BE AEROSPACE INC
10-K, 1997-05-09
PUBLIC BLDG & RELATED FURNITURE
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                                  FORM 10-K

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

         [ X ]  ANNUAL  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE
           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended February
           22, 1997

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

                         Commission File No. 0-18348

                              BE AEROSPACE, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                   Delaware
       (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
                                  06-1209796

            1400 Corporate Center Way, Wellington, Florida 33414
             (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                               (561) 791-5000
            (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

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

                        Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required  to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act 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 the 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.[ ]

     The  aggregate  market  value of the  registrant's  voting stock held by
non-affiliates was approximately  $540,250,953 on April 30, 1997 based on the
closing  sales  price of the  registrant's  Common  Stock as  reported on the
Nasdaq National Market as of such date.

     The number of shares of the registrant's  Common Stock,  $.01 par value,
outstanding as of April 30, 1997 was 21,939,125 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Those sections of the Registrant's  Proxy Statement to be filed with the
Commission in connection  with its 1997 Annual Meeting of  Stockholders to be
held on August 6, 1997,  described in Part III hereof,  are  incorporated  by
reference in this report. 
<PAGE>                              
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                    INDEX

                                   PART I
<S>     <C>                                                                 <C>
ITEM 1. Business ........................................................    3

ITEM 2. Properties ......................................................   14

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings ...............................................   16

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..............   16

        Executive Officers of the Registrant ............................   17

                                   PART II

ITEM 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
        Matters                                                             20

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data                                             21

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
        Results of Operations ...........................................   23

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .....................   29

ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
        Financial Disclosure ............................................   29

                                  PART III

ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.............    30

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation.........................................    30

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..   30

ITEM 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.................   30

                                   PART IV

ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
         Reports on Form 8-K........................................        30

        Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule........... F-1

</TABLE>
<PAGE>                                 1
                                    PART I

     This Item 1 "Business" includes forward-looking statements which involve
risks  and   uncertainties.   The  Company's  actual  experience  may  differ
materially from that discussed in such  statements.  Factors that might cause
such a difference  include,  but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors"  contained in Exhibit 99 hereto,  as well as future events that have
the effect of reducing the  Company's  operating  income and  available  cash
balances, such as unexpected operating losses or delays in the integration of
the  Company's  seating   business,   the  delivery  of  the  Company's  MDDS
interactive  video system,  customer delivery  requirements,  new or expected
refurbishments, or cash expenditures related to possible future acquisitions.

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

INTRODUCTION

     BE  Aerospace,  Inc.  ("B/E" or the  "Company") is the world's  largest
manufacturer  of  commercial   aircraft  cabin  interior  products,   serving
virtually  all of the  major  airlines  in the  world  with a  broad  line of
products,  including  aircraft  seats,  a full  line  of  food  and  beverage
preparation   and  storage   equipment,   galley   structures  and  in-flight
entertainment  systems.  In  addition,  B/E provides  services and  specialty
products for aircraft cabin interiors.

     Management  believes  that the Company has achieved  the leading  global
market position in each of its major product  categories.  B/E is the largest
manufacturer  of airline  seats in the world,  offering an extensive  line of
first class, business class, tourist class and commuter seats. The Company is
also the world's largest  manufacturer  of galley  equipment for both narrow-
and  wide-body  aircraft,  including a wide  selection of coffee and beverage
makers, water boilers, ovens, liquid containers,  refrigeration equipment and
galley structures.  In addition,  the Company is the leading  manufacturer of
passenger  entertainment  and service systems ("PESS"),  including  passenger
control systems and individual passenger in-flight entertainment systems. The
Company believes that individual  passenger in-flight  entertainment  systems
will be the fastest growing, and among the largest, product categories in the
commercial aircraft cabin interior products industry in the future.

     B/E's substantial  installed base provides  significant ongoing revenues
from replacements,  repairs and spare parts.  Approximately two-thirds of the
Company's revenues in the fiscal year ended February 22, 1997 ("fiscal 1997")
were derived from retrofit, upgrade,  refurbishment and spare parts sales and
services. Revenues from these sources, along with the Company's position as a
low cost producer, enabled B/E to maintain its operating profitability during
the  several-year  period  prior to  1994,  despite  one of the most  serious
economic downturns ever suffered by the airline industry. During this period,
airlines  sought to conserve  cash by reducing or deferring  scheduled  cabin
interior refurbishment and upgrade programs and purchases of new aircraft.

     Since early 1994, the airlines have experienced a significant turnaround
in operating  results,  with the domestic airline  industry  achieving record
operating  earnings during calendar 1995 and 1996. The world's  airlines have
also substantially  strengthened their balance sheets during the past several
years through record operating  earnings and through the issuance of debt and
equity  securities.  During  fiscal  1997,  the  airlines  began to  initiate
retrofit and  refurbishment  programs  that had been  deferred  over the past
several  years.  At the same time,  airlines  began to place  orders with the
major airframe manufacturers, which is expected to significantly increase the
delivery rates for new aircraft  beginning in calendar year 1997.  During the
past year,  B/E has begun to  experience  substantial  growth in its backlog,
driven  principally from  refurbishment  and retrofit  programs.  The Company
believes  that it is well  positioned  to benefit  from the growth in airline
profitability.
<PAGE>                            2                       

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

     The commercial  aircraft cabin interior products industry  encompasses a
broad range of products and services,  including  not only  aircraft  seating
products,  passenger entertainment and service systems, and food and beverage
preparation  and storage  systems,  but also  lavatories,  lighting  systems,
evacuation  equipment  and  overhead  bins.  Management  estimates  that  the
industry had annual sales in excess of $1.5 billion during fiscal 1997.

     Historically, revenues in the cabin interior products industry have been
derived from five sources:  (i) retrofit  programs in which airlines purchase
new components to substantially overhaul the interiors of aircraft already in
service;  (ii) refurbishment  programs in which airlines purchase  components
and services to improve the  appearance  and  functionality  of certain cabin
interior  equipment;  (iii)  new  installation  programs  in  which  airlines
purchase new equipment to outfit newly delivered aircraft;  (iv) spare parts;
and (v) equipment to upgrade the  functionality or appearance of the aircraft
interior. The retrofit and refurbishment cycles for commercial aircraft cabin
interior products differ by product category.  Aircraft seating typically has
a  refurbishment  cycle of one to two years and a retrofit  cycle of seven to
eight years,  although during the industry downturn,  these periods tended to
be  extended.  See  "-Recent  Industry  Conditions."  Galley  structures  and
products are periodically upgraded or repaired,  and require a continual flow
of spare parts,  but may be retrofitted only once or twice during the life of
the aircraft.

     The various  product  categories  currently  manufactured by the Company
include:

     AIRCRAFT  SEATS.  This is the  largest  single  product  category in the
industry and includes first class, business class, tourist class and commuter
seats. Management estimates that the aggregate size of the worldwide aircraft
seat market (including spare parts) during fiscal 1997, which still reflected
economic conditions  stemming from the recent airline industry downturn,  was
in excess of $470 million.  Approximately ten companies worldwide,  including
the Company, supply aircraft seats.

     PASSENGER   ENTERTAINMENT  AND  SERVICE  SYSTEMS  (PESS).  This  product
     category  includes   individual  seat  video  systems,   overhead  video
projection  systems,  audio  distribution  systems,  passenger  control units
("PCUs")  and  related  wiring  and  harness   assemblies  and  sophisticated
interactive   telecommunications   and  entertainment   systems.   Management
estimates   that  the  aggregate  size  of  the  worldwide  PESS  market  was
approximately  $300 million during fiscal 1997.  Industry  sources expect the
PESS  market  to  increase  substantially  in the  near  term  as  individual
passenger  entertainment  systems  become  standard  in-flight  entertainment
equipment in first,  business and tourist classes on wide-body,  and with the
further development of live broadcast in-flight television,  many narrow-body
aircraft.   PESS  products  are  currently  supplied  by  approximately  five
companies worldwide.

     GALLEY PRODUCTS.  This product category includes complete galley systems
for both narrow- and wide-body aircraft, including a wide selection of coffee
and beverage makers, water boilers,  ovens, liquid containers,  air chillers,
wine  coolers  and  other  refrigeration  equipment  and  galley  components.
Management  estimates  that  the  aggregate  size  of  the  worldwide  galley
equipment  market  during  fiscal  1997 was in  excess of $375  million.  The
majority of the Company's  sales of galley products have been associated with
deliveries of new aircraft to the airlines.  While there are approximately 22
companies worldwide who supply galley equipment to the airline industry,  the
Company is the only manufacturer with a complete line of galley equipment.

<PAGE>                               3

     The Company operates in the commercial  aircraft cabin interior products
segment of the commercial  airlines supplier  industry.  Revenues for similar
classes of products or services  within this  business  segment for the three
most recent fiscal years are presented below: 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FISCAL YEAR
                                               ----------------------
                                               1997    1996     1995

                                       (UNAUDITED; DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

<S>                                           <C>      <C>     <C>
Seating products ..........................   $ 217    $ 97    $ 100
Galley products ...........................     101      79       81
Passenger entertainment and service systems      52      33       34
Services ..................................      42      23       14
                                              -----   -----    -----
Total revenues ............................   $ 412   $ 232    $ 229
                                              =====   =====    =====
</TABLE>

RECENT INDUSTRY CONDITIONS

     The Company's principal  customers are the world's commercial  airlines.
The  airlines  incurred  record  losses  during the  three-year  period ended
December 31, 1993. The losses incurred during the downturn seriously impaired
airline balance sheets and negatively influenced airline purchasing decisions
with respect to both new aircraft and  refurbishment  programs.  The domestic
airlines in large part  returned to  profitable  operations  during  calendar
years 1994 through 1996, and have substantially restored their balance sheets
since  then  through  cash  generated  from  operations  and debt and  equity
placements. This improvement in the airlines profitability and liquidity has,
in turn, led to an increase in  refurbishment  and retrofit  programs,  which
coupled  with  spares  revenues  generated  approximately  two  thirds of the
Company's  revenues in fiscal 1997.  Further,  throughout  calendar 1996, the
aircraft  manufacturers  began  experiencing  a  significant  increase in new
aircraft  orders.  Among those factors  expected to affect the cabin interior
products industry are the following:

     LARGE  EXISTING  INSTALLED  BASE.  According to Current  Market  Outlook
published  by the  Boeing  Commercial  Airline  Group  in 1997  (the  "Boeing
Report"), the world passenger aircraft fleet, as of the end of calendar 1996,
consisted of 11,505  aircraft,  including  3,136 aircraft with fewer than 120
seats,  5,308 aircraft with between 120 and 240 seats and 3,061 aircraft with
more than 240 seats. Based on such fleet numbers,  management  estimates that
the total  worldwide  installed  base of commercial  aircraft  cabin interior
products, valued at replacement prices, was approximately $7.5 billion at the
end of 1996. This existing installed base will generate  continued  retrofit,
refurbishment  and  spare  parts  revenue,   particularly  in  light  of  the
deterioration  of  existing  cabin  interior   functionality  and  aesthetics
resulting  from the airlines'  deferral of  refurbishment  programs in recent
years.

     EXPANDING WORLDWIDE FLEET. Worldwide air traffic has grown in every year
since 1946 (except in 1990) and, according to the Boeing Report, is projected
to grow at a compounded  average rate of approximately  five percent per year
through 2016,  increasing annual revenue  passenger miles from  approximately
1.7 trillion in 1996 to approximately 4.5 trillion by 2016. The Boeing Report
indicates that the airlines are experiencing  extremely high load factors and
that a  significant  number of new  aircraft  will be  purchased  to meet the
growth in  worldwide  air  travel,  which is expected to increase by over 70%
over the next 10 years.  According to the Boeing Report,  the worldwide fleet
of commercial  passenger  aircraft is projected to expand from  approximately
11,500 at the end of 1996 to  approximately  23,600  by the end of 2016.  The
Company  believes that growth in new aircraft  deliveries will begin in 1997.
For example,  Boeing has indicated  that it shipped 218 aircraft in 1996, and
that it plans to ship 369 aircraft in 1997,  528 in 1998, 562 in 1999 and 576
in 2000.  The Company  generally  receives  orders  related to new deliveries
approximately six months before an aircraft is delivered. According to Airbus
Industrie  Global  Market  Forecast  published  in March  1995  (the  "Airbus
Industrie  Report"),  the worldwide  installed  seat base,  which  management
considers to be a good  indicator for potential  growth in the aircraft cabin
interior products  industry,  is expected to increase from  approximately 1.6
million  passenger  seats  at the end of 1994 to  approximately  3.9  million
passenger  seats at the end of  2014.  The  expanding  worldwide  fleet  will
generate additional revenues from new installation programs and the increase

<PAGE>                              4

in the size of the base will  generate  additional  and  continual  retrofit,
refurbishment and spare parts revenue.

     WIDE-BODY  AIRCRAFT  ORDERS.  Orders for wide-body,  long-haul  aircraft
constitute an increasing share of total new airframe orders. According to the
July 1996 Airline  Monitor,  the  percentage  of Boeing  aircraft  deliveries
projected to be wide-body  aircraft for 1996 through 1998 is 43%, as compared
to 32% for the three-year period ended December 31, 1995.  Wide-body aircraft
currently  carry up to  three  times  the  number  of  seats  as  narrow-body
aircraft,  and because of multiple classes of service,  including large first
class and business class  configurations,  the Company's  average revenue per
seat on  wide-body  aircraft  is also  higher.  Aircraft  crews on  wide-body
aircraft may make and serve  between 300 and 900 meals and may brew and serve
more than 2,000  cups of coffee on a single  flight.  As a result,  wide-body
aircraft  may  require  as much as  seven  times  the  dollar  value of cabin
interior  products as  narrow-body  aircraft,  as well as products  which are
technically  more  sophisticated  and  typically  more  expensive.   Further,
individual   passenger   in-flight   entertainment   systems  are   installed
principally on wide-body aircraft.  Airlines are increasingly  demanding such
systems for long-haul flights to attract and retain customers,  especially as
the quality of in-flight entertainment has become a differentiating factor in
passengers'  airline  selection  decisions.  Such  systems  also  provide the
airlines  with the  opportunity  to increase  revenues  per  passenger  mile,
without raising ticket prices,  by charging  individually  for services used.
For  these  reasons,  management  believes  that in the  future,  interactive
in-flight  entertainment  systems will be installed on a vast majority of all
wide-body  aircraft  and,  with the  further  development  of live  broadcast
in-flight television, many narrow-body planes.

     NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. The commercial aircraft cabin interior products
industry is engaged in  intensive  development  and  marketing  efforts for a
number of new products,  including convertible seats,  interactive individual
passenger entertainment systems,  advanced  telecommunications  equipment and
new galley equipment.  Interactive video technology provides a passenger with
a  wide  range  of  computer  capabilities,  which  are  designed  to  accept
information  generated by the passenger and communicate  such  information to
the cabin crew for assisting passengers and crew with food service selection,
the purchase of duty-free  goods,  information in connection with the arrival
time,  connecting flights, gate and other passenger  information,  as well as
facilitate  effective  on-board  inventory  control  and  provide  individual
entertainment. New cabin interior products will generate new installation and
retrofit  revenues as well as service  revenues from  equipment  maintenance,
inspection and repair.

     UPGRADE,   MAINTENANCE,   INSPECTION   AND   REPAIR   SERVICE   MARKETS.
Historically  the airlines have relied on their airframe and engine mechanics
to repair or replace  cabin  interior  products  that have become  damaged or
otherwise  non-functional.  As cabin  interior  product  configurations  have
become  increasingly  sophisticated  and the  airline  industry  increasingly
competitive,  the airlines have begun to outsource  such services in order to
increase  productivity  and reduce costs and  overhead.  Outsourced  services
include product  upgrades (such as the  installation of a  telecommunications
module or  individual  passenger  entertainment  unit in an aircraft seat not
originally  designed to accommodate such  equipment),  cabin interior product
maintenance and inspection, as well as other repair services.

<PAGE>                                5

COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS AND BUSINESS STRATEGY

     The  Company  believes  that  it  has  a  strong  competitive   position
attributable to a number of factors including the following:

     LEADING MARKET SHARE AND SIGNIFICANT INSTALLED BASE. Management believes
that the Company has achieved the leading global market  positions in each of
its major product categories.  The Company believes its market share provides
it with significant competitive advantage in serving its customers, including
economies  of scale and the ability to commit  greater  product  development,
global  product  support and  marketing  resources.  Furthermore,  because of
economies of scale,  in part  attributable to its large market shares and its
approximate $2.8 billion  installed base of cabin interior  equipment (valued
at replacement  prices as of February 22, 1997),  the Company  believes it is
among the lowest cost producers in the cabin interior products industry.  The
Company  also  believes  that its large  installed  base  provides B/E with a
significant  advantage over  competitors in obtaining orders for retrofit and
refurbishment  programs,   principally  because  airlines  tend  to  purchase
equipment from the original  supplier.  In addition,  because of the need for
compatible  spare  parts at  airline  maintenance  depots  and the  desire of
airlines to maximize fleet commonality, a single vendor is typically used for
all aircraft of the same type operated by a particular airline.  Finally, B/E
is well positioned to obtain on-going  upgrade,  maintenance,  inspection and
repair service  contracts due to the breadth of its product line and the size
of its installed base.

     BROADEST PRODUCT LINE IN THE INDUSTRY.  Management  believes the Company
offers more  technologically  advanced  products  for the cabin  interiors of
commercial  aircraft  than  any  other  manufacturer.   With  an  established
reputation for quality,  service and product  innovation,  the Company enjoys
broad  recognition  among  the  world's  commercial  airlines.   The  Company
maintains a constant  dialogue  with a wide array of existing  and  potential
customers,  enabling it to become aware of emerging industry trends and needs
and  thereby  play a leading  role in product  development.  The  Company has
continued to expand its product  line,  believing  that the airline  industry
increasingly will seek an integrated approach to the development, testing and
sourcing of the aircraft's cabin interior.

     TECHNOLOGICAL  LEADERSHIP/NEW  PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.  Management believes
that the Company is a technological leader in its industry,  with the largest
R&D organization in the industry,  currently comprised of 320 engineers.  The
Company  believes  that its R&D effort and its on-site  engineers at both the
airlines  and airframe  manufacturers  enable B/E to  consistently  introduce
innovative products and thereby gain early entrant advantages and substantial
market shares.  Examples of such product development  include:  the Company's
family of in-flight  entertainment  systems, which it believes to be superior
to existing operational systems in terms of performance, reliability, weight,
heat  generation  and  flexibility  to  adapt  to  changing   technology;   a
cappuccino/espresso   maker;  a  quick  chill  wine  cooling  system;  and  a
constant-pressure,   steam   cooking   oven,   which  the  Company   believes
substantially improves the appearance, aroma and taste of airline food.

<PAGE>                             6

     The Company's  business strategy is to maintain its leadership  position
and best serve its airline  customers  by (i)  offering the broadest and most
integrated  product  line in the  industry  for both new  product  sales  and
follow-on products and services; (ii) pursuing a worldwide marketing approach
focused by airline and  encompassing the Company's entire product line; (iii)
remaining the  technological  leader,  as well as  significantly  growing its
installed base of products,  in the developing in-flight individual passenger
entertainment  market;  (iv)  enhancing its position in the growing  upgrade,
maintenance,   inspection  and  repair  services  market;  and  (v)  pursuing
selective  strategic  acquisitions in the commercial  aircraft cabin interior
products industry.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

     B/E  believes  that it is  benefiting  from three  major  growth  trends
occurring in the commercial aircraft cabin interior products industry:

     INCREASE  IN  REFURBISHMENT   AND  UPGRADE  ORDERS.   B/E's  substantial
installed  base provides  significant  ongoing  revenues  from  replacements,
upgrades, repairs and spare parts. Approximately two-thirds of B/E's revenues
and operating earnings for the year ended February 22, 1997 were derived from
refurbishment,  retrofit  and  upgrade  orders.  In the late  1980s and early
1990s, the airline industry suffered a significant  downturn,  which resulted
in a deferral of cabin interior maintenance  expenditures.  Since early 1994,
the airlines have experienced a turnaround in operating results,  leading the
domestic airline industry to record operating  earnings during 1995 and 1996.
Deterioration of cabin interior product  functionality  and aesthetics within
the  commercial  airline  fleets during the industry  downturn has encouraged
airlines to increase  spending on  refurbishments  and upgrades.  The Company
believes that it is well positioned to benefit over the next several years as
a result of the  airlines'  dramatically  improved  financial  condition  and
liquidity  and  the  need to  refurbish  and  upgrade  cabin  interiors.  The
Company's recent growth in backlog,  revenues and operating earnings has been
primarily  from  refurbishment  and  upgrade  programs,  and the  Company  is
currently  experiencing a high level of new order quote  activity  related to
such programs.

     EXPANSION OF WORLDWIDE FLEET AND SHIFT TOWARD  WIDE-BODY  AIRCRAFT.  B/E
will benefit from the  significant  number of new aircraft which will need to
be purchased to meet projected  growth in worldwide air travel in three ways:
(a) shipments of interior products to equip these new aircraft; (b) expansion
in the overall  fleet,  leading to more potential  refurbishment  and upgrade
revenues;  and  (c) a  shift  in  new  aircraft  shipments  toward  wide-body
aircraft,  which  require  substantially  more seats,  galley  equipment  and
in-flight  entertainment  products per aircraft than do narrow-body aircraft.
The Company expects the impact of new aircraft deliveries to begin to be felt
in the commercial  aircraft cabin interior  product  industry during calendar
1997. See "Industry Overview-- Recent Industry Conditions."

<PAGE>                            7

     EMERGENCE OF INDIVIDUAL PASSENGER IN-FLIGHT  ENTERTAINMENT  SYSTEMS AS A
MAJOR NEW PRODUCT CATEGORY.  Airlines  increasingly are demanding  individual
passenger in-flight  entertainment  systems as a method to attract and retain
customers,  as the availability of such service affects passengers' decisions
on airline  selection.  These  systems  also  provide the  airlines  with the
opportunity to generate increased revenues, without raising ticket prices, by
charging   passengers  for  the  services  used.  The  Company  expects  that
individual  passenger  in-flight  entertainment  systems  will be the fastest
growing, and among the largest, product categories in the commercial aircraft
cabin interior products industry in the future.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

  Seating Products

     The  Company is the world's  leading  manufacturer  of  aircraft  seats,
offering a wide selection of first class,  business class,  tourist class and
commuter seats. A typical seat  manufactured and sold by the Company includes
the seat frame, cushions, armrests and tray table, together with a variety of
optional features such as in-flight  entertainment systems,  oxygen masks and
telephones.  Management estimates that the Company has an aggregate installed
base as of February 22, 1997 of aircraft seats, valued at replacement prices,
of approximately $1.5 billion comprised of more than 840,000 seats.

     TOURIST  CLASS.  The Company is the leading  worldwide  manufacturer  of
tourist class seats. B/E has designed  tourist class seats which  incorporate
features not previously utilized in that class, such as top-mounted passenger
control units, footrests and improved oxygen systems.

     FIRST AND BUSINESS  CLASSES.  First class and  business  class seats are
generally   larger,   heavier  and  more  complicated  in  design,   and  are
substantially more expensive than tourist class aircraft seats. The Company's
first class seats and certain of its business  class seats are equipped  with
articulating  bottom  cushion  suspension  systems,  sophisticated  hydraulic
leg-rests,  lumbar massage devices, adjustable thigh support cushions, reading
lights, adjustable head and neck supports and large tables.

     CONVERTIBLE  SEATS.  The Company has  developed two types of seats which
can be  converted  from  tourist  class  triple-row  seats to business  class
double-row seats with minimal conversion complexity.  Convertible seats allow
airline  customers to optimize the ratio of business  class to tourist  class
seats for a given aircraft configuration.

     COMMUTER  SEATS.  The  Company is the leading  manufacturer  of commuter
seats in both the U.S. and worldwide  markets.  The Company's  Silhouette(TM)
Composite  commuter  seats are similar to commercial jet seats in comfort and
performance but are lightweight and require minimal maintenance.

     SPARES.  Aircraft seats are exposed to significant  stress in the course
of normal  passenger  activity,  and  certain  seat  parts  are  particularly
susceptible to damage from continued use. As a result,  a significant  market
exists for spare parts.

<PAGE>                               8

     Passenger Entertainment and Service Systems

     Management  estimates that the Company has the largest installed base of
PESS  products  in  the  world,  which,  valued  at  replacement  prices,  is
approximately  $300 million.  The Company has the leading share of the market
for PCUs  and  related  wiring  and  harness  assemblies,  and has  developed
products  aimed at other  portions of the PESS market,  including  individual
seat video systems,  advanced multiplexer and hard-wired distribution systems
and  other  products.  The  Company  believes  that it is a market  leader in
individual  passenger in-flight  entertainment  systems and that this product
category  will  be the  fastest  growing,  and  among  the  largest,  product
categories in the commercial aircraft cabin interior products industry in the
future.

     INDIVIDUAL PASSENGER  ENTERTAINMENT.  The Company has developed a number
of   in-flight   entertainment   systems   that  are  designed  to  meet  the
technological and price specifications of the airlines:

     B/E 2000.  The B/E 2000,  introduced  in 1991,  is one of the  Company's
first-generation  individual  in-flight  video systemS and offers  centralized
electronic  distribution  of  a  limited  range  of  programming.  Since  its
introduction, the Company has installed approximately 24,500 units of the B/E
2000  and  earlier  generation  individual  passenger  video  systems  to  10
airlines.

     MDDS  FAMILY.  The  Company has  developed a family of  next-generation,
individual  passenger in-flight  entertainment  products,  which includes the
2000M and the MDDS:

     B/E 2000M -- The B/E 2000M is an  in-flight  entertainment  system  that
offers similar functionality to the 2000 but is designed to be upgradeable to
the Company's fully  interactive  MDDS.  Since its  introduction in 1994, the
Company has installed approximately 3,000 units.

     MDDS -- B/E's MDDS is a state-of-the-art,  fully interactive  individual
passenger  in-flight  entertainment  system  which has the  capacity to offer
numerous movies on demand, telecommunications, gaming, Nintendo(TM), Sega(TM)
and PC-based games,  in-flight shopping and, in the future,  live television,
among other services. The system was first installed,  on a limited basis, on
a British  Airways  Boeing  747-400 in  November  1995 and,  upon  successful
completion  of live  tests,  is expected  to be  installed  in all classes of
service on  approximately 90 aircraft.  In March 1996, the Company  installed
MDDS on an Air France 747-400 with video on demand  provided to all First and
Business  classes,  and to date,  has been  performing  within  expectations.
Although MDDS is not yet in commercial  production,  on November 6, 1996, B/E
announced  that the MDDS  (including  the B/E 2000M) is now being  offered by
Boeing  to its  customers  as a line  fit  option  for both the B777 and B747
aircraft,   allowing   airlines  to  specify  the  MDDS  as  their  in-flight
entertainment  system  of  choice  on these  Boeing  aircraft.  Prior to this
announcement, the MDDS could only be installed as a retrofit option after the
airlines took initial delivery of new aircraft.
<PAGE>                                9

     As of February  22,  1997,  B/E had entered  into  agreements  to supply
individual passenger entertainment systems to a number of airlines, including
United  Airlines,  Air France,  British Airways and KLM, and had an in-flight
entertainment systems backlog of approximately $240 million.

     PCUS, WIRING AND HARNESS  ASSEMBLIES.  The Company's PCU product line is
the broadest in the industry,  including over 300 different designs which are
functionally  similar  but  differ  widely due to the style  preferences  and
technical requirements of the various airlines. Wiring and harness assemblies
(which stabilize  installed  wiring) are sold as a package with PCUs and vary
as widely as PCU types.

     DISTRIBUTION  SYSTEMS.  The Company has  manufactured  hard-wired  audio
(since 1963) and video distribution systems (since 1992) and is currently the
principal supplier of such systems to the airline industry.  The Company also
offers  frequency  division  multiplex  distribution  systems  which  deliver
substantially  improved audio performance compared to competitors'  multiplex
systems.

Galley Equipment and Structures

     The Company is the world's largest  manufacturer of galley equipment for
both  narrow- and  wide-body  aircraft,  offering a wide  selection of galley
structures,   coffee  and  beverage  makers,  water  boilers,  ovens,  liquid
containers,  refrigeration equipment and other galley components.  Management
estimates  that  the  Company  has an  aggregate  installed  base  of  galley
equipment and structures, valued at replacement prices, of approximately $1.0
billion.

     COFFEE  MAKERS.  The  Company is the  leading  manufacturer  of aircraft
coffee makers,  with the Cmpany's equipment  currently installed in virtually
every  type  of  aircraft  for  almost  every  major  airline.   The  Company
manufactures a broad line of coffee makers,  coffee warmers and water boilers
including the Flash Brew Coffee Maker,  with the capability to brew 54 ounces
of coffee in one  minute,  a  Combi(TM)  unit which will brew both coffee and
boil water for tea while utilizing 25% less electrical power than traditional
5,000  watt water  boilers,  and a  recently  introduced  cappuccino/espresso
maker.

     OVENS.  The  Company  is  the  leading  supplier  of  a  broad  line  of
specialized ovens, including high-heat efficiency ovens, high-heat convection
ovens, and warming ovens.  The Company's  newest offering,  the DS-2000 Steam
Oven,  represents a new method of  preparing  food  in-flight by  maintaining
constant  temperature  and moisture in the food.  It addresses  the airlines'
need to provide a wider  range of foods than can be  prepared  by  convection
ovens.
<PAGE>                             10

     REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. The Company is the worldwide industry leader in
the design,  manufacture,  and supply of  commercial  aircraft  refrigeration
equipment. The Company recently introduced a self-contained wine and beverage
chiller,  the first unit  specifically  designed  to  rapidly  chill wine and
beverages on board an aircraft.

     GALLEY  STRUCTURES.  Galley  structures are generally custom designed to
accommodate  the unique  product  specifications  and features  required by a
particular   carrier.   Galley   structures   require  intensive  design  and
engineering  work and are among the most  sophisticated  and expensive of the
aircraft's cabin interior products.  The Company provides a variety of galley
structures,  closets and class dividers, emphasizing sophisticated and higher
value-added galleys for wide-body aircraft.

Services and Speciality Products
 
     The Company is an active  participant in the growing  service and custom
products markets. Management believes that the Company's broad and integrated
product line and close  relationships  with its airline and leasing customers
position  the Company to become a leading  service  provider in this  market.
Most participants in this market are small, and management  believes that the
Company is the only major  product  manufacturer  in the  industry  currently
participating in this market.

     SERVICES.  The Company  provides a comprehensive  compliment of services
for cabin interior products on board aircraft either between flights or on an
overnight  basis, or at one of more of seven service centers in the worldwide
service  network.  The  spectrum  of  services  includes  systems  check  and
components repair,  parts inventory and management,  refurbishment of seating
products,  on board surveys  regarding status and product  installations,  as
well as data  support  functions  such as loading and  updating of  in-flight
systems  entertainment  software,  direct satellite broadcast systems support
and systems integration.
 
     SPECIALTY PRODUCTS. The Company manufactures several specialty products
for  the  commercial  airline  industry  including  flight  attendant  seats,
observer  seats,  and custom  products in the  passenger  seating  area.  The
Company  maintains a staff of engineers to design and certify various modules
and kits to accommodate  individual  passenger  video and  telecommunications
modules in seat backs and center  consoles which were originally not designed
for such  applications.  The Company  believes it is able to provide products
for unique applications more rapidly than original manufacturers.

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING

     The Company works closely with commercial  airlines to improve  existing
products  and identify  customers'  emerging  needs.  B/E's  expenditures  in
research,  development and engineering totaled $37.1 million,  $58.3 million,
and $12.9 million for the fiscal years ended February 22, 1997,  February 24,
1996, and February 25, 1995, respectively. The decrease in expenses during

<PAGE>                           11

the  current  year is the  result  of a  decrease  in the  level of  activity
associated with the MDDS interactive entertainment system, offset somewhat by
an increase in product  development  activity in the Seating  Products Group.
B/E employs 320  professionals  in the  engineering  and product  development
areas. The Company believes that it has the largest engineering  organization
in the cabin interior products industry, with not only software,  electronic,
electrical and  mechanical  design skills but also  substantial  expertise in
materials composition and custom cabin interior layout design.

MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS

     The Company markets and sells its products  directly to virtually all of
the world's major airlines. B/E has a sales and marketing organization of 119
persons, along with 26 independent sales representatives. B/E sales to non-US
airlines were $203.4  million,  $124.5  million,  and $114.5  million for the
fiscal years ended  February 22,  1997,  February 24, 1996,  and February 25,
1995,  respectively,  or approximately  49%, 54%, 50%,  respectively,  of net
sales during such periods.

     Airlines select  manufacturers of cabin interior  products  primarily on
the basis of custom design capabilities,  product quality and performance, on
time  delivery,  after-sales  service and price.  B/E believes that its large
installed  base,  its timely  responsiveness  in  connection  with the custom
design, manufacture, delivery and after-sales service of its products and its
broad product line and stringent  customer and  regulatory  requirements  all
present barriers to entry for potential new competitors in the cabin interior
products market.

     The Company believes that its integrated  worldwide  marketing approach,
focused by airline and  encompassing  the Company's  entire  product line, is
preferred by airlines. Led by a B/E senior executive, teams representing each
product  line  serve   designated   airlines  which   together   account  for
approximately  60% of the purchases of products  manufactured  by B/E.  These
airline customer teams have developed  customer  specific  strategies to meet
each airline's  product and service needs.  The Company also staffs "on-site"
customer engineers at major airlines and airframe  manufacturers to represent
its  entire  product  line and work  closely  with the  customers  to develop
specifications  for each  successive  generation of products  required by the
airlines.  These  engineers help customers  integrate the wide range of cabin
interior   products  and  assist  in  obtaining  the  applicable   regulatory
certification for each particular product or cabin configuration. Through its
on-site  customer  engineers,   the  Company  expects  to  be  able  to  more
efficiently  design and integrate  products which address the requirements of
its customers. The Company provides program management services,  integrating
all on-board cabin interior equipment and systems, including installation and
FAA  certification,  allowing  airlines to  substantially  reduce costs.  The
Company  believes  that it is one of the  only  suppliers  in the  commercial
aircraft cabin interior products industry with the size,  resources,  breadth
of product  line and global  product  support  capability  to operate in this
manner.
<PAGE>                              12

BACKLOG

     Management  estimates  that  B/E's  backlog  at  February  22,  1997 was
approximately $570 million, approximately 44% of which management believes to
be  deliverable  in fiscal 1998,  compared  with a backlog of $450 million on
February 24, 1996. As of February 22, 1997, approximately $155 million of the
Company's  backlog was  represented by the British Airways MDDS program which
is subject to  satisfactory  completion  of flight trials ($110 million as of
February 24, 1996).

CUSTOMER SERVICE

     The  Company  believes  that it provides  the highest  level of customer
service  and  produc  support  available  in the  commercial  aircraft  cabin
interior  products industry and that such service is a critical factor in the
Company's  success.  The key  elements  of such  service  include  (i)  rapid
response to requests for engineering designs, proposal requests and technical
specifications;  (ii) flexibility with respect to customized features;  (iii)
on-time  delivery;  (iv)  immediate  availability  of spare parts for a broad
range of products;  and (v) prompt attention to customer problems,  including
on-site  customer  training.  Customer  service is particularly  important to
airlines due to the high cost to the airlines of late delivery,  malfunctions
and other problems.

WARRANTY AND PRODUCT LIABILITY

     The Company warrants its products,  or specific components thereof,  for
periods  ranging  from one to seven  years,  depending  upon product type and
component.  The Company generally  establishes  reserves for product warranty
expense on the basis of the ratio of warranty  costs  incurred by the product
over the warranty  period to sales of the product  over the warranty  period.
Actual  warranty  costs  reduce the  warranty  reserve as they are  incurred.
Management  periodically  reviews the  adequacy of accrued  product  warranty
reserves;  and revisions of accrued product warranty  reserves are recognized
in the period in which such revisions are determined.

     The  Company  also  carries  product  liability  insurance.  The Company
believes  that  its  insurance  is  generally  sufficient  to  cover  product
liability claims.

COMPETITION

     The commercial  aircraft cabin  interior  products  market is relatively
fragmented  with a number of competitors  in each of the  individual  product
categories.  Due to the global  nature of the  commercial  airline  industry,
competition  in  product   categories   comes  from  both  U.S.  and  foreign
manufacturers.  However, as aircraft cabin interiors have become increasingly
sophisticated and technically  complex,  airlines have demanded higher levels
of engineering  support and customer service than many smaller cabin interior
products  suppliers can provide.  At the same time,  airlines have recognized
that cabin interior product  suppliers must be able to integrate a wide range
<PAGE>                           13

of products,  including sophisticated electronic components,  particularly in
wide-body  aircraft.  Management  believes that these  increasing  demands of
airlines upon their  suppliers  will result in a number of suppliers  leaving
the cabin interior  products  industry and a consolidation of those suppliers
which remain.  The Company has  participated  in this  consolidation  through
strategic  acquisitions  and  internal  growth  and  intends to  continue  to
participate in the consolidation.

     The Company's  principal  competitors for seating products include Group
Zodiac  S.A.,  Keiper  Recaro  GmbH,  and a number of other  producers in the
European  community and Japan. The Company's  principal  competitors for PESS
products are Matsushita Electronics ("MAS") and Hughes Avicom as to PCUs, and
MAS as to individual seat video systems.  The Company's  primary  competitors
for galley  products are JAMCO Limited and Buderus Sell GmbH (a subsidiary of
Buderus, Inc.).

MANUFACTURING AND RAW MATERIALS

     The  Company's  manufacturing  operations  consist of both the  in-house
manufacturing  of  component  parts and  sub-assemblies  and the  assembly of
Company  specified  and designed  component  parts which are  purchased  from
outside  vendors.  The Company  maintains  state-of-the-art  facilities,  and
management has an on-going strategic manufacturing improvement plan utilizing
focused factories and cellular  production  technologies.  Management expects
that continuous  improvement from implementation of this plan for each of its
product  lines  will  occur  over the next  several  years and  should  lower
production costs, cycle times and inventory requirements and at the same time
improve product quality and customer response.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

     The FAA  prescribes  standards and licensing  requirements  for aircraft
components,  and licenses component repair stations within the United States.
Comparable  agencies  regulate such matters in other  countries.  The Company
holds several FAA component  certificates and performs component repairs at a
number of its US facilities  under FAA repair station  licenses.  The Company
also holds an approval  issued by the UK Civil Aviation  Authority to design,
manufacture,  inspect and test aircraft seating products in Leighton Buzzard,
England  and in Kilkeel,  Northern  Ireland and the  necessary  approvals  to
design,  manufacture,  inspect,  test  and  repair  its  galley  products  in
Nieuwegein,  The Netherlands and to inspect,  test and repair products at its
six service centers throughout the world.

     In March  1992,  the FAA  adopted  Technical  Standard  Order C127 which
requires  that all  seats  on  certain  new  generation  commercial  aircraft
installed  after  such  date be  certified  to meet a  number  of new  safety
requirements,  including  an ability  to  withstand  a 16G force.  Management
understands  that  the FAA  plans to  adopt  in the  near  future  additional
regulations  which will  require  that  within the next five years all seats,
including  those on existing older  commercial  aircraft which are subject to
the  FAA's  jurisdiction,  will  have to  comply  with  similar  seat  safety
requirements.  At  February  22,  1997,  the  Company  had  developed  eleven
different seat models which meet these new seat safety regulations.
<PAGE>                            14

PATENTS

     B/E  currently  holds 48  United  States  patents  and 51  international
patents,  covering a variety of products.  However, the Company believes that
the  termination,  expiration or  infringement of one or more of such patents
would not have a material  adverse effect on the business or prospects of the
Company.

EMPLOYEES

     As  of  February  22,  1997,  B/E  had  approximately  3,140  employees.
Approximately  80% of these  employees are engaged in  manufacturing,  10% in
engineering,  research and development,  and 10% in sales, marketing, product
support and general  administration.  Approximately  14% of the employees are
represented by a union. On April 25, 1997, the Company completed negotiations
with its only domestic union which represents 12% of the Company's employees.
This  contract,  which  covers a period of three  years,  was ratified by the
members of the union on April 26, 1997. B/E considers its employee  relations
to be good.

<PAGE>                           15

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

     As of February 22, 1997, B/E had 17 principal facilities,  comprising an
aggregate of  approximately  1,077,750  square feet of space.  The  following
table  describes  the  principal   facilities  and  indicates  the  location,
function, approximate size and ownership status of each:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                FACILITY          
                                                                                                   SIZE
LOCATION                         PRODUCTS AND FUNCTION                                          (SQ. FEET)        OWNERSHIP
- --------                         ---------------------                                          ----------        ---------  
<S>                                <C>                                                           <C>                 <C>
CORPORATE
Wellington, Florida                Corporate headquarters, finance, marketing sales                17,700             Owned

Longwood, Florida                  Administration                                                   1,300            Leased

Seating Products
Litchfield, Connecticut            Manufacturing, service and warehousing                         147,700             Owned

Winston-Salem, North Carolina      Seating products group headquarters, research and
                                   development,finance, marketing, sales and manufacturing        264,800             Owned

Leighton Buzzard, England          Manufacturing, service, research and
                                   and development, sales support, finance and
                                   warehousing.                                                   114,000             Owned(a)

Kilkeel, Northern Ireland          Manufacturing, sales support and warehousing                    38,500             Owned

GALLEY PRODUCTS:
Anaheim, California                Manufacturing,  service, research and development,
                                   sales support, finance and                                      57,100            Leased
                                   finance and warehousing

Delray Beach, Florida              Manufacturing, service, research and development, sales
                                   support, finance and warehousing; galley products
                                   group headquarters                                              52,000             Owned

Jacksonville, Florida              Manufacturing, service, engineering, and warehousing            75,000             Owned

Nieuwegein, The Netherlands        Manufacturing, service, research and development,
                                   sales support, finance and warehousing                          39,000            Leased
PESS PRODUCTS:
Irvine, California                 Manufacturing, service, research and development,
                                   sales support, finance and warehousing; in-flight              106,700            Leased
                                   entertainment group headquarters
Services:
Orange, California                 Upgrade, maintenance, inspection and repair,
                                   finance, sales support and warehousing, service
                                   group headquarters                                             106,300            Leased
<PAGE>                                     16


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 FACILITY
                                                                                                   SIZE
LOCATION                           PRODUCTS AND FUNCTION                                         SQ. FEET           OWNERSHIP
- --------                           ---------------------                                         --------
<S>                                <C>                                                             <C>                <C>
Longwood, Florida                  Upgrade, maintenance, inspection and repair                     5,300              Leased

Burnsville, Minnesota              Upgrade, maintenance, inspection and repair                     7,200              Leased

Linden, New Jersey                 Upgrade, maintenance, inspection and repair                     5,800              Leased

Redmond, Washington                Upgrade, maintenance, inspection and repair                     5,350              Leased

Chesham, England                   Upgrade, maintenance, inspection and repair                    34,000               Owned

</TABLE>

     (a) B/E's owned properties in England are mortgaged to Barclays Bank PLC
to  collateralize  credit  facilities  of FEEL in aggregate  amounts of up to
approximately 3.0 million pounds.

     The Company  believes that its facilities are suitable for their present
intended  purposes  and adequate for the  Company's  present and  anticipated
level of operations. As a result of recent conditions in the airline industry
as  described  in  "Industry   Overview-Recent  Industry  Conditions,"  B/E's
facilities have been substantially  underutilized for the past several years.
The Company believes that its ongoing facility integration program,  together
with anticipated continued growth in airline profitability,  should result in
significant  improvement  in the  degree  of  utilization  in  the  Company's
facilities.

                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
<PAGE>                             17

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     In July 1995, B/E became aware that the U.S.  Attorney's  Office for the
District of Connecticut,  in conjunction  with the Department of Commerce and
the U.S. Customs Service, is conducting a grand jury investigation focused on
possible   non-compliance  by  B/E  with  certain  statutory  and  regulatory
provisions  relating to export  licensing  and  controls.  The  investigation
relates  primarily to the sale of passenger seats and related spare parts for
civilian  commercial  passenger  aircraft  to  Iran  Air  from  1992  through
mid-1995.  B/E has been advised that it is a target of the investigation.  An
employee of a foreign based  subsidiary of B/E has been charged with offenses
relating to the  investigation.  The  investigation  is  continuing,  and the
Company  intends to defend  itself  vigorously,  nevertheless,  the  ultimate
outcome of the  investigation  cannot  presently  be  determined.  An adverse
outcome  could have a material  adverse  effect  upon the  operations  and/or
financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     During the last quarter of the fiscal year  covered by this report,  the
Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                         18

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     The following table sets forth  information  regarding the directors and
executive  officers  of the  Company.  Officers  of the  Company  are elected
annually by the Board of Directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                            <C>         <C>
NAME                           AGE         POSITION
- ----                           ---         --------

Amin J. Khoury                 58          Chairman of the Board

Robert J. Khoury               55          Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Director

Paul E. Fulchino               50          President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

Marco C. Lanza                 40          Corporate Executive Vice President, Marketing and Product Development

Thomas P. McCaffrey            43          Corporate Senior Vice President of Administration, Chief Financial Officer
                                           and Assistant Secretary

Edmund J. Moriarty             52          Corporate Vice President-Law, General Counsel and Secretary

Jeffrey P. Holtzman            41          Corporate Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

G. Bernard Jewell              54          Group Vice President and General Manager, Seating Products Group

E. Ernest Schwartz             60          Group Vice President and General Manager, Galley Products Group

Arthur H. Lipton               58          Group Vice President and General Manager, In-Flight Entertainment Group

Jim C. Cowart                  45          Director^

Richard G. Hamermesh           49          Director*^

Brian H. Rowe                  65          Director

Hansjoerg Wyss                 61          Director*
</TABLE>

*  Member, Audit Committee.
^  Member, Stock Option and Compensation Committee.
<PAGE>                           19

     The Company's  Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  provides that the
Board of Directors is classified  into three  classes,  as nearly as equal in
number as possible,  so that each director (after a transitional period) will
serve for three years,  with one class of directors  being elected each year.
The Board is currently  comprised of three Class I Directors  (Brian H. Rowe,
Jim C. Cowart and Paul E. Fulchino), two Class II Directors (Robert J. Khoury
and Hansjoerg  Wyss) and two Class III Directors  (Amin J. Khoury and Richard
G.  Hamermesh).  The terms of the Class I,  Class II and Class III  Directors
expire upon the election and  qualification of successor  directors at annual
meetings of  stockholders  held following the end of fiscal years 1998,  1996
and 1997,  respectively.  The  executive  officers of the Company are elected
annually  by  the  Board  of  Directors   following  the  annual  meeting  of
stockholders and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

     AMIN J. KHOURY has been  Chairman of the Board of the Company since July
1987 and was Chief  Executive  Officer until April 1, 1996.  Since 1986,  Mr.
Khoury has also been the Managing Director of The K.A.D. Companies,  Inc., an
investment,  venture capital and consulting firm. Mr. Khoury is currently the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc., a
manufacturer  of  oriented  polypropylene  films  used in  consumer  products
labeling and packaging  applications,  and a member of the Board of Directors
of Brooks  Automation,  Inc., the leading  manufacturer in the U.S. of vacuum
central wafer handling systems for semiconductor manufacturing.  Mr. Khoury is
employed by the Company pursuant to an Employment  Agreement which expires in
2002. Mr. Khoury is the brother of Robert J. Khoury.

     ROBERT J. KHOURY has been a Director of the Company since July 1987. Mr.
Khoury was elected Vice Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer effective April
1, 1996;  from July 1987 until that date,  Mr. Khoury served as the Company's
President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1986 to 1987, Mr. Khoury was Vice
President  of The K.A.D.  Companies,  Inc.  The Company  has entered  into an
Employment Agreement with Mr. Khoury which expires in 2001. Mr. Khoury is the
brother of Amin J. Khoury.

     PAUL E.  FULCHINO  was  elected  a  Director  and  President  and  Chief
Operating  Officer of the Company effective April 1, 1996. From 1990 to 1996,
Mr.  Fulchino  served as  President  and Vice  Chairman of Mercer  Management
Consulting,  Inc. ("Mercer"),  a general management consulting firm with over
1,100 employees. In addition to his management  responsibilities as President
of  Mercer,  Mr.  Fulchino  also  had  responsibility  for  advising  clients
throughout  the  world,  particularly  with  respect  to  the  transportation
industry,  including a number of major airlines. The Company has entered into
an Employment Agreement with Mr. Fulchino extending through March 31, 1999.

     MARCO  C.  LANZA  has  been  the  Corporate  Executive  Vice  President,
Marketing and Product Development since January 1994. From March 1992 through
January  1994,  Mr.  Lanza was Vice  President  and  General  Manager  of the
In-flight  Entertainment  Group of the Company.  From 1987  through  February
1992, Mr. Lanza was Vice President,  Marketing and Product Development of the
Company.  The Company has entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Lanza
extending through December 31, 1999.
<PAGE>                           20

     THOMAS  P.  MCCAFFREY  has  been  Corporate  Senior  Vice  President  of
Administration,  Chief  Financial  Officer and Assistant  Secretary since May
1993. From August 1989 through May 1993, Mr.  McCaffrey was an Audit Director
with  Deloitte & Touche  LLP,  and from 1976  through  1989 served in several
capacities,  including Audit Partner,  with Coleman & Grant.  The Company has
entered into an Employment  Agreement with Mr.  McCaffrey  extending  through
December 31, 1999.

     EDMUND J. MORIARTY has been Corporate Vice  President,  General  Counsel
and Secretary since November 16, 1995. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Moriarty served
as Vice President and General  Counsel to Rollins,  Inc., a national  service
company.  From 1982 through 1991, Mr.  Moriarty  served as Vice President and
General  Counsel to Old Ben Coal Company,  a wholly owned coal  subsidiary of
The Standard Oil Company.

     JEFFREY  P.  HOLTZMAN  has  been  Treasurer  since  September  1993  and
Corporate  Vice President  since November 1996.  From June 1986 to July 1993,
Mr.  Holtzman  served in several  capacities  at FPL Group,  Inc.,  including
Assistant  Treasurer  and  Manager  of  Financial   Planning.   Mr.  Holtzman
previously worked for Mellon Bank, Gulf Oil and Arthur Young & Company.

     G. BERNARD  JEWELL has been Vice  President  and General  Manager of the
Company's Seating Products Group since March 1996. From February 1994 through
February  1996,  Mr. Jewell was Group Vice  President,  Services Group of the
Company.  From April 1992 through  January  1994,  Mr.  Jewell was Group Vice
President,  Marketing and Product  Development  of the Company.  From 1988 to
1992, Mr. Jewell was President of Burns Aerospace Corporation, a manufacturer
of commercial aircraft cabin interior products.

     E. ERNEST  SCHWARTZ has been Vice  President and General  Manager of the
Galley  Products  Group of the Company  since March 1992.  From 1986  through
February 1992, Mr. Schwartz was President of Aircraft Products Company, which
was acquired by the Company in 1992.

     ARTHUR H. LIPTON has been the Vice President and General  Manager of the
In-flight  Entertainment Group since July 1995. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Lipton
was the Senior  Vice  President  and General  Manager of the Wyse  Technology
Display  Division.  Prior to that he was with the  Xerox  Corporation  for 20
years with his last  position  being Vice  President  and General  Manager of
their Imaging Business Unit.

     JIM C. COWART has been a Director of the Company  since  November  1989.
Since  January  1993,  Mr.  Cowart  has been  the  Chairman  of the  Board of
Directors  and Chief  Executive  Officer of Aurora  Electronics,  Inc.  Since
January  1992,  Mr.  Cowart has also been a Director of EOS Capital,  Inc., a
private  capital  firm  retained  by  the  Company  for  strategic  planning,
competitive analysis, financial relations and other services. From 1987 until
1991,  Mr.  Cowart  was a general  partner of Capital  Resource  Partners,  a
private  capital  investment  manager.  From 1982 to 1987,  Mr.  Cowart was a
Senior Vice President of Investment  Banking at Shearson  Lehman Brothers and
was the President of Shearson Venture Capital, Inc.
<PAGE>                             21

     RICHARD G. HAMERMESH has been a Director of the Company since July 1987.
Since August 1987, Dr.  Hamermesh has been the Managing Partner of the Center
for Executive Development, an independent management consulting company, and,
from  December  1986  to  August  1987,  Dr.  Hamermesh  was  an  independent
consultant.  Prior to such  time,  Dr.  Hamermesh  was on the  faculty at the
Harvard  Business  School.  Dr.  Hamermesh  is  also a  Director  of  Applied
Extrusion Technologies, Inc.

     BRIAN H. ROWE has been a Director  of the Company  since July 1995.  Mr.
Rowe is  currently  Chairman  Emeritus  of GE Aircraft  Engines,  a principal
business  unit of the  General  Electric  Company,  where he also  served  as
Chairman from September 1993 through  January 1995 and as President from 1979
through 1993. From March 1994 to November 1995, Mr. Rowe served as a Director
of  Astrostructures  Hamble  Limited,  a  manufacturer  of military and civil
aircraft  components.  Since March 1995, Mr. Rowe has also been a Director of
Atlas Air Inc., an air cargo carrier.  Since January 1980 Mr. Rowe has been a
Director of Fifth Third Bank,  an Ohio  banking  corporation.  Since  October
1995, Mr. Rowe has been a Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc., a  communications
services  company.  Since December 1995, Mr. Rowe has also been a Director of
Stewart & Stevenson Services,  Inc., a custom packager of engine systems, and
Textron Inc., a  manufacturer  of  mechanical  devices for aircraft and other
applications.  Since  January  1996,  Mr. Rowe has served as  Executive  Vice
Chairman of American Regional Aircraft Industries, Inc.

     HANSJOERG  WYSS has been a Director of the Company  since  October 1989.
Since 1977, Mr. Wyss has been a Director and the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Synthes (U.S.A.) and Synthes  (Canada),  Ltd.,  manufacturers  and
distributors  of  orthopedic  implants  and  instruments.  Mr. Wyss is also a
Director of Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc.


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<PAGE>                            22
                                   PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "BEAV." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated,
the range of high and low per share  closing  prices for the Common  Stock as
reported by Nasdaq.


                                                  HIGH            LOW
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 25, 1995
    First Quarter                                11 1/2          7 7/8
    Second Quarter                                9 1/2          7 3/8
    Third Quarter                                 9 1/4          7 1/2
    Fourth Quarter                                8 1/2          5 3/8
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 24, 1996
    First Quarter                                 8 5/8          5 1/4
    Second Quarter                                9 1/4          7 1/4
    Third Quarter                                9 9/16          7 1/2
    Fourth Quarter                               13 5/8          8 7/8
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 22, 1997
    First Quarter                                 16 1/4          9 7/8
    Second Quarter                                16 3/4         12 3/8
    Third Quarter                                 25 1/8         15 1/2
    Fourth Quarter                                29             22 3/4

     On April 30, 1997 the closing  price of the Common  Stock as reported by
Nasdaq  was  $24.625  per  share.  As of  such  date,  the  Company  had  327
shareholders of record, and management estimates that there are approximately
9,627  beneficial  owners of the Company's  Common Stock. The Company has not
paid any cash dividends in the past, and management has no present  intention
of doing so in the immediate future. The Company's Board of Directors intend,
for the  foreseeable  future,  to retain any  earnings  to finance the future
growth of the Company,  but expect to review its dividend  policy  regularly.
The Indentures pursuant to which the Company's 9 3/4% Senior Notes and 9 7/8%
Senior  Subordinated  Notes were issued and the terms of the Company's credit
facilities,  permit the  declaration  or payment  of cash  dividends  only in
certain circumstances described therein.


                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
<PAGE>                           23

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
(In thousands, except per share data)

     On April 2, 1992, B/E acquired the stock of Flight Equipment Engineering
Limited  ("FEEL").  During  fiscal year 1994,  B/E  completed  the  following
acquisitions:  On April  29,  1993,  B/E  acquired  all of the stock of Royal
Inventum,  B.V.  ("Inventum");  on August 23,  1993,  B/E acquired all of the
stock of Nordskog Industries  ("Nordskog");  on August 26, 1993, B/E acquired
all of the stock of Acurex Corporation  ("Acurex");  and on October 13, 1993,
B/E  acquired   substantially   all  of  the  assets  of  Philips   Airvision
("Airvision").  On January 24,  1996,  B/E acquired all of the stock of Burns
Aerospace  Corporation  ("Burns").   Each  of  B/E's  acquisitions  has  been
accounted for as a purchase,  and the results of the acquired  businesses are
included in B/E's historical financial data from the date of acquisition. The
financial  data for the fiscal years ended  February  22, 1997,  February 24,
1996,  February 25, 1995,  February 26, 1994 and February 27, 1993, have been
derived  from  financial   statements   which  have  been  audited  by  B/E's
independent  auditors.  The following  financial  information is qualified by
reference  to,  and  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with,  the  financial
statements,   including  notes  thereto,  and  "Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere
in this Annual Report.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Year Ended

                                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Feb. 22,      Feb. 24.   Feb. 25,     Feb, 26,      Feb. 27,
                                                       1997         1996        1995         1994         1993

Consolidated Statement of Operations:
<S>                                               <C>      <C><C>       <C><C>       <C><C>          <C>       <C>
Net sales .....................................   $ 412,379   $ 232,582    $ 229,347    $ 203,364    $ 198,019 
Cost of sales .................................     270,557     160,031      154,863      136,307      137,690
                                                    -------     -------      -------      -------      -------
Gross profit ..................................     141,822      72,551       74,484       67,057       60,329

Operating expenses:
    Selling, general and administrative .......      51,734      42,000       31,787       28,164       21,698
    Research,  development and engineering ....      37,083      58,327 (a)   12,860        9,876       11,299
    Amortization expense ......................      10,607       9,499        9,954        7,599        4,551
    Other expenses ............................        --         4,170       23,736 (b)       --           --
                                                     -----        -----       ------       ------       ------

 Operating earnings (loss) ....................      42,398     (41,445)      (3,853)      21,418       22,781
 Interest expense, net ........................      27,167      18,636       15,019       12,581        3,955
                                                     ------      ------       ------       ------        -----
 Earnings (loss) before income taxes (benefit),
    cumulative effect of accounting
    change and extraordinary item .............      15,231     (60,081)     (18,872)       8,837       18,826
Income taxes (benefit) ........................       1,522        --         (6,806)       3,481        6,676
                                                      -----     ------        ------        -----        -----

Earnings (loss)
    before cumulative effect of
    accounting change and extraordinary item ..      13,709     (60,061)     (12,066)       5,356       12,150
Cumulative effect of accounting change ........        --       (23,332)(a)     --           --           --
Extraordinary item, net of tax effect .........        --          --           --           --
                                                       --          --           --           --           (522)(c)
                                                  ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net earnings (loss) ...........................   $  13,709   $ (83,413)   $ (12,066)   $   5,356    $  11,628
                                                  =========   =========    =========    =========    =========

Net earnings (loss) per common share:
    Continuing operations .....................   $     .72   $  (3.71)   $ ( 0.75)    $   0.35      $   1.03
    Cumulative effect of accounting change ....          --      (1.44)(a)      --           --            --
    Extraordinary item, net of tax effect .....          --         --          --           --         (0.05)(c)
                                                  ---------    --------    --------     --------     ---------
Net earnings (loss) per common share ..........   $     .72(d)  $(5.15)   $  (0.75)   $    0.35      $   0.98
                                                  =========   =========    =========    =========    =========

Common and common equivalent shares ...........      19,107      16,185       16,021       15,438       11,847

</TABLE>

<PAGE>                              24

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


    Consolidated Balance Sheet     FEB. 22, 1997      FEB. 24, 1996      FEB. 25, 1995       FEB. 26, 1994      Feb. 27, 1993
     (end of period):
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>
    Working capital...........        $122,174            $ 41,824          $ 76,563           $ 76,874          $133,661
    Total assets.............          491,089             433,586           379,954             375,009           314,055
    Long-term debt............         225,402             273,192           172,693             159,170           127,743
    Stockholders' equity......         165,761              44,157           125,331             133,993           107,974

</TABLE>

     (a) In fiscal  1996,  the  Company  changed  its  method  of  accounting
relating to the  capitalization  of pre-contract  engineering costs that were
previously  included as a component of inventories  and amortized to earnings
as the product was shipped. Effective February 26, 1995, such costs have been
charged to research,  development  and  engineering  and expensed as incurred
and,  as a  result,  periods  prior to  fiscal  1996 are not  comparable.  In
connection with such change in accounting,  the Company  recorded a charge to
earnings  of $23.3  million.  See Note 2 of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

     (b) In fiscal 1995,  the Company  charged to earnings  $23.7  million of
expenses  primarily related to intangible  assets and inventories  associated
with the Company's earlier generations of passenger entertainment systems.

     (c) As a result of the sale of Senior Notes in 1993,  the Company  wrote
off the  unamortized  portion of certain debt  issuance  costs related to its
prior credit agreement.

     (d) As required by APB 15, the  supplemental  earnings (loss) per common
share data give effect to: (i) the assumed  issuance of  2,566,559  shares of
Common Stock by the Company  which would be  necessary  to generate  proceeds
(using an assumed  share  price of $25),  net of  estimated  offering  costs,
sufficient to repay $57.6 million of  indebtedness;  and (ii) the elimination
of interest  expense related to such borrowings for each period,  net of tax.
The  supplemental  data do not give effect to the  issuance of an  additional
1,433,441 shares of Common Stock sold by the Company.


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<PAGE>                               25

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     This Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations"  includes forward looking statements which involve
risks  and   uncertainties.   The  Company's  actual  experience  may  differ
materially from that discussed in such  statements.  Factors that might cause
such a difference  include,  but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors"  contained in Exhibit 99 hereto,  as well as future events that have
the effect of reducing the  Company's  operating  income and  available  cash
balances, such as unexpected operating losses or delays in the integration of
the  Company's  seating   business,   the  delivery  of  the  Company's  MDDS
interactive  video system,  customer delivery  requirements,  new or expected
refurbishments, or cash expenditures related to possible future acquisitions.

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

INTRODUCTION

     B/E is the world's leading  manufacturer of commercial aircraft interior
products.  B/E's  products  include  an  extensive  line of first,  business,
tourist class and commuter seats, a broad range of galley products  including
coffee and beverage makers, ovens, liquid containers, refrigeration equipment
and galley structures,  as well as a line of individual  passenger  in-flight
entertainment products including both distributed audio/video and interactive
video  systems.  B/E markets and sells its  products  to its  customers,  the
airlines,  through a direct  sales  organization  , focused  by  airline  and
encompassing B/E's entire product line.

     B/E's  revenues  are  generally   derived  from  two  primary   sources:
refurbishment  or  upgrade  programs  for the  airlines'  existing  worldwide
fleets, and new aircraft deliveries. B/E believes its large installed base of
products,  estimated to be approximately $2.8 billion as of February 22, 1997
(valued  at  replacement  prices),  gives  it a  significant  advantage  over
competitors in obtaining orders for refurbishment  programs,  principally due
to the tendency of the airlines to purchase  equipment for such programs from
the  original  supplier.  With the  exception  of spare  parts  sales,  B/E's
revenues are generated from programs initiated by the airlines which may vary
significantly  from year to year in terms of size, mix of products and length
of  delivery.  As a result,  B/E's  revenues and margins may  fluctuate  from
period to period  based upon the size and timing of the  program and the type
of products sold.  Historically,  B/E  experienced  certain trends in its two
revenue  drivers:  as the airlines  took  deliveries  of large numbers of new
aircraft,  refurbishment  programs as a percentage of revenues  declined and,
similarly,  when new aircraft  deliveries  declined,  refurbishment  programs
tended  to  increase  in number  and size.  During  the most  recent  airline
industry recession,  which ended in 1994, the airlines significantly depleted
their cash reserves and incurred record losses. In an effort to improve their
liquidity,  the  airlines  conserved  cash by  reducing  or  deferring  cabin
interior refurbishment and upgrade programs and purchases of new aircraft. As
<PAGE>                           26

a result, in contrast with historical experience, B/E experienced declines in
the number of both new orders and refurbishments.

     Since early 1994, the airlines have experienced a significant turnaround
in operating  results,  with the domestic airline  industry  achieving record
operating earnings during calendar 1995 and 1996. Consequently, during fiscal
1997, B/E has experienced  significant  growth in its backlog.  The growth in
backlog,  coupled  with  the  Burns  acquisition,  has  led to a  significant
expansion of the  Company's  revenues and  operating  earnings  during fiscal
1997. This growth is a reflection of the airlines' need to begin refurbishing
worn fleets and their  ability to do so as a result of the  strengthening  of
the airlines' balance sheets.

     B/E has  substantially  expanded  the  size,  scope  and  nature  of its
business  as a result of a number of  acquisitions.  During the  fiscal  year
ended  February 26, 1994,  B/E completed the following  acquisitions:  (a) on
April 29, 1993, the Company acquired, through a Dutch holding company, all of
the capital stock of Inventum,  a supplier of galley inserts including ovens,
beverage makers and water boilers to airlines located primarily in Europe and
the Pacific  Rim;  (b) on August 23,  1993,  the Company  acquired all of the
capital  stock of  Nordskog,  an industry  pioneer in galley  structures  and
inserts;  (c) on August 26,  1993,  the Company  acquired  all of the capital
stock of Acurex,  the  leading  worldwide  supplier  of  commercial  aircraft
refrigeration  products;  and (d) on October 13, 1993,  the Company  acquired
substantially  all of the assets and certain of the liabilities of Airvision,
a manufacturer of in-flight entertainment equipment. On January 24, 1996, the
Company  acquired all of the stock of Burns, an industry leader in commercial
aircraft  seating.  While the  Company  will  continue to be  susceptible  to
industry-wide   conditions,    management   believes   that   the   Company's
significantly more diversified product line and revenue base achieved through
acquisitions  has reduced  its  exposure  to demand  fluctuations  in any one
product area.

     The Burns  acquisition has had a significant  impact on B/E's results of
operations.  Burns was one of the three leading North  American  suppliers of
commercial  aircraft  passenger seats,  with a base of airline customers that
was  largely  complementary  to that of B/E.  By  consolidating  engineering,
marketing,  administration and manufacturing operations of the two companies,
B/E has been able to reduce  fixed  costs,  thereby  enhancing  its  low-cost
position.  These  efforts  have  allowed  B/E  to  increase  its  engineering
capabilities,  expand seat production capacity to over 200,000 seats per year
and provide a substantially higher level of product support.

     B/E's business  strategy is to maintain its market  leadership  position
through various  initiatives,  including new product  development.  In fiscal
1996, research,  development and engineering expenses totaled $58,327, or 25%
of net sales, primarily consisting of costs related to the development of the
MDDS,  with the  balance  attributable  to its  seating  products  and galley
businesses. During the year ended February 22, 1997, primarily as a result of
the substantial completion of the engineering associated with the development
of the MDDS,  such  expenses were  $37,083,  or 9% of net sales.  The Company
<PAGE>                            27

expects that its research, development and engineering expenses will increase
in  fiscal  1998 as a result  of the  introduction  of the MDDS as a line fit
option on the Boeing B777 and B747 aircraft.
             
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  -- YEAR ENDED  FEBRUARY 22, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR
ENDED FEBRUARY 24, 1996

     Sales for the year ended February 22, 1997 were $412,379,  or 77% higher
than sales of  $232,582  for the  comparable  period in the prior  year.  The
increase  in  sales is  attributable  to  substantially  higher  unit  volume
shipments of all the  Company's  products as a result of  improving  industry
conditions.  Of the $179,797 increase in sales for the year, $103,800 was due
to  increased   seating  and  services   revenues  directly  related  to  the
acquisition of Burns.  Excluding the effect of the Burns  acquisition,  sales
increased 33% year over year.

     At February 22, 1997, the Company's backlog was approximately  $570,000,
up from $450,000 at February 24, 1996.  New order  bookings in the year ended
February 22, 1997 of $532,000 were $305,000  greater than new order  bookings
of $227,000 for the comparable period in the prior year. Management estimates
that approximately 44% of its backlog is deliverable during fiscal 1998.

     Gross  profit  was  $141,822,  or 34.4%  of  sales,  for the year  ended
February 22, 1997 and was $69,271 higher than gross profit for the comparable
period in the prior year of $72,551,  which  represented  31.2% of sales. The
increase in gross profit is primarily the result of the higher sales volumes
and the mix of products and services sold.

     Selling,  general and administrative  expenses were $51,734, or 12.5% of
sales,  for the year ended  February  22, 1997.  This was $9,734  higher than
selling, general and administrative expenses for the comparable period in the
prior year of $42,000, or 18.1% of sales,  principally due to the substantial
increases in revenues and the acquisition of Burns.

     Research,  development and engineering expenses were $37,083, or 9.0% of
sales, for the year ended February 22, 1997. For the comparable period in the
prior year,  research and development expense was $58,327, or 25.1% of sales.
The decrease in expenses  during the current year is the result of a decrease
in the level of activity  associated with the MDDS interactive  entertainment
system, offset somewhat by an increase in product development activity in the
Seating Products Group.

     Amortization  expense  for the year  February  22,  1997 of $10,607  was
$1,108 more than the amount  recorded in fiscal 1996 as a result of the Burns
acquisition.

     Net interest  expense was $27,167 for the year ended  February 22, 1997,
or $8,531  higher than the net interest  expense of $18,636  recorded for the
comparable  period  in the  prior  year,  and is due to the  increase  in the
Company's  long-term  debt  outstanding  throughout  most of fiscal 1997 as a
result  of the  Senior  Subordinated  Notes  issued  at the time of the Burns
acquisition.
<PAGE>                          28

     Earnings  before income taxes of $15,231 for the year ended February 22,
1997 were  $75,312  more than the loss before  income taxes of $60,081 in the
prior year.

     Income taxes for the year ended February 22, 1997 were $1,522, or 10% of
earnings before income taxes, as compared to no tax provision in fiscal 1996.

     Net  earnings  were  $13,709,  or $.72 per  share,  for the  year  ended
February 22, 1997 as compared to a net loss of $(83,413) or $(5.15) per share
for the  comparable  period in the prior year,  which included the cumulative
effect of an accounting change of $23,332.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - YEAR ENDED  FEBRUARY 24, 1996 COMPARED WITH YEAR
ENDED FEBRUARY 25, 1995

     Sales for the year ended  February 24, 1996 were  $232,582 or 1% greater
than sales of $229,347 in the prior year. This increase in sales is primarily
related  to the  inclusion  of  results  of  operations  of Burns,  which was
acquired  during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996.  Offsetting this increase
in revenues was the  negative  impact of a ten-week  strike at Boeing,  which
ended December 14, 1995.

     At February 24,  1996,  the  Company's  backlog  stood at  approximately
$450,000,  up from $331,000 at February 25, 1995.  The increase in backlog is
attributable to the acquisition of Burns, along with solid growth from orders
placed by the airlines.  During the year ended February 24, 1996, and for the
first time in over two years,  the airlines  placed  orders for the Company's
seating and galley products in excess of its shipment levels, resulting in an
increase in its seating and galley products backlog.

     Gross  profit was $72,551 or 31.2% of sales for the year ended  February
24, 1996 and was $1,933 less than gross  profit for the prior year of $74,484
which  represented  32.5% of sales.  The decrease in gross profit  during the
year ended  February 24, 1996 is primarily  the result of the mix of products
sold.

     Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  were $42,000  (18.1% of
sales) for the year ended February 24, 1996. This was $10,213 higher than the
comparable period in the prior year of $31,787 (13.9% of sales),  principally
due to costs associated with the Burns acquisition and related organizational
changes  brought about by this  acquisition,  higher  promotional and selling
costs associated with B/E's participation in annual industry trade shows, and
higher medical benefits and legal costs during fiscal 1996.

     Effective  as of the  beginning  of fiscal 1996 the Company  changed its
method of accounting for  pre-contract  engineering  expenditures  associated
with customer orders.  These  expenditures,  which previously were carried in
inventory  for  amortization  over  future  deliveries,  are now  expensed as
incurred.  As a  result  of  this  change  in  accounting  method,  research,
development and engineering for the year ended February 24, 1996 increased by
$45,467 to $58,327 , as compared to $12,860 in the prior year.
<PAGE>                            29

     Amortization  expense for the year ended February 24, 1996 of $9,499 was
$455 less than the amount  recorded in the prior year and is due to the lower
level of intangible assets being amortized during fiscal 1996.

     Other  expenses  were  $4,170 for the year ended  February  24, 1996 and
relate to costs  associated  with the integration  and  consolidation  of the
Company's European seating business. Other expenses for the year ended
February 25, 1995 were $23,736 and related  primarily to a charge  associated
with B/E's earlier generations of passenger entertainment systems.

     Interest  expense,  net was $18,636 for the year ended February 24, 1996
or $3,617  higher  than the prior  year.  This  increase  is the result of an
increase in the amount of the Company's  long-term debt outstanding,  as well
as higher interest rates.

     No income tax benefit was provided for the year ended  February 24, 1996
as compared to a tax benefit of $6,806 (36%) for the prior year.

     The Company  recorded the cumulative  effect of an accounting  change of
$23,332 during the year ended February 24, 1996.  Such amount  represents the
total  amount  of  capitalized  pre-contract  engineering  costs  which  were
included in inventories as of February 25, 1995.

     The net loss for  fiscal  1996 was  ($83,413)  or  $(5.15)  per share as
compared to a net loss of ($12,066) or $(.75) per share in the prior year.

RESULTS OF  OPERATIONS  YEAR  ENDED  FEBRUARY  25,  1995  (FISCAL  1995)
COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 26, 1994 (FISCAL 1994)

     Sales for the year ended  February 25, 1995 were  $229,347 or 13% higher
than sales of $203,364 in the prior year. The increase in sales was primarily
related to the results of operations of businesses acquired at the end of the
second  quarter of fiscal 1994.  The level of activity in the cabin  interior
products  industry  continued to reflect the depressed  conditions within the
airline industry.

     At February 25, 1995,  B/E's  backlog stood at $331,000 up from $241,000
at  February  26,  1994.  Substantially  all of the  growth  in  backlog  was
attributable to B/E's  in-flight  entertainment  products;  backlog for B/E's
seating and galley  products  continued to decline  through  fiscal 1995 as a
result of the depressed conditions present in the airline industry.

     Gross  profit was $74,484 or 32% of sales,  for the year ended  February
25, 1995 and was $7,427 or 11%, greater than the prior year's gross profit of
$67,057 which  represented 33% of sales.  The increase in gross profit during
the  fiscal  year  ended  February  25,  1995 was in large part the result of
higher  revenues  associated  with the businesses  acquired at the end of the
second quarter of fiscal 1994.

     Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  were  $31,787 or 14% of
sales,  for the year ended February 25, 1995.  This was $3,623 or 13%, higher
than the selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  for the  comparable
period in the prior year of $28,164  (14% of sales),  principally  due to the
acquisitions completed during fiscal 1995.

<PAGE>                              30

     Research and development  expenses were $12,860 or 6% of sales,  for the
fiscal  year ended  February  25,  1995.  For the prior  year,  research  and
development expenses were $9,876 or 5% of sales. The increase in research and
development  was  attributable  to  B/E's  ongoing  new  product  development
programs.

     Amortization  expense  for the fiscal  year ended  February  25, 1995 of
$9,954 was $2,355 or 31%,  higher than the amount recorded in the prior year,
and was due to the acquisitions completed during fiscal 1995.

     Other  expenses for the fiscal year ended February 25, 1995 consisted of
a charge of $23,736  related  primarily to intangible  assets and inventories
associated with B/E's earlier generations of passenger entertainment systems.
The  introduction  of B/E's MDDS,  which B/E expects to become the industry's
standard for in-flight passenger and service entertainment,  has captured the
dominant  market share with it receiving  contract awards from major airlines
totaling more than $250 million since fiscal 1995. The MDDS also caused major
carriers to convert  programs for earlier products of B/E to the MDDS and has
resulted in two of B/E's  principal  competitors  offering to develop for the
airlines  systems  similar to B/E's MDDS.  These events  caused the in-flight
entertainment  industry  to  re-evaluate  its product  offerings  and, in the
process,  have  impaired  the value of  certain of its  assets.  As a result,
during the year ended February 25, 1995, B/E wrote down certain of its assets
principally related to its earlier systems.

     Principally due to the other expenses  described  above,  B/E recorded a
net operating  loss of ($3,853) for the fiscal year ended  February 25, 1995,
as compared  to  operating  earnings of $21,418 in the prior year.  Operating
earnings  for the  period  before the  special  charge  mentioned  above were
$19,883.

     Net interest  expense of $15,019 for the fiscal year ended  February 25,
1995 was $2,438 or 19%,  higher than the prior year.  This  increase  was the
result of an increase in the amount of B/E's long-term debt  outstanding,  as
well as higher interest rates.

     An income tax benefit of ($6,806)  (36% of the loss before income taxes)
was  recognized  principally  as the  result of the charge  described  above.
Income tax expense for the fiscal year ended  February 26, 1994 was $3,481 or
39% of earnings before income taxes.

     The net loss for  fiscal  1995 was  $(12,066)  or  $(.75)  per  share as
compared  to net  earnings  of $5,356  or $.35 per  share in the prior  year,
principally due to the charge.
<PAGE>                           31

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The  Company's  liquidity  requirements  consist  primarily  of  working
capital needs and scheduled  payments of interest on its  indebtedness.  As a
result of the Burns acquisition, the Company has significantly increased cash
requirements for the payment of interest on its outstanding borrowings.

     B/E's  primary  requirements  for  working  capital  have been  directly
related to increased accounts  receivable and inventory levels as a result of
revenue  growth.  B/E's working capital was $122,174 as of February 22, 1997,
compared to $41,824 as of February 24, 1996.

     In January 1996, the Company amended its existing credit facilities with
The Chase  Manhattan Bank by increasing the aggregate  principal  amount that
may be borrowed thereunder to $100,000 (the "Bank Credit Facility"). The Bank
Credit  Facility  consists  of a  $25,000  Reducing  Revolver  and a  $75,000
Revolving  Facility.  The  amount of the  Reducing  Revolver  will be reduced
automatically  by 12.5% on April 19, 1999 and on each of the seven succeeding
quarterly anniversaries of such date. The Reducing Revolver is collateralized
by all of the issued and outstanding  capital stock of Acurex, a wholly owned
subsidiary,  and  has  a  five  year  maturity.  The  Revolving  Facility  is
collateralized  by all  of  the  Company's  accounts  receivable,  all of its
inventory  and  substantially  all of its other  personal  property and has a
five-year maturity.  The Bank Credit Facility contains customary  affirmative
covenants,  negative  covenants and conditions of borrowing.  At February 22,
1997,  indebtedness  under the Bank Credit  Facility  were  letters of credit
amounting to  approximately  $5,100.  The Company has  approximately  $94,900
under its bank credit facility for subsequent borrowings.

     The Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes are due March 1, 2003 and
February 1, 2006, respectively.

     At February 22,  1997,  the  Company's  cash and cash  equivalents  were
$44,149 as compared to $15,376 at February 24,  1996.  Cash used in operating
activities  during the twelve months ended  February 22, 1997 was $10,591 and
cash used in operating  activities  in fiscal 1996 was  $34,562.  The primary
source of cash during the year ended  February  22, 1997 was net  earnings of
$13,709,  non-cash  charges for  depreciation and amortization of $24,147 and
approximately  $106,082 from the issuance of common stock, offset by a use of
cash of $38,902  related to  increases in  receivables  and  inventories  and
$12,603  related to decreases in other  assets and  liabilities.  The primary
source of cash during the year ended  February 24, 1996 was non-cash  charges
for depreciation and amortization of $18,435 and the cumulative effect of the
accounting  change of $23,332 which was offset by a use of cash for research,
development and engineering of $58,327 and for inventory of $11,929.

     The Company's  capital  expenditures  were $14,471,  $13,656 and $12,172
during the year ended  February 22, 1997,  February 24, 1996 and February 25,
1995,  respectively.  The Company anticipates ongoing capital expenditures of
approximately $20 million per year for the next several years.

     The Company  believes that cash flow from  operations  and  availability
under the Bank Credit  Facility will provide  adequate  funds for its working
<PAGE>                               32

capital needs,  planned  capital  expenditures  and debt service  obligations
through the term of the Bank Credit  Facility.  The Company  believes that it
will be able to refinance the Bank Credit Facility prior to its  termination,
although  there  can be no  assurance  that it  will  be  able to do so.  The
Company's   ability  to  fund  its  operations   and  make  planned   capital
expenditures,  to make scheduled  payments and to refinance its  indebtedness
depends on its future  operating  performance and cash flow,  which, in turn,
are subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial,  business and
other factors, some of which are beyond its control.

INDUSTRY CONDITIONS

     The  Company's  customers  are the  world's  commercial  airlines.  As a
result,  the Company's  business is directly dependent upon the conditions in
the commercial airline industry.  In the late 1980s and early 1990s the world
airline  industry  suffered a severe downturn which resulted in record losses
and several air carriers  seeking  protection  under  bankruptcy  laws.  As a
consequence, during such period, airlines sought to conserve cash by reducing
or deferring scheduled cabin interior  refurbishment and upgrade programs and
delaying purchases of new aircraft.  This led to a significant contraction in
the commercial  aircraft cabin interior products  industry,  and a decline in
the  Company's  business  and  profitability.  Over the last two  years,  the
airline   industry  has  experienced  a  dramatic   economic   turnaround  in
profitability  and  balance  sheet  strength,  and a  number  of the  world's
airlines have placed significant orders for new aircraft over the past twelve
months. Industry sources are now predicting that new aircraft deliveries will
increase substantially over the next several years. There can be no assurance
that the recent  profitability  of the airline industry will continue or that
the  airlines  will  maintain  or  increase  expenditures  on cabin  interior
products for refurbishments or new aircraft.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     This  information  required  by this  section  is set forth on pages F-1
through F-20 of this report.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.
                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                            33
                                   PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Information  set forth under the caption  "Election of Directors" in the
proxy  statement to be filed with the Commission in connection with Company's
1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders  (the "Proxy  Statement") is incorporated
by reference herein.

     Information  relating  to the  executive  officers of the Company is set
forth in Part I of this report under the caption  "Executive  Officers of the
Registrant."

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     Information set forth under the caption "Executive  Compensation" in the
Proxy  Statement  is  incorporated  by  reference  herein.  The  Compensation
Committee  Report and the  Performance  Graph included in the Proxy Statement
are not incorporated herein.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Information set forth under the caption "Beneficial Ownership of Shares"
in the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Information set forth under the caption  "Certain  Transactions"  in the
Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.

                                   PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1.  Financial Statements (See page F-1).

     Consolidated Balance Sheets, February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996.

     Consolidated  Statements of Operations  for the Years Ended February 22,
     1997, February 24, 1996, February 25, 1995.

     Consolidated  Statements  of  Stockholders'  Equity for the Years  Ended
     February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996, February 25, 1995.

     Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended  February 22,
     1997, February 24, 1996, February 25, 1995.

     Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements for the Years Ended February
     22, 1997, February 24, 1996, February 25, 1995.
<PAGE>                             34

2.  Financial Statement Schedules.

     Schedule  II - Valuation  and  Qualifying  Accounts  for the Years Ended
     February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995.

3.  Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith:
                                            
Exhibit 23    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

Exhibit 27    Financial Data Schedule for the Fiscal Year Ended
              February 22, 1997

Exhibit 99.1  Risk Factors

Exhibit 99.2  BE Aerospace, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan and
              Trust--Financial Statements for the Ten Months Ended December
              31, 1995 and the Year Ended February 28, 1995, Supplemental
              Schedules and Independent Auditors' Report

Exhibit 99.3  BE Aerospace, Inc. 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan--Financial
              Statements  as of February 29, 1996 and February 28, 1995;  and
              for the Year Ended  February  29,  1996 and the period from May
              15,  1994  (inception)  to February  28,  1995 and  Independent
              Auditors' Report

<PAGE>                              35

     The following  exhibits  previously  have been filed with the Commission
under the Securities  Act of 1933 and/or the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
and are incorporated by reference herein.  (i) the Registrant's  Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (No.  33-33689),  filed with the Commission
on March 7, 1990  (referred to below as  "33-33689");  (ii) the  Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (No. 33-43147), filed with the
Commission on October 3, 1991  (referred to below as  "33-43147");  (iii) the
Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1, as amended (No. 33-54146),
filed  with  the  Commission  on  November  3,  1992  (referred  to  below as
"33-54146");  (iv) the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form S-3, as
amended  (No.  33-57798)  filed  with the  Commission  on  February  2,  1993
(referred  to  below  as  "33-57798");   (v)  the  Registrant's  Registration
Statement on Form S-2 (No.  33-66490)  filed with the  Commission on July 23,
1993 (referred to below as "33-66490");  (vi) the  Registrant's  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No.  33-48119),  filed with the  Commission on May 26,
1992 (referred to below as "33-48119");  (vii) the Registrant's  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No.  33-72194),  filed with the Commission on November
29,  1993  (referred  to  below  as  "33-72194");   (viii)  the  Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-82894),  filed with the Commission
on August 16, 1994 (referred to below as "33-82894");  (ix) the  Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-00433,  filed with the Commission
on January 26, 1996 (referred to below as  '"33-00433");(x)  the Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 1992,  filed with the Commission on
March 6, 1992 (referred to below as "March 1992 8-K");  (xi) the Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 1992, filed with the Commission on
April 17, 1992  (referred to below as "April  8-K");  (xii) the  Registrants'
Current  Report on Form 8-K dated August 23, 1993,  filed with the Commission
on  September  7,  1994  (referred  to below as  "August  8-K");  (xiii)  the
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 1995 filed with
the  Commission on December 28, 1995  (referred to below as "December  8-K");
(xiv) the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 26, 1996, filed
with the  Commission  on April 5,  1996  (referred  to below as  "March  1996
8-K");(xv);the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the  seven-month
transition  period ended February 29, 1992,  filed with the Commission on May
27, 1992 (referred to below as "1992 10-K"); (xvi) the Registrant's Report on
Form 10-K,  as amended,  for the fiscal year ended  February 27, 1993,  filed
with the  Commission  on May 13,  1993  (referred  to below as "1993  10-K");
(xvii) the  Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  as  amended,  for the
fiscal year ended  February 26, 1994,  filed with the  Commission  on May 23,
1994 (referred to below as "1994 10-K"); and (xviii) the Registrant's  Annual
Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 25, 1995,  filed with
the Commission on May 24, 1995 (referred to below as "1995 10-K").
<PAGE>                            36

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Exhibit number and filing
                                                                                           reference from which Exhibits
                                                                                           are incorporated by reference
                                                                                           -----------------------------
<S>            <C>                                                                             <C>             <C>
Exhibit 3.               Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

3.1            Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation                               3.1               33-33689

3.2            Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate                              3               33-54146
               of Incorporation

3.3            Amended and Restated By-Laws                                                    3.2             March  8-K

Exhibit 4.        Instruments defining the rights of security holders,
                  including debentures

4.1            Specimen Common Stock Certificate                                                 4               33-33689

4.2            Form of Note for the Registrant's issue of 9 3/4% Senior Notes                  4.1               33-57798

4.3            Indenture dated March 3, 1993 between U.S. Trust                                4.2               33-57798
               Company of New York, as trustee, and the Registrant
               relating to the Registrant's 9 3/4% Senior Notes

4.4            First Supplemental Indenture to Indenture dated March 3, 1993 for               4.2              333-00433
               the Registrant's 9 3/4% Senior Notes

4.5            Form of Note for the Registrant's 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes              4.3              333-00433

4.6            Form of Note for the Registrant's Series B 9 7/8% Senior                        4.3              333-00433
               Subordinated Notes

4.7            Indenture dated January 24, 1996 between Fleet National Bank, as                4.1              333-00433
               trustee, and the Registrant relating to the Registrant's 9 7/8%
               Senior Subordinated Notes and Series B 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated
               Notes

4.8            Form of Stockholders' Agreement by and among the                                4.4               33-66490
               Registrant, Summit Ventures II, L.P., Summit Investors II,
               L.P. and Wedbush Capital Partners

</TABLE>

<PAGE>                            37

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Exhibit number and filing
                                                                                           reference from which Exhibits
                                                                                           are incorporated by reference
                                                                                           -----------------------------
Exhibit 10(i)                         Material Contracts
<S>            <C>                                                                         <C>                 <C>
10.4           Supply Agreement dated as of April 17, 1990 between                          10.7                 33-33689
               the Registrant and Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc.

10.5           Amended and Restated Credit Agreement  (the "Chase Credit                   10.33                1994 10-K
               Agreement"), dated as of May 18, 1994 among the Registrant, the
               banks named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. as agent

10.6           Amendment No. 1 dated May 18, 1994 to the Chase Credit Agreement            10.33                1995 10-K

10.7           Amendment No. 2 dated January 19, 1996 to the Chase Credit Agreement         10.3                333-00433

10.8           Receivables Sales Agreement dated January 24, 1996 among the                 10.1                333-00433
               Registrant, First Trust of Illinois, N.A. and Centrally Held Eagle
               Receivables Program, Inc.

10.9           Escrow Agreement dated January 24, 1996 among the Registrant, Eagle          10.2                333-00433
               Industrial Products Corporation and First Trust of Illinois, NA, as
               Escrow Agent

10.10          Acquisition Agreement dated as of December 14, 1995 by and among                1             December 8-K
               the Registrant, Eagle Industrial Products Corporation, Eagle
               Industries, Inc., and Great American Management and Investment, Inc.

10.11          Flight Equipment and Engineering Limited ("FEEL") Stock                       2.1                April 8-K
               Purchase Agreement among FEEL Holdings Limited,
               Dr. Ling Kai K'ung, Mr. John Frederick Branham
               ("Mr. Branham"), Mr. John Tcheng and the Registrant dated
               April 2, 1992

10.12          Agreement among Boustead Industries Limited, FEEL,                          10.26               1993 10-K
               Boustead PLC and the Registrant relating to the sale
               and purchase of the entire  issued share  capital of Fort Hill
               Aircraft Holdings Limited dated February 8, 1993

10.13          Acquisition Agreement among the Registrant,                                 10.28                1993 10-K
               Inventum and B.V. Industrieele Maatschappij dated
               as of April 29, 1993

</TABLE>

<PAGE>                               38
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit 10(ii)                         Leases
                                                                                               Exhibit number and filing
                                                                                           reference from which Exhibits
                                                                                           are incorporated by reference
                                                                                           -----------------------------
<S>            <C>                                                                       <C>                  <C>
10.14          Lease dated May 15, 1992 between McDonnell Douglas Realty                   10.1                33-54148
               Company, as lessor, and the Registrant, as lessee, relating
               to the Irvine, California property

10.15          Lease dated September 1, 1992 relating to the Wellington,                   10.2                33-54146
               Florida property

10.16          Chesham, England Lease dated October 1, 1973                               10.13(a)            1992 10-K
               between  Drawheath  Limited and The  Peninsular and Oriental Steam
               Navigation Company (assigned in February 1985)

10.17          Kilkeel, Northern Ireland Lease dated April, 1984                             10.27            1993 10-K
               between The Department of Economic Development
               and Aircraft Furnishing International Limited.

10.18          Utrecht, The Netherlands Lease dated December 15, 1988                        10.29            1993 10-K
               between the Pension Fund Foundation for Food Supply Commodity Boards
               and Inventum

10.19          Utrecht, The Netherlands Lease dated January 31, 1992                         10.30            1993 10-K
               between G.W. van de Grift Onroerend Goed B.V.
               and Inventum

10.20          Lease dated October 25, 1993 relating to the property                         10.32            1994 10-K
               in Longwood, Florida.

Exhibit 10(iii)    Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements

10.21          Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan                                    28.1              33-48119

10.22          Directors' 1991 Stock Option Plan                                              28.2              33-48119

10.23          1990 Stock Option Agreement with Richard G. Hamermesh                          28.3              33-48119

10.24          1990 Stock Option Agreement with B. Martha Cassidy                             28.4              33-48119

10.25          1990 Stock Option Agreement with Jim C. Cowart                                 28.5              33-48119

10.26          1990 Stock Option Agreement with Petros A. Palandjian                          28.7              33-48119
</TABLE>

<PAGE>                           39
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Exhibit number and filing
                                                                                           reference from which Exhibits
                                                                                           are incorporated by reference
                                                                                           -----------------------------

<S>            <C>                                                                       <C>              <C>
10.27          1990 Stock Option Agreement with Hansjoerg Wyss                               28.8              33-48119

10.28          1991 Stock Option Agreement with Amin J. Khoury                               28.9              33-48119

10.29          1991 Stock Option Agreement with Jim C. Cowart                               28.10              33-48119

10.30          1992 Stock Option Agreement with Amin J. Khoury                              28.11              33-48119

10.31          1992 Stock Option Agreement with Jim C. Cowart                               28.12              33-48119

10.32          1992 Stock Option Agreement with Paul W. Marshall                            28.13              33-48119

10.33          1992 Stock Option Agreement with David Lahar                                 28.14              33-48119

10.34          United Kingdom 1992 Employee Share Option Scheme                              10.4              33-54146

10.35          1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                               99              33-82894

10.36          Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992                          10.12(a)             1992 10-K
               between the Registrant and Amin J. Khoury (the "A. Khoury
               Agreement")

10.37          Amendment No. 2 dated as of April 1, 1996 to the A. Khoury                    10.2         March 1996 8-K
               Agreement

10.38          Employment Agreement dated as of March 1, 1992                            10.12(b)              1992 10-K
               between the Registrant and Robert J. Khoury (the "R. Khoury
               Agreement")

10.39          Amendment No. 2 dated as of January 1, 1996 to the R. Khoury                  10.3         March 1996 8-K
               Agreement

10.40          Employment Agreement dated as of March 1, 1992                            10.12(c)              1992 10-K
               between the Registrant and Marco Lanza (the "Lanza Agreement")

</TABLE>

<PAGE>                                   40
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Exhibit number and filing
                                                                                           reference from which Exhibits
                                                                                           are incorporated by reference
                                                                                           -----------------------------
<S>            <C>                                                                       <C>              <C>
10.41          Amendment No. 1 dated as of January 1, 1996 to the Lanza Agreement            10.5         March 1996 8-K

10.42          Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 1992                            10.12(e)              1992 10-K
               between the Registrant and G. Bernard Jewell

10.43          Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 1994 between                         10.34              1994 10-K
               the Registrant and Thomas P. McCaffrey (the "McCaffrey Agreement")


10.44          Amendment No 1. dated as of January 1, 1996 to the McCaffrey                  10.4         March 1996 8-K
               Agreement

10.45          Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 1996 by and between the             10.1         March 1996 8-K
               Registrant and Paul E. Fulchino

Exhibit 21     Subsidiaries of the registrant                                                  21              1993 10-K

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:  None.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                              41

                                 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.


                                       B/E AEROSPACE, INC.


                                      By /s/ Robert J. Khoury
                                      Robert J. Khoury
                                      Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dated:  May 8, 1997


     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed on May 8, 1997 by the following  persons on behalf
of the registrant in the capacities indicated.

        Signature                       Title
        --------                        -----

  /s/ Amin J. Khoury                 Chairman

  /s/ Robert J. Khoury               Vice Chairman and Chief
                                     Executive Officer and Director


  /s/ Paul E. Fulchino               President and Chief Operating Officer


  /s/ Thomas P. McCaffrey            Senior Vice President of Administration,
                                     Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
                                     Secretary (principal financial
                                     and accounting officer)

  /s/ Jim C. Cowart                  Director

  /s/  Richard G. Hamermesh          Director

  /s/  Brian H. Rowe                 Director

  /s/   Hansjoerg Wyss               Director

<PAGE>                        42

ITEM 8.  INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE.
                                                                        Page

Independent Auditors' Report                                             F-2

Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets, February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996.    F-3

        Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
        February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995.      F-4

        Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
        Years Ended February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996, and
        February 25, 1995.                                               F-5

        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
        February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995.      F-6

        Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for the  Years  Ended
        February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995.

Financial Statement Schedule:

        Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years
        Ended February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996 and
        February 25, 1995.                                              F-21


                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                             43
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
Wellington, Florida


     We have  audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of B/E
Aerospace,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of February 22, 1997 and February 24,
1996, and the related  consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders'
equity  and cash  flows  for each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended
February 22, 1997. Our audits also included the financial  statement schedule
on page F-21. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are
the  responsibility  of the Company's  management.  Our  responsibility is to
express an opinion on these  financial  statements  and  financial  statement
schedule based on our audits.

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

     In our opinion,  such consolidated  financial statements present fairly,
in all material respects,  the financial position of B/E Aerospace,  Inc. and
subsidiaries as of February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996 and the results of
their  operations  and their  cash  flows for each of the three  years in the
period  ended  February 22,  1997,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles.  Also,  in  our  opinion,  such  financial  statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken
as a whole,  presents  fairly in all material  respects the  information  set
forth therein.

     As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements,  in the
year ended  February 24, 1996,  the Company  changed its method of accounting
for engineering expenditures.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


Costa Mesa,  California
April 10, 1997

<PAGE>                          44

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, FEBRUARY 22, 1997 AND FEBRUARY 24, 1996 (Dollars
in thousands, except share data)

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS                                                                  1997         1996
                                                                        ----         ----
CURRENT ASSETS:
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>
        Cash and cash equivalents ..............................   $  44,149    $  15,376
        Accounts receivable - trade, less allowance for doubtful
        accounts of $4,864 (1997) and $4,973 (1996) ............      73,489       54,242
        Inventories, net .......................................      92,900       72,569
        Other current assets ...................................       2,781        7,621
                                                                   ---------    ---------
        Total current assets ...................................     213,319      149,808
                                                                   ---------    ---------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net ....................................      87,888       86,357
INTANGIBLES AND OTHER ASSETS, net ..............................     189,882      197,421
                                                                   ---------    ---------
                                                                   $ 491,089    $ 433,586
                                                                   =========    =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
        Accounts payable .......................................   $  42,889    $  45,102
        Accrued liabilities ....................................      43,837       56,400
        Current portion of long-term debt and borrowings .......       4,419        6,482
                                                                   ---------    ---------
        Total current liabilities ..............................      91,145      107,984
                                                                   ---------    ---------

LONG-TERM DEBT .................................................     225,402      273,192
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ..........................................       1,667        1,257
OTHER LIABILITIES ..............................................       7,114        6,996

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
        Preferred stock,  $.01 par value;  1,000,000 
          shares authorized;  no shares outstanding  
        Common stock, $.01 par value;  30,000,000 shares
        authorized; 21,893,392 (1997) and 16,392,994 (1996)
        shares issued and outstanding ..........................         219          164
        Additional paid-in capital .............................     228,710      121,366
        Accumulated deficit ....................................     (62,286)     (75,995)
        Cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustment .....        (882)      (1,378)
                                                                    --------    ---------
        Total stockholders' equity .............................     165,761       44,157
                                                                   ---------    ---------
                                                                   $ 491,089    $ 433,586
                                                                   =========    =========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>                                45

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 22, 1997, FEBRUARY 24, 1996,
AND FEBRUARY 25, 1995

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year ended
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                    Feb. 22,     Feb.24,     Feb.25,
                                                        1997        1996        1995

<S>                                                <C>         <C>          <C>
NET SALES ......................................   $ 412,379   $ 232,582    $ 229,347

COST OF SALES ..................................     270,557     160,031      154,863
                                                   ---------   ---------    ---------

GROSS PROFIT ...................................     141,822      72,551       74,484

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        Selling, general and administrative ....      51,734      42,000       31,787
        Research, development and engineering ..      37,083      58,327       12,860
        Amortization of intangible assets ......      10,607       9,499        9,954
        Other expenses .........................          --       4,170       23,736
                                                    --------    --------     --------
        Total operating expenses ...............      99,424      113,99       78,337
                                                    --------    --------     --------

OPERATING EARNINGS (LOSS) ......................      42,398     (41,445)      (3,853)
INTEREST EXPENSE,  net .........................      27,167      18,636       15,019

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
        (BENEFIT) AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT
        OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE ......      15,231     (60,081)     (18,872)
INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT) .........................       1,522        --         (6,806)
                                                    --------    --------     ---------
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE
        EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING .........      13,709     (60,081)     (12,066)
        PRINCIPLE

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
        ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE ...................        --       (23,332)        --

NET EARNINGS (LOSS) ............................   $  13,709   $ (83,413)   $ (12,066)
                                                   =========   =========    ========= 
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
        Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect
        of change in accounting principle ......   $     .72   $   (3.71)   $   (0.75)
        Cumulative effect of change in
        accounting principle ...................          --       (1.44)          --
                                                   ---------   ----------   ---------
        Net earnings (loss) ....................   $     .72   $   (5.15)   $   (0.75)
                                                   =========   =========    =========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>                              46

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED
FEBRUARY 22, 1997, FEBRUARY 24, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 25, 1995
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Additional     Retained      Currency        Total
                                              Common Stock          Paid-in     Earnings   Translation     Stockholders'
                                            Shares      Amount      Capital     (Deficit)   Adjustment        Equity
                                            ------      ------      -------     --------   -----------     ------------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>
Balance, February 26, 1994 ...........      15,985      $  159    $ 118,357      $19,484      $(4,007)     $ 133,993
        Sale of stock under
          employee stock purchase plan .        15          --          132           --          --             132
        Employee benefit plan
          matching contribution                 96           1         720            --          --             721
        Net loss .....................          --          --          --       (12,066)         --         (12,066)
        Foreign currency translation
          adjustment .................          --          --          --          --          2,551          2,551
                                            -------     ------    --------     ---------    ---------      ---------
Balance, February 25, 1995 ...........      16,096         160     119,209         7,418       (1,456)       125,331
        Sale of stock under
          employee stock purchase plan..        74           1         403           --            --            404
        Exercise of stock options ....         121           2         896           --            --            898
        Employee benefit plan
          matching contribution......          102           1         858           --            --            859
        Net loss .....................          --          --          --       (83,413)          --        (83,413)
        Foreign currency translation
          adjustment .................          --          --          --           --            78             78
                                            ------      ------    --------    ---------     ----------     ---------
Balance, February 24, 1996 ...........      16,393      $  164   $ 121,366     $ (75,995)   $  (1,378)     $  44,157
        Sale of stock under
          employee stock purchase plan .        58          --         482            --           --            482
        Exercise of stock options ....       1,362          14      11,650            --           --         11,664
        Employee benefit plan
          matching contribution......           75           1       1,316            --           --          1,317
        Sale of common stock
          under public offering,
          net of expenses ............       4,005          40      93,896            --           --         93,936
        Net earnings .................          --          --          --        13,709           --         13,709
        Foreign currency translation
          adjustment .................          --          --          --            --          496            496
                                            ------      ------    --------     ---------    ---------      ---------
Balance, February 22, 1997 ...........      21,893      $  219    $228,710     $ (62,286)   $    (882)       165,761
                                            ======      ======    ========     =========    =========      =========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>                               47

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 22, 1997, FEBRUARY 24, 1996
AND FEBRUARY 25, 1995
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                          1997         1996          1995
                                                                               ----         ----          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>           <C>
   Net earnings (loss) ................................................   $  13,709    $ (83,413)    $ (12,066)
   Adjustments to reconcile  net earnings  (loss) to net cash flows (used in)
     provided by operating activities:
   Cumulative effect of accounting change .............................          --       23,332            --
   Depreciation and amortization ......................................      24,147       18,435        16,146
   Change in intangible assets ........................................          --           --         8,588
   Deferred income taxes ..............................................         410       (3,453)       (6,764)
   Non cash employee benefit plan contributions .......................       1,317          859           721
   Changes  in  operating  assets  and  liabilities,  net  of  effects  froms
     acquisitions:
       Accounts receivable ............................................     (19,366)       6,068         6,226
       Inventories ....................................................     (19,536)     (11,929)      (16,863)
       Other current assets ...........................................       5,059         (638)         (585)
       Accounts payable ...............................................      (4,767)       3,008         7,295
       Other liabilities ..............................................     (11,564)      13,169          (642)
                                                                           --------     --------      --------
Net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities .............     (10,591)     (34,562)        2,056
                                                                           --------     --------      --------


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Payments for purchase of property and equipment......................     (14,471)     (13,656)      (12,172)
  Change in other assets...............................................      (1,331)      (5,914)       (8,610)
  Acquisitions ........................................................          --      (42,500)           --
                                                                           --------     ---------   ----------
Net cash flows used in investing activities ...........................     (15,802)     (62,070)      (20,782)
                                                                           --------     --------    ----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving lines of credit ........     (38,882)       2,000         9,080
   Proceeds from issuance of stock, net of expenses ...................     106,082        1,302           132
   Principal payments on long-term debt ...............................     (11,968)        (942)
   Proceeds from long-term debt .......................................          --      101,252         3,873
                                                                           --------    ---------      --------
 Net cash flows provided by financing activities ......................      55,232      103,612        13,085
                                                                           --------    ---------      --------

   Effect of exchange rate changes  on cash flows .....................        (66)           77           222
                                                                           --------    ---------      --------

   Net increase (decrease) in cash and
     cash equivalents .................................................      28,773        7,057        (5,419)
   Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
     of year ..........................................................      15,376        8,319        13,738
                                                                           --------    ---------     ---------
   Cash and cash equivalents, end
     of year...........................................................    $ 44,149    $  15,376     $   8,319
                                                                           ========    =========     =========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>                        48

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 22, 1997, FEBRUARY 24, 1996
AND FEBRUARY 25, 1995  (Cont'd)
(Dollars in thousands)

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1997        1996            1995
<S>                                                                       <C>         <C>             <C>
Cash paid (received) during year for:
  Interest                                                                $ 26,097    $ 16,967        $ 16,664
  Income taxes - net                                                         1,209      (3,292)         (1,096)

SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:
  Liabilities assumed and accrued acquisition
    costs incurred in connection with the
    acquisitions (See Note 3)                                                   --      27,532             --
  Liabilities incurred in connection with purchase
    of land and buildings                                                       --          --          4,000

</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                       49

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 22,
1997,  FEBRUARY 24, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 25, 1995 (Dollars in thousands,  except
share and per share data)

1.      SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Organization  and  Basis of  Presentation  - B/E  Aerospace,  Inc.  (the
"Company")  operates in a single business segment and designs,  manufactures,
sells  and  services  a broad  line of  commercial  aircraft  cabin  interior
products consisting of a broad range of aircraft seating products,  passenger
entertainment and service systems, and galley products,  including structures
as well as all food and  beverage  storage  and  preparation  equipment.  The
Company's  customers are the world's  commercial  airlines.  As a result, the
Company's   business  is  directly  dependent  upon  the  conditions  in  the
commercial airline industry.

     CONSOLIDATION - The accompanying  financial  statements  consolidate the
accounts  of B/E  Aerospace,  Inc.  and its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  All
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

     USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management to make
estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the  reported  amounts of assets and
liabilities  and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during  the  reporting  period.   Actual  results  could  differ  from  those
estimates.

     INCOME TAXES - In  accordance  with  Statement  of Financial  Accounting
Standards  (SFAS) No. 109,  the Company  provides  deferred  income taxes for
temporary  differences  between amounts of assets and liabilities  recognized
for financial  reporting  purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax
purposes.

     WARRANTY  COSTS -  Estimated  costs  related to product  warranties  are
accrued at the time products are sold.

     REVENUE RECOGNITION - Sales of assembled products, equipment or services
are recorded on the date of shipment or, if required,  upon acceptance by the
customer.  The Company  sells its products  primarily to airlines  worldwide,
including  occasional sales  collateralized by letters of credit. The Company
performs ongoing credit  evaluations of its customers and maintains  reserves
for potential  credit  losses.  Actual  losses have been within  management's
expectations.

     CASH  EQUIVALENTS  -  The  Company  considers  all  highly  liquid  debt
instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.

     INTANGIBLE  ASSETS  -  The  Company  accounts  for  the  impairment  and
disposition of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 121,  Accounting
for the  Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to be
Disposed.  In accordance with SFAS No. 121,  long-lived assets to be held are
reviewed for events or changes in  circumstances  which  indicate  that their
carrying value may not be  recoverable.  The Company  annually  evaluates the
carrying value of the intangible  assets versus the cash benefit  expected to
be realized and adjusts for any impairment of value. As discussed in Note 15,
the Company introduced a new product to the in-flight entertainment industry,
causing the industry in general to re-evaluate its product  offerings and, in
the process, impairing the value of certain assets, including certain earlier
Company technology.  Accordingly,  intangible assets related to these product
offerings were written down to their  estimated  realizable  value during the
year ended February 25, 1995.

     RESEARCH AND  DEVELOPMENT - Research and  development  expenditures  are
expensed as incurred.

<PAGE>                          50

     STOCK-BASED  COMPENSATION - ( In October 1995, the Financial  Accounting
Standards  Board  (FASB)  issued SFAS No.  123,  Accounting  for  Stock-Based
Compensation,  which became effective for the Company beginning during fiscal
1997. SFAS No. 123 requires extended disclosures of stock-based  compensation
arrangements   with   employees  and   encourages   (but  does  not  require)
compensation  cost to be  measured  based  on the fair  value  of the  equity
instrument  awarded.  Companies are permitted,  however, to continue to apply
Accounting   Principles   Board  (APB)  Opinion  No.  25,  which   recognizes
compensation  cost  based on the  intrinsic  value of the  equity  instrument
awarded. The Company continues to apply APB Opinion No. 25 to its stock-based
compensation  awards to employees and discloses the required pro forma effect
on net income and earnings per share. See Note 12.

     EARNINGS  (LOSS) PER COMMON  SHARE -  Earnings  (loss) per common  share
amounts are computed  using the weighted  average number of common and common
equivalent (where not  anti-dilutive)  shares outstanding during each period.
The number of weighted average shares of common stock outstanding amounted to
19,107,000, 16,185,000, and 16,021,000 for the years ended February 22, 1997,
February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995, respectively.

     In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share which
is effective for financial statements issued for period ending after December
15, 1997. SFAS No. 128 requires the disclosure of basic and diluted  earnings
per share. The amount reported as net income per common and common equivalent
share for the year ended February 22, 1997 would not be materially  different
than that which would have been  reported for basic and diluted  earnings per
share in accordance with SFAS No. 128.

     FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION - In accordance with the provisions of SFAS
No. 52, Foreign  Currency  Translation,  the assets and  liabilities  located
outside the United States are  translated  into U.S.  dollars at the rates of
exchange in effect at the balance  sheet dates.  Income and expense items are
translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period.  Gains
and losses  resulting  from  foreign  currency  transactions  are  recognized
currently  in income,  and those  resulting  from  translation  of  financial
statements are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

     RECLASSIFICATIONS  - Certain items in prior years' financial  statements
have been  reclassified  to conform  with the  presentation  used in the year
ended February 22, 1997.

2.      ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     In fiscal  1996,  the Company  undertook a  comprehensive  review of the
engineering capitalization policies followed by its competitors and others in
its industry  peer group.  The results of this study and an evaluation of the
Company's  policy  led the  Company  to  conclude  that it  should  adopt the
accounting method that it believes is followed by most of its competitors and
certain members of its industry peer group. Previously, the Company had

<PAGE>                               51

capitalized  precontract  engineering  costs as a component  of  inventories,
which were then amortized to earnings as the product was shipped. The Company
now expenses such costs as they are incurred. While the accounting policy for
precontract  engineering  expenditures previously followed by the Company was
in accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  the changed
policy is preferable.

     The effect of this change in accounting for periods through February 25,
1995 was a charge of $23,332  ($1.44  per  share);  the  effect of  expensing
engineering  costs  for the year  ended  February  24,  1996 was a charge  of
$42,114  ($2.60).  The following table  summarizes the pro forma net earnings
(loss) and per share amounts for each period presented. Primarily as a result
of this accounting  change,  inventories  decreased by $65,446 as of February
24, 1996.

     Pro forma  amounts  assuming  the change in  application  of  accounting
principle applied retroactively (unaudited):

                                         Year Ended
                         -----------------------------------------
                         February 24, 1996       February 25, 1995

Net loss                    $ (60,081)              $   (35,398)
Net loss per share          $   (3.71)              $     (2.20)

3.      ACQUISITIONS

     On January 24, 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital
stock of Burns Aerospace Corporation, which designs, manufactures,  sells and
services  aircraft seating  products to commercial  airlines  worldwide.  The
aggregate  acquisition  cost of $70,032  includes the payment  $42,500 to the
seller,  the assumption of  approximately  $27,532 of liabilities,  including
related   acquisition  costs,  and  certain   liabilities  arising  from  the
acquisition.  Funds for the  acquisition  were  obtained from proceeds of the
long-term debt issuance described in Note 8.

     The  aggregate  purchase  price  for  the  Burns  acquisition  has  been
allocated to the net assets  acquired  based on appraisals  and  management's
estimates as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                        <C>
        Receivables                                        $ 11,396
        Inventories                                          12,624
        Other current assets                                    806
        Property and equipment                               21,695
        Intangible and other assets                          23,511
                                                           --------
                                                           $ 70,032
                                                           ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>                                52

4.      INVENTORIES

     Inventories  are  stated  at the  lower  of  cost  or  market,  cost  is
determined using the weighted average cost method. Finished goods and work in
process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs.
Inventories consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1997            1996
                                                ----            ----
<S>                                        <C>              <C>
        Raw materials                      $  45,947        $ 28,252
        Work-in-process                       41,399          39,045
        Finished goods                         7,929           5,272
        Less customer advances                (2,375)             --
                                           ---------        --------
                                           $  92,900        $ 72,569
                                           =========        ========
</TABLE>

5.      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are stated at cost, and depreciated and amortized
generally on the  straight-line  method over their estimated  useful lives of
two to thirty  years (term of lease as to leasehold  improvements).  Property
and equipment consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Years            1997           1996
                                               -----            ----           ----
<S>                                            <C>          <C>           <C>
     Land, buildings and improvements          10-30        $ 42,966      $  39,979
     Machinery                                  3-13          45,444         46,374
     Tooling                                    3-10          17,179         14,819
     Furniture and equipment                    2-10          18,327         12,758
                                                            --------      ---------
                                                             123,916        113,930

     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization          (36,028)       (27,573)
                                                            --------      ---------
                                                            $ 87,888      $  86,357
                                                            ========      =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>                               53

6.      INTANGIBLES AND OTHER ASSETS

        Intangibles and other assets consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Straight-line
                                                     Amortization
                                                    Period (Years)    1997         1996
                                                    -------------     ----         ----
<S>                                                        <C>   <C>          <C>
Covenants not-to-compete                                   14    $  10,198    $  10,198
Product technology, production plans and drawings        7-20       59,484       60,201
Replacement parts annuity                                  20       29,778       29,416
Product approvals and technical manuals                    20       18,331       18,529
Goodwill                                                   30       78,913       77,256
Debt issue costs                                           10       13,431       12,592
Trademarks and patents                                     20       10,820       10,470
Other                                                               14,271       11,761
                                                                 ---------    ---------
                                                                   235,226      230,423
         Less accumulated amortization                             (45,344)     (33,002)
                                                                 ---------    ---------
                                                                 $ 189,882    $ 197,421
                                                                 =========    =========
</TABLE>

7.      ACCRUED LIABILITIES

        Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     1997      1996
                                                     ----      ----

<S>                                               <C>       <C>
Accrued product warranties                        $ 5,231   $ 3,455
Accrued salaries, vacation and related benefits    12,868    10,479
Accrued acquisition expenses                        5,488    11,105
Accrued interest                                    6,585     7,449
Customer advances                                    --       5,940
Accrued income taxes                                6,563     7,315
Other accrued liabilities                           7,102    10,657
                                                  -------   -------
                                                  $43,837   $56,400
                                                  =======   =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>                        54


8.      LONG-TERM DEBT AND BORROWINGS

        Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1997         1996
                                               ----         ----

<S>                                       <C>          <C>
Senior notes                              $ 124,411    $ 124,313
Senior subordinated notes                   100,000      100,000
Revolving lines of credit                     4,419       42,967
Term loan                                        --       11,968
Other long-term debt                            991          696
                                          ---------    ---------
                                            229,821      279,674
 Less current portion of long-term debt      (4,419)      (6,482)
                                          ---------    ---------
                                          $ 225,402    $ 273,192
                                          =========    =========
</TABLE>

     In January 1996, the Company amended its existing  credit  facilities by
increasing the aggregate  principal amount that may be borrowed thereunder to
$100,000 (the "Bank Credit Facility"). The Bank Credit Facility consists of a
$25,000 Reducing Revolver and a $75,000 Revolving Facility. The amount of the
Reducing  Revolver will be reduced  automatically  by 12.5% on April 19, 1999
and on each of the seven succeeding quarterly anniversaries of such date. The
Reducing  Revolver  is  collateralized  by all of the issued and  outstanding
capital stock of a wholly owned subsidiary and has a five-year maturity, with
the  commitments  of the lenders  thereunder  reducing  during such five-year
period.  The  Revolving  Facility is  collateralized  by all of the Company's
accounts receivable,  all of its inventory and substantially all of its other
personal  property  and has a five-year  maturity.  The Bank Credit  Facility
contains customary affirmative  covenants,  negative covenants and conditions
of borrowing, all of which were met by the Company as of February 22, 1997.

     Borrowings  under the Bank Credit  Facility  currently  bear interest at
LIBOR plus 1.75% or prime (as  defined)  plus .5%. The interest to be charged
on the Bank Credit  Facility  can increase or decrease  based upon  specified
operating  performance  criteria  set  forth  in  the  Bank  Credit  Facility
Agreement.  Amounts  may be  borrowed  or  repaid in  $1,000  increments.  At
February   22,  1997,   approximately   $5,100  of  letters  of  credit  were
outstanding,  reducing the aggregate  Bank Credit  Facility  availability  to
approximately $94,900.

<PAGE>                                 55

     On  January  24,  1996,  the  Company  sold  $100,000  of 9 7/8%  Senior
Subordinated Notes (the "Senior  Subordinated  Notes"). The proceeds from the
Senior  Subordinated  Notes were  utilized to acquire Burns and refinance the
Company's then outstanding Bank credit facilities.

     The  Senior   Subordinated  Notes  are  unsecured  senior   subordinated
obligations of the Company and are subordinated to all senior indebtedness of
the  Company  and  mature  on  February  1,  2006.  Interest  on  the  Senior
Subordinated  Notes is payable  semi-annually  in  arrears on  February 1 and
August 1 of each year. The Senior  Sub-ordinated  Notes are redeemable at the
option of the  Company,  in whole or in part,  at any time after  February 1,
2001 at  predetermined  redemption  prices  together  with accrued and unpaid
interest  through  the date of  redemption.  Upon a  change  of  control  (as
defined),  each  holder of the  Senior  Subordinated  Notes may  require  the
Company to repurchase such holder's Senior  Subordinated Notes at 101% of the
principal  amount  thereof,  plus accrued and unpaid  interest to the date of
such purchase.  The Senior  Subordinated  Notes contain  certain  restrictive
covenants,  all of which were met by the  Company as of  February  22,  1997,
including   limitations   on  future   indebtedness,   restricted   payments,
transactions  with  affiliates,  liens,  dividends,  mergers and transfers of
assets.

     On February 24, 1993,  the Company sold  $125,000 of 9 3/4% Senior Notes
(the "Senior Notes"), which were priced to yield 9 7/8%. The Company received
the  proceeds  from the Senior  Notes on March 3, 1993 and  utilized  $32,545
thereof to repay the  outstanding  balance of the Company's then  outstanding
bank  obligations.  The Senior Notes are senior unsecured  obligations of the
Company,  ranking  equally with any future senior  obligations of the Company
and  mature  on  March 1,  2003.  Interest  on the  Senior  Notes is  payable
semi-annually  in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Senior
Notes are  redeemable  at the option of the Company,  in whole or in part, at
any  time on or after  March  1,  1998 at  predetermined  redemption  prices,
together  with accrued and unpaid  interest  through the date of  redemption.
Upon a change of control (as  defined),  each holder of the Senior  Notes may
require the Company to repurchase  such holder's  Senior Notes at 101% of the
principal  amount  thereof,  plus accrued and unpaid  interest to the date of
such purchase. The Senior Notes contain certain restrictive covenants, all of
which were met by the Company as of February 22, 1997, including  limitations
on future indebtedness,  restricted  payments,  transactions with affiliates,
liens, dividends, mergers and transfers of assets.

     Terms of the Senior Notes provide that, among other things,  the payment
of cash  dividends  on common  stock is limited to a  cumulative  amount that
equals 50% of the Company's consolidated adjusted net earnings since the date
of the  Senior  Notes'  issuance,  plus the sum of $10,000  and other  equity
adjustments (as defined  therein).  The payment of cash dividends may only be
made if the  Company is not in default  under the terms of the Senior  Notes.
The Bank Credit Facility also contains  restrictions on the cumulative amount
of dividends that may be paid. As of February 22, 1997,  approximately $3,400
of dividends could have been declared by the Company.
<PAGE>                             56

     The  Company  has  a  U.K.   revolving  line  of  credit  agreement  for
approximately  $4,800 (the FEEL Credit Agreement).  The FEEL Credit Agreement
is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of FEEL.  Borrowings may
be made under the line of credit, provided FEEL is in compliance with certain
covenants,  all  of  which  were  met  as of  February  22,  1997.  Aggregate
borrowings  outstanding  under the FEEL Credit  Agreement were  approximately
$4,419 as of February  22,  1997.  Such  borrowings  will be repaid in pounds
sterling.

     The Company also has a Netherlands  revolving  line of credit  agreement
for approximately $1,000 (the Inventum Credit Agreement). The Inventum Credit
Agreement is  collateralized  by substantially all of the assets of Inventum.
Borrowings  may be made under the line of  credit,  provided  Inventum  is in
compliance  with certain  covenants,  all of which were met by Inventum as of
February 22, 1997.  There were no borrowings  outstanding  under the Inventum
Credit Agreement as of February 22, 1997.

        Maturities of long-term debt are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        Fiscal year ending February:
<S>     <C>                                           <C>
        1998                                          $   4,419
        1999                                                177
        2000                                                138
        2001                                                315
        2002                                                 --
        Thereafter                                      224,772
                                                      ---------
                                                      $ 229,821
</TABLE>

     Interest expense amounted to $28,369,  $18,788 and $17,225 for the years
ended   February  22,  1997,   February  24,  1996  and  February  25,  1995,
respectively.
                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                              57

9.      INCOME TAXES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
                                                 1997           1996            1995
                                                 ----           ----            ----
        Current:
<S>                                         <C>             <C>            <C>
         Federal                            $      --       $  1,972       $    (786)
         State                                     --            818             105
         Foreign                                1,112            663             639
                                            ---------       --------       ---------
                                                1,112          3,453             (42)
                                            =========       ========       =========
        Deferred:
         Federal                                   --        (2,635)         (5,146)
         State                                     --          (818)           (904)
         Foreign                                  410            --            (714)
                                            ---------       -------        --------
                                                  410        (3,453)         (6,764)
                                            ---------       --------       --------
                                            $   1,522       $    --        $ (6,806)
                                            =========       ========       =========
</TABLE>

     The  difference  between  income tax  expense  (benefit)  and the amount
computed by applying the statutory U.S.  federal income tax rate (35%) to the
pretax  earnings  before  change  in  accounting  principle  consists  of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             1997            1996           1995
                                                             ----            ----           ----
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>
Statutory U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit)     $   5,331       $ (21,028)      $ (6,605)
Operating loss (with) without tax benefit                  (6,164)         14,569             --
Foreign tax rate differential                               1,267           3,324             --
Goodwill amortization                                         566             558            708
Other, net                                                    522           2,577           (909)
                                                         --------       ---------       --------
                                                         $  1,522       $      --       $ (6,806)
                                                         ========       =========       =========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>                                 58

     The tax effects of temporary  differences  and  carryforwards  that give
rise to the Company's  deferred income tax assets and liabilities  consist of
the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     1997          1996
                                                                     ----          ----
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>
        Engineering costs                                       $      --      $ 22,182
        Inventory reserves                                          3,145         5,164
        Acquisition reserves                                       (1,740)          991
        Inventory costs capitalized for tax purposes                1,236           815
        Bad debt reserves                                             948           658
        Warranty reserve                                            1,452            --
        Other                                                       2,840         1,611
                                                                ---------      --------
        Net current deferred income tax assets                      7,881        31,421
                                                                ---------      --------

        Intangible assets                                         (13,565)      (14,701)
        Depreciation                                               (2,074)       (1,556)
        Net operating loss carryforward                            26,309         9,254
        Research credit carryforward                                2,941           600
        Other                                                          --         1,137
                                                                 --------      --------
        Net noncurrent deferred income tax asset (liabilities)     13,611        (5,266)
                                                                 --------      --------

        Valuation allowance                                       (23,159)      (27,412)
                                                                ---------     ---------
        Net deferred tax liabilities                            $  (1,667)    $  (1,257)
                                                                =========     =========
</TABLE>

     Due to uncertainty  surrounding  the  realization of the benefits of its
net deferred tax asset, the Company has established a valuation  allowance of
$23,159 against its otherwise recognizable net deferred tax asset.

     As of  February  22,  1997,  the Company  had  approximately  $63,022 of
federal  operating loss  carryforwards  which expire at various dates through
2011, federal research credit carryforwards of $2,941 which expire at various
dates through 2011, and alternative minimum tax credit  carryforwards of $658
which have no  expiration  date.  Approximately  $6,000 of the  Company's net
operating loss  carryforward  related to non-qualified  stock options will be
credited to paid-in-capital rather than income tax expense.

     The Company has not provided for any residual  U.S.  income taxes on the
approximately  $3,651 of earnings from its foreign  subsidiaries because such
earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. Such residual U.S.
income taxes, if provided for, would be immaterial.
<PAGE>                             59

     The Internal Revenue Service  completed its examination of the Company's
federal tax returns for the years ended  February  26, 1994 and  February 27,
1993.  The  resolution  of the  examination  did not have a material  adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations or its financial condition.

     The Company's  federal tax returns for the years ended February 24, 1996
and February 25, 1995 are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue
Service. Management believes that the resolution of this examination will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's  results of operations or its
financial condition.

10.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     LEASES - The Company  leases  certain of its office,  manufacturing  and
service  facilities  under  operating  leases which  expire at various  times
through  August  2003.  Rent  expense  for  fiscal  1997,  1996  and 1995 was
approximately $7,021, $2,943 and $2,276, respectively.  Future payments under
leases with terms currently greater than one year are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Year ending February:
<S>             <C>                           <C>
                1998                          $  6,075
                1999                             4,239
                2000                             3,058
                2001                             2,306
                2002                             1,462
                Thereafter                         702
                                              --------
                                              $ 17,842
                                              ========
</TABLE>

     CONTINGENCIES - B/E has been advised that the U.S. Attorney's Office for
the District of Connecticut,  in conjunction  with the Department of Commerce
and the U.S.  Customs  Service,  is  conducting  a grand  jury  investigation
focused  on  possible   noncompliance  by  B/E  with  certain  statutory  and
regulatory  provisions  relating  to  export  licensing  and  controls.   The
investigation  relates  primarily to the sale of passenger  seats and related
spare parts for civilian commercial  passenger aircraft to Iran Air from 1992
through  mid-1995.  B/E  has  been  advised  that  it  is  a  target  of  the
investigation.  An employee  of a foreign  based  subsidiary  of B/E has been
charged with offenses  relating to the  investigation.  The  investigation is
continuing,  while the  Company  intends  to defend  itself  vigorously,  the
ultimate  outcome of the  investigation  cannot  presently be determined.  An
adverse  outcome  could have a material  adverse  effect upon the  operations
and/or financial condition of the Company.

     The Company is also a defendant in various other legal  actions  arising
in the normal  course of  business,  the outcome of which,  in the opinion of
management, neither individually nor in the aggregate are likely to result in
a material adverse effect to the Company's financial statements.
<PAGE>                            60

     EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENTS  - The Company has  employment  and  compensation
agreements  with  two key  officers  of the  Company.  One of the  agreements
provides  for an  officer  to earn a minimum of $450  adjusted  annually  for
changes in the consumer  price index (as defined) per year through  2002,  as
well  as a  deferred  compensation  benefit  equal  to the  aggregate  annual
compensation earned through termination and payable thereafter. Such deferred
compensation  will be payable  in equal  monthly  installments  over the same
number of years it was earned. The other agreement provides for an officer to
receive annual minimum  compensation  of $450, and an incentive  bonus not to
exceed 100% of the officer's  then-current  salary through 2001. In addition,
if the officer terminates his employment after April 28, 1996, the Company is
obligated to pay the officer annually,  as deferred  compensation,  an amount
equal to 100% of the officer's annual salary (as defined) for a period of ten
years  from the date of  termination.  Such  deferred  compensation  has been
accrued at the present value of the obligation at February 22, 1997.

     The Company has other employment  agreements with certain key members of
management  that provide for aggregate  minimum annual base  compensation  of
$1,825 expiring on various dates through 1999.

     Supply  Agreement ( The Company has entered into a supply agreement with
Applied  Extrusion  Technologies,  Inc.  ("AET"),  a related  party by way of
common management.  Under this agreement,  the Company has agreed to purchase
its  requirements  for certain  component parts through March 1998 at a price
that results in a 33-1/3% gross margin to AET. The Company's  purchases under
this contract for the years ended  February 22, 1997,  February 24, 1996, and
February 25, 1995, were $1,642, $1,301 and $984, respectively.

11.     EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

     In August 1988,  the Company  established a  non-qualified  contributory
profit-sharing  plan.  Effective  August 1,  1989,  this plan was  amended to
incorporate  a 401(k)  Plan which  permits  the Company to match a portion of
employee  contributions  [and to  make  profit-sharing  contributions  to all
participants (as defined)]. Commencing in 1995, the Company's 401(k) Plan was
amended to permit the Company's  matching  contribution  to be made in common
stock of the Company.  The Company  recognized  expenses of $1,317,  $859 and
$721 related to this plan for the years ended February 22, 1997, February 24,
1996 and February 25, 1995, respectively.

12.     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     On December 18, 1996, the Company issued approximateley 4,005,000 shares
of  common  stock to the  public  at a price of  $25.00  per  share.  The net
proceeds of the offering were $93,936. The Company used approximately $57,600
of the net  proceeds  to repay  outstanding  balances  under  various  credit
facilities.

     Had this sale and the  corresponding  repayment of the credit facilities
taken place on February 26, 1995,  earnings per common and common  equivalent
shares  would have been $.87 and $(4.24),  respectively,  for the years ended
February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996.

     As required by APB 15, the supplemental earnings (loss) per common share
data give effect to: (i) the assumed  issuance of 2,566,559  shares of Common
Stock by the Company which would be necessary to generate  proceeds (using an
assumed share price of $25), net of estimated  offering costs,  sufficient to
<PAGE>                             61

repay $57.6 million of  indebtedness;  and (ii) the  elimination  of interest
expense  related  to  such  borrowings  for  each  period,  net of  tax.  The
supplemental  data  do not  give  effect  to the  issuance  of an  additional
1,433,441 shares of Common Stock sold by the Company.

     STOCK  OPTION  PLANS - The  Company  has  various  stock  option  plans,
including the 1989 Stock Option Plan, the 1991  Directors  Stock Option Plan,
the 1992 Share Option Scheme and the 1996 Stock Option Plan (collectively the
Option  Plans),  under  which  shares of the  Company's  common  stock may be
granted to key  employees  and  directors  of the  Company.  The Option Plans
provide for granting key employees  options to purchase the Company's  common
stock.  Options are granted at the discretion of the  compensation  and stock
option committee of the Board of Directors. Options granted generally vest at
the rate of 25% per year  from the date of grant and are  exercisable  to the
extent vested and the option term cannot exceed ten years.
<PAGE>                            62

     The following table sets forth options granted, canceled,  forfeited and
outstanding:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                FEBRUARY 22, 1997                FEBRUARY 26, 1996                FEBRUARY 25, 1995
                                -----------------                -----------------                -----------------

                                          Option Price                   Option Price                     Option Price
                           Options         Per Share         Options        Per Share        Options        Per Share
                           -------        ------------       -------     ------------        -------      ------------
<S>                       <C>           <C>                 <C>           <C>                <C>             <C>
Outstanding
  beginning of period     2,720,350     $0.81  - $13.00     2,871,287     $0.81 - $13.00     2,493,162       $0.81 - $13.00

Options granted           1,313,500     $10.25 - $24.94       731,925     $7.37 - $10.37       484,500       $7.44 - $8.75

Options exercised        (1,361,925)    $0.81  - $16.125     (139,750)    $0.81 - $8.75           (375)      $         .81

Options forfeited          (224,500)    $7.38  - $16.13      (743,112)    $7.00 - $13.00      (106,000)      $8.25 - $11.75
                           ---------                         ---------                        ---------
Outstanding, end
  of period               2,447,425     $0.81  - $24.93     2,720,350     $0.81 - $13.00     2,871,287       $0.81 - $13.00
                          =========     =====    ======     =========     =====   ======     =========       =====   ======

Exercisable at end
  of year                 1,374,927     $0.81  - $24.93     2,223,225     $0.81 - $13.00       694,737       $0.81 - $13.00
                          =========     ===============     =========     ==============       =======       ==============

</TABLE>

     At February 22, 1997 options were  available for grant under each of the
Company's option plans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AT FEBRUARY 22, 1997
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Weighted      Weighted Average         Options
        Range of               Options          Average          Remaining           Exercisable        Weighted Average
     Exercise Price          Outstanding     Exercise Price   Contractual Life   at February 22, 1997    Exercise Price
     --------------          -----------     --------------   ----------------   --------------------   ----------------
                                                                    (years)

<S> <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>                 <C>                <C>                 <C>
    $  .81   -   $  8.50       641,625          $  7.84             6.51               513,000              $  7.75
    $ 8.63   -   $  8.75       637,750          $  8.72             5.87               566,500              $  8.74
    $ 8.88   -   $ 16.13       373,050          $ 12.05             8.65               101,675              $ 12.19
    $ 19.00  -   $ 24.94       795,000          $ 20.06             9.68               193,752              $ 19.94

</TABLE>
<PAGE>                          63

     The estimated fair value of options  granted during 1997 was $ 16.60 per
share.  The estimated fair value of options granted during 1996 was $7.69 per
share. The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related  Interpretations in
accounting  for  its  stock  option  and  purchase  plans.  Accordingly,   no
compensation  cost has been  recognized  for its stock  option  plans and its
stock purchase plan other than that described above.  Had  compensation  cost
for the  Company's  stock  option  plans and its stock  purchase  plans  been
determined  consistent  with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings  (loss)
and net  earnings  (loss) per share for the year ended  February 22, 1997 and
February 24, 1996 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts  indicated
in the following table: 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1997       1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------          
<S>                                            <C>        <C>      
Net earnings (loss)  - as reported             $ 13,709   $(83,413)
Net earnings (loss)  - pro forma               $ 10,709   $(84,932)
Net earnings (loss)  per share - as reported   $    .72   $  (5.15)
Net earnings (loss)  per share - pro forma     $    .56   $  (5.24)
Weighted average and pro forma
  weighted average common shares                 19,107     16,185
===================================================================
</TABLE>

     The fair value of each option  grant is  estimated  on the date of grant
using the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing model with the  following  weighted
average  assumptions  used for  options  granted in 1997 and 1996;  risk-free
interest rates of 6.4%; expected dividend yields of 0.0%; expected lives of 4
years; and expected volatility of 43%.

     The impact of  outstanding  non-vested  stock  options  granted prior to
fiscal 1996 has been  excluded from the pro forma  calculation;  accordingly,
the 1997 and 1996 pro forma  adjustments  are not indicative of future period
pro forma  adjustments,  when the  calculation  will apply to all  applicable
stock options.

13.     EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     The Company has  established a qualified  Employee  Stock Purchase Plan,
the terms of which allow for qualified  employees (as defined) to participate
in the purchase of designated shares of the Company's common stock at a price
equal to the lower of 85% of the  closing  price at the  beginning  or end of
each semi-annual stock purchase period.  The Company issued 58,490 and 73,544
shares  of stock  during  fiscal  1997 and 1996  pursuant  to this plan at an
average price per share of $9.70 and $5.50, respectively.
<PAGE>                         64

14.     EXPORT SALES AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS

     Export sales from the United  States to  customers in foreign  countries
amounted to approximately $153,423 $61,717, and $61,645 in fiscal 1997, 1996,
and 1995,  respectively.  Total sales to all  customers in foreign  countries
amounted to  approximately  $203,388,  $124,469  and $114,511 in fiscal 1997,
1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Total sales to Europe amounted to 29%, 18% and
22% in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Total sales to Asia amounted
to 16%,  20% and 19% in  fiscal  1997,  1996 and  1995,  respectively.  Major
customers (i.e.,  customers representing more than 10% of total sales) change
from year to year depending on the level of refurbishment activity and/or the
level  of new  aircraft  purchases  by such  customers.  There  were no major
customers in fiscal 1997, 1996 or 1995.

15.     OTHER EXPENSES

     Other  expenses  for the year ended  February  24,  1996 relate to costs
associated with the integration and  consolidation of the Company's  European
seating  business.  Other  expenses  for the year  ended  February  25,  1995
consisted of a charge related  primarily to intangible  assets  ($10,835) and
inventories  ($11,216) associated with the Company's passenger  entertainment
systems.  The  introduction of the Company's MDDS  interactive  video system,
which the Company  expects to become the  industry's  standard for  in-flight
passenger and service  entertainment,  has captured the dominant market share
with  contract  awards from the major  airlines  totaling  more than $150,000
during the year ended  February 24,  1996.  The MDDS system also has recently
caused  major  carriers  to convert  programs  for  earlier  products  to the
Company's  MDDS  system  and  has  caused  two  of  the  Company's  principal
competitors  to offer to  develop  systems  for the  airlines  similar to the
Company's MDDS system.  These events have caused the in-flight  entertainment
industry to  re-evaluate  its product  offerings  and, in the  process,  have
impaired  the value of certain of its  assets.  As a result,  the Company has
written  down  certain of its  assets,  including  certain  customer-specific
inventories and other assets.


16.     FOREIGN OPERATIONS

     Geographic  Area - The Company  operated  principally  in two geographic
areas, the United States and Europe during the years ended February 22, 1997,
February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995. There were no significant  transfers
between  geographic  areas during the period.  Identifiable  assets are those
assets  of the  Company  that  are  identified  with the  operations  in each
geographic area.

<PAGE>                           65

     The  following  table  presents net sales and  operating  income for the
years ended  February 22, 1997,  February 24, 1996, and February 25, 1995 and
identifiable  assets as of February 22, 1997,  February 24, 1996 and February
25, 1995 by geographic area. 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                           1997             1996            1995
                                           ----             ----            ----
Net Sales:
<S>                                  <C>               <C>             <C>
United States                        $  312,497        $ 169,830       $ 170,542
Europe                                   99,882           62,752          58,805
                                     ----------        ---------       ---------
Total:                               $  412,379        $ 232,582       $ 229,347
                                     ==========        =========       =========

Operating Income:

United States                        $   33,834       $ (35,822)      $  (9,457)
Europe                                    8,564          (5,623)           5,604
                                     ----------       ---------       ----------
Total:                               $   42,398       $ (41,445)      $  (3,853)
                                     ==========       =========       =========

Identifiable Assets:

United States                         $ 380,273        $ 332,832       $ 279,402
Europe                                  110,816          100,754         100,552
                                      ---------        ---------       ---------
Total:                                $ 491,089        $ 433,586       $ 379,954
                                      =========        =========       =========

</TABLE>

17.     FAIR VALUE INFORMATION

     The  following  disclosure  of the  estimated  fair  value of  financial
instruments  at February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996 is made in accordance
with the  requirements  of SFAS No.  107,  "Disclosures  about  Fair Value of
Financial Instruments." The estimated fair value amounts have been determined
by the Company using available market  information and appropriate  valuation
methodologies.  However,  considerable  judgment is required in  interpreting
market  data to  develop  the  estimates  of  fair  value.  Accordingly,  the
estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that
the Company could realize in a current market exchange.  The use of different
market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect
on the estimated fair value amounts.

     The   carrying   amounts   of  cash  and  cash   equivalents,   accounts
receivable--trade,  and accounts  payable are a reasonable  estimate of their
fair values. At February 22, 1997, the Company's Senior Notes have a carrying
<PAGE>                             66

value of  $124,411  and fair value of  131,250,  while the  Company's  Senior
Subordinated  Notes  have a  carrying  value of  $100,000  and fair  value of
$104,500.  The carrying  amounts of other long-term debts  approximates  fair
value  because  the  obligations  either bear  interest at floating  rates or
compare  favorably with fixed rate obligations that would be available to the
Company.

     The fair  value  information  presented  herein  is  based on  pertinent
information  available  to  management  as of  February  22,  1997.  Although
management  is not aware of any factors that would  significantly  affect the
estimated  fair value  amounts,  such amounts  have not been  comprehensively
re-valued for purposes of these consolidated  financial statements since that
date, and current estimates of fair value may differ  significantly  from the
amounts presented herein.

18.  SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (Unaudited)

     Summarized quarterly financial data for fiscal 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Year Ended February 22, 1997
                              ------------------------------------------
                                  First     Second     Third      Fourth
                                 Quarter    Quarter    Quarter    Quarter
                                 -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
       Sales                    $ 97,302   $103,026   $107,823   $104,228
       Gross profit               32,547     34,439     36,510     38,326
       Net earnings                1,433      1,863      4,131      6,282
       Net earnings per share        .08        .11        .23        .29

</TABLE>
                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                           67

      Summarized quarterly financial data for fiscal 1996 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          Year Ended February 24, 1996
                                                              ----------------------------------------------------
                                                               First        Second          Third          Fourth
                                                              Quarter       Quarter         Quarter        Quarter
                                                              -------       -------         ------         -------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
       Sales                                               $  55,594      $  57,451       $   55,188      $  64,349
       Gross profit                                            8,442         18,719           17,726         17,664
       Net (loss) before cumulative
         effect of accounting change                          (9,682)        (7,514)         (14,021)       (28,864)
       Cumulative effect of accounting change                (23,332)            --               --             --
       Net loss                                              (33,014)        (7,514)         (14,021)       (28,864)
       Net loss per share:
       Before cumulative effect of accounting
         change                                            $   (0.60)     $   (0.45)       $   (0.74)      $  (1.92)
       Cumulative effect of accounting change                  (1.44)            --               --             --
                                                           ---------        -------        ---------       --------
       Net loss per share                                  $   (2.04)     $   (0.45)       $   (0.74)      $  (1.92)
                                                           =========      =========        =========       ========

</TABLE>
                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

<PAGE>                                68

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 22,1997, FEBRUARY 24, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 25, 1995
 (Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       BALANCE                                              BALANCE
                    AT BEGINNING                                             AT END
                       OF YEAR       EXPENSES     OTHER      DEDUCTIONS     OF YEAR
                    ------------     --------     -----      ----------     -------
DEDUCTED FROM ASSETS:
Allowance for 
 doubtful accounts:


<C>                    <C>            <C>       <C>     <C>   <C>           <C>    
1997                   $ 4,973        $ 2,144   $   (69)      $ 2,184       $ 4,864
1996                     4,034            162     1,449 (1)       672         4,973
1995                     2,208          3,119        --         1,293         4,034

Reserve for 
 obsolete inventories:


1997                   $19,785        $ 4,583     $ 596       $17,844 (2)   $ 8,282
1996                    10,664          6,022     5,840 (1)     2,741        19,785
1995                     7,557          2,787     2,754 (2)     2,434        10,664


INCLUDED IN LIABILITIES:
Accrued product 
 warranties:


1997                   $ 3,455        $ 6,325    $  156       $ 4,393      $ 5,231
1996                     2,969          2,758       936 (1)     3,208        3,455
1995                     2,388          2,544       666 (2)     2,629        2,969
</TABLE>

(1) Balances associated with the Burns acquisition.
(2) During  fiscal 1997,  the Company  disposed of  substantially  all of the
    inventories which were fully reserved in fiscal years 1995 and 1996.

                [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
<PAGE>                                  69
                                                              EXHIBIT 99

                                  RISK FACTORS

DEPENDENCE UPON CONDITIONS IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY

     The  Company's  customers  are the  world's  commercial  airlines.  As a
result,  the  Company's  business is directly  dependent  upon the  financial
condition  of the world's  commercial  airlines.  In the late 1980s and early
1990s, the world airline industry suffered a severe downturn,  which resulted
in record losses and several air carriers seeking protection under bankruptcy
laws. As a consequence,  during such period, airlines sought to conserve cash
by reducing or deferring  scheduled cabin interior  refurbishment and upgrade
programs and delaying  purchases of new  aircraft.  This led to a significant
contraction in the commercial aircraft cabin interior products industry,  and
a decline in the Company's business and  profitability.  The airline industry
has experienced an economic  turnaround and the levels of airline spending on
refurbishment and new aircraft purchases have expanded. However, there can be
no assurance that the current financial strength of the airline industry will
continue or that the airlines will maintain or increase expenditures on cabin
interior products for refurbishments or new aircraft.

 NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

     Airlines  currently are taking  delivery of a new generation of aircraft
and  demanding  increasingly  sophisticated  cabin  interior  products.  As a
result, the cabin interior configurations of commercial aircraft are becoming
more complex and will require more  technologically  advanced and  integrated
products.  For  example,  airlines  increasingly  are  seeking  sophisticated
in-flight  entertainment  systems,  such as the MDDS  interactive  individual
passenger  in-fight  entertainment  system developed by B/E which the Company
expects  will  provide  a  significant  percentage  of its  future  revenues.
Development  of the MDDS required  substantial  investment by the Company and
third parties in research,  development  and  engineering.  While  commercial
deliveries of MDDS have not yet commenced, and are not expected to contribute
materially to the  Company's net earnings in the near term,  MDDS is expected
to provide substantial  earnings in the ensuing years. This expected increase
in earnings  contributions  from this product will depend,  to a  significant
extent, on the Company's ability to manufacture  successfully and deliver, on
a timely  basis,  its MDDS  product and to have the MDDS perform at the level
expected by B/E's  customers and their  passengers,  as well as the Company's
ability to continue to develop,  profitability  manufacture and deliver, on a
timely basis, other technologically advanced,  reliable high-quality products
which can be readily integrated into complex cabin interior configurations.

COMPETITION

     The Company  competes with a number of  established  companies that have
significantly  greater financial,  technological and marketing resources than
the Company.  Although the Company has  achieved a  significant  share of the
market for a number of its cabin interior products, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to maintain this market  share.  The ability of
the Company to maintain  its market share will depend not only on its ability
to remain the supplier of retrofit and refurbishment products and spare parts
<PAGE>                          70

on the commercial fleets on which its products are currently in service,  but
also on its success in causing its products to be selected  for  installation
in new aircraft, including next generation aircraft, expected to be purchased
by the airlines over the next decade, and in avoiding product obsolescence.

In addition, the Companys's primary competitor in the market for new passenger
entertainment  products,   including  individual  seat  video  and  in-flight
entertainment  and cabin  management  systems,  Matsushita  Electronics,  has
significantly greater technological  capabilities and financial and marketing
resources than the Company.

ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF FINANCIAL LEVERAGE

     The Company has substantial  indebtedness and, as a result,  significant
debt  service   obligations.   As  of  February  22,  1997  the  Company  had
approximately   $__________   million   aggregate   amount  of   indebtedness
outstanding, representing _____% of total capitalization.

     The degree of the Company's  leverage could have important  consequences
to  purchasers  or  holders  of its shares of Common  Stock,  including:  (i)
limiting the Company's ability to obtain additional  financing to fund future
working capital  requirements,  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions or other
general corporate  requirements;  (ii) requiring a substantial portion of the
Company's  cash  flow  from  operations  to  be  dedicated  to  debt  service
requirements, thereby reducing the funds available for operations and further
business  opportunities;  and (iii) increasing the Company's vulnerability to
adverse economic and industry conditions.  In addition,  since any borrowings
under the  Company's  bank credit  facilities  will be at  variable  rates of
interest,  the Company will be vulnerable to increases in interest rates. The
Company may incur additional indebtedness in the future, although its ability
to do so will be restricted by the indenture  governing the Company's  Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Senior Subordinated  Notes"), the indenture
governing  the Company's  Senior Notes due 2003 (the "Senior  Notes") and the
Company's  bank  credit  facilities.  The  ability  of the  Company  to  make
scheduled payments under its present and future  indebtedness will depend on,
among other things,  the future operating  performance of the Company and the
Company's ability to refinance its indebtedness when necessary. Each of these
factors is to a large extent subject to economic, financial,  competitive and
other factors beyond the Company's control.

     The Company's bank credit  facilities  and the indentures  governing the
Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes contain numerous financial and
operating   covenants  that  will  limit  the  discretion  of  the  Company's
management  with respect to certain  business  matters.  These covenants will
place  significant  restrictions  on, among other things,  the ability of the
Company  to  incur  additional   indebtedness,   to  create  liens  or  other
encumbrances,  to  make  certain  payments  and  investments,  and to sell or
otherwise dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with other entities. The
Company's  bank credit  facilities  also  require the Company to meet certain
financial  ratios  and  tests.  A  failure  to  comply  with the  obligations
contained  in  the  Company's  bank  credit  facilities,  or  the  indentures
governing the Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes, could result in
<PAGE>                          71

an event of  default  under the  Company's  bank  credit  facilities,  or the
aforementioned  indentures,  which could permit  acceleration  of the related
debt and  acceleration  of debt  under  other  instruments  that may  contain
cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.

CUSTOMER DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

     The commercial  aircraft cabin interior  products  industry is currently
experiencing  a period of rapid growth.  Since February 1995, the Company has
experienced  a 72%  increase  in its  backlog.  The ability of the Company to
receive new contract awards and to deliver its existing  backlog is dependent
upon its (and its  suppliers')  ability  to  ramp-up  deliveries  to meet the
recent  surge in demand.  Although  the Company  believes  it has  sufficient
manufacturing  capacity to meet  customer  demand,  and each of its  acquired
businesses  have  previously  delivered  products at a  significantly  higher
level, there can be no assurance that the Company, or its suppliers,  will be
able to meet the increased product delivery requirements.

CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDING

     In July 1995, B/E became aware that the U.S.  Attorney's  Office for the
District of Connecticut,  in conjunction  with the Department of Commerce and
the U.S. Customs Service, is conducting a grand jury investigation focused on
possible   non-compliance  by  B/E  with  certain  statutory  and  regulatory
provisions  relating to export  licensing  and  controls.  The  investigation
relates  primarily to the sale of passenger seats and related spare parts for
civilian  commercial  passenger  aircraft  to  Iran  Air  from  1992  through
mid-1995.  B/E has been advised that it is a target of the investigation.  An
employee of a foreign based  subsidiary of B/E has been charged with offenses
relating to the  investigation.  The  investigation  is  continuing,  and the
Company  intends to defend  itself  vigorously,  nevertheless,  the  ultimate
outcome of the  investigation  cannot  presently  be  determined.  An adverse
outcome  could have a material  adverse  effect  upon the  operations  and/or
financial condition of the Company.

ABILITY TO INTEGRATE ACQUIRED BUSINESSES

     Since 1992,  B/E has acquired  nine  companies.  The Company  intends to
consider  future  strategic  acquisitions  in the  commercial  airline  cabin
interior  industry,  some of which  could be  material  to the  Company.  The
ability of the  Company to continue to achieve its goals will depend upon its
ability to integrate effectively any future acquisition,  and to achieve cost
efficiencies. Although B/E has been successful in the past in doing so, there
can be no assurance that will continue to be successful.

REGULATION

     The Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA") prescribes standards and
licensing  requirements  for aircraft  components,  including  virtually  all
commercial  airline cabin interior  products,  and licenses  component repair
stations within the United States. Comparable agencies regulate these matters
in other countries. If the Company fails to obtain a required license for one
of its products or services or loses a license previously  granted,  the sale
of the  subject  product or  service  would be  prohibited  by law until such
license is obtained or renewed.  In addition,  designing new products to meet
existing FAA requirements and retrofitting  installed products to comply with
new FAA requirements can be both expensive and time-consuming.







<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-22-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-22-1997
<CASH>                                          44,149
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,353
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,864)
<INVENTORY>                                     92,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               213,319
<PP&E>                                         123,916
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,028
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 491,089
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,145
<BONDS>                                        225,402
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           219
<OTHER-SE>                                     165,542
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   491,089
<SALES>                                        412,379
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                          270,557
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  369,981
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,167
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,231
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,522
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,709
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,709
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72
        

</TABLE>


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