interest
rate  exposure  from  variable  to fixed rates of interest on A Term Loans and B
Term Loans in an aggregate  notional  amount of $200.0 million (for a discussion
of the interest rate swap agreements, see Note 7).

For 1997, 1996 and 1995,  respectively,  the average amount of borrowings  under
the Company's revolving credit facilities was $89.2 million, $104.1 million, and
$67.6 million; the weighted average annual interest rate paid on such borrowings
was 7.8%,  8.4%, and 8.9%; and the highest amount of such  borrowings was $182.2
million, $175.1 million, and $188.1 million.

The  indebtedness  under the Credit  Agreement is guaranteed by Holdings and its
U.S.  subsidiaries and is secured by a security interest in substantially all of
their real and  personal  property.  The stock of all U.S.  subsidiaries  of the
Company has been pledged to the lenders under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement contains various covenants which limit, among other things,
the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens,  sell assets and
use the proceeds  from certain  asset sales,  make certain  payments  (including
dividends) on its capital stock, incur indebtedness or provide guarantees,  make
loans or investments,  enter into  transactions  with  affiliates,  make capital
expenditures,  engage in any business  other than the packaging  business,  and,
with  respect to the  Company's  subsidiaries,  issue stock.  In  addition,  the
Company is required to meet specified  financial  covenants  including  Interest
Coverage  and  Leverage  Ratios,  each as defined in the Credit  Agreement.  The
Company  is  currently  in  compliance  with  all  covenants  under  the  Credit
Agreement.





                                      F-15
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

Canadian Bank Facility
- ----------------------

In December  1997,  the Company,  through a  wholly-owned  Canadian  subsidiary,
entered into a Canadian bank facility  ("Canadian  Bank  Facility") with various
Canadian  banks.  The Canadian  Bank Facility  provides the  Company's  Canadian
subsidiaries  with (i) Cdn. $26.5 million (U.S. $18.5 million) of term loans and
(ii) up to Cdn. $6.5 million (U.S. $4.5 million) of revolving  loans.  Principal
on the term loans is required to be repaid in annual installments until maturity
on December 31, 2003.

The revolving loans may be borrowed,  repaid,  and reborrowed  until maturity on
December  31,  2003.  At  December  31,  1997,  there were term loan  borrowings
outstanding of Cdn. $20.5 million (U.S.  $14.3 million) and in January 1998, the
Company  borrowed an additional  Cdn.  $6.0 million (U.S.  $4.2 million) of term
loans.  The term loans  borrowed  under the Canadian  Bank Facility were used to
repay a portion of the A Term Loan  installment  due December 31, 1998 under the
Credit Agreement. There were no revolving borrowings outstanding at December 31,
1997.

Revolving loan and term loan borrowings may be designated as Canadian Prime Rate
or Bankers Acceptance borrowings. Currently, Canadian Prime Rate borrowings bear
interest at the Canadian  Prime Rate, as defined in the Canadian Bank  Facility.
Bankers Acceptance  borrowings bear interest at the rate for bankers acceptances
plus a margin of 1.0%. Similar to the Credit Agreement, the interest rate margin
on both  Canadian  Prime Rate and Bankers  Acceptance  borrowings  will be reset
quarterly based upon the Company's  consolidated  Leverage Ratio. As of December
31, 1997, the interest rate for Bankers  Acceptance  borrowings was 6.25%. There
were no Canadian Prime Rate borrowings outstanding at December 31, 1997.

The indebtedness  under the Canadian Bank Facility is guaranteed by Holdings and
its subsidiaries and is secured by a security  interest in substantially  all of
the real and personal property of the Company's Canadian subsidiaries and all of
the stock of the  Company's  Canadian  subsidiaries.  The Canadian Bank Facility
contains  covenants  which  are  generally  no  more  restrictive  than  and are
generally similar to the covenants in the Credit Agreement.

9.0% Senior Subordinated Debentures
- -----------------------------------

In June 1997, the Company issued $300.0 million  aggregate  principal  amount of
9.0% Senior Subordinated  Debentures (the "9% Debentures") due June 1, 2009. The
9%  Debentures   represent  general   unsecured   obligations  of  the  Company,
subordinate  in right of payment to  obligations of the Company under the Credit
Agreement  and the Canadian  Bank Facility and  effectively  subordinate  to all
obligations of the subsidiaries of the Company. Interest on the 9% Debentures is
payable semi-annually in cash on the first day of each June and December.




                                      F-16
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

9.0% Senior Subordinated Debentures  (continued)
- -----------------------------------

The 9% Debentures are redeemable,  at the option of the Company,  in whole or in
part,  at any  time  after  June 1,  2002  at the  following  redemption  prices
(expressed in percentages of principal  amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon to the  redemption  date if  redeemed  during the  twelve  month  period
beginning June 1 of the years set forth below:

             Year                    Redemption Price
             ----                    ----------------
             2002................         104.500%
             2003................         103.375%
             2004................         102.250%
             2005................         101.125%
             2006 and thereafter.         100.000%

In addition, at any time on or prior to June 1, 2000, up to 35% of the aggregate
principal  amount of the 9%  Debentures  may be  redeemed,  at the option of the
Company, with the proceeds of one or more equity offerings by the Company of its
common stock at 109% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest
to the redemption date.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture relating
to the 9% Debentures),  the Company is required to make an offer to purchase the
9% Debentures at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount,  plus
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

The  Indenture  relating  to the 9%  Debentures  contains  covenants  which  are
generally  less  restrictive  than  those  under  the  Company's   secured  debt
agreements.

13-1/4% Subordinated Debentures
- -------------------------------

In  June  1997,  the  Company  exchanged  its  outstanding  13-1/4%  Cumulative
Exchangeable  Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock") with a par value of
$1,000  per  share and a total  liquidation  value of $56.2  million  for a like
principal  amount  of 13-1/4%  Subordinated  Debentures  due 2006  (the "13-1/4%
Debentures").  The 13-1/4%  Debentures  are general  obligations of the Company,
subordinate  in right of payment to all Senior  Indebtedness  (as defined in the
Indenture relating to the 13-1/4% Debentures),  including indebtedness under the
Company's  Credit  Agreement,  the Canadian Bank Facility and the 9% Debentures,
and  effectively  subordinate  to all  obligations  of the  subsidiaries  of the
Company.





                                      F-17
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

13-1/4% Subordinated Debentures  (continued)
- --------------------------------------------

Interest on the 13-1/4% Debentures is payable  semi-annually  on each January 15
and July 15 in cash or,  on or prior to July  15,  2000,  at the  option  of the
Company, in additional 13-1/4% Debentures in an aggregate principal amount equal
to such interest. From and after July 15, 2000, interest will be payable only in
cash. Interest on the 13-1/4% Debentures due July 15, 1997 was paid in cash.

The 13-1/4% Debentures may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2000, in
whole or in part,  at the  option of the  Company  at the  following  redemption
prices  (expressed in percentages  of principal  amount) plus accrued and unpaid
interest  thereon to the  redemption  date if redeemed  during the twelve  month
period beginning July 15 in each of the years set forth below:

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

In addition, on or prior to July 15, 2000, Holdings may redeem all (but not less
than all)  outstanding 13-1/4% Debentures at a redemption price equal to 110% of
their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date,
from proceeds of any sale of its common stock.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture relating
to the 13-1/4% Debentures), the Company is required to make an offer to purchase
all of the 13-1/4%  Debentures  at a  purchase  price  equal  to  101% of  their
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

The Indenture  relating to the 13-1/4% Debentures  contains  covenants which are
generally  comparable  to or less  restrictive  than those  under the  Indenture
relating to the 9% Debentures.





                                      F-18
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

Refinancings
- ------------

Since 1995,  the  Company  has  refinanced  principally  all of its  outstanding
indebtedness with lower cost indebtedness and equity. The Company's  refinancing
activity over the past three years is summarized below.

1997 Refinancing
- ----------------

In February  1997,  the Company  used net  proceeds  of $67.2  million  from the
Offering of its common  stock to prepay $8.9  million of its bank term loans and
to redeem the remaining outstanding 13-1/4% Senior Discount Debentures ("13-1/4%
Discount  Debentures")  due 2002.  The 13-1/4% Discount  Debentures  represented
unsecured  general  obligations of Holdings,  subordinate in right of payment to
the obligations of its subsidiaries.  The original issue discount of the 13-1/4%
Discount Debentures was amortized through June 15, 1996 with a yield to maturity
of 13-1/4%.  From and  after  June 15,  1996,  accrued  interest  on the 13-1/4%
Discount  Debentures  was  payable in cash  semiannually.  The 13-1/4%  Discount
Debentures were  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 $58.9 million,  $154.4 million,  and $61.7
million  principal amount of its 13-1/4% Discount  Debentures in 1997, 1996, and
1995, respectively.

In June 1997,  the Company used net proceeds of $291.5 million from the issuance
of the 9%  Debentures  to repay  $148.6  million  of bank term  loans  under its
previous credit agreement and, for a total redemption  amount of $142.9 million,
to redeem the entire  principal  amount  ($135.0  million) of the 11-3/4% Senior
Subordinated  Notes ("11-3/4%  Notes") due 2002.  The 11-3/4% Notes  represented
unsecured general obligations of the Company, subordinate in right of payment to
obligations  of  the  Company  under  its  credit   agreement  and   effectively
subordinate to all the  obligations of the Company's  subsidiaries.  The 11-3/4%
Notes were redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any
time  during the twelve  months  commencing  June 15,  1997 at  105.875%  of the
principal amount, plus accrued interest.

In July 1997,  the  Company  used  proceeds  of $452.6  million  from the Credit
Agreement  to refinance  all term loans  outstanding  under the previous  credit
agreement, including term borrowings of $75.0 million made in April 1997.

In connection with these  refinancings,  the Company  incurred an  extraordinary
charge of $16.4  million,  net of tax,  for the  write-off of  unamortized  debt
financing  costs of $18.2  million and  premiums of $7.9  million  paid upon the
redemption of the 11-3/4% Notes.





                                      F-19
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.       Long-Term Debt  (continued)

1996 Refinancing
- ----------------

In 1996,  the Company  used  proceeds of $125.0  million of term loans and $17.4
million of revolving loans under its previous credit agreement and $12.0 million
of the  proceeds  received  upon the issuance of the  Preferred  Stock to redeem
$154.4  principal  amount of 13-1/4% Discount  Debentures at par. As a result of
the  early  redemption  of a portion  of the 13-1/4%  Discount  Debentures,  the
Company incurred an extraordinary  charge of $2.2 million, net of taxes, for the
write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.

1995 Refinancing
- ----------------

In August 1995, the Company entered into its previous credit  agreement  ($675.0
million) with various banks  primarily to finance the  acquisition by Containers
of AN Can. The Company used proceeds from this credit facility to acquire AN Can
for $348.9 million  (excluding $13.1 million paid in 1996), repay $117.1 million
of bank  term  loans,  repay  in full  $50.0  million  principal  amount  of the
Company's Senior Secured Notes (the "Secured  Notes"),  repurchase $61.7 million
principal  amount at maturity of 13-1/4% 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 13-1/4% 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 13-1/4%  Discount
Debentures.


7.       Financial Instruments

The Company's financial  instruments  recorded on the balance sheet include cash
and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt, and preferred
stock.  Due to their short-term  maturity,  the carrying amount of cash and cash
equivalents,  accounts  receivable,  accounts payable,  and short-term bank debt
approximates  fair market value.  The following  table  summarizes  the carrying
amounts  and  estimated  fair  values  of  the  Company's   remaining  financial
instruments at December 31, 1997 and 1996:
                                              1997                   1996
                                      -------------------    -------------------
                                      Carrying      Fair     Carrying      Fair
                                        Amount      Value      Amount      Value
                                        ------      -----      ------      -----
                                                (Dollars in thousands)

Bank debt .........................  $ 449,048  $ 449,048   $ 566,070  $ 566,070
Subordinated debt .................    356,206    371,575     193,940    203,685
Preferred Stock ...................       --         --        52,998     58,671
Interest rate swap agreements .....       --          (70)       --          504




                                      F-20
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


7.       Financial Instruments  (continued)

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

Bank debt: The carrying amounts of the Company's  variable rate borrowings under
its revolving loans and bank term loans approximate their fair values.

Subordinated  debt: The fair value of the Company's fixed rate borrowings  which
include the 9% Debentures  and the 13-1/4%  Debentures  are  estimated  based on
quoted market prices.

Preferred Stock: The fair value of the Company's Preferred Stock at December 31,
1996 was based upon quoted market prices.

Interest  Rate  Swap  Agreements:  The fair  value  of the  interest  rate  swap
agreements  reflect the estimated  amounts that the Company would be required to
pay at  December  31,  1997 or receive at December  31,  1996 to  terminate  the
contracts based on quoted market prices.

Derivative Financial Instruments
- --------------------------------

In 1996,  the Company  entered into interest rate swap  agreements  with various
banks to manage its exposure to interest rate  fluctuations.  The agreements are
with major  financial  institutions  who 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. The interest rate swap agreements
require the  Company to pay fixed  rates of interest  based on three month LIBOR
ranging from 5.6% to 6.2%.  Notional principal amounts of these agreements total
$200.0 million and mature in 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. The difference  between  amounts to be paid or received on interest
rate swap  agreements  are  recorded as  adjustments  to interest  expense.  Net
payments of $0.3 million for each of the years ended  December 31, 1997 and 1996
were recorded under these agreements.

The Company does not utilize  derivative  financial  instruments for speculative
purposes.  Its 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.





                                      F-21
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


7.       Financial Instruments  (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  27.7% of its net sales in 1997, 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  21.7% and 18.2% of the
Company's accounts receivable at December 31, 1997 and 1996, 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.


8.       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 (dollars in thousands):

            1998................       $ 14,798
            1999................         12,427
            2000................         11,567
            2001................          7,509
            2002................          5,531
            2003 and thereafter.         16,860
                                        -------
                                       $ 68,692
                                        =======

Rent expense was approximately $15.1 million in 1997; $13.9 million in 1996; and
$10.8 million in 1995.




                                      F-22
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


9.       Retirement Plans

The Company  sponsors  defined  benefit 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.

The following  table sets forth the funded  status of the  Company's  retirement
plans as of December 31, 1997 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>                       <C>                   

                                                                 Plans in which          Plans in which
                                                                  Assets Exceed            Accumulated
                                                                   Accumulated               Benefits
                                                                    Benefits               Exceed Assets
                                                               -----------------         ---------------
                                                                1997          1996      1997        1996
                                                                ----          ----      ----        ----
                                                                          (Dollars in thousands)

<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>    
                                                                         
Actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligations:
    Vested benefit obligations ............................   $ 17,901    $ 14,009    $ 45,181    $ 33,558
    Non-vested benefit obligations ........................        598         383       4,696       4,718
                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
Total accumulated benefit obligations .....................     18,499      14,392      49,877      38,276
Additional benefits due to
  future salary increases .................................      6,522       6,255       6,108       6,526
                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
Projected benefit obligations .............................     25,021      20,647      55,985      44,802
Plan assets at fair value .................................     19,313      15,055      43,047      31,265
                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
Projected benefit obligation
  in excess of plan assets ................................      5,708       5,592      12,938      13,537
Unrecognized experience gain ..............................        153         110       5,680       3,476
Unrecognized prior service costs ..........................       (515)       (565)     (3,222)     (2,052)
Additional minimum liability ..............................       --          --         1,145       1,124
                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
Accrued pension liability
  recognized in the balance sheet .........................   $  5,346    $  5,137    $ 16,541    $ 16,085
                                                              ========    ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

For certain pension plans with accumulated  benefits in excess of plan assets at
December  31,  1997 and  December  31,  1996,  the  balance  sheet  reflects  an
additional  minimum  pension  liability  and  related  intangible  asset of $1.1
million in each year, respectively.




                                      F-23
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


9.       Retirement Plans  (continued)

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

                                                1997          1996         1995
                                                ----          ----         ----
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)

Service cost ...............................  $ 5,705       $ 5,229     $ 3,067
Interest cost ..............................    5,233         4,452       3,887
Actual return on assets ....................   (8,794)       (3,946)     (7,284)
Net amortization and deferrals .............    4,442           650       5,008
                                              -------        -------     -------
    Net periodic pension cost ..............  $ 6,586       $ 6,385     $ 4,678
                                              =======        =======     =======

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 1997, 1996, and 1995 in the Company's  Consolidated  Statements
of Operations is as follows:

                                                1997          1996         1995
                                                ----          ----         ----
                                                     (Dollars in thousands)

Net periodic pension cost ..................  $ 6,586       $ 6,385     $ 4,678
Settlement and curtailment losses, net .....       74            48         418
Contributions to multi-employer
  union plans ..............................    4,223         3,813       2,708
                                              -------       -------     -------
    Total pension costs ....................  $10,883       $10,246     $ 7,804
                                              =======       =======     =======

The assumptions  used in determining the actuarial  present value of accumulated
benefit obligations as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

                                                1997          1996         1995
                                                ----          ----         ----

Discount rate ..............................    7.25%         7.5%         7.5%
Weighted average rate of compensation
  increase .................................    3.75%         4.0%         4.0%
Expected long-term rate of return on
  plan assets ..............................    9.0%          9.0%         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 $2.9  million in 1997;  $4.3  million in
1996; and $1.7 million in 1995.





                                      F-24
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


10.      Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

The Company has unfunded  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.

The following table presents the funded status of the  postretirement  plans and
amounts  recognized in the  Company's  balance sheet as of December 31, 1997 and
1996:

                                                            1997           1996
                                                            ----           ----
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
     Retirees ......................................     $  3,983      $  3,885
     Fully eligible active plan participants .......       13,411        10,741
     Other active plan participants ................       18,882        12,983
                                                         --------      --------
Total accumulated postretirement
   benefit obligation ..............................       36,276        27,609
Unrecognized experience net loss ...................          552         1,865
Unrecognized prior service costs ...................         (252)         (275)
                                                         --------      --------
Accrued postretirement benefit liability ...........     $ 36,576      $ 29,199
                                                         ========      ========

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost include the following components:

                                                        1997      1996     1995
                                                        ----      ----     ----
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)

Service cost .....................................    $  942    $  871   $  372
Interest cost ....................................     2,347     1,766    1,097
Net amortization and deferral ....................        65        25       42
                                                      ------    ------   ------
  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost .......    $3,354    $2,662   $1,511
                                                      ======    ======   ======

The  weighted   average   discount  rates  used  to  determine  the  accumulated
postretirement  benefit  obligation  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 were 7.25%
and 7.50%,  respectively.  The net periodic  postretirement  benefit  costs were
calculated  using a discount  rate of 7.5% for each of the years ended  December
31,  1997,  1996,  and 1995.  The  assumed  health care cost trend rates used in
measuring the accumulated  postretirement benefit obligation in 1997 ranged from
9.5% to 9.0% for pre-age 65 retirees  and 9.0% to 8.5% for post-age 65 retirees,
declining gradually to an ultimate rate of 5.5% in 2007.

A 1%  increase  in the  assumed  health  care cost trend rate in each year would
increase the accumulated  postretirement  benefit  obligation as of December 31,
1997 by approximately $3.1 million and increase the aggregate of the service and
interest  cost  components of the net periodic  postretirement  benefit cost for
1997 by approximately $0.3 million.




                                      F-25
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


11.      Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

                                           1997            1996            1995
                                           ----            ----            ----
                                               (Dollars in thousands)
Current
         Federal ..............        $    100         $   --         $    500
         State ................             200            3,000          1,900
         Foreign ..............           1,100              300            100
                                       --------         --------       --------
                                          1,400            3,300          2,500
Deferred
         Federal ..............         (16,300)            --             --
         State ................          (1,600)            --             --
         Foreign ..............             100             --             --
                                       --------         --------       --------
                                        (17,800)            --             --
                                       --------         --------       --------
                                       $(16,400)        $  3,300       $  2,500
                                       ========         ========       ========

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

                                          1997             1996           1995
                                          ----             ----            ----
                                                (Dollars in thousands)
Income before
  extraordinary charges .......       $ (6,700)         $  3,300       $  5,100
Extraordinary charges .........         (9,700)             --           (2,600)
                                        --------         --------      --------
                                      $(16,400)         $  3,300       $  2,500
                                       ========          ========      ========

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

                                         1997              1996           1995
                                         ----              ----           ----
                                                 (Dollars in thousands)
Income tax expense (benefit) at
  the U.S. federal income tax rate ..  $  6,200         $ 11,100       $ (3,811)
State and foreign tax expense,
  net of federal income benefit .....       260            2,145          1,820
Amortization of goodwill ............       500              621            471
Change in valuation allowance .......   (27,400)         (10,566)         6,620
Provision for tax contingencies .....     4,040             --             --
                                        --------         --------      --------
                                       $(16,400)         $  3,300      $  5,100
                                        ========         ========      ========





                                      F-26
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


11.      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, 1997 and 1996
are as follows:

                                                           1997          1996
                                                          ----          ----
                                                         (Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Tax over book depreciation .....................     $  71,800      $  65,000
  Book over tax basis of assets acquired .........        19,700         13,200
  Other ..........................................         6,076          4,100
                                                       ---------      ---------
    Total deferred tax liabilities ...............        97,576         82,300

Deferred tax assets:
  Book reserves not yet deductible
    for tax purposes .............................        66,200         59,200
  Deferred interest on high yield obligations ....          --            7,700
  Net operating loss carryforwards ...............        63,400         57,200
  Other ..........................................          --              500
                                                       ---------      ---------
    Total deferred tax assets ....................       129,600        124,600
  Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets ....          --          (42,300)
                                                       ---------      ---------
    Net deferred tax assets ......................       129,600         82,300
                                                       ---------      ---------

Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities ............     $ (32,024)     $    --
                                                       =========      =========

During 1997,  the Company  determined  that it was more likely than not that the
future tax benefits arising from its net operating loss  carryforwards  would be
realized in future years due to the Company's continued  improvement in earnings
and the  probability of future taxable income.  As a result,  in accordance with
SFAS No. 109, the Company  recognized an income tax benefit of $27.4 million and
reduced goodwill by $14.9 million by releasing the valuation  allowance.  In the
years prior to 1997,  the  Company`s  net deferred  tax asset  position had been
offset by a valuation  allowance  which arose  primarily  as a result of its net
operating loss carryforwards and net temporary differences.

The Company  files a  consolidated  federal  income tax return.  At December 31,
1997, the Company had net operating loss  carryforwards of approximately  $181.0
million which are available to offset future consolidated  taxable income of the
group and expire from 2001  through  2012.  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.





                                      F-27
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


12.      Acquisition Reserves

The  Company  is in the  process of  implementing  its plan to  rationalize  and
integrate the operations of AN Can. 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,  is  dependent  on
covenants  in  existing  labor  agreements  and  accordingly  these  costs  will
principally be incurred  through the year 2000.  Since the acquisition of AN Can
in 1995,  $6.7  million  related  to  administrative  workforce  reductions  and
employee  severance and relocation  costs and $6.5 million related to plant exit
costs and other acquisition liabilities have been incurred.


13.      Stock Option Plans

The Company has  established  a stock option plan (the "Plan") for key employees
pursuant to which options to purchase  shares of common stock of the Company may
be granted.

The Company also had  established  similar stock option plans at Containers  and
Plastics for their key  employees.  Concurrent  with the Offering in February of
1997,  all  outstanding  stock options  issued under the Containers and Plastics
plans were  converted to stock  options  under the Plan in  accordance  with the
terms  of such  plans,  and the  Containers  and  Plastics  stock  option  plans
terminated.

In connection  with the  Offering,  the Company  recognized a non-cash,  pre-tax
charge of $22.5 million for the excess of fair market value over the grant price
of stock options  converted from Holdings'  subsidiaries'  stock option plans to
the Plan.  Under APB No. 25,  options  granted under the  subsidiary  plans were
considered  variable  options  with a  final  measurement  date  at the  time of
conversion. Paid in capital was credited for $25.3 million which represented the
current year charge and amounts accrued in prior years. In addition, the Company
incurred  charges  relating to the vesting of  benefits  under the stock  option
plans of $0.8 million in 1996 and 1995.

The Plan  authorizes  the granting of options for up to 3,533,414  shares of the
Company's  common stock,  which options can be  non-qualified or incentive stock
options.  The exercise price of the stock options  granted under the Plan is the
fair market  value of the Common  Stock on the date of such grant.  Options that
have been granted  generally vest ratably over a five year period  beginning one
year after the grant date and have a term of ten years.




                                      F-28
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


13.      Stock Option Plans  (continued)

The  following is a summary of stock  option  activity for the three year period
ended December 31, 1997:
                                                     Number     Weighted Average
                                                    of Shares    Exercise Price
                                                    ---------    --------------

Options outstanding December 31, 1994 ..........    1,752,873      $  2.09
Granted ........................................       67,230         4.43
Exercised ......................................         --            --
Canceled .......................................         --            --
                                                     --------

Options outstanding December 31, 1995 ..........    1,820,103         2.18
Granted ........................................         --            --
Exercised ......................................         --            --
Canceled .......................................         --            --
                                                     --------

Options outstanding December 31, 1996 ..........    1,820,103         2.18
Granted ........................................      120,000        26.91
Exercised ......................................         --            --
Canceled .......................................         --            --
                                                     --------

Options outstanding December 31, 1997 ..........    1,940,103      $  3.71
                                                    =========

The number of options exercisable was 1,578,952,  1,465,098,  and 1,351,242; the
weighted average exercise price was $2.08,  $2.03, and $1.97; and, the remaining
contractual life of options  outstanding was 3.7 years, 4.3 years, and 5.3 years
at December 31, 1997,  1996, and 1995,  respectively.  At December 31, 1997, the
exercise price range for options was $0.56 to $36.75.

The  Company  applies  APB  Opinion  No.  25,  Accounting  for  Stock  Issued to
Employees,  and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan.
Had compensation  expense been determined based on the fair value of such awards
at the grant date,  consistent  with the methods of SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for
Stock-Based  Compensation,"  the Company's  total and per share net income would
have been as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                                1997         1996         1995
                                                ----         ----         ----
Net income:
     As reported net income (loss) .....   $   30,960   $   25,409   $  (21,806)
     Pro forma net income (loss) .......       30,850       25,384      (21,832)
Basic earnings per share:
     As reported earnings per share ....         1.68         1.45        (1.12)
     Pro forma earnings per share ......         1.67         1.44        (1.12)
Diluted earnings per share:
     As reported earnings per share ....         1.57         1.37        (1.12)
     Pro forma earnings per share ......         1.56         1.36        (1.12)




                                      F-29
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


13.      Stock Option Plans  (continued)

The weighted  average fair value of options  granted was $10.51 and $1.87 during
1997 and 1995, respectively.  The fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes
option-pricing  model with the following weighted average assumptions for grants
made in 1997 and  1995:  risk-free  interest  rates of 6.1% and  7.8%;  expected
volatility of 31.9%;  dividend yield of 0%; and expected  lives of 5 years.  For
purposes of the pro forma disclosures,  the estimated fair values of the options
is  amortized  to expense  over the vesting  period of the option  which is five
years.


14.      Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock

In July 1996, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Preferred  Stock,  mandatorily
redeemable  in  2006,  at  $1,000  per  share,   which  amount  represented  the
liquidation preference of a share of the Preferred Stock. The Company used $35.8
million  of the  proceeds  from the  sale of the  Preferred  Stock  to  purchase
4,283,286  shares of its Class B Common Stock pursuant to its contractual  right
to  purchase  such  stock  for such  amount.  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 ranked senior to all common stock of Holdings.  The holders
of the  Preferred  Stock  did not  have  voting  rights.  The  Company's  credit
agreement and various debt indentures restricted the Company's ability to, among
other things,  pay dividends,  incur  additional  indebtedness,  and purchase or
redeem shares of capital stock.

The Preferred Stock holders were entitled to receive cumulative  dividends of 13
1/4% per annum, which were 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.
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 paid in additional shares of Preferred Stock.

During 1997,  the Company  accrued  dividends of $3.2 million,  which it paid in
additional  shares of  Preferred  Stock.  In June 1997,  all of the  outstanding
Preferred Stock ($56.2 million principal amount) was exchanged into Holdings' 13
1/4%  Subordinated  Debentures due 2006. The Preferred Stock had terms generally
similar to the 13 1/4% Debentures, see Note 6.




                                      F-30
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


15.      Deficiency in Stockholders' Equity

In February  1997,  the Company  completed the Offering and 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,  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 immediately  thereafter  Holdings  effected a
17.133145 to 1 stock split of its outstanding Common Stock.

The Class A and  Class B Common  Stock  outstanding  prior to the  Offering  had
identical  rights,  privileges  and  powers,  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  outstanding  before the  Offering did not have voting
rights except in certain circumstances.

In the  Offering,  the Company  sold to the  underwriters  3,700,000  previously
unissued  shares of Common Stock at an initial  public  offering price of $20.00
per share,  and  received net  proceeds of $67.2  million.  MSLEF II and Bankers
Trust New York Corporation ("BTNY"),  existing stockholders of the Company prior
to the  Offering,  sold to the  underwriters  1,317,246  and 157,754  previously
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock owned by them,  respectively.  The
Company  did not  receive  any of the  proceeds  from the sale of the  shares of
Common Stock by MSLEF II or BTNY.

Deficiency in  stockholders'  equity  includes the  following  classes of common
stock ($.01 par value):
                                     Shares
                             Issued and Outstanding
                                  December 31,
                                  ------------

                                 1997          1996
                                ------        ------
       Common Stock .......   18,862,834         --
       Class A Common Stock         --      7,153,088
       Class B Common Stock         --      7,153,088
       Class C Common Stock         --        856,657
                              ----------   ----------
                              18,862,834   15,162,833
                              ==========   ==========






                                      F-31
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


16.      Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>          <C>    


                                                      1997         1996        1995
                                                      ----         ----        ----

<S>                                                 <C>          <C>         <C>    
Numerator:
     Income (loss) before extraordinary charges..   $50,566      $30,637     $(15,989)
     Extraordinary charges.......................    16,382        2,222        5,817
     Preferred stock dividend requirements.......     3,224        3,006        --
                                                    -------      -------      -------
     Numerator for basic and dilutive
       earnings per share - income (loss)
       available to common stockholders.........    $30,960      $25,409     $(21,806)
                                                    =======      =======     ========

Denominator:
     Denominator for basic earnings per
       share - weighted average shares..........    18,396       17,557       19,446
     Effect of dilutive securities:
       Employee stock options...................     1,327        1,021        --
                                                    -------      -------      -------
     Denominator for diluted earnings
       per share - adjusted weighted-
       average shares..........................     19,723       18,578       19,446
                                                    =======      =======      =======

Basic earnings per common share:
     Income (loss) before extraordinary charges.     $2.75         $1.75       $(0.82)
     Extraordinary charges......................     (0.89)        (0.13)       (0.30)
     Preferred stock dividend requirement.......     (0.18)        (0.17)        --
                                                     -----         -----       -------
     Net income (loss) per common share.........     $1.68         $1.45       $(1.12)
                                                     =====         =====       ======

Diluted earnings per common share:
     Income (loss) before extraordinary charges.     $2.56         $1.65       $(0.82)
     Extraordinary charges......................     (0.83)        (0.12)       (0.30)
     Preferred stock dividend requirement.......     (0.16)        (0.16)         --
                                                     ------        ------      -------
     Net income (loss) per diluted common share.     $1.57         $1.37       $(1.12)
                                                     =====         =====       ======
</TABLE>

Earnings per share  amounts for all periods  prior to 1997 have been restated to
conform  to SFAS  No. 128 and  related  pronouncements.  Employee  stock options
outstanding  in periods  when the  Company had a net loss are  considered  to be
anti-dilutive and, therefore, have not been included in the denominator for such
periods.





                                      F-32
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


16.      Earnings Per Share  (continued)

Options  to  purchase  30,000  shares of common  stock at $36.75  per share were
outstanding  during  1997 but were not  included in the  computation  of diluted
earnings per share because the exercise  price for such options was greater than
the average market price of the Common stock and, therefore, the effect would be
anti-dilutive.

In February  1997, the Company  issued  3,700,000  shares of Common Stock in the
Offering and the net proceeds of $67.2  million from such  issuance were used to
repay debt, see Note 15.


17.      Related Party Transactions

Pursuant to various management services agreements (the "Management Agreements")
entered  into  between  each of  Holdings,  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 Mr.  Horrigan,  the  President and Co-Chief
Executive  Officer of Holdings,  S&H provides Holdings 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 $5.4 million in 1997,  $5.3 million in 1996, and $5.4
million in 1995, and was allocated,  based upon EBIDTA, as a charge to operating
income of each business  segment.  Included in accounts  payable for each of the
years ended  December 31, 1997 and 1996 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 bank financing  entered into during 1997, 1996 and 1995,
the banks thereunder  (including  Bankers Trust Company)  received fees totaling
$2.3 million, $1.6 million and $17.2 million, respectively.

As underwriters  for the 9% Debentures  Offering in 1997 and the Preferred Stock
Offering  in  1996,  MS & Co.  received  as  compensation  for its  services  an
aggregate of $9.7 million.  In connection  with the Offering,  the  underwriters
(including MS & Co.) received fees totaling $5.2 million.




                                      F-33
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


18.      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:
<TABLE>

                              Net            Oper.           Identifiable      Dep. &      Capital
                             Sales           Profit            Assets          Amort.      Expend.
                             -----           ------            ------          ------      -------
                                                  (Dollars in millions)

<S>                          <C>              <C>            <C>               <C>         <C>    

1997
- ----
Metal container
  & specialty(1)....         $1,248.1         $120.4          $  860.1         $45.7       $46.9
Plastic container...            263.3           28.5             189.9          17.7        14.9
                             --------         ------          --------         -----       -----
  Total............          $1,511.4         $148.9          $1,050.0         $63.4       $61.8
                             ========         ======          ========         =====       =====

1996
- ----
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
                             ========          =====            ======         =====       =====
</TABLE>


(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.



                                      F-34
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


18.      Business Segment Information  (continued)

Operating profit is reconciled to income (loss) before income taxes as follows:

                                         1997       1996         1995
                                         ----       ----         ----
                                           (Dollars in millions)

      Operating profit ...........   $  148.9   $  124.5     $   71.4
      Interest expense ...........       80.7       89.4         80.7
      Non-cash stock option charge       22.5        --           --
      Corporate expense ..........        1.8        1.2          1.5
                                        ------      -----       -----
            Income (loss) before
              income taxes .......   $   43.9    $  33.9     $  (10.8)
                                        ======      =====       =====

Identifiable assets are reconciled to total assets as follows:

                                      1997          1996        1995
                                      ----          ----        ----
                                         (Dollars in millions)

         Identifiable assets      $  1,050.0    $  909.2     $  896.1
         Corporate assets ..             0.6         4.3          3.9
                                     -------       -----        -----
           Total assets ....      $  1,050.6    $  913.5     $  900.0
                                     =======       =====        =====

Identifiable  assets  are those  assets  which are  utilized  by the  respective
business segments.  Corporate assets are principally cash and other assets which
cannot be directly  associated  with the  operations or activities of a business
segment.

Metal container and specialty sales to Nestle Food Company  accounted for 16.7%,
17.1%, and 21.4% of net sales of the Company during the years ended December 31,
1997,  1996,  and  1995,  respectively.  Metal  container  sales  to  Del  Monte
Corporation  accounted for 11.0%,  12.0%,  and 14.5% of net sales of the Company
during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.





                                      F-35
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


19.      Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following table presents the unaudited  quarterly  results of operations for
the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (in thousands of dollars,  except per
share data):
<TABLE>

                                                Mar 31         June 30         Sept 30        Dec 31
                                                ------         -------         -------        ------

<S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>    

1997
- ----
Net sales ...............................     $ 299,427      $ 357,584      $ 493,293      $ 361,066
Gross profit ............................        42,719         56,961         68,973         39,254
Income before extraordinary charges .....        11,047         14,030         21,826          3,663
Net income ..............................         8,550          4,279         14,468          3,663

  Basic earnings per common share:
     Income before extraordinary
       charges ..........................     $    0.64       $   0.75       $   1.16      $    0.19
     Extraordinary charges ..............         (0.04)         (0.44)         (0.39)           --
     Preferred stock dividend requirement         (0.10)         (0.08)           --             --
                                             ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
     Net income per common share ........     $    0.50       $   0.23       $   0.77      $    0.19
                                             ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========

  Diluted earnings per common share:
     Income before extraordinary charges      $    0.60       $   0.69       $   1.08      $    0.18
     Extraordinary charges ..............         (0.04)         (0.41)         (0.36)           --
     Preferred stock dividend requirement         (0.10)         (0.07)           --             --
                                             ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
     Net income per diluted common share      $    0.46       $   0.21       $   0.72      $    0.18
                                             ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========

                                                                                               
1996
- ----
Net sales ...............................     $ 279,860       $327,062      $ 473,563       $325,257
Gross profit ............................        37,653         48,985         59,040         38,123
Income before extraordinary charges .....           143          9,524         20,724            246
Net income (loss) .......................           143          9,524         17,328         (1,586)

  Basic earnings per common share:
     Income before extraordinary charges      $    0.01       $   0.49      $    1.28       $   0.02
     Extraordinary charges ..............           --             --           (0.13)         (0.01)
     Preferred stock dividend requirement           --             --           (0.08)         (0.11)
                                            -----------    -----------     ----------     ----------
     Net income (loss) per common share .     $    0.01       $   0.49      $    1.07       $  (0.10)
                                            ===========    ===========     ==========     ==========

  Diluted earnings per common share:
     Income before extraordinary charges       $   0.01       $   0.47       $   1.20        $  0.02
     Extraordinary charges ..............          --             --            (0.11)         (0.01)
     Preferred stock dividend requirement          --             --            (0.08)         (0.11)
                                            -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
     Net income (loss) per diluted
       common share .....................      $   0.01       $  0.47        $   1.01        $ (0.10)
                                            ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========

</TABLE>



                                      F-36
<PAGE>




                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


19.      Quarterly Results of Operations  (continued)

Earnings per common share  amounts are computed  independently  for each quarter
and therefore  may not sum to the totals for the year.  All periods prior to the
fourth  quarter of 1997 have been  restated to reflect the  adoption of SFAS No.
128.

The results of  operations  for first  quarter of 1997 include a charge of $22.5
million,  incurred in connection with the Offering,  for the conversion of stock
options  from the stock  option  plans of the  Company's  subsidiaries  to stock
options  under the Plan.  In  addition,  during the first  quarter  the  Company
determined  that a portion  of the  future  tax  benefits  arising  from its net
operating  loss  carryforward  would be realized and it recognized an income tax
benefit of $23.2 million.

The results of operations  for the first,  second and third quarters of 1997 and
the third and fourth quarters of 1996 include extraordinary charges, net of tax,
of $0.7  million,  $8.3 million,  $7.4  million,  $2.1 million and $0.1 million,
respectively, for the write-off of unamortized debt financing costs and premiums
paid in connection with the refinancing of the Company's indebtedness.


20.      Subsequent Events

In  January  1998,  Plastics  acquired  substantially  all of the assets of Winn
Packaging  Co.  ("Winn") for a purchase  price of  approximately  $14.1  million
(including  net  working  capital of  approximately  $4.0  million).  Winn was a
privately held manufacturer and marketer of decorated rigid plastic  containers,
serving the personal care,  automotive,  and household chemical markets.  Winn's
estimated  sales  in  1997  were  $23.0  million.   The  Company  financed  this
acquisition  through Revolving Loan borrowings under the Credit  Agreement.  The
transaction will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.

In February  1998,  the Company  reached an agreement in principle with Campbell
Soup Company  ("Campbell")  for the  purchase of  Campbell's  can  manufacturing
assets.  Although the  transaction  is subject to  negotiation  and execution of
definitive  documentation  and  other  customary  terms  and  conditions,  it is
expected that the purchase price will approximate $125.0 million. As part of the
transaction,  the  Company  and  Campbell  will  enter into a  long-term  supply
agreement.  Annual sales to Campbell under the supply  agreement are expected to
be in excess of $200.0 million.




                                      F-37
<PAGE>




                                       
                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

                              SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
              For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                             (Dollars in thousands)


<TABLE>

                                                      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
- -----------                      ---------      --------        --------         -----------      ------
<S>                               <C>             <C>           <C>                  <C>           <C>

For the year ended
 December 31, 1997:

  Allowance for
    doubtful accounts
    receivable .............      $4,045          $181          $  (297)             $514          $3,415
                                  ======          ====          =======              ====          ======

For the year ended
 December 31, 1996:

  Allowance for
    doubtful accounts
    receivable .............      $4,843          $572          $(1,041)(2)          $329          $4,045
                                  ======          ====          =======              ====          ======

For the year ended
 December 31, 1995:

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



</TABLE>


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

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

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



                                      F-38
<PAGE>



                                    INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                    -----------------

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>    

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

   *21           Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

   *23           Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

   *27.1         Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

   *27.2         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended September 30, 1997.

   *27.3         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended June 30, 1997.

   *27.4         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended March 31, 1997.

   *27.5         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

   *27.6         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.

   *27.7         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended June 30, 1996.

   *27.8         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended March 31, 1996.

   *27.9         Restated Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 21

                      Subsidiaries of Silgan Holdings Inc.




Silgan Containers Corporation

         Silgan Containers Manufacturing Corporation (1)


Silgan Plastics Corporation

         827599 Ontario Inc. (Canadian Holdco.) (2)

         Silgan Plastics Canada Inc. (3)



828745 Ontario Inc. (NRO, Ltd.)






- ------------------
1. Wholly-owned subsidiary of Silgan Containers Corporation.

2. Wholly-owned subsidiary of Silgan Plastics Corporation.

3. Wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian Holdco.



<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 23




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No.  333-40151)  pertaining  to the Fourth  Amended and Restated  1989 Stock
Option Plan of Silgan  Holdings Inc. of our report dated January 26, 1998,  with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Silgan Holdings
Inc.  included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  December 31,
1997.

                                               /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Stamford, Connecticut
March 25, 1998

<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, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                              53,718
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      129,252
<ALLOWANCES>                                        (3,415)
<INVENTORY>                                        209,963
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   399,515
<PP&E>                                             843,319
<DEPRECIATION>                                    (311,554)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,050,567
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              234,930
<BONDS>                                            785,036
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               189
<OTHER-SE>                                         (67,437)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,050,567
<SALES>                                          1,511,370
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,511,370
<CGS>                                            1,303,463
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,303,463
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    22,522 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  80,693
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     43,866
<INCOME-TAX>                                        (6,700)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 50,566
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (16,382)
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        30,960
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.57
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings Inc. Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000                               
                                                  RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               7,727
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      251,893
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                        216,859
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   485,026
<PP&E>                                             522,468
<DEPRECIATION>                                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,134,117    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              321,721
<BONDS>                                            805,206
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               189
<OTHER-SE>                                         (70,592)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,134,117  
<SALES>                                          1,150,304
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,150,304
<CGS>                                              981,650
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      981,650
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    22,522 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  61,988
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     38,923
<INCOME-TAX>                                        (7,980)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 46,903
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (16,382)
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        27,297
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.40
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  Form 10-Q for the six months  ended June 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000                               
                                                  RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                              11,394
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      147,708
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                        307,826
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   477,278
<PP&E>                                             525,804
<DEPRECIATION>                                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,132,905    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              329,063
<BONDS>                                            808,799
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               189
<OTHER-SE>                                         (85,060)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,132,905  
<SALES>                                            657,011
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   657,011
<CGS>                                              557,330
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      557,330
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    22,522 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  41,104
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      6,827
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (18,250)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 25,077
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     (9,024)
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        12,829
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.67
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings Inc. Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000                               
                                                  RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                               5,860
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      104,730
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                        248,679
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   370,315
<PP&E>                                             496,197
<DEPRECIATION>                                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     989,410  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              315,151
<BONDS>                                            634,843
                               54,748
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               189
<OTHER-SE>                                         (89,339)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       989,410
<SALES>                                            299,427
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   299,427
<CGS>                                              256,708
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      256,708
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    22,522 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  19,965
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    (13,803)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (24,850)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 11,047
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       (742)
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         8,550
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.46
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

   
<ARTICLE> 5

            
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated 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
                                              RESTATED                       
<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>                          247,827
<BONDS>                                        721,583
                                0
                                     52,998
<COMMON>                                           152
<OTHER-SE>                                    (191,132)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   913,546
<SALES>                                      1,405,742
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,405,742
<CGS>                                        1,221,941
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,221,941
<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>                                     1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.37
                  

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings Inc. Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000                               
                                                  RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                               2,874
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      218,883
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                        190,690
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   422,248
<PP&E>                                             479,505
<DEPRECIATION>                                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,006,179  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              330,913
<BONDS>                                            732,288
                               51,307
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               152
<OTHER-SE>                                        (188,771)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,006,179
<SALES>                                          1,080,486
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,080,486
<CGS>                                              934,807
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      934,807
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  68,286
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     33,392
<INCOME-TAX>                                         3,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 30,392
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     (2,089)
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        26,996
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.39
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

 
 <ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  Form 10-Q for the six months  ended June 30, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
                                             RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           1,859
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  125,724
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    286,448
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               419,722
<PP&E>                                         482,723
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,004,606
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          346,833
<BONDS>                                        745,550
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           195
<OTHER-SE>                                    (170,331)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,004,606
<SALES>                                        606,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               606,922
<CGS>                                          520,284
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  520,284
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,861
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,168
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,668
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,668
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47
                  

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

 
 <ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings Inc. Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
                                              RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,991
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   98,177
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    254,092
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               369,217
<PP&E>                                         491,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 942,754
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          288,872
<BONDS>                                        757,501
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           195
<OTHER-SE>                                    (179,856)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   942,754
<SALES>                                        279,860
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               279,860
<CGS>                                          242,207
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  242,207
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,573
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,143
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                143
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       143
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01
                  

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

 
 <ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains restated summary  financial  information  extracted from
Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,  1995 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
                                              RESTATED
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           2,102
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,772
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (4,843)
<INVENTORY>                                    210,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               328,303
<PP&E>                                         693,505
<DEPRECIATION>                                (206,204)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 900,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          254,055
<BONDS>                                        750,873
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           195
<OTHER-SE>                                    (179,999)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   900,046
<SALES>                                      1,101,905
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,101,905
<CGS>                                          970,491
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  970,491
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,745
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              80,710
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (10,889)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (15,989)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (5,817)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (21,806)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.12
                  

</TABLE>


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