INSILCO CORP/DE/
S-4/A, 1997-10-15
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 15, 1997
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-36523
    
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
             DELAWARE                274, 371, 346, 361, 367, 349               06-0635844
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF     (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION
                                            CLASSIFICATION                         NO.)
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             CODE NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
                               425 METRO PLACE N.
                                  FIFTH FLOOR
                               DUBLIN, OHIO 43017
                                 (614) 792-0468
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
                                KENNETH H. KOCH
 
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
                               425 METRO PLACE N.
                                  FIFTH FLOOR
                               DUBLIN, OHIO 43017
                                 (614) 791-3137
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
                                    Copy to:
 
                                 AVIVA DIAMANT
                    FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER & JACOBSON
                               ONE NEW YORK PLAZA
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004-1980
                                 (212) 859-8000
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED EXCHANGE OFFER: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
                            ------------------------
     If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box.  [ ]
                            ------------------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
============================================================================================================
                                                    PROPOSED MAXIMUM   PROPOSED MAXIMUM
      TITLE OF CLASS OF              AMOUNT TO       AGGREGATE PRICE       AGGREGATE          AMOUNT OF
 SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED       BE REGISTERED       PER UNIT(1)     OFFERING PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
10 1/4% Senior Subordinated
  Notes Due 2007..............     $150,000,000           100%           $150,000,000          $45,455
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(f)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
   
(2) Previously paid.
    
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
     THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT COVERS THE REGISTRATION OF AN AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $150,000,000 OF 10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
(THE "NEW NOTES") OF INSILCO CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY") THAT MAY BE EXCHANGED
FOR AN EQUAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING 10 1/4% SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 (THE "OLD NOTES") (THE "EXCHANGE OFFER"). THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ALSO COVERS THE REGISTRATION OF THE NEW NOTES FOR RESALE
BY GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. ("GOLDMAN SACHS") IN MARKET-MAKING TRANSACTIONS. THE
COMPLETE PROSPECTUS RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER (THE "EXCHANGE OFFER
PROSPECTUS") FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS EXPLANATORY NOTE. FOLLOWING THE
EXCHANGE OFFER PROSPECTUS ARE CERTAIN PAGES OF THE PROSPECTUS RELATING SOLELY TO
SUCH MARKET-MAKING TRANSACTIONS (THE "MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS"), INCLUDING
ALTERNATIVE FRONT AND BACK COVER PAGES, A SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS --
TRADING MARKET FOR THE NEW NOTES" TO BE USED IN LIEU OF THE SECTION ENTITLED
"RISK FACTORS -- ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NEW NOTES; VOLATILITY," A NEW
SECTION ENTITLED "USE OF PROCEEDS" AND AN ALTERNATE SECTION ENTITLED "PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION." IN ADDITION, THE MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS WILL NOT INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING CAPTIONS (OR THE INFORMATION SET FORTH UNDER SUCH CAPTIONS) IN THE
EXCHANGE OFFER PROSPECTUS: "PROSPECTUS SUMMARY -- THE OFFERING" AND "-- THE
EXCHANGE OFFER", "RISK FACTORS -- CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER ON
NON-TENDERING HOLDERS OF THE OLD NOTES" AND "-- THE EXCHANGE OFFER" AND "CERTAIN
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES". ALL OTHER SECTIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PROSPECTUS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS.
<PAGE>   3
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
                             OFFERS TO EXCHANGE ITS
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
                        WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
                    THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
                       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
                         OLD NOTES (AS DEFINED HEREIN)
 
   
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON NOVEMBER 14,
 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED. AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO
  THE EXCHANGE OFFER ARE EXPECTED TO EXPIRE AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXCHANGE
                                     OFFER
    
 
     Insilco Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Insilco" or the "Company"),
hereby offers (the "Exchange Offer"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), to exchange up to $150,000,000
aggregate principal amount of its 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007
which will be registered (the "New Notes"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part, for a like principal amount of its issued and
outstanding 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Old Notes" and,
together with the New Notes, the "Notes"). The Exchange Offer is being made
pursuant to the terms of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated
August 12, 1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), entered into between the
Company and Goldman Sachs & Co., McDonald & Company Securities, Inc. and
Citicorp Securities, Inc. (the "Initial Purchasers") pursuant to the terms of
the Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"), dated August 7, 1997, between
the Company and the Initial Purchasers. See "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose and
Effect of the Exchange Offer."
 
     Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually on February 15 and
August 15 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on
February 15, 1998. The Notes will mature on August 15, 2007 and will not be
subject to redemption at the option of the Company except as follows. The
Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after
August 15, 2002 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days notice mailed to each holder of the Notes, at the redemption prices set
forth herein, plus accrued interest, if any, to but excluding the date of
redemption. Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date will be
entitled to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior
to the relevant date of redemption.
 
                                                  (cover continued on next page)
                            ------------------------
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 17 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
WHICH INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND AN
INVESTMENT IN THE NEW NOTES OFFERED HEREBY
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
   
                The date of this Prospectus is October 15, 1997.
    
<PAGE>   4
 
(cover continued from previous page)
 
     Upon a Change of Control, holders of the New Notes may require the Company
to purchase all or a portion of the New Notes at a purchase price equal to 101%
of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest, if any, to but
excluding the purchase date. Additionally, the Company will be obligated in
certain circumstances to make an offer to purchase the New Notes at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if
any, to but excluding the purchase date with the Net Available Proceeds of Asset
Dispositions. See "Description of the Notes."
 
     The New Notes will be senior subordinated unsecured obligations of the
Company. The New Notes will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing
and future Senior Debt (as defined herein), of the Company, including the New
Credit Facility (as defined herein), will be structurally subordinate to all
existing and future indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries, will rank pari
passu in right of payment with any future senior subordinated indebtedness of
the Company and will rank senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness
of the Company that may be subordinated thereto. On a pro forma basis as of June
30, 1997, the Company had Senior Debt of approximately $141.8 million. The
Company's domestic subsidiaries have joint and several liability for (and have
pledged substantially all of their assets as collateral for, and in certain
cases guaranteed) indebtedness under the New Credit Facility. See "Description
of the Notes" and "Description of the New Credit Facility."
 
     The New Notes will be obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits
of the Indenture (as defined herein). The form and terms of the New Notes will
be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the Old Notes
except that (i) the New Notes will have been registered under the Securities
Act, (ii) holders of the New Notes will not be entitled to certain rights of
holders of Old Notes under the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) the New
Notes will not be entitled to the contingent increase in interest rate provided
pursuant to the Indenture and the Old Notes. Any Old Notes not tendered and
accepted in the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and will be entitled to
all the rights and preferences and will be subject to the limitations applicable
thereto under the Indenture. Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the
holders of Old Notes will continue to be subject to the existing restrictions
upon transfer thereof, and the Company will have no further obligation to such
holders to provide for the registration under the Securities Act of the Old
Notes held by them. Following completion of the Exchange Offer, none of the
Notes will be entitled to the contingent increase in interest rate provided
pursuant to the Indenture and the Old Notes. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
   
     The Company will accept for exchange any and all validly tendered Old Notes
on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 14, 1997, unless
extended by the Company (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date, unless previously accepted for payment by the Company. The Exchange Offer
is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being tendered
for exchange. However, the Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions which
may be waived by the Company. Old Notes may be tendered only in denominations of
$1,000 principal amount and integral multiplies thereof. New Notes to be issued
in exchange for validly tendered Old Notes will be delivered through the
facilities of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") by the Exchange Agent (as
defined herein). The Company has agreed to pay the expenses of the Exchange
Offer. See "The Exchange Offer."
    
 
     Any waiver, extension or termination of the Exchange Offer will be publicly
announced by the Company through a release to PR Newswire and as otherwise
required by applicable law or regulations.
 
     The Company is making the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties in other transactions. However, the Company has not sought its own no-
action letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar determination with
respect to the Exchange Offer as in such other circumstances. Based on those
interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission, the Company believes the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange
Offer in exchange for
<PAGE>   5
 
Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any
holder thereof (other than broker-dealers, as set forth below, and any such
holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and that
such holder is not participating, does not intend to participate and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Notes. Any holder who
tenders in the Exchange Offer with the intention to participate, or for the
purpose of participating, in a distribution of the New Notes may not rely upon
such interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission as set forth in these no-action letters and, in the absence of an
exemption therefrom, must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale
transaction, and any such secondary resale transaction must be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling securityholder
information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
 
     Each broker-dealer (other than an affiliate of the Company) that receives
New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge
that it acquired the Old Notes as the result of market-making activities or
other trading activities and will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes. The
Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company has agreed
that, for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this
Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such
resale. See "Plan of Distribution," "The Exchange Offer."
 
     The New Notes constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The New Notes will be represented by a Global Certificate (as
defined herein) registered in the name of a nominee of DTC, as Depositary.
Beneficial interests in the Global Certificates will be shown on, and transfers
will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary and its
participants. See "Description of the New Notes -- Book Entry, Delivery and
Form."
 
     The Company has been advised by the Initial Purchasers that, following
completion of the Exchange Offer, they currently intend to make a market in the
New Notes; however, they are not obligated to do so and any market-making
activities with respect to the New Notes may be discontinued at any time. There
can be no assurance that an active trading market for any issue of the New Notes
will develop. See "Risk Factors -- Absence of Public Market for the New Notes;
Volatility." To the extent that Old Notes are tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Notes could be
adversely affected. It is not expected that an active trading market for the Old
Notes will develop while they are subject to restrictions on transfer. See "Risk
Factors -- Consequences of the Exchange Offer on Non-Tendering Holders of the
Old Notes."
 
   
     This Prospectus, together with the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, is
being sent to all registered holders of Old Notes as of October 15, 1997.
    
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The
Company has agreed to pay the expenses it incurs in the Exchange Offer. No
dealer-manager is being used in connection with the Exchange Offer. See "Use of
Proceeds" and "Plan of Distribution."
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE COMPANY ACCEPT SURRENDERS
OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS THEREOF IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE
  EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
              SECURITIES OR "BLUE SKY" LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
<PAGE>   6
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement
(together with any amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") on Form S-4
under the Securities Act, with respect to the New Notes offered hereby. As
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus does
not contain all of the information included in the Registration Statement and
the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as
to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or therein
and filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement are not necessarily
complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract
or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. For further
information with respect to the Company and the New Notes, reference is hereby
made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.
 
     The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the
Company with the Commission pursuant to the informational requirements of the
Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the
Commission: Midwest Regional Office, Citicorp Center, Suite 1400, 14th Floor,
500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511; and Northeast Regional
Office, Suite 1300, 13th Floor, 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission also maintains a Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that makes available reports, proxy statements and other
information regarding the Company. Shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.001
par value per share (the "Shares"), are quoted on the NASDAQ National Market,
and copies of the aforementioned materials may also be inspected at the office
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
     Under the Indenture relating to the New Notes, and without regard to
whether the Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, the Company has agreed to file with the Commission and to distribute to the
Trustee (as defined herein) and the holders of the New Notes annual reports of
the Company containing audited consolidated financial statements, as well as
quarterly reports containing unaudited consolidated financial statements for
each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year.
 
     Potential investors may obtain a copy of the agreements summarized herein
without charge by request directed to the Secretary of the Company at 425 Metro
Place N., Fifth Floor, Dublin, Ohio 43017, telephone (614) 792-0468.
 
               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March
31 and June 30, 1997, previously filed by the Company with the Commission, are
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a part
hereof.
 
     Each document filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of any offering of securities made by
this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing such document. Any statement contained
herein, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and
all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference herein
(other than exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents). Request for such documents should be
submitted in writing to the Company at 425 Metro Place N., Fifth Floor, Dublin,
Ohio 43017.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   7
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and historical and pro forma
financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Prospectus to
"Insilco" or the "Company" are to Insilco Corporation and its direct and
indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
OVERVIEW
 
     Insilco, directly and through its subsidiaries, is a diversified
manufacturer of automotive components and telecommunications and electronics
components and a publisher of specialty publishing products, chiefly student
yearbooks. Insilco, with three reporting segments (the Automotive Components
Group, the Technologies Group, and Specialty Publishing), conducts its business
in eight separate operating units, including both divisions and subsidiaries.
Specialty Publishing was Insilco's Office Products/Specialty Publishing segment
prior to the divestiture of the Rolodex Business (as defined below) in March,
1997.
 
     The following chart depicts the organizational structure of the Company:
 
   
              [INSILCO CORPORATION ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE CHART]
    
 
     The Automotive Components Group is comprised of businesses that produce
radiators and other heat exchanger components, equipment and systems used in the
production of heat exchangers, heavy gauge stamped automotive parts (principally
transmission clutch plates) and welded stainless steel tubing, and a 50% owned
joint venture, Thermalex Inc. ("Thermalex"), which produces precision extruded
aluminum tubing. The Automotive Components Group serves both original equipment
manufacturers ("OEMs") and aftermarket customers in the automotive, specialty
vehicle, truck and off-road vehicle and industrial equipment markets and also
serves the marine and architectural markets with decorative stainless steel
tubing. On July 10, 1996, Insilco acquired the automotive aluminum tube business
of Helmut Lingemann GmbH & Co. (the "Lingemann Business").
 
     The Technologies Group manufactures high-performance data transmission
connectors, small electric power transformers, precision stampings, and wire and
cable assemblies. The Technologies Group serves the computer networking,
microwave relay, telephone digital switching, data processing, automotive,
medical equipment and other markets.
 
     Specialty Publishing consists of Taylor Publishing Company ("Taylor"), a
publisher of specialty publishing products, chiefly student yearbooks.
 
     During 1996 and the first quarter of 1997, the Company divested its Office
Products Business, consisting of (i) Curtis Manufacturing Co., Inc. ("Curtis"),
a manufacturer of computer accessories, (ii) the Rolodex electronics product
line ("Rolodex Electronics") and (iii) the traditional Rolodex office products
business (the "Rolodex Business"). For the year ended December 31, 1996, on a
pro forma basis assuming that the
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   8
 
Office Products Business had been sold and the Lingemann Business had been
acquired at the beginning of the year, the Company had revenues of $507.1
million and net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation
and amortization, and other income (expense), net ("EBITDA") of $63.8 million.
For the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, on a pro forma basis assuming
that the Office Products Business had been sold at the beginning of each such
period and, in the case of the six months ended June 30, 1996, that the
Lingemann Business was acquired at the beginning of such period, the Company had
revenues of $269.5 million and $276.2 million and EBITDA of $35.6 million and
$38.4 million, respectively.
 
     Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P. ("Water Street"), an
investment partnership of which Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs") is the
general partner, is the Company's largest shareholder. Two of the Company's
directors, Terence M. O'Toole and Barry S. Volpert, are Managing Directors of
Goldman Sachs. See "Principal Stockholders."
 
     On April 1, 1993, the Company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy
proceedings (which had commenced on January 13, 1991 (the "Petition Date"))
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization dated November 23,
1992 (the "Plan of Reorganization"). The Plan of Reorganization provided for the
discharge or settlement of all of the Company's pre-Petition Date liabilities
and resulted in a reduction in the Company's liabilities of $532.3 million. As a
consequence of the bankruptcy discharge, the Company's liabilities (including
environmental liabilities) for pre-Petition Date conduct are limited and
reasonably certain.
 
     The Company's executive offices are located at 425 Metro Place N., Fifth
Floor, Dublin, Ohio 43017. The Company's telephone number at such address is
(614) 792-0468.
 
THE TRANSACTIONS
 
     On October 7, 1996, the Company announced that it had retained Goldman
Sachs as its financial advisor to assist in the review of the Company's
strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including selling the
Rolodex Business. On March 5, 1997, the Company completed the sale of the
Rolodex Business and deposited $110 million (the "Rolodex Proceeds") of the $117
million sale price in a segregated account. Following the sale, the Company
decided to (i) refinance its existing indebtedness, (ii) seek to obtain up to
$150 million of new debt and (iii) effect a repurchase of a portion of its
outstanding Shares in an amount of approximately $220 million funded, as
described below, in part by the Rolodex Proceeds (collectively, the
"Transactions").
 
     The Company subsequently entered into an Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement as of July 3, 1997 (the "New Credit Facility") which, among other
things, provides for (i) a $200,000,000 revolving credit facility, (ii) a
$50,000,000 sublimit for commercial and standby letters of credit and (iii) a
$50,000,000 sublimit for advances in selected foreign currencies. The closing of
the New Credit Facility permitted the Company on July 10, 1997 to refinance the
entire amount of indebtedness outstanding under the Old Credit Facility. The New
Credit Facility permits the Company to issue the Notes, subject to certain
conditions. See "Description of the New Credit Facility."
 
     On July 10, 1997, the Company, using the Rolodex Proceeds, purchased (i)
2,805,194 Shares from Water Street at $38.50 per Share in cash for an aggregate
purchase price of $107,999,969 and (ii) 51,948 Shares from Robert L. Smialek,
the President and Chairman of the Board of the Company, at $38.50 per Share in
cash, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,999,998.
 
     On July 11, 1997, the Company commenced a tender offer (the "Tender
Offer"), pursuant to which it offered to purchase up to 2,857,142 Shares at a
price of $38.50 per Share in cash. The Tender Offer expired on August 12, 1997.
Upon the expiration of the Tender Offer 2,857,142 Shares had been tendered in
the Tender Offer and the Company purchased all of the Shares tendered in the
Tender Offer. The purchase of Shares tendered in the Tender Offer was paid for
from the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Old Notes.
 
     The net proceeds from the offer and sale of the Old Notes (the "Offering")
were approximately $145.9 million. The Company used the net proceeds from the
Offering to fund the purchase of Shares tendered in the
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   9
 
Tender Offer, repay loans under the New Credit Facility, pay fees and expenses
of the Transactions and for general corporate purposes.
 
SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS IN THE TRANSACTIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    SOURCES OF FUNDS ($ IN MILLIONS)              USES OF FUNDS ($ IN MILLIONS)
    ---------------------------------           ---------------------------------
    <S>                                <C>      <C>                                  <C>
                                                Refinancing of Old Credit
    New Credit Facility..............  $140     Facility.........................    $168
                                                Repurchase of Shares from Water
    Rolodex Proceeds.................   110(1)    Street and Mr. Smialek.........     110(1)
    Subordinated Notes...............   150     Tender Offer.....................     110
                                       ----
                                                Transaction Fees and Expenses....      12
                                                                                     ----
    TOTAL SOURCES....................  $400     TOTAL USES.......................    $400
                                       ====                                          ====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Rolodex Proceeds were used to fund the July 10, 1997 purchase of Shares
    from Water Street and Mr. Smialek.
 
     Upon giving effect to the Transactions on a pro forma basis, the Company's
interest coverage ratio (defined to be the ratio of EBITDA to net interest) was
2.2x for the 12-month period ended June 30, 1997. The Board of Directors of the
Company believes that the Company's financial condition and outlook for cash
generation will enable it to raise sufficient funds to maintain existing assets
and undertake reasonable investments in new growth, while permitting the Company
to meet its obligations as they become due.
 
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     Since 1993 Insilco's new management team has implemented the following
strategies to enhance sales growth, improve the operations of its continuing
businesses, and increase operating cash flow:
 
     REFINE MANAGEMENT FOCUS -- CORE BUSINESSES.  Prior to 1993 Insilco operated
a number of diverse businesses including paint products, office products,
computer accessories, automotive components, electrical and electronics
components, and specialty publishing. The new management team decided to
streamline the Company's operations and focus on developing those core
industrial businesses where it perceived the greatest opportunity for sales
growth, operating performance improvements, and return on invested capital.
 
     In executing this strategy, the Company has divested its paint products,
computer accessories and office products businesses, and made significant
investments in the remaining businesses. The Company has increased its capital
spending in those businesses, added management expertise and made selective
acquisitions to take advantage of identified growth trends in automotive heat
exchangers.
 
     The Company intends to continue to refine the focus of its business
segments and pursue market leadership positions in targeted automotive and
industrial components markets.
 
     PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION.  The Company's businesses typically manufacture
specialized or custom-designed products. Management believes that the Company's
strength lies in the manufacture and sale of value-added products. Although that
value-added component may vary among its businesses (and may be obtained in a
variety of ways, through a product's design, engineering, tooling, assembly,
service or distribution), Insilco believes that this strategy allows it to avoid
commodity markets, differentiate its products from those of its competitors and
earn attractive margins.
 
     INVEST IN CORE BUSINESSES.  To capitalize on emerging trends and growth
opportunities in targeted markets, Insilco has substantially increased capital
spending and investment in recent years. One example (in addition to the
acquisition of the Lingemann Business), was the Company's purchase of automated
brazing equipment to produce aluminum aftermarket heat exchangers. These
investments were made to capitalize on the worldwide shift from copper/brass
heat exchangers to lighter-weight more fuel-efficient aluminum heat exchangers.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   10
 
     The Company has increased capital spending in its businesses, with such
investments targeted at enhancing productivity, increasing necessary capacity,
accelerating research and development of new products and building engineering
capabilities. After giving effect to the divestiture of the Office Products
Business, capital spending has increased from $12 million in 1992 to $20 million
in 1996. Taylor recently completed a major multi-year investment to automate the
prepress operation using digital technology. Capital was appropriated for
Stewart Connector to develop and tool new high-speed data-grade connector
products, expand capacity and automate production. Steel Parts has made
significant investments in production equipment to improve productivity and
product quality to meet the requirements of its primary customer, Ford Motor
Company ("Ford"). As a result of these investments, Steel Parts has been able to
solidify its position as Ford's primary source of conventionally stamped
transmission clutch plates.
 
     Insilco has invested in new computer and business systems, made significant
investments in automation equipment to reduce costs and improve productivity,
and implemented "kaizen" training programs to instill a continuous productivity
philosophy in its operations. Many of Insilco's businesses have achieved or are
pursuing ISO 9000 certification to ensure consistent quality of products and
reduce defects.
 
     As a result in part of these investments and productivity initiatives, the
Company's EBITDA as a percent of sales (after giving effect to the divested
Office Products Business), has improved from 10.7% in 1992 to 12.9% in 1996.
 
     SEEK REVENUE GROWTH.  Sales have increased from $370 million in 1992 to
$492 million in 1996 (after giving effect to the divestiture of the Office
Products Business) representing a 7.4% compound annual rate of growth. The
Company has sought to obtain revenue growth through acquisitions, market
penetration and expansion, geographic expansion, and the development and
introduction of new products.
 
          Selective Acquisitions.  The Company completed two automotive
     acquisitions in 1996, which, in the aggregate, added approximately $35
     million in annualized sales on a pro forma basis. Subject to limitations
     under the New Credit Facility, the Company intends to pursue acquisitions
     that complement existing businesses and provide attractive returns on
     investment.
 
          Market Penetration and Expansion.  Insilco intends to increase market
     share and expand into new markets by implementing new sales strategies and
     entering new sales and distribution channels. Most notably, the
     Technologies Group has developed a unified marketing program to cross-sell
     the products of its four businesses, Signal Transformer has established a
     new sales representative network, and Taylor has adopted various incentive
     programs to attract larger accounts and increase penetration in existing
     accounts.
 
          Geographic Expansion.  Insilco's sales have historically been
     concentrated in the United States. After giving effect to the divestiture
     of the Office Products Business, domestic sales accounted for approximately
     86% of 1996 sales. The Company seeks to expand its sales, marketing and
     manufacturing efforts into new geographic markets. To further this strategy
     the Company in 1996 acquired the Lingemann Business, which is primarily a
     European manufacturer; and recently entered into a joint venture with a
     Chinese locomotive research institute to develop and market new heat
     exchanger products for the growing Chinese rail industry. In 1996, the
     Company expanded a small connector operation in Mexico to provide cable
     assemblies to a large telecommunications customer. The Company also opened
     a new precision stampings facility in El Paso, Texas to capitalize on the
     growing base of low-cost OEM production facilities in the southwestern
     United States and Mexico.
 
          New Product Introductions.  The Company has invested in upgrading its
     research and development and product engineering capabilities so as both to
     increase the number of new products and to speed their time to market. As a
     supplier to the computer networking, telecommunications and automotive
     industries, which are undergoing rapid change, the Company believes the
     investment will provide additional revenue growth opportunities. The
     Company's connector business has made significant investments in new
     technology and equipment to develop new connectors that meet the
     ever-increasing demand for faster data transmission without compromising
     the integrity of the transmission. The Company also recently funded an
     automotive technical research and development facility and staffed it
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   11
 
     with engineering and design personnel to develop new products and
     applications in the growing heat exchanger market.
 
     ENHANCE CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS.  A major objective for the new
management team has been to improve cash flow from operations. Through a
concentrated effort to improve productivity and better manage working capital,
cash flow from operations (after giving effect to the divestiture of the Office
Products Business) increased from $25 million in 1993 to $46 million in 1996.
The strong cash flow from the Company's business units, coupled with the
divestitures and sales of other idle assets, allowed the Company to reduce
outstanding debt, net of cash, from $254 million at December 31, 1993 to $59
million, at June 30, 1997, despite the significantly higher level of capital
spending, stock repurchases totaling $11 million, and two acquisitions totaling
$38 million. The Company intends to continue to focus on enhancing cash flow
from operations, and expects that recently implemented manufacturing and
financial information systems will enable more efficient working capital
management.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   12
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
     On August 12, 1997, the Company consummated the Offering. The net proceeds
of the Offering were used to fund the purchase of Shares tendered in the Tender
Offer, repay loans under the Company's New Credit Facility, pay fees and
expenses related to the Transactions and for general corporate purposes. See
"Prospectus Summary -- The Transactions" and "Use of Proceeds."
 
The Old Notes..............  The Old Notes were sold by the Company on August
                             12, 1997 to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the
                             Purchase Agreement. The Initial Purchasers
                             subsequently resold the Old Notes to qualified
                             institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under
                             the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") and to non-U.S.
                             persons outside the United States in reliance on
                             Regulation S under the Securities Act.
 
Registration Rights
Agreement..................  Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company and
                             the Initial Purchasers entered into the
                             Registration Rights Agreement, which granted the
                             holders of the Old Notes certain exchange and
                             registration rights. The Exchange Offer is being
                             made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement
                             and is intended to satisfy such rights.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
Securities Offered.........  $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
                             Company's 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
                             2007.
 
The Exchange Offer.........  Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, U.S. $1,000
                             principal amount of New Notes will be issued in
                             exchange for each U.S. $1,000 principal amount of
                             Old Notes that are validly tendered and not
                             withdrawn. On the date hereof, U.S. $150,000,000
                             aggregate principal amount of Old Notes were
                             outstanding. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
                             The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will
                             the Company accept surrenders of Old Notes for
                             exchange from, holders thereof in any jurisdiction
                             in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance
                             thereof would not be in compliance with the
                             securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
 
                             Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are not
                             tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer will
                             continue to hold such Old Notes and will be
                             entitled to all the rights and preferences thereof
                             and will be subject to the limitations applicable
                             thereto under the Indenture, dated as of August 12,
                             1997 (the "Indenture") between the Company and The
                             Bank of New York, as Trustee, governing the Old
                             Notes and the New Notes. Following consummation of
                             the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Notes will
                             continue to be subject to the existing restrictions
                             upon transfer thereof, and the Company will have no
                             further obligation to such holders to provide for
                             the registration under the Securities Act of the
                             Old Notes held by them. Following the completion of
                             the Exchange Offer, none of the Old Notes will be
                             entitled to the contingent increase in interest
                             rate provided pursuant to the Indenture and the Old
                             Notes.
 
Resales....................  Based on interpretations by the staff of the
                             Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission
                             set forth in no-action letters issued to third
                             parties, the Company believes the New Notes issued
                             pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old
                             Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
                             otherwise transferred by any holder thereof (other
                             than
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   13
 
                             broker-dealers, as set forth below, and any such
                             holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within
                             the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act)
                             without compliance with the registration and
                             prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
                             Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in
                             the ordinary course of such holder's business and
                             that such holder is not participating, does not
                             intend to participate, and has no arrangement or
                             understanding with any person to participate, in
                             the distribution (within the meaning of the
                             Securities Act) of such New Notes. Any holder who
                             tenders in the Exchange Offer with the intention to
                             participate, or for the purpose of participating,
                             in a distribution of the New Notes may not rely
                             upon such interpretations by the staff of the
                             Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission
                             as set forth in these no-action letters and, in the
                             absence of an exemption therefrom, must comply with
                             the registration and prospectus delivery
                             requirements of the Securities Act in connection
                             with any secondary resale transaction, and any such
                             secondary resale transaction must be covered by an
                             effective registration statement containing the
                             selling securityholder information required by Item
                             507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
                             Holders of Old Notes wishing to accept the Exchange
                             Offer must represent to the Company in the Letter
                             of Transmittal that such conditions have been met.
                             Failure to comply with such requirements in such
                             instance may result in such holder incurring
                             liabilities under the Securities Act for which the
                             holder is not indemnified by the Company. Each
                             broker-dealer (other than an affiliate of the
                             Company) that receives New Notes for its own
                             account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
                             acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
                             connection with any resale of such New Notes. The
                             Letter of Transmittal states that by so
                             acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
                             broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
                             is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
                             Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be
                             amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
                             used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales
                             of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes
                             where such Old Notes were acquired by such
                             broker-dealer as a result of market-making
                             activities or other trading activities. The Company
                             has agreed that, for a period of 90 days after the
                             Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus
                             available to any broker-dealer for use in
                             connection with any such resale. Any broker-dealer
                             who is an affiliate of the Company may not
                             participate in the Exchange Offer and may not rely
                             on the no-action letters referred to above and must
                             comply with the registration and prospectus
                             delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
                             connection with a secondary resale transaction. See
                             "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose and Effect of the
                             Exchange Offer" and "Plan of Distribution."
 
   
Expiration Date............  The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New
                             York City time, on November 14, 1997, unless
                             extended, in which case the term "Expiration Date"
                             shall mean the latest date and time to which the
                             Exchange Offer is extended. Any extension, if made,
                             will be publicly announced through a release to PR
                             Newswire and as otherwise required by applicable
                             law or regulations.
    
 
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer......................  The Exchange Offer is subject to certain
                             conditions, which may be waived by the Company. See
                             "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions of the
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   14
 
                             Exchange Offer." The Exchange Offer is not
                             conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
                             Old Notes being tendered for exchange.
 
                             The Company reserves the right, in its discretion,
                             (i) to delay accepting any Old Notes, to extend the
                             Exchange Offer or to terminate the Exchange Offer
                             if any of the conditions set forth below under "The
                             Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offer -- Conditions of the Exchange Offer" shall
                             not have been satisfied in the good faith
                             determination of the Company, by giving oral or
                             written notice of such delay, extension or
                             termination to the Exchange Agent and (ii) to amend
                             the terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner. See
                             "-- The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offer Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments."
 
Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes..................  Each holder of Old Notes wishing to tender their
                             Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must (i)
                             complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal,
                             or a facsimile thereof, in accordance with the
                             instructions contained herein and therein, and mail
                             or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal, or
                             a facsimile thereof, together with such Old Notes
                             and any other required documentation to The Bank of
                             New York, as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent"),
                             at the address set forth herein and therein on or
                             prior to the Expiration Date (or complying with the
                             procedure for book-entry transfer) or (ii) comply
                             with the guaranteed delivery procedures. By
                             executing a Letter of Transmittal, a holder will
                             represent to the Company that, among other things,
                             the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange
                             Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of
                             business of the person receiving such New Notes,
                             whether or not such person is the holder, that
                             neither the holder nor any such other person has an
                             arrangement or understanding with any person to
                             participate in the distribution of such Notes, if
                             the holder is not a broker-dealer, or if such
                             holder is a broker-dealer but such holder will not
                             receive New Notes for its own account in exchange
                             for Old Notes, neither the holder nor any such
                             other person is engaged in or intends to
                             participate in the distribution of such New Notes
                             and that neither the holder nor any such other
                             person is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
                             meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. See
                             "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and
                             "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
Special Procedures for
Beneficial Owners..........  Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered
                             in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
                             trust company or other nominee and who wishes to
                             tender such Old Notes in the Exchange Offer should
                             contact such registered holder promptly and
                             instruct such registered holder to tender on such
                             beneficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial owner
                             wishes to tender on his or her own behalf, such
                             owner must, prior to completing and executing the
                             Letter of Transmittal and delivering his or her Old
                             Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to
                             register ownership of the Old Notes in such owner's
                             name or obtain a properly completed bond power from
                             the registered holder. The transfer of registered
                             ownership may take considerable time and may not be
                             able to
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   15
 
                             be completed prior to the Expiration Date. See "The
                             Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
 
Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures.................  Holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old
                             Notes and whose Old Notes are not immediately
                             available or who cannot deliver their Old Notes,
                             the Letter of Transmittal or any other documents
                             required by such Letter of Transmittal to the
                             Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, must
                             tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed
                             delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed
                             Delivery Procedures."
 
Acceptance of Old Notes and
  Delivery of New Notes....  Subject to certain conditions (as described more
                             fully in "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the
                             Exchange Offer -- Conditions of the Exchange
                             Offer"), the Company will accept for exchange any
                             and all Old Notes which are properly tendered in
                             the Exchange Offer and not withdrawn, prior to 5:00
                             p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
                             The New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
                             will be delivered as promptly as practicable
                             following the Expiration Date.
 
Withdrawal Rights..........  Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old
                             Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00
                             p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
                             See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders of Old Notes."
 
Taxation...................  An exchange of Old Notes for New Notes should not
                             be taxable to holders. See "Certain Federal Income
                             Tax Consequences."
 
Use of Proceeds............  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
                             New Notes offered hereby. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
Exchange Agent.............  The Bank of New York is the Exchange Agent. The
                             address, telephone number and facsimile number of
                             the Exchange Agent are set forth in "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Exchange Agent."
 
                       SUMMARY OF TERMS OF THE NEW NOTES
 
General....................  The form and terms of the New Notes are the same as
                             the form and terms of the Old Notes (which they
                             replace) except that (i) the New Notes have been
                             registered under the Securities Act and, therefore,
                             will not contain terms or bear legends with respect
                             to transfer restrictions, (ii) the New Notes do not
                             include provisions providing for an increase in the
                             interest rate in certain circumstances relating to
                             the timing of the Exchange Offer and (iii) holders
                             of New Notes will not be entitled to certain rights
                             under the Registration Rights Agreement. The New
                             Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes
                             and will be entitled to the benefits of the
                             Indenture. See "Description of New Notes."
 
Securities Offered.........  $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
                             Company's 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
                             2007.
 
Maturity Date..............  August 15, 2007.
 
Interest Payment Dates.....  February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing
                             February 15, 1998.
 
Ranking....................  The New Notes will be unsecured and will rank
                             junior in right of payment to all existing and
                             future Senior Debt of the Company,
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   16
 
                             including the New Credit Facility. The New Notes
                             will rank pari passu in right of payment with all
                             existing and future senior subordinated
                             indebtedness of the Company and senior to any other
                             subordinated indebtedness of the Company issued
                             after the Offering. See "Description of the New
                             Notes -- Subordination."
 
                             On the pro forma basis described herein, as of June
                             30, 1997, there was approximately $141.8 million of
                             Senior Debt of the Company outstanding. See
                             "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
                             Financial Information." While the Indenture will
                             limit, subject to certain financial tests, the
                             amount of additional Debt (as defined in the
                             Indenture) that the Company and its Restricted
                             Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) can
                             incur, the Indenture will not restrict the amount
                             of otherwise permissible indebtedness that may be
                             incurred as Senior Debt. See "Description of New
                             Notes -- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on
                             Consolidated Debt."
 
                             The New Notes will be effectively subordinated to
                             all existing and future Debt of the Company's
                             subsidiaries. The Company's domestic subsidiaries
                             have joint and several liability for (and have
                             pledged substantially all of their assets as
                             collateral for, and in certain cases guaranteed)
                             indebtedness under the New Credit Facility. See
                             "Risk Factors -- Subordination of the New Notes;
                             Other Indebtedness," "-- Structural Subordination"
                             and "-- Fraudulent Conveyance."
 
Optional Redemption........  The New Notes will not be redeemable prior to
                             August 15, 2002. On or after such date, the New
                             Notes will be subject to redemption, at the option
                             of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time
                             prior to maturity, at the redemption prices set
                             forth herein, plus accrued interest, if any, to the
                             date of redemption.
 
Change of Control..........  Subject to the provisions of the New Credit
                             Facility, upon the occurrence of a Change of
                             Control, each holder of the New Notes may require
                             the Company to repurchase the New Notes held by
                             such holder at 101% of the principal amount thereof
                             plus accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding,
                             the date of repurchase. See "Description of the
                             Notes -- Repurchase at the Option of
                             Holders -- Change of Control."
 
Restrictive Covenants......  The Indenture will restrict, among other things,
                             the ability of the Company and its Restricted
                             Subsidiaries (i) to incur additional Debt, (ii) to
                             pay dividends and make other distributions, (iii)
                             to have restrictions on the ability of any
                             Restricted Subsidiary to make dividend or other
                             payments to the Company or any other Restricted
                             Subsidiary, (iv) to sell assets and to use the
                             proceeds of asset sales, (v) to pledge assets, (vi)
                             to merge or consolidate with or transfer all or
                             substantially all of its assets to, or to acquire
                             the stock or assets of, another entity or (vii) to
                             engage in certain transactions with affiliates. All
                             of these restrictions, however, are subject to a
                             number of important qualifications. See
                             "Description of the New Notes -- Certain
                             Covenants."
 
Market.....................  The New Notes constitute a new issue of securities
                             with no established trading market. The Company has
                             been advised by the Initial Purchasers that they
                             intend to make a market in the New Notes; however,
                             they are not obligated to do so and such
                             market-making activities could be terminated at any
                             time. There can be no assurance that an active
                             trading market for the New Notes will develop. It
                             is not expected that an active
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   17
 
                             trading market for the Old Notes will develop while
                             they are subject to restrictions on transfer. See
                             "Risk Factors -- Absence of Public Market for the
                             New Notes; Volatility" and "-- Consequences of the
                             Exchange Offer on Non-Tendering Holders of the Old
                             Notes."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors should consider all of the information contained in
this Prospectus before making an investment in the New Notes. In particular,
prospective investors should carefully consider the factors set forth under
"Risk Factors."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   18
 
                        SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
                   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
 
     The summary historical consolidated financial data presented below as of
and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1996 are
derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company's related
audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included
elsewhere herein, which have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants (the "Consolidated Financial Statements"). The
Consolidated Financial Statements, and the report thereon, which is based
partially upon the report of other auditors, are included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
     The summary historical consolidated financial data presented below as of
and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 are derived from unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Company, which have been prepared by
management on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Company and, in the opinion of management of the Company, reflect all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair statement for such periods. Operating results for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 are not necessarily indicative of results that may
be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
 
     The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for the six months ended
June 30, 1996 and 1997 are based on historical information that has been
adjusted to reflect significant acquisitions and divestitures that have occurred
during the respective periods and the Transactions. The income statement data
give effect to the following transactions as if all had occurred at the
beginning of each period presented: (i) the sale of the Rolodex Business; (ii)
the Company's purchase of 2,805,194 Shares from Water Street and 51,948 Shares
from Robert L. Smialek, the President and Chairman of the Board of the Company,
at a price of $38.50 per Share; (iii) the Company's purchase of 2,857,142 Shares
at a price of $38.50 per Share pursuant to the Tender Offer; (iv) the closing of
the New Credit Facility (including advances to refinance in full the Old Credit
Facility) and (v) the issuance and sale of $150 million aggregate principal
amount of the Old Notes. In addition, the income statement data for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and the six months ended June 30, 1996 have been
adjusted to reflect (i) the divestiture of Rolodex Electronics; (ii) the
divestiture of Curtis and (iii) the acquisition of the Lingemann Business, as if
all had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. These divestitures
and the acquisition actually occurred in the third and fourth quarters of 1996.
The balance sheet data give effect to the aforementioned transactions as if all
had occurred as of the date of the respective balance sheets (except any
acquisitions or divestitures that occurred prior to the respective balance sheet
dates are included in the respective balance sheet data as of the date of the
actual sale or purchase). The nonrecurring transactions directly related to the
aforementioned transactions are excluded from the pro forma summary statements
of income. The summary pro forma consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with the accompanying notes thereto and the financial statements and
related notes set forth herein. The summary pro forma consolidated financial
data are based on certain assumptions and estimates, and therefore do not
purport to be indicative of the results that would actually have been obtained
had the transactions been completed as of such dates or indicative of future
results of operations and financial position.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   19
 
     The following table sets forth summary historical and pro forma
consolidated financial and operating data (dollars in thousands, except per
Share and ratio data) derived from the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             PRO FORMA
                                                                                   ------------------------------
                                                               SIX MONTHS ENDED      YEAR      SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,         ENDED          JUNE 30,
                                ----------------------------   -----------------   DEC. 31,   -------------------
                                  1994      1995      1996      1996      1997       1996       1996       1997
                                --------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                             <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATIONS DATA
  Sales (net)(1)..............  $543,630   561,203   572,474   300,497   287,012    507,140    269,454    276,215
  Operating income
    (loss)(2).................    (9,699)   24,617    59,101    32,885    30,967     46,694     26,781     28,801
  Other income (expense):
    Interest expense..........   (29,113)  (19,546)  (18,386)   (9,400)   (7,762)   (32,216)   (16,722)   (14,880)
    Interest income...........     1,842     1,577     1,010       460     2,078        724        372        228
    Other income, net(3)......     2,663    12,126    10,138     3,104    96,617      7,706      3,120      1,615
  Income (loss) from
    continuing operations
    before income taxes and
    extraordinary items.......   (34,307)   18,774    51,863    27,049   121,900     22,908     13,551     15,764
  Income tax expense..........    (8,585)  (16,199)  (12,810)   (9,098)  (47,374)    (6,896)    (4,607)    (5,874)
                                --------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------   --------   --------
  Income (loss) from
    continuing operations
    before extraordinary
    items.....................   (42,892)    2,575    39,053    17,951    74,526     16,012      8,944      9,890
  Income from discontinued
    operations, net of tax....    12,914        --        --        --        --         --         --         --
                                --------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------   --------   --------
  Income (loss) before
    extraordinary items.......   (29,978)    2,575    39,053    17,951    74,526     16,012      8,944      9,890
  Extraordinary items, net of
    tax.......................    (2,156)       --        --        --        --         --         --         --
                                --------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------   --------   --------
  Net income (loss)...........  $(32,134)    2,575    39,053    17,951    74,526     16,012      8,944      9,890
                                ========   =======   =======   =======   =======   ========   ========   ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END
  Working capital.............  $ 33,915    44,920    47,956    71,156   144,970     30,583     60,131     60,183
  Total assets................   368,669   340,129   352,000   345,644   423,211    306,656    320,054    321,560
  Long-term debt..............   198,109   186,489   161,042   193,381   169,820    283,042    327,231    291,820
  Other long-term
    liabilities...............    59,117    53,612    47,337    50,660    44,348     47,337     51,914     44,348
  Stockholders' equity
    (deficit).................   (13,451)  (15,779)   33,402     2,291   108,462   (130,162)  (156,140)  (113,976)
PER SHARE DATA
  Income (loss) per share from
    continuing operations.....  $  (4.42)     0.25      3.95      1.81      7.55       3.83       2.13       2.38
OTHER DATA
  Depreciation and
    amortization..............  $ 13,570    14,758    16,831     8,087     9,798     17,139      8,799      9,604
  Amortization of
    Reorganization Goodwill...    69,217    32,172        --        --        --         --         --         --
  Capital expenditures........    19,163    22,159    22,579     9,266    10,315     20,009      8,113     10,322
  EBITDA(4)...................    73,088    71,547    75,932    40,972    40,765     63,833     35,580     38,405
  EBITDA to net interest......        NA        NA        NA        NA        NA       2.0x       2.2x       2.6x
</TABLE>
 
  See accompanying notes to the summary historical and pro forma consolidated
                         financial and operating data.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   20
 
THE NOTES TO THE SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND
OPERATING DATA FOLLOW:
- ---------------
(1) Sales of the divested Office Products Business are included in the
    consolidated results as follows: 1994, $105.2 million; 1995, $111.7 million;
    1996, $80.1 million; the six months ended June 30, 1996, $45.8 million; and
    the six months ended June 30, 1997, $10.8 million. Pro forma sales for the
    respective periods exclude sales of the Office Products Business as if the
    business was divested at the beginning of the periods presented.
 
    Sales in 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997 include sales of
    $13.2 million and $15.3 million, respectively, of the Lingemann Business
    which was acquired on July 10, 1996. Pro forma sales for the six months
    ended June 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1996 include $14.7
    million and $27.9 million, respectively, of sales of the Lingemann Business
    as if the business was acquired at the beginning of the periods presented.
 
    See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information" for
    further information regarding acquisitions and divestitures.
 
(2) Operating income for the Office Products Business, before the allocation of
    corporate overhead, is included in the consolidated results as follows:
    1994, $15.2 million; 1995, $1.7 million; 1996, $10.7 million; the six months
    ended June 30, 1996, $4.4 million; and the six months ended June 30, 1997,
    $2.2 million. Pro forma operating income for the respective periods excludes
    operating income, before allocation of corporate overhead, of the Office
    Products Business as if the business was divested at the beginning of the
    periods presented.
 
    Operating income in 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997 includes
    operating income, before allocation of corporate overhead, of $0.1 million
    and $0.3 million, respectively, of the Lingemann Business. Pro forma
    operating income for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year ended
    December 31, 1996 includes $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of
    operating loss of the Lingemann Business as if the business was acquired at
    the beginning of the year.
 
    Operating income in 1994 and 1995 includes the deduction for the
    amortization of the Company's reorganization value over the aggregate fair
    value of its tangible and identified intangible assets at March 31, 1993
    ("Reorganization Goodwill").
 
    Operating income in 1995 includes a nonrecurring charge of $6.2 million
    relating to the Office Products Business (see Note 15 to the Consolidated
    Financial Statements) and a gain of $4.3 million related to a change in the
    Company's pension plan (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial
    Statements).
 
(3) Other income in 1994 included a $1.2 million gain related to the collection
    of notes receivable in excess of their financial statement carrying amount.
    Other income in 1995 included favorable adjustments of $3.6 million related
    to the Company's environmental liabilities, $1.5 million related to the
    resolution of several legal disputes and a $4.0 million gain on the sale of
    idle corporate assets. Other income in 1996 included a fourth quarter $3.1
    million gain on the sale of Rolodex Electronics and a third quarter $2.2
    million adjustment related to the satisfaction of certain of the Company's
    environmental liabilities, following completion of a site clean-up for an
    amount less than previously estimated. Other income in the six months ended
    June 30, 1997 includes a $95.0 million gain on the sale of the Rolodex
    Business.
 
(4) "EBITDA" represents net income before net interest expense, income taxes,
    depreciation and amortization, and other income (expense), net. EBITDA is
    not intended to represent and should not be considered more meaningful than,
    or an alternative to, net income, cash flow or other measures of performance
    in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. EBITDA data is
    included because the Company understands that such information is used by
    certain investors as one measure of an issuer's historical ability to
    service debt.
 
    This summary historical and pro forma consolidated financial and operating
    data should also be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
    Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   21
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Before investing in the New Notes, prospective investors should consider
carefully all the information set forth elsewhere in this Prospectus and should
particularly consider the following matters.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE; ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT
 
     Since the consummation of the Transactions, the Company has had substantial
indebtedness with significant debt service requirements and is highly leveraged.
As of June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
Transactions, the Company's consolidated debt was approximately $291.8 million
and stockholders' deficit was $114.0 million.
 
     The degree to which the Company is leveraged will have important
consequences to holders of the Notes, including the following: (i) the ability
of the Company to obtain additional financing in the future, whether for working
capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes, may be impaired,
(ii) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations is
required to be dedicated to the payment of interest and, under certain
circumstances, principal on amounts due under the New Credit Facility, thereby
reducing funds available to the Company for other purposes, (iii) the Company's
flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in market conditions may be
limited, (iv) the Company may be more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in
its business, and (v) to the extent the Company's outstanding debt under the New
Credit Facility is at variable rates of interest that have not been hedged, the
Company will be vulnerable to increases in interest rates. See "Capitalization"
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
 
     The Company's ability to make scheduled principal payments on, or to pay
interest on, or to refinance its indebtedness (including the Notes) depends on
its future performance which, to a certain extent, is subject to general
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors
beyond its control. Based upon the Company's current level of operations and
anticipated growth, the management of the Company believes that available cash
flow, together with available borrowing under the New Credit Facility, and other
sources of liquidity, will be adequate to meet the Company's anticipated future
requirements for working capital, letters of credit, capital expenditures and
scheduled payments of interest and, under certain circumstances, principal on
amounts due under the New Credit Facility, other Senior Debt and interest on the
Notes. However, there can be no assurance that Company's businesses will
generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future financing will be
available in an amount sufficient to enable the Company to service its
indebtedness, including the Notes, or to make necessary capital expenditures, or
that any refinancing would be available, or available on commercially reasonable
terms. Further, depending on the timing, amount and structure of any future
acquisitions and the availability of funds for acquisitions under the New Credit
Facility, the Company may need to raise additional capital to fund the
acquisitions of additional businesses. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to secure such additional funding on favorable terms, if at
all.
 
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY
 
     The New Credit Facility, among other things, restricts the ability of the
Company and its subsidiaries, subject to a number of qualifications, to dispose
of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur liens on property or assets,
repay other indebtedness, enter into accommodation obligations, pay dividends,
enter into certain investments or transactions, repurchase or redeem capital
stock, engage in mergers or consolidations or engage in certain transactions
with subsidiaries and affiliates, and will otherwise restrict corporate
activities. There can be no assurance that such restrictions will not adversely
affect the Company's ability to finance its future operations or capital needs
or engage in other business activities that may be in the Company's interest. In
addition, the New Credit Facility also requires the Company to maintain
compliance with certain financial ratios. The Company's ability to comply with
such ratios may be affected by events beyond the Company's control. A breach of
any of these covenants or the inability of the Company to comply with the
required financial ratios could result in a default under the New Credit
Facility which could adversely affect payment of the New Notes. See "Description
of the New Credit Facility."
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   22
 
RISK OF ABILITY TO FINANCE CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to
make an offer to purchase all of the outstanding Notes at a price equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof at the date of purchase plus accrued interest,
if any, to the date of purchase. The occurrence of a Change of Control would
constitute an event of default under the New Credit Facility and might
constitute a default under other indebtedness of the Company (if any). In
addition, the New Credit Facility will prohibit the purchase of the Notes by the
Company in the event of a Change of Control until the indebtedness under the New
Credit Facility is repaid in full. The Company's failure to purchase the Notes
upon a Change of Control would result in a default under the Indenture and thus
the New Credit Facility. The inability to repay the indebtedness under the New
Credit Facility, if accelerated, could have materially adverse consequences to
the Company and to the holders of the Notes. In the event of a Change of
Control, there can be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient assets
to satisfy all of its obligations under the New Credit Facility and the Notes.
Future Senior Debt of the Company may also contain prohibitions of certain
events or transactions that would constitute a Change of Control or require such
Senior Debt to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. See "Description of the
New Credit Facility" and "Description of the New Notes -- Change of Control."
 
CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION; ABSENCE OF LONG-TERM CONTRACTS
 
     A significant portion of the Automotive Components Group's sales are made
to a relatively small group of major customers. In 1996, the Automotive
Components Group made approximately 24% of its sales to Ford and 18% of its
sales to a group of nine other customers. The current size of the Company's
automotive customer base exposes the Company to the risk of changes in the
business condition of its major customers and to the risk that the loss of a
major customer could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
 
     The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Steel Parts Corporation ("Steel
Parts"), manufactures stamped transmission and suspension parts for the
automotive market. Steel Parts accounted for 30% of the Automotive Components
Group's sales in 1996. Over 70% of Steel Parts' sales were made to Ford. While
Steel Parts has supplied Ford for over 20 years, Ford is not contractually bound
to purchase supplies from Steel Parts in the future. Thus, Steel Parts'
relationship with Ford is subject to termination at any time. If Steel Parts
were to lose Ford as a customer, the Company's results of operations would be
adversely affected.
 
CYCLICAL MARKETS
 
     A substantial portion of the Company's revenues derive from sales to
markets that have been historically, and are likely to continue to be, cyclical.
For example, the Company's Automotive Components Group, which accounted for
approximately 37% of the Company's total sales and 40% of its operating income
for the year ended December 31, 1996, primarily serves the automobile OEM market
and the automobile parts aftermarket through the manufacture of automotive heat
exchangers and related tubing, and automatic transmission and suspension
components. The automobile industry has experienced recessionary or slow growth
conditions for substantial periods in the past and may experience recessionary
conditions in the future. Any substantial weakening of the automobile industry
could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
 
SEASONALITY; PRODUCTION DISRUPTION
 
     In certain of the Company's businesses in which there is high customer
concentration or high production seasonality, the Company would be exposed to
potentially significant revenue losses if it (or its customers) were to
experience substantial disruption in production. With the continued emphasis on
reductions in component inventories and "just-in-time" deliveries, especially in
the automotive industry, any disruption in production by the Company or its
major customers, through work stoppages or otherwise, could have an immediate
and adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
 
     Additionally, a portion of the Company's revenues are exposed to the
seasonality of the yearbook production cycle. Most of the annual revenues of
Taylor are recognized in the Company's second quarter. Any disruption during the
peak production period (April to June), through work stoppages or otherwise,
could
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   23
 
cause lost revenues or delay revenue recognition in the year in which it
occurred and would likely have an adverse effect on future years' contract
renewals. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The businesses in which the Company is engaged are highly competitive and
in some cases highly fragmented, with many small manufacturers. In some of its
businesses, especially the data grade connector business and the heat exchanger
business, the Company competes with entities having significantly more
resources. In other businesses, especially Taylor, the Company competes with
entities that have a greater share of the relevant market. As competition
increases, profit margins on some of the Company's significant business lines
could decrease, and in the more fragmented markets consolidation could occur
resulting in the creation of larger and financially stronger competitors. The
Company believes that, to remain competitive and maintain or increase its
profitability, it must pursue a strategy focusing on growth and product
innovation. However, the Company's competitors can be expected to continue to
seek their own growth, to improve the design and performance of their products,
to reduce costs of existing competitive products and to introduce new products
with competitive price and performance characteristics. Although the Company
believes that, with respect to most of its businesses, it has certain
technological, manufacturing or other advantages over its competitors,
maintaining these advantages will require continued investment by the Company in
research and development, sales and marketing, productivity improvements and
information systems. There can be no assurance that the Company will have
sufficient resources to continue to make such investments or that the Company
will be able to maintain its existing competitive advantages.
 
TECHNOLOGY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS
 
     The markets for many of the Company's products, particularly the products
produced by Stewart Connector, are characterized by technological change,
evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions and product
enhancements. Many of the Company's products require significant planning,
design, development and testing at the technological, product and manufacturing
process levels. In addition, the introduction of new products and technologies
may render existing or proposed products noncompetitive. There can be no
assurance that any of the products currently being developed by the Company, or
those to be developed in the future, will be technologically feasible or
accepted by the marketplace, that any such development will be completed in any
particular time frame or that the Company's products or proprietary technologies
will not become uncompetitive or obsolete.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The Company's success depends to a significant extent upon the services of
its senior management and other management in its various businesses. The
Company could be adversely affected if any of these persons were unwilling or
unable to continue in the Company's employ.
 
CONTROL BY SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER
 
     At September 22, 1997 Water Street owned approximately 45% of the
outstanding Shares. Consequently, Water Street, through its general partner,
Goldman Sachs, will retain effective control of the Company.
 
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE
 
     The incurrence by the Company of indebtedness under the Notes to fund the
Tender Offer could be subject to review under relevant federal and state
fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws in a bankruptcy case involving, or a
lawsuit commenced by or on behalf of unpaid creditors of, the Company. If a
court were to find under such laws that (i) at the time the Notes were issued
the Company had incurred the indebtedness under the Notes with the intent of
delaying or defrauding creditors, or (ii) the Company received less than
reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the Notes and (x) was
insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such transaction, (y) was engaged
in a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   24
 
the Company constituted unreasonably small capital or (z) intended to incur, or
believed that it would incur, debts that it would be unable to pay when due,
such court could subordinate the Notes to present or future indebtedness of the
Company, void the issuance of some or all of the indebtedness under the Notes,
direct any amounts paid under the Notes to be repaid to the Company or applied
to a fund for the benefit of the Company's creditors or take other action that
would be detrimental to the holders of the Notes.
 
     The Company believes that the indebtedness represented by the Notes is
being incurred for proper purposes and in good faith, that the Company is
receiving reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for incurring such
indebtedness, that the Company was, is and will be solvent under the foregoing
standards and that it had, has and will have sufficient capital for carrying on
its business and was, is, and will be able to pay its debts as they mature.
There can be no assurance, however, that a court would reach the same
conclusions.
 
SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTES; OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
 
     The Notes will be subordinated to all existing and future Senior Debt of
the Company, including the New Credit Facility. As of June 30, 1997, after
giving pro forma effect to the Transactions, approximately $141.8 million would
have been outstanding under the New Credit Facility and available borrowings
thereunder (exclusive of approximately $10 million in outstanding standby
letters of credit) would have been approximately $50 million. Indebtedness under
the New Credit Facility must be repaid in whole or in part under certain
circumstances, and in some cases the available commitments thereunder would be
reduced. Commencing on the third anniversary of the New Credit Facility and each
succeeding anniversary thereafter, through its term, the revolving credit
commitments are scheduled to be reduced by $20 million per year with the result
that any aggregate outstanding indebtedness under the New Credit Facility at
such time in excess of the amount of the then current revolving credit
commitments must be repaid. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed on a joint and
several basis by the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, with certain
exceptions (the "Guarantors"), and has been secured by substantially all of the
assets of the Company and the Guarantors, including the intellectual property,
accounts receivable, inventories, equipment and real property of the Company and
its domestic subsidiaries and the stock of substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries. In the event of any default, the lenders under the New Credit
Facility could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding under the New Credit
Facility, together with accrued interest and fees, to be due and payable and to
require the Company to apply all of its available cash to repay such
indebtedness and to prevent the Company from making payments on the Notes. If
the Company were unable to repay any such indebtedness when due, such lenders
could proceed against their collateral. In that event, it is unlikely that the
value of any remaining assets of the Company would be sufficient to repay the
Notes. See "Description of the New Notes" and "Description of the New Credit
Facility."
 
     After giving effect to the Transactions, the Company expects to have
approximately $291.8 million of debt outstanding consisting primarily of the
Notes and the New Credit Facility. Furthermore, the Company and its subsidiaries
may in the future incur additional Senior Debt, secured debt and pari passu debt
and may pledge collateral to secure existing or future debt, subject to the
terms of the New Credit Facility. The provisions of the Indenture would not
necessarily afford the holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect the
holders of the Notes.
 
STRUCTURAL SUBORDINATION
 
     The Notes are obligations exclusively of the Company. Since many of the
Company's operations are currently conducted through subsidiaries, the Company's
cash flow and its ability to service its debt, including the Notes, is dependent
upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to
the Company or upon loans or other payments of funds by those subsidiaries to
the Company.
 
     The Notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing
and future debt and liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. A substantial
portion of the Company's assets consists of investments in its subsidiaries
(including intercompany secured notes, which have been pledged as security under
the New Credit Facility). The Company's rights, and the rights of its creditors
(including holders of the Notes), to participate in the distribution of any
subsidiary's assets upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   25
 
will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary's creditors, except to
the extent that the Company is itself recognized as a creditor or a secured
creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the claims of the Company would still
be subject to the claims of any secured creditor or prior secured creditor of
such subsidiary and of any holder of such subsidiary's indebtedness senior to
that held by the Company. As of June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis, the Company
had Senior Debt of approximately $141.8 million. The Company's domestic
subsidiaries have joint and several liability for (and have pledged
substantially all of their assets as collateral for, and in certain cases
guaranteed) indebtedness under the New Credit Facility.
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NEW NOTES; VOLATILITY
 
     The New Notes will constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The Company has been advised by the Initial Purchasers that
following completion of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers intend to
make a market in the New Notes. However, the Initial Purchasers are not
obligated to do so and any market-making activities with respect to the New
Notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, no assurance
can be given that an active public or other market will develop for the New
Notes or as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the New Notes. If a
trading market does not develop or is not maintained, holders of the New Notes
may experience difficulty in reselling the New Notes or may be unable to sell
them at all. If a market for the New Notes develops, any such market may cease
to continue at any time. In addition, if a market for the New Notes develops,
the market prices of the New Notes may be volatile. Factors such as fluctuations
in the Company's earnings and cash flow, the difference between the Company's
actual results and results expected by investors and analysts and economic
developments could cause the market prices of the New Notes to fluctuate
substantially.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER ON NON-TENDERING HOLDERS OF THE OLD NOTES
 
     In the event the Exchange Offer is consummated, the Company will not be
required to register any Old Notes not tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer. In such event, holders of Old Notes seeking liquidity in their investment
would have to rely on exemptions to the registration requirements under the
securities laws, including the Securities Act, since the Old Notes will continue
to be subject to certain restrictions on transfer. Following the Exchange Offer,
none of the Notes will be entitled to the contingent increase in interest rate
provided for (in the event of a failure to consummate the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement) pursuant to the
Indenture and the Old Notes.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the New
Notes offered hereby. The proceeds of the Offering were used to fund the
purchase of shares tendered in the Tender Offer, repay loans under the Company's
New Credit Facility, pay fees and expenses related to the Transactions and for
general corporate purposes.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   26
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company on a historical basis as of June 30, 1997 and on a pro forma basis as of
such date to give effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions were
consummated on June 30, 1997. The following information (dollars in thousands)
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   JUNE 30,     JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                     1997         PRO FORMA
                                                                   ---------    -------------
    <S>                                                            <C>          <C>
    Current portion of long-term debt............................  $  24,708            708
                                                                    --------      ---------
    Long-term debt:
      Senior Bank Debt...........................................    143,692        139,692
      The Notes..................................................         --        150,000
      Other......................................................      1,420          1,420
                                                                    --------      ---------
         Total long-term debt....................................    145,112        291,112
                                                                    --------      ---------
    Stockholders' equity (deficit)...............................    108,462       (113,976)
                                                                    --------      ---------
    Total capitalization.........................................  $ 278,282        177,844
                                                                    ========      =========
</TABLE>
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   27
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The Old Notes were sold by the Company on August 12, 1997 to the Initial
Purchasers in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The Initial
Purchasers offered and sold the Old Notes within the United States only to
"qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A) in compliance with
Rule 144A and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under
the Securities Act.
 
     In connection with the sale of the Old Notes, the Company and the Initial
Purchasers entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, which requires the
Company (i) to cause the Old Notes to be registered under the Securities Act or
(ii) to file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to an issue of New Notes of the Company identical in all
material respects to the Old Notes and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act and, upon
the effectiveness of that registration statement, to offer to the holders of the
Old Notes the opportunity to exchange their Old Notes for a like principal
amount of New Notes, which will be issued without restrictive legends and which
may be reoffered and resold by the holder without restrictions or limitations
under the Securities Act. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. The Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement to satisfy the Company's obligations thereunder with regard to the Old
Notes. The term "holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in
whose name Old Notes are registered on the Trustee's books or any other person
who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder, or
any person whose Old Notes are held of record by DTC who desires to deliver such
Old Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.
 
     The Company is making the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in
"no-action" letters issued to third parties in other transactions. However, the
Company has not sought its own "no-action" letter and there can be no assurance
that the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would
make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in such other
circumstances. Based on those interpretations by the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Commission, the Company believes that the New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for the Old Notes may be
offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any holder thereof
(other than broker-dealers, as set forth below, and any such holder that is an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions
of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course of such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, does
not intend to participate and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate, in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of such New Notes. Any holder who participates in the Exchange Offer with
the intention to participate, or for the purpose of participating, in a
distribution of the New Notes may not rely upon the position of the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission as set forth in those
no-action letters and, in the absence of an exemption therefrom, must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any secondary resale transaction, and any such secondary
resale transaction must be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling securityholder information required by Item 507 of
Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. Failure to comply with such
requirements in such instance may result in such holder incurring liabilities
under the Securities Act for which the holder is not indemnified by the Company.
 
     Each broker-dealer (other than an affiliate of the Company) that receives
New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge
that it acquired the Old Notes as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities and will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   28
 
market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed
that, for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this
Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such
resale. See "Plan of Distribution." Any broker-dealer who is an affiliate of the
Company may not participate in the Exchange Offer and may not rely on the
no-action letters referred to above and must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction.
 
     The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Company accept
surrender of Old Notes for exchange from, holders thereof in any jurisdiction in
which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance
with the securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdiction.
 
     By tendering in the Exchange Offer, each holder of Old Notes will represent
to the Company that, among other things, (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to
the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
person receiving such New Notes, whether or not such person is the holder, (ii)
neither the holder of Old Notes nor any such other person is participating,
intends to participate or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in the distribution of such New Notes, (iii) if the holder is not a
broker-dealer, or is a broker-dealer but will not receive New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes, neither the holder nor any such other person
is engaged in or intends to participate in the distribution of such New Notes
and (iv) neither the holder nor any such other person is an "affiliate" of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act or, if such
holder is an "affiliate," that such holder will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
If the tendering holder is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its
own account in exchange for Old Notes, it will acknowledge that it acquired such
Old Notes as the result of market making activities or other trading activities
and it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
     Following the completion of the Exchange Offer, none of the Notes will be
entitled to the contingent increase in interest rate provided pursuant to the
Indenture and the Old Notes. Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer,
holders of Notes will not have any further registration rights, and the Old
Notes will continue to be subject to certain restrictions on transfer. See
"-- Consequences of Failure to Exchange." Accordingly, the liquidity of the
market for the Old Notes could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors --
Consequences of the Exchange Offer on Non-Tendering Holders of the Old Notes."
 
     Participation in the Exchange Offer is voluntary and holders should
carefully consider whether to accept. Holders of the Old Notes are urged to
consult their financial and tax advisors in making their own decisions on
whether to participate in the Exchange Offer.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     General.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Prospectus and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will accept any and all
Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. New Notes will be issued in exchange for an equal
principal amount of outstanding Old Notes accepted in the Exchange Offer. Old
Notes may be tendered only in multiples of $1,000.
 
     The form and terms of the New Notes will be identical in all material
respects to the form and terms of the Old Notes except that (i) the New Notes
will be registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear
legends restricting the transfer thereof, (ii) holders of the New Notes will not
be entitled to certain rights of holders of Old Notes under the Registration
Rights Agreement, and (iii) the New Notes will not be entitled to the contingent
increase in interest rate provided pursuant to the Indenture and the Old Notes.
The New Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes and will be entitled
to the benefits of the Indenture. The New Notes will be treated as a single
class under the Indenture with any Old Notes that remain outstanding. The
Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of
Old Notes being tendered for exchange.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   29
 
     As of the date hereof, U.S. $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes was outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of Transmittal,
is being sent to registered holders of the Old Notes.
 
     The Company intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement and the applicable requirements
of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Old Notes that are not tendered for exchange in the Exchange Offer will remain
outstanding and interest thereon will continue to accrue, but such Old Notes
will not be entitled to any rights or benefits under the Registration Rights
Agreement.
 
     The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes
when, as and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
for the purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Company. If any tendered
Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender, the
occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise, certificates
for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned, without expense, to the
tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
 
     Holders who tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer will not be required to
pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the Letter
of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses,
other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the
Exchange Offer. See "-- Fees and Expenses."
 
   
     Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments.  The term "Expiration Date" shall
mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 14, 1997, unless the Company, in
its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the term
"Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange
Offer is extended. Although the Company has no current intention to extend the
Exchange Offer, the Company reserves the right to extend the Exchange Offer at
any time and from time to time by giving oral or written notice to the Exchange
Agent and by timely public announcement communicated, unless otherwise required
by applicable law or regulation, by making a release to PR Newswire. During any
extension of the Exchange Offer, all Old Notes previously tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and not withdrawn will remain subject to the Exchange Offer.
The date of the exchange of the New Notes for Old Notes will be the first
business day following the Expiration Date.
    
 
     The Company reserves the right, in its discretion, (i) to delay accepting
any Old Notes, to extend the Exchange Offer or to terminate the Exchange Offer
if any of the conditions set forth below under "-- Conditions of the Exchange
Offer" shall not have been satisfied in the good faith determination of the
Company, by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or
termination to the Exchange Agent and (ii) to amend the terms of the Exchange
Offer in any manner. Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or
amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice
thereof to the registered holders. If the Exchange Offer is amended in any
manner determined by the Company to constitute a material change, the Company
will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that
will be distributed to the registered holders, and the Company will extend the
Exchange Offer for a period of time, depending upon the significance of the
amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, if the
Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during such period.
 
     In all cases, issuance of the New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent, of properly completed and duly executed Letters of
Transmittal and all other required documents; provided, however, that the
Company reserves the absolute right to waive any conditions of the Exchange
Offer or defects or irregularities in the tender of Old Notes. If any tendered
Old Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions
of the Exchange Offer such unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes or substitute
Old Notes evidencing the unaccepted portion, as appropriate, will be returned
without expense to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the Letter
of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination
of the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   30
 
     Interest on the New Notes.  Holders of Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange will not receive accrued interest thereon at the time of exchange.
However, each New Note will bear interest from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid on the Old Notes or New Notes, or, if no interest has
been paid on the Old Notes or New Notes, from August 12, 1997.
 
     Procedures for Tendering Old Notes.  The tender to the Company of Old Notes
by a holder thereof pursuant to one of the procedures set forth below will
constitute an agreement between such holder and the Company in accordance with
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of
Transmittal. A holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes by (i) properly
completing and signing a Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof (all
references in this Prospectus to a Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to
include a facsimile thereof) and delivering the same together with any
corresponding certificate or certificates representing the Old Notes being
tendered (if in certificated form) and any required signature guarantees, to the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth in such Letter of Transmittal on or
prior to the Expiration Date (or complying with the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below) or (ii) complying with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
 
     If tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of the signer of the
Letter of Transmittal and the New Notes to be issued in exchange therefor are to
be issued (and any untendered Old Notes are to be reissued) in the name of the
registered holder (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include
any participant in DTC (also referred to as a book-entry facility) whose name
appears on a security listing as the owner of Old Notes), the signature of such
signer need not be guaranteed. In any other case, the tendered Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by written instruments of transfer in form satisfactory
to the Company and duly executed by the registered holder and the signature on
the endorsement or instrument of transfer must be guaranteed by a member firm of
a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" as
defined by Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (any of the foregoing hereinafter
referred to as an "Eligible Institution"). If the New Notes or Old Notes not
exchanged are to be delivered to an address other than that of the registered
holder appearing on the Notes register for the Old Notes, the signature in the
Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF
THE HOLDER AND WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL
PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT
TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS,
COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS
FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
 
     The Company understands that the Exchange Agent will make a request
promptly after the date of this Prospectus to establish an account with respect
to the Old Notes at DTC for the purpose of facilitating the Exchange Offer, and
subject to the establishment thereof, any financial institution that is a
participant in DTC's system may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing
DTC to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account with respect to
the Old Notes in accordance with DTC's procedure for such transfer. Although
delivery of the Old Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC, an appropriate Letter of Transmittal with any
required signature guarantee and all other required documents must in each case
be transmitted to and received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent at the address
set forth in the Letter of Transmittal on or prior to the Expiration Date, or,
if the guaranteed delivery procedures described below are complied with, within
the time period provided under such procedures.
 
     A tender will be deemed to have been received as of the date when (i) the
tendering holder's properly completed and duly signed Letter of Transmittal
accompanied by the Old Notes (or a confirmation of book-
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   31
 
entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC) is
received by the Exchange Agent or (ii) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or
letter, telegram or facsimile transmission to similar effect (as provided below)
from an Eligible Institution is received by the Exchange Agent. Issuances of New
Notes in exchange for Old Notes tendered pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery or letter, telegram or facsimile transmission to similar effect (as
provided below) by an Eligible Institution will be made only against submission
of a duly signed Letter of Transmittal (and any other required documents) and
deposit of the tendered Old Notes.
 
     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Notes will be
determined by the Company, whose determination will be final and binding. The
Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders not in proper
form or the acceptance for exchange of which may, in the opinion of the
Company's counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to
waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer or any defect or irregularity
in the tender of any Old Notes. None of the Company, the Exchange Agent or any
other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not validly
tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or
waived, or if Old Notes are submitted in principal amount greater than the
principal amount of Old Notes being tendered by such tendering holder, such
unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes will be returned by the Exchange Agent to
the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal as
soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
     In addition, the Company reserves the right in its own discretion (a) to
purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to
the Expiration Date and (b) to the extent permitted by applicable law, to
purchase Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers will differ from the terms
of the Exchange Offer.
 
     Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.  If the holder desires to accept an
Exchange Offer and time will not permit a Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes to
reach the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date or the procedure for
book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may be
effected if the Exchange Agent has received at its office, on or prior to the
Expiration Date, a letter, telegram or facsimile transmission from an Eligible
Institution setting forth the name and address of the tendering holder, the
name(s) in which the Old Notes are registered and the certificate number(s) of
the Old Notes to be tendered, and stating that the tender is being made thereby
and guaranteeing that, within three business days after the date of execution of
such letter, telegram or facsimile transmission by the Eligible Institution,
such Old Notes, in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry
transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC), will be
delivered by such Eligible Institution together with a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal (and any other required documents). Unless
Old Notes being tendered by the above-described method are deposited with the
Exchange Agent within the time period set forth (accompanied or preceded by a
properly completed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents), the
Company may, at its option, reject the tender. Copies of a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery which may be used by Eligible Institutions for the purposes described
in this paragraph are available from the Exchange Agent.
 
     Terms and Conditions of the Letter of Transmittal.  The Letter of
Transmittal contains, among other things, the following terms and conditions,
which are part of the Exchange Offer.
 
     The party tendering Old Notes for exchange (the "Transferor") exchanges,
assigns and transfers the Old Notes to the Company and irrevocably constitutes
and appoints the Exchange Agent as the Transferor's agent and attorney-in-fact
to cause the Old Notes to be assigned, transferred and exchanged. The Transferor
represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to tender,
exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes and to acquire New Notes issuable
upon the exchange of such tendered Old Notes, and that, when the same are
accepted for exchange, the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title to
the tendered Old Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and
encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim. The Transferor also warrants
that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed
by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete
the exchange, assignment
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   32
 
and transfer of tendered Old Notes or to transfer ownership of such Old Notes on
the account books maintained by DTC. All authority conferred by the Transferor
will survive the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of the Transferor and every
obligation of the Transferor shall be binding upon the heirs, personal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in
bankruptcy and other legal representatives of such Transferor.
 
     By executing a Letter of Transmittal, each holder will make to the Company
the representations set forth above under the heading "-- Purpose and Effect of
the Exchange Offer."
 
     Withdrawal of Tenders of Old Notes.  Except as otherwise provided herein,
tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
     To withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of
the person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"),
(ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or
numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes), (iii) contain a statement that
such holder is withdrawing its election to have such Old Notes exchanged, (iv)
be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the
Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered (including any
required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer
sufficient to have the Trustee with respect to the Old Notes register the
transfer of such Old Notes in the name of the person withdrawing the tender and
(v) specify the name in which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if
different from that of the Depositor. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant
to the procedure for book-entry transfer facility, any notice of withdrawal must
specify the name and number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility.
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company, whose determination
shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be
deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and
no New Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Old Notes so
withdrawn are validly retendered. Any Old Notes which have been tendered but
which are not accepted for exchange will be returned to the holder thereof
without cost to such holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection
of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may
be retendered by following one of the procedures described above under
"-- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" at any time prior to the Expiration
Date.
 
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     Notwithstanding any other terms of the Exchange Offer, or any extension of
the Exchange Offer, the Company shall not be required to accept for exchange, or
exchange New Notes for, any Old Notes, and may terminate the Exchange Offer as
provided herein before the acceptance of such Old Notes, if:
 
          (a) any statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted, or any
     action shall have been taken by any court or governmental authority which,
     in the reasonable judgment of the Company would prohibit, restrict or
     otherwise render illegal consummation of the Exchange Offer; or
 
          (b) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in
     the business or financial affairs of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     has occurred which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, might
     materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange
     Offer or materially impair the contemplated benefits of the Exchange Offer
     to the Company; or
 
          (c) any stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect to
     the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a part or
     qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
     amended. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the
     issuance of any such order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the
     withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment; or
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   33
 
          (d) there shall occur a change in the current interpretations by the
     staff of the Commission which, in the Company's reasonable judgment, might
     materially impair the Company's ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer;
     or
 
          (e) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court
     or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer
     which, in the Company's sole judgment, might materially impair the ability
     of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or
 
          (f) any governmental approval or approval by the holders of the Old
     Notes has not been obtained, which approval the Company shall, in its sole
     discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer as
     contemplated hereby.
 
     If the Company makes a good faith determination that any of the above
conditions are not satisfied, the Company may (i) refuse to accept any Old Notes
and return all tendered Old Notes to the tendering holders, (ii) extend the
Exchange Offer and retain all Old Notes tendered prior to the Expiration Date,
subject, however, to the right of holders to withdraw such Old Notes (see
"-- Terms of the Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders of Old Notes") or (iii)
waive such unsatisfied conditions with respect to Exchange Offer and accept all
validly tendered Old Notes which have not been withdrawn. If such waiver
constitutes a material change to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly
disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be
distributed to the registered holders, and the Company will extend the Exchange
Offer for a period of time, depending upon the significance of the waiver and
the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, if the Exchange Offer would
otherwise expire during such period.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     The Bank of New York has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange
Offer. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of
this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and requests for the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as
follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
        By Hand or Overnight Courier:                 By Registered or Certified Mail:
            The Bank of New York                            The Bank of New York
             101 Barclay Street                             101 Barclay Street-7E
       Corporate Trust Services Window                       New York, NY 10286
                Ground Level                               Attention: Odell Romeo
             New York, NY 10286                            Reorganization Section
              Attn: Odell Romeo
 
                            Facsimile Transmission:
                                 (212) 815-6339
                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                 (212) 815-6337
           For information with respect to the Exchange Offer, call:
                       Odell Romeo of the Exchange Agent
                               at (212) 815-6337
</TABLE>
    

FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     The expenses of soliciting tenders will be borne by the Company. The
principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation
may be made by telecopy, telephone or in person by officers and regular
employees of the Company and its affiliates. No additional compensation will be
paid to any such officers and employees who engage in soliciting tenders.
 
     The Company has not retained any dealer-manager or other soliciting agent
in connection with the Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers,
dealers or others soliciting acceptance of the Exchange Offer. The Company,
however, will pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its
services and will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in
connection therewith. The Company
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   34
 
may also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this
Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and related documents to the beneficial
owners of the Old Notes and in handling or forwarding tenders for exchange.
 
     The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will be
paid by the Company. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the Exchange
Agent and transfer agent and registrar, accounting and legal fees and printing
costs, among others.
 
     The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If however, New Notes, or Old
Notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange, are to be
delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered holder of the Old Notes tendered or if a transfer tax is imposed for
any reason other than the exchange of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
     The Old Notes that are not exchanged for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will remain restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act. Accordingly, such Old Notes may be resold only (i) to the
Company or any subsidiary thereof, (ii) inside the United States to a qualified
institutional buyer in compliance with Rule 144A, (iii) inside the United States
to an institutional accredited investor as set forth in the Indenture, (iv)
outside the United States in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act,
(v) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the
Securities Act (if available) or (vi) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act. The liquidity of the Old Notes could be
adversely affected by the Exchange Offer. Following the consummation of the
Exchange Offer, holders of the Old Notes will have no further registration
rights under the Registration Rights Agreement and will not be entitled to the
contingent increase in the interest rate provided for in the Indenture and the
Old Notes.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
     The New Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Old Notes,
as reflected in the Company's accounting records on the date of the exchange.
Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized by the
Company. The costs of the Exchange Offer and the unamortized expenses related to
the issuance of the Old Notes will be amortized over the term of the Notes.
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes in the Exchange Offer should not be
a taxable exchange for federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, a holder
should not recognize any taxable gain or loss as a result of such exchange.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   35
 
                         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     Set forth below is certain unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries based on historical
information that has been adjusted to reflect significant acquisitions and
divestitures that have occurred during the respective periods and the
Transactions. The income statement data give effect to the following
transactions at the beginning of each period presented: (i) the sale of the
Rolodex Business; (ii) the Company's purchase of 2,805,194 Shares from Water
Street and 51,948 Shares from Mr. Smialek at a price of $38.50 per Share; (iii)
the Company's purchase of 2,857,142 Shares at a price of $38.50 per Share
pursuant to the Tender Offer; (iv) the closing of New Credit Facility (including
advances to refinance in full the Old Credit Facility); and (v) the issuance and
sale of $150 million aggregate principal amount of Notes. In addition, the
income statement data for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the six months
ended June 30, 1996 have been adjusted to reflect (i) the divestiture of Rolodex
Electronics, (ii) the divestiture of Curtis and (iii) the acquisition of the
Lingemann Business, as if all had occurred at the beginning of the periods
presented. These divestitures and the acquisition actually occurred in the third
and fourth quarters of 1996. The balance sheet data give effect to the
aforementioned transactions as if all had occurred as of the respective balance
sheet dates (except that any acquisitions or divestitures which occurred prior
to the date of the respective balance sheet are included in the respective
balance sheet data as of the date of the actual sale or purchase). The
nonrecurring transactions directly related to the aforementioned transactions
are excluded from the pro forma consolidated statements of income. The summary
pro forma consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the
accompanying notes thereto and the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth
herein. The unaudited summary pro forma consolidated financial data are based on
certain assumptions and estimates, and therefore do not purport to be indicative
of the results that would actually have been obtained had the transactions been
completed as of such dates or indicative of future results of operations and
financial position.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   36
 
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND RATIO DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ACQUISITION AND
                                        HISTORICAL   DIVESTITURES(1)   SUBTOTAL   TRANSACTIONS(2)   PRO FORMA
                                        ----------   ---------------   --------   ---------------   ---------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>               <C>        <C>               <C>
Net sales.............................   $ 287,012       (10,797)       276,215                      276,215
Cost of goods sold....................     195,436        (5,483)       189,953                      189,953
Depreciation and amortization.........       9,798          (194)         9,604                        9,604
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses............................      50,811        (2,954)        47,857                       47,857
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Operating income.................      30,967        (2,166)        28,801                       28,801
Interest expense, net.................      (5,684)          955         (4,729)       (9,923)       (14,652)
Equity in net income of Thermalex.....       1,547                        1,547                        1,547
Other income, net.....................          69            (1)            68                           68
Gain on sale of Rolodex...............      95,001       (95,001)
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Income before income taxes.......     121,900       (96,213)        25,687        (9,923)        15,764
Income tax expense....................     (47,374)       37,680         (9,694)        3,820         (5,874)
     Effective income tax rate(3).....        38.9%                                                     37.3%
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Net income.......................   $  74,526       (58,533)        15,993        (6,103)         9,890
                                          ========       =======        =======        ======        =======
Net income per common share and common
  share equivalent....................   $    7.55                         1.62                         2.38
                                          ========                      =======                      =======
Weighted average number of common
  shares and common share
  equivalents.........................       9,875                        9,875        (5,714)         4,161
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(4)..........................       15.32x                                                     2.00x
</TABLE>
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   37
 
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND RATIO DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ACQUISITION AND
                                        HISTORICAL   DIVESTITURES(1)   SUBTOTAL   TRANSACTIONS(2)   PRO FORMA
                                        ----------   ---------------   --------   ---------------   ---------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>               <C>        <C>               <C>
Net sales.............................   $ 300,497       (31,043)       269,454                      269,454
Cost of goods sold....................     202,752       (15,371)       187,381                      187,381
Depreciation and amortization.........       8,087           712          8,799                        8,799
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses............................      56,773       (10,280)        46,493                       46,493
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Operating income.................      32,885        (6,104)        26,781                       26,781
Interest expense, net.................      (8,940)        2,498         (6,442)       (9,908)       (16,350)
Equity in net income of Thermalex.....       1,363                        1,363                        1,363
Other income, net.....................       1,741            16          1,757                        1,757
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Income before income taxes.......      27,049        (3,590)        23,459        (9,908)        13,551
Income tax expense....................      (9,098)          676         (8,422)        3,815         (4,607)
     Effective income tax rate(3).....        33.6%                                                     34.0%
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Net income.......................   $  17,951        (2,914)        15,037        (6,093)         8,944
                                          ========       =======        =======        ======        =======
Net income per common share and common
  share equivalents...................   $    1.81                         1.52                         2.13
                                          ========                      =======                      =======
Weighted average number of common
  shares and common share
  equivalents.........................       9,909                        9,909        (5,714)         4,195
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(4)..........................        3.63x                                                     1.76x
</TABLE>
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   38
 
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND RATIO DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ACQUISITION AND
                                        HISTORICAL   DIVESTITURES(1)   SUBTOTAL   TRANSACTIONS(2)   PRO FORMA
                                        ----------   ---------------   --------   ---------------   ---------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>               <C>        <C>               <C>
Net sales.............................   $ 572,474       (65,334)       507,140                      507,140
Cost of goods sold....................     389,893       (32,187)       357,706                      357,706
Depreciation and amortization.........      16,831           308         17,139                       17,139
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses............................     106,649       (21,048)        85,601                       85,601
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Operating income.................      59,101       (12,407)        46,694                       46,694
Interest expense, net.................     (17,376)        5,632        (11,744)      (19,748)       (31,492)
Equity in net income of Thermalex.....       2,922                        2,922                        2,922
Other income, net.....................       7,216        (2,432)         4,784                        4,784
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Income before income taxes.......      51,863        (9,207)        42,656       (19,748)        22,908
Income tax expense....................     (12,810)       (1,689)       (14,499)        7,603         (6,896)
     Effective income tax rate(3).....        24.7%                                                     30.1%
                                          --------       -------        -------        ------        -------
     Net income.......................   $  39,053       (10,896)        28,157       (12,145)        16,012
                                          ========       =======        =======        ======        =======
Net income per common share and common
  share equivalents...................   $    3.95                         2.85                         3.83
                                          ========                      =======                      =======
Weighted average number of common
  shares and common share
  equivalents.........................       9,892                        9,892        (5,714)         4,178
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(4)..........................        3.55x                                                     1.67x
</TABLE>
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   39
 
            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         ASSETS                           HISTORICAL     TRANSACTIONS(5)     PRO FORMA
                                                          ----------     ---------------     ---------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>                 <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.............................   $ 111,200         (110,000)           1,200
  Trade receivables, net................................      90,920                            90,920
  Other receivables.....................................       7,276                             7,276
  Inventories...........................................      57,681                            57,681
  Deferred tax asset....................................       2,174                             2,174
  Prepaid expenses......................................       6,616                             6,616
                                                            --------         --------         --------
          Total current assets..........................     275,867         (110,000)         165,867
Property, plant and equipment, net......................     110,397                           110,397
Deferred tax asset......................................       4,950                             4,950
Goodwill................................................      13,678                            13,678
Other assets............................................      18,319            8,349(6)        26,668
                                                            --------         --------         --------
          Total assets..................................   $ 423,211         (101,651)         321,560
                                                            ========         ========         ========
LIABILITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt.....................   $  24,708          (24,000)             708
  Current portion of long-term liabilities..............       5,608                             5,608
  Accounts payable......................................      34,831                            34,831
  Accrued income taxes..................................      11,823           (1,213)          10,610
  Accrued expenses and other............................      53,927                            53,927
                                                            --------         --------         --------
          Total current liabilities.....................     130,897          (25,213)         105,684
Long-term debt..........................................     145,112          146,000          291,112
Other long-term liabilities.............................      38,740                            38,740
Stockholders' equity (deficit)..........................     108,462         (222,438)        (113,976)
                                                            --------         --------         --------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
            (deficit)...................................   $ 423,211         (101,651)         321,560
                                                            ========         ========         ========
Book value per share....................................   $   11.21                            (28.79)
                                                            ========                          ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   40
 
            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SALE OF THE
                                                         ROLODEX
                                          HISTORICAL   BUSINESS(7)   SUBTOTAL   TRANSACTIONS(5)    PRO FORMA
                                          ----------   -----------   --------   --------------     ---------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>                <C>
                 ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.............   $   3,481     112,610      116,091      (110,000)           6,091
  Trade receivables, net................      73,874      (8,481)      65,393                         65,393
  Other receivables.....................       8,499        (325)       8,174                          8,174
  Inventories...........................      66,385      (8,460)      57,925                         57,925
  Deferred tax asset....................      29,859     (28,652)       1,207                          1,207
  Prepaid expenses......................       7,010      (1,095)       5,915                          5,915
                                            --------     -------      -------      --------          -------
          Total current assets..........     189,108      65,597      254,705      (110,000)         144,705
Property, plant and equipment, net......     114,379      (3,944)     110,435                        110,435
Deferred tax asset......................       7,542                    7,542                          7,542
Goodwill................................      13,659                   13,659                         13,659
Other assets............................      27,312      (4,990)      22,322         7,993(6)        30,315
                                            --------     -------      -------      --------          -------
          Total assets..................   $ 352,000      56,663      408,663      (102,007)         306,656
                                            ========     =======      =======      ========          =======
     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
            EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt.....   $  24,272                   24,272       (23,250)           1,022
  Current portion of long-term
     liabilities........................       6,661                    6,661                          6,661
  Accounts payable......................      37,984      (4,797)      33,187                         33,187
  Accrued income taxes..................       3,596       9,400       12,996        (1,350)          11,646
  Accrued expenses and other............      68,639      (7,033)      61,606                         61,606
                                            --------     -------      -------      --------          -------
          Total current liabilities.....     141,152      (2,430)     138,722       (24,600)         114,122
Long-term debt..........................     136,770                  136,770       145,250          282,020
Other long-term liabilities.............      40,676                   40,676                         40,676
Stockholders' equity (deficit)..........      33,402      59,093       92,495      (222,657)        (130,162)
                                            --------     -------      -------      --------          -------
          Total liabilities and
            stockholders' equity
            (deficit)...................   $ 352,000      56,663      408,663      (102,007)         306,656
                                            ========     =======      =======      ========          =======
Book value per share....................   $    3.52                                                   34.49
                                            ========                                                 =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   41
 
THE NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION FOLLOW:
- ---------------
(1) To record the effect on sales, costs and expenses assuming that the
    divestiture of the Office Products Business and the acquisition of the
    Lingemann Business had occurred as of the beginning of the period presented.
    Proceeds from the sale of the Rolodex Business were assumed to have been
    held in short term investments from the beginning of the period. Proceeds
    from the sales of Rolodex Electronics and Curtis were assumed to have been
    applied to reduce the Company's outstanding debt at the beginning of the
    period, reducing interest expense and the related income tax expense
    (benefit). The acquisition of the Lingemann Business was assumed to have
    occurred and to have been funded through borrowings under the Old Credit
    Facility as of the beginning of the period presented.
 
(2) To record the effect on interest expense and the related income tax effect
    of (i) the purchase of 2,805,194 Shares from Water Street and 51,948 Shares
    from Mr. Smialek at $38.50 per Share in cash for an aggregate purchase price
    of $109,999,967, (ii) the entering into of the New Credit Facility and the
    issuance and sale of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old
    Notes, and (iii) the purchase of 2,857,142 Shares at $38.50 per Share in
    cash for an aggregate purchase price of $109,999,967 pursuant to the Tender
    Offer, as if the aforementioned transactions had occurred at the beginning
    of the periods presented. Interest income which was assumed to have been
    earned on the proceeds from the sale of the Office Products Business was
    reversed as part of this adjustment.
 
(3) The 1996 full year pro forma effective income tax rate is lower than the
    1997 pro forma effective income tax rate primarily due to the establishment
    of previously unrecognized tax assets in the fourth quarter of 1996.
 
(4) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing pre-tax
    income before fixed charges by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of
    interest expense and the interest component of operating leases. The
    Company's historical earnings before fixed charges for the six months ended
    June 30, 1997 includes a $95,001,000 pre-tax gain on the sale of the Rolodex
    Business.
 
(5) To record as of the date of the balance sheet presented (i) the purchase of
    2,805,194 Shares from Water Street and 51,948 Shares from Mr. Smialek at
    $38.50 per Share in cash for an aggregate purchase price of $109,999,967,
    (ii) the entering into of the New Credit Facility and the issuance and sale
    of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, and (iii) the
    purchase of 2,857,142 Shares at $38.50 per Share in cash for an aggregate
    purchase price of $109,999,967 pursuant to the Tender Offer.
 
(6) To write off debt issue costs ($1,507,000 at December 31, 1996 and
    $1,151,000 at June 30, 1997) related to the Old Credit Facility and to
    record $9,500,000 in debt issue costs related to the New Credit Facility and
    the Old Notes.
 
(7) To record the sale of the Rolodex Business as if the sale had occurred as of
    the date of the balance sheet presented.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   42
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The selected consolidated financial data presented below as of the end of
each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1996 are derived
from, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company's related Consolidated
Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere herein, which
Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants. The Consolidated Financial Statements
as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, and the report thereon, which is based partially
upon the report of other auditors, are included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
The selected data presented below for the six-month periods ended June 30, 1997
and 1996, and as of June 30, 1997 and 1996 are derived from the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in the
Prospectus. This selected consolidated financial data should also be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations."
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   43
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       PREDECESSOR
                                   --------------------
                                                        1993                                                  SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                               ----------------------                                             JUNE 30,
                                                  TO          FROM                                          ---------------------
                                     1992        3/31          4/1        1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                                   ---------   --------     ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
OPERATIONS DATA(1)
  Sales (net)(2).................  $ 481,637    105,862       411,040     543,630     561,203     572,474     300,497     287,012
  Depreciation and
    amortization.................     18,400      4,453        10,144      13,570      14,758      16,831       8,087       9,798
  Amortization of Reorganization
    Goodwill.....................         --         --        54,507      69,217      32,172          --          --          --
  Operating income (loss)(3).....     37,814      7,256       (21,488)     (9,699)     24,617      59,101      32,885      30,967
  Other income (expense):
    Interest expense(4)..........    (31,495)    (9,609)      (26,905)    (29,113)    (19,546)    (18,386)     (9,400)     (7,762)
    Interest income..............      1,233        351         1,710       1,842       1,577       1,010         460       2,078
    Other income (expense),
      net(5).....................        399        (40)          167       2,663      12,126      10,138       3,104      96,617
  Income (loss) from continuing
    operations before
    reorganization items,
    extraordinary items and
    income taxes.................      7,951     (2,042)      (46,516)    (34,307)     18,774      51,863      27,049     121,900
  Reorganization items (net).....    (22,407)    21,767            --          --          --          --          --          --
  Income tax expense.............     (3,117)      (873)       (1,134)     (8,585)    (16,199)    (12,810)     (9,098)    (47,374)
                                   ---------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Income (loss) from continuing
    operations before
    extraordinary items..........    (17,573)    18,852       (47,650)    (42,892)      2,575      39,053      17,951      74,526
  Income (loss) from discontinued
    operations, net of tax.......    (13,712)   (18,241)        1,041      12,914          --          --          --          --
                                   ---------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Income (loss) before
    extraordinary items..........    (31,285)       611       (46,609)    (29,978)      2,575      39,053      17,951      74,526
  Extraordinary items, net of
    tax..........................         --    448,334            --      (2,156)         --          --          --          --
                                   ---------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
  Net income (loss)..............  $ (31,285)   448,945       (46,609)    (32,134)      2,575      39,053      17,951      74,526
                                   =========   ========      ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END
  Working capital................  $ 136,077     94,589        97,718      33,915      44,920      47,956      71,156     144,970
  Total assets...................    547,748    562,011       517,738     368,669     340,129     352,000     345,644     423,211
  Long-term debt.................    311,946    306,682       307,406     198,109     186,489     161,042     193,381     169,820
  Other long-term liabilities....        631     64,896        65,016      59,117      53,612      47,337      50,660      44,348
  Liabilities subject to
    compromise...................    608,987         --            --          --          --          --          --          --
  Stockholders' equity
    (deficit)....................   (462,227)    64,214        18,505     (13,451)    (15,779)     33,402       2,291     108,462
CASH FLOW DATA
  Net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities.........  $  (1,684)   (16,361)       52,524      34,305      37,744      55,423      10,333      (5,159)
  Net cash provided by (used in)
    investing activities.........    (18,480)     2,668       (14,146)     36,295     (14,678)    (29,783)    (12,337)    105,334
  Net cash provided by (used in)
    financing activities.........      2,903     (9,109)       (6,774)   (115,648)    (21,862)    (32,053)      3,018       7,772
PER SHARE DATA
  Income (loss) per share from
    continuing operations(6).....         NA         NA         (4.93)      (4.42)       0.25        3.95        1.81        7.55
  Book value per share...........         NA         NA          1.89       (1.37)      (1.64)       3.52        0.24       11.21
RATIO DATA
  Ratio of earnings to fixed
    charges......................       0.55x      2.97x        (0.68)x     (0.13)x     (1.85)x      3.55x       3.63x      15.32x
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to the Selected Consolidated Financial Data.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   44
 
THE NOTES TO THE SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA FOLLOW:
- ---------------
(1) For financial reporting purposes, March 31, 1993 is the effective date of
    the Plan of Reorganization. As of that date, in accordance with Statement of
    Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the
    Bankruptcy Code" (the "Reorganization SOP"), issued by the American
    Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Company adopted "fresh start"
    accounting as described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
    As a result, financial information for all periods prior to March 31, 1993
    (referred to as "Predecessor") is not comparable to information for
    subsequent periods.
 
(2) Sales include the sales of the Office Products Business (which was divested
    in two separate transactions in 1996 and one final transaction in the first
    quarter of 1997) as follows: 1992, $111.0 million; 1993, $104.8 million;
    1994, $105.2 million; 1995, $111.7 million; 1996, $80.1 million; the six
    months ended June 30, 1996, $45.8 million; and the six months ended June 30,
    1997, $10.8 million.
 
    Sales in 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997 include sales of
    $13.2 million and $15.3 million, respectively, of the Lingemann Business.
 
    See description of Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
    Information on page 31 for further information regarding acquisitions and
    divestitures.
 
(3) Operating income for the Office Products Business, before the allocation of
    corporate overhead, is included in the consolidated results as follows:
    1992, $14.9 million; 1993, $12.4 million; 1994, $15.2 million; 1995, $1.7
    million; 1996, $10.7 million; the six months ended June 30, 1996, $4.4
    million; and the six months ended June 30, 1997, $2.2 million.
 
    Operating income in 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997 includes
    operating income, before allocation of corporate overhead, of $0.1 million
    and $0.3 million, respectively, of the Lingemann Business.
 
    Operating income includes the deduction for the amortization of
    Reorganization Goodwill in the period from April 1, 1993 and years ended
    December 31, 1994 and 1995.
 
    Operating income in 1995 includes a nonrecurring charge of $6.2 million
    relating to the Office Products Business (see Note 15 to the Consolidated
    Financial Statements) and a gain of $4.3 million related to a change in the
    Company's pension plan (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial
    Statements).
 
(4) Excluding $19.8 million and $79.3 million of contractual interest not
    accrued on unsecured debt during the Chapter 11 proceedings in the three
    months ended March 31, 1993 and the year ended December 31, 1992,
    respectively.
 
(5) Other income for 1994 included a $1.2 million gain related to the collection
    of notes receivable in excess of their financial statement carrying amount.
    Other income in 1995 included favorable adjustments of $3.6 million related
    to the Company's environmental liabilities, $1.5 million related to the
    resolution of several legal disputes and $4.0 million gain on the sale of
    idle corporate assets. Other income in 1996 included a fourth quarter $3.1
    million gain on the sale of Rolodex Electronics and a third quarter $2.2
    million adjustment related to the satisfaction of certain of the Company's
    environmental liabilities, following completion of a site clean-up, for an
    amount less than previously estimated. Other income in the six months ended
    June 30, 1997 includes a $95.0 million gain on the sale of the Rolodex
    Business.
 
(6) Earnings per Share information for the Predecessor is not presented because
    the Predecessor was closely held and the revision of the Company's capital
    structure pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization makes such information not
    meaningful.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   45
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of
important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements contained herein. See also "Disclosure Regarding
Forward Looking Statements."
 
                                    OVERVIEW
 
     Insilco, directly and through its subsidiaries, is a diversified
manufacturer of automotive components and telecommunications and electronics
components and a publisher of specialty publishing products, chiefly student
yearbooks. The Company, with three reporting segments (the Automotive Components
Group, the Technologies Group, and Specialty Publishing), conducts its business
in eight separate operating units, including both divisions and subsidiaries.
Specialty Publishing was the Company's Office Products/Specialty Publishing
segment prior to the divestiture of the Rolodex Business in March, 1997.
 
     The Automotive Components Group is comprised of businesses that produce
radiators and other heat exchanger components, equipment and systems used in the
production of heat exchanges, heavy gauged stamped automotive parts
(principally, transmission clutch plates) and welded stainless steel tubing, and
a 50% owned joint venture, Thermalex, which produces precision extruded aluminum
tubing. The Automotive Components Group serves both original equipment
manufacturers and aftermarket customers in the automotive, specialty vehicle,
truck and off-road vehicle and industrial equipment markets and also serves the
marine and architectural markets with decorative stainless steel tubing. On July
10, 1996, the Company acquired the Lingemann Business.
 
     The Technologies Group manufactures high-performance data transmission
connectors, small electric power transformers, precision stampings, and wire and
cable assemblies. The Technologies Group serves the computer networking,
microwave relay, telephone digital switching, data processing, automotive,
medical equipment and other markets.
 
     Specialty Publishing consists of Taylor, a publisher of specialty
publishing products, chiefly elementary, middle school, high school and college
yearbooks.
 
"FRESH START" ACCOUNTING
 
     On March 31, 1993, the Company adopted the "fresh start" accounting
principles prescribed by Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting by
Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" (the "Reorganization
SOP"), issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The
"fresh start" accounting principles required the Company to value its assets and
liabilities at fair values and eliminate its accumulated deficit.
 
     "Fresh start" accounting was required because on April 1, 1993 the Company
and certain of its subsidiaries emerged under Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code (the "Chapter 11 cases") pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.
For financial reporting purposes, the effective date of the Plan of
Reorganization was March 31, 1993 (the "Plan Effective Date"). For periods prior
to the Plan Effective Date, the Company sometimes is referred to herein as the
"Predecessor." The Chapter 11 cases were commenced on January 13, 1991 (i.e.,
the "Petition Date"). See "Business and Properties -- Reorganization History."
 
     One effect of "fresh start" accounting on the Company's financial
statements was the negative impact on the reported operating income of each
business segment and the consolidated net income resulting from the noncash
amortization of the Reorganization Goodwill. Such amortization expense totaled
$32.2 million in 1995 and $69.2 million in 1994. At December 31, 1995,
Reorganization Goodwill was fully amortized.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   46
 
DIVESTED BUSINESS
 
     During the last half of 1996 and the first quarter of 1997 the Office
Products Business was divested in three separate transactions. The disposal of
this business is not accounted for as a discontinued operation. See "-- Results
of Operations."
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
     On August 1, 1994, the Company completed the sale of its paint products
segment for $50.8 million, and the segment is being accounted for as a
discontinued operation.
 
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Summarized sales and operating income (loss) by business segment for the
six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 and the years ended December 31, 1994,
1995 and 1996 are set forth in the following table and discussed below:
 
                        SELECTED SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA
 
     Operating information of each business segment follows (dollars in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               JUNE 30,
                                          --------------------------------     -------------------
                                            1994        1995        1996        1996        1997
                                          --------     -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
SALES
  Automotive Components Group...........  $173,079     180,251     209,722     101,480     116,266
  Technologies Group....................   164,909     170,615     183,663      92,181      97,961
  Specialty Publishing/Office Products
     Group:
     Specialty Publishing...............   100,446      98,640      99,020      61,058      61,988
     Office Products....................   105,196     111,697      80,069      45,778      10,797
                                          --------     -------     -------     -------     -------
          Total Specialty
            Publishing/Office
            Products....................   205,642     210,337     179,089     106,836      72,785
                                          --------     -------     -------     -------     -------
  Consolidated sales....................  $543,630     561,203     572,474     300,497     287,012
                                          ========     =======     =======     =======     =======
OPERATING INCOME(LOSS)(1)(2)
  Automotive Components Group...........  $ 14,941      20,407      23,915      12,278      12,600
  Technologies Group....................     7,386      20,310      24,453      13,403      11,371
  Specialty Publishing/Office Products
     Group:
     Specialty Publishing...............    (9,892)       (753)      1,650       3,657       5,114
     Office Products....................   (20,921)    (15,287)      9,167       3,589       1,926
                                          --------     -------     -------     -------     -------
          Total Specialty
            Publishing/Office
            Products....................   (30,813)    (16,040)     10,817       7,246       7,040
  Unallocated corporate overhead........    (1,213)        (60)        (84)        (42)        (44)
                                          --------     -------     -------     -------     -------
  Consolidated operating income
     (loss).............................  $ (9,699)     24,617      59,101      32,885      30,967
                                          ========     =======     =======     =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Segment operating income (loss) reflects the allocation of corporate
    overhead. Unallocated corporate overhead consists of overhead associated
    with discontinued operations. In 1995 corporate overhead was
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   47
 
reduced by a $4,300,000 gain relating to a change in the Company's pension plan
(see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The allocation of
corporate overhead follows (dollars in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30,
                                              --------------------------     -----------------
                                               1994      1995      1996      1996        1997
                                              ------     -----     -----     -----       -----
    <S>                                       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
    ALLOCATED CORPORATE OVERHEAD
      Automotive Components Group...........  $2,194     1,282     2,981     1,543       1,870
      Technologies Group....................   2,870     1,412     3,152     1,631       1,971
      Specialty Publishing/Office Products
         Group:
         Specialty Publishing...............   1,867       881     1,986     1,028         922
         Office Products....................   1,732     1,023     1,501       776         240
                                              ------     -----     -----     -----       -----
              Total Specialty
                Publishing/Office
                Products....................   3,599     1,904     3,487     1,804       1,162
      Unallocated corporate overhead........   1,213        60        84        --          --
                                              ------     -----     -----     -----       -----
      Corporate overhead....................  $9,876     4,658     9,704     4,978       5,003
                                              ======     =====     =====     =====       =====
</TABLE>
 
(2) Segment operating income (loss) includes a deduction for the amortization of
    Reorganization Goodwill by segment as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             JUNE 30,
                                         -----------------------------     -------------------
                                          1994        1995       1996       1996         1997
                                         -------     ------     ------     ------       ------
    <S>                                  <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
    ALLOCATED AMORTIZATION OF
      REORGANIZATION GOODWILL
      Automotive Components Group......  $ 7,313      3,404         --         --           --
      Technologies Group...............   15,419      7,176         --         --           --
      Specialty Publishing/Office
         Products Group:
         Specialty Publishing..........   12,081      5,625         --         --           --
         Office Products...............   34,404     15,967         --         --           --
                                         -------     -------    -------    -------      -------
              Total Specialty
              Publishing/Office
              Products.................   46,485     21,592         --         --           --
                                         -------     -------    -------    -------      -------
      Consolidated.....................  $69,217     32,172         --         --           --
                                         =======     =======    =======    =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
     Sales and Operating Income.  Total net sales decreased by approximately 4%
($13.5 million) in the first six months of 1997 compared to the corresponding
period of 1996 due to the divestiture of the Office Products Business in three
separate transactions completed in late 1996 and the first quarter of 1997.
Sales of the Office Products Business totaled $10.8 million in the first six
months of 1997 compared to $45.8 million in the first six months of 1996.
Excluding the Office Products Business, the Company's sales increased 8% ($21.5
million) in the first half of 1997 compared to the first half of 1996 due to 15%
($14.8 million) and 6% ($5.8 million) increases in sales by the Automotive
Components Group and Technologies Group, respectively. In addition, Specialty
Publishing's sales increased 2% ($0.9 million) in the first six months of 1997
over the corresponding period in 1996.
 
     The 15% increase in the Automotive Components Group's sales was due to an
increase in the sales of automotive heat exchangers and related components and
equipment, including sales of $15.3 million from the Lingemann Business which
was acquired in July 1996. Partially offsetting this growth was continued
weakness in the domestic automotive radiator aftermarket caused by the mild
spring weather. Steel Parts reported a 9% gain in sales of transmissions and
other stamped steel parts due to higher content per car of Steel Parts
transmission components and diversification of its product line.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   48
 
     The Technologies Group's sales increased 6% over the first six months of
1996 due to growth in all business units of the Group. Escod had 11% growth in
sales of wire and cable assemblies over the prior year period primarily due to
strong demand from one of its major customers, as well as continued expansion of
its customer base. Signal Transformer's sales for the first six months of 1997
increased 5% over the corresponding period of 1996 due to increased demand from
electronic OEMs. Stewart Stamping's sales of precision stampings increased 7%
over the first half of 1996. Stewart Connector's modular data interconnect
product sales were up slightly over the first six months of 1996.
 
     Taylor's sales increased 2% ($0.9 million) in the first six months of 1997
over the corresponding period of the prior year following the spring yearbook
season. (See "-- Seasonality.")
 
     The Company's operating income decreased to $31.0 million in the first half
of 1997 from $32.9 million in the first half of 1996 primarily due to operating
income included in 1996 results from the divested Office Products Business.
Operating income in the first six months of 1997 included $1.9 million from the
divested Office Products Business compared to $3.6 million in the first six
months of 1996. Excluding the divested Office Products Business, the Company's
operating income decreased 1% ($0.3 million) in the first six months of 1997
compared to the corresponding period of 1996 due to a decline in the
Technologies Group which was partially offset by increased operating income at
Taylor and the Automotive Components Group.
 
     The Automotive Components Group's operating income in the first six months
of 1997 compared to the corresponding period of 1996 increased from $12.3
million to $12.6 million. Increased operating income at the Company's stamped
steel parts and stainless steel tubing business units was largely offset by
decreased operating income from the weak domestic automotive radiator
aftermarket.
 
     The Technologies Group's operating income in the first six months of 1997
compared to the corresponding period of 1996 decreased from $13.4 million to
$11.4 million. Operating income was impacted by lower margins on power
transformers and competitive pricing pressures in the connector market,
partially offset by increased operating income at Escod.
 
     In Specialty Publishing, Taylor's operating income in the first six months
of 1997 improved to $5.1 million from $3.7 million in the corresponding period
of the prior year due to improved operating margins reflecting increased
productivity.
 
     Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense decreased 17% ($1.6 million) in
the first six months of 1997 compared to the first six months of 1996 due to
lower debt balances. Interest income increased $1.6 million in the first half of
1997 over the corresponding period of 1996 due to interest income earned on the
proceeds from the sale of the Rolodex Business. Other income for the first six
months of 1997 and 1996 included $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of
equity income from the Company's unconsolidated joint venture, Thermalex, which
manufactures extruded aluminum tubing primarily for automotive air conditioning
condensers. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the sale of the Rolodex
Business totaling $95.0 million in the first half of 1997. Other income for the
first half of 1997 decreased $1.7 million from the first half of 1996 due to the
resolution of several legal disputes dating to prior years and the favorable
resolution of stock reserved for bankruptcy claims.
 
     Income Tax Expense.  The Company's effective income tax rate increased from
33.6% at June 30, 1996 to 38.9% at June 30, 1997 primarily because of the
greater proportion of domestic source income resulting from the sale of the
Rolodex Business. The Company expects to substantially offset the cash taxes
resulting from the sale of the Rolodex Business by utilizing its usable tax loss
carryforwards.
 
1996 COMPARED TO 1995
 
     Sales.  Net sales in 1996 were $572.5 million, an increase of 2% over 1995
net sales of $561.2 million. The aggregate growth rate was adversely affected by
the divestitures of Rolodex Electronics and Curtis in the second half of 1996.
 
     Sales in the Automotive Components Group segment were $209.7 million, an
increase of 16% over 1995 sales of $180.3 million. The increased sales were
attributable to $20.5 million of sales from the 1996
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   49
 
acquisitions of the Lingemann Business and Great Lake, Inc. ("Great Lake") as
well as higher content per automobile of transmission clutch plates and higher
sales of aluminum heat exchangers and related products and equipment
manufactured by the segment's Thermal Components Group ("Thermal").
Approximately 29% of Thermal's sales are to the automotive OEM market. Steel
Parts achieved sales growth over 1995 due to higher parts content per
automobile, as automobile manufacturers have moved from three-speed to four-and
five-speed automatic transmissions. Steel Parts is primarily an OEM supplier of
transmission and other automotive components. The increased sales at Thermal and
Steel Parts were partially offset by a decline from the prior year at Romac
Metals ("Romac"), the Company's manufacturer of stainless steel tubing sold
principally in marine and distribution markets.
 
     Sales in the Technologies Group were $183.7 million, an increase of 8% over
1995 sales of $170.6 million. Sales of the wire and cable assembly business,
Escod, were up 23% over 1995, reflecting continued expansion of its customer
base and a rebound in orders from its largest telecommunications customer.
Stewart Connector, the Company's manufacturer of high-speed data transmission
connectors which serves the computer networking market, had an 8% increase in
sales over the prior year with 15% growth in the fourth quarter of the year,
primarily as a result of a new contract with a major telecommunications customer
for connector/cable assemblies. Foreign sales accounted for approximately 40%
and 43% of Stewart Connector's sales in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Sales at
the segment's Signal Transformer unit were flat compared to the prior year.
Sales of precision stampings at the segment's Stewart Stamping unit increased 5%
due to the underlying strength of the markets that it serves, including the
housing construction and automotive markets.
 
     Sales in the Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group were $179.1
million, a decrease of 15% from 1995 sales of $210.3 million, primarily due to
the divestitures of Rolodex Electronics in October 1996 and Curtis in September
1996. Excluding the effect of the divestitures, sales for the Group declined 2%
from the prior year as a result of lower sales of traditional office products.
Sales at Taylor were $99.0 million, relatively flat compared to prior year sales
of $98.6 million.
 
     Operating Income.  Operating income (loss) comparisons between 1996 and
1995 are more difficult to present than the sales comparisons because of the
effects of "fresh start" accounting on the results of operations. Due to the
effects of "fresh start" accounting, the Company's 1995 operating results were
depressed by a $32.2 million charge for the amortization of Reorganization
Goodwill. The consolidated reported operating income in 1996 improved to $59.1
million from $24.6 million in 1995. (See footnote 2 to the table on page 43 for
the effect of "fresh start" accounting on the reported operating income as well
as the comparability between the periods.)
 
     Excluding the effects of "fresh start" accounting, as described above, the
Company's operating performance increased $2.3 million or 4%. The increase is
primarily due to higher operating income in the Office Products Business. This
gain was partially offset by higher corporate overhead, decreased operating
margins in the Technologies Group and a $1.5 million restructuring charge
recorded by Taylor. The higher corporate overhead in 1996 is primarily due to a
$4.3 million gain recorded in 1995 related to a change in the Company's pension
plan which temporarily reduced corporate overhead. These items and other
operational year-to-year changes are discussed below in the analysis of each
segment's operating income.
 
     The Automotive Components Group operating income in 1996 compared to 1995
increased to $23.9 million from $20.4 million. The results in 1995 were
negatively affected by the amortization of Reorganization Goodwill totaling $3.4
million. Excluding amortization of Reorganization Goodwill, the segment's
operating performance was relatively flat compared to 1995, as the effect of
higher sales was offset by a $1.7 million increase in allocated corporate
overhead due to the 1995 pension gain noted above.
 
     The Technologies Group operating income in 1996 compared to 1995 increased
to $24.5 million from $20.3 million. The results in 1995 were negatively
affected by a $7.2 million amortization charge for Reorganization Goodwill.
Excluding the amortization of Reorganization Goodwill, the segment's operating
performance decreased $3.0 million in 1996 compared to 1995, an 11% decrease,
due to decreased operating margins and a $1.7 million increase in allocated
corporate overhead due to the 1995 pension gain noted above. The decreased
operating margins were caused principally by competitive price pressure in the
connector market and delayed introductions of new connector products.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   50
 
     The operating income of the Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group was
$10.8 million in 1996 compared to an operating loss of $16.0 million in 1995.
The results in 1995 were negatively affected by a $21.6 million charge for
amortization of Reorganization Goodwill. Excluding the amortization of
Reorganization Goodwill, the segment's operating performance increased $5.3
million in 1996 compared to 1995. The results in 1995, as compared to 1996, were
negatively affected by $10.1 million of charges recorded for potentially
uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory valuation, anticipated customer
returns and other charges. The improvement in operating earnings for 1996 was
partially offset by decreased operating income at the Rolodex division and
Taylor and an increase in allocated corporate overhead of $1.6 million due to
the pension gain recorded in 1995.
 
     In 1996, the operating income of the Specialty Publishing business, Taylor
improved to $1.7 million from an operating loss of $0.8 million in 1995 due
principally to the reduction in amortization of Reorganization Goodwill, which
totaled $5.6 million in 1995. Excluding the amortization of Reorganization
Goodwill, the unit's operating performance decreased $3.2 million in 1996
compared to 1995 due to a $1.5 million restructuring charge incurred in 1996
following Taylor's adoption of a restructuring plan to improve profitability, a
$1.1 million increase in allocated corporate overhead, which was primarily
attributable to the 1995 pension gain noted above, and increased administrative
costs.
 
     Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense decreased approximately 6% or
$1.2 million in 1996 compared to 1995 due to a lower effective interest rate and
lower debt balances. Other income for 1996 included a $3.1 million pre-tax gain
on the sale of Rolodex Electronics. Other income also included a favorable
adjustment of $2.2 million related to the Company's environmental liabilities
following completion of a site clean-up for an amount less than previously
estimated. Other income for 1995 included favorable adjustments of $3.6 million
related to the Company's environmental liabilities following a review of its
liabilities from previously divested operations and $1.5 million related to the
resolutions of several legal disputes. In addition, other income included a $4.0
million gain on the sale of idle corporate assets.
 
     Income Tax Expense.  The Company's actual income tax obligations during
1996 ($2.4 million) and 1995 ($2.6 million) were substantially less than the
total amount of income taxes recognized ($12.4 million and $16.1 million,
respectively) because previously generated net operating losses and other net
deferred tax assets were utilized to reduce the tax obligations. During 1996 and
1995, additional deferred tax assets of $10.7 million and $9.2 million,
respectively, were recognized and recorded on the Company's balance sheet
because it was concluded as more likely than not that such amounts would be
realized within future years. In accordance with the Reorganization SOP, the tax
benefits associated with the recognition of pre-effective date deferred tax
assets ($10.2 million and $1.6 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively) were
recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital and $7.2 million in 1995
was recorded as a reduction to Reorganization Goodwill. The 1995 reduction
eliminated the remaining unamortized Reorganization Goodwill. The effective tax
rate on adjusted income from continuing operations (adjusted to exclude
Reorganization Goodwill amortization) was 24.7% in 1996 compared to 31.8% for
1995. The percentage decrease is primarily due to the recognition of the tax
benefit of net capital loss carryforwards. See Note 11 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements for further information.
 
1995 COMPARED TO 1994
 
     Sales.  Net sales from continuing operations in 1995 were $561.2 million,
an increase of 3% over 1994 net sales of $543.6 million. The aggregate growth
rate was adversely affected by the continuation in early 1995 of declining sales
at the Company's wire and cable assembly business and to a lesser degree by a
small decrease in school yearbook sales at Taylor.
 
     Sales in the Automotive Components Group were $180.3 million, an increase
of 4% over 1994 sales of $173.1 million. The higher sales were attributable to
higher content per automobile of transmission clutch plates and higher unit
sales of heat exchanger products manufactured by the segment's Thermal unit. The
increase in units sold is due to increased penetration in non- automotive
aluminum heat exchanger markets and the accelerating demand for aluminum
radiator replacements. Approximately 23% of Thermal's sales are to the
automotive OEM market. Steel Parts, the segment's smaller unit, achieved sales
growth over 1994
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   51
 
despite a slowdown in North American automobile production. The growth at Steel
Parts was due to higher parts content per automobile, as automobile
manufacturers have moved from three-speed to four- and five-speed automatic
transmissions. Steel Parts is primarily an OEM supplier of transmission and
other automotive components.
 
     Sales in the Technologies Group were $170.6 million, an increase of 3% over
1994 sales of $164.9 million. This increase was offset by sharply reduced demand
in the first half of 1995 from two major customers of the segment's relatively
low margin wire and cable assembly business, Escod, which resulted in a 17%
($8.9 million) sales decline. Excluding this drop-off, the segment recorded a
13% increase in sales over 1994. This increase was partly a result of the
continued growth at the segment's Stewart Connector unit, the Company's
manufacturer of high-speed data transmission connectors which serves the
computer networking market. Despite the year-over-year improvement, Stewart
Connector experienced a slowdown in the rate of sales growth in the second half
of 1995 due to competitive pricing pressures and pending new product
introductions scheduled for introduction in 1996. Foreign sales accounted for
approximately 43% and 35% of Stewart Connector's sales in 1995 and 1994,
respectively. Sales at the segment's Signal Transformer unit increased primarily
due to the continued success of its customer-focused program to deliver
transformers within 24 hours of the receipt of the customer order. Sales at the
segment's Stewart Stamping unit increased due to the underlying strength of the
markets that it serves, including the telecommunications and electrical
industries, and as a result of more targeted selling efforts through the
engagement of additional independent sales representatives.
 
     Sales in the Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group were $210.3
million, an increase of 2% over 1994 sales of $205.6 million. Sales of the
segment's office products (Rolodex division and Curtis) of $111.7 million
increased 6% over 1994 sales of $105.2 million due primarily to increases in
sales of consumer electronics and traditional card file products at the Rolodex
division. The sales at Taylor were $98.6 million, a decrease of 2% from 1994
sales of $100.4 million.
 
     Operating Income.  Operating income (loss) comparisons between 1995 and
1994 are less transparent than the sales comparisons because of the effects of
"fresh start" accounting on results of operations. Due to the effects of "fresh
start" accounting, the Company's 1995 and 1994 operating results were depressed
by $32.2 million and $69.2 million charges, respectively, for the amortization
of Reorganization Goodwill. The consolidated reported operating income in 1995
improved to $24.6 million from an operating loss of $9.7 million in 1994. See
footnote 2 on page 43 for the impact of "fresh start" accounting on the reported
operating income as well as the comparability between the periods. Excluding the
effects of "fresh start" accounting, as described above, the operating
performance from 1994 to 1995 decreased $2.7 million, a 5% decrease. The
decrease was primarily due to $10.1 million of charges related to uncollectible
accounts receivable, sales returns and obsolete inventory recorded at
Rolodex/Curtis of which $6.2 million were classified as nonrecurring charges.
These charges were partially offset by a gain of $4.3 million related to a
change in the Company's pension plan whereby a lump sum settlement feature was
adopted for retirees and certain vested participants resulting in the settlement
of more than $42.0 million in pension obligations. As a result, corporate
overhead was reduced by $4.3 million in 1995 compared to 1994. These items and
other operational year-to-year changes are discussed below in the analysis for
each segment's operating income.
 
     The Automotive Components Group operating income in 1995 compared to 1994
increased from $14.9 million to $20.4 million. The results in each year were
negatively affected by the amortization of Reorganization Goodwill ($3.4 million
and $7.3 million in 1995 and 1994, respectively). Excluding amortization of
Reorganization Goodwill, the segment's operating performance improved $1.6
million in 1995 compared to 1994, a 7% increase, due to the higher sales and a
reduction of $0.9 million in allocated corporate overhead attributable to the
pension gain noted above.
 
     The Technologies Group operating income in 1995 compared to 1994 increased
from $7.4 million to $20.3 million. The results in each year are negatively
affected by the amortization of Reorganization Goodwill ($7.2 million and $15.4
million in 1995 and 1994, respectively). Excluding the amortization of
Reorganization Goodwill, the segment's operating performance improved $4.7
million in 1995 compared to 1994, a 21%
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   52
 
increase, due to higher sales and improved productivity, as well as a reduction
of $1.5 million in allocated corporate overhead attributable to the pension plan
noted above.
 
     The operating loss of the Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group, the
segment to which most of the Reorganization Goodwill was allocated, improved to
$16.0 million in 1995 from $30.8 million in 1994. In 1995 and 1994, the
amortization of Reorganization Goodwill included in the segment's operating
results was $21.6 million and $46.5 million, respectively. Excluding the
amortization of Reorganization Goodwill, the segment's operating performance
decreased $10.1 million in 1995 compared to 1994. The decrease was due to $6.2
million of nonrecurring charges recorded in the second quarter of 1995 at the
Rolodex division, related primarily to a number of open and unresolved customer
chargebacks that had originated in prior years. The nonrecurring charges also
included a charge at the Rolodex division and Curtis (the Company's computer
accessory unit) of $1.6 million to adjust the net realizable value of inventory
and related capital assets. In addition, the Company recorded provisions
totaling $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 1995 for potentially
uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory valuation, anticipated customer
returns and other charges at the Rolodex division and Curtis. These charges were
partially offset by a reduction in allocated corporate overhead, attributable to
the pension gain noted above, of $1.7 million.
 
     In 1995, the operating losses of the Specialty Publishing business, Taylor,
improved to $0.8 million from $9.9 million in 1994 due to a $6.5 million
decrease in the amortization of Reorganization Goodwill and improved
productivity relating to the introduction in 1994 of new photo processing
technology. Throughout 1995 the Company continued efforts to upgrade production
processes at Taylor resulting in improved quality of its school yearbooks and
reduced turnaround time to schools as well as improved financial performance.
 
     Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense decreased approximately 33% ($9.5
million) in 1995 compared to 1994 because of the early retirement of long-term
debt in 1994 and the refinancing of long-term debt in November 1994. See
" -- Financial Condition -- Cash Flows From (Used In) Financing Activities."
Other income for 1995 included favorable adjustments of $3.6 million related to
the Company's environmental liabilities following a review of its liabilities
from previously divested operations and $1.5 million related to the resolutions
of several legal disputes. In addition, other income included a $4.0 million
gain on the sale of idle corporate assets. Other income for 1994 included a $1.2
million gain related to the collection of notes receivable in excess of their
financial statement carrying amount.
 
     Income Tax Expense.  The Company's actual income tax obligations during
1995 ($2.6 million) and 1994 ($2.3 million) were substantially less than the
total amount of income taxes recognized ($16.1 million and $15.5 million,
respectively) because previously generated net operating losses and other net
deferred tax assets were utilized to reduce the tax obligations. During 1995 and
1994, additional deferred tax assets of $9.2 million and $40.7 million,
respectively, were recognized and recorded on the balance sheet because it was
concluded that it was more likely than not that such amounts would be realized
in future years. In accordance with the Reorganization SOP, the tax benefits
associated with the recognition of pre-effective date deferred tax assets ($7.2
million and $39.0 million in 1995 and 1994, respectively) were recorded as a
reduction to Reorganization Goodwill. The 1995 reduction eliminated the
remaining unamortized Reorganization Goodwill.
 
     Discontinued Operations.  On August 1, 1994, the Company sold substantially
the entire paint products segment for net proceeds of $50.8 million, resulting
in a gain of $10.7 million, net of taxes of $8.2 million. The tax on the gain
was offset by utilization of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards
and as a result did not result in significant cash payments. In accordance with
the Reorganization SOP the tax benefit associated with utilization of
pre-effective date loss carryforwards was recorded as a reduction in the
Company's Reorganization Goodwill. The net proceeds were utilized to reduce the
Company's long-term debt.
 
     Extraordinary Item.  An extraordinary charge of $2.2 million, net of $1.3
million tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1994 as a result of prepaying
post-reorganization debt prior to its maturity. See "-- Financial Condition."
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   53
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
     Factors that are expected in the future to affect the Company's financial
position are discussed below.
 
     Cash Flows From (Used In) Operating Activities.  Operations used $5.2
million of cash in the first six months of 1997 as compared to providing $10.3
million of cash in the first six months of 1996. Cash flows from operations
decreased from the corresponding period of the prior year due to cash flows from
the divested businesses included in 1996 results, the timing of cash receipts
and higher tax payments. The Company's cash for periods prior to the six months
ended June 30, 1997 was more favorably impacted by tax loss carryforwards, which
reduced the actual cash payments for the years to well below the financial
statement income tax expense. The tax loss carryforwards were substantially
reduced in 1997 due to the gain from the sale of the Rolodex Business. As a
result, beginning in 1998 it is expected that the Company will no longer have
any tax loss carryforwards available to reduce cash payment obligations.
Operations provided $55.4 million in cash in 1996 compared to $37.7 million cash
in 1995, which represented a $17.7 million or 47% year-over-year increase. This
improvement was primarily due to improved accounts receivable collections in the
Office Products Business.
 
     Cash Flows From (Used In) Investing Activities.  In the six months ended
June 30, 1997, the Company sold the Rolodex Business for a net sales price of
$112.6 million. In the first six months of 1996, the Company acquired businesses
servicing the automotive, heavy truck and industrial manufacturing radiator
replacement market (Great Lake, Inc. and Kar Tool Co., Inc.) for a net purchase
price of $5.1 million. The Company's other current investments consist
principally of capital expenditures which totaled $10.3 million and $9.3 million
during the six months ended June 30, 1997 and June 30, 1996, respectively. In
the year ended December 31, 1996 the Company acquired the Lingemann Business in
addition to the two businesses acquired in the six months ended June 30, 1996,
resulting in acquisitions totaling $37.7 million. In 1996, the Company also
received proceeds totaling $21.8 million from the sale of Curtis and Rolodex
Electronics; $3.6 million from Thermalex for full repayment of loans
outstanding; a $3.4 million dividend distribution from Thermalex; and $1.3
million from the disposal of idle assets. In 1995, the Company received $2.5
million from Thermalex relating to the partial repayment of loans, a $0.4
million dividend distribution from Thermalex and $4.7 million from the disposal
of idle assets. In 1994, the Company received net proceeds of $50.8 million from
the sale of its paint products segment, $4.6 million for final payments on
outstanding notes from previously divested subsidiaries and $1.0 million from
Thermalex as a partial loan repayment. The Company's capital expenditures
totaled $22.6 million in 1996, and $22.2 million in 1995. The Company currently
anticipates that approximately $27.0 million will be invested in capital
expenditures in 1997. The Company expects to finance these expenditures and
investments with internally generated funds. The Company does not anticipate
that limitations on capital expenditures under the New Credit Facility will
adversely affect its ability to meet its operating goals.
 
     Cash Flows From (Used In) Financing Activities.  Due to the Company's
seasonal use of cash flow from operations in the first six months of the year,
financing activities provided $7.8 million in the first six months of 1997 and
$3.0 million in the first six months of 1996. The financing activities were
provided from the Company's revolving credit facility borrowings of $15.3
million and $15.7 million in the first six months of 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Payments on the Company's term loan totaled $5.6 million and $8.0
million in the first half of 1997 and 1996, respectively. In addition to
borrowing activity, the Company paid $1.7 million and $1.6 million of
prepetition liabilities and repurchased its Common Stock for $1.9 million and
$3.4 million in the first six months of 1997 and 1996, respectively. In the full
year 1996, the Company repaid $22.8 million of its initial $155.0 million term
loan and repurchased its Common Stock for $3.9 million. During 1995, the Company
repaid $12.6 million of its term loan and repurchased its Common Stock for $6.8
million.
 
     In October 1994, the Company entered into the Old Credit Facility that
provided it up to $285 million in borrowing capacity. The Old Credit Facility
consisted of a $130 million revolving credit facility, with a $50 million
sublimit for issuance of letters of credit, and a $155 million term loan. The
term loan was payable in quarterly installments through March 31, 2001. Under
the terms of the Old Credit Facility, proceeds from asset sales were to be
applied to reduce the term loan under certain circumstances. The revolving
credit facility was to terminate and all amounts outstanding, if any, were to be
due on March 31, 2001. The Company
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   54
 
subsequently entered into the New Credit Facility as of July 3, 1997 which
increased the revolving credit facility and permitted the Company on July 10,
1997 to refinance the Old Credit Facility. See "Description of the New Credit
Facility."
 
     The Company has no required debt service payments in the next five years.
However, commencing on the third anniversary of the New Credit Facility and each
succeeding anniversary thereafter through its term, the revolving loan
commitment is reduced by $20 million with the result that the aggregate
outstanding indebtedness at such time, if any, in excess of such amount must be
repaid. In addition, the revolving loan commitments are subject to reduction
under certain circumstances and in certain amounts following asset dispositions.
The interest and commitment fee payable under the New Credit Facility during the
next five years will fluctuate based on margins tied to a certain financial
ratio, as well as to changes in interest rates. Borrowings under the New Credit
Facility will bear interest at various fluctuating rates, at the Company's
option, which approximate the one-to-six month LIBOR rates plus 1.25% (such
LIBOR rates approximated 5.6875% to 5.90625% at June 30, 1997), subject to
step-downs upon the achievement of certain financial ratios. See "Description of
the New Credit Facility." The Company reduces its exposure to potential
increases in interest rates by entering into forward rate, interest rate cap and
interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions. A summary of
the terms of those agreements is contained in Note 7 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
 
     Net Income (Loss) and Accumulated Equity (Deficit).  At June 30, 1997 and
at December 31, 1996, the Company had stockholders' equity totaling $108.5
million and $33.4 million, respectively, compared to stockholders' deficit
totaling $15.8 million at December 31, 1995. The increase in the equity in the
six months ended June 30, 1997 is a result of the net income during the period
which is largely attributable to the $95.0 million pre-tax gain from the sale of
the Rolodex Business. The deficit in 1995 was attributable to the effect of the
amortization of Reorganization Goodwill which amounted to $32.2 million, $69.2
million and $54.5 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. At December 31,
1995, the Reorganization Goodwill was fully amortized.
 
     Liquidity.  At June 30, 1997, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and
net working capital amounted to $111.2 million and $145.0 million, respectively,
compared to $3.5 million and $48.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 1996.
The significant increase over December 31, 1996 levels are due to the receipt of
the net proceeds from the sale of the Rolodex Business totaling $112.6 million.
The Company had placed into a restricted account $110 million of these proceeds
which had been pledged as security for the Company's bank loans. The entire $110
million was invested in a money market fund with Goldman Sachs immediately upon
receipt on March 5, 1997. On July 10, 1997 the Company used the $110 million to
repurchase Shares as described below (see " -- Subsequent Events"). The
borrowing ability under the Company's revolving credit facility as of the end of
the first six months of 1997 was $63.2 million, including $39.8 million
available for letters of credit.
 
     Seasonality.  The Company's yearbook publishing business, Taylor, is highly
seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the second and third quarters of
the year. Taylor receives significant customer advance deposits commencing each
November and continuing through March. The Company's other businesses are not
highly seasonal.
 
     Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices.  Inflation and changing prices
have not significantly affected the Company's operating results or markets. The
Company is generally able to pass through to its customers price changes in its
major steel, copper and aluminum based product lines.
 
     Subsequent Events.  On July 10, 1997, approximately $110 million of the
proceeds from the sale of the Rolodex Business were used to fund the purchase of
2,805,194 Shares from Water Street and 51,948 Shares from Robert L. Smialek, the
President and Chairman of the Board of the Company, for a purchase price of
$38.50 per Share. On July 10, 1997 the Company refinanced the Old Credit
Facility under a new six year $200 million credit agreement. On July 11, 1997
the Company commenced a $110 million self tender offer for up to 2,857,142
Shares at $38.50 per Share. On August 12 the Tender Offer expired. Upon the
expiration of the Tender Offer, 2,857,142 Shares had been tendered in the Tender
Offer and the Company purchased all
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   55
 
2,857,142 Shares at $38.50 per Share. The purchase of Shares tendered in the
Tender Offer was paid for from the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the
Old Notes.
 
     Foreign Sales.  For the six months ended June 30, 1997 the Company had
export sales of $35.6 million which constituted 12% of total sales. Export sales
through June 30, 1997 to Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico were $16.4 million,
$7.2 million, $5.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. In 1996, the Company
had export sales of $71.6 million which constituted 12% of total sales. Export
sales in 1996 to Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico were $29.9 million, $17.1
million, $8.4 million and $6.8 million, respectively. All other export sales in
1996 totaled $9.4 million. In 1995, export sales were $59.7 million or 11% of
total sales. In 1994, export sales were less than 10%. The Company's
transactions are primarily in U.S. dollars.
 
                DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This Prospectus contains certain statements that are "Forward Looking
Statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section
21E of the Exchange Act. Those statements include, among other things,
discussions of the Company's business strategy and expectations concerning
market position, future operations, margins, growth, profitability, liquidity
and capital resources. Forward Looking Statements are included in
"Summary -- Business Strategy," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in
Forward Looking Statements are reasonable, they can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to have been correct. The words "believe," "expect,"
"anticipate," "intend," "estimate" and other expressions which indicate future
events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Generally, these statements relate to business plans
or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of such
plans or strategies or projections involving anticipated revenues, expenses,
earnings, levels of capital expenditures, liquidity or indebtedness or other
aspects of operating results or financial position. All phases of the operations
of the Company are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other
influences, many of which are outside the control of the Company and any one of
which, or a combination of which, could materially affect the results of the
Company's operations and whether the forward looking statements made by the
Company ultimately prove to be accurate. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are
disclosed in this section and in "Risk Factors." See "Risk
Factors -- Substantial Leverage; Ability to Service Debt," "-- Restrictions
Imposed by the New Credit Facility," "-- Risk of Ability to Finance Change of
Control," "-- Customer Concentration; Absence of Long-Term Contracts,"
"-- Cyclical Markets," "-- Seasonality; Product Disruption," "-- Competition",
"Technology and the Development of New Products," and "-- Dependence on Key
Personnel."
 
                           BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES
 
     The Company, a Delaware corporation, directly and through its subsidiaries,
is a diversified manufacturer of automotive component products,
telecommunications and electronics components and is a supplier of specialty
publications. The Company's Automotive Components Group serves primarily the
automotive markets through its Thermal and Steel Parts operating units and
manufactures stainless steel tubing used in non-automotive applications through
its Romac operating unit. The Technologies Group serves primarily the
telecommunications and electronics components markets through its Stewart
Connector Systems, Stewart Stamping, Signal Transformer and Escod operating
units. Specialty Publishing consists of Taylor (a publisher of specialty
publishing products, chiefly student yearbooks). The Company completed the
divestiture of its Office Products Business with the sale of the Rolodex
Business on March 5, 1997 for a price of $117,000,000, less transactions costs.
The Company recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale totaling $95,001,000 in the
first quarter of 1997. The Company had previously divested its computer
accessories business and Rolodex Electronics in the fourth quarter of 1996.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   56
 
REORGANIZATION HISTORY
 
     On January 13, 1991 (i.e., the Petition Date), the Company and a number of
its subsidiaries sought protection under Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District
of Texas as the Company found itself unable to service the outstanding debt
incurred in its 1988 leveraged buyout. On April 1, 1993 (the "Reorganization
Date"), the Company emerged from the Chapter 11 cases pursuant to the Plan of
Reorganization. The Plan of Reorganization resulted in a reduction in the
Company's liabilities of $532.3 million, an extraordinary gain realized in 1993
of $448.3 million attributable to the discharge of such liabilities and a change
in control of the Company.
 
     The Plan of Reorganization, among other matters, provided for: (i) the
issuance of 9,230,839 Shares in exchange for allowed unsecured claims; (ii)
deferred payment of certain prepetition claims, including various state and
federal taxes and trade debt; and (iii) the issuance of additional Shares to
other unsecured creditors over time at the pre-determined rate of 18 Shares per
$1,000 of allowed claim as those claims are determined. As of March 15, 1997,
120,571 Shares were still reserved for issuance to holders of general unsecured
claims whose allowed amounts were not finally determined by the Reorganization
Date.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   57
 
                                   BUSINESSES
 
     For additional business segment information, see Note 18 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP
 
     The Automotive Components Group is made up of three operating units:
Thermal, Steel Parts and Romac. The businesses in this segment manufacture
automotive heat exchangers and related tubing, automatic transmission and
suspension components and stainless steel tubing, respectively.
 
AUTOMOTIVE SALES BY MARKET SEGMENT
 
     The following table shows the sales by market segment for the Automotive
Components Group for both 1996 and the first half of 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 1997
                                                                    1996      FIRST HALF
                                                                    -----     ----------
        <S>                                                         <C>       <C>
        OEM Automotive............................................   45.9%        46.4%
        OEM Other.................................................   22.6         25.4
        Automotive Aftermarket....................................   18.8         17.7
        Other.....................................................   12.7         10.5
                                                                    -----        -----
        Total.....................................................  100.0%       100.0%
                                                                    =====        =====
</TABLE>
 
     Heat Transfer.  Thermal is comprised of three divisions: Thermal
Components, General ThermoDynamics and McKenica; three wholly owned
subsidiaries: Great Lake, Thermal Components Division, Inc. and ARUP Alu-Rohr
und -Profil GmbH ("ARUP"); and a 50% owned joint venture, Thermalex. Thermal is
a vertically integrated manufacturer of heat exchangers for the automotive,
specialty vehicle, truck, heavy equipment and off-road vehicle and industrial
equipment markets. Its products include thin wall aluminum and brass tubes used
principally in heat transfer applications, radiators, air conditioning
condensers, oil coolers and heaters and production machinery and equipment used
in the manufacture and assembly of automotive heat exchangers.
 
     Thermal uses a direct sales force and independent sales representatives to
market its products. Thermal sells to both OEMs and aftermarket customers. For
the six months ended June 30, 1997 Thermal sales to the automotive OEM markets,
aftermarket and non-automotive OEM manufacturers were 29%, 30% and 41% of total
sales, respectively. In 1996, Thermal sales to the automotive OEM market,
aftermarket and non-automotive OEM manufacturers were 29%, 33% and 38% of total
sales, respectively, compared to 23%, 37% and 40% of total sales, respectively,
in 1995.
 
     Thermalex, a joint venture owned equally by the Company (through a holding
company subsidiary) and Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd., manufactures multiport
aluminum extrusions used in smaller, lighter and more efficient air conditioning
condensers which are necessary to meet environmental restrictions on
refrigerants.
 
     The markets for automotive heat-exchanger products are highly competitive
and have many participants, particularly automobile OEMs that produce for their
own use and several large independent manufacturers. Thermal supplies tubes and,
through Thermalex, extrusions to domestic automobile OEMs and independent
manufacturers. Thermal is an established supplier of welded radiator tubes to
manufacturers and repair shops in the heat-exchanger aftermarket.
 
     Thermal has manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Michigan, New York, South
Carolina, Wisconsin and Germany. At June 30, 1997, Thermal (excluding Thermalex)
had 912 employees.
 
     On February 1, 1996, the Company, through its Great Lake subsidiary,
acquired two affiliated businesses, Great Lake and Kar Tool Co., Inc., that
serve the automobile, heavy truck and industrial equipment radiator replacement
market. These acquisitions did not have a material effect on the Company's
liquidity, financial position or operating results.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   58
 
     On July 10, 1996, the Company and its subsidiary TCD, Inc. acquired the
Lingemann Business. The transactions included the purchase of stock of
Lingemann's German subsidiary, ARUP, and the automotive aluminum tube business
assets of its Duncan, South Carolina based subsidiary, Helima-Helvetion
International, Inc. The cash transaction, financed principally from borrowings
under the Company's Old Credit Facility, was valued at approximately $32.6
million including transaction fees and expenses.
 
     Transmission Components.  Steel Parts, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, manufactures automotive parts consisting of close-tolerance precision
metal stampings at its facility in Indiana. Its products include clutch plates
for automatic transmissions, suspension parts for vibration-reducing assemblies
and engine mounts.
 
     Substantially all Steel Parts sales are made to the domestic automobile
industry, either directly or indirectly through other independent automotive
parts suppliers. As a result, the demand for Steel Parts' products historically
has been heavily dependent on the level of new car production by the domestic
automobile industry. Steel Parts has also seen its production content per
automobile increase in recent years as automobile manufacturers have moved from
three-speed to four- and five-speed automatic transmissions. The strong domestic
automotive market resulted in Steel Parts operating at or near capacity for most
of 1995, 1996 and the first six months of 1997.
 
     The market for original equipment automobile parts is highly competitive
and has many participants, principally the automobile manufacturers themselves
because of their ability to make their own parts. Approximately 70%, 67% and 66%
of Steel Parts' sales were to Ford in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. For the
six months ended June 30, 1997, approximately 71% of sales were to Ford.
 
     At June 30, 1997, Steel Parts had 379 employees.
 
     Stainless Steel Tubing.  Romac manufactures stainless steel tubing for a
variety of marine, architectural, automotive and decorative applications at its
facility in North Carolina. Substantially all of its sales are domestic.
 
     The markets for these products are highly competitive. Competition is based
principally on price and, to a lesser extent, on the shapes and finishes that
can be achieved with the tubing.
 
     At June 30, 1997, Romac had 125 employees.
 
TECHNOLOGIES GROUP
 
     The Technologies Group consists of four operating units: Stewart Connector;
Signal Transformer; Stewart Stamping; and Escod Industries ("Escod"). These
units manufacture telecommunication and electrical component products for the
computer networking, telephone digital switching, precision wiring, main frame
computer, automotive and medical equipment markets.
 
     Specialized Connector Systems.  The Company's specialized connector systems
business is made up of Stewart Connector Systems, Inc. and Stewart Connector
Systems (Japan), Inc. and two subsidiaries of Stewart Connector: Stewart
Connector Systems GmbH and Stewart Connector Systems de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
 
     Stewart Connector designs and manufactures specialized high speed data
connector systems, including modular plugs, modular jacks, shielded and
nonshielded specialized connectors and cable assemblies for telecommunications,
cellular communications and data transmission, including local and wide area
networks. Its primary manufacturing facility is located in Pennsylvania, with an
assembly operation in Mexico.
 
     Stewart Connector sells its products throughout the world, directly and
through sales subsidiaries, and through a network of manufacturers'
representatives. Foreign sales accounted for approximately 43% of Stewart
Connector's sales in the first half of 1997, 40% in 1996, 43% in 1995 and 35% in
1994. It maintains direct sales offices in England, France, Japan and Germany
and has numerous domestic and foreign competitors, some of which are
substantially larger than Stewart Connector. Competition is based principally
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   59
 
on price with respect to older product lines and on technology and product
features for newer products and, to a lesser extent, patent protection.
 
     At June 30, 1997, Stewart Connector had 743 employees, of which 361 were
employed in the United States, 20 in Japan, five in Germany, four in the United
Kingdom, one in France and 352 in Mexico.
 
     Power Transformers.  The Company's power transformer business consists of
three entities (collectively, "Signal"): Signal Transformer Co., Inc. ("Signal
Transformer"); Signal Caribe, Inc. ("Signal Caribe"); and Signal Dominicana S.A.
("Signal Dominicana"). Signal manufactures both standard "off-the-shelf" and
custom-made power transformers serving a broad customer base in a variety of
industries. Signal's markets include telecommunications, home and retail
security systems, medical instrumentation, gaming and entertainment and process
controls. Signal markets its products directly, utilizing catalogs and print
advertising, and indirectly through selective independent sales representatives
in targeted regions of the country. It has a customer base of over nine thousand
accounts, consisting of both OEMs and aftermarket resellers.
 
     The electronic transformer industry includes both domestic and foreign
manufacturers, and there are numerous competitors to Signal. Competition is
based on price and availability of product to meet customers' needs. Signal has
directed its marketing efforts for many years towards engineers and other
customers having specialized, low-volume demand and prompt delivery
requirements. To capitalize on an identified market niche, Signal has a service
that guarantees 24-hour delivery for small order quantities of certain
"off-the-shelf" transformers.
 
     Currently, Signal Dominicana manufactures transformer coils at a leased
production facility in the Dominican Republic for final assembly at Signal
Caribe's leased Puerto Rico plant. The Puerto Rico plant also manufactures
transformers from basic materials and accounts for most of Signal's production.
Signal Transformer, located in New York, serves as Signal's major distribution
center and accounts for the balance of transformer production.
 
     At June 30, 1997, Signal had 657 employees, of which 155 were employed in
the United States, 237 in the Dominican Republic and 265 in Puerto Rico.
 
     Precision Stampings and Wireforms.  The Company's wholly owned subsidiary,
Stewart Stamping Corporation ("Stewart Stamping"), is a tool designer and
subcontract manufacturer of precision stampings and wireformed parts. Stewart
Stamping manufactures components used in electrical devices such as circuit
breakers, electric fuses, lighting and process controls, and the electronic
industries, including passive components such as capacitor cans and connector
contacts. Stewart Stamping sells its products to a broad customer base primarily
in the U.S. through a network of manufacturers representatives. Stewart Stamping
manufactures its products at its plant in Yonkers, New York. Stewart Stamping
recently leased a manufacturing facility in El Paso, Texas to better serve the
Southwestern U.S. and Mexican assembly operations of telecommunication and
electronics customers.
 
     Stewart Stamping's competitors in each of its product lines are numerous
(including, in the case of metal stampings, its own customers), but Stewart
Stamping traditionally has focused on products that, because of the engineering
and manufacturing capability required to produce them, have the potential for
repeat business.
 
     At June 30, 1997, Stewart Stamping had 316 employees.
 
     Cable and Wire Assemblies.  Escod produces electronic cable assemblies,
specialized wire harnesses and certain telecommunication equipment subassemblies
for sale to manufacturers of telecommunications, computer and other electronics
equipment. Escod's markets generally are regional in nature, and Escod's
production facilities (three in the Carolinas and one in Florida) are operated
principally to serve local plants of OEMs. Because substantially all of Escod's
customers are OEMs having a number of production facilities, the demand for
Escod's products depends not only on the demand for its customers' products but
also on its customers' varying utilization of their production sites.
 
     Telecommunications and computer OEMs account for the bulk of Escod's sales.
Two telecommunications OEMs together accounted for approximately 66%, 60% and
65% of Escod's total revenues in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, and
approximately 70% of total revenues in the six months ended June 30, 1997.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   60
 
Escod's dependence on these two major customers makes its revenues and operating
income sensitive to changes in demand from those customers. In 1994, Escod
experienced a substantial drop in orders from these customers. In response,
Escod permanently closed one facility and consolidated the business in its
remaining facilities. Beginning in 1995, Escod has focused its efforts on
developing a broader customer base and a broader product line.
 
     Competition in Escod's markets is based primarily on price and, to a lesser
extent, on responsiveness to customers' needs. The profitability of Escod's
sales generally depend on the relative raw material content, labor productivity,
quality of the products sold, proximity to customers and timeliness of delivery.
As a result of the low barriers to entry into Escod's business and increased,
low-cost foreign competition in recent years, Escod's business has become
intensely competitive.
 
     At June 30, 1997, Escod had 785 employees.
 
SPECIALTY PUBLISHING
 
     Specialty Publishing consists of Taylor, a wholly owned subsidiary engaged
in yearbook and other specialty publishing.
 
     Yearbooks and Other Publications.  Taylor is engaged primarily in the
contract design and printing of student yearbooks from which it derived at least
87% of its revenues in each of the last three years. Through June 30, 1997
yearbooks accounted for approximately 95% of sales. Its principal yearbook
customers are secondary (middle and senior high) schools. Other yearbook
customers include elementary schools, colleges and academies. Taylor also
publishes a variety of specialty books on a contract basis and a limited number
of its own publishing titles and provides reunion planning and other services
for alumni of schools, colleges and academies.
 
     Competition in the yearbook industry is based upon customer service,
quality and price. The market for yearbooks is affected more by demographic
trends than by business cycles. Taylor offers several yearbook lines with
different graphic and typographic options and capabilities. Taylor has expended
significant resources in recent years to develop a system of electronic copy
preparation designed to enhance the quality and consistency of photographs,
reduce production costs and shorten the time required for yearbook production.
Taylor has also developed proprietary software programs for use by its customers
in developing yearbooks. This software facilitates the yearbook design work
performed by schools and improves the overall production process.
 
     Taylor markets its yearbook services through commissioned independent sales
representatives who maintain contact with yearbook faculty advisors, school
principals and other key purchasing personnel. It also trains students and their
advisors in layout, design and marketing, conducts seminars and workshops and
provides supporting materials, including software, to assist student yearbook
staffs in the production process.
 
     Yearbook production is highly seasonal. Orders are normally obtained in the
fall and finished yearbooks are delivered at or near the end of the school year,
typically late spring to early summer and, to a lesser degree, in the fall of
the following school year. Deposits representing approximately 25% of the
yearbook contract price are due from the yearbook customer upon its submission
of the first set of yearbook pages. Given the seasonal production cycle, the
Company typically receives significant cash deposits commencing each November
and continuing through each March. These deposits are available to fund the
working capital requirements of the yearbook production cycle, to reduce the
Company's indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
 
     Taylor operates four production facilities in Texas (two owned and two
leased) and one leased production facility in Pennsylvania. Its work force
reflects the seasonality of its business, typically ranging from 1,000 to 1,800
full-time employees. At June 30, 1997, it had 160 salaried and 1,246 hourly
employees.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   61
 
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
 
     The Company holds patents or trademarks in most of its businesses which
have expiration dates ranging from 1997 to 2016. The Company expects to maintain
such patents and to renew the trademarks important to its business prior to
their expiration and does not believe the expiration of any one of its patents
will have a material adverse effect on any of its businesses.
 
RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
 
     The principal raw materials and supplies used by the Company include: (i)
steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, brass and nickel (Automotive Components Group);
(ii) copper wire, steel, brass, aluminum, plastics, ceramics and precious metals
(Technologies Group); and (iii) paper, film and other photographic and printing
supplies (Specialty Publishing). The Company purchases these materials and
supplies on the open market to meet its current requirements and believes its
sources of supply are adequate for its needs.
 
EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS
 
     At June 30, 1997, the Company employed approximately 5,362 people on a
full-time basis, of whom approximately 25% were covered by collective bargaining
agreements with various unions. The largest collective bargaining unit (at
Taylor) covers approximately 563 employees. Among the union agreements that will
expire in 1997 are those covering certain union employees of Taylor. The Company
considers relations with its employees to be good.
 
     The Company has defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans
covering substantially all employees. For information respecting defined benefit
pension plans, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company
is currently participating in a Closing Agreement Program (established by the
Internal Revenue Service) to cure operational defects in one of the defined
contribution plans as a result of an omission of certain eligible employees from
participation. The Company has paid a $40,000 tax penalty and expects the
curative action will entail a one-time incremental contribution by it to the
plan in an amount that has not been finally determined, but that the Company
does not presently expect will be material to its consolidated financial
position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
 
     Environmental Matters.  The Company's manufacturing operations involve the
generation of a variety of waste materials and are subject to extensive federal,
state and local environmental laws and regulations. The waste materials
generated include metal scrap from stamping operations, cutting and cooling
oils, degreasing agents, chemicals from plating and tinning operations, etching
acids and photographic and printing chemicals. The Company uses offsite disposal
facilities owned by others to dispose of its wastes and does not store wastes it
generates to the extent such storage would require a permit. The Company does
not treat, store or dispose of waste for others. The Company is required to
obtain permits to operate various of its facilities, and these permits generally
are subject to revocation or modification.
 
     The Company has taken significant measures to address emissions, discharges
and waste generation and disposal; improve management practices and operations
in response to legal requirements; and internally audit compliance with
applicable environmental regulations and approved practices. These measures
include: raw material and process substitution; recycling and material
management programs; periodic review of hazardous waste storage and disposal
practices; and reviewing the compliance and financial status and management
practices of its offsite third-party waste management firms.
 
     As a result of the Company's reorganization, much uncertainty has been
removed concerning the Company's potential liability for environmental
contamination at sites owned or operated by the Company (and at third-party
disposal and waste management facilities used by the Company) prior to the
filing of its bankruptcy petition. During the reorganization, the Company
settled all claims of the United States relating to the Company's pre-Petition
Date conduct at previously owned or third party sites arising under the federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. This
settlement: (i) discharged
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   62
 
the Company's liability to the United States at a number of hazardous waste
sites; (ii) protects the Company from contribution claims of the remaining
potentially responsible parties; (iii) limits the amount the Company may be
required to pay the United States in any one year on prepetition claims; and
(iv) provides that any such payment may be made in cash or, at the Company's
option, Common Stock at the rate of 18 Shares for each $1,000 of allowed claims.
 
     The Company is also currently engaged in clean-up programs at sites located
in Newtown, Connecticut and Mount Vernon, New York, which were owned by the
Company on the Petition Date. The Company has established what it believes are
appropriate reserves for anticipated remedial obligations. Due to the
establishment of these reserves and the environmental settlements reached during
the Company's reorganization, management does not believe that environmental
compliance or remedial requirements are likely to have a material effect on the
Company.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of its operations in the normal course of its business. The Company
maintains insurance coverage against potential general liability and certain
other claims in an amount it believes to be adequate. In the Company's opinion,
the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition, liquidity or results of operation.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     As of June 30, 1997, the Company operated 35 facilities throughout the
United States and seven facilities internationally consisting of approximately
2.2 million square feet. Eighteen of these 42 facilities (consisting of
approximately 1.5 million square feet) are owned by the Company. Management
believes that the Company's facilities generally are well maintained and
adequate for the purposes of which they are used.
 
     Substantially all of the Company's material domestic assets, including
owned properties, are subject to liens and encumbrances to secure the Company's
obligations under the New Credit Facility.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   63
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     All of the Company's directors and executive officers are listed below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     NAME                    AGE              POSITION AND OFFICES
    ---------------------------------------  ---   -------------------------------------------
    <S>                                      <C>   <C>
    Robert L. Smialek......................  53    Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer
    James J. Gaffney.......................  56    Director
    Terence M. O'Toole.....................  39    Director
    Thomas E. Petry........................  57    Director
    Barry S. Volpert.......................  37    Director
    Robert F. Heffron......................  52    Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                     Operating Officer
    Kenneth H. Koch........................  42    Vice President, General Counsel and
                                                     Secretary
    Leslie G. Jacobs.......................  47    Vice President, Human Resources
    Phillip K. Woodlief....................  44    Vice President and Corporate Controller
    David A. Kauer.........................  41    Vice President and Treasurer
</TABLE>
 
     Robert L. Smialek, 53, has served as Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1, 1993. From October 1992 to
May 1993, Mr. Smialek served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Temperature and Appliance Controls Group of Siebe plc, a global controls and
engineering firm. From September 1990 to October 1992, Mr. Smialek served as
President and Chief Operating Officer of Ranco, Inc., a subsidiary of Siebe,
Inc. From May 1988 to May 1990, Mr. Smialek served as Group Vice President for
Tracor Instruments Group. For the prior 19 years, Mr. Smialek worked for General
Electric Company, most recently as the General Manager of Manufacturing and
Technology Operations for the General Electric Medical Systems Group.
 
     James J. Gaffney, 56, specializes in the turnaround of financially troubled
companies, serving with such companies as the chief executive officer, as a
board director or as an independent consultant. He was formerly the President
and Chief Executive Officer of General Aquatics, Inc., a successor to KDI
Corporation (September 1993 -- April 1997). He previously served as Chief
Executive Officer of International Tropic-Cal, Inc. (August 1991 -- July 1992),
and as an independent consultant from September 1989 to August 1991 and from
July 1992 to the present. Mr. Gaffney provides consulting services to GS Capital
Partners II, L.P. (a private investment fund affiliated with Water Street and
Goldman Sachs) and other affiliated investment funds in relation to an
investment held by those funds. He also is a director of Koll Real Estate Group
Inc.
 
     Terence M. O'Toole, 39, has been a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs since
November 1996. Previously, he was a general partner of Goldman Sachs from 1992
to 1996 and prior thereto was a Vice President of Goldman Sachs. Mr. O'Toole is
a director of AMF Group Inc., Western Wireless Corporation, Concentric Network
Corporation and several private companies.
 
     Thomas E. Petry, 57, is Chairman of the Board (since March 1989) of
Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., which is engaged in, among other businesses, the
manufacture of earthmoving equipment and other machinery, automotive parts and
industrial products. A voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Laws was filed by Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc. on January 7, 1991.
An amended plan of reorganization was filed during August 1996, and approved by
U.S. Bankruptcy Court during November 1996, whereby Eagle-Picher emerged from
bankruptcy. Mr. Petry is a director of The Union Central Life Insurance Co., The
William Powell Co., CINergy Corp., Star Banc Corp. and Star Bank, N.A.
 
     Barry S. Volpert, 37, has been a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs since
November 1996. He was a general partner of Goldman Sachs from 1994 to 1996. He
was a Vice President of Goldman Sachs from 1990 to 1994 and the Manager of Water
Street from 1991 to 1994. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Volpert was the head of
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   64
 
Goldman Sachs' workout and restructuring advisory business. He is a director of
Rockefeller Center Properties, Inc. and several private companies.
 
     Robert F. Heffron, 52, has been the Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer since October 1996 and was the Executive Vice President from
July 1993 to October 1996. He was the Vice President and General Manager of the
Grayson Division of Robertshaw Controls Company (a subsidiary of Siebe, Inc.)
from January 1992 -- June 1993; Vice President and General Manager of Ranco,
Inc. (a subsidiary of Siebe, Inc.) from February 1991 -- January 1992; Vice
President, Business Operations, of the Control Systems Division of Johnson
Controls, Inc. from October 1990 -- February 1991 and Vice President and General
Manager of the Control Products Division of Johnson Controls, Inc. prior
thereto. Each of the foregoing companies or divisions manufactures or supplies
control devices and systems for refrigeration, ventilation, air conditioning,
heating, appliance or automotive applications.
 
     Kenneth H. Koch, 42, has been the Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary since October 1993. Prior thereto he was an associate and then a
partner with the law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur.
 
     Leslie G. Jacobs, 47, has been the Vice President, Human Resources since
August 1993 and was the Director of Human Resources from January 1990 to August
1993. Prior thereto, he was the Director, Compensation and Employee Programs, of
Rockwell International.
 
     Philip K. Woodlief, 44, has been the Vice President and Corporate
Controller since April 1997 and was Controller from February 1989 to April 1997.
 
     David A. Kauer, 41, has been the Vice President and Treasurer since April
1997 and was the Treasurer from September 1993 to April 1997. He was the
Controller and Treasurer of Johnson Yokogawa Corporation (a joint venture of
Yokogawa Electric Corporation and Johnson Controls, Inc.), from October 1989 --
September 1993.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   65
 
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
     The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Shares by each
beneficial owner of more than five percent of the issued and outstanding Shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                                BENEFICIALLY         PERCENTAGE
              NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                 OWNED              OF CLASS
    --------------------------------------------------------  ----------------       ----------
    <S>                                                       <C>                    <C>
    Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P. ...........      1,847,878(1)(2)       45.3%
      85 Broad Street
      New York, NY 10004
    Continental Casualty Company............................        502,926(3)          12.5%
      CNA Plaza
      Chicago, Illinois 60685
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Represents Shares beneficially owned by Water Street. Goldman Sachs is the
    general partner of Water Street and thus may be deemed to be the beneficial
    owner of Shares held by Water Street. GS Group is a general partner of
    Goldman Sachs and directly owns 334 Shares not included in the amount shown.
    The address of Goldman Sachs and GS Group is 85 Broad Street, New York, NY
    10004. Goldman Sachs disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares held by
    Water Street except to the extent that such ownership corresponds to its
    interests in Water Street and disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares
    held by GS Group. GS Group disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares held
    by Water Street to the extent partnership interests in Water Street are held
    by persons other than GS Group, Goldman Sachs or their affiliates.
 
(2) Includes an aggregate of 40,000 Shares acquired from the Company by Water
    Street through Messrs. O'Toole and Volpert pursuant to a director
    compensation plan; also includes 64,000 Shares subject to stock options
    exercisable by Mr. O'Toole or Mr. Volpert within 60 days of September 22,
    1997.
 
(3) Represents Shares beneficially owned by Continental Casualty Company
    ("Continental"). Continental is a subsidiary of CNA Financial Corporation
    ("CNA") and Loews Corporation ("Loews"). As such, CNA and Loews may be
    deemed to be the beneficial owner of Shares held by Continental. Each of CNA
    and Loews disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares held by Continental.
    The address for CNA is CNA Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60685. The address for
    Loews is 667 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10021. The Share ownership
    information is based solely on the ownership reported by CNA in its Schedule
    13G dated February 14, 1997 and does not reflect sales, if any, from such
    date, including in the Tender Offer.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   66
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Shares by each
executive officer of the Company who owns Shares, each director of the Company
and by all directors and executive officers as a group, as of September 22,
1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                                BENEFICIALLY         PERCENTAGE
                                                                   OWNED              OF CLASS
                                                              ----------------       ----------
    <S>                                                       <C>                    <C>
    James J. Gaffney........................................              0                 *
    Terence M. O'Toole......................................      1,847,878(1)          45.3%
    Thomas E. Petry.........................................              0                 *
    Robert L. Smialek.......................................        235,066(2)           5.6%
    Barry S. Volpert........................................      1,847,878(1)          45.3%
    Robert F. Heffron.......................................         27,565(3)              *
    David A. Kauer..........................................          9,433(4)              *
    Kenneth H. Koch.........................................          9,965(5)              *
    Leslie G. Jacobs........................................         10,875(6)              *
    Philip K. Woodlief......................................          9,746(7)              *
    All directors and executive officers as a group (8) (10
      persons)..............................................      2,150,528             50.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 *  Less than 1%
 
(1) Includes 64,000 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
    of September 22, 1997. The Shares listed for Mr. O'Toole and Mr. Volpert are
    beneficially owned by Water Street or by Goldman Sachs of which Mr. O'Toole
    and Mr. Volpert are Managing Directors; however, Mr. O'Toole and Mr. Volpert
    disclaim beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of their
    indirect pecuniary interest in such Shares.
 
(2) Includes 160,000 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
    of September 22, 1997.
 
(3) Includes 26,665 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
    of September 22, 1997.
 
(4) Includes 8,833 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of
    September 22, 1997.
 
(5) Includes 8,665 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of
    September 22, 1997.
 
(6) Includes 10,475 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
    of September 22, 1997.
 
(7) Includes 9,345 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of
    September 22, 1997.
 
(8) Includes 287,983 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days
    of September 22, 1997.
 
AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
 
   
     Goldman Sachs, one of the Initial Purchasers, received an underwriting
discount in connection with the Offering. Total underwriting discounts paid in
the Offering were approximately $4,500,000, of which Goldman Sachs received a
substantial portion. Goldman Sachs is an affiliate of GSCP, which is a lender
under the New Credit Facility and which received customary fees thereunder. In
addition, Goldman Sachs is an affiliate of Water Street and has acted as
financial adviser to the Company in connection with the Transactions for which
Goldman Sachs has received fees of $2,200,000 in the aggregate. See
"Summary -- The Transactions."
    
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   67
 
                     DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY
 
     As of July 3, 1997, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement (the "New Credit Facility") with Citicorp USA, Inc. ("Citicorp"), as
Administrative Agent, The First National Bank of Chicago ("First Chicago") and
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. ("GSCP"), as Syndication Agents, and
Citicorp, First Chicago, and GSCP and the institutions from time to time party
to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as Lenders and Issuing Banks. The
New Credit Facility amended the Company's prior Credit Agreement (the "Old
Credit Facility"). At the closing of the New Credit Facility, an underwriting
fee was paid by the Company to the Administrative Agent and the Syndication
Agents.
 
     The New Credit Facility provides for the following: a $200,000,000
revolving credit facility, with (i) a $50,000,000 sublimit for commercial and
standby letters of credit (including the opportunity to obtain letters of credit
in various selected foreign currencies); (ii) a $50,000,000 sublimit for
advances in selected foreign currencies; and (iii) a $10,000,000 sublimit for
swing loans. The New Credit Facility amended and restated in full the Old Credit
Facility and among other things, (a) increased the revolving credit commitments
of the lenders from $130,000,000 to $200,000,000; (b) extended the maturity date
of the revolving credit facility from March 31, 2001, to July 8, 2003; (c)
refinanced the outstanding amounts under the Company's term loans; (d) permitted
the Company to issue the Old Notes and redeem or repurchase the Company's common
stock and to use the Rolodex Proceeds for such purposes; (e) modified the
interest rate structure applicable to borrowings; (f) added Insilco Deutschland
GmbH as a borrower and established a mechanism by which the Company could
qualify other foreign subsidiaries as borrowers; and (g) permitted the Company
and any foreign borrowers to borrow in certain foreign currencies. The New
Credit Facility is a comprehensive document that requires the Company and its
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to maintain compliance with certain
financial ratios, restricts the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to
incur indebtedness, sell assets, and create liens, make acquisitions or other
investments, enter into accommodation obligations, pay dividends, make stock
purchases, and pay junior payments. The New Credit Facility also requires the
Company and its subsidiaries to maintain affirmative covenants and to maintain
certain financial and other reports.
 
     The proceeds of the New Credit Facility were used to refinance the
indebtedness existing under the Old Credit Facility, to fund working capital in
the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, to fund
acquisitions permitted under the terms of the New Credit Facility, and for other
general corporate purposes.
 
     Interest accrues under the New Credit Facility at floating rates calculated
with respect to either LIBOR or Citibank New York's Base Rate, plus an
applicable margin. The applicable margin, in turn, fluctuates based on the
financial performance of the Company. Based on the Company's financial
performance, the Company may borrow at the Base Rate, plus 0.125%, which
approximates 8.625% as of September 24, 1997, or at LIBOR, plus 1.25%, which
approximates 6.9% as of September 24, 1997. Under the New Credit Facility, the
Company also pays an unused commitment fee, which also fluctuates based upon the
financial performance of the Company. The unused commitment fee is based on the
difference between the maximum amount of commitments under the New Credit
Facility and the daily outstanding principal balance of the revolving credit
obligations. As of September 24, 1997, the unused commitment fee is 0.375%. In
addition, the Company pays per annum fees for the issuance of letters of credit
based upon the undrawn stated amount. The fees for letters of credit are
calculated again upon the financial performance of the Company. As of September
24, 1997, the Company is paying 1.25% per annum of the undrawn stated amount of
issued and outstanding letters of credit. In addition, the Company pays to
Citicorp, as Administrative Agent, an annual agency fee. The applicable margins,
unused commitment fee, and letter of credit fees discussed above are each
calculated with respect to the Company's leverage ratio (the ratio of Funded
Debt (as defined therein) to EBITDA (as defined therein)). The New Credit
Facility provides that the Company notify the Administrative Agent that a rate
reduction or increase is required and provide the Administrative Agent with a
compliance certificate evidencing such change.
 
     The New Credit Facility will terminate by its terms on July 8, 2003. No
principal payments are scheduled, but the maximum principal amount of the
revolving credit obligations under the New Credit
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   68
 
Facility will reduce by $20,000,000 at each of the third, fourth and fifth
anniversaries of the New Credit Facility's effective date. The Company is
required, however, to make mandatory prepayments on the New Credit Facility
which would reduce the maximum revolving credit commitments, subject to certain
exceptions, in the following circumstances: (i) an amount equal to 100% of any
net cash proceeds received by the Company on account of (a) any disposition of
assets and the receipt of certain insurance and condemnation proceeds (with
certain exceptions), (b) any issuance of debt securities (other than the
proceeds of the Old Notes), and (c) any sale and leaseback transaction in excess
of a certain aggregate amount; and (ii) an amount equal to 25% of any net cash
proceeds received by the Company on account of the issuance of any capital
stock. With respect to certain specified assets, or in the event the Company has
achieved on a pro forma basis a specified leverage ratio, only 50% of the net
cash proceeds are required to be applied to reduce the maximum revolving credit
commitments. In the latter event, if the Company does not reinvest the proceeds
of such asset sale or other disposition within 180 days after receipt thereof,
the maximum revolving credit commitments will be further reduced by an amount
equal to such uninvested amount. Interest is payable monthly and at the end of
each interest period for LIBOR and foreign currencies.
 
     The lenders' respective obligations to extend credit to the borrowers under
the New Credit Facility are conditioned upon, among other things, the following:
(i) the continuing validity of the comprehensive representations and warranties
of the Company and its subsidiaries and the performance of the various financial
and other covenants in the New Credit Facility and in any other loan documents;
(ii) the Company's performance and compliance in all material respects with all
the terms, provisions, agreements and conditions set forth in the Indenture with
respect to the Notes and the absence of any default thereunder; and (iii) the
absence of any material adverse change in the business, condition, operations,
performance, properties or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries taken as
a whole since December 31, 1996.
 
     The New Credit Facility is and will be guaranteed by the Company (as to
foreign borrowers) and by substantially all of the Company's present and future
domestic subsidiaries. The obligations thereunder are secured by (i) all or a
substantial portion of the common stock or other interests in the Company's
present and future subsidiaries, (ii) the present and future property and
assets, including all accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, fixtures,
patents, trademarks, and specified real property, of the Company and its present
and future domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain qualifications and
exceptions), and (iii) a collateral assignment of intercompany notes and junior
security agreements securing all obligations of the domestic subsidiaries to the
Company. The security interests, pledges, patent and trademark pledges and
mortgages and deeds of trust are and shall be granted pursuant to security
agreements, pledge agreements, patent and trademark security agreements,
mortgages and deeds of trust in form and substance satisfactory to the
administrative agent, together with such other agreements, documents and
instruments which the administrative agent requires. The New Credit Facility
provides that the Company and its subsidiaries will provide the administrative
agent and the lenders future liens on certain real property and substantially
all personal property and will provide all material documentation relating to
property acquired after the date of the New Credit Facility.
 
     The New Credit Facility provides for certain financial reports to be
delivered on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to the administrative agent
and to the lenders. The New Credit Facility also provides affirmative covenants,
requiring, among other things, the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain
corporate existence, pay taxes, maintain insurance, and comply with certain
other laws and regulations where the failure to comply would have a material
adverse effect. The New Credit Facility permits certain acquisitions under
certain terms and conditions, and up to agreed upon limits, which limits do not
include any portion of the acquisition price that is payable in the common stock
of the Company.
 
     The New Credit Facility contains certain consolidated financial covenants,
including, but not limited to, covenants related to minimum consolidated net
worth, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio,
maximum leverage ratio and a limit on annual capital expenditures. These
financial covenants are subject to certain adjustments in financial performance
calculated in respect of projections submitted to the lenders. The minimum
consolidated net worth is calculated as of the end of each quarter. The minimum
fixed charge coverage ratio, the minimum interest coverage ratio, and the
maximum leverage ratio
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   69
 
are each determined as of the end of each quarter on a rolling (trailing) twelve
months basis. The maximum capital expenditure covenant is measured on an annual
basis.
 
     The New Credit Facility also contains certain negative covenants, which,
among other things, restrict the ability of (i) the Company and its subsidiaries
to incur additional indebtedness in excess of certain agreed upon amounts and
excluding certain types of indebtedness; (ii) the Company and its domestic
subsidiaries to sell or transfer assets, in excess of certain agreed upon limits
and excluding certain types of assets; (iii) the Company and its domestic
subsidiaries to create or grant liens other than permitted liens, purchase money
liens, and other liens of certain types and liens which secure agreed upon
amounts; (iv) the Company and its domestic subsidiaries to make investments
other than permitted investments, and then only in prescribed amounts; (v) the
Company and its subsidiaries to enter into accommodation obligations, except for
certain types of accommodation obligations and in certain amounts; (vi) the
Company and its domestic subsidiaries to pay any dividends, redeem, purchase or
acquire any of the Company's shares, or other rights with respect thereto, or
pay any principal, premium or interest in respect to any subordinated
obligations with certain qualifications and exceptions (permitting, in the
ordinary course, the payment of interest on the Notes); (vii) the Company and
its subsidiaries to engage in businesses not substantially similar, related or
incidental to the present businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries; (viii)
the Company to enter into transactions with affiliates other than on an
arms-length basis; (ix) the Company, its domestic subsidiaries, and foreign
borrowers to consolidate, dissolve, merge, or enter into joint ventures, with
certain exceptions and under certain conditions; (x) the Company and its
domestic subsidiaries to enter into sale and lease-back transactions in excess
of certain limits; (xi) the Company and its subsidiaries to cancel or prepay
certain indebtedness; and (xii) the Company or its domestic subsidiaries to
amend the Notes or voluntarily repay, redeem, purchase or otherwise retire the
Notes.
 
     The New Credit Facility contains specified events of default, which include
the failure to make payments of interest or principal when due, the breach of
certain affirmative or negative covenants, the breach of any representation or
warranty made by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in any loan document, a
default as to other specified indebtedness or under material operating leases,
the commencement of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy case, the entry
against the Company or any of its subsidiaries (and the lapse of specified time
periods without discharge of the same) or their property of any judgment, writ,
order or warrant of attachment, or other similar process which is $10 million in
excess of applicable insurance coverage, the entry of any order, judgment or
decree which brings about the voluntary dissolution of the Company, the failure
of any security for the New Credit Facility, the occurrence of any termination
event under ERISA and the occurrence of any Change of Control (as defined
therein).
 
     The New Credit Facility also requires certain other expenses of the
administrative agent, the syndication agents, the issuers of letters of credit,
and the lenders to be reimbursed by the Company and contains provisions for
indemnification by the Company of such members of the Company's bank group.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   70
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
     The New Notes are to be issued under an Indenture, to be dated as of August
12, 1997 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, a New
York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee").
 
     The Indenture is, by its terms, subject to and governed by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The statements under this caption
relating to the New Notes and the Indenture are summaries and do not purport to
be complete, and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions of
certain terms therein. Wherever defined terms or particular sections of the
Indenture are referred to, such defined terms and sections are incorporated
herein by reference. Copies of the Indenture and the Registration Rights
Agreement referred to below (see "The Exchange Offer") are available at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee. All references in this section to the
"Company" refer solely to Insilco Corporation, the issuer of the New Notes, and
not to its Subsidiaries.
 
GENERAL
 
     The New Notes will be senior subordinated obligations of the Company, will
be limited to $150 million aggregate principal amount and will mature on August
15, 2007. The New Notes will be unsecured.
 
     The New Notes are effectively subordinated to all existing and future
indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables and Capital Lease
Obligations) of the Company's Subsidiaries. The Company's domestic Subsidiaries
have joint and several liability for (and have pledged substantially all of
their assets as collateral for, and in certain cases guaranteed) indebtedness
under the New Credit Facility. See "Risk Factors -- Subordination of the New
Notes; Other Indebtedness" and "-- Structural Subordination." In addition,
subject to certain financial tests, the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries may
from time to time hereafter Incur additional Debt, including under the New
Credit Facility, to which the New Notes would be effectively subordinated.
 
INTEREST AND PAYMENTS
 
     The New Notes will bear interest at the rate per annum shown on the front
cover of this Prospectus from August 12, 1997 or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable
semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15,
1998, to the Person in whose name the Note (or any predecessor Note) is
registered (a "Holder") at the close of business on the preceding February 1 or
August 1, as the case may be. The New Notes will bear interest on overdue
principal and premium (if any) and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue
interest at the rate per annum shown on the front cover of this Prospectus plus
2%. Interest on the New Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. (Sections 301, 308 and 311).
 
     The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the New Notes will
be payable, and the transfer of New Notes will be registrable, at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York. In addition, payment of interest may, at the option of the
Company, be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto
as it appears in the Security Register; provided, however, that all payments of
the principal (and premium, if any) and interest on New Notes the Holders of
which have given wire transfer instructions to the Company or its agent at least
10 Business Days prior to the applicable payment date will be required to be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified
by such Holders in such instructions. (Sections 301, 306 and 1002).
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
     The New Notes will be subject to redemption, at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part, at any time on or after August 15, 2002 and prior to
maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each
Holder of New Notes to be redeemed at such Holder's address appearing in the
Security Register, in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, at
the following Redemption Prices
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   71
 
(expressed as percentages of the principal amount redeemed), plus accrued
interest to but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders
of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on an
Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed
during the twelve-month period beginning on August 15 of each of the years
indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR                       REDEMPTION PRICE
                ---------------------------------------------  ----------------
                <S>                                            <C>
                2002.........................................       105.125%
                2003.........................................       103.417%
                2004.........................................       101.708%
                2005 and thereafter..........................       100.000%
</TABLE>
 
(Sections 203, 1101, 1105 and 1107).
 
     If less than all the New Notes are to be redeemed, the particular New Notes
to be redeemed will be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding New Notes not previously called for
redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and
which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to $1,000
or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of New Notes of a
denomination larger than $1,000. (Section 1104).
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
     Except as described below under "Repurchase at the Option of
Holders -- Asset Dispositions" and "-- Change of Control," the New Notes will
not have the benefit of any mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligations of
the Company.
 
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
  Asset Dispositions
 
     The Company may not make, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to
make, any Asset Disposition (other than an Asset Disposition permitted under the
Indenture as described in "Covenants -- Mergers, Consolidations and Certain
Sales of Assets" below) in one transaction (or series of related transactions)
unless: (i) the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be)
receives consideration at the time of such disposition at least equal to the
fair market value of the shares or other assets disposed of (as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors and evidenced by their resolution) for any
transaction (or series of related transactions) involving in excess of $2
million; (ii) at least 80% of the consideration received by the Company (or such
Restricted Subsidiary) consists of: (u) cash, readily marketable cash
equivalents, readily marketable fixed-income securities or equity securities
traded on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ (valued, in the case of
securities, at the market value thereof when received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary), (v) the assumption of Debt or other liabilities
reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
(excluding Debt or any other liabilities subordinate in right of payment to the
New Notes) and release from all liability on such Debt or other liabilities
assumed, (w) assets used by, or stock or other ownership interests in, a Person
that upon the consummation of such Asset Disposition becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary and will be principally engaged in the business of the Company or any
of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries substantially as such business was
conducted prior to such Asset Disposition (as determined by the Board of
Directors in good faith) or (x) any combination thereof and (iii) 100% of the
Net Available Proceeds from such Asset Disposition (including from the sale of
any marketable cash equivalents, fixed-income or equity securities received
therein), less any amounts ("Reinvested Amounts") invested, within one year from
the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net
Available Proceeds, in assets that will be used in the same or a substantially
similar or related business of the Company or any of its Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries as conducted prior to such Asset Disposition (as determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith), are applied by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary (a) first, within one year from the later of the date of such Asset
Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Proceeds, to repayment of
Senior Debt of the Company or Debt of its Restricted Subsidiaries then
outstanding under any agreements or instruments which would require such
application or
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   72
 
which would prohibit payments pursuant to the following clause (b); (b) second,
to the extent Net Available Proceeds are not required to be applied to Senior
Debt or Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries as specified in clause (a), to purchases
of Outstanding New Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase at a purchase price
equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of
purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant Regular
Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or
prior to the purchase date), and, to the extent required by the terms thereof,
to purchases (on a pro rata basis with the New Notes) of any other Debt of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries that is pari passu with the New Notes at
a price no greater than 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
interest to the date of purchase, in each case to the extent such purchases are
not prohibited by the terms of any Senior Debt of the Company or of any Debt of
Restricted Subsidiaries then outstanding; (c) third, to the extent of any
remaining Net Available Proceeds following purchases pursuant to the foregoing
clause (b), to the repayment of other Debt of the Company or Debt of a
Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent permitted under the terms thereof and (d)
fourth, to the extent of any remaining Net Available Proceeds, to any other use
as determined by the Company which is not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.
(sec. 1017). The foregoing obligations will not continue after a discharge of
the Company or defeasance from its obligations with respect to the New Notes.
See "Defeasance" below.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to comply
with the requirements described in clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the preceding
paragraph for any Asset Disposition that is an Excepted Disposition, and the
Company will not be required to comply with the requirements described in clause
(iii) of the preceding paragraph except at any time and from time to time that
the aggregate amount of Net Available Proceeds, less Reinvested Amounts,
required to be applied pursuant to clause (iii) (and not theretofore so applied)
exceeds $10 million; provided, however, with respect to such clause (iii), that
if any Restricted Subsidiary in which a Reinvested Amount is invested becomes an
Unrestricted Subsidiary thereafter, such change in status, except under certain
circumstances, will be deemed an Asset Disposition with Net Available Proceeds
of cash in an amount equal to such Reinvested Amount (less any portion of such
Reinvested Amount theretofore distributed to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary), and such amount of cash will be applied pursuant to clause (iii)
above (subject to this proviso). (Section 1017).
 
     Any Offer to Purchase required by the provisions described above will be
effected by the sending of the written terms and conditions thereof (the "Offer
Document"), by first class mail, to Holders of the New Notes within 30 days
after the date which is one year after the later of the date of such Asset
Disposition or the receipt of the related Net Available Proceeds. The form of
the Offer to Purchase and the requirements that a Holder must satisfy to tender
any New Note pursuant to such Offer to Purchase are substantially the same as
those described below under "-- Change of Control."
 
  Change of Control
 
     Within 30 days following the consummation of a transaction that results in
a Change of Control (as defined below), the Company will commence an Offer to
Purchase all Outstanding New Notes, at a purchase price equal to 101% of their
aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase
(subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date
to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the
date of purchase). Such obligation will not continue after a discharge of the
Company or defeasance from its obligations with respect to the New Notes. See
"Defeasance."
 
     A "Change of Control" will be deemed to have occurred in the event that,
after the date of the Indenture, the following occurs: (i) replacement of a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company from the directors who
constituted the Board of Directors on the date of the Indenture for any reason
other than death, retirement or disability, and such replacement shall not have
been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company as constituted on the
date of the Indenture (or as changed over time with the approval of the Board of
Directors of the Company); or (ii) a Person or entity or group of Persons or
entities acting in concert, other than Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I,
L.P. ("Water Street") or its Affiliates or any Person or entity or group of
Persons or entities acting in concert and controlled by Water Street or its
Affiliates, shall, as a result of a tender or exchange offer, open market
purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, have become the
beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
securities of the
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   73
 
Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of
the Voting Stock of the Company.
 
     The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of the New Notes resulting from a Change of Control.
 
     Under the terms of the New Credit Facility, a Change of Control could
constitute an event of default thereunder and prohibit the redemption of the New
Notes. If an event of default under the New Credit Facility has occurred and is
continuing, payments owing on the New Notes could be blocked pursuant to the
subordination provisions of the New Notes. See "-- Subordination" below. To
repay the New Notes, it may be necessary for the Company first to recapitalize
or refinance the New Credit Facility and some or all of its outstanding
indebtedness (if any). There can be no assurance that such recapitalization or
refinancing, if required, would be accomplished on favorable terms, in a timely
manner or at all.
 
     Prior to the mailing of an Offer Document, the Company will in good faith
seek to obtain any required consents of holders of Senior Debt or repay the
outstanding obligations thereunder. The right of holders to require the Company
to purchase New Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase will be subject to
obtaining the requisite consents or making such repayment.
 
     Within 30 days following a Change of Control, an Offer Document will be
sent, by first class mail, to Holders of the New Notes, accompanied by such
information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company in good
faith believes will enable the holders to make an informed decision with respect
to the Offer to Purchase, which at a minimum will include (a) the most recent
annual and quarterly financial statements and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in the
documents required to be filed with the Trustee pursuant to the provisions
described under "Covenants -- Provision of Financial Information" below (which
requirements may be satisfied by delivery of such documents together with the
Offer to Purchase), (b) a description of material developments in the Company's
business subsequent to the date of the latest of such financial statements
referred to in clause (a) (including a description of the events requiring the
Company to make the Offer to Purchase), (c) if applicable, appropriate pro forma
financial information concerning the Offer to Purchase and the events requiring
the Company to make the Offer to Purchase and (d) any other information required
by applicable law to be included therein. The Offer Document will contain all
instructions and materials necessary to enable holders of the New Notes to
tender New Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer Document will also
state (i) that a Change of Control has occurred (or, if the Offer to Purchase is
delivered in connection with an Asset Disposition, that an Asset Disposition has
occurred) and that the Company will offer to purchase the holder's New Notes,
(ii) the Expiration Date of the Offer to Purchase, which will be, subject to any
contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60
days after the date of such Offer Document, (iii) the Purchase Date for the
purchase of New Notes which will be within five Business Days after the
Expiration Date, (iv) the aggregate principal amount of New Notes to be
purchased (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such purchase has
been determined pursuant to the Indenture) and the purchase price and (v) a
description of the procedure which a holder must follow to tender all or any
portion of the New Notes. (Sections 101 and 1018).
 
     To tender any Note, a holder must surrender such Note at the place or
places specified in the Offer Document prior to the close of business on the
Expiration Date (such Note being duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly
executed by, the holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing). A
holder will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of New Notes tendered if
the Company (or its Paying Agent) receives, not later than the close of business
on the Expiration Date, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note the holder
tendered, the certificate number of the Note the holder tendered and a statement
that such holder is withdrawing all or a portion of his tender. Any portion of a
Note tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal
amount. (Section 101).
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   74
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     The payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
New Notes and all other Obligations in respect of the New Notes or on account of
any Claim (collectively, the "Subordinated Obligations") will, in certain
circumstances as set forth in the Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment
to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company. Upon any payment
or distribution of assets of the Company to creditors upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshaling of assets and liabilities or any bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar proceedings ("Insolvency Proceedings") of the Company, the holders of
Senior Debt of the Company will be entitled to receive payment in full of the
principal of (and premium, if any), interest on and all other Obligations in
respect of such Senior Debt, including all amounts due or to become due on all
such Senior Debt, or provision will be made for payment in cash or cash
equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Debt, before the Holders of New Notes are entitled to receive any Securities
Payment. "Securities Payment" means any payment or distribution of any kind,
whether in cash, property or securities (including any payment or distribution
deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Debt subordinated to the New
Notes) on account of the Subordinated Obligations or on account of the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition of New Notes by the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company. If notwithstanding the foregoing the Trustee or the Holder of any
Note receives during the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding any Securities
Payment before all Senior Debt of the Company is paid in full or payment thereof
is provided for in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner
satisfactory to the holders of such Senior Debt, then in such event such
Securities Payment will be required to be paid over or delivered forthwith to
the holders of Senior Debt for application to the payment of all Senior Debt of
the Company remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Debt in
full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holders of the New Notes may receive
Subordinated Securities. (Sections 1301 and 1302).
 
     The Company may not make any Securities Payment (except for Subordinated
Securities) if there has occurred and is continuing a default in the payment of
the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or any other payment
Obligation owing in respect of any Designated Senior Debt or if there has
occurred and is continuing any event of default with respect to any Designated
Senior Debt that has resulted in such Designated Senior Debt becoming or being
declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have
become due and payable (a "Senior Payment Default"). In addition, if any default
(other than a Senior Payment Default) with respect to any Designated Senior Debt
permitting after notice or lapse of time (or both) the holders thereof (or a
trustee on behalf thereof) to accelerate the maturity thereof (a "Senior
Nonmonetary Default") has occurred and is continuing and the Company and the
Trustee have received written notice thereof from the administrative agent under
the New Credit Facility or the trustee or other authorized representative of the
holders of any Designated Senior Debt (in any case, a "Senior Representative"),
then the Company may not make any Securities Payment (except for Subordinated
Securities) for a period (a "Blockage Period") commencing on the date the
Company and the Trustee receive such written notice and ending on the earliest
of (x) 179 days after such date, (y) the date, if any, on which the Designated
Senior Debt to which such default relates is paid in full or such default is
waived or otherwise cured and (z) the date on which the Company and the Trustee
receive written notice from such Senior Representative terminating the Blockage
Period. If notwithstanding the foregoing the Trustee or the Holder of any Note
receives during the pendency of any Blockage Period any Securities Payment
before such Designated Senior Debt is paid in full or payment thereof is
provided for in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory
to the holders of such Designated Senior Debt, then in such event such
Securities Payment will be required to be paid over or delivered forthwith to
the holders of such Designated Senior Debt for application to the payment
thereof, to the extent necessary to pay such Designated Senior Debt in full.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holders of the New Notes may receive Subordinated
Securities. (Section 1303).
 
     During any 360-day period, the aggregate of all Blockage Periods shall not
exceed 179 days and there shall be a period of at least 181 consecutive days in
each consecutive 360-day period when no Blockage Period is in effect. When no
Blockage Period is in effect, the Company may make all required payments
(including any such payments not made during any Blockage Period) in respect of
the New Notes not prohibited by the terms of these subordination provisions. No
Senior Nonmonetary Default that existed or was continuing on
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   75
 
the date of commencement of any Blockage Period will be, or can be, made the
basis for the commencement of a subsequent Blockage Period, unless such default
has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
(Section 1303).
 
     By reason of the subordination of the New Notes described above, in the
event of insolvency, creditors of the Company that are not holders of Senior
Debt of the Company or of the New Notes may recover less, ratably, than holders
of such Senior Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the New
Notes, and the Company may be unable to fully satisfy its obligations in
connection with the New Notes.
 
     The subordination provisions described above will cease to be applicable to
the New Notes upon any defeasance or covenant defeasance of the New Notes as
described below under "Defeasance."
 
     As of June 30, 1997, the Company had Senior Debt of approximately $169.8
million. On June 30, 1997 upon giving effect to the Transactions, the Company on
a pro forma basis had Senior Debt of approximately $141.8 million.
 
COVENANTS
 
     The Indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:
 
  Limitation on Consolidated Debt
 
     The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur
any Debt unless, immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of
such Debt and the receipt and application of the proceeds thereof, the
Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for the four full fiscal quarters next preceding the Incurrence of
such Debt, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Debt had been Incurred and
the proceeds thereof had been received and so applied at the beginning of the
four fiscal quarters, would be greater than 2.0 to 1.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the following Debt may be
Incurred:
 
          (i) Debt Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under
     the New Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any time
     outstanding not to exceed $200 million, less (A) $20 million at each of the
     third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the New Credit Facility's
     effective date, plus (B) increased revolving credit commitments thereunder
     in an aggregate amount not exceeding in the aggregate the amount of Debt
     that is permitted to be Incurred, but has not been Incurred, under clauses
     (iv) and (viii) of this paragraph, and plus (C) the amount of Debt Incurred
     under the New Credit Facility on a term loan basis that is Incurred
     pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph, and, with respect to all
     of the foregoing, any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding (a
     "refinancing") of such Debt in an amount that does not exceed the sum of
     the amount of the revolving credit commitments and the amount of the
     outstanding term Debt under the New Credit Facility immediately prior to
     such renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding; provided that no Debt
     Incurred on a term loan basis may be refinanced on a revolving credit
     basis;
 
          (ii) the original issuance by the Company of the Debt evidenced by the
     Notes;
 
          (iii) Debt (other than Debt described in another clause of this
     paragraph) of the Company outstanding on the date of the Indenture after
     giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the New Notes;
 
          (iv) Debt in respect of Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings
     or other purchase money obligations, in an aggregate principal amount at
     any time outstanding not to exceed $15 million (including Debt refinanced
     pursuant to clause (vii) of this paragraph and without duplication at such
     time of any portion of any revolving credit commitment then in effect that
     represents an increase made under the immediately preceding clause (i)(B)
     in reliance on this clause (iv)), Incurred by the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition
     or improvement of any property used in the business of the Company or such
     Restricted Subsidiary;
 
                                       71
<PAGE>   76
 
          (v) Debt owed by the Company to any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary
     or Debt owed by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Wholly Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (a) any such Debt (not
     pledged as security for any Senior Debt) owing by the Company to a Wholly
     Owned Restricted Subsidiary shall be Subordinated Debt evidenced by an
     intercompany promissory note and (b) upon either (1) the transfer or other
     disposition (excluding any pledge thereof as security for any Senior Debt)
     by such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or the Company of any Debt so
     permitted to a Person other than the Company or another Wholly Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the issuance (other than directors' qualifying
     shares), sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (including by
     consolidation or merger) of shares of Capital Stock (other than any pledge
     thereof as security for any Senior Debt) of such Wholly Owned Restricted
     Subsidiary to a Person other than the Company or another such Wholly Owned
     Restricted Subsidiary, the provisions of this clause (vi) shall no longer
     be applicable to such Debt and such Debt shall be deemed to have been
     Incurred at the time of such issuance, sale, lease, transfer or other
     disposition, as the case may be;
 
          (vi) Debt Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
     consisting of Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price
     Agreements;
 
          (vii) Debt which is exchanged for or the proceeds of which are used to
     refinance or refund, or any extension or renewal of, outstanding Debt
     Incurred pursuant to the preceding paragraph or clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv)
     of this paragraph (each of the foregoing, a "refinancing") in an aggregate
     principal amount not to exceed the principal amount of the Debt so
     refinanced, plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in
     connection with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Debt so
     refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined by the
     Company as necessary to accomplish such refinancing by means of a tender
     offer or privately negotiated repurchase and plus the expenses of the
     Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, Incurred in
     connection with such refinancing; provided, however, that (a) Debt the
     proceeds of which are used to refinance the New Notes or Debt that is pari
     passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the New Notes shall only
     be permitted if (1) in the case of any refinancing of the New Notes or Debt
     that is pari passu with the New Notes, the refinancing Debt is Incurred by
     the Company and made pari passu with the New Notes or subordinated in right
     of payment to the New Notes, and (2) in the case of any refinancing of Debt
     that is subordinate in right of payment to the New Notes, the refinancing
     Debt is Incurred by the Company and constitutes Subordinated Debt; (b) the
     refinancing Debt by its terms, or by the terms of any agreement or
     instrument pursuant to which such Debt is issued, (1) does not provide for
     payments of principal of such Debt at the stated maturity thereof or by way
     of a sinking fund applicable thereto or by way of any mandatory redemption,
     defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof (including any redemption,
     defeasance, retirement or repurchase which is contingent upon events or
     circumstances, but excluding any retirement required by virtue of
     acceleration of such Debt upon any event of default thereunder), in each
     case prior to the final stated maturity of the Debt being refinanced and
     (2) except as provided for by the terms of the Debt being refinanced, does
     not permit redemption or other retirement (including pursuant to an offer
     to purchase) of such Debt at the option of the holder thereof prior to the
     final stated maturity of the Debt being refinanced other than a redemption
     or other retirement at the option of the holder of such Debt (including
     pursuant to an offer to purchase) which is conditioned upon provisions
     substantially similar to those described above under "Repurchase at the
     Option of Holders -- Asset Dispositions" and "-- Change of Control"; (c) in
     the case of any refinancing of Debt Incurred by the Company, the
     refinancing Debt may be Incurred only by the Company and, in the case of
     any refinancing of Debt Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary, the
     refinancing Debt may be Incurred only by the Company or such Restricted
     Subsidiary; provided, further, that Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause
     (vii) may not be Incurred more than 90 days prior to the application of the
     proceeds to repay the Debt to be refinanced; and
 
          (viii) Debt not otherwise permitted to be Incurred by the Company or
     any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clauses (i) through (vii) above,
     which, together with any other outstanding Debt Incurred pursuant to this
     clause (viii), has an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding
     not in excess of $15 million (without duplication at such time of any
     portion of any revolving credit commitment then in
 
                                       72
<PAGE>   77
 
     effect that represents an increase made under the immediately preceding
     clause (i)(B) in reliance on this clause (viii)). (Section 1008).
 
  Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries
 
     The Company may not cause, and may not permit, any Restricted Subsidiary to
Incur any Debt or issue any Preferred Stock except: (i) Debt Incurred by any
Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly permitted in the preceding paragraph;
(ii) Debt or Preferred Stock outstanding on the date of the Indenture after
giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the New Notes; (iii) Debt or
Preferred Stock issued to and held by the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary (provided that such Debt or Preferred Stock is at all times held by
the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary); or (iv) Debt or Preferred
Stock Incurred or issued by a Person prior to the time (A) such Person became a
Restricted Subsidiary, (B) such Person merges into or consolidates with a
Restricted Subsidiary or (C) another Restricted Subsidiary merges into or
consolidates with such Person (in a transaction in which such Person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary), which Debt or Preferred Stock was not Incurred or issued
in anticipation of such transaction and was outstanding prior to such
transaction. (Section 1009).
 
  Limitation on Layered Debt
 
     The Company may not Incur any Debt which by its terms is both (i)
subordinated in right of payment to any Senior Debt and (ii) senior in right of
payment to the New Notes. (Section 1010).
 
  Limitation on Issuance of Guarantees of Subordinated Debt
 
     The Company may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to assume, guarantee or in any other manner become liable with
respect to any Debt of the Company that by its terms is pari passu with or
junior in right of payment to the New Notes. (Section 1011).
 
  Limitation on Restricted Payments
 
     The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, (i) declare or pay any dividend, or make any
distribution, of any kind or character (whether in cash, property or securities)
in respect of the Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or
to the holders thereof in their capacity as such (excluding (u) dividends or
distributions to the extent payable in shares of the Capital Stock of the
Company (other than Redeemable Interests) or in options, warrants or other
rights to acquire the Capital Stock of the Company (other than Redeemable
Interests), (v) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary to the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary and (w) the payment of pro rata
dividends by a Restricted Subsidiary to holders of both minority and majority
interests in such Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire or retire for value (a) any Capital Stock of the Company or any Capital
Stock of or other ownership interests in any Subsidiary or any Affiliate or
Related Person of the Company or (b) any options, warrants or rights to purchase
or acquire shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any Capital Stock of or
other ownership interests in any Subsidiary or any Affiliate or Related Person
of the Company (excluding, in each case of (a) and (b), the purchase,
redemption, acquisition or retirement by any Restricted Subsidiary of any of its
Capital Stock, other ownership interests or options, warrants or rights to
purchase such Capital Stock or other ownership interests (x) owned by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (y) owned by any other Person if effected
on a pro rata basis with respect to holders of both minority and majority
interests in such Restricted Subsidiary or (z) owned by any officer, director or
employee of the Company, but solely for the purpose of enabling such Person (or
the Company on his or her behalf) to satisfy tax obligations in respect of his
or her exercise of options, warrants or rights to purchase Capital Stock of the
Company), (iii) make any Investment that is not a Permitted Investment or (iv)
redeem, defease, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire or retire for value,
prior to any scheduled maturity, repayment or sinking fund payment, Debt of the
Company that is subordinate in right of payment to
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   78
 
the New Notes (each of the transactions described in clauses (i) through (iv)
being a "Restricted Payment"), if:
 
          (1) an Event of Default, or an event that with the lapse of time or
     the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, shall
     have occurred and be continuing;
 
          (2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and
     after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had
     been made at the beginning of the most recently ended four full fiscal
     quarter period for which annual or quarterly financial statements are
     publicly available immediately preceding the date of such Restricted
     Payment, not have been permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt
     pursuant to the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio test described in the
     first paragraph under "-- Limitation on Consolidated Debt" above; or
 
          (3) upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of
     all Restricted Payments (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses
     (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the next succeeding paragraph) from the date of the
     Indenture (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, determined in
     good faith by the Board of Directors) exceeds the sum, without duplication,
     of:
 
             (a) 50% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income (or, in case
        Consolidated Net Income shall be negative, less 100% of such deficit)
        for the period (taken as one accounting period) from June 30, 1997
        through the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for
        which annual or quarterly financial statements are publicly available at
        the time of such Restricted Payment;
 
             (b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds from the issuance and
        sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other
        than Redeemable Interests) of the Company and options, warrants or other
        rights to acquire Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Interests and
        Debt convertible into Capital Stock) of the Company and the principal
        amount of Debt and Redeemable Interests of the Company that has been
        converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than Redeemable
        Interests) of the Company after June 30, 1997, provided that any such
        net proceeds received by the Company from an employee stock ownership
        plan financed by loans from the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company
        shall be included only to the extent such loans have been repaid with
        cash on or prior to the date of determination;
 
             (c) the amount by which the total consideration paid by the Company
        in the Tender Offer is less than $110 million; and
 
             (d) $25 million.
 
(Section 1012).
 
     The foregoing covenant will not be violated by reason of:
 
          (i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after declaration
     thereof if at the declaration date such payment would have complied with
     the foregoing covenant;
 
          (ii) any payment made by the Company in connection with the
     consummation of the Transactions;
 
          (iii) any refinancing or refunding of Debt permitted pursuant to
     clause (i) or (vii) of the second paragraph under "Limitation on
     Consolidated Debt" above; and
 
          (iv) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
     value of any Capital Stock of the Company or any options, warrants or
     rights to purchase or acquire shares of Capital Stock of the Company in
     exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, the substantially
     concurrent issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of
     Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Interests) of the Company; provided
     that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
     such purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value
     shall be excluded from clause (3)(b) in the foregoing paragraph.
 
     Upon the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, an amount equal to the greater of the book value and the fair market
value of all assets of such Restricted Subsidiary at the end of the
 
                                       74
<PAGE>   79
 
Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which annual or quarterly
financial statements are publicly available prior to such designation will be
deemed to be a Restricted Payment at the time of such designation for purposes
of calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments (including the
Restricted Payment resulting from such designation) permitted under provisions
described in the second preceding paragraph. (Section 1012).
 
  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
 
     The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted
Subsidiary (i) to pay dividends (in cash or otherwise) or make any other
distributions in respect of its Capital Stock or other ownership interests or
pay any Debt or other obligation owed to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary; (ii) to make loans or advances to the Company or any other
Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) to sell, lease or transfer any of its property
or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company may, and may permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, suffer
to exist any such encumbrance or restriction: (a) pursuant to any agreement in
effect on the date of the Indenture (including the New Credit Facility, the
Indenture and the New Notes); (b) pursuant to an agreement relating to any Debt
Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date on which such
Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company and outstanding on such date
and not Incurred in anticipation of becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; (c)
pursuant to mortgages and other purchase money obligations in connection with
property acquired or improved in the ordinary course of business or liens in
connection therewith permitted to be Incurred under the Indenture as described
in "-- Limitation on Liens" below that impose restrictions of the nature
described in clause (iii) above on the property so acquired or improved; (d)
pursuant to an agreement effecting a renewal, refunding, refinancing or
extension of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a),
(b) or (c) above, provided, however, that the provisions contained in such
renewal, refunding, refinancing or extension agreement relating to such
encumbrance or restriction are no more restrictive in any material respect than
the provisions contained in the agreement the subject thereof (as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors); (e) pursuant to customary non-assignment
provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices in leases, licenses or contracts to the extent such provisions
restrict the transfer, subletting or other disposition of any such lease,
license or contract; (f) pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into
for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital
Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that consummation of
such transaction would not result in an Event of Default or an event that, with
the passing of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event
of Default, that such restriction terminates if such transaction is closed or
abandoned and that the closing or abandonment of such transaction occurs within
one year of the date such agreement was entered into; or (g) arising under any
applicable law, rule, regulation or order. (Section 1013).
 
  Limitation on Liens
 
     The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur
or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or assets now
owned or hereafter acquired to secure any Debt of the Company that is expressly
by its terms subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Debt of the
Company without making, or causing such Restricted Subsidiary to make, effective
provision for securing the New Notes (a) equally and ratably with such Debt as
to such property or assets for so long as such Debt will be so secured or (b) in
the event such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the New Notes, prior
to such Debt as to such property or assets for so long as such Debt will be
secured. (Section 1014).
 
  Limitation on Ownership of Capital Stock of Subsidiaries
 
     The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
issue, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of any shares of Capital
Stock (other than directors' qualifying shares and shares pledged as security
for any Senior Debt) of a Restricted Subsidiary or securities convertible or
exchangeable into, or options, warrants, rights or any other interest with
respect to, Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to any
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   80
 
Person other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary except in
a transaction consisting of a sale (including a public offering) of all or part
of the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary owned by the Company and any
Restricted Subsidiary and that complies with the provisions described under
"Repurchase at the Option of Holders -- Asset Dispositions" above to the extent
such provisions apply; provided that after any sale of less than all of the
Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, the Company directly or indirectly
maintains voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such
Restricted Subsidiary. (Section 1015).
 
  Transactions with Affiliates and Related Persons
 
     The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, after
the date of the Indenture, enter into any transaction (or series of related
transactions) with an Affiliate or Related Person of the Company (other than the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), including any Investment, either directly
or indirectly, that involves total consideration or asset transfers in excess of
$1,000,000 (i) unless such transaction is on terms no less favorable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or
Related Person and is in the best interests of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary and (ii) except for the Transactions. For any transaction that
involves in excess of $1,000,000 but less than or equal to $5,000,000, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company shall determine that the transaction satisfies
the above criteria and shall evidence such a determination by a certificate
filed with the Trustee. For any transaction that involves in excess of
$5,000,000, a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors
shall determine that the transaction satisfies the above criteria and shall
evidence such a determination by a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee. For
any transaction that involves in excess of $10,000,000, the Company shall also
obtain an opinion from a nationally recognized expert with experience in
appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction (or series of
related transactions) for which the opinion is required stating that such
transaction (or series of related transactions) is on terms no less favorable to
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or
Related Person of the Company, which opinion shall be filed with the Trustee;
provided, however, that the foregoing restrictions will not apply to: (a)
reasonable employment, compensation, bonus or benefit arrangements entered into
in the ordinary course of business (including the granting of stock acquisition
rights and other incentives other than Redeemable Interests); the payment of
reasonable fees, expense reimbursements and customary indemnification, advances
and other similar arrangements with respect to officers and directors; and
reasonable loans and advances to employees in the ordinary course of business;
(b) required payments with respect to any Debt permitted by the Indenture as
described in "Covenants -- Limitation on Consolidated Debt" above; (c)
transactions permitted by the Indenture as described in "Covenants -- Limitation
on Restricted Payments" above; (d) any payments or other transactions pursuant
to any tax sharing agreement with any Person with which the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is required or permitted to file a consolidated tax return
or with which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is or could be part of a
consolidated group for tax purposes; and (e) any transaction with Goldman Sachs,
Water Street or any of their Affiliates to the extent that such transaction is
or was approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors in good faith. (Section 1016).
 
  Provision of Financial Information
 
     Whether or not the Company is required to be subject to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision thereto, the Company shall
file with the Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents that the Company would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to such Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision thereto if
the Company were so required, such documents to be filed with the Commission on
or prior to the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the
Company would have been required so to file such documents if the Company were
so required. The Company shall also in any event within 15 days after each
Required Filing Date (i) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and
addresses appear in the Security Register, without cost to such Holders, and
(ii) file with the Trustee, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and
other documents that the Company files with the Commission pursuant to such
Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   81
 
provision thereto or would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to such Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision thereto if
the Company were so required. If filing such documents by the Company with the
Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Company will upon
written request promptly provide copies of such documents to any prospective
holder of the New Notes. (Section 1019).
 
  Unrestricted Subsidiaries
 
     The Company at any time may designate any Person that is a Subsidiary, or
after the date of the Indenture becomes a Subsidiary, of the Company as an
"Unrestricted Subsidiary," whereupon (and until such Person ceases to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) such Person and each other Person that is then or
thereafter becomes a Subsidiary of such Person will be deemed to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. In addition, the Company may at any time terminate the
status of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, whereupon
such Subsidiary and each other Subsidiary of the Company (if any) of which such
Subsidiary is a Subsidiary will be a Restricted Subsidiary. (Section 1020).
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change in the status of a Subsidiary of
the Company from a Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary or from
an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary will be effective, and no
Person may otherwise become a Restricted Subsidiary, if:
 
          (i) the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio of the Company and its
     Restricted Subsidiaries for the four full fiscal quarters of the Company
     next preceding the effective date of such purported change or other event,
     calculated on a pro forma basis as if such change or other event had been
     effective at the beginning of such period, would not exceed 2.0 to 1.0;
 
          (ii) in the case of any change in status of a Restricted Subsidiary to
     an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Restricted Payment resulting from such
     change would violate the provisions of the Indenture described under clause
     (3) of the first paragraph under "Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted
     Payments" above; or
 
          (iii) such change or other event would otherwise result (after the
     giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both) in an Event of Default.
 
     In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing, no Restricted Subsidiary may
become an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and the status of any Unrestricted Subsidiary
as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to have been immediately terminated
(whereupon such Subsidiary and each other Subsidiary of the Company (if any) of
which such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary will be a Restricted Subsidiary) at any
time when:
 
          (1) such Subsidiary (A) has outstanding Debt that is Unpermitted Debt
     or (B) owns or holds any Capital Stock of or other ownership interests in,
     or a Lien on any property or other assets of, the Company or any of its
     Restricted Subsidiaries; or
 
          (2) the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (A) provides credit
     support for, or a Guarantee of, any Debt of such Subsidiary (including any
     undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt) or (B) is
     directly or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary.
 
     Any termination of the status of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence will be deemed to
result in a breach of this covenant in any circumstance in which the Company
would not be permitted to change the status of such Unrestricted Subsidiary to
the status of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the provision of the Indenture
described under the preceding paragraph; provided, however, that (a) so long as
the aggregate principal amount outstanding of Unpermitted Debt does not exceed
$5 million, no such breach will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any
Unpermitted Debt until 15 days after the Company has become aware of such
Unpermitted Debt and such Unpermitted Debt remains outstanding or Unpermitted
Debt, and (b) any change of status of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Restricted
Subsidiary as aforesaid followed within one year by a change of status of such
Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary will not be deemed an Asset
Disposition or cause any Reinvested Amount invested therein to be deemed Net
Available Proceeds or the book value or fair market value of the assets thereof
to be deemed a Restricted Payment. "Unpermitted Debt" means any Debt of a
Subsidiary of the
 
                                       77
<PAGE>   82
 
Company if (x) a default thereunder (or under any instrument or agreement
pursuant to or by which such Debt is issued, secured or evidenced), or any right
that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against such
Subsidiary or its property or other assets, would permit (whether or not after
the giving of notice or the lapse time or both) the holders of any Debt of the
Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary to declare the same due and payable
prior to the date on which it otherwise would have become due and payable or
otherwise to take any enforcement action against the Company or such other
Restricted Subsidiary or (y) such Debt is secured by a Lien on any property or
other assets of the Company and any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries. 
(Section 1020).
 
     Each Person that is or becomes a Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed
to be a Restricted Subsidiary at all times when it is a Subsidiary of the
Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Each Person that is or becomes a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary at all times when it is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. (Section 1020).
 
  Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets
 
     The Company (i) may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
consolidate with or merge into any Person, provided that this clause (i) will
not prohibit any such consolidation or merger by a Restricted Subsidiary if (x)
such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary in such
consolidation or merger or (y) such consolidation or merger is with or into the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) may not permit any Person other
than a Restricted Subsidiary to consolidate with or merge into the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that this clause (ii) will not prohibit any
such consolidation or merger with or into a Restricted Subsidiary if such
Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary in such consolidation
or merger; and (iii) may not, directly or indirectly (in one transaction or a
series of related transactions), transfer, convey, sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis unless, in each case (i), (ii) and
(iii) above:
 
          (1) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction (or
     series of related transactions) and treating any Debt Incurred by the
     Company or a Subsidiary of the Company as a result thereof as having been
     Incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction
     (or series of related transactions), no Event of Default, or event that
     with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, will constitute
     an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing;
 
          (2) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) in which the
     Company does not survive or in which the Company transfers, conveys, sells,
     leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its properties
     and assets, the successor entity is a corporation, partnership, limited
     liability company or trust and is organized and validly existing under the
     laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of
     Columbia and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and
     delivered to the Trustee in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the
     Company's obligations under the Indenture;
 
          (3) the Company or its successor entity would, at the time of such
     transaction (or series of related transactions) and after giving pro forma
     effect thereto as if such transaction (or series of related transactions)
     had occurred at the beginning of the most recently ended four full fiscal
     quarter period for which annual or quarterly financial statements are
     publicly available immediately preceding the date of such transaction (or
     series of related transactions), have been permitted to Incur at least
     $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio
     test described in the first paragraph under "Covenants -- Limitation on
     Consolidated Debt" above;
 
          (4) if, as a result of any such transaction, property or assets of the
     Company would become subject to a Lien prohibited by the covenant described
     above under "Covenants -- Limitation on Liens," the Company or its
     successor entity will have secured the New Notes as required by such
     covenant; and
 
          (5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel as specified in the Indenture. (Section 801).
 
                                       78
<PAGE>   83
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the
Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all
such terms, as well as any other terms used herein for which no definition is
provided. (Section 101).
 
     "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with
respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of
such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
     "Asset Disposition" means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (including a consolidation or merger or
other sale of such Restricted Subsidiary with, into or to another Person in a
transaction in which such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted
Subsidiary) of (i) shares of Capital Stock (other than directors' qualifying
shares) or other ownership interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii)
substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
representing a division or line of business or (iii) other assets or rights of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of
business, but excluding, in each case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), (a) any
disposition in the ordinary course of business of obsolete equipment or other
property used in the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that
is no longer used or useful in such business, (b) any disposition by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary, (c) required payments with respect to any Debt permitted by the
Indenture as described in "Covenants -- Limitation on Consolidated Debt" above,
(d) any disposition that is permitted under the Indenture as described in
"Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments" above, and (e) the disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company permitted under the
Indenture as described in "Covenants -- Mergers, Consolidations and Certain
Sales of Assets" above.
 
     "Capital Lease Obligation" of any Person means the obligation to pay rent
or other payment amounts under a lease of (or other Debt arrangements conveying
the right to use) real or personal property of such Person that is required to
be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability on the face of
a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The stated maturity of such obligation shall be the date of the last
payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date
upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a
penalty. The principal amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount
thereof that would appear on the face of a balance sheet of such Person in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of such Person.
 
     "Claim" means any and all rights to payment under or in respect of any of
the New Notes or the Indenture, all rights, remedies, demands, causes of action
and claims of every type and description at any time held or asserted by, or
arising in favor of, any holder of a Note against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any of their assets, in each case on account of
any breach of any promise, obligation, agreement, indemnity, representation,
warranty or covenant in a Note or the Indenture or the performance or
nonperformance or payment or nonpayment thereof.
 
     "Common Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that does
not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of such Person, to shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
 
     "Consolidated EBITDA" of any Person means for any period, on a consolidated
basis for such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts
for such period of (i) Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated Interest
Expense (but excluding any interest capitalized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles), (iii) Consolidated Income Tax Expense, (iv)
depreciation and amortization
 
                                       79
<PAGE>   84
 
expense, (v) other non-cash charges and (vi) other non-operating expenses that
have been deducted in the determination of Consolidated Net Income; provided,
however, that for each such Consolidated Subsidiary the items (i) through (vi)
shall be included in such sum only (x) to the extent and in the same proportion
that the Consolidated Net Income of such Consolidated Subsidiary was included in
calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and (y) only to the
extent that the amount specified in clause (x) is not restricted from the
payment of dividends or the making of distributions to such Person during such
period.
 
     "Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio" of any Person means for any period the
ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period to (ii) the sum
of (A) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, plus (B)
the annual interest expense (including the amortization of debt discount but
excluding the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the amortization of
the Old Credit Facility) with respect to any Debt Incurred or proposed to be
Incurred by such Person or its Consolidated Subsidiaries since the beginning of
such period to the extent not included within clause (ii)(A), minus (C)
Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person with respect to any Debt that is no
longer outstanding or that will no longer be outstanding as a result of the
transaction with respect to which the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio is
being calculated, to the extent included within clause (ii)(A); provided,
however, that in making such computation, the Consolidated Interest Expense of
such Person attributable to interest on any Debt bearing a floating interest
rate shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rate in effect on the date
of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period; and provided,
further, that, in the event such Person or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries
has made acquisitions or dispositions of assets not in the ordinary course of
business (including by merger, consolidation or purchase of Capital Stock)
during or after such period, the computation of the Consolidation EBITDA
Coverage Ratio (and for the purpose of such computation, the calculation of
Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Interest Expense, Consolidated Income Tax
Expense and Consolidated EBITDA) shall be made on a pro forma basis as if the
acquisitions or dispositions had taken place on the first day of such period.
 
     "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" of any Person means for any period the
consolidated provision for income taxes of such Person and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
     "Consolidated Interest Expense" of any Person means for any period, on a
consolidated basis for such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all of the
following determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles: (i) the consolidated interest expense included in a consolidated
income statement (net of interest income), (ii) the portion of any rental
obligation in respect of any Capital Lease Obligation allocable to interest
expense in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (iii) the
amortization of Debt discounts (but excluding the amortization of fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the amortization of the Old Credit Facility
and the amount of financing costs and expenses that are capitalized and
amortized); (iv) to the extent not included in total interest expense, any net
payments made or received during such period under interest rate or currency
swaps, hedges or exchanges or similar derivative agreements, including any
amortized portion of such payments and (v) any interest capitalized in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     "Consolidated Net Income" of any Person means for any period the
consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; provided that there shall be excluded therefrom (a) the
net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by such Person or a Subsidiary of
such Person in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the
date of such transaction (subject to the final proviso of the definition of
Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio when Consolidated Net Income is being
computed for purposes of calculating the Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio),
(b) the net income (but not net loss) of any Consolidated Subsidiary of such
Person to the extent restricted from the payment of dividends or the making of
distributions to such Person during such period, (c) the net income (or loss) of
any Person that is not a Consolidated Subsidiary of such Person except to the
extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to such
Person by such other Person during such period, (d) extraordinary gains and
losses (and any unusual gains and losses arising outside the ordinary course of
business not included in extraordinary gains and losses,
 
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<PAGE>   85
 
(e) net gains and losses in respect of dispositions of assets other than in the
ordinary course of business and (f) the tax effect of any of the items described
in clauses (a) through (e) above.
 
     "Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person at any date means the consolidated
stockholders' equity of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such
date, as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, less amounts attributable to Redeemable
Interests of such Person; provided, however, that, with respect to the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, adjustments following the date of the Indenture
to the accounting books and records of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinions Nos. 16 and
17 (or successor opinions thereto) or otherwise resulting from the acquisition
of control of the Company by another Person shall not be given effect to.
 
     "Consolidated Subsidiaries" of any Person means all other Persons that
would be accounted for as consolidated Persons in such Person's financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
provided, however, that, for any particular period during which any Subsidiary
of the Company was an Unrestricted Subsidiary, "Consolidated Subsidiaries" will
exclude such Subsidiary for such period (or portion thereof) during which it was
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Debt" means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, whether
recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed, (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including payment obligations Incurred in connection with the acquisition of
property, assets or businesses, (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such
Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar
facilities issued for the account of such Person, (iv) every obligation of such
Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services
(but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business), (v) every Capital Lease Obligation of such Person,
(vi) the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of Redeemable Interests of
such Person at the time of determination, (vii) the market value of any
indebtedness, obligation or other liability of such Person in respect of any
interest rate or currency swap, hedge or exchange or similar derivative
agreement with any counterparty thereto, net of indebtedness, obligations or
other liabilities owed to such Person by such counterparty and (viii) every
obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) of another
Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case,
such Person has Guaranteed or for which such Person is responsible or liable,
directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, Guarantor or
otherwise, but excluding from Debt (a) any indebtedness, obligations or other
liabilities subject to the Plan of Reorganization and (b) any indebtedness or
other liabilities incurred in connection with obligations incurred to pay
premiums for corporate owned life insurance policies purchased by the Company in
an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate cash value of such policies.
 
     "Designated Senior Debt" means (i) all Obligations in respect of the New
Credit Facility and (ii) all Obligations in respect of any other Senior Debt of
the Company in each case in an outstanding principal amount not less than $10
million.
 
     "Excepted Disposition" means a transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other
disposition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of (i) the Capital Stock
or any or all of the assets of Taylor Publishing Company, (ii) certain assets of
a Restricted Subsidiary that may be required to be divested, in an amount not to
exceed $8 million, in connection with an action by the Federal Trade Commission
relating to the acquisition by the Company of certain assets of Helima-Helvetion
International, Inc. or (iii) any other asset of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary for which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary receives a
mortgage or a purchase money security interest the principal amount of which at
any time outstanding does not exceed $8 million or, taken together with all
other mortgages and purchase money security interests in respect of any other
such assets, the aggregate principal amount of which at any time outstanding
does not exceed $15 million.
 
     "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person guaranteeing any Debt, or dividends or distributions on any equity
security, of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of
such Person,
 
                                       81
<PAGE>   86
 
(i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Debt or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of)
any security for the payment of such Debt, (ii) to purchase property, securities
or services for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Debt of the payment
of such Debt, or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt (and "Guaranteed," "Guaranteeing"
and "Guarantor" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided,
however, that the Guarantee by any Person shall not include endorsements by such
Person for collection or deposit, in either case, in the ordinary course of
business.
 
     "Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person,
to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation
or the recording, as required pursuant to generally accepted accounting
principles or otherwise, of any such Debt or other obligation on the balance
sheet of such Person (and "Incurrence", "Incurred", "Incurrable" and "Incurring"
shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided, however, that a
change in generally accepted accounting principles that results in an obligation
of such Person that exists at such time becoming Debt shall not be deemed an
Incurrence of such Debt.
 
     "Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement" of any Person means
any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financial
agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars
and similar agreements) relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon,
interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices or indices
(excluding contracts for the purchase or sale of goods in the ordinary course of
business).
 
     "Investment" by any Person in any other Person means (i) any direct or
indirect loan, advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution to
or for the account of such other Person (by means of any transfer of cash or
other property to any Person or any payment for property or services for the
account or use of any Person, or otherwise), (ii) any direct or indirect
purchase or other acquisition of any Capital Stock, bond, note, debenture or
other debt or equity security or evidence of Debt, or any other ownership
interest, issued by such other Person, whether or not such acquisition is from
such or any other Person, (iii) any direct or indirect payment by such Person on
a Guarantee of any obligation of or for the account of such other Person or (iv)
any other investment of cash or other property by such Person in or for the
account of such other Person.
 
     "Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed
of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, Receivables Sale, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement
not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including,
without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement
having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
 
     "Net Available Proceeds" means cash, readily marketable cash equivalents,
readily marketable fixed-income securities and equity securities traded on a
national securities exchange or NASDAQ (valued, in the case of securities, at
the market value thereof when received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary) received (including by way of sale or discounting of a note,
installment receivable or other receivable, but excluding any other
consideration received in the form of an assumption by any transferee of Debt or
other obligations relating to the properties or assets transferred, or otherwise
received in any non-cash form) from an Asset Disposition by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses,
commissions and other fees and expenses Incurred and all federal, state,
provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability as a
consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary on any Debt which is secured by assets disposed of in
such Asset Disposition in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with
respect to such assets or which must by the terms of such Lien, or in order to
obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition or by applicable law, be
repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) amounts provided
as a reserve by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, against liabilities under any
indemnification obligations to the buyer in such Asset Disposition (except to
the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from any such reserve,
such amounts shall constitute Net
 
                                       82
<PAGE>   87
 
Available Proceeds) and (iv) all distributions and other payments made to
minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a
result of such Asset Disposition.
 
     "New Credit Facility" means, collectively, the Credit Agreement dated as of
July 3, 1997 among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries, the financial
institutions from time to time party thereto as Lenders and Issuing Banks, The
First National Bank of Chicago and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., as
syndication agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., in its separate capacity as
collateral and administrative agent for the Lenders and Issuing Banks, and the
Loan Documents (as defined therein) (or other analogous documents entered into
in connection with any refinancing thereof), in each case as the same may from
time to time be amended, renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified at the
option of the parties thereto; and any other agreement pursuant to which any of
the Debt, commitments, Obligations, costs, expenses, fees, reimbursements and
other indemnities payable or owing under the New Credit Facility may be
refinanced, restructured, renewed, extended, refunded or increased, as any such
other agreement may from time to time at the option of the parties thereto be
amended, supplemented, renewed or otherwise modified.
 
     "Obligations" mean any principal, interest, penalties, expenses, fees,
indemnities, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the
documentation governing any Debt.
 
     "Old Credit Facility" means the revolving credit and term loan facility to
which the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries were parties that was replaced
by, and repaid in full by advances under, the New Credit Facility.
 
     "payment in full," together with any correlative term such as "paid in
full" and "pay in full," means with respect to any Obligation payment in full
thereof in cash.
 
     "Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement" of any
Person means any Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement entered
into with one or more financial institutions that is designed to protect such
Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates with
respect to Debt Incurred or, in the case of currency or commodity protection
agreements, against currency exchange rate or commodity price fluctuations
relating to then existing financial obligations or then existing or sold
production and, in any case, not for purposes of speculation.
 
     "Permitted Investment" means (i) Investments in the Company or any Person
that is, or as a consequence of such Investment becomes, a Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) securities either issued directly or fully guaranteed or
insured by the government of the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one year, (iii) time
deposits and certificates of deposit, demand deposits and banker's acceptances
having maturities of not more than one year from the date of deposit, of any
domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million
and having a peer group rating of B or better (or the equivalent thereof) by
Thompson BankWatch, Inc. or outstanding long-term debt rated BBB or better (or
the equivalent thereof) by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or Baa2 or better (or
the equivalent thereof) by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., (iv) demand deposits
made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the Company's
customary cash management policy in any domestic office of any commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof,
(v) insured deposits issued by commercial banks of the type described in clause
(iv) above, (vi) mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict such funds'
investments primarily to those satisfying the provisions of any of clauses (ii),
(iii), (vii) and (viii) of this definition, (vii) repurchase obligations with a
term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types
described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into with any bank meeting the
qualifications specified in clause (iii) above, (viii) commercial paper (other
than commercial paper issued by an Affiliate or Related Person) rated A-1 or the
equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or P-1 or the equivalent
thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and in each case maturing within 360
days, (ix) receivables owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary if
created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or
dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms, (x) any Investment
consisting of loans and advances to employees of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary for travel, entertainment, relocation, employee incentive plans or
other expenses in the ordinary course of business, (xi) any Investment
consisting of a Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement,
(xii) any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (A) in
 
                                       83
<PAGE>   88
 
exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or
any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a
bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such
other Investment or the obligor with respect to such accounts receivable or (B)
as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title
with respect to any secured Investment in default, (xiii) any Investment that
constitutes part of the consideration from an Asset Disposition made pursuant
to, and in compliance with, the covenant described above under "Repurchase at
the Option of Holders -- Asset Dispositions," (xiv) Investments the payment for
which consists exclusively of Capital Stock (exclusive of Redeemable Interests)
of the Company and (xv) Investments existing as of the date of the Indenture of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.
 
     "Post-Petition Interest" means all interest accrued or accruing after the
commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding (and interest that would accrue but
for the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding) in accordance with and at the
contract rate (including, without limitation, any rate applicable upon default)
specified in the agreement or instrument creating, evidencing or governing any
Senior Debt, whether or not, pursuant to applicable law or otherwise, the claim
for such interest is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency Proceeding.
 
     "Preferred Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person of any
class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of
dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of Capital
Stock of any other class of such Person.
 
     "Receivables" means receivables, chattel paper, instruments, documents or
intangibles evidencing or relating to the right to payment of money.
 
     "Receivables Sale" of any Person means any sale of Receivables of such
Person (pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise), other than in connection
with a disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or
a disposition of defaulted Receivables for purpose of collection and not as a
financing arrangement.
 
     "Redeemable Interest" of any Person means any equity security of or other
ownership interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or
otherwise (including upon the occurrence of an event) matures or is required to
be redeemed (pursuant to any sinking fund obligation or otherwise) or is
convertible into or exchangeable for Debt or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the final Stated
Maturity of the New Notes.
 
     "Related Person" of any Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly owning (a) 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of such Person
(or, in the case of a Person that is not a corporation, 5% or more of the equity
interest in such Person) or (b) 5% or more of the combined voting power of the
Voting Stock of such Person.
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary" means (i) at any date, a Subsidiary of the Company
that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of such date and (ii) for any period,
a Subsidiary of the Company that for any portion of such period is not an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that such term shall mean such Subsidiary only
for such portion of such period.
 
     "Senior Debt" means with respect to the Company (i) all Debt and other
Obligations owing in respect of the New Credit Facility (including, without
limitation, all loans, letters of credit and other extensions of credit
thereunder and all expenses, fees, reimbursements, indemnities and other amounts
owing pursuant thereto), (ii) all Debt referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii),
(v), (vii) or (viii) of the definition of Debt, whether Incurred on or prior to
the date of the Indenture or thereafter Incurred, and (iii) amendments,
modifications, renewals, extensions, refinancings and refundings of any such
Debt; provided, however, the following shall not constitute Senior Debt: (a) any
Debt owed to a Person when such Person is a Subsidiary of the Company, (b) any
Debt which by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same is
pari passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the New Notes, (c) any
Debt Incurred in violation of the Indenture or
 
                                       84
<PAGE>   89
 
(d) any Debt which is subordinate in right of payment in any respect to any
other Debt of the Company. For purposes of this definition, "Debt" includes any
obligation to pay principal, premium (if any), interest, penalties,
reimbursement or indemnity amounts, fees and expenses (including Post-Petition
Interest). To the extent any payment of Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of
the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement or any right of setoff or
otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required
to be paid to a trustee, receiver or other similar party under any bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by,
or paid over to, such trustee, receiver or other similar party, the Senior Debt
or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be
reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. All Senior Debt
shall be and remain Senior Debt for all purposes of the Indenture, whether or
not subordinated in any Insolvency Proceeding.
 
     "Subordinated Debt" means Debt of the Company as to which the payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and other payment obligations in
respect of such Debt shall be subordinate to the prior payment in full of the
New Notes to at least the following extent: (i) no payments of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on or otherwise due in respect of such Debt may be
permitted for so long as any default in the payment of principal (or premium, if
any) or interest on the New Notes exists; (ii) in the event that any other
default exists with respect to the New Notes that with the passing of time or
the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an event of default, upon notice
by Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the New Notes to the Trustee,
the Trustee shall have the right to give notice to the Company and the holders
of such Debt (or trustees or agents therefor) of a payment blockage, and
thereafter no payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or
otherwise due in respect of such Debt may be made for a period of 179 days from
the date of such notice; and (iii) such Debt may not (x) provide for payments of
principal of such Debt at the stated maturity thereof or by way of a sinking
fund applicable thereto or by way of any mandatory redemption, defeasance,
retirement or repurchase thereof by the Company (including any redemption,
retirement or repurchase which is contingent upon events or circumstances, but
excluding any retirement required by virtue of acceleration of such Debt upon an
event of default thereunder), in each case prior to the final Stated Maturity of
the New Notes or (y) permit redemption or other retirement (including pursuant
to an offer to purchase made by the Company) of such other Debt at the option of
the holder thereof prior to the final Stated Maturity of the New Notes, other
than a redemption or other retirement at the option of the holder of such Debt
(including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company) which is
conditioned upon a change of control of the Company pursuant to provisions
substantially similar to those described under "Change of Control" (and which
shall provide that such Debt will not be repurchased pursuant to such provisions
prior to the Company's repurchase of the New Notes required to be repurchased by
the Company pursuant to the provisions described under "Change of Control").
 
     "Subordinated Securities" mean securities distributed to the holders of the
New Notes (i) in an Insolvency Proceeding, pursuant to a plan of reorganization
consented to by each class of Senior Debt or (ii) outside an Insolvency
Proceeding, but only if, in each case, all of the terms and conditions of such
securities (including, without limitation, term, tenor, interest, amortization,
subordination, covenants and defaults) are in all material respects at least as
favorable (and provide the same relative benefits) to the holders of Senior Debt
and, in the case of an Insolvency Proceeding, to the holders of any security
distributed in such Insolvency Proceeding on account of Senior Debt as the terms
and conditions of the New Notes and the Indenture are and provide to the holders
of Senior Debt.
 
     "Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) a corporation more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person or one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership
and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.
 
     "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) at any date, a Subsidiary of the
Company that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of
the Indenture described under the caption "Certain Covenants -- Unrestricted
Subsidiaries" and (ii) for any period, a Subsidiary of the Company that for any
portion of such period is an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture as
 
                                       85
<PAGE>   90
 
described under the caption "Certain Covenants -- Unrestricted Subsidiaries,"
provided that such term shall mean such Subsidiary only for such portion of such
period.
 
     "Voting Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person which
ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing
similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no
senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
 
     "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary all of
the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than
directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by the Company or by
one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or
more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following will be Events of Default under the Indenture: (a) failure to
pay any interest on any Note when due, continuing for 30 days; (b) failure to
pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due; (c) failure to
perform or comply with the provisions described under "Covenants -- Mergers,
Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets" or the provisions described under
"Repurchase at the Option of Holders -- Asset Dispositions" and "-- Change of
Control"; (d) failure to perform any other covenant or warranty of the Company
in the Indenture or the Notes, continuing for 60 days after written notice to
the Company and the Trustee from Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Notes as provided in the Indenture; (e) a default or defaults
under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of, or obligations
constituting, Debt by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or under any
mortgages, indentures, instruments or agreements under which there may be issued
or existing or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Debt of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case with a principal or similar
amount then outstanding, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $15
million, whether such Debt now exists or is hereafter created, which default or
defaults constitute a failure to pay any portion of the principal or similar
amount of such Debt when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable
grace period with respect thereto or will have resulted in such Debt becoming or
being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise
have become due and payable; (f) the rendering of a final judgment or judgments
(not subject to appeal) against the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount in excess of $15 million (in excess of
applicable insurance coverage) which remains unstayed, undischarged or unbonded
for a period of 60 days thereafter; and (g) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company. (Section 501).
 
     Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will
be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603). Subject to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and certain other conditions
provided in the Indenture, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. (Section 512).
 
     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type
described in clause (g) above) occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Notes may accelerate the maturity of all Notes. If an Event of Default of the
type described in clause (g) above occurs, the principal amount of and any
accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding will become immediately due and
payable; provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment
or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind
and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment
of accelerated principal amount have been cured or waived as provided in the
Indenture. (Section 502). For information as to waiver of defaults, see
"Modification and Waiver" below.
 
     No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall
have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default and unless the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the
 
                                       86
<PAGE>   91
 
Outstanding Notes shall have made written request, and offered reasonable
indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such
request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days. (sec.
507). However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of
a Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or
interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such
Note. (sec. 508).
 
     In the case any Event of Default occurs by reason of any willful action (or
inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention
of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the New Notes pursuant to the provisions
described above under "Repurchase at the Option of Holders," an equivalent
premium will become and be immediately due and payable upon the acceleration of
the Notes.
 
     The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. The Company will be
required to deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within
30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of an Event of Default
or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an
Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate setting forth the details of such
Event of Default or default, and the action which the Company proposes to take
with respect thereto. (sec. 1021).
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Indenture will provide that, at the option of the Company, (a) if
applicable, the Company will be discharged from any and all obligations in
respect of the Outstanding New Notes or (b) if applicable, the Company may omit
to comply with certain restrictive covenants, and that such omission shall not
be deemed to be an Event of Default under the Indenture and the Notes, in either
case (a) or (b) upon irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money
and/or U.S. Government Obligations that will provide money in an amount
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
certified public accountants to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
each installment of interest, if any, on the Outstanding Notes. With respect to
clause (b), the obligations under the Indenture other than with respect to such
covenants and the Events of Default other than the Events of Default relating to
such covenants above shall remain in full force and effect. Such trust may only
be established if, among other things (i) with respect to clause (a), the
Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
Service a ruling or there has been a change in law, which in the Opinion of
Counsel provides that Holders of the Notes will not recognize gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and
discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit,
defeasance and discharge had not occurred; or, with respect to clause (b), the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
the Holders of the Notes will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to
Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
(ii) no Event of Default or event that with the passing of time or the giving of
notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred or be
continuing; (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so
created to be subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940; and (iv) certain
other customary conditions precedent are satisfied. (sec.sec. 1201, 1202, 1203
and 1204).
 
     In the event the Company omits to comply with its remaining obligations
under the Indenture and the New Notes after a defeasance of the Indenture with
respect to the Notes as described under clause (b) above and the Notes are
declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the
amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee may
be insufficient to pay amounts due on the Notes at the time of the acceleration
resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company will remain liable in
respect of such payments.
 
                                       87
<PAGE>   92
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Note affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note, (b) reduce the
principal amount of, (or the premium) or interest on, any Note, (c) change the
place or currency of payment of principal of (or premium), or interest on, any
Note, (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
on or with respect to any Note, (e) reduce the above-stated percentage of
Outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend the Indenture, (f) reduce the
percentage of aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes necessary for
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of
certain defaults, (g) modify any provisions of the Indenture relating to the
modification and amendment of the Indenture or the waiver of past defaults or
covenants, except as otherwise specified, (h) modify any of the provisions of
the Indenture relating to the subordination of the Notes in a manner adverse to
the Holders or (i) modify the provisions described under "Repurchase at the
Option of Holders -- Asset Dispositions" and under "-- Change of Control" in a
manner adverse to the Holders in any material respect. (Section 902).
 
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Notes, on behalf of all Holders of Notes, may waive compliance by the Company
with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, on behalf of all Holders
of New Notes, may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default
in the payment of principal, premium or interest. (Section 513).
 
     No amendment, waiver or modification of any subordination provision adverse
to the holders of Senior Debt will be effective against any holder of Senior
Debt unless expressly consented to in writing by or on behalf of such holder (or
by any specified percentage of holders of a class of Senior Debt required to
consent thereto) pursuant to the terms of the agreement or instrument creating,
evidencing or governing such Senior Debt.
 
NOTICES
 
     Notices to Holders will be given by mail to the addresses of such Holders
as they may appear in the Security Register. (Sections 101 and 106).
 
TITLE
 
     The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner
thereof (whether or not such Note may be overdue) for the purpose of making
payment and for all other purposes. (Section 309).
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture and the New Notes will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its
conflict of law principles.
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of
Default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth
in the Indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee will
exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise
under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.
 
     The Indenture and provisions of the TIA incorporated by reference therein
contain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of
the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on
certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or
otherwise. The
 
                                       88
<PAGE>   93
 
Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with the Company or any
Affiliate, provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as
defined in the Indenture or in the TIA), it must eliminate such conflict or
resign. The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, may become a
lender under the New Credit Facility and may engage in other transactions with
the Company or its subsidiaries in connection with which The Bank of New York
may be or become a creditor.
 
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
     The certificates representing the New Notes will be issued in fully
registered form, without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof. Notes will not be issued in bearer form. Except as described
below, the New Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as
Custodian for DTC in global form (the "Global Certificate").
 
     DTC has advised the Company that it is (i) a limited purpose trust company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, (ii) a "banking organization"
within the meaning of the New York banking law, (iii) a member of the Federal
Reserve System, (iv) a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform
Commercial Code, as amended, and (v) a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to
Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its
participants (collectively, the "Participants") and facilitates the clearance
and settlement of securities transactions between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its Participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical transfer and delivery of certificates.
Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial
Purchasers), banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Indirect access to DTC's system is also available to other
entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the
"Indirect Participants") that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship
with a Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     The Company expects that pursuant to procedures established by DTC (i) upon
deposit of the Global Certificate representing New Notes, DTC will credit the
account of Participants tendering Old Notes in exchange for New Notes with an
interest in the Global Certificate and (ii) ownership of beneficial interests
therein will be effected only through records maintained by DTC (with respect to
interests of Participants), Participants and Indirect Participants. The laws of
some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive
form of securities that they own and that security interests in negotiable
instruments can only be perfected by delivery of certificates representing the
instruments. Consequently, the ability to transfer the Notes or to pledge the
Notes as collateral to persons in such states will be limited to such extent.
 
     So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global
Certificate, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the
sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by the Global Certificate for all
purposes under the Indenture and the Notes. Except as provided below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Certificate will not be entitled to have Notes
represented by such Global Certificate registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes, and
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any
purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or
approval to the Trustee thereunder. As a result, the ability of a person having
a beneficial interest in Notes represented by a Global Certificate to pledge or
transfer such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC's
system or otherwise to take action with respect to such interest, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
 
     Accordingly, each holder of New Notes owning a beneficial interest in a
Global Certificate must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such holder of New
Notes is not a Participant or an Indirect Participant, on the procedures of the
Participant through which such holder of New Notes owns its interest, to
exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the Indenture. The Company
understands that under existing industry practice, in the event the Company
requests any action of a holder of New Notes or a holder of New Notes that is an
owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate desires to take any
action that DTC, as the holder of such Global Certificate, is entitled to take,
DTC would authorize the Participant to take such action or would otherwise act
upon the instruction of such holder of New Notes. Neither the Company nor the
Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to or payments made on account of the
 
                                       89
<PAGE>   94
 
New Notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of
DTC relating to such New Notes or for any other matter relating to the actions
or procedures of DTC.
 
     Payments with respect to the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on, any Notes represented by a Global Certificate registered in the name of DTC
or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the Trustee to
or at the direction of DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered
holder of the Global Certificate representing such Notes under the Indenture.
Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may treat the
persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global Certificate, are
registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payment and
for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Company nor
the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of
such amounts to beneficial owners of interests in the Global Certificate
(including principal, premium, if any, and interest), or to immediately credit
the accounts of the relevant Participants with such payment, in an amount
proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of the Global
Certificate as shown on the records of DTC. The Company expects that payments by
the Participant and the Indirect Participant to the beneficial owners of
interests in the Global Certificate will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practice and will be the responsibility of the Participant or the
Indirect Participant and DTC.
 
     The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from the sources the Company believes to be reliable, but the
Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
  Certificated Notes
 
     If (i) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that DTC is no longer
willing or able to act as a depository or DTC ceases to be registered as a
clearing agency under the Exchange Act and the Company is unable to locate a
qualified successor within 90 days, (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies
the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Notes in
definitive form under the Indenture or (iii) upon the occurrence of certain
other events, then, upon surrender by DTC of its Global Certificate, then
Certificated Notes will be issued to each person that DTC identifies as the
beneficial owner of the Notes represented by the Global Certificate. In
addition, subject to certain conditions, any person having a beneficial interest
in a Global Certificate may, upon request to the Trustee, exchange such
beneficial interest for Certificated Notes. Upon any such issuance, the Trustee
is required to register such Certificated Notes in the name of such person or
persons (or the nominee of any thereof), and cause the same to be delivered
thereto.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Except as described below, (i) a broker-dealer may not participate in the
Exchange Offer in connection with a distribution of the New Notes, (ii) such
broker-dealer would be deemed an underwriter in connection with such
distribution and (iii) such broker-dealer would be required to comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any secondary resale transactions. A broker-dealer may, however,
receive New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange
for Old Notes when such Old Notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. Each such broker-dealer must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New
Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a broker-dealer (other than an "affiliate" of the Company) in
connection with resales of such New Notes. The Company has agreed that for a
period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, available to any such broker-dealer for use in
connection with any such resale.
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by
broker-dealers. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be
 
                                       90
<PAGE>   95
 
made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of the New Notes and any
commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     For a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in a Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident
to the Exchange Offer, other than commissions or concessions of any brokers and
dealers, including, subject to the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes, and
will indemnify the holders of the Old Notes (including any broker-dealers)
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     The New Notes will constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The Company has been advised by the Initial Purchasers that
following completion of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers intend to
make a market in the New Notes. However, the Initial Purchasers are not
obligated to do so and any market-making activities with respect to the New
Notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, no assurance
can be given that an active public or other market will develop for the New
Notes or as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the New Notes. If a
trading market does not develop or is not maintained, holders of the New Notes
may experience difficulty in reselling the New Notes or may be unable to sell
them at all. If a market for the New Notes develops, any such market may cease
to continue at any time. In addition, if a market for the New Notes develops,
the market prices of the New Notes may be volatile. Factors such as fluctuations
in the Company's earnings and cash flow, the difference between the Company's
actual results and results expected by investors and analysts and economic
developments could cause the market prices of the New Notes to fluctuate
substantially.
 
                           VALIDITY OF THE NEW NOTES
 
     The validity of the New Notes will be passed upon by Fried, Frank, Harris,
Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership including professional corporations), New
York, New York, the Company's counsel.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1996 and 1995 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December
31, 1996 have been included in this Prospectus in reliance upon the report of
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, to the extent
and for the periods indicated in their report thereon, which is based partially
on the report of other auditors and upon the authority of such firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       91
<PAGE>   96
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Independent Auditors' Report........................................................      F-2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.........................................................      F-3
  -- December 31, 1995
  -- December 31, 1996
  -- June 30, 1997 (unaudited)
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations...............................................      F-5
  -- Year ended December 31, 1994
  -- Year ended December 31, 1995
  -- Year ended December 31, 1996
  -- Six months ended June 30, 1996 (unaudited)
  -- Six months ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)............................      F-6
  -- For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996
        and six months ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows...............................................      F-7
  -- Year ended December 31, 1994
  -- Year ended December 31, 1995
  -- Year ended December 31, 1996
  -- Six months ended June 30, 1996 (unaudited)
  -- Six months ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................................      F-8
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   97
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Insilco Corporation:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Insilco
Corporation and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the 1995 and 1996
financial statements of Thermalex, Inc., a 50 percent owned investee company.
The Company's investment in Thermalex, Inc. at December 31, 1995 and 1996, was
$9.0 million and $8.5 million, respectively, and its equity in earnings of
Thermalex, Inc. was $2.3 million and $2.9 million, for the years 1995 and 1996,
respectively. The financial statements of Thermalex, Inc. were audited by other
auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it
relates to the amounts included for Thermalex, Inc., is based solely on the
report of the other auditors.
 
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 and the report of the other auditors provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditors, the
consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Insilco Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three year period
ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                             KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997, except as to
Notes 3, 18(c) and 20, which are as of
March 5, 1997
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   98
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30, 1997
                                                           ---------------------      -------------
                                                             1995         1996         (UNAUDITED)
                                                           --------      -------
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>          <C>
                        ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................     $  9,894        3,481         111,200
  Trade receivables, net..............................       86,086       73,874          90,920
  Other receivables...................................        8,452        8,499           7,276
  Inventories:
     Raw materials and supplies.......................       27,176       27,677          25,402
     Work in process..................................       20,390       25,570          21,786
     Finished goods...................................       21,723       13,138          10,493
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Total inventories..............................       69,289       66,385          57,681
                                                           --------      -------         -------
  Deferred tax asset..................................        7,228       29,859           2,174
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets...........        6,395        7,010           6,616
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Total current assets...........................      187,344      189,108         275,867
                                                           --------      -------         -------
Property, plant and equipment:
  Land................................................        5,047        6,310           6,303
  Buildings...........................................       21,012       32,772          33,244
  Machinery and equipment.............................      102,883      125,211         125,442
                                                           --------      -------         -------
                                                            128,942      164,293         164,989
  Less accumulated depreciation.......................      (37,707)     (49,914)        (54,592)
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Net property, plant and equipment..............       91,235      114,379         110,397
                                                           --------      -------         -------
Deferred tax asset....................................       29,653        7,542           4,950
Other assets and deferred charges.....................       21,869       18,762           9,683
Goodwill, net.........................................           --       13,659          13,678
Investment in Thermalex...............................       10,028        8,550           8,636
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Total assets...................................     $340,129      352,000         423,211
                                                           ========      =======         =======
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   99
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (CONTINUED)
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30, 1997
                                                           ---------------------      -------------
                                                             1995         1996         (UNAUDITED)
                                                           --------      -------
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>          <C>
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt...................     $ 18,642       24,272          24,708
  Current portion of other long-term obligations......        7,975        6,661           5,608
  Accrued interest payable............................        4,089        3,113           1,070
  Accounts payable....................................       45,336       37,984          34,831
  Customer deposits...................................       19,722       23,490          15,039
  Salaries and wages payable..........................        8,102        9,838           8,843
  Accrued income taxes................................        3,126        3,596          11,823
  Accrued expenses....................................       35,432       32,198          28,975
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Total current liabilities......................      142,424      141,152         130,897
Long-term debt, excluding current portion.............      167,847      136,770         145,112
Other long-term obligations, excluding current
  portion.............................................       45,637       40,676          38,740
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Total liabilities..............................      355,908      318,598         314,749
                                                           --------      -------         -------
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, $.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares
     authorized; 9,852,751 shares issued in 1995,
     9,810,794 in 1996 and 10,140,749 in 1997;
     9,650,497 shares outstanding in 1995, 9,487,740
     in 1996 and 9,673,069 in 1997....................           10           10              10
  Treasury stock, at cost.............................       (6,813)     (10,745)        (16,268)
  Additional paid-in capital..........................       67,192       81,496          90,203
  Accumulated earnings (deficit)......................      (76,168)     (37,115)         37,411
  Foreign currency translation adjustments............           --         (244)         (2,894)
                                                           --------      -------         -------
       Total stockholder's equity (deficit)...........      (15,779)      33,402         108,462
                                                           --------      -------         -------
Commitments and contingencies (See Notes 9, 11, 12 and
  17)
       Total liabilities and stockholder's equity
          (deficit)...................................     $340,129      352,000         423,211
                                                           ========      =======         =======
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   100
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   JUNE 30,
                                                 -----------------------------------       ---------------------
                                                    1994         1995        1996            1996        1997
                                                 ----------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>         <C>
Sales..........................................  $  543,630      561,203     572,474         300,497     287,012
Cost of products sold..........................     372,842      385,720     389,893         202,752     195,436
Depreciation...................................      13,570       14,758      16,593           8,058       9,585
Selling, general and administrative expenses...      97,700       97,736     106,649          56,773      50,811
Nonrecurring charges...........................          --        6,200          --              --          --
Amortization of goodwill.......................          --           --         238              29         213
Amortization of Reorganization Goodwill........      69,217       32,172          --              --          --
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Operating income (loss)....................      (9,699)      24,617      59,101          32,885      30,967
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense.............................     (29,113)     (19,546)    (18,386)         (9,400)     (7,762)
  Interest income..............................       1,842        1,577       1,010             460       2,078
  Equity in net income of Thermalex............       1,334        2,335       2,922           1,363       1,547
  Gain on sale of Rolodex......................          --           --          --              --      95,001
  Other income, net............................       1,329        9,791       7,216           1,741          69
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
                                                    (24,608)      (5,843)     (7,238)         (5,836)     90,933
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Income (loss) from continuing operations
      before income taxes and extraordinary
      item.....................................     (34,307)      18,774      51,863          27,049     121,900
Income tax expense.............................      (8,585)     (16,199)    (12,810)         (9,098)    (47,374)
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Income (loss) from continuing operations
      before extraordinary item................     (42,892)       2,575      39,053          17,951      74,526
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
  Income from operations.......................       2,204           --          --              --          --
  Gain on disposal.............................      10,710           --          --              --          --
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Income from discontinued operations........      12,914           --          --              --          --
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item....     (29,978)       2,575      39,053          17,951      74,526
Extraordinary item, net of tax.................      (2,156)          --          --              --          --
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Net income (loss)..........................  $  (32,134)       2,575      39,053          17,951      74,526
                                                  =========   ==========   =========       =========   =========
Earnings (loss) per common share and common
  share equivalents:
  Continuing operations........................  $    (4.42)        0.25        3.95            1.81        7.55
  Discontinued operations......................        1.33           --          --              --          --
  Extraordinary item...........................       (0.23)          --          --              --          --
                                                  ---------   ----------   ---------       ---------   ---------
    Net income (loss) per common share and
      common share equivalents.................  $    (3.32)        0.25        3.95            1.81        7.55
                                                  =========   ==========   =========       =========   =========
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding and common share equivalents.....   9,710,048   10,132,174   9,891,631       9,908,973   9,875,401
                                                  =========   ==========   =========       =========   =========
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   101
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995, 1996 AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                      1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             TOTAL
                                          COMMON                 ADDITIONAL   ACCUMULATED   CUMULATIVE   STOCKHOLDERS'
                                         STOCK PAR    TREASURY    PAID-IN       EQUITY      TRANSLATION     EQUITY
                                        VALUE $.001    STOCK      CAPITAL      (DEFICIT)    ADJUSTMENT     (DEFICIT)
                                        -----------   --------   ----------   -----------   ----------   -------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993..........      $10            --      65,104       (46,609)          --         18,505
  Net loss............................       --            --          --       (32,134)          --        (32,134)
  Shares issued.......................       --            --         178            --           --            178
                                            ---       -------      ------       -------       ------        -------
 
Balance at December 31, 1994..........       10            --      65,282       (78,743)          --        (13,451)
  Net income..........................       --            --          --         2,575           --          2,575
  Shares issued upon exercise of stock
    options...........................       --            --         226            --           --            226
  Purchase of treasury stock..........       --        (6,813)         --            --           --         (6,813)
  Tax benefit from reduction of
    valuation allowance for deferred
    tax assets........................       --            --       1,612            --           --          1,612
  Tax benefit from exercise of stock
    options...........................       --            --          72            --           --             72
                                            ---       -------      ------       -------       ------        -------
 
Balance at December 31, 1995..........       10        (6,813)     67,192       (76,168)          --        (15,779)
  Net income..........................       --            --          --        39,053           --         39,053
  Shares issued upon exercise of stock
    options...........................       --            --       1,071            --           --          1,071
  Purchase of treasury stock..........       --        (3,932)         --            --           --         (3,932)
  Tax benefit from reduction of
    valuation allowance for deferred
    tax assets........................       --            --      10,237            --           --         10,237
  Tax benefit from exercise of stock
    options...........................       --            --         402            --           --            402
  Restricted stock....................       --            --       3,300            --           --          3,300
  Reserved shares.....................       --            --        (706)           --           --           (706)
  Foreign translation adjustment......       --            --          --            --         (244)          (244)
                                            ---       -------      ------       -------       ------        -------
 
Balance at December 31, 1996..........       10       (10,745)     81,496       (37,115)        (244)        33,402
  Net income (unaudited)..............       --            --          --        74,526           --         74,526
  Shares issued upon exercise of stock
    options (unaudited)...............       --            --       5,581            --           --          5,581
  Purchase of treasury stock
    (unaudited).......................       --        (5,523)         --            --           --         (5,523)
  Tax benefit from exercise of stock
    options (unaudited)...............       --            --       2,556            --           --          2,556
  Restricted stock (unaudited)........       --            --         570            --           --            570
  Foreign translation adjustment
    (unaudited).......................       --            --          --            --       (2,650)        (2,650)
                                            ---       -------      ------       -------       ------        -------
 
Balance at June 30, 1997
  (unaudited).........................      $10       (16,268)     90,203        37,411       (2,894)       108,462
                                            ===       =======      ======       =======       ======        =======
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   102
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 JUNE 30,
                                                     -------------------------------        ------------------
                                                       1994        1995       1996           1996       1997
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
                                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income (loss)...............................   $ (32,134)     2,575     39,053         17,951     74,526
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
    net cash provided by (used in) operating
    activities:
      Depreciation and amortization...............      82,787     46,930     16,831          8,090      9,798
      Deferred tax expense........................      (1,626)    12,661     10,016          7,187     31,266
      Gain on divestitures, net...................          --         --     (2,493)            --    (95,001)
      Noncash charges in lieu of taxes............       7,957        842         --             --         --
      Other noncash charges and credits...........      (1,738)    (6,985)    (4,904)            11       (911)
      Change in operating assets and liabilities:
         Receivables..............................      (4,017)    (8,836)    11,749          1,920    (27,063)
         Inventories..............................      (4,800)      (461)    (2,899)        (6,695)       563
         Payables and other.......................       2,901     (5,519)    (9,601)       (16,656)     3,239
         Other long-term liabilities..............      (3,116)    (3,463)    (2,329)        (1,475)    (1,576)
         Discontinued operations..................     (11,909)        --         --             --         --
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
           Net cash provided by (used in)
             operating activities.................      34,305     37,744     55,423         10,333     (5,159)
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash
    acquired......................................          --         --    (37,726)        (5,129)        --
  Proceeds from divestitures......................      50,788         --     21,818             --    112,610
  Capital expenditures............................     (19,163)   (22,159)   (22,579)        (9,266)   (10,315)
  Other investing activities......................       4,670      7,481      8,704          2,058      3,039
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
           Net cash provided by (used in)
             investing activities.................      36,295    (14,678)   (29,783)       (12,337)   105,334
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Retirement of long-term debt....................    (335,309)   (12,926)   (26,330)        (8,287)    (5,917)
  Proceeds from debt borrowings, net..............     226,500        600         --         15,653     15,340
  Purchase of treasury stock......................          --     (6,813)    (3,932)        (3,353)    (1,887)
  Payment of prepetition liabilities..............      (2,963)    (2,949)    (2,862)        (1,651)    (1,708)
  Proceeds from sale of stock.....................         178        226      1,071            656      1,944
  Debt financing costs............................      (4,054)        --         --             --         --
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
           Net cash provided by (used in)
             financing activities.................    (115,648)   (21,862)   (32,053)         3,018      7,772
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash...........          --         --         --             --       (228)
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
           Net increase (decrease) in cash and
             cash equivalents.....................     (45,048)     1,204     (6,413)         1,014    107,719
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period..........................................      53,738      8,690      9,894          9,894      3,481
                                                     ---------    -------    -------        -------    -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period........   $   8,690      9,894      3,481         10,908    111,200
                                                     =========    =======    =======        =======    =======
Supplemental Information--cash paid for:
  Interest, net of capitalized amount.............   $  42,494     18,199     17,820          8,858      7,332
                                                     =========    =======    =======        =======    =======
  Income taxes....................................   $   1,899      2,407      2,081          1,277      6,293
                                                     =========    =======    =======        =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   103
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                        DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996
              SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED)
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Principles of Consolidation
 
      The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of
      Insilco Corporation (the "Company") and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The
      Company's 50% owned subsidiary is accounted for under the equity method.
      All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
      eliminated.
 
  (b) "Fresh Start" Accounting
 
      On March 31, 1993, the Company adopted the "fresh start" accounting
      principles prescribed by the Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial
      Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" (the
      "Reorganization SOP"), issued by the American Institute of Certified
      Public Accountants. The "fresh start" accounting principles required the
      Company to value its assets and liabilities at fair values and eliminate
      its accumulated deficit.
 
      "Fresh start" accounting was required because on April 1, 1993 the Company
      and certain of its subsidiaries emerged from Chapter 11 of the United
      States Bankruptcy Code (the "Chapter 11 cases") pursuant to a plan of
      reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization"). For financial reporting
      purposes, the effective date of the Plan of Reorganization was March 31,
      1993 (the "Plan Effective Date"). For periods prior to the Plan Effective
      Date, the Company sometimes is referred to herein as the "Predecessor".
      The Chapter 11 cases were commenced on January 13, 1991 (the "Petition
      Date").
 
  (c) Cash Equivalents
 
      All highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three
      months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
 
  (d) Trade receivables
 
      Trade receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts
      and sales returns of $11,303,000 and $4,978,000 at December 31, 1995 and
      1996, respectively, and $3,089,000 (unaudited) at June 30, 1997.
 
  (e) Inventories
 
      Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
      using the first-in, first-out cost method.
 
  (f) Property, Plant and Equipment
 
      Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant
      and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the assets'
      estimated useful lives, which range from three to 25 years.
 
  (g) Reorganization Goodwill
 
      Reorganization Goodwill, consisted of the excess of the Company's
      reorganization value over the aggregate fair value of its tangible and
      identified intangible assets at the Plan Effective Date and was amortized
      over a three year period. Reorganization Goodwill was fully amortized at
      December 31, 1995.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   104
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
  (h) Other Assets
 
      Included in other assets are debt issuance costs, net of accumulated
      amortization, of $3,042,000 and $1,666,000 at December 31, 1995 and 1996,
      respectively, and $1,151,000 (unaudited) at June 30, 1997. The costs are
      being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the
      related debt.
 
  (i) Goodwill
 
      Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions over
      the fair values of net assets acquired and is generally being amortized on
      a straight-line basis over periods from 30 to 40 years. The recovery of
      the carrying value of Goodwill is periodically evaluated in relation to
      the operating performance and future undiscounted net cash flows of the
      related businesses acquired.
 
  (j) Interest Rate Hedges
 
      The Company uses interest rate hedges to limit its exposure to the
      interest rate risk associated with its floating rate long-term bank debt.
      Unamortized premiums related to purchased interest rate caps are included
      in other assets in the balance sheet and are amortized using the interest
      method over the life of the related agreements. Amounts received under cap
      agreements and net amounts received (or paid) under swap agreements are
      recorded as a reduction (addition) to interest expense.
 
  (k) Post-retirement Benefit Costs
 
      The estimated cost of providing post-retirement benefit costs, principally
      health care, to participating employees (less than 6% of total employees)
      is accrued during the years the employee renders the necessary service.
 
  (l) Environmental Remediation and Compliance
 
      Environmental remediation and compliance expenditures are expensed or
      capitalized, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
      Liabilities are recorded when it is probable the obligations have been
      incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.
 
      In 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Position ("SOP") 96-1
      Environmental Remediation Liabilities, which had no material impact on the
      Company's results of operations or financial position. SOP 96-1 provides
      guidance on the accounting for environmental remediation liabilities that
      relate to contamination from the past.
 
  (m) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
      Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are
      reflected in the financial statements at fair value because of the
      short-term maturity of those instruments. The fair values of the Company's
      debt and other financial instruments are disclosed in Note 8.
 
  (n) Income Taxes
 
      Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
      Deferred income taxes are recognized for all temporary differences between
      the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities based upon
      enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in
      which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.
 
  (o) Advertising and Research and Development Costs
 
      The Company expenses advertising and research and development costs as
      they are incurred.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   105
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
  (p) Earnings Per Share
 
      Earnings per share were determined using the weighted average of the
      shares issued and reserved for issuance (see Note 12). When dilutive,
      stock options were included as share equivalents using the treasury stock
      method. The weighted average number of common shares and common share
      equivalents used for calculation of the primary earnings per share as of
      December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 were 9,710,048, 10,132,174 and 9,891,631,
      respectively, and 9,908,973 (unaudited) and 9,875,401 (unaudited) as of
      June 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
      In 1994, stock options were anti-dilutive. In 1995, fully diluted net
      income per share based upon 10,150,692 common shares and common share
      equivalents was $0.25 per share. In 1996, fully diluted net income per
      share based upon 9,955,079 common shares and common share equivalents was
      $3.92 per share. For the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, stock
      options were anti-dilutive.
 
      In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board released Statement
      of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per
      Share, which simplifies the method for calculating earnings per share. As
      defined in SFAS No. 128 "basic earnings per share" is determined using
      only the weighted average of the shares issued and reserved for issuance,
      while "diluted earnings per share" includes stock options (when dilutive)
      as share equivalents using the treasury stock method. If SFAS No. 128 had
      been adopted as of December 31, 1996, basic earnings per share for 1996
      would have been $4.10 per share and diluted earnings per share would have
      been $3.95 per share. If SFAS No. 128 had been adopted as of June 30,
      1997, basic earnings per share would have been $7.78 (unaudited) and
      diluted earnings per share would have been $7.55 (unaudited).
 
  (q) 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 are likely to differ from
      those estimates and assumptions, but management does not believe such
      differences will materially affect the Company's financial position,
      results of operations or cash flows.
 
  (r) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
      On December 31, 1995, the Company adopted the Statement of Financial
      Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
      Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of which had no
      material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial
      position in 1995 or 1996. SFAS No. 121 provides guidance for the
      recognition of impairment losses related to long-lived assets and certain
      intangibles and related goodwill for assets to be held and used and assets
      to be disposed of.
 
  (s) Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
 
      Prior to January 1, 1996, the Company accounted for its stock option plan
      in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB")
      Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
      interpretations. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the
      date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock
      exceeded the exercise price. On January 1, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS
      No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which permits entities
      to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all
      stock-based awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also
      allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25
      and provide pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   106
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
      disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and future years
      as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been
      applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of
      APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS
      No. 123.
 
(2) RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
     Certain 1994 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform with 1996
     presentation.
 
(3) DIVESTITURES
 
     The Office Products business of the Company's Office Products/Specialty
     Publishing Group was divested in three separate transactions during 1996
     and the first quarter of 1997. The 1996 transactions included the
     divestitures of the Company's computer accessories business and electronic
     file organizer business for proceeds aggregating $21,818,000 which were
     used to reduce the outstanding amounts on the Company's bank loans.
 
     On March 5, 1997 the remainder of the Office Products business which
     consisted of the Rolodex business unit was sold for $117,000,000 in cash.
     The Company expects to largely offset the cash taxes resulting from the
     sale by utilizing its usable tax loss carryforwards. The Company is
     considering various alternatives for the use of the proceeds including a
     possible one time distribution of the proceeds to shareholders or a
     repurchase of shares.
 
(4) ACQUISITIONS
 
     In 1996, the Company acquired Great Lake, Inc., ("Great Lake") which serves
     the automotive, heavy truck and industrial manufacturing radiator
     replacement market and the automotive aluminum tube business of Helmut
     Lingemann GmbH & Co. ("Lingemann") for approximately $37,726,000 including
     transaction fees and expenses. The Lingemann transactions include the
     purchase of stock of Lingemann's German subsidiary, ARUP Alu-Rohr
     und-Profil GmbH, and the automotive aluminum tube business assets of its
     Duncan, South Carolina based Helima-Helvetion International, Inc. This cash
     transaction was financed principally from borrowings under the Company's
     Bank Credit Agreement (See Note 7).
 
     These acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and, accordingly,
     the purchase prices have been allocated to the assets and liabilities
     acquired based on their fair values at the acquisition dates. The operating
     results of the businesses acquired have been included for the period
     subsequent to their acquisition dates. (See Note 20 for pro forma results.)
     The fair value of the assets acquired totaled $47,478,000 and the
     liabilities assumed totaled $9,752,000.
 
(5) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
     On August 1, 1994, the Company sold substantially the entire paint products
     segment for net proceeds of $50,788,000, resulting in a gain of
     $10,710,000, net of taxes totaling $8,224,000. The tax on the gain was
     offset by utilization of Federal and state net operating loss and capital
     loss carryforwards and did not result in significant cash payments. The net
     proceeds were utilized to reduce the Company's long-term debt.
 
     As a result of the sale, the paint products segment is accounted for as a
     discontinued operation. Revenues associated with the discontinued paint
     products segment for 1994 were $61,920,000.
 
(6) INVESTMENT IN THERMALEX
 
     Thermalex, Inc. ("Thermalex") is a joint venture, formed in 1985 between
     the Company's Thermal Components Division and Mitsubishi Aluminum, Ltd.,
     which sells aluminum extruded products to the automobile industry. The
     Company's equity investment in Thermalex represents a 50% ownership
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   107
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     interest. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company's share of the
     net income of Thermalex is reflected as earned in "other income" in the
     accompanying statements of operations and any cash distributions are
     credited against the investment as received. The Company received $400,000
     and $3,400,000 of dividend distributions from Thermalex in 1995 and 1996,
     respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 the Company
     received $400,000 (unaudited) and $1,460,000 (unaudited), respectively, of
     dividend distributions from Thermalex.
 
     Sales for Thermalex for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996
     were $34,510,000, $44,839,000 and $48,057,000, respectively. Net income for
     the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 was $2,723,000, $4,670,000
     and $5,844,000, respectively. Total assets were $32,631,000 and $28,629,000
     at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Stockholders' equity was
     $18,058,000 and $17,102,000 at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     Sales for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 were $24,042,000
     (unaudited) and $25,366,000 (unaudited), respectively. Net income for the
     six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 was $2,724,000 (unaudited) and
     $3,094,000 (unaudited), respectively. Total assets and stockholders' equity
     as of June 30, 1997 were $35,755,000 (unaudited) and $17,275,000
     (unaudited), respectively.
 
     During 1993, the Company loaned $4,200,000 to Thermalex at 7.95% with a
     maturity date of December 15, 1999 which was fully paid as of December 31,
     1996. The unpaid balance as of December 31, 1995 of $1,000,000 was included
     in the Company's equity investment in Thermalex.
 
(7) LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     A summary of long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ---------------------       JUNE 30,
                                                              1995         1996           1997
                                                            --------      -------      -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>
      Bank term loan...................................     $139,500      116,677        111,052
      Bank revolving credit facility...................       44,600       41,300         56,640
      Miscellaneous....................................        2,389        3,065          2,128
                                                            --------      -------        -------
                                                             186,489      161,042        169,820
      Less current portion.............................      (18,642)     (24,272)       (24,708)
                                                            --------      -------        -------
                                                            $167,847      136,770        145,112
                                                            ========      =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
     In November 1994, the Company entered into a bank credit agreement that
     provided up to $285,000,000 in bank loans pursuant to two credit facilities
     (the "Bank Credit Agreement"). The Bank Credit Agreement consists of a
     $130,000,000 revolving credit facility, with a $50,000,000 sublimit for
     issuance of letters of credit and an initial $155,000,000 term loan
     ($116,677,000 at December 31, 1996). The bank loans bear interest at
     various floating rates, at the Company's option, which approximate the one
     to six month LIBOR rates plus 1.25% (such LIBOR rates approximated 5.5% to
     5.8% at December 31, 1996). The Company has limited its exposure to
     fluctuations of interest rates on a portion of debt as explained in Note 8.
 
     Annual commitment fees consist of  3/8% of the average daily unused
     commitment and 1 1/4% of the average daily outstanding letters of credit.
     Letters of credit aggregating $10,430,000 were outstanding at December 31,
     1996. The term loan is payable in quarterly installments through March 31,
     2001. Partial proceeds from asset sales must be applied to the term loan
     under certain circumstances. The revolving credit facility will terminate
     and all amounts outstanding, if any, will be due on March 31, 2001.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   108
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     Aggregate principal payments of the Company's bank term loan for the five
     years subsequent to December 31, 1996 are as follows: in
     1997 -- $23,250,000, in 1998 -- $26,625,000, in 1999 -- $30,125,000, in
     2000 -- $32,375,000, and in 2001 -- $4,302,000.
 
     The Bank Credit Agreement is guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the
     Company's material directly and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries (the
     "Guarantors") and has been secured by substantially all assets of the
     Guarantors. The Bank Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and
     conditions regarding capital expenditures, payment of dividends, asset
     sales, investments, sale of stock, incurrence of additional indebtedness,
     financial covenants and other matters. The Company was in compliance with
     these covenants as of December 31, 1996.
 
     In 1994, proceeds from the Bank Credit Agreement were utilized to prepay
     amounts outstanding under the Company's 10 3/8% Notes and 9 1/2% Senior
     Notes, both of which were due on July 1, 1997 (collectively the "Old
     Notes") and to replace the Company's post-reorganization secured revolving
     credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). As a result of the
     prepayment, the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $2,156,000, net
     of a $1,345,000 tax benefit, due to the call premium required by the Old
     Notes and expensing the related unamortized debt financing costs.
 
(8) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company has determined the fair value of its debt and other financial
     instruments as follows:
 
     Term Loan and Revolver Loan
 
     The fair value of the bank term loan and revolving credit facility was
     determined to approximate the carrying value at December 31, 1995 and 1996
     based upon the present value of expected cash flows considering expected
     maturities and using interest rates currently available to the Company for
     long-term borrowings with similar terms.
 
     Miscellaneous Debt
 
     The fair value of miscellaneous long-term debt is estimated to approximate
     the carrying amount because there have not been any significant changes in
     market conditions or specific circumstances since the instruments were
     recorded at fair value in connection with "fresh start" accounting on the
     Plan Effective Date.
 
     Interest Rate Hedges
 
     The fair values of the forward rate, interest rate cap and interest rate
     swap obligations at December 31, 1996 were less than the carrying values by
     $1,281,000. Quotes from counterparties were used to determine the fair
     values of these agreements.
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Company's forward rate agreements fixed the
     interest rate on $55,000,000 of its floating rate bank debt (from 11/29/96
     to 5/30/97) to a weighted average rate of 6.97% and its swap agreement
     fixed the interest rate on $45,000,000 (from 5/30/95 to 5/30/98) at 8.99%.
     At December 31, 1996 the Company's cap agreements limit the maximum
     interest rate at $40,000,000 of its floating rate debt (from 5/28/95 to
     5/27/97) to 8.25%.
 
     The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates, but
     has no off-balance sheet risk of accounting loss. The Company manages
     exposure to counterparty credit risk by entering into such transactions
     with major financial institutions that are expected to perform under the
     terms of such agreements.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   109
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
(9) OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
     A summary of other long-term liabilities follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------       JUNE 30,
                                                               1995         1996          1997
                                                              -------      ------      -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                                     <C>          <C>         <C>
      Prepetition and other tax liabilities..............     $17,271      13,242          9,974
      Post-retirement benefits, other than pensions......      21,622      21,641         22,502
      Environmental liabilities..........................      12,294       9,208          8,840
      Deferred compensation and other....................       2,425       3,246          3,032
                                                              -------      ------         ------
                                                               53,612      47,337         44,348
      Less current portion...............................      (7,975)     (6,661)        (5,608)
                                                              -------      ------         ------
                                                              $45,637      40,676         38,740
                                                              =======      ======         ======
</TABLE>
 
     Prepetition and other tax liabilities
 
     The Company entered into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service
     settling Federal income tax claims filed in the Chapter 11 cases for open
     taxable years through 1990. In addition to this agreement, the tax
     liabilities include Prepetition state tax claim settlements, negotiated
     payment terms on certain foreign Prepetition tax liabilities, and an
     estimate of the Company's obligation for curative action required by the
     IRS to cure certain operational defects in one of the Company's defined
     contribution plans.
 
     Post-retirement benefits, other than pensions
 
     The Company maintains nine post-retirement health care and life insurance
     benefit plans, four of which cover approximately 500 present retirees (the
     "Retiree Plans") and five of which cover certain retirees and current
     employees of four operating units (the "Open Plans"). The Company pays
     benefits under the plans when due and does not fund its plan obligations as
     they accrue.
 
     During 1996 the Company amended its retiree health care plans to limit the
     Company's contributions and to adopt a cost-sharing method based upon a
     retiree's years of service. As a result, the accumulated postretirement
     benefit obligation (APBO) for these retiree health care plans was reduced
     by approximately $3.4 million.
 
     The Company's accrued post-retirement benefit cost is attributable to the
     Retiree Plans and one of the Open Plans, in which approximately 100
     retirees and 300 current employees were participants. It has been assumed
     that plan participant contributions, if any, under these five plans will
     increase as a result of increases in medical costs. The other Open Plans
     have been, and are assumed will continue to be, fully self-funded by their
     participants.
 
     Periodic post-retirement benefits costs under the plans consist of service
     costs representing the cost of benefits earned by participating employees
     in one of the Open Plans and interest costs attributable to the Company's
     accrued obligations.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   110
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost follow (in
     thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994       1995       1996
                                                                    ------      -----      -----
      <S>                                                           <C>         <C>        <C>
      Service Cost.............................................     $  657        503        492
      Interest Cost............................................      1,485      1,401      1,154
      Amortization of prior service costs......................         --       (145)      (365)
                                                                    ------      -----      -----
                                                                    $2,142      1,759      1,281
                                                                    ======      =====      =====
</TABLE>
 
     The plans' status reconciled with amounts recognized in the consolidated
     balance sheet at December 31 follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995         1996
                                                                           -------      ------
      <S>                                                                  <C>          <C>
      Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations for retirees....     $11,263       7,828
      Other fully eligible plan participants..........................       2,719       2,302
      Other active plan participants..................................       5,224       4,440
                                                                            ------       -----
        Total APBO....................................................      19,206      14,570
      Prior service cost..............................................       2,396       4,777
      Unrecognized net gain...........................................          20       2,765
                                                                            ------       -----
        Accrued post-retirement benefit costs.........................     $21,622      22,112
                                                                            ======       =====
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the weighted-average discount rates used in
     determining the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation were 7.25%
     and 7.75%, respectively. The recorded health care cost trend rate assumed
     in measuring the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was 8% in
     1997, declining to an ultimate rate of 5% in 2010 and thereafter. If these
     trend rate assumptions were increased by 1%, the accumulated
     post-retirement benefit obligation would increase by approximately 14%
     ($2,045,000). The effect of this change on the sum of service cost and
     interest cost components of the net periodic post-retirement benefit cost
     for the year ending December 31, 1996 would be an increase of approximately
     14% ($236,000).
 
     Environmental liabilities
 
     The Company's operations are subject to extensive Federal, state and local
     laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling,
     emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment.
     The Company has a program for monitoring its compliance with applicable
     environmental regulations, the interpretation of which often is subjective.
     This program includes, but is not limited to, regular reviews of the
     Company operations' obligations to comply with environmental laws and
     regulations in order to determine the adequacy of the recorded liability
     for remediation activities.
 
     As a result of the Chapter 11 cases, a significant amount of uncertainty
     has been removed concerning the Company's liability for remediation
     activities relating to acts or omissions of the Company prior to the
     Petition Date at previously owned sites and independent waste management
     facilities. Claims filed in the Chapter 11 cases and other known
     environmental obligations that relate to locations owned by the Company
     subsequent to the Petition Date or upon which the Company currently
     conducts operations will be paid in cash as the environmental remediation
     activities are incurred. The environmental liabilities included in other
     long-term obligations represent the estimate of cash obligations that will
     be required in future years for these environmental remediation activities.
     The Company has estimated the potential exposure and accrued liability to
     be approximately $9,208,000 and $8,840,000 relating to these environmental
     matters at December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1997, respectively. These
     liabilities are undiscounted and do not assume any possible recoveries from
     insurance coverage or claims which the
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   111
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     Company may have against third parties. The estimate is based upon in-house
     engineering expertise and the professional services of outside consulting
     and engineering firms. In addition, as a result of the Chapter 11 cases, a
     significant portion of the claims filed in the Bankruptcy Court were
     allowed as general unsecured claims to be discharged consistent with the
     Plan of Reorganization. Remaining claims related to environmental
     remediation obligations that are expected to be settled for stock are
     included in the Company's issued shares (see Note 12 for description of the
     reserved shares) and as such are not included in other long-term
     liabilities. Because of uncertainty associated with the estimation of these
     liabilities and potential regulatory changes, it is reasonably possible
     that these estimated liabilities could change in the near term but it is
     not expected that the effect of any such change would be material to the
     financial statements in the near term.
 
(10) PENSION
 
     Pension Plans
 
     The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering certain of its
     employees. The benefits under these plans are based primarily on employees'
     years of service and compensation near retirement. The Company's funding
     policy is consistent with the funding requirements of Federal laws and
     regulations. Plan assets consist principally of equity investments,
     government obligations and corporate debt securities. The Company also
     contributes to various multi-employer plans sponsored by bargaining units
     for its union employees.
 
     In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company adopted a lump sum settlement
     feature for retirees and certain vested plan participants which resulted in
     the settlement of more than $42,000,000 in pension obligations. The Company
     recorded a gain on the settlement of $4,300,000 in the fourth quarter of
     1995.
 
     A summary of the plans' funded status reconciled with amounts recognized in
     the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995                              1996
                                          ----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                            ASSETS         ACCUMULATED        ASSETS         ACCUMULATED
                                            EXCEED          BENEFITS          EXCEED          BENEFITS
                                          ACCUMULATED        EXCEED         ACCUMULATED        EXCEED
                                           BENEFITS          ASSETS          BENEFITS          ASSETS
                                          -----------      -----------      -----------      -----------
      <S>                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
      Plan assets at fair value......       $83,113           10,042           81,025           11,467
                                            -------           ------          -------           ------
      Actuarial present value of
        benefit obligations:
        Vested benefits..............        76,224           13,150           62,230           14,078
        Nonvested benefits...........         1,022              330              906              606
                                            -------           ------          -------           ------
      Accumulated obligation.........        77,246           13,480           63,136           14,684
      Benefits attributable to future
        compensation increases.......         4,536              283            2,504              549
                                            -------           ------          -------           ------
      Projected benefit
        obligations..................        81,782           13,763           65,640           15,233
                                            -------           ------          -------           ------
      Plan assets less projected
        benefit obligation...........         1,331           (3,721)          15,385           (3,766)
      Unrecognized gains.............        (4,772)          (1,446)         (17,227)            (550)
      Unrecognized prior service
        costs........................           203            1,893           (1,260)           1,736
                                            -------           ------          -------           ------
        Pension liability............       $(3,238)          (3,274)          (3,102)          (2,580)
                                            =======           ======          =======           ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   112
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     The components of pension cost follow (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1994         1995         1996
                                                                -------      -------      ------
      <S>                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
      Service cost.........................................     $ 2,729        1,848       2,381
      Interest cost........................................       9,844       10,297       6,066
      Actual return on assets..............................      (1,228)     (27,531)     (9,099)
      Net amortization and deferral........................      (9,088)      17,375       2,183
                                                                -------      -------       -----
        Net pension cost...................................     $ 2,257        1,989       1,531
                                                                =======      =======       =====
</TABLE>
 
     In addition, the Company recognized pension costs of $565,000 in 1994,
     $580,000 in 1995 and $880,000 in 1996, related to contributions to
     multi-employer plans.
 
     The assumptions used in accounting for the pension plans as of December 31
     follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995        1996
                                                                           ------      -------
      <S>                                                                  <C>         <C>
      Discount rates..................................................     7.25%        7.75%
      Rates of increase in compensation levels........................      4.5%        4.5%
      Expected long-term rate of return on assets.....................      9.0%        9.0%
</TABLE>
 
     In addition to the defined benefit plans described above, the Company
     sponsors a qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan covering
     substantially all non-union employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.
     The Company matches 50% of a participant's voluntary contributions up to a
     maximum of 3% of a participant's compensation. The Company's contribution
     expense was approximately $717,000 in 1994, $666,000 in 1995 and $738,000
     in 1996.
 
(11) INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 
     The Company's actual income tax obligations during 1994, 1995 and 1996 were
     substantially less than the total amount of income taxes recognized because
     previously generated net operating losses and other net deferred tax assets
     were utilized to reduce the tax obligations ("noncash components" of income
     tax expense). The components of total income taxes and a reconciliation of
     total income taxes to the actual income tax obligations follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1994         1995         1996
                                                               -------      -------      -------
      <S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
      Total income taxes:
        Continuing operations.............................     $ 8,585       16,199       12,810
        Discontinued operations...........................       8,224           --           --
        Extraordinary items...............................      (1,345)          --           --
        Stockholders' equity..............................          --          (72)        (402)
                                                               -------      -------      -------
             Total income taxes...........................      15,464       16,127       12,408
      Noncash allocations:
        Deferred income taxes.............................       1,626      (12,661)     (10,016)
        Charges in lieu of taxes:
           Continuing operations..........................      (7,957)        (842)          --
           Discontinued operations........................      (8,224)          --           --
           Extraordinary item.............................       1,345           --           --
                                                               -------      -------      -------
             Actual income tax obligations................     $ 2,254        2,624        2,392
                                                               =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   113
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     Deferred tax assets previously recognized on the balance sheet are
     presented as a component of deferred income tax expense from continuing
     operations when realized. In accordance with the Reorganization SOP,
     pre-reorganization deferred tax assets not previously recognized on the
     balance sheet are recorded as a reduction to Reorganization Goodwill (until
     reduced to zero and then as an addition to paid-in capital) when realized
     and are presented as "charges in lieu of taxes."
 
     Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations by domestic and foreign
     source follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994         1995        1996
                                                                --------      ------      ------
      <S>                                                       <C>           <C>         <C>
      Domestic.............................................     $(44,832)      4,818      39,865
      Foreign..............................................       10,525      13,956      11,998
                                                                --------      ------      ------
                                                                $(34,307)     18,774      51,863
                                                                ========      ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
     Income tax expense attributable to income from continuing operations
     differs from the amount computed by applying the Federal statutory rate to
     pretax income (loss) from continuing operations due to the following (in
     thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994         1995        1996
                                                                --------      ------      ------
      <S>                                                       <C>           <C>         <C>
      Computed "expected" tax expense (benefit)............     $(12,007)      6,571      18,152
      Goodwill amortization................................       24,226      11,260          22
      State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit....        1,418       1,845       1,467
      Foreign tax rate differential........................       (2,976)     (1,445)     (2,076)
      Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance.....       (1,626)       (367)       (426)
      Equity in earnings of affiliates not subject to
        taxation because of dividends-received deduction
        for tax purposes...................................         (374)       (654)       (818)
      Benefit of capital loss carryforward.................           --          --      (2,781)
      Other, net...........................................          (76)     (1,011)       (730)
                                                                --------      ------      ------
        Income tax expense.................................     $  8,585      16,199      12,810
                                                                ========      ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
     The components of income tax expense from continuing operations follow (in
     thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1994        1995        1996
                                                                  ------      ------      ------
      <S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
      Current:
        Federal..............................................     $  342         758         542
        State, local and foreign.............................      1,912       1,938       2,252
                                                                  ------      ------      ------
                                                                   2,254       2,696       2,794
                                                                  ------      ------      ------
 
      Deferred:
        Federal..............................................      5,787      12,370       8,336
        State, local and foreign.............................        544       1,133       1,680
                                                                  ------      ------      ------
                                                                   6,331      13,503      10,016
                                                                  ------      ------      ------
           Total.............................................     $8,585      16,199      12,810
                                                                  ======      ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   114
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     The components of deferred income tax expense (benefit) attributable to
     income from continuing operations follow (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994         1995        1996
                                                                 -------      ------      ------
      <S>                                                        <C>          <C>         <C>
      Deferred tax expense exclusive of other components....     $    --      13,028      10,442
      Charges in lieu of taxes..............................       7,957         842          --
      Changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax
        assets allocated to income tax expense..............      (1,626)       (367)       (426)
                                                                 -------      ------      ------
                                                                 $ 6,331      13,503      10,016
                                                                 =======      ======      ======
</TABLE>
 
     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
     portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at
     December 31 follow (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1995         1996
                                                                         --------      -------
      <S>                                                                <C>           <C>
      Deferred tax assets:
        Net operating loss carryforwards............................     $ 37,491       38,783
        Accrued liabilities, primarily due to accrual for financial
           reporting purposes.......................................       25,682       20,346
        Pension and other post retirement benefits, primarily due to
           accrual for financial reporting purposes.................       10,697       11,105
        Capital loss carryforwards..................................        7,234        8,812
        Other.......................................................        8,808        2,537
                                                                         --------      -------
           Total gross deferred tax assets..........................       89,912       81,583
                Less valuation allowance............................      (44,952)     (34,116)
                                                                         --------      -------
                                                                           44,960       47,467
                                                                         --------      -------
      Deferred tax liabilities:
        Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in
           depreciation.............................................       (7,412)      (9,199)
        Other.......................................................         (667)        (867)
                                                                         --------      -------
           Total gross deferred tax liabilities.....................       (8,079)     (10,066)
                                                                         --------      -------
                  Net deferred tax asset............................     $ 36,881       37,401
                                                                         ========      =======
</TABLE>
 
     The net reduction in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for
     the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 was $7,623,000 and $10,836,000,
     respectively, which primarily resulted from the recognition of additional
     deferred tax assets and the expiration of capital loss carryforwards.
     During the fourth quarters of 1995 and 1996, deferred tax assets of
     $9,180,000 and $10,663,000, respectively, were recognized because it was
     concluded that it was more likely than not that additional deferred tax
     assets would be realized in future years. Accordingly, the recognition of a
     pre-reorganization deferred tax asset of $7,201,000 in 1995 was recorded as
     a reduction to Reorganization Goodwill, $1,612,000 and $10,237,000, in 1995
     and 1996 respectively, was recorded as an increase to additional paid-in
     capital and $367,000 and $426,000 was recorded as a component of deferred
     income tax benefit from continuing operations in 1995 and 1996,
     respectively. Recognition, if any, of tax benefits subsequent to December
     31, 1996 relating to unrecognized deferred tax assets are expected to be
     allocated as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
          <S>                                                               <C>
          Income tax benefit that would be reported in the consolidated
            statements of operations...................................     $11,314
          Additional paid-in capital...................................      22,802
                                                                            -------
                                                                            $34,116
                                                                            =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   115
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     The reduction in the 1995 deferred tax asset valuation allowance described
     above followed evaluation of actual 1994 and 1995 taxable income and
     projections of future taxable income. The reduction of the 1996 deferred
     tax asset valuation allowance described above followed the decision to
     pursue the sale of the Rolodex business unit (completed in March 1997) as
     well as projections of future taxable income. In order to fully realize the
     net deferred tax assets recognized, the Company will need to generate
     future taxable income of approximately $193 million prior to the year 2000.
     Combined cumulative taxable income, before utilization of net operating
     loss carryforwards, for the past three years approximated $28 million.
     Based upon an evaluation of historical and projected future taxable income,
     the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will generate
     sufficient future taxable income to realize its net deferred tax asset of
     $37,401,000 at December 31, 1996. The amount of deferred tax assets
     considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if
     estimates of future taxable income through the year 1999 are reduced.
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Company had Federal net operating loss
     carryforwards of approximately $88,222,000 which can be used to offset
     taxable income, which begin to expire in 2005. The Company's ability to
     utilize its pre-reorganization operating loss carryforwards is generally
     subject to the annual limitation of approximately $9,200,000. In addition
     to the annual limitation, operating loss carryforwards may be utilized for
     built in gains. Net operating losses not subject to the annual limitation
     (before consideration of built in gains) approximated $35,888,000 at
     December 31, 1996. The Company also has capital loss carryforwards of
     approximately $25,177,000 at December 31, 1996 which will begin to expire
     in 1998.
 
     (Unaudited) Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 1997 has
     been provided based upon the taxes expected to be incurred.
 
     The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Federal
     income tax return. The consolidated Federal income tax returns for 1991,
     1992 and 1993 are presently being examined by the Internal Revenue Service.
     Management believes that the ultimate outcome of this examination will not
     have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of
     operations or liquidity of the Company.
 
(12) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
     The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 15,000,000 shares of
     common stock. Each share entitles its holder to one vote on matters
     submitted to stockholders. The shares of common stock consisted of the
     following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                         ------------------------       JUNE 30,
                                                           1995           1996            1997
                                                         ---------      ---------      -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
      Issued shares.................................     9,574,646      9,647,237       10,036,116
      Issuable shares...............................        55,910         42,986           31,334
      Reserved shares...............................       222,195        120,571           73,299
                                                         ---------      ---------       ----------
                                                         9,852,751      9,810,794       10,140,749
                                                         =========      =========       ==========
</TABLE>
 
     The issuable shares are those available for settled claims pending the
     return of required information by the claim holders to the Company. The
     reserved shares are those available to satisfy certain disputed Prepetition
     claims to be resolved in the Bankruptcy Court. During 1996, 101,624
     reserved shares were eliminated because it was determined that prepetition
     claims would be settled for amounts less than previously estimated. To the
     extent that the remaining disputed claims are resolved for more or less
     than the reserved amount, the impact may be more or less dilutive to the
     Company's stockholders.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   116
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P., an investment partnership of
     which Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs") is the general partner, is the
     Company's principal stockholder, owning approximately 62% Company's
     outstanding shares of common stock.
 
     Under the Company's 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan and 1993 Nonemployee
     Director Stock Incentive Plan, which became effective as of April 1, 1993,
     1,860,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance to
     eligible employees and nonemployee directors. As of December 31, 1996, the
     reserve has been reduced by awards for 183,336 shares and 1,179,549 granted
     options.
 
     Of the shares awarded, 10,000 were purchased in 1994 for $17.75 per share
     and 33,333 in 1993 for $15.00 per share, and the restrictions on the
     transferability of these shares will lapse in all events no later than
     three years after the award. Restrictions on the other 140,003 shares
     awarded, for which a nominal amount was paid, generally lapsed during 1995
     and 1994 as the market value of the Company's stock attained targeted
     levels.
 
     The Company repurchased 97,500 shares of its common stock during 1996 at
     prices ranging from $30.60 to $36.125 under the $15,000,000 stock buyback
     program approved by the Company's Board of Directors on July 26, 1995.
     During the last half of 1995 the Company had repurchased 197,500 shares of
     its common stock at prices ranging from $32.375 to $36.875 under the stock
     buyback program.
 
(13) STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     Under the Company's 1993 Long-term Incentive Plan, 560,000 share grants in
     1993 become exercisable in 20% annual increments and such options expire 5
     years after the grant date. All other options become exercisable in 33 1/3%
     annual increments and expire 10 years after the grant date. Options not
     exercised by their expiration date expire on that date. The options were
     considered common stock equivalents for earnings per share purposes for
     1996 and 1995, but the stock options were not included in the earnings per
     share calculation in 1994 because they were anti-dilutive.
 
     The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during
     1995 and 1996 was $18.58 and $19.20 on the date of grant using the Black
     Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
     assumptions: 1995 -- expected dividend yield 0.0%, risk-free interest rate
     of 6.31%, and an expected life of 7 years. 1996 -- expected dividend yield
     0.0%, risk-free interest rate of 6.27%, and an expected life of 7 years;
 
     The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock option
     plans and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its
     stock options in the financial statements. Had the Company determined
     compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock
     options under SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income, and earnings per
     share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1995        1996
                                                                     ------      ------
          <S>                                <C>                     <C>         <C>
          Net income                         As reported             $2,575      39,053
                                               Pro forma              2,562      38,748
 
          Earnings per share                 As reported               0.25        3.95
                                               Pro forma               0.25        3.92
</TABLE>
 
     Pro forma net income reflects only options granted in 1995 and 1996.
     Therefore, the full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock
     options under SFAS No. 123 is not reflected in the pro forma net income
     amounts presented above because compensation cost is reflected over the
     options' vesting period of 3 years and compensation cost for options
     granted prior to January 1, 1995 is not considered.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   117
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     A summary of the options granted follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NUMBER OF
                                                                                     SHARES
                                                                                    ---------
      <S>                                                                           <C>
      Options outstanding December 31, 1993....................................       844,500
        Granted at $16.50 -- $26.50 per share..................................       109,800
        Granted at $30.00 per share............................................       156,300
        Forfeited at $15.00 -- $30.00 per share................................       (16,333)
        Exercised at $23.63 -- $23.75 per share................................        (2,099)
                                                                                    ---------
      Options outstanding December 31, 1994....................................     1,092,168
        Granted at $30.00 -- $38.50 per share..................................        12,850
        Forfeited at $15.00 -- $30.00 per share................................       (28,369)
        Exercised at $15.00 -- $17.25 per share................................       (12,646)
                                                                                    ---------
      Options outstanding December 31, 1995....................................     1,064,003
        Granted at $31.13 -- $35.56 per share..................................       102,900
        Forfeited at $15.00 -- $35.00 per share................................       (36,670)
        Exercised at $15.00 -- $30.00 per share................................       (59,668)
                                                                                    ---------
      Options outstanding December 31, 1996....................................     1,070,565
      Unaudited:
        Granted at $36.75 -- $38.50 per share..................................       128,000
        Forfeited at $15.00 -- $35.00 per share................................       (26,719)
        Exercised at $15.00 -- $35.00 per share................................      (328,954)
                                                                                    ---------
      Options outstanding June 30, 1997........................................       842,892
                                                                                    =========
      Options exercisable follow:
        December 31, 1994 at $15.00 -- $30.00 per share........................       202,650
        December 31, 1995 at $15.00 -- $30.00 per share........................       471,614
        December 31, 1996 at $15.00 -- $38.50 per share........................       682,681
        June 30, 1997 at $15.00 -- $38.50 per share............................       499,001
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1996, the range of exercise prices and weighted-average
     remaining contractual life of outstanding options was $15.00 -- $38.50 and
     4.38 years, respectively.
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the weighted-average exercise price of
     exercisable options was $20.87 and $21.45, respectively.
 
(14) OTHER INCOME
 
     Other income for 1994 included a $1,167,000 gain related to the collection
     of notes receivable in excess of their financial statement carrying amount.
     Other income for 1995 included favorable adjustments of $3,600,000 related
     to the Company's environmental liabilities following a review of its
     liabilities from previously divested operations and $1,494,000 related to
     the resolutions of several legal disputes. In addition, other income
     included a $3,973,000 gain on the sale of idle corporate assets. Other
     income for 1996 included a $3,125,000 pretax gain on the sale of the
     Rolodex electronics product line. Other income also included a favorable
     adjustment of $2,200,000 related to the Company's environmental liabilities
     following completion of a site clean-up for an amount less than previously
     estimated.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   118
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
(15) NONRECURRING CHARGES
 
     During the three months ended June 30, 1995, the Company recorded
     $6,200,000 in charges relating primarily to an additional valuation
     allowance for customer returns and uncollectible accounts receivable at
     Rolodex, the Company's office supply unit, to recognize a number of open
     and unresolved customer chargebacks, primarily originating in prior years.
 
(16) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     During 1994, the Company paid Goldman Sachs a fee of $750,000 for its
     advisory services in connection with the sale of the paint products
     segment. In addition, the Company paid $86,000 and $6,000 in 1994 and 1995,
     respectively, as reimbursement of expenses relating to this and other
     advisory services. During 1996, the Company paid Goldman Sachs $1,000,000
     in transaction fees in connection with the purchase of Lingemann (see Note
     4). During the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Company paid $1,996,000
     (unaudited) as a fee and expenses in connection with the divestiture of the
     Office Products business. In connection with such services, the Company
     provides for the indemnification of Goldman Sachs against various
     liabilities, including liabilities under the Federal securities laws.
 
     As discussed in Note 7, the Company entered into a new bank credit
     agreement in 1994. Pearl Street L.P., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, had an
     initial participating interest of $27,500,000 in the credit facilities
     provided to the Company. Pearl Street L.P. received $931,000 and $44,000
     from the agent bank for its portion of the arrangement fee and interest,
     respectively, paid by the Company during 1994.
 
(17) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     Rental expense for operating leases totaled $3,184,000, $3,436,000 and
     $3,954,000 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
     respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 rental
     expense for operating leases totaled $2,095,000 (unaudited) and $1,974,000
     (unaudited), respectively. These leases primarily relate to production
     facilities. Rentals received for subleases for operating leases totaled $0
     in 1994, $136,000 in 1995 and $206,000 in 1996 and $100,000 (unaudited) and
     $118,000 (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997,
     respectively.
 
     Future minimum lease payments under contractually noncancellable operating
     leases (with initial lease terms in excess of one year) for years
     subsequent to December 31, 1996 are as follows: 1997, $3,479,000; 1998,
     $2,861,000; 1999, $2,027,000; 2000, $1,196,000; 2001, $706,000; and
     thereafter, $313,000. Future minimum rentals to be received under
     noncancelable subleases for years subsequent to December 31, 1996 are as
     follows: 1997: $248,000, 1998: $260,000, 1999: $260,000, 2000: $260,000,
     2001: $22,000 and thereafter, $0.
 
     The Company is implicated in various claims and legal actions arising in
     the ordinary course of business. In addition, certain claims filed in the
     Bankruptcy Court are in dispute. The Company has recorded these disputed
     claims at the estimated settlement amounts ultimately expected to be
     allowed following the Bankruptcy Court litigation. It is reasonably
     possible that the estimated settlement amounts could change in the near
     term but it is not expected that such a change would have a material effect
     on the financial statements in the near term. Those claims or liabilities
     not subject to Bankruptcy Court litigation will be addressed in the
     ordinary course of business and be paid in cash as expenses are incurred.
 
     The United States Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") is investigating the
     Company's acquisition of the automotive tubing business assets of
     Helima-Helvetion International, Inc. ("HHI") to determine if the
     acquisition violated federal antitrust laws. The Company has responded to
     various FTC requests for information concerning the relevant market and
     competitive conditions in that market. At this time it is not known whether
     the investigation will result in the issuance of a complaint, or if such
     complaint is issued, the relief that will be sought or obtained. The 1996
     revenues associated with the automotive
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   119
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     tubing business acquired from HHI were $2,019,000, and the tangible net
     assets at December 31, 1996 were $6,988,000.
 
     In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of the matters
     discussed above will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
     consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. At
     December 31, 1996, all unresolved bankruptcy settlements are included in
     the shares reserved to satisfy claims.
 
(18) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
     The Company manufactures and supplies a diversity of products in three
     primary business segments. The segments and products are discussed below:
 
  (a) Automotive Components Group
 
      The Automotive Components Group is made up of three operating units,
      Thermal Components Group ("Thermal"), Steel Parts Corporation ("Steel
      Parts") and Romac Metals ("Romac"). The businesses in this segment
      manufacture tubing and other heat transfer components and assemblies and
      automotive parts.
 
      Thermal's businesses are involved in the manufacture of welded aluminum
      and copper/brass tubing and heat exchangers. Thermal's heat-transfer
      products have a broad range of applications in motor vehicles, railroad
      locomotives, construction and other industrial equipment.
 
      Thermal uses a direct sales force and independent sales representatives to
      market its products to both original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and
      aftermarket customers primarily in the United States, China and Europe. In
      1994, 1995 and 1996, aftermarket sales were approximately 39%, 37% and
      33%, respectively, of revenues. Aftermarket sales through June 30, 1996
      and 1997 were approximately 40% (unaudited) and 30% (unaudited),
      respectively, of revenues.
 
      On February 1, 1996, the Company acquired Great Lake, Inc. and Kar Tool
      Co., Inc., which serve the automotive, heavy truck and industrial
      manufacturing radiator replacement market. These acquisitions did not have
      a material effect on the Company's financial position or its liquidity.
 
      On July 10, 1996, the Company acquired the automotive aluminum tube
      business of Helmut Lingemann GmbH & Co. The transactions include the
      purchase of stock of Lingemann's German subsidiary, ARUP Alu-Rohr
      und-Profil GmbH, and the automotive aluminum tube business assets of its
      Duncan, South Carolina based subsidiary Helmina-Helvetion International,
      Inc.
 
      Steel Parts is a manufacturer of close tolerance, value-added stampings
      for the automotive industry. Its products include clutch plates for
      automatic transmissions, suspension parts for vibration-reducing
      assemblies and engine mounts. Substantially all of Steel Parts' sales are
      made to the domestic automobile industry, either directly or indirectly
      through other independent automotive parts suppliers. Approximately 66%,
      67% and 70% of Steel Parts' sales were to one of the "Big 3" domestic
      automobile manufacturers in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
      Approximately 71% (unaudited) of Steel Parts sales were to one of the "Big
      3" domestic automobile manufacturers for both the six months ended June
      30, 1996 and 1997. The strong domestic automotive market resulted in Steel
      Parts operating at or near capacity for most of 1994, 1995 and 1996.
 
      Romac manufactures stainless steel tubing used principally in marine and
      architectural applications.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   120
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
  (b) Technologies Group
 
      The Technologies Group consists of four operating units, Stewart Connector
      Systems, Inc. ("Stewart Connector"), Signal Transformer Co., Inc.
      ("Signal"), Stewart Stamping Corporation ("Stewart Stamping"), and Escod
      Industries ("Escod"), which manufacture telecommunication and electrical
      component products, including: specialized connector systems, power
      transformers, precision stampings, wireform and wire assemblies, and cable
      and wire assemblies.
 
      Stewart Connector designs and manufactures high speed data connectors
      primarily for the computer networking and cellular telephone markets.
      Stewart Connector sells its products throughout the world, directly and
      through sales subsidiaries, and through a network of manufacturers'
      representatives. Foreign sales accounted for approximately 35% of Stewart
      Connector's sales in 1994, 43% in 1995 and 40% in 1996. For the six month
      periods through June 30, 1996 and 1997 foreign sales accounted for 40%
      (unaudited) and 43% (unaudited), respectively, of Stewart Connector's
      sales. It maintains a direct sales office in Japan.
 
      Signal manufactures custom and off-the-shelf small power transformers used
      in telecommunications products, medical instrumentation, electronic
      security systems, entertainment equipment and industrial process controls.
      Signal markets its products directly, utilizing catalogs and print
      advertising, and indirectly through independent sales representatives. It
      has a customer base of over nine thousand accounts, consisting of both
      OEMs and aftermarket resellers.
 
      Stewart Stamping is a tool designer and subcontract manufacturer of high
      volume precision metal stamped and wire formed parts. Stewart Stamping
      serves a wide variety of markets, including electrical devices such as
      circuit breakers, electrical fuses, lighting and process controls and the
      electronic industries in passive components such as capacitor cans and
      connector contacts. Stewart Stamping sells its products, directly and
      indirectly through manufacturing representatives, primarily in the U.S.
 
      Escod is a subcontract manufacturer in a highly fragmented market for wire
      and cable assemblies, primarily for the digital telecommunications switch
      market. Telecommunications and computer OEMs account for the bulk of
      Escod's sales. Despite successful recent customer diversification, two
      telecommunications OEMs together accounted for approximately 65%, 60% and
      66% of total sales revenues in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. For the
      six month periods through June 30, 1996 and 1997 Escod's sales to two
      telecommunications OEMs accounted for 68% (unaudited) and 70% (unaudited),
      respectively, of sales. Escod's dependence on these two major customers
      makes its revenues and operating income sensitive to changes in demand
      from those customers.
 
  (c) Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group
 
      The Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group includes two operating
      units: the Rolodex/Curtis operation, which manufactures and markets a
      variety of office products and computer accessories and is comprised of
      the Rolodex division, Rolodex de Puerto Rico, Inc. ("Rolodex-PR"), and
      Curtis Manufacturing, Inc. ("Curtis"); and Taylor Publishing Company
      ("Taylor"), a wholly owned subsidiary engaged in yearbook and other
      specialty printing and publishing. In late 1996 and early 1997, the
      Company sold the office products businesses. On September 3, 1996, the
      Company sold Curtis. On October 4, 1996, the Company sold its Rolodex
      electronics product line. On March 5, 1997, the Company sold the remainder
      of its Rolodex business.
 
      Taylor is engaged primarily in the contract printing of scholastic
      yearbooks for high schools, middle and elementary schools, colleges and
      universities. Its principal yearbook customers are secondary (middle and
      senior high) schools throughout the United States. Taylor also publishes a
      variety of specialty publications on a contract basis and a limited number
      of its own publishing titles. Through its
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   121
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
      reunion services division, Taylor also provides reunion planning and other
      services for alumni of schools, colleges and academies.
 
      Rolodex(R) products include desktop filing devices, business card files,
      electronic data bank organizers, manual personal organizers, telephone
      finding lists and paper punches. Rolodex uses its own sales force as well
      as independent manufacturers' representatives to market its products to
      office superstores, mass merchandisers and the traditional commercial
      office supply market on a nationwide basis.
 
      Sales of the electronic products line divested in October 1996 totaled
      $9,330,000 in 1996 for the period until the date of sale. Sales of
      Curtis(R) brand and Curtis by Rolodex(TM) computer accessories totaled
      $12,109,000 in 1996 for the period until the date of sale. Sales for
      Rolodex Offices Products (exclusive of Curtis sales and sales of
      electronic products) were $58,600,000 in 1996.
 
  (d) Allocation of Intangibles
 
      In accordance with the Reorganization SOP, the Company has allocated
      Reorganization Goodwill and resulting amortization to its identifiable
      segments.
 
  (e) Unallocated Corporate Overhead
 
      Segment operating income (loss) reflects the allocation of corporate
      overhead. Unallocated corporate overhead in 1994 consists of overhead
      associated with discontinued operations.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   122
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
      Operating information of each business segment, excluding divested
      subsidiaries, follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               JUNE 30,
                                               ------------------------------      ------------------
                                                 1994       1995       1996         1996       1997
                                               --------    -------    -------      -------    -------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                      <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
      AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP
        Sales...............................   $173,079    180,251    209,722      101,480    116,266
        Cost of sales.......................    130,183    134,673    156,481       75,802     85,463
        Selling, general and administrative
           expenses.........................     14,424     15,811     19,627        9,195     12,096
        Allocated corporate overhead........      2,194      1,282      2,981        1,543      1,870
        Depreciation........................      4,024      4,674      6,718        2,662      4,237
        Amortization of Reorganization
           Goodwill.........................      7,313      3,404         --           --         --
                                               --------    -------    -------      -------    -------
           Segment operating income.........   $ 14,941     20,407     23,915       12,278     12,600
                                               ========    =======    =======      =======    =======
 
      TECHNOLOGIES GROUP
        Sales...............................   $164,909    170,615    183,663       92,181     97,961
        Cost of sales.......................    116,061    116,253    127,337       62,581     68,721
        Selling, general and administrative
           expenses.........................     17,736     19,750     23,190       11,924     12,757
        Allocated corporate overhead........      2,870      1,412      3,152        1,631      1,971
        Depreciation........................      5,437      5,714      5,531        2,642      3,141
        Amortization of Reorganization
           Goodwill.........................     15,419      7,176         --           --         --
                                               --------    -------    -------      -------    -------
           Segment operating income.........   $  7,386     20,310     24,453       13,403     11,371
                                               ========    =======    =======      =======    =======
 
      OFFICE PRODUCTS/SPECIALTY PUBLISHING
        GROUP
        Sales...............................   $205,642    210,337    179,089      106,836     72,785
        Cost of sales.......................    126,598    134,794    106,075       64,369     41,252
        Selling, general and administrative
           expenses.........................     55,700     57,577     54,450       30,705     21,168
        Nonrecurring charges................         --      6,200         --           --         --
        Allocated corporate overhead........      3,599      1,904      3,487        1,804      1,162
        Depreciation........................      4,073      4,310      4,260        2,712      2,163
        Amortization of Reorganization
           Goodwill.........................     46,485     21,592         --           --         --
                                               --------    -------    -------      -------    -------
           Segment operating income
             (loss).........................   $(30,813)   (16,040)    10,817        7,246      7,040
                                               ========    =======    =======      =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   123
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
      A reconciliation of segment operating income (loss) to consolidated
      operating income (loss) follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,          JUNE 30,
                                                      ---------------------------    ----------------
                                                       1994       1995      1996      1996      1997
                                                      -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                             <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
      Total segment operating income (loss)........   $(8,486)   24,677    59,185    32,927    31,011
      Unallocated corporate overhead...............    (1,177)       --        --        --        --
      Corporate depreciation.......................       (36)      (60)      (84)      (42)      (44)
                                                      -------    ------    ------    ------    ------
        Consolidated operating income (loss).......   $(9,699)   24,617    59,101    32,885    30,967
                                                      =======    ======    ======    ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
      A summary of identifiable assets of each business segment follows (in
      thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30, 1997
                                                           ---------------------      -------------
                                                             1995         1996         (UNAUDITED)
                                                           --------      -------
      <S>                                                  <C>           <C>          <C>
      Automotive Components Group.....................     $ 97,269      144,573         148,554
      Technologies Group..............................       98,352       83,397          88,936
      Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group......       78,399       67,822          53,693
      Corporate.......................................       66,109       56,208         132,028
                                                           --------      -------         -------
                                                           $340,129      352,000         423,211
                                                           ========      =======         =======
</TABLE>
 
      Corporate assets include cash, deferred taxes and other assets. A summary
      of capital expenditures of each business segment follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SIX MONTHS
                                                                                           ENDED
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,
                                                       ---------------------------    ---------------
                                                        1994       1995      1996     1996      1997
                                                       -------    ------    ------    -----    ------
                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                              <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
      Automotive Components Group...................   $ 8,099    10,244     7,447    1,876     5,494
      Technologies Group............................     4,770     7,044     9,597    4,407     3,425
      Office Products/Specialty Publishing Group....     6,105     4,745     5,446    2,919     1,359
      Corporate.....................................       189       126        89       64        37
      Discontinued operations.......................       450        --        --       --        --
                                                       -------    ------    ------    -----    ------
                                                       $19,613    22,159    22,579    9,266    10,315
                                                       =======    ======    ======    =====    ======
</TABLE>
 
      In 1994, export sales were less than 10% of total sales. In 1995, export
      sales were $59,669,000 or 11% of total sales. Export sales in 1995 to
      Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico were $19,777,000, $18,493,000, $8,892,000
      and $5,280,000, respectively. All other export sales in 1995 totaled
      $7,227,000. In 1996, export sales were $71,571,000 or 12% of total sales.
      Export sales in 1996 to Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico were $29,858,000,
      $17,133,000, $8,340,000 and $6,813,000, respectively. All other export
      sales totaled $9,427,000.
 
      For the six months ended June 30, 1996, export sales were $33,319,000 or
      11% of total sales. Export sales for the six months ended June 30, 1996 to
      Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico were $11,447,000, $10,525,000, $4,819,000
      and $3,164,000, respectively. All other export sales for the first six
      months of 1996 totaled $3,364,000. For the six months ended June 30, 1997,
      export sales were $35,576,000 or 12% of total sales. Export sales for the
      six months ended June 30, 1997 to Europe, Asia, Canada, and Mexico were
      $16,382,000, $7,223,000, $5,255,000 and $2,656,000, respectively. All
      other export sales
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>   124
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
      for the first six months of 1997 totaled $4,060,000. The Company's
      transactions are primarily in U.S. dollars.
 
(19) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
     A summary of the quarterly financial information follows (in thousands):
 
       1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 MARCH 31      JUNE 30(1)      SEPT 30      DEC 31(2)
                                                 --------      ----------      -------      ---------
      <S>                                        <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>
      Sales.................................     $121,375        167,221       137,620       134,987
      Gross Profit..........................       37,913         55,756        41,621        39,243
      Net income............................           70          3,321        (1,564)          748
      Per Share:
        Net income..........................     $   0.01           0.33         (0.15)         0.07
</TABLE>
 
       1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 MARCH 31      JUNE 30      SEPT 30(3)      DEC 31(4)
                                                 --------      -------      ----------      ---------
      <S>                                        <C>           <C>          <C>             <C>
      Sales.................................     $122,449      178,048        142,893        129,084
      Gross Profit..........................       34,882       55,621         41,038         36,230
      Net income............................        6,146       11,805          8,482         12,620
      Per Share:
        Net income..........................     $   0.61         1.20           0.86           1.27
</TABLE>
 
       1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               MARCH 31(5)      JUNE 30
                                               -----------      -------
      <S>                                      <C>              <C>          <C>             <C>
      Sales...............................      $ 117,341       169,671
      Gross Profit........................         31,256        52,170
      Net income..........................         63,319        11,207
      Per Share:
        Net income........................      $    6.39          1.14
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
     (1) Includes the following: a) nonrecurring charges of $6,200,000 (See Note
         15), b) $3,600,000 favorable adjustment to the Company's environmental
         liabilities, c) $1,494,000 of favorable adjustments related to the
         resolution of several legal disputes (see Note 14).
 
     (2) Includes the following: a) Pretax gain of $4,300,000 related to a
         change in the Company's pension plan (See Note 10), b) gain of
         $2,300,000 from the sale of idle corporate assets, c) charges totaling
         $3,900,000 for Rolodex/Curtis primarily for customer chargebacks and
         sales returns.
 
     (3) Includes a $2,200,000 favorable adjustment to the Company's
         environmental liabilities.
 
     (4) Includes the following: a) Pretax gain of $3,125,000 on the sale of
         Rolodex electronics product line (See Note 3), b) recognition of a tax
         benefit of $3,207,000 primarily related to a capital loss carryforward.
 
     (5) Includes a pretax gain of $95,001,000 on the divestiture of the Office
         Products business.
 
(20) PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following pro forma financial information presents consolidated sales
     and results of operations as if the divestitures of Curtis, Rolodex
     electronics product line and the Rolodex business unit (see Note 3)
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>   125
 
                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
     had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma
     effect of the acquisition of the automotive aluminum tube business of
     Lingemann (see Note 4) is included as if the acquisition occurred at the
     beginning of the year ended December 31, 1996. The effect of the
     acquisition for year ended December 31, 1995, is not included because
     operating information is not available for that period. The pro forma
     results of operations are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                           31,                     JUNE 30,
                                                  ---------------------      --------------------
                                                    1995         1996         1996         1997
                                                  --------      -------      -------      -------
                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
      <S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
      Sales..................................     $455,379      507,140      269,454      276,215
      Net income.............................        4,685       32,456       15,037       15,993
      Net income per common share and share
        equivalent...........................     $   0.46         3.28         1.52         1.62
</TABLE>
 
(21) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)
 
     Following the sale of the Rolodex business unit, the Company decided to (i)
     refinance its existing indebtedness, (ii) seek to obtain up to $150,000,000
     of new debt (the "Notes") and (iii) effect a repurchase of shares in an
     amount of approximately $220,000,000.
 
     The Company subsequently entered into a new credit facility as of July 3,
     1997 which, among other things, provides for, (i) a $200,000,000 revolving
     credit facility, (ii) a $50,000,000 sublimit for commercial and standby
     letters of credit (including the opportunity to obtain letters of credit in
     various selected foreign currencies) and (iii) a $50,000,000 sublimit for
     advances in selected foreign currencies. The closing of the new credit
     facility permitted the Company on July 10, 1997 to refinance the entire
     outstanding amount of its existing bank indebtedness. The new credit
     facility permits the Company to issue the Notes, subject to certain
     conditions.
 
     On July 10, 1997, the Company purchased, using the proceeds from the sale
     of the Rolodex business unit, (i) 2,805,194 shares from Water Street at
     $38.50 per share in cash for an aggregate purchase price of $107,999,969
     and (ii) 51,948 shares from Mr. Smialek, the President and Chairman of the
     Board of the Company, at $38.50 per share.
 
     On July 11, 1997, the Company commenced a tender offer pursuant to which it
     offered to purchase up to 2,857,142 shares at a price of $38.50 per share
     in cash. The tender offer expired on August 12, 1997. Upon expiration of
     the tender offer 2,857,142 shares had been tendered and the Company
     purchased all of the shares tendered. The purchase of the shares tendered
     in the tender offer was paid for from the proceeds of the issuance and sale
     of the Notes.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>   126
 
==========================================================
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS NOR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
OR BOTH TOGETHER CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE NEW NOTES, TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO
SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE NEW NOTES, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, OR BOTH TOGETHER, NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            PAGE
                                            ----
<S>                                         <C>
Available Information.....................    2
Incorporation of Certain Information by
  Reference...............................    2
Prospectus Summary........................    3
Risk Factors..............................   17
Use of Proceeds...........................   21
Capitalization............................   22
The Exchange Offer........................   23
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences...   30
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
  Financial Information...................   31
Selected Consolidated Financial Data......   38
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations..............................   41
Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking
  Statements..............................   51
Businesses and Properties.................   51
Management................................   59
Principal Stockholders....................   61
Description of the New Credit Facility....   63
Description of the Notes..................   66
Plan of Distribution......................   90
Validity of the New Notes.................   91
Experts...................................   91
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements..............................  F-1
</TABLE>
 
==========================================================
 
==========================================================
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
 
                        OFFER TO EXCHANGE 10 1/4% SENIOR
                      SUBORDINATED NOTES, DUE 2007, WHICH
                   HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
                    ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL
                    OUTSTANDING 10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                                 NOTES DUE 2007
 
                             ----------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                             ----------------------
==========================================================
<PAGE>   127
 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
 
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
 
     The 10 1/4 Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes") were issued
in exchange for the Old Notes (as defined herein) by Insilco Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company").
 
     Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually on February 15 and
August 15 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on
February 15, 1998. The Notes will mature on August 15, 2007 and will not be
subject to redemption at the option of the Company except as follows. The
Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after
August 15, 2002 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days notice mailed to each holder of the Notes, at the redemption prices set
forth herein, plus accrued interest, if any, to but excluding the date of
redemption. Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date will be
entitled to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior
to the relevant date of redemption.
 
     Upon a Change of Control, holders of the New Notes may require the Company
to purchase all or a portion of the New Notes at a purchase price equal to 101%
of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest, if any, to but
excluding the purchase date. Additionally, the Company will be obligated in
certain circumstances to make an offer to purchase the New Notes at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if
any, to but excluding the purchase date with the Net Available Proceeds of Asset
Dispositions. See "Description of the Notes."
 
     The New Notes will be senior subordinated unsecured obligations of the
Company. The New Notes will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing
and future Senior Debt (as defined herein), of the Company, including the New
Credit Facility (as defined herein), will be structurally subordinate to all
existing and future indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries, will rank pari
passu in right of payment with any future senior subordinated indebtedness of
the Company and will rank senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness
of the Company that may be subordinated thereto. On a pro forma basis as of June
30, 1997, the Company had Senior Debt of approximately $141.8 million. The
Company's domestic subsidiaries have joint and several liability for (and have
pledged substantially all of their assets as collateral for, and in certain
cases guaranteed) indebtedness under the New Credit Facility. See "Description
of the Notes" and "Description of the New Credit Facility."
                            ------------------------
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE [ ] FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
  WHICH INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND AN
                   INVESTMENT IN THE NEW NOTES OFFERED HEREBY
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR AND IS TO BE USED BY GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
    IN CONNECTION WITH OFFERS AND SALES IN MARKET-MAKING TRANSACTIONS OF THE
EXCHANGE NOTES. THE COMPANY WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH SALES.
 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. MAY ACT AS A PRINCIPAL OR AGENT IN SUCH TRANSACTIONS. THE
     EXCHANGE NOTES MAY BE OFFERED IN NEGOTIATED TRANSACTIONS OR OTHERWISE.

            The date of this Prospectus is                  , 1997.
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   128
 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
 
                RISK FACTORS -- TRADING MARKET FOR THE NEW NOTES
 
     There is no existing market for the New Notes, and there can be no
assurance regarding the future development of a market for the New Notes or the
ability of the Holders of the New Notes to sell their New Notes or the price at
which such Holders may be able to sell their New Notes. If such market were to
develop, the New Notes could trade at prices that may be higher or lower than
their initial offering price depending on many factors, including prevailing
interest rates, the Company's operating results and the market for similar
securities. Although it is not obligated to do so, Goldman Sachs intends to make
a market in the New Notes. Any such market-making activity may be discontinued
at any time, for any reason, without notice at the sole discretion of Goldman
Sachs. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the trading market
for the New Notes.
 
     Goldman Sachs may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Company and, as such,
may be required to deliver a prospectus in connection with its market-making
activities in the New Notes. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Company agreed to file and maintain a registration statement that would allow
Goldman Sachs to engage in market-making transactions in the New Notes. Subject
to certain exceptions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the
registration statement will remain effective for as long as Goldman Sachs may be
required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making transactions
in the New Notes. The Company has agreed to bear substantially all the costs and
expenses related to such registration statement.
 
     This Prospectus is delivered in connection with the sales of the New Notes
by Goldman Sachs in market-making transactions. The Company will not receive any
of the proceeds from such transactions.
 
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   129
 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     This Prospectus is delivered in connection with the sales of the New Notes
by Goldman Sachs in market-making transactions. The Company will not receive any
of the proceeds from such transactions.
 
                                       A-3
<PAGE>   130
 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     This Prospectus is to be used by Goldman Sachs in connection with offers
and sales of the New Notes in market-making transactions effected from time to
time. Goldman Sachs may act as a principal or agent in such transactions,
including as agent for the counterparty when acting as principal or as agent for
both counterparties, and may receive compensation in the form of discounts and
commissions, including from both counterparties when it acts as agent for both.
Such sales will be made at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at
prices related thereto or at negotiated prices.
 
     Affiliates of Goldman Sachs currently own 45.3% of the Company's Common
Stock. See "Ownership of Capital Stock."
 
     The Company has been advised by Goldman Sachs that, subject to applicable
laws and regulations, Goldman Sachs currently intends to make a market in the
New Notes following completion of the Exchange Offer. However, Goldman Sachs is
not obligated to do so and any such market-making may be interrupted or
discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making
activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will
develop or be sustained. See "Risk Factors -- Trading Market for the New Notes."
 
   
     Goldman Sachs has provided investment banking services to the Company in
the past and may provide such services and financial advisory services to the
Company in the future. Goldman Sachs acted as one of the Initial Purchasers in
connection with the initial sale of the Notes and such Initial Purchasers
received an underwriting discount of approximately $4.5 million in connection
therewith of which Goldman, Sachs received a substantial portion.
    
 
     Goldman Sachs and the Company have entered into a registration rights
agreement with respect to the use by Goldman Sachs of this Prospectus. Pursuant
to such agreement, the Company agreed to bear all registration expenses incurred
under such agreement, and the Company agreed to indemnify Goldman Sachs against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                       A-4
<PAGE>   131
 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
 
======================================================
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE INFORMATION
OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR GOLDMAN SACHS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE NEW NOTES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE NEW NOTES TO ANY PERSON IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO
SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................  [   ]
Incorporation of Certain Information
  by Reference........................  [   ]
Prospectus Summary....................  [   ]
Risk Factors..........................  [   ]
Use of Proceeds.......................  [   ]
Capitalization........................  [   ]
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
  Consolidated Financial
  Information.........................  [   ]
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................  [   ]
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................  [   ]
Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking
  Statements..........................  [   ]
Businesses and Properties.............  [   ]
Management............................  [   ]
Principal Stockholders................  [   ]
Description of the New Credit
  Facility............................  [   ]
Description of Notes..................  [   ]
Plan of Distribution..................  [   ]
Validity of the New Notes.............  [   ]
Experts...............................  [   ]
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements..........................  F-1
</TABLE>
 
======================================================
 
======================================================
 
                              INSILCO CORPORATION

                       10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES,
                                    DUE 2007

                              --------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS

                              --------------------
======================================================
 
                                       A-5
<PAGE>   132
 
                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Article VII, Section 1 of the
By-Laws of the Company authorize indemnification of officers and directors to
the full extent permitted under Delaware law.
 
     The indemnification provided for in the Delaware General Corporation Law is
not exclusive of any other rights of indemnification, and a corporation may
maintain insurance against liabilities for which indemnification is not
expressly provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware Corporation Law, as amended, provides in regard
to indemnification of directors and officers as follows:
 
          "145 INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS;
     INSURANCE.-- (a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who
     was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
     pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
     administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of
     the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
     officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
     request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
     another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
     against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
     paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
     with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
     manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
     of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
     had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
     termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
     settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
     equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
     not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
     or not opposed to the best interests if the corporation, and, with respect
     to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that
     his conduct was unlawful.
 
          (b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
     is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
     or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
     procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a
     director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
     serving at the request of the corporation a s director, officer, employee
     or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
     enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
     reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or
     settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in
     manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
     interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be
     made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
     have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
     extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit
     was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication
     of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person
     is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the
     Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
          (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a
     corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
     any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of
     this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall
     be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
     reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
          (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section
     (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
     authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification
     of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances
     because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
     subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   133
 
     Such determination shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the directors
     who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less
     than a quorum, or (2) if there are not such directors, or if such directors
     so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
     stockholders.
 
          (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or
     director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
     action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the
     final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
     undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such
     amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
     indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses
     (including attorneys' fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be
     so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors
     deems appropriate.
 
          (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
     granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be
     deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification
     or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement,
     vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to
     action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
     holding such office.
 
          (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
     on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
     agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
     corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
     any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
     capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
     corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability
     under this section.
 
          (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation"
     shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
     corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
     consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
     would have had power an authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and
     employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer,
     employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at
     the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer,
     employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
     or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section
     with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have
     with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had
     continued.
 
          (i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises"
     shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include
     any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit
     plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall
     include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
     corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such
     director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit
     plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good
     faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the
     participants and beneficiaries and an employee benefit plan shall be deemed
     to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
     corporation" as referred to in this section.
 
          (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
     granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless provided when authorized or
     ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
     employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors
     and administrators of such a person.
 
          (k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction
     to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or
     indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement,
     vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, The Court of
     Chancery may summarily determine a corporation's obligation to advance
     expenses (including attorneys' fees)."
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   134
 
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) Exhibits.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION
- --------       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <C>  <S>
   *2(a)  --   Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization Jointly Proposed by the Debtors and
               the Official Joint Committee of Unsecured Creditors dated November 23, 1992
               (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E-3, file No. 22-23356).
   *2(b)  --   Order Confirming Plan of Reorganization and Approving Settlements Pursuant to
               Bankruptcy Rule 9019 dated November 24, 1992 (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E-4, File No.
               22-23356).
   *2(c)  --   Order on Motion for Order in Aid of Implementation of Plan dated March 23, 1993
               (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E, File No. 22-23356).
   *2(d)  --   Order on Debtors' Supplemental Motion for Order in Aid of Implementation of
               Plan dated March 23, 1993 (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E-6, File No. 22-23356).
   *2(e)  --   Notice of (1) Order Confirming Plan of Reorganization, (2) Effective Date and
               (3) Administrative Claims Bar Date dated April 1, 1993 (Form 10, Exhibit 2(e),
               File No. 0-22098).
   *2(f)  --   Order on Motion for Order in Aid of Implementation of Plan dated September 14,
               1993 (Form 10/A, Amendment No. 2 to Form 10, Exhibit 2(f), File No. 0-22098).
   *2(g)  --   Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1996, between the Company's
               subsidiary, GUVAB Gesellschaft fur Unternehmensbeteililgungen und
               Vermogensverwaltung im aluminiumverarbeitenden Bereich mbH ("GUVAB") , and
               Lingemann (Form 8-K dated July 10, 1996, File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(h)  --   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1996, among the Company's
               subsidiary, HHI Acquisition Corp., Lingemann, and Helima-Helvetion
               International, Inc. (Form 8-K dated July 10, 1996, File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(i)  --   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 3, 1996, between the Company's
               subsidiary and Esselte Corporation (Form 8-K dated September 6, 1996, File No.
               0-22098).**
   *2(j)  --   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1996, between the Company and
               Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc. and List of Omitted Schedules (Form 8-K
               dated March 5, 1997, File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(k)  --   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 12, 1997, between the Company
               and Newell Co. (Form 8-K dated March 5, 1997, File No. 0-22098).**
   *3(a)  --   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Form 10,
               Exhibit 3(a), File No. 0-22098).
   *3(b)  --   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (Form 10, Exhibit 3(b), File No.
               0-22098).
   *4(a)  --   Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order by and between the Company, certain
               subsidiaries of the Registrant, The Valspar Corporation and the United States
               of America by order of the United States District Court for the Western
               District of Texas, San Antonio Division, dated January 19, 1993 (Form 10,
               Exhibit 4(h), File No. 0-22098).
   *4(b)  --   Stipulation regarding Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order amending
               Exhibit 4(h) (Form 10, Exhibit 4(i), File No. 0-22098).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   135
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION
- --------       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <C>  <S>
   *4(c)  --   Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 1994, among the Company, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the institutions
               from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA, Inc. and
               Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative
               Agent (Form S-8 Registrations Statement, as amended, Exhibit 4(o), File No.
               33-86938).**
   *4(d)  --   First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 21, 1994, among the
               Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA,
               Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as
               Administrative Agent (Form S-8 Registration Statement, as amended, Exhibit
               4(p), File No. 33-86938).**
   *4(e)  --   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 8, 1995, among the
               Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA,
               Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as
               Administrative Agent; (Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, Exhibit
               4(f), File No. 0-22098).**
   *4(f)  --   Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1995, among the
               Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA,
               Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as
               Administrative Agent (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995, Exhibit
               4(g), File No. 0-22098).**
   *4(g)  --   Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, among the
               Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA,
               Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as
               Administrative Agent (Form 8-K dated July 10, 1996, File No. 0-22098).
   *4(h)  --   Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, among the
               Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA,
               Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as
               Administrative Agent (Form 10-K dated March 27, 1997, File No. 0-22098).
   *4(i)  --   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 3, 1997 (Schedule 13e-4,
               Exhibit (b)(1), dated July 11, 1997).
 ***4(j)  --   Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1997 between the Company and the Trustee.
    4(k)  --   Form of New Note (included in Exhibit 4(j) above).
 ***4(l)  --   Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1997, among the Company and Goldman,
               Sachs & Co., McDonald & Company Securities, Inc. and Citicorp Securities Inc.
               (the "Initial Purchasers").
 ***4(m)  --   Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 12, 1997,
               between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
 ***5     --   Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson regarding the legality of
               the New Notes being registered.
  *10(a)  --   The Company's 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Form 10, Exhibit 10(j), File No.
               0-22098).
  *10(b)  --   Supplemental Terms and Conditions Applicable to December 1993 Option Award
               Under the Company 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Form S-8 Registrations
               Statement, as amended Exhibit 4(b), File No. 33-86938).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   136
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION
- --------       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>       <C>  <S>
  *10(c)  --   Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 1993 between the Company and Robert L.
               Smialek, as amended and restated (Form 10/A, Amendment No. 1 to Form 10,
               Exhibit 10(k), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(d)  --   Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of June 26, 1994 between the Company and
               James D. Miller. (Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, Exhibit
               10(e), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(e)  --   Form of Indemnification Agreement adopted by the Company as of July 30, 1990,
               entered into between the Registrant and certain of its officers and directors
               individually, together with a schedule identifying the other documents omitted
               and the material details in which such documents differ (Form 10, Exhibit
               10(n), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(f)  --   The Company's 1993 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan (Form 10/A,
               Amendment No. 1 to form 10, Exhibit 10(p), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(g)  --   Value Appreciation Agreement as of December, 1996, entered into between the
               Registrant and the following officers: David M. Aronowitz, Robert F. Heffron,
               Les G. Jacobs, David A Kauer, Kenneth H. Koch and Philip K. Woodlief (Form
               10-K, dated March 27, 1997, File No. 0-22098).
  *10(h)  --   Form of Income Protection Agreement adopted by the Company as of December,
               1996, entered into between the Registrant and the officers identified in
               Exhibit 10(g) (Form 10-K, dated March 27, 1997, File No. 0-22098).
  *10(i)  --   Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Water Street Corporate
               Recovery Fund I, L.P., dated July 10, 1997 (Schedule 13E-4, Exhibit (c)(2),
               filed July 11, 1997).
  *10(j)  --   Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Robert L. Smialek,
               dated July 10, 1997 (Schedule 13E-4, Exhibit (c)(1), filed July 11, 1997).
***10(k)  --   Amendment, dated August 11, 1997, to Stock Purchase Agreement by and between
               the Company and Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P., dated July 10,
               1997.
***12     --   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  *21     --   Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
               1996, File No. 0-22098).
   23(a)  --   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
***23(b)  --   Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (included in Exhibit 5).
***24     --   Power of Attorney of officers and directors of the Registrant appearing on the
               signature page hereof.
***25     --   Statement of Eligibility and Qualification Under the Trust Indenture Act of
               1939 (T-1) of The Bank of New York (bound separately).
   99(a)  --   Form of Letter of Transmittal
   99(b)  --   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
  * Incorporated by reference, as indicated.
 
 ** The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission
    upon request copies of any omitted schedule or exhibit to Exhibits 2(g),
    (h), (i), (j), and (k) and 4(c), 4(d), and 4(e), and 4(f).
 
   
*** Previously filed.
    
 
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules.
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                     <C>
        Report of Independent Auditors on Financial Statement Schedule........  S-1
        Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts......................  S-2
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   137
 
     All supporting schedules other than the above have been omitted because
they are not required or the information required to be set forth therein is
included in the consolidated financial statements or in the rules thereto.
 
ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to
     include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
     of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
     after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
     decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
     securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
     deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
     may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
     price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
     price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
     effective registration statement; (iii) to include any material information
     with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
     registration statement or any material change to such information in the
     registration statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
          (4) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions
     or otherwise, the Registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
     policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
     unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
     liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrants of expenses incurred
     or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrants in
     the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
     such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
     securities being registered, the Registrants will, unless in the opinion of
     their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit
     to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
     indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
     Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of
     such issue.
 
          (5) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
     13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where
     applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
     pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
     incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to
     be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
     and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   138
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF
BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK ON THE 15
DAY OF OCTOBER, 1997.
    
 
                                          INSILCO CORPORATION
 
                                          By:     /s/ KENNETH H. KOCH
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                             Name: Kenneth H. Koch
                                             Title: Vice President and General
                                          Counsel
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                                 TITLE                        DATE
- -----------------------------------    -------------------------------------  -----------------
<C>                                    <S>                                    <C>
 
                 *                     Chairman of the Board, President and    October 15, 1997
- -----------------------------------      Chief Executive Officer
         Robert L. Smialek
 
                 *                     Vice President and Corporate            October 15, 1997
- -----------------------------------      Controller
        Philip K. Woodlief
 
                 *                     Director                                October 15, 1997
- -----------------------------------
         James J. Gaffney
 
                 *                     Director                                October 15, 1997
- -----------------------------------
        Terence M. O'Toole
 
                 *                     Director                                October 15, 1997
- -----------------------------------
          Thomas E. Petry
 
                 *                     Director                                October 15, 1997
- -----------------------------------
         Barry S. Volpert
 
     *By: /s/ KENNETH H. KOCH
- -----------------------------------
            Kenneth H. Koch
            Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   139
 
The Board of Directors
Insilco Corporation:
 
The audits referred to in our report dated January 31, 1997, except as to Notes
3, 18(c) and 20 to the consolidated financial statements, which are as of March
5, 1997, included the related financial statement schedules as of December 31,
1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1996, included in the registration statement. These financial statement
schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our
audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
We consent to the use of our report included herein, which is based partially on
the report of other auditors, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the prospectus.
 
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Columbus, Ohio
   
October 13, 1997
    
 
                                       S-1
<PAGE>   140
 
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               ADDITIONS
                                                       -------------------------
                                                                         (2)
                                                          (1)          CHARGED
                                        BALANCE AT     CHARGED TO      TO OTHER                      BALANCE
                                        BEGINNING      COSTS AND       ACCOUNTS      DEDUCTIONS      AT END
             DESCRIPTION                OF PERIOD       EXPENSES      (DESCRIBE)     (DESCRIBE)     OF PERIOD
- --------------------------------------  ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ---------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
For the year ended December 31, 1995:
  Allowances deducted from assets:
     Accounts receivable (for doubtful
       receivables)...................   $  2,247         9,775           --             (719)(a)     11,303
     Inventory (primarily for
       obsolescence)..................      4,094         9,031           --           (6,971)(b)      6,154
For the year ended December 31, 1996:
  Allowances deducted from assets:
     Accounts receivable (for doubtful
       receivables)...................     11,303         2,298           --           (8,623)(a)      4,978
     Inventory (primarily for
       obsolescence)..................      6,154         2,606           --           (2,644)(b)      6,116
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
Notes: (a) Primarily accounts written-off, net of recoveries.
 
   
       (b) Primarily obsolete parts written-off.
    
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   141
 
   
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                 NUMBERED
 NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION                                   PAGE
- --------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>       <C>  <S>                                                                    <C>
   *2(a)  --   Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization Jointly Proposed by the
               Debtors and the Official Joint Committee of Unsecured Creditors dated
               November 23, 1992 (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E-3, file No. 22-23356).
   *2(b)  --   Order Confirming Plan of Reorganization and Approving Settlements
               Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 dated November 24, 1992 (Form T-3,
               Exhibit T3E-4, File No. 22-23356).
   *2(c)  --   Order on Motion for Order in Aid of Implementation of Plan dated
               March 23, 1993 (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E, File No. 22-23356).
   *2(d)  --   Order on Debtors' Supplemental Motion for Order in Aid of
               Implementation of Plan dated March 23, 1993 (Form T-3, Exhibit T3E-6,
               File No. 22-23356).
   *2(e)  --   Notice of (1) Order Confirming Plan of Reorganization, (2) Effective
               Date and (3) Administrative Claims Bar Date dated April 1, 1993 (Form
               10, Exhibit 2(e), File No. 0-22098).
   *2(f)  --   Order on Motion for Order in Aid of Implementation of Plan dated
               September 14, 1993 (Form 10/A, Amendment No. 2 to Form 10, Exhibit
               2(f), File No. 0-22098).
   *2(g)  --   Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1996, between the
               Company's subsidiary, GUVAB Gesellschaft fur
               Unternehmensbeteililgungen und Vermogensverwaltung im
               aluminiumverarbeitenden Bereich mbH ("GUVAB"), and Lingemann (Form
               8-K dated July 10, 1996, File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(h)  --   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1996, among the
               Company's subsidiary, HHI Acquisition Corp., Lingemann, and
               Helima-Helvetion International, Inc. (Form 8-K dated July 10, 1996,
               File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(i)  --   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 3, 1996, between the
               Company's subsidiary and Esselte Corporation (Form 8-K dated
               September 6, 1996, File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(j)  --   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1996, between the
               Company and Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc. and List of Omitted
               Schedules (Form 8-K dated March 5, 1997, File No. 0-22098).**
   *2(k)  --   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 12, 1997, between the
               Company and Newell Co. (Form 8-K dated March 5, 1997, File No.
               0-22098).**
   *3(a)  --   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
               (Form 10, Exhibit 3(a), File No. 0-22098).
   *3(b)  --   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (Form 10, Exhibit 3(b),
               File No. 0-22098).
   *4(a)  --   Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order by and between the Company,
               certain subsidiaries of the Registrant, The Valspar Corporation and
               the United States of America by order of the United States District
               Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, dated
               January 19, 1993 (Form 10, Exhibit 4(h), File No. 0-22098).
   *4(b)  --   Stipulation regarding Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order
               amending Exhibit 4(h) (Form 10, Exhibit 4(i), File No. 0-22098).
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   142
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                 NUMBERED
 NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION                                   PAGE
- --------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>       <C>  <S>                                                                    <C>
   *4(c)  --   Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 1994, among the Company,
               the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders, the
               institutions from time to time parties thereto as Issuing Banks,
               Citicorp USA, Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as Co-Agents, and Citicorp
               USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent (Form S-8 Registrations Statement,
               as amended, Exhibit 4(o), File No. 33-86938).**
   *4(d)  --   First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 21, 1994,
               among the Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto
               as Lenders, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA, Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as
               Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent (Form S-8
               Registration Statement, as amended, Exhibit 4(p), File No.
               33-86938).**
   *4(e)  --   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 8, 1995,
               among the Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto
               as Lenders, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA, Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as
               Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent; (Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, Exhibit 4(f), File No.
               0-22098).**
   *4(f)  --   Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1995, among
               the Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Lenders, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA, Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as
               Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent (Form 10-Q
               for the quarter ended June 30, 1995, Exhibit 4(g), File No.
               0-22098).**
   *4(g)  --   Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996,
               among the Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto
               as Lenders, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA, Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as
               Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent (Form 8-K
               dated July 10, 1996, File No. 0-22098).
   *4(h)  --   Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, among
               the Company, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Lenders, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as
               Issuing Banks, Citicorp USA, Inc. and Pearl Street L.P., as
               Co-Agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent (Form 10-K
               dated March 27, 1997, File No. 0-22098).
   *4(i)  --   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 3, 1997 (Schedule
               13e-4, Exhibit (b)(1), dated July 11, 1997).
 ***4(j)  --   Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1997 between the Company and the
               Trustee.
    4(k)  --   Form of New Note (included in Exhibit 4(j) above).
 ***4(l)  --   Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1997, among the Company and
               Goldman, Sachs & Co., McDonald & Company Securities, Inc. and
               Citicorp Securities Inc. (the "Initial Purchasers").
 ***4(m)  --   Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 12,
               1997, between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
 ***5     --   Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson regarding the
               legality of the New Notes being registered.
  *10(a)  --   The Company's 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Form 10, Exhibit 10(j),
               File No. 0-22098).
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   143
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                 NUMBERED
 NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION                                   PAGE
- --------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>       <C>  <S>                                                                    <C>
  *10(b)  --   Supplemental Terms and Conditions Applicable to December 1993 Option
               Award Under the Company 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Form S-8
               Registrations Statement, as amended Exhibit 4(b), File No. 33-86938).
  *10(c)  --   Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 1993 between the Company and
               Robert L. Smialek, as amended and restated (Form 10/A, Amendment No.
               1 to Form 10, Exhibit 10(k), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(d)  --   Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of June 26, 1994 between the
               Company and James D. Miller. (Form 10-K for the year ended December
               31, 1994, Exhibit 10(e), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(e)  --   Form of Indemnification Agreement adopted by the Company as of July
               30, 1990, entered into between the Registrant and certain of its
               officers and directors individually, together with a schedule
               identifying the other documents omitted and the material details in
               which such documents differ (Form 10, Exhibit 10(n), File No.
               0-22098).
  *10(f)  --   The Company's 1993 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan (Form
               10/A, Amendment No. 1 to form 10, Exhibit 10(p), File No. 0-22098).
  *10(g)  --   Value Appreciation Agreement as of December, 1996, entered into
               between the Registrant and the following officers: David M.
               Aronowitz, Robert F. Heffron, Les G. Jacobs, David A Kauer, Kenneth
               H. Koch and Philip K. Woodlief (Form 10-K, dated March 27, 1997, File
               No. 0-22098).
  *10(h)  --   Form of Income Protection Agreement adopted by the Company as of
               December, 1996, entered into between the Registrant and the officers
               identified in Exhibit 10(g) (Form 10-K, dated March 27, 1997, File
               No. 0-22098).
  *10(i)  --   Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Water Street
               Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P., dated July 10, 1997 (Schedule 13E-4,
               Exhibit (c)(2), filed July 11, 1997).
  *10(j)  --   Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Robert L.
               Smialek, dated July 10, 1997 (Schedule 13E-4, Exhibit (c)(1), filed
               July 11, 1997).
***10(k)  --   Amendment, dated August 11, 1997, to Stock Purchase Agreement by and
               between the Company and Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P.,
               dated July 10, 1997.
***12     --   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  *21     --   Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 1996, File No. 0-22098).
   23(a)  --   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
***23(b)  --   Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (included in
               Exhibit 5).
***24     --   Power of Attorney of officers and directors of the Registrant
               appearing on the signature page hereof.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   144
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                                 NUMBERED
 NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION                                   PAGE
- --------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<C>       <C>  <S>                                                                    <C>
***25     --   Statement of Eligibility and Qualification Under the Trust Indenture
               Act of 1939 (T-1) of The Bank of New York (bound separately).
   99(a)  --   Form of Letter of Transmittal
   99(b)  --   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
  * Incorporated by reference, as indicated.
 
 ** The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission
    upon request copies of any omitted schedule or exhibit to Exhibits 2(g),
    (h), (i), (j), and (k) and 4(c), 4(d), and 4(e), and 4(f).
 
   
*** Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)


The Board of Directors
Insilco Corporation:

The audits referred to in our report dated January 31, 1997, except
as to Notes 3, 18(c) and 20 to the consolidated financial statements,
which are as of March 5, 1997, included the related financial
statement schedules as of December 31, 1996, and for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, included in
the registration statement. These financial statement schedules are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on
our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements
taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.

We consent to the use of our report included herein, which is based
partially on the report of other auditors, and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

                                     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
October 13, 1997


<PAGE>   1
 
   
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99(a)
    
 
                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
       NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON NOVEMBER 14, 1997 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"),
                     UNLESS EXTENDED BY INSILCO CORPORATION
 
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                                      FOR
                           TENDER OF ALL OUTSTANDING
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
                                IN EXCHANGE FOR
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
 
                         THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE
    AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON NOVEMBER 14, 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
   AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
         ARE EXPECTED TO EXPIRE AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
                                EXCHANGE AGENT:
 
                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
  By Hand or Overnight Courier:    By Registered or Certified Mail:           By Facsimile:
       The Bank of New York              The Bank of New York
        101 Barclay Street             101 Barclay Street -- 7E               (212) 815-6339
 Corporate Trust Services Window       New York, New York 10286
           Ground Level                 Attention: Odell Romeo           Confirm by telephone to:
     New York, New York 10286           Reorganization Section
      Attention: Odell Romeo                                                  (212) 815-6337
      Reorganization Section
</TABLE>
    
 
     DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA A FACSIMILE
TRANSMISSION TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY.
 
   
     The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus, dated October 15,
1997 (the "Prospectus"), of Insilco Corporation (the "Company") which, together
with this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), constitute the
Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange U.S. $1,000 principal amount
of a new series of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "New Notes")
of the Company for each U.S. $1,000 principal amount of outstanding 10 1/4%
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Old Notes") of the Company. The terms
of the New Notes are identical in all material respects (including principal
amount, interest rate and maturity) to the terms of the Old Notes for which they
may be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer, except that (i) the New Notes
will have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting the
transfer thereof and (ii) holders of the New Notes will not be entitled to
certain rights of holders of the Old Notes under a registration rights agreement
which will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer. Following the
consummation of the Exchange Offer, neither the Old Notes nor the New Notes will
be entitled to the contingent increase in interest rate provided pursuant to the
Indenture and the Old Notes. Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer,
holders of Old Notes and New Notes will not have any further registration
rights, and the Old Notes will continue to be subject to certain restrictions on
transfer.
    
 
     The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect
to the Exchange Offer.
<PAGE>   2
 
   
        PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE PROSPECTUS
    
   
                    CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW.
    
 
     THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED,
QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS
AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
     List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If
the space provided below is inadequate, the Certificate Numbers and Principal
Amounts should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed hereto.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES TENDERED HEREWITH
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>                   <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF                                          AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL
                     REGISTERED HOLDER(S)                           CERTIFICATE        AMOUNT REPRESENTED     PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                       (PLEASE FILL IN)                              NUMBER(S)            BY OLD NOTES           TENDERED*
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       TOTAL
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 * Unless otherwise indicated, the holder will be deemed to have tendered the
   full aggregate principal amount represented by the Old Notes. See
   Instruction 2.
================================================================================
 
     This Letter of Transmittal is to be used if certificates for Old Notes are
to be forwarded herewith.
 
     Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "Holder" for purposes of
this Letter of Transmittal means any person in whose name Old Notes are
registered or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power
from the registered holder.
 
     Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver
their Old Notes and all other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent on
or prior to the Expiration Date may tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures."
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
    GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
  Name of Registered Holder(s):
                         -------------------------------------------------------
 
  Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:
                                        ----------------------------------------
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
    COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
    THERETO.
 
  Name: ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Address:
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   3
 
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the above-described principal amount
of Old Notes. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the
Old Notes tendered herewith, the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns and
transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in
and to such Old Notes. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Exchange Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of
the undersigned (with full knowledge that said Exchange Agent acts as the agent
of the undersigned in connection with the Exchange Offer) to cause the Old Notes
to be assigned, transferred and exchanged. The undersigned represents and
warrants that it has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and
transfer the Old Notes and to acquire New Notes issuable upon the exchange of
such tendered Old Notes, and that, when the same are accepted for exchange, the
Company will acquire good and unencumbered title to the tendered Old Notes, free
and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject
to any adverse claim. The undersigned also warrants that it will, upon request,
execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the
Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and
transfer of tendered Old Notes or to transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the
account books maintained by The Depository Trust Company (the "DTC").
 
     The undersigned acknowledges that this Offer is being made in reliance on
an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for
the Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by
holders thereof (other than broker-dealers, as set forth below, and any such
holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided that such New
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such
holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes.
 
     The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions of the Exchange
Offer." The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which
may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Company) as more particularly set
forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to exchange any of the
Old Notes tendered hereby and, in such event, the Old Notes not exchanged will
be returned to the undersigned at the address shown below the signature of the
undersigned.
 
     By tendering, each Holder of Old Notes represents to the Company that (i)
the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the
ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New Notes, whether or
not such person is such Holder, (ii) neither the Holder of Old Notes nor any
such other person is participating in, intends to participate in or has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, the distribution
of such New Notes, (iii) if the Holder is not a broker-dealer or is a
broker-dealer but will not receive New Notes for its own account in exchange for
Old Notes, neither the Holder nor any such other person is engaged in or intends
to participate in a distribution of the New Notes and (iv) neither the Holder
nor any such other person is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act. If the tendering Holder tenders Old Notes
with the intention of participating, or for the purpose of participating, in the
distribution of the New Notes, it acknowledges that it may not rely upon certain
interpretations by the staff of the SEC described in the Exchange Offer, and
that, in the absence of an exemption therefrom, it must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any secondary resale transaction, and any such secondary resale
transaction must be covered by an effective registration statement containing
the selling securityholder information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act. If the tendering Holder is a broker-dealer (whether or
not it is also an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act) that will receive New Notes for its own account in
exchange for Old Notes, it represents that the Old Notes to be exchanged for the
New Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting
<PAGE>   4
 
the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New
Notes. By acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New Notes, the undersigned is not deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
   
     All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death, bankruptcy or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other
legal representatives of the undersigned. Tendered Old Notes may be withdrawn at
any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date.
    
 
     Certificates for all New Notes delivered in exchange for tendered Old Notes
and any Old Notes delivered herewith but not exchanged, in each case registered
in the name of the undersigned, shall be delivered to the undersigned at the
address shown below the signature of the undersigned.
<PAGE>   5
 
                         TENDERING HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S)
 
Dated:
- --------------------------- , 199
- -
 
(Must be signed by registered Holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
certificate(s) for Old Notes or by any person(s) authorized to become registered
Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please set forth the full title of such person.) See Instruction 3.
 
Name(s):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Capacity (full title):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Address:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
Area Code and Telephone No:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TAX IDENTIFICATION NO.
 
                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                       (IF REQUIRED -- SEE INSTRUCTION 3)
 
Authorized Signature:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Name:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Title:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Address:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Name of Firm:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Area Code and Telephone No.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Dated:
- --------------------------- , 199
- -
<PAGE>   6
 
                                     BOX 3
 
                    TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>                                           <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYOR'S NAME: INSILCO CORPORATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SUBSTITUTE                    Part 1-PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT ------------------------------
 FORM W-9                      RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING      Social Security Number or
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY    BELOW                                        Employee Identification Number
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER  Part 2 -- Check the box if you are NOT subject to back-up withholding
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)  under the provisions of Section 3406(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue
                              Code because (1) you have not been notified that you are subject to
                              back-up withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or
                              dividends, (2) the Internal Revenue Service has notified you that you are
                              no longer subject to back-up withholding or (3) you are exempt.
                             --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      CERTIFICATE -- UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I       PART 3
                                      CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM IS  CHECK IF
                                      TRUE, CORRECT AND COMPLETE.                            AWAITING TIN
                                      SIGNATURE  DATE                                        [ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
                                     BOX 4
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S> <C>                                             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------
             SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
               (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
 
    To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old
    Notes in a principal amount not tendered, or New
    Notes are to be issued in the name of someone
    other than the person whose signature appears in
    Box 2.
 
    Issue and deliver:
 
    (check appropriate boxes)
 
    [ ] Old Notes not tendered
 
    [ ] New Notes, to:
                         Name:
    ------------------------------------------------
                 (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
    Please complete the Substitute form W-9 at Box 3
    Tax I.D. or Social Security Number:
                                           ---------
- --------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                     BOX 5
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S> <C>                                             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------
             SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
               (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
 
    To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old
    Notes in a principal amount not tendered, or New
    Notes, are to be delivered to someone other than
    the person whose signature appears in Box 2 or
    to an address other than that shown in Box 1.
 
    Deliver:
 
    (check appropriate boxes)
 
    [ ] Old Notes not tendered
 
    [ ] New Notes, to:
                         Name:
    ----------------------------------------------------
                 (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
    Address:
             ---------------------------------------

             ---------------------------------------

- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   7
 
            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE
PAYER.--Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      GIVE THE
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT:             SOCIAL SECURITY
                                      NUMBER OF--
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<C>  <S>                              <C>
  1. An individual's account          The individual
  2. Two or more individuals (joint   The actual owner of
     account)                         the account or, if
                                      combined funds, any
                                      one of the
                                      individuals(1)
  3. Husband and wife (joint          The actual owner of
     account)                         the account or, if
                                      joint funds, either
                                      person(1)
  4. Custodian account of a minor     The minor(2)
     (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)
  5. Adult and minor (joint account)  The adult or, if
                                      the minor is the
                                      only contributor,
                                      the minor(1)
  6. Account in the name of guardian  The ward, minor, or
     or committee for a designated    incompetent
     ward, minor, or incompetent      person(3)
     person
  7. a. The usual revocable savings   The grantor-
        trust account (grantor is     trustee(1)
        also trustee)
     b. So-called trust account that  The actual owner(1)
     is not a legal or valid trust
        under State law
  8. Sole proprietorship account      The owner(4)
 
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      GIVE THE
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT:             SOCIAL SECURITY
                                      NUMBER OF--
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<C>  <S>                              <C>
  9. A valid trust, estate, or        The legal entity
     pension trust                    (Do not furnish the
                                      identifying number
                                      of the personal
                                      representative or
                                      trustee unless the
                                      legal entity itself
                                      is not designated
                                      in the account
                                      title.)(5)
 10. Corporate account                The corporation
 11. Religious, charitable, or        The organization
     educational organization
     account
 12. Partnership account held in the  The partnership
     name of the business
 13. Association, club, or other      The organization
     tax-exempt organization
 14. A broker or registered nominee   The broker or
                                      nominee
 15. Account with the Department of   The public entity
     Agriculture in the name of a
     public entity (such as a State
     or local government, school
     district, or prison) that
     receives agricultural program
     payments
- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3) Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
    person's social security number.
(4) Show the name of the owner.
(5) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust.
 
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
      considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>   8
 
            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the
Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a
number.
 
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
   
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the
following:
    
  - A corporation.
  - A financial institution.
  - An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
    retirement plan.
  - The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
  - A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any
    subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
  - A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
    any agency or instrumentality thereof.
  - An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
  - A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or a
    possession of the U.S.
  - A real estate investment trust.
  - A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
  - An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
    section 4947(a)(I).
  - An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
    A foreign central bank of issue.
  Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following: Payments to nonresident aliens subject to
withholding under section 1441.
  - Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
    which have at least one nonresident partner.
  - Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
    money.
  - Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
  - Payments made to a nominee.
  Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:
  - Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be
    subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid
    in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not provided
    your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
  - Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
    section 852).
  - Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.
  - Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
  - Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
  - Payments made to a nominee.
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO
THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO
SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
 
  Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that
are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a),
6045, and 6050A.
 
  PRIVACY ACT NOTICE.--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend,
interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers
who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are
required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31% of taxable
interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a
taxpayer identification number to a payee. Certain penalties may also apply.
 
PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.--If you fail
to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a
penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION.--Falsifying certifications or
affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or
imprisonment.
 
                  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX
                  CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
                    FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                             OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     1.  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES.  Certificates
for all physically delivered Old Notes, as well as a properly completed and duly
executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, and any other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at any of its addresses set forth herein on or prior to the
Expiration Date.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE OLD NOTES AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER AND, EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BELOW, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY
RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT REGISTERED MAIL PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED.
IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSUME DELIVERY TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE
OLD NOTES SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR
RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO
EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
 
     Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver
their Old Notes and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date may tender their Old Notes pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures." Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Prospectus); (ii) on or prior
to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from such Eligible
Institution a letter, telegram or facsimile transmission setting forth the name
and address of the tendering Holder, the name(s) in which such Old Notes are
registered, and the certificate numbers of the Old Notes to be tendered; and
(iii) all tendered Old Notes as well as this Letter of Transmittal and all other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the
Exchange Agent within three business days after the date of execution of such
letter, telex, telegram or facsimile transmissions, all as provided in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
     No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering Holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of
the Old Notes for exchange.
 
     2.  PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWALS.  Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted in
denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples in excess thereof. If less
than the entire principal amount of Old Notes evidenced by a submitted
certificate is tendered; the tendering Holder must fill in the principal amount
tendered in the box entitled "Principal Amount Tendered." A newly issued
certificate for the principal amount of Old Notes submitted but not tendered
will be sent to such Holder as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date.
All Old Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been
tendered unless otherwise indicated.
 
     Tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except
that Old Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any
time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. To be
effective, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission notice of
withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent. Any such notice of
withdrawal must specify the person named in the Letter of Transmittal as having
tendered Old Notes to be withdrawn, the certificate numbers and designation of
the Old Notes to be withdrawn, the principal amount of Old Notes delivered for
exchange, a statement that such a Holder is withdrawing its election to have
such Old Notes exchanged, and the name of the registered Holder of such Old
Notes, and must be signed by the Holder in the same manner as the original
signature on the Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature
guarantees) or be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Company that the
person withdrawing the tender has succeeded to the beneficial ownership of the
Old Notes being withdrawn. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the
name and number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility. All
questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt)
of such notices will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be
final and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not
to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no New
Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn are
validly retendered. The Exchange Agent will return the properly withdrawn Old
Notes promptly following receipt of notice of withdrawal. Properly withdrawn Old
Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Notes" at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
<PAGE>   10
 
     3.  SIGNATURE ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS AND
ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed
by the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the Signature must
correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of certificates without
alteration, enlargement or change whatsoever.
 
     If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
     If a number of Old Notes registered in different names are tendered, it
will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this
Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of Old Notes.
 
     When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder or
Holders of Old Notes listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates
or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are required.
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered Holder or Holders of the Old Notes listed, such Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by separate written instruments of transfer or exchange
in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed by the registered Holder
or Holders, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered
Holder or Holders appear(s) on the Old Notes.
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or separate written
instruments of transfer or exchange are signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so
indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted.
 
     Endorsements on certificates or signatures on separate written instruments
of transfer or exchange required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
 
     Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, provided the Old Notes are tendered: (i) by a registered
Holder of such Old Notes; or (ii) for the account of any Eligible Institution.
 
     4.  TRANSFER TAXES.  The Company shall pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, certificates representing New Notes, or Old Notes for principal amounts
not tendered or accepted for exchange, are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than
the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any
such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other
person) will be payable by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith, the
amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering Holder.
 
     Except as provided in this Instruction 4, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
 
     5.  WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.  The Company reserves the absolute right to
waive, in whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set
forth in the Prospectus.
 
     6.  MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OLD NOTES.  Any Holder whose Old
Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange
Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions.
 
     7.  REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.  Questions relating to
the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the
Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the Exchange Agent
at the address and telephone number set forth above. In addition, all questions
relating to the Exchange Offer, as well as requests for assistance or additional
copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the
Exchange Agent at the address specified in the Prospectus.
 
     8.  IRREGULARITIES.  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), and acceptance of Letters of Transmittal or Old
Notes will be resolved by the Company, whose determination will be final and
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all Letters of
Transmittal or tenders that are not in proper form or the acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the absolute right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender
as to the particular Old Notes covered by any Letter of Transmittal or tendered
pursuant to such Letter of Transmittal. None of the Company, the Exchange Agent
or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects
or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer shall be final and binding.
<PAGE>   11
 
     9.  DEFINITIONS.  Capitalized terms used in this Letter of Transmittal and
not otherwise defined have the meanings given in the Prospectus.
 
     IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF (TOGETHER WITH
CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF
GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO 5:00
P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99(b)
 
                              INSILCO CORPORATION
 
                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                      FOR
                           TENDER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
                                IN EXCHANGE FOR
                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
 
        THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
         ON NOVEMBER 14, 1997 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), UNLESS EXTENDED.
 AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER ARE
           EXPECTED TO EXPIRE AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     Registered holders of outstanding 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due
2007 (the "Old Notes") of Insilco Corporation (the "Company") who wish to tender
their Old Notes in exchange for a like principal amount of 10 1/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "New Notes") of the Company and whose Old Notes
are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Old Notes and Letter
of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") (and any other documents required
by the Letter of Transmittal) to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent"), on
or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date, may use this
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or one substantially equivalent hereto. This
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile
transmission (receipt confirmed by telephone and an original delivered by
guaranteed overnight delivery) or mail to the Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" in the
Prospectus (the "Prospectus").
 
                 The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
 
                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                                  <C>    
  By Hand or Overnight Courier:    By Registered or Certified Mail:           By Facsimile:
       The Bank of New York              The Bank of New York                 (212) 815-6339
        101 Barclay Street             101 Barclay Street -- 7E
 Corporate Trust Services Window       New York, New York 10286
     New York, New York 10286           Attention: Odell Romeo           Confirm by telephone to:
      Attention: Odell Romeo            Reorganization Section                (212) 815-6337
      Reorganization Section
</TABLE>
 
     Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than as
set forth above or transmission of instructions via a facsimile transmission to
a number other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery.
 
     This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee
signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, such signature guarantee must appear in
the applicable space provided on the Letter of Transmittal for Guarantee of
Signatures.
 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
 
     The undersigned hereby tender(s) to the Company, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer and the Letter of Transmittal,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
in the Prospectus.
<PAGE>   2
 
     The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only
in principal amounts equal to U.S. $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The
undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may not be withdrawn after 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date.
Tenders of Old Notes may also be withdrawn if the Exchange Offer is terminated
without any such Old Notes being purchased thereunder or as otherwise provided
in the Prospectus.
 
     All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and
every obligation of the undersigned under this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other legal
representatives of the undersigned.
 
                            PLEASE SIGN AND COMPLETE
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Signature(s) of Registered Owner(s) or            Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Authorized Signatory:
                       ------------------------
                                                  -----------------------------------------------
 
- -----------------------------------------------
                                                  -----------------------------------------------
 
- -----------------------------------------------
                                                  -----------------------------------------------
                                                  Address:
Principal Amount of Old Notes                              --------------------------------------
Tendered:
           ------------------------------------
                                                  -----------------------------------------------
                                                  Area Code and Telephone No.:
Certificate No.(s) of Old Notes                                                    --------------
(if available):
               --------------------------------
                                                  Date:
                                                        -----------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
     This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by the registered
holder(s) of Old Notes exactly as its (their) name(s) appear on certificates for
Old Notes or on a security position listing as the owner of Old Notes, or by
person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and
documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If a signature is
by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or
other person acting in a fiduciary or such representative capacity, such person
must provide the following information.
 
                      PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)
 
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>
Name(s):      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity:
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address(es):
              ====================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
                                   GUARANTEE
                    (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)

     The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities exchange
or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank
or trust company having an office or a correspondent in the United States or an
"eligible guarantor institution" as defined by Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), hereby (a) represents
that each holder of Old Notes on whose behalf this tender is being made "own(s)"
the Old Notes covered hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange
Act, (b) represents that such tender of Old Notes complies with such Rule 14e-4,
and (c) guarantees that, within three business days from the date of this Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), together with certificates representing
the Old Notes covered hereby in proper form for transfer and required documents,
will be deposited by the undersigned with the Exchange Agent.
 
     THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT MUST DELIVER THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
AND OLD NOTES TENDERED HEREBY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITHIN THE TIME SET FORTH
ABOVE AND THAT FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE
UNDERSIGNED.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Name of Firm:
                -------------------------------    Authorized Signature:
                                                   ------------------------
Address:
         --------------------------------------
                                                   Name:
                                                          ----------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------
 
Area Code and Telephone No.:
                                 --------------    Title:
                                                   -----------------------------------------
                                                   Date:
                                                         -----------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
DO NOT SEND OLD NOTES WITH THIS FORM. OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT TOGETHER WITH A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.


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