INSILCO CORP/DE/
S-4/A, 1998-06-11
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
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 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 11, 1998
                                            REGISTRATION NO. 333-51145
======================================================================

                  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)
        DELAWARE                367, 346,                06-0635844
     (STATE OR OTHER            274, 359               (IRS EMPLOYER
     JURISDICTION OF            (PRIMARY             IDENTIFICATION NO.)
    INCORPORATION OR            STANDARD
      ORGANIZATION)            INDUSTRIAL
                              CLASSIFICATION
                                  CODE
                                 NUMBER)

           ------------------------------------------------
                         425 METRO PLACE NORTH
                              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 NORTH
                              FIFTH FLOOR
                          DUBLIN, OHIO 43017
                            (614) 791-3137
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE
          NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

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

                               COPIES TO:
                   AVIVA DIAMANT        JOHN W. BUTTRICK
               FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS,       DAVIS POLK
                 SHRIVER & JACOBSON        & WARDWELL
                 ONE NEW YORK PLAZA    450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                 NEW YORK, NY 10004     NEW YORK, NY 10017

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

   
     APPROXIMATE  DATE OF COMMENCEMENT  OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As
soon as practicable after the effectiveness of this Registration  Statement
and the effective time  ("Effective  Time") of the merger (the "Merger") of
Silkworm  Acquisition  Corporation  ("MergerSub")  with  and  into  Insilco
Holding  Co.   ("ExistingSub"),   a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Insilco
Corporation  (the  "Company"),  as described in the  Agreement  and Plan of
Merger dated as of March 24, 1998.
    

     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. |_|

     If  this  form is  filed  to  register  additional  securities  for an
offering  pursuant  to Rule  462(b)  under the  Securities  Act,  check the
following  box and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  number  of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|

     If this form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed  pursuant  to Rule
462(d)  under the  Securities  Act,  check the  following  box and list the
Securities Act registration  number of the earlier  effective  registration
statement for the same offering. |_|

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------ -------------------- --------------------- -------------------- ----------------
                                                            PROPOSED MAXIMUM      PROPOSED MAXIMUM      AMOUNT OF
 TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES       AMOUNT TO BE        OFFERING PRICE           AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
         TO BE REGISTERED            REGISTERED(FN1)(FN2)      PER SHARE         OFFERING PRICE(FN2)     FEE(FN2)
- ------------------------------------ -------------------- --------------------- -------------------- ----------------
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>                   <C>                  <C>
   Common Stock, par value $0.001          140,867                N/A                   $0                 $0
   per share
- ------------------------------------ -------------------- --------------------- -------------------- ----------------


<FN>

(1)  This  Registration  Statement  relates to shares of common stock,  par
     value  $0.001 per share  ("ExistingSub  Shares") of  ExistingSub.  The
     ExistingSub  Shares  being  registered  are the shares  into which the
     shares of common  stock,  par value  $0.001 per share,  of the Company
     (the "Shares") will be converted in a  reorganization  merger pursuant
     to  Section  251(a)  of the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law  (the
     "Reorganization  Merger") (pursuant to which the Company will become a
     wholly owned  subsidiary of ExistingSub)  and which are to be retained
     by the  holders  thereof  as a result of the  Merger,  which will take
     place promptly following the Reorganization Merger.

   
(2)  Pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
     and solely for  purposes of  calculating  the  registration  fee,  the
     registration  fee was computed on the basis of the last  reported sale
     on the NASDAQ National Market on the relevant date, less the amount of
     cash to be paid by the Company in connection with the Merger.
    

</FN>
</TABLE>
             -------------------------------------------------

     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 THE  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL BECOME  EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE  COMMISSION,  ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

========================================================================


   
                               June [ ], 1998


Dear Stockholder:


     You are cordially  invited to attend a Special Meeting of Stockholders
of Insilco  Corporation  (the  "Company")  at the offices of Fried,  Frank,
Harris,  Shriver & Jacobson,  One New York Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, New
York, on [ ], 1998, at [ ] a.m. (Eastern Time).

     As you may know, on March 24, 1998,  the Company and its  wholly-owned
subsidiary,  INR Holding Co. (since renamed "Insilco Holding Co."), entered
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (which was amended as of June 8, 1998)
(the   "Merger   Agreement")   with   Silkworm   Acquisition    Corporation
("MergerSub"),  an affiliate of DLJ Merchant  Banking Partners II, L.P. and
affiliated  funds and  entities  (the "DLJMB  Funds").  The DLJMB Funds are
affiliates of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. As more fully described in
the  accompanying  Notice  of  Meeting  and  Proxy  Statement,  the  Merger
Agreement contemplates that two mergers (collectively,  the "Mergers") will
occur, one after the other. In the first merger,  the Company will become a
wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Insilco  Holding  Co. In the  second  merger,
MergerSub will be merged into Insilco Holding Co., with Insilco Holding Co.
continuing as the surviving  corporation.  In the Mergers,  stockholders of
the Company (other than  stockholders who validly perfect  appraisal rights
under  Delaware law) will receive $43.48 in cash and will retain 0.03378 of
a share of common stock of Insilco  Holding Co. in respect of each of their
shares of Common Stock of the Company. At the Special Meeting,  you will be
asked to consider  and vote on a proposal  to approve the Merger  Agreement
and the Mergers.  To fully understand the Merger Agreement and the Mergers,
I encourage you to read the Proxy Statement carefully.

     The  transaction  will be financed  through,  among other things,  the
issuance  by  MergerSub  of notes  which will  generate  gross  proceeds of
approximately  $110 million  (which will become the  obligations of Insilco
Holding Co. upon the  effectiveness of the Mergers) and  approximately  $55
million of common stock and warrants  (which will be converted  into common
stock and warrants to purchase  common stock of Insilco  Holding Co. in the
Mergers),  and  through  borrowings  under the  Company's  existing  credit
facility.   Immediately  following  the  Mergers,  the  Company's  existing
stockholders  will own  approximately  10% of Insilco  Holding Co., and the
DLJMB  Funds will own the  remaining  90%.  However,  the DLJMB  Funds have
advised  the  Company  that 399  Venture  Partners,  Inc.,  a wholly  owned
indirect subsidiary of CitiBank, N.A., or one of its affiliates is expected
to purchase shares of MergerSub which would in the Merger be converted into
up to  approximately  20% of the shares of Insilco Holding Co., which would
reduce  the  DLJMB   Funds'   ownership  by  a   corresponding   amount  to
approximately 70% of the shares.

     The Company has been  advised  that,  at the present  time,  the DLJMB
Funds do not contemplate any material  departure from the current operating
plans of the Company (although,  in conjunction with management,  they will
continually  evaluate such operating plans after the Mergers),  and have no
intention of eliminating the minority stockholders.

     The Board of Directors has unanimously  approved the Merger  Agreement
and the Mergers and  unanimously  recommends that you vote FOR the approval
and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers. Approval and adoption
of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers require the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority  of the  outstanding  shares  entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting.

     It is very  important  that your shares be  represented at the Special
Meeting,  regardless of whether you plan to attend in person.  A failure to
vote,  either  by not  returning  the  enclosed  proxy or by  checking  the
"Abstain" box thereon, will have the same effect as a vote against approval
of the Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers.  To assure that your shares are
represented in voting on this very important matter,  please sign, date and
return  the  enclosed  proxy  card in the  enclosed  postage-paid  envelope
whether  or not you  plan  to  attend  the  Special  Meeting.  If you are a
stockholder  of record and do attend,  you may,  if you wish,  revoke  your
proxy and vote your shares in person at the Special Meeting.

                                         Sincerely,


                                         Robert L. Smialek
                                         President and Chief
                                         Executive Officer
    


                            INSILCO CORPORATION
                           425 METRO PLACE NORTH
                                FIFTH FLOOR
                             DUBLIN, OHIO 43017

                 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                               TO BE HELD ON
                                   , 1998
To the Stockholders of
  Insilco Corporation:

   
     Notice is hereby  given that a special  meeting of  stockholders  (the
"Special  Meeting") of Insilco  Corporation (the "Company") will be held at
the  offices of Fried,  Frank,  Harris,  Shriver &  Jacobson,  One New York
Plaza,  27th Floor,  New York,  New York, on , 1998,  at [ ] a.m.  (Eastern
Time), for the following purposes:

     1. To  consider  and vote on a  proposal  to  approve  and  adopt  the
Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated as of March 24, 1998, as amended as of
June 8, 1998 (the "Merger  Agreement"),  among the Company, INR Holding Co.
(since renamed Insilco Holding Co.) ("ExistingSub"), a Delaware corporation
and a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the Company,  and Silkworm  Acquisition
Corporation  ("MergerSub"),  a Delaware corporation and an affiliate of DLJ
Merchant  Banking  Partners II, L.P.  ("DLJMB")  and  affiliated  funds and
entities (collectively,  the "DLJMB Funds"). The DLJMB Funds are affiliates
of  Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette Inc. The Merger  Agreement  provides for,
among  other  things,  the  formation  by  ExistingSub  of a  wholly  owned
subsidiary  ("ReorgSub"),  to be followed by a merger of ReorgSub  with and
into the Company,  with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation
(the "Reorganization  Merger").  Pursuant to the Reorganization Merger, (A)
each share of common  stock,  par value  $0.001 per share,  of the  Company
("Shares")  issued and outstanding  immediately prior to the effective time
of the Reorganization  Merger (the "Reorganization  Merger Effective Time")
(other  than  Shares  as  to  which  appraisal  rights  have  been  validly
perfected) will be converted into (i) one share of common stock,  par value
$0.001 per share, of ExistingSub  ("ExistingSub Shares") and (ii) the right
to receive  $0.01 in cash,  and (B) each share of common  stock,  par value
$0.001 per share,  of ReorgSub  will be converted  into one share of common
stock of the corporation  surviving the Reorganization  Merger.  Thus, as a
result of the  Reorganization  Merger,  (A) each stockholder of the Company
immediately prior to the Reorganization Merger Effective Time (other than a
holder of Shares as to which appraisal rights have been validly  perfected)
will  have  his or her  interest  in the  Company  converted  into the same
proportionate  interest  in  ExistingSub,  except for  changes in  interest
resulting from the valid perfection by any stockholder of appraisal rights,
and (B)  ExistingSub,  instead of being a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the
Company,  will  become the  parent of, and will own all of the  outstanding
stock of,  the  Company.  Promptly  following  the  Reorganization  Merger,
MergerSub will merge with and into  ExistingSub  (the "Merger" and together
with the Reorganization Merger, the "Mergers"), with ExistingSub continuing
as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation"). Pursuant to the
Merger, each ExistingSub Share issued and outstanding  immediately prior to
the effective time of the Merger (the  "Effective  Time") will be converted
into the right to (i) receive  $43.47 in cash and (ii) retain  0.03378 of a
share of common  stock,  par  value  $0.001  per  share,  of the  Surviving
Corporation  ("Surviving Corporation Shares"). Cash will be paid in lieu of
any  fractional  Surviving  Corporation  Share.  Thus,  as a result  of the
Mergers,   each  stockholder  of  the  Company  immediately  prior  to  the
Reorganization  Merger Effective Time (other than  stockholders who validly
perfect their appraisal rights in the Reorganization  Merger) will have, in
respect of each of his or her Shares,  the right to (i)  receive  $43.48 in
cash  and  (ii)  retain  0.03378  of a  Surviving  Corporation  Share.  The
Company's  existing  stockholders  will retain  (assuming  no  stockholders
validly perfect appraisal rights), in the aggregate, approximately 10.3% of
the Surviving  Corporation  Shares  outstanding  immediately  following the
Merger  (approximately  9.5% on a fully  diluted  basis).  Approval of this
proposal will constitute approval of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers.

     2. To consider and vote on such other matters  incident to the conduct
of, and as may properly come before, the Special Meeting.

     Only  stockholders  of record as of the close of  business on June 15,
1998 will be entitled  to notice of the Special  Meeting and to vote at the
Special Meeting or at any adjournment or  postponement  thereof.  A list of
stockholders  entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available for
inspection  by any  stockholder,  for any  purpose  relevant to the Special
Meeting,  during the Special  Meeting and during normal  business hours for
ten days prior to the Special  Meeting at the Company's  offices located at
425 Metro Place North, Fifth Floor, Dublin, OH 43017.
    

     Approval and  adoption of the Merger  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  thereby  requires  the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,  BY UNANIMOUS  VOTE, HAS  DETERMINED  THAT THE
MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED THEREBY,  INCLUDING THE
MERGERS,   ARE  FAIR  TO  AND  IN  THE  BEST  INTERESTS  OF  THE  COMPANY'S
STOCKHOLDERS,  HAS  APPROVED  THE  MERGER  AGREEMENT  AND THE  TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED   THEREBY,   INCLUDING  THE  MERGERS,   AND  RECOMMENDS   THAT
STOCKHOLDERS  VOTE TO  APPROVE  AND  ADOPT  THE  MERGER  AGREEMENT  AND THE
MERGERS.

     EACH  STOCKHOLDER  IS URGED TO COMPLETE,  SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES. IF A STOCKHOLDER  DECIDES TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING,
HE OR SHE MAY, IF SO  DESIRED,  REVOKE THE PROXY AND VOTE HIS OR HER SHARES
IN PERSON.

   
June [   ], 1998
    

                                By  Order  of the  Board of
                                Directors,
                                Kenneth H. Koch
                                Corporate Secretary


INFORMATION  CONTAINED  HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.  THESE  SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE  SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL  THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR  QUALIFICATION  UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY SUCH STATE.


                            INSILCO CORPORATION
                           425 METRO PLACE NORTH
                                FIFTH FLOOR
                             DUBLIN, OHIO 43017
                         PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
                                    FOR
                      SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                               TO BE HELD ON
                                 [ ], 1998

   
     This  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  is being  furnished  to  holders of
common  stock,   par  value  $0.001  per  share   ("Shares"),   of  Insilco
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
solicitation  of  proxies by the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  (the
"Board of Directors") for use at the special meeting of  stockholders,  and
at any adjournment or postponement  thereof (the "Special Meeting"),  to be
held at the offices of Fried, Frank,  Harris,  Shriver & Jacobson,  One New
York Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, New York on [ ], 1998 at [ a.m.] (Eastern
Time).  The  Special  Meeting  has been  called to  consider  and vote on a
proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
March 24, 1998 (the "Original Merger Agreement"),  as amended as of June 8,
1998 (the Original Merger  Agreement as amended,  the "Merger  Agreement"),
among the Company,  INR Holding Co.  (since  renamed  Insilco  Holding Co.)
("ExistingSub"),  a Delaware  corporation and a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
the Company, and Silkworm Acquisition Corporation ("MergerSub"), a Delaware
corporation  and an  affiliate of DLJ  Merchant  Banking  Partners II, L.P.
("DLJMB")  and  affiliated  funds and  entities  (collectively,  the "DLJMB
Funds").  The DLJMB Funds are  affiliates of  Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette
Inc.  Stockholders  will  also  consider  and  vote on such  other  matters
incident to the conduct of, and as may properly  come  before,  the Special
Meeting.

     Pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement,  each  stockholder  of the Company
(other than  stockholders who validly perfect their appraisal  rights) will
have,  in respect of each of his or her  Shares,  the right to (i)  receive
$43.48 in cash and (ii) retain 0.03378 of a Surviving Corporation Share (as
defined below). The Company's  existing  stockholders will retain (assuming
no  stockholders  validly  perfect  appraisal  rights),  in the  aggregate,
approximately  10.3%  of  the  Surviving   Corporation  Shares  outstanding
immediately  following the Merger (as defined below) (approximately 9.5% on
a fully diluted basis), and the DLJMB Funds will own approximately 89.7% of
the Surviving  Corporation  Shares  outstanding  immediately  following the
Merger  (90.5% on a fully  diluted  basis),  although  the DLJMB Funds have
advised  the  Company  that 399  Venture  Partners,  Inc.,  a  wholly-owned
indirect subsidiary of Citibank,  N.A., or one of its affiliates ("CVC") is
expected  to  purchase  shares of  MergerSub  which  would in the Merger be
converted into up to 19.6% of the Surviving  Corporation Shares outstanding
immediately following the Merger (18.1% on a fully diluted basis), in which
event the DLJMB Funds' equity interest in the Surviving Corporation will be
reduced to 70.1%  (72.4% on a fully  diluted  basis).  The  transaction  is
structured as a leveraged recapitalization.

     The Merger  Agreement  provides  for the  transaction  to occur by the
formation by ExistingSub of a wholly owned subsidiary  ("ReorgSub"),  to be
followed  by a merger  of  ReorgSub  with and  into the  Company,  with the
Company  continuing  as  the  surviving  corporation  (the  "Reorganization
Merger").  Pursuant to the Reorganization Merger, (A) each Share issued and
outstanding  immediately prior to the effective time of the  Reorganization
Merger (the  "Reorganization  Merger Effective Time") (other than Shares as
to which  appraisal  rights have been validly  perfected) will be converted
into (i) one  share of  common  stock,  par  value  $0.001  per  share,  of
ExistingSub  ("ExistingSub  Shares") and (ii) the right to receive $0.01 in
cash,  and (B) each share of common stock,  par value $0.001 per share,  of
ReorgSub  will  be  converted  into  one  share  of  common  stock  of  the
corporation  surviving the Reorganization  Merger. Thus, as a result of the
Reorganization  Merger,  (A) each  stockholder  of the Company  immediately
prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time (other than a holder of
Shares as to which appraisal rights have been validly  perfected) will have
his or her interest in the Company  converted  into the same  proportionate
interest in ExistingSub,  except for changes in interest resulting from the
valid  perfection  by  any  stockholder  of  appraisal   rights,   and  (B)
ExistingSub,  instead of being a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the Company,
will  become the parent of, and will own all of the  outstanding  stock of,
the Company.  Promptly following the Reorganization Merger,  MergerSub will
merge  with  and into  ExistingSub  (the  "Merger"  and  together  with the
Reorganization  Merger, the "Mergers"),  with ExistingSub continuing as the
surviving  corporation  (the  "Surviving  Corporation").  Pursuant  to  the
Merger, each ExistingSub Share issued and outstanding  immediately prior to
the effective time of the Merger (the  "Effective  Time") will be converted
into the right to (i) receive  $43.47 in cash and (ii) retain  0.03378 of a
share of common  stock,  par  value  $0.001  per  share,  of the  Surviving
Corporation  ("Surviving  Corporation  Shares").  The  aggregate  per share
consideration  to be paid in the  Merger  plus the  $0.01 to be paid in the
Reorganization Merger are herein referred to as the "Merger Consideration."
Cash will be paid in lieu of any fractional Surviving Corporation Share.

     The aggregate amount of the Merger  Consideration  (based on a nominal
value of $45.00 per Share is approximately $186.5 million of which the cash
component is equal to $180.2 million.  Funds to pay the cash portion of the
Merger  Consideration  will be provided  from the  issuance by MergerSub of
discount   notes  which  will  generate  gross  proceeds  to  MergerSub  of
approximately  $110 million  (which notes will become the obligation of the
Surviving Corporation upon the effectiveness of the Merger),  borrowings by
the Company of  approximately  $42.8 million  under the Company's  existing
Credit  Facility (as defined below) and the purchase by the DLJMB Funds (or
by the  DLJMB  Funds and CVC) of  approximately  $55  million  of equity in
MergerSub  (which will become equity of the Surviving  Corporation upon the
effectiveness of the Merger).

     The Company has been  advised  that,  at the present  time,  the DLJMB
Funds do not contemplate any material  departure from the current operating
plans of the Company (although,  in conjunction with management,  they will
continually  evaluate such operating plans after the Mergers),  and have no
intention of eliminating the minority stockholders.  

     STOCKHOLDERS  ARE URGED TO READ THE  INFORMATION SET FORTH UNDER "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE [16] OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.

     The Company has filed a  registration  statement on Form S-4 (together
with all  amendments,  exhibits and schedules  thereto,  the  "Registration
Statement")  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  with respect to
the 140,867  ExistingSub  Shares to be retained  (assuming no  stockholders
validly perfect appraisal rights in respect of the  Reorganization  Merger)
by existing stockholders of the Company in the Merger.

     This Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the accompanying form of proxy are
first  being  mailed to the  Company's  stockholders  on or about June [ ],
1998.
    

NEITHER THIS TRANSACTION NOR THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS PROXY
 STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION.  NEITHER  THE
     COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  HAS PASSED  UPON THE
      FAIRNESS OR  MERITS OF THIS  TRANSACTION NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR
       ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION  CONTAINED  IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
        /PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.

     This  Proxy   Statement/Prospectus  does  not  cover  any  resales  of
Surviving Corporation Shares retained by any person who may be deemed to be
an affiliate of the Company and no such affiliate is authorized to make any
use of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with any such resale.

   
       The date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is June [ ], 1998.
    


                             TABLE OF CONTENTS
                             -----------------

   
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.....................................................1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE.........................1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS................2
SUMMARY...................................................................3
  The Company.............................................................3
  MergerSub...............................................................3
  The Special Meeting.....................................................3
  Security Ownership of Certain Stockholders and Management...............4
  The Mergers and the Merger Consideration................................5
  Voting Agreement........................................................7
  Merger Financing........................................................7
  Conflicts of Interest of Certain Persons................................8
  Accounting Treatment....................................................9
  United States Federal Income Tax Consequences...........................9
  Risk Factors............................................................9
  Appraisal Rights.......................................................10
  Subsequent Event.......................................................10
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA.............................................11
  MARKET PRICE OF SHARES.................................................15
RISK FACTORS.............................................................16
  Control by the DLJMB Funds.............................................16
  Substantial Leverage...................................................16
  Potential Dilution of Company Stockholders.............................17
  Loss of Liquidity......................................................18
  Possible Termination of Registration under Section 12(g) of 
   the Exchange Act......................................................18
THE SPECIAL MEETING......................................................19
  Matters to Be Considered at the Special Meeting........................19
  Required Vote..........................................................19
  Voting and Revocation of Proxies.......................................19
  Record Date; Stock Entitled to Vote; Quorum............................20
  Appraisal Rights.......................................................20
  Solicitation of Proxies................................................20
  Recommendation of the Company's Board of Directors; Opinion of 
   Investment Banker.....................................................20
THE COMPANY..............................................................21
  Certain Forecasts as to Future Results.................................22
  Subsequent Event.......................................................23
THE MERGERS..............................................................24
  Background of the Mergers..............................................24
  Recommendation of the Board of Directors; Reasons for the Mergers......27
  Opinion of Investment Banker...........................................29
  The DLJMB Funds' Reasons for the Merger................................32
  The DLJMB Funds' Business Strategy after the Effective Time............32
  Merger Consideration...................................................32
  Effective Time of the Mergers..........................................33
  Effect on Stock Options and Employee Benefit Matters...................33
  United States Federal Income Tax Consequences..........................34
  Accounting Treatment...................................................35
  Conflicts of Interest of Certain Persons...............................35
  Resale of Shares Following the Merger..................................37
  Water Street Registration Rights.......................................37
  Merger Financing.......................................................37
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT...............................39
  The Mergers and the Merger Consideration...............................39
  Procedures for Exchange of Certificates................................39
  The Surviving Corporation..............................................41
  Representations and Warranties.........................................41
  Certain Pre-Closing Covenants..........................................42
  No Solicitation of Transactions........................................42
  Expense Reimbursement..................................................43
  Resignations of Directors..............................................44
  Indemnification and Insurance..........................................44
  Merger Financing.......................................................44
  NASDAQ Listing.........................................................44
  Bankruptcy Claims......................................................44
  Cooperation and Reasonable Best Efforts................................45
  Conditions to the Consummation of the Mergers..........................45
  Termination............................................................46
  Amendment and Waiver...................................................47
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE VOTING AGREEMENT...............................47
  Voting.................................................................47
  No Solicitation........................................................48
  Appraisal Rights.......................................................48
  Transfer Restrictions..................................................48
DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY CAPITAL STOCK.....................................48
  General................................................................48
  Shares.................................................................48
  Capital Stock of the Surviving Corporation Following the Merger........49
  Other Stockholder Arrangements.........................................49
  Section 203 of Delaware General Corporation Law........................50
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA................51
MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING THE MERGERS.........................................58
  Board of Directors.....................................................58
  Executive Officers.....................................................58
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT...........58
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners........................58
  Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers.................59
REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS................................................60
MERGERSUB................................................................60
DISSENTING STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS..........................................61
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS....................................................63
OTHER MATTERS............................................................64
EXPERTS..................................................................64
LEGAL MATTERS............................................................64
Annex A -- Agreement and Plan of Merger and Amendment
Annex B -- Opinion of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC
Annex C -- Voting Agreement among Water Street Corporate Recovery 
           Fund I, L.P., Insilco Corporation and Silkworm Acquisition
           Corporation and Amendment
Annex D -- Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
    


                           AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (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  Surviving  Corporation  Shares to be retained by
existing  stockholders  of the Company in the Merger.  As  permitted by the
rules and  regulations of the Commission,  this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
does  not  contain  all of the  information  included  in the  Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.  Statements  contained in
this Proxy Statement/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  Mergers,  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.   The  Shares  are  quoted  on  the  NASDAQ  National  Market
("NASDAQ"),  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.

             INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

   
     The  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended
December 31, 1997 (the "Form 10-K"),  the first  amendment  thereto on Form
10-K/A dated April 13, 1998 (the " Form 10-K/A"),  and the second amendment
thereto on Form 10-K/A-2  dated June [ ], 1998 (the "Form  10-K/A-2")  (the
Form  10-K,  the Form  10-K/A  and the  Form  10-K/A-2,  collectively,  the
"Company's 1997 Form 10-K"),  the Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, and the Company's  Current Reports on
Form 8-K dated April 29, 1998, May 14, 1998 and June 9, 1998, respectively,
all previously  filed by the Company with the Commission,  are incorporated
by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof.
    

     Each  document  filed by the Company with the  Commission  pursuant to
Section  13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act  subsequent to the
date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and prior to the termination of any
offering of  securities  made by this Proxy  Statement/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 Proxy  Statement/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 shall
not be deemed,  except as so modified,  to  constitute a part of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  and any such  statement  so  superseded  shall not be
deemed to constitute a part of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

   
     The Company will provide  without  charge to any person to whom a copy
of this  Proxy  Statement/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).
Requests for such  documents  should be submitted in writing to the Company
at 425 Metro Place North,  Fifth  Floor,  Dublin,  Ohio 43017.  In order to
ensure timely  delivery of such  documents,  any requests should be made no
later than five business days prior to the date of the Special Meeting.
    

     NO PERSON  HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION    OTHER    THAN    THOSE    CONTAINED    IN   THIS    PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS,   AND,  IF  GIVEN  OR  MADE,   SUCH   INFORMATION  OR
REPRESENTATION  MUST NOT BE RELIED  UPON AS HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED.  THIS
PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION  OF AN  OFFER  TO BUY THE  SECURITIES  COVERED  BY THIS  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  OR A  SOLICITATION  OF A  PROXY  IN ANY  JURISDICTION
WHERE, OR TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER,
SOLICITATION  OF AN  OFFER  OR  PROXY  SOLICITATION  IN SUCH  JURISDICTION.
NEITHER   THE   DELIVERY  OF  THIS  PROXY   STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS   NOR  ANY
DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,  UNDER ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION  THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE 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.

         CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   
     The information herein contains forward-looking  statements within the
meaning  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995  that
involve a number  of risks and  uncertainties.  A number of  factors  could
cause actual results, performance,  achievements of the Company or industry
results to be materially different from any future results,  performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, the competitive environment in the
Company's business segments;  changes in prevailing  interest rates and the
availability  of and terms of financing to fund the  anticipated  growth of
the Company's business;  inflation; changes in costs of goods and services;
economic  conditions in general and in the Company's specific market areas;
changes in or  failure  to comply  with  federal,  state,  local or foreign
government  regulation;  liability  and other claims  asserted  against the
Company; changes in operating strategy or development plans; the ability to
attract and retain qualified personnel; the significant indebtedness of the
Company;  labor  disturbances;  changes in the  Company's  acquisition  and
capital   expenditure  plans;  and  other  factors  referenced  herein.  In
addition,  such forward-looking  statements are necessarily  dependent upon
assumptions,  estimates  and dates that may be incorrect  or imprecise  and
involve  known  and  unknown  risks,   uncertainties   and  other  factors.
Accordingly,  any forward-looking statements included herein do not purport
to be  predictions  of  future  events  or  circumstances  and  may  not be
realized.  Forward-looking  statements  can be  identified  by, among other
things,  the  use  of  forward-looking   terminology  such  as  "believes,"
"expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "pro forma,"  "anticipates" or
"intends" or the negative of any thereof,  or other  variations  thereon or
comparable  terminology,   or  by  discussions  of  strategy,   intentions,
projections  or  forecasts.  Given these  uncertainties,  stockholders  are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such  forward-looking  statements.
The Company  disclaims  any  obligations  to update any such  factors or to
publicly   announce   the   results  of  any   revisions   to  any  of  the
forward-looking  statements  contained  herein to reflect  future events or
developments.
    


                                  SUMMARY

     The  following   summary  is  intended   only  to  highlight   certain
information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  is not
intended  to be  complete  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by the more
detailed information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus
and the Annexes hereto.  Stockholders are urged to review this entire Proxy
Statement/Prospectus carefully, including the Annexes hereto.

THE COMPANY

   
     The Company,  directly and through its subsidiaries,  is a diversified
producer of automotive,  telecommunications and electronics components, and
is a leading specialty  publisher of 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.  See "The
Company."

     The  Company's  principal  executive  offices are located at 425 Metro
Place North, Fifth Floor,  Dublin,  Ohio 43017, and its telephone number is
(614) 792-0468. Its stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "INSL."

MERGERSUB

     MergerSub  was  incorporated  on March 18, 1998. It was formed for the
express purpose of entering into the Merger  Agreement and consummating the
transactions  contemplated  thereby.  MergerSub does not have any assets or
liabilities,  and it has not carried on any activities to date,  other than
those  incident to its formation and the  accomplishment  of the purpose of
its formation.

     At the present time, all of the outstanding capital stock of MergerSub
is owned by DLJMB.  DLJMB  and the other  DLJMB  Funds  are  affiliates  of
Donaldson,  Lufkin &  Jenrette  Inc.  As part of the Merger  Financing  (as
defined below),  the DLJMB Funds will purchase  additional shares of common
stock of MergerSub  ("MergerSub  Stock") and warrants to purchase MergerSub
Stock,  and expect to cause  MergerSub to sell shares of MergerSub Stock to
CVC.  Assuming no stockholders  validly perfect  appraisal  rights,  at the
Effective  Time  and upon  the  conversion  of the  outstanding  shares  of
MergerSub Stock into Surviving  Corporation Shares in the Merger, the DLJMB
Funds will own  approximately  89.7% (or,  if CVC  purchases  the number of
shares of MergerSub Stock it is currently  expected to purchase,  the DLJMB
Funds will own 70.1%, and CVC will own 19.6%) of the outstanding  Surviving
Corporation Shares. See "MergerSub."
    

     MergerSub's offices are located at 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10172, and its telephone number is (212) 892-3000.

THE SPECIAL MEETING

   
     Time and Place of  Meeting;  Matters  to Be  Considered.  The  Special
Meeting  will be held at the  offices of Fried,  Frank,  Harris,  Shriver &
Jacobson,  One New York Plaza,  27th Floor, New York, New York on [ ], 1998
at [ a.m.] (Eastern Time). At the Special  Meeting,  holders of Shares will
be asked to  approve  and  adopt  the  Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers.
Stockholders  will also consider and vote on such other matters incident to
the conduct of, and as may properly come before,  the Special Meeting.  See
"The Special Meeting," "The Mergers" and "Certain  Provisions of the Merger
Agreement".

     Record Date;  Vote Required.  Holders of record of Shares at the close
of business on June 15, 1998 (the "Record  Date") have the right to receive
notice of and to vote at the Special  Meeting.  On the Record  Date,  there
were [ ] Shares outstanding and entitled to vote and [ ] holders of record.
Each  Share  is  entitled  to one  vote on  each  matter  that is  properly
presented  to  stockholders  for  a  vote  at  the  Special  Meeting.   The
affirmative  vote of the  holders of a majority  of the Shares  entitled to
vote thereon is required to approve and adopt the Merger  Agreement and the
Mergers.

     Recommendation of the Company's Board of Directors. On March 24, 1998,
by  unanimous  vote,  the Board of Directors  determined  that the Original
Merger Agreement and the transactions  contemplated thereby,  including the
Mergers,  were fair to and in the best interests of the stockholders of the
Company,  approved  the  Original  Merger  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated   thereby,   including  the  Mergers,   and  recommended  that
stockholders  vote to approve and adopt the Original  Merger  Agreement and
the Mergers.  On June 8, 1998, by unanimous  vote,  the Board of Directors,
having  considered a jury verdict rendered in favor of one of the Company's
subsidiaries  and the  proposed  increase of $0.50 per Share in cash in the
merger  consideration  payable  under the Original  Merger  Agreement  (the
"Original Merger Consideration"),  has determined that the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby,  including the Mergers, are fair
to and in the  best  interests  of the  stockholders  of the  Company,  has
approved the Merger  Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  thereby,
including the Mergers, and recommends that stockholders vote to approve and
adopt the Merger Agreement and the Mergers.  A copy of the Merger Agreement
is  attached  hereto  as  Annex A. See  "Summary--Subsequent  Event,"  "The
Mergers-Background of the Mergers" and "The  Mergers--Recommendation of the
Board of Directors; Reasons for the Mergers."

     Opinion of  Investment  Banker to the  Company's  Board of  Directors.
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC  ("Lazard")  rendered its oral opinion on March 24,
1998, which was subsequently confirmed by a written opinion dated March 24,
1998  (collectively,  the  "Original  Lazard  Opinion"),  to the  Board  of
Directors to the effect that,  based upon and subject to the matters stated
therein, as of the date of the Original Lazard Opinion, the Original Merger
Consideration  taken as a whole was fair to holders of Shares  (other  than
MergerSub and its  affiliates)  from a financial  point of view. On June 8,
1998, Lazard rendered its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed by
a written opinion dated June 8, 1998 (collectively,  the "Lazard Opinion"),
to the Board of Directors to the effect that, based upon and subject to the
matters stated therein,  as of the date of the Lazard  Opinion,  the Merger
Consideration  taken as a whole is fair to  holders of Shares  (other  than
MergerSub and its affiliates) from a financial point of view. A copy of the
Lazard Opinion is attached hereto as Annex B. See "The Mergers - Opinion of
Investment Banker" and Annex B.
    


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

   
     The Company's largest  stockholder is Water Street Corporate  Recovery
Fund I, L.P. ("Water Street"), an investment  partnership of which Goldman,
Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs") is the general partner.  Two of the Company's
directors,  Terence M. O'Toole and Barry S. Volpert, are Managing Directors
of Goldman Sachs, and a third director of the Company, James J. Gaffney, is
a consultant  to an affiliate of Goldman  Sachs.  On March 24, 1998,  Water
Street owned 1,783,878 Shares (the "Water Street Shares"),  and on April 1,
1998, Water Street acquired  beneficial  ownership of an additional  80,000
Shares upon the exercise of director  options,  increasing  the  beneficial
ownership  of Water  Street to  approximately  45% of the then  outstanding
Shares.   See  "Security   Ownership  of  Certain   Beneficial  Owners  and
Management." Water Street has entered into a Voting Agreement,  dated as of
March 24, 1998 (which was amended on June 9, 1998),  with MergerSub and the
Company (the "Voting  Agreement")  pursuant to which,  among other  things,
Water  Street  has agreed to vote the Water  Street  Shares in favor of the
approval and adoption of the Merger  Agreement  and the Mergers.  A copy of
the Voting  Agreement is attached  hereto as Annex C. See "Summary - Voting
Agreement," "Certain Provisions of the Voting Agreement" and Annex C.

     As of June [ ], 1998,  directors and executive officers of the Company
beneficially  owned an aggregate of 93,566 Shares (excluding Shares subject
to purchase  pursuant to  outstanding  stock options and  excluding  Shares
beneficially owned by Water Street), representing approximately 2.3% of the
outstanding  Shares.  The directors  and executive  officers of the Company
have  indicated  that  they  intend  to vote  their  Shares in favor of the
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers.

     As of June [ ], 1998,  Water Street and the  directors  and  executive
officers  of  the  Company   collectively   beneficially   owned  1,957,043
(approximately  47%)  of the  outstanding  Shares  entitled  to vote at the
Special Meeting.

THE MERGERS AND THE MERGER CONSIDERATION

     General.  On March 24, 1998, the Company and ExistingSub  entered into
the Original Merger  Agreement,  providing for the acquisition by the DLJMB
Funds of a controlling  interest in the Company in a  transaction  in which
stockholders of the Company would receive $42.98 in cash and retain 0.03419
of a Surviving  Corporation  Share in respect of each of their  Shares (the
"Original Merger Consideration"). The Original Merger Agreement was amended
on June 9, 1998 to provide that  stockholders  of the Company would receive
$43.48 in cash and  retain  0.03378  of a  Surviving  Corporation  Share in
respect of each of their Shares. The Mergers were structured in a manner so
as to (a) enable the transaction to be accounted for as a  recapitalization
for financial reporting purposes, (b) afford the Company's stockholders the
opportunity  to vote on the merits of the  Mergers  and (c) make  appraisal
rights  available  to the  Company's  stockholders.  See  "The  Mergers  --
Background of the Mergers."

     Structure.  The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, the
formation by  ExistingSub  of a wholly owned  subsidiary,  ReorgSub,  to be
followed  by the  Reorganization  Merger  of  ReorgSub  with  and  into the
Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation. Pursuant
to the  Reorganization  Merger,  (A)  each  Share  issued  and  outstanding
immediately prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time (other than
Shares as to which  appraisal  rights have been validly  perfected) will be
converted  into (i) one  ExistingSub  Share and (ii) the  right to  receive
$0.01 in cash,  and (B) each  share of  common  stock of  ReorgSub  will be
converted into one share of common stock of the  corporation  surviving the
Reorganization  Merger. Thus, as a result of the Reorganization Merger, (A)
each  stockholder of the Company  immediately  prior to the  Reorganization
Merger  Effective Time (other than a holder of Shares as to which appraisal
rights have been  validly  perfected)  will have his or her interest in the
Company  converted  into the same  proportionate  interest in  ExistingSub,
except for changes in interest  resulting from the valid  perfection by any
stockholder of appraisal  rights,  and (B) ExistingSub,  instead of being a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, will become the parent of, and will
own all of the outstanding stock of, the Company. Immediately following the
Reorganization  Merger,  the  Merger  will take  place,  pursuant  to which
MergerSub will merge with and into ExistingSub with ExistingSub  continuing
as the  Surviving  Corporation.  Pursuant to the Merger,  each  ExistingSub
Share issued and outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time will
be converted  into the right to (i) receive  $43.47 in cash and (ii) retain
0.03378 of a Surviving  Corporation Share. Cash will be paid in lieu of any
fractional  Surviving  Corporation Share. Thus, as a result of the Mergers,
each  stockholder of the Company  immediately  prior to the  Reorganization
Merger  Effective Time (other than  stockholders  who validly perfect their
appraisal  rights in the  Reorganization  Merger) will have,  in respect of
each of his or her Shares, the right to (i) receive $43.48 in cash and (ii)
retain 0.03378 of a Surviving  Corporation  Share.  The Company's  existing
stockholders   will  retain  (assuming  no  stockholders   validly  perfect
appraisal  rights  in  respect  of  the  Reorganization   Merger),  in  the
aggregate,   approximately  10.3%  of  the  Surviving   Corporation  Shares
outstanding immediately following the Merger (approximately 9.5% on a fully
diluted basis).

     Immediately  prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time, each
outstanding  option to acquire  Shares  granted to employees and directors,
whether  or not vested  (the  "Options"),  will be  canceled  and,  in lieu
thereof,  each holder of an Option will receive a cash payment in an amount
equal to (x) the excess,  if any, of $45.00 over the exercise  price of the
Option  multiplied by (y) the number of Shares subject to the Option,  less
applicable  withholding  (the "Option Cash  Proceeds").  See "The Mergers -
Effect on Stock  Options and Employee  Benefit  Matters" and "The Mergers -
Conflicts of Interest of Certain Persons."

     Effective Time of the Mergers.  The Reorganization  Merger will become
effective upon the filing of an agreement and plan or certificate of merger
with respect  thereto with the  Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
or at  such  later  time as is  specified  in such  agreement  and  plan or
certificate of merger. The filing of such agreement and plan or certificate
of merger will occur as soon as practicable  after  satisfaction  or waiver
(if legally  permissible)  of all of the conditions to the Mergers,  unless
another  date is agreed to in writing by the  Company  and  MergerSub.  The
Reorganization  Merger  cannot  occur any  earlier  than the receipt of the
approval by the  Company's  stockholders  of the Merger  Agreement  and the
Mergers (which condition may not be waived) and receipt by MergerSub of the
funds necessary to consummate the transactions.  See "Certain Provisions of
the Merger  Agreement - Conditions to the  Consummation of the Mergers" and
"Certain Provisions of the Merger Agreement-- Termination." The Merger will
occur  promptly  following  the  Reorganization  Merger,  and  will  become
effective upon the filing of a certificate  of merger with respect  thereto
with the  Secretary of State of Delaware.  Subject to certain  limitations,
the Merger  Agreement  may be  terminated by either party if the Merger has
not  been  consummated  on or  before  September  30,  1998.  See  "Certain
Provisions of the Merger Agreement - Termination."

     No Solicitation of Transactions.  The Merger  Agreement  provides that
the Company may not (a) solicit or take any action  knowingly to facilitate
the submission of inquiries or offers from any Third Party (as  hereinafter
defined) relating to (i) any acquisition of 20% or more of the consolidated
assets of the Company and its  subsidiaries  or of over 20% of any class of
equity  securities  of the  Company  or of any  of its  subsidiaries  whose
assets,  individually or in the aggregate,  constitute more than 20% of the
consolidated assets of the Company, (ii) any tender offer (including a self
tender  offer) or exchange  offer that if  consummated  would result in any
Third  Party  beneficially  owning  20% or  more  of any  class  of  equity
securities  of the  Company  or of any of its  subsidiaries  whose  assets,
individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  constitute  more  than  20%  of  the
consolidated assets of the Company, (iii) any merger, sale of substantially
all assets,  recapitalization or similar transaction  involving the Company
or any of its subsidiaries whose assets,  individually or in the aggregate,
constitute more than 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company, or (iv)
any other  transaction the  consummation of which would or could reasonably
be expected to  interfere  with,  prevent or  materially  delay the Mergers
(collectively,  "Acquisition  Proposals"),  or  agree  to  or  endorse  any
Acquisition  Proposal,  (b)  enter  into any  discussions  or  negotiations
regarding  any  of  the  foregoing,  or  furnish  to any  Third  Party  any
information  with respect to the Company in order to facilitate any attempt
by any Third Party to do any of the foregoing or otherwise knowingly assist
any attempt by any Third Party to do any of the foregoing, or (c) grant any
waiver under any standstill or similar  agreement with respect to any class
of equity securities of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries;  provided,
however, that the foregoing provisions do not prohibit the Company from (i)
furnishing  information pursuant to an appropriate  confidentiality  letter
(which  letter may not be less  favorable  to the  Company in any  material
respect than the  confidentiality  agreement between DLJMB and the Company,
and a copy of which will be provided,  for informational  purposes only, to
MergerSub  with the name of the Third Party  redacted) to a Third Party who
has made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal,  (ii) engaging in discussions or
negotiations  with a Third  Party  who  has  made a bona  fide  Acquisition
Proposal,  (iii)  following  receipt of a bona fide  Acquisition  Proposal,
taking and  disclosing to its  stockholders a position as  contemplated  by
Rule  14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 under the  Exchange  Act or  otherwise  making
disclosure  to its  stockholders,  (iv)  following  receipt  of a bona fide
Acquisition  Proposal,  failing to make or  withdrawing  or  modifying  its
recommendation  with respect to the Merger Agreement and the Mergers and/or
(v)  taking any  non-appealable,  final  action  ordered to be taken by the
Company by any court of competent  jurisdiction,  but in each case referred
to in the  foregoing  clauses (i) through  (iv) only to the extent that the
Board of Directors  has concluded in good faith on the basis of advice from
outside  counsel  that the  failure to take such action  would  result in a
breach  of  the  fiduciary   duties  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  the
stockholders of the Company under applicable law. A "Third Party" means any
person, corporation,  entity or "group," as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act, other than MergerSub or any of its  affiliates.  See "Certain
Provisions of the Merger Agreement - No Solicitation of Transactions."

     Certain  Fees and  Expenses.  The  Company  has  agreed in the  Merger
Agreement that, if a Payment Event (as  hereinafter  defined)  occurs,  the
Company will pay to  MergerSub,  within two business  days  following  such
Payment  Event,  a fee  of  $6,000,000.  A  Payment  Event  means  (i)  the
termination of the Merger  Agreement by MergerSub if the Board of Directors
withdraws or modifies,  in a manner  adverse to MergerSub,  its approval of
this  Agreement  and  the  Mergers;  (ii)  the  termination  of the  Merger
Agreement by the Company in contemplation of a merger agreement or a tender
or  exchange  offer or any  transaction  of the type  listed in clause (iv)
below,  on  terms  more  favorable  to the  Company's  stockholders  from a
financial  point of view  than the  Merger;  (iii) the  termination  of the
Merger  Agreement  by  MergerSub  by reason of a breach by the Company of a
covenant or warranty or  representation  but only if the breach in question
arises out of the bad faith or willful  misconduct of the Company;  or (iv)
the  occurrence  of any of the  following  events,  within 12 months of the
termination  of  the  Merger  Agreement  due to a  failure  to  obtain  the
requisite  stockholder  approval  and  adoption  of  the  Mergers,  whereby
stockholders  of  the  Company  receive,  pursuant  to  such  event,  cash,
securities or other  consideration  having an aggregate  value,  when taken
together  with  the  value  of  any   securities  of  the  Company  or  its
subsidiaries  otherwise held by the  stockholders of the Company after such
event, in excess of $45.00 per Share:  the Company is acquired by merger or
otherwise by a Third  Party;  a Third Party  acquires  more than 50% of the
total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; a Third
Party  acquires  more than 50% of the  outstanding  Shares;  or the Company
adopts and  implements  a plan of  liquidation,  recapitalization  or share
repurchase  relating  to more  than  50% of the  outstanding  Shares  or an
extraordinary  dividend relating to more than 50% of the outstanding Shares
or 50% of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
See  "Certain  Provisions  of the Merger  Agreement  - No  Solicitation  of
Transactions." In addition, the Merger Agreement provides for reimbursement
of expenses of MergerSub in an  aggregate  amount not to exceed  $5,000,000
upon the  occurrence of a Payment Event or in the event of a termination of
the Merger Agreement by reason of the failure by the Company's stockholders
to approve and adopt the Merger  Agreement  and the Mergers or by reason of
the failure of the transactions to be consummated  because  indebtedness of
the Company  immediately prior to the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time
exceeded $290 million.  See "Certain  Provisions of the Merger  Agreement -
Expense Reimbursement."
    

     Amendment  and Waiver.  Any  provision of the Merger  Agreement may be
amended or waived by the parties thereto;  provided,  however,  that, after
the approval and adoption of the Merger  Agreement by the  stockholders  of
the Company,  no such amendment or waiver may, without the further approval
of such  stockholders,  alter or change the amount or kind of consideration
to be received  in exchange  for any  ExistingSub  Shares,  any term of the
certificate  of  incorporation  of the Surviving  Corporation or any of the
terms or  conditions of the Merger  Agreement if such  alteration or change
would  adversely  affect the  holders  of any  shares of  capital  stock of
ExistingSub.  See "Certain  Provisions of the Merger  Agreement - Amendment
and Waiver."

VOTING AGREEMENT

   
     Pursuant to the Voting Agreement,  Water Street has agreed,  until the
earlier of (i) the Effective Time, (ii) the date which is 90 days after the
termination of the Merger Agreement under certain  circumstances,  or (iii)
the date of termination of the Merger Agreement for any other reason, among
other things,  (a) to vote the Water Street Shares to approve and adopt the
Merger  Agreement and the Mergers,  (b) not to vote the Water Street Shares
in  favor  of  certain  competing  transactions,  (c)  subject  to  certain
exemptions,  not to take any  action to  solicit,  initiate,  encourage  or
facilitate  any   acquisition   proposal  or  engage  in   negotiations  or
discussions with, or furnish or disclose any nonpublic information relating
to the  Company  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  or  afford  access  to the
properties,  books or records of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to,
or otherwise  assist,  facilitate or encourage,  any third party that Water
Street  believes may be  considering  making,  or has made, an  acquisition
proposal and (d) not to exercise any  appraisal  rights with respect to the
Merger.  Water  Street may,  however,  if any person  commences a tender or
exchange  offer  to  purchase  Shares  and the  Merger  Agreement  has been
terminated  under certain  circumstances,  tender its Shares three business
days prior to any  scheduled  expiration  of the offer.  Upon the terms and
subject  to the  conditions  of the Voting  Agreement,  the tender by Water
Street into such a tender or exchange  offer gives rise to a  nonassignable
option of MergerSub  to purchase all of the Water Street  Shares at a price
of $45.00 per share. In addition, Water Street may not transfer its Shares,
except as permitted by the Voting Agreement. See "Certain Provisions of the
Voting Agreement."

MERGER FINANCING

     The total  amount of cash  required  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated by the Merger  Agreement (the "Merger  Financing"),  including
payment of the $43.48 aggregate cash component of the Merger Consideration,
the  Option  Cash  Proceeds  (plus   applicable   withholding   taxes)  and
transaction  fees and  expenses,  is estimated to be  approximately  $208.5
million.  The  Merger  Financing  will be  funded  by (i) the  issuance  by
MergerSub of either (x) Senior Discount Notes due 2008 which generate gross
proceeds of approximately  $110 million (the "Discount  Notes") or (y) $110
million of senior pay-in-kind increasing rate notes (the "Bridge Notes") to
DLJ Bridge  Finance,  Inc., (ii) the issuance by MergerSub to DLJMB and the
other DLJMB Funds, and, it is expected, to CVC, for aggregate consideration
of  $54,999,990.00,  of (x) 1,222,222  shares of MergerSub Stock and (y) in
the case of the  DLJMB  Funds,  warrants  to  purchase  110,453  shares  of
MergerSub  Stock at an  exercise  price of not less  than  $0.01  per share
("Warrants"), and (iii) approximately $42.8 million of new borrowings under
the Company's $200 million  existing  credit  facility with various lenders
and issuing banks (the "Credit Facility").

     The Merger  will  constitute  an Event of Default  (as  defined in the
Credit  Facility)  under the terms of the  Credit  Facility,  and will also
require the Surviving  Corporation to make an Offer to Purchase (as defined
in the indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior  Subordinated Notes due 2007
of the  Company  (the  "Subordinated  Notes"))  for all of the  outstanding
Subordinated  Notes  at 101% of  their  aggregate  principal  amount,  plus
accrued interest. There is an aggregate of $150 million principal amount of
Subordinated Notes outstanding.  It is anticipated that the Company and its
lender banks will amend the Credit Facility (which amendment will include a
waiver of the Event of Default  under the Credit  Facility and the right to
acquire a limited  amount of  Subordinated  Notes in the Offer to Purchase)
and that the Credit Facility as amended will remain  outstanding  after the
consummation  of  the  Merger.  Based  on  current  market  prices  of  the
Subordinated  Notes,  it is  further  anticipated  that the  holders of the
Subordinated  Notes  will not  require  the  Company  to  repurchase  their
Subordinated Notes in such Offer to Purchase.  However, DLJ Capital Funding
Inc. has committed to lend up to $350 million to the Company (the "Backstop
Facility"),  which the Company  believes would be sufficient,  if the banks
require  repayment of amounts  outstanding under the Credit Facility or any
holders of  Subordinated  Notes  require  the Company to  repurchase  their
Subordinated  Notes as a result of the  Merger.  See "The  Mergers - Merger
Financing."

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS
    

     Certain  directors  and  executive  officers  of the  Company may have
interests,  described herein, that present them with potential conflicts of
interest  in  connection  with  the  Mergers.  The  Board  is  aware of the
conflicts  described  below and  considered  them in  addition to the other
matters  described  under  "The  Mergers -  Recommendation  of the Board of
Directors;  Reasons for the Mergers"  and "Summary - Security  Ownership of
Certain Stockholders and Management."

   
     Certain  officers  of  the  Company,  including  the  Chief  Executive
Officer, have employment and other  employment-related  agreements with the
Company  that provide them with  certain  benefits in  connection  with the
Mergers.  See "The Mergers - Conflicts of Interest of Certain  Persons" and
"Management  Following the Mergers."  Further,  following the Mergers,  the
Surviving  Corporation  intends to enter into  employment  agreements  with
certain of the  executive  officers of the Company;  however,  the terms of
these  arrangements  have not yet been  determined  and  DLJMB  has not had
discussions with any executive officers  concerning such  arrangements.  In
addition, the Surviving Corporation intends to establish a new stock option
plan for  members  of  management,  although  the terms and the size of the
option plan have not been  determined and option  recipients  have not been
identified.

     Immediately  prior to the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective Time, all
Options,  whether or not vested,  will be canceled  and the holders of such
Options  will  receive  the  Option  Cash  Proceeds.  As of June [ ], 1998,
Options to purchase 607,418 Shares were outstanding.  The Company estimates
that the aggregate amount of the Option Cash Proceeds will be approximately
$9.1 million less applicable withholding taxes.

     In  December  1996,  the  Company  entered  into a value  appreciation
agreement  (the  "Value  Appreciation   Agreement")  with  certain  of  its
officers.  The Value  Appreciation  Agreement  provides that these officers
will be  entitled  to  receive  a  payment  from  the  Company  in  certain
circumstances  following a transaction  giving rise to a change in control.
The payment is conditional on achieving a threshold  price per Share in any
such  transaction and the amount of the payment is determined  based on the
amount  realized per Share in excess of the  threshold  price,  taking into
account  increases in the Company's  enterprise  value since December 1996.
The Value  Appreciation  Agreement has a term of two years.  If the Mergers
are  consummated,  the aggregate  payment  payable to such officers will be
$2.6 million.

     The Company has Income  Protection  Agreements with certain  officers,
which  provide  that if an  executive's  employment  is  terminated  by the
Company without cause or, in certain  circumstances  including a "Change in
Control"  as  defined  in  the  Agreements   (which  will  occur  following
consummation of the Mergers),  by the officer, the officer will be entitled
to receive  certain  severance  benefits  as  follows:  (i) one year's base
salary  and  target  bonus;  (ii) a pro  rated  bonus for the year in which
employment is terminated;  (iii) continued  participation  in the Company's
benefit plans for the duration of the severance  period;  (iv)  accelerated
vesting  of  all  stock  options  and  stock   appreciation   rights;   (v)
continuation of any rights to  indemnification  from the Company;  and (vi)
certain  outplacement  services.  The  Income  Protection  Agreements  have
three-year  terms and  automatically  renew for subsequent  one-year terms,
unless terminated by either party.

     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Surviving Corporation has agreed
to cause the  Company,  and the  Company  has agreed (a) to  indemnify  all
present  and former  directors  and  officers  of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries  in respect of acts or omissions  occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time, and (b) for six years after the Effective Time, to maintain
directors'  and  officers'   liability   insurance   containing  terms  and
conditions  which are not less favorable to the directors and officers than
those under the policy currently in effect, provided that in satisfying the
aforementioned  obligation,  the  Company  will  not  be  obligated  to pay
premiums in excess of 150% of the amount per annum the Company  paid in its
last full fiscal year preceding the Effective Time. See "Certain Provisions
of the Merger Agreement - Indemnification and Insurance."
    

     Upon  consummation  of the  Mergers,  Goldman  Sachs  will  receive an
investment  banking fee of $2.0 million  arising out of its  engagement  in
1996 as the Company's financial advisor to assist the Company in its review
of strategic alternatives. See "The Mergers - Background of the Mergers."

   
     ExistingSub  and  MergerSub  have agreed to enter into a  registration
rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement"),  with Water Street,
and have agreed, among other things, to grant Water Street the right to one
demand  registration of the Surviving  Corporation Shares retained by Water
Street in the Merger.  Such right will be  exercisable at any time from the
date commencing six months after the Effective Time and continuing  through
the first  anniversary of the Effective Time. In addition,  pursuant to the
terms of the Registration  Rights Agreement,  for the period commencing six
months  after  the  Effective  Time  and   continuing   through  the  first
anniversary of the Effective  Time,  ExistingSub and MergerSub have agreed,
among other things, to grant Water Street an opportunity to participate, on
the same terms and conditions,  in any offering of (or including) Surviving
Corporation Shares (other than certain registrations  relating to Surviving
Corporation  Shares issued in certain business  combinations or pursuant to
certain  employee  benefit  plans).  To the extent any  affiliate  of Water
Street may acquire Surviving Corporation Shares held by Water Street at the
Effective  Time,  such  affiliates  will be permitted to participate in any
registration  contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement on the same
terms as Water Street.  See "The  Mergers--Resale  of Shares  Following the
Merger."

     The aggregate  benefits  that will be received in connection  with the
Mergers  by Water  Street  are  $81,041,415  in cash and  62,962  Surviving
Corporation  Shares.  The  aggregate  benefits  that  will be  received  in
connection with the Mergers by the executive  officers and directors of the
Company as a group  (excluding  amounts  attributable  to two directors but
which  are  payable  to Water  Street)  are  $12,356,180  in cash and 3,161
Surviving  Corporation  Shares.  For more detailed  information  as to such
benefits  and the  components  thereof,  as well as to the benefits and the
components thereof payable in the Mergers to individual  executive officers
and directors who are receiving in excess of $100,000 of such benefits, see
"The Mergers--Conflicts of Interest of Certain Persons."

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     The Merger will be accounted for as a  recapitalization  for financial
reporting  purposes.  Accordingly,  the  historical  basis of the Company's
assets and liabilities will not be affected by the transaction.

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     Given that approximately 97% of the Merger  Consideration  consists of
cash,  stockholders will recognize (and be taxed on) substantially  all, if
not all, of the gain or loss  inherent  in their  Shares as a result of the
Mergers.  For a more detailed summary of the material United States federal
income tax  consequences  of the Mergers,  see "The Mergers - United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences."

RISK FACTORS

     See  "Risk  Factors"  beginning  on  page  [16]  for a  more  detailed
discussion of certain  matters that should be considered by stockholders of
the  Company in  evaluating  whether to vote in favor of the  approval  and
adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers,  including the control by
the DLJMB Funds of the Surviving  Corporation  and the ability of the DLJMB
Funds  (subject to any  agreement  they may have with CVC; see  "Management
Following  the  Merger-Board  of  Directors")  to elect the entire Board of
Directors,  the substantial  leverage of the Surviving  Corporation and the
significant  additional  operating and financial  restrictions that will be
imposed on the Surviving  Corporation as a result of the Merger  Financing,
the potential dilution of the equity ownership  percentage of the Company's
stockholders should any of the warrants to be issued in connection with the
Merger Financing be exercised or should  additional  Surviving  Corporation
Shares be  issued or  options  to  purchase  such  shares be  granted,  the
decrease in liquidity of the Surviving Corporation Shares, and the possible
termination of the registration of the Surviving  Corporation  Shares under
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.
    

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

     Stockholders  of the Company will have appraisal  rights in respect of
the  Reorganization  Merger  under the  DGCL.  See "The  Special  Meeting -
Appraisal  Rights." Under the DGCL,  holders of  ExistingSub  Shares do not
have statutory appraisal rights in respect of the Merger.

   
SUBSEQUENT EVENT

     On January 14,  1997,  the  Company's  subsidiary,  Taylor  Publishing
Company ("Taylor"),  sued one of its principal  competitors in the yearbook
business,  Jostens,  Inc.  ("Jostens"),  in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern  District of Texas,  alleging  violations of the federal  antitrust
laws as well as various claims arising under state law. On May 13, 1998 the
jury in that case  awarded  Taylor the amount of $8 million with respect to
Taylor's claim under Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which award is
subject to automatic  trebling to $24 million  under the federal  antitrust
laws, and an aggregate of $12 million on Taylor's various other claims (the
"Taylor  Verdict").  Taylor has stipulated  with Jostens that the amount of
legal fees and costs  recoverable by the Company is $1.225 million and that
the awards on the other claims  overlap with the award made with respect to
the federal  antitrust law claim and will not be recoverable in addition to
the $24 million.  The exact amount of the Taylor Verdict will be determined
by the judge presiding over the litigation in the U.S.  District Court when
his final judgment is rendered.  Jostens has announced that it will seek to
overturn the Taylor Verdict in post trial motions or on appeal.


            SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
                 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,
1997  are  derived  from,  and  should  be read in  conjunction  with,  the
Company's   related   audited   consolidated   financial   statements   and
accompanying  notes  included in the Company's  1997 Form 10-K,  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 are included in the Company's
1997 Form 10-K.

   
     The unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated  financial data of the
Company and its  subsidiaries  for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 and the
year ended  December 31, 1997 ("Pro Forma  Financial  Data") are based upon
historical  information  that  has  been  adjusted  to give  effect  to the
Mergers,  including the Merger  Financing and  application  of the proceeds
thereof. In addition, the 1997 operating results have been adjusted to give
effect to the 1997  divestiture and financing  transactions  described more
fully below (the "1997  Transactions").  The Reorganization  Merger will be
accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control, and the
Merger  will be  accounted  for as a  recapitalization.  As a  result,  the
Mergers  will  have no  impact  on the  historical  basis of the  assets or
liabilities of the Company. A summary of these adjustments follows.

The Mergers include the following transactions:

 .    The  issuance of Discount  Notes by  MergerSub  which  generate  gross
     proceeds  to  MergerSub  of  approximately   $110  million,   and  new
     borrowings under the Company's Credit Facility of approximately  $42.8
     million,  of which $24.4  million will be paid as a dividend  from the
     Company to ExistingSub to fund a portion of the Merger Consideration.

 .    The  initial  capitalization  of  MergerSub  through  the  issuance of
     1,222,222  shares of MergerSub Stock and Warrants to purchase  110,453
     shares  of  MergerSub  Stock  for  aggregate  consideration  of  $55.0
     million.

 .    Payment  of  the  Merger  Consideration  for  each  Share  outstanding
     immediately prior to the Mergers (4,145,372 Shares based on the number
     of  Shares   outstanding  as  of  June  [  ],  1998  and  assuming  no
     stockholders validly perfect appraisal rights) consisting of $43.48 in
     cash and 0.03378 of a Surviving Corporation Share.

 .    Payment  of fees and  expenses  associated  with the  issuance  of the
     Discount  Notes,  the  waiver of certain  Events of Default  under the
     Credit Facility, and the Mergers.

 .    Vesting of all  outstanding  Options  and  payment of the Option  Cash
     Proceeds (and applicable  withholding  taxes) and payments pursuant to
     employment related agreements.

The 1997 Transactions consist of the following:

 .    Divestiture - On March 5, 1997, the Company  completed the sale of its
     Rolodex office products business (the "Rolodex Business") for net cash
     proceeds of approximately $112 million.

 .    Refinancing - The Company  entered into the Credit Facility as of July
     3, 1997 that,  among other  things,  provides  for (i) a $200  million
     revolving credit facility,  (ii) a $50 million sublimit for commercial
     and  standby  letters of credit and (iii) a $50 million  sublimit  for
     advances in selected foreign currencies.

 .    The issuance of  Subordinated  Notes - On August 12, 1997, the Company
     issued $150 million  aggregate  principal  amount of the  Subordinated
     Notes.

 .    Share  Repurchase - On July 10, 1997, the Company,  using the proceeds
     of its  sale  of the  Rolodex  Business,  purchased  an  aggregate  of
     2,857,142  Shares for  $109,999,967.  On August 12, 1997,  the Company
     completed a tender offer  pursuant to which it purchased an additional
     2,857,142  Shares  for  $109,999,967.  The  purchase  of Shares in the
     tender offer was paid for with proceeds  received through the issuance
     by the Company of the Subordinated Notes.

     The unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated  balance sheet data as
of March 31, 1998 have been  prepared  as if the  Mergers  occurred on that
date. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated income statements have
been prepared as if the Mergers and the 1997  Transactions  all occurred on
January 1 of the relevant periods. The nonrecurring  transactions  directly
related to the aforementioned  transactions are excluded from the unaudited
pro forma condensed consolidated income statements. The Pro Forma Financial
Data are based on certain  assumptions and estimates,  and therefore do not
purport to be  indicative  of the results that would have been obtained had
the  transactions  been  completed as of such dates or indicative of future
results of operations and financial position.


The following  table sets forth summary  historical and unaudited pro forma
condensed  consolidated financial and operating data (dollars in thousands,
except per share and ratio data)  derived from the  Company's  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Years Ended December 31,                    Quarters Ended March 31,
                                               ------------------------                    ------------------------
                                                                         Pro Forma                              Pro Forma
                                      1995         1996        1997         1997        1997         1998         1998
                                    ---------    --------    --------    --------    ---------     ---------    ---------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>      
Operations Data:

   Net sales (FN1)                  $ 561,203   $ 572,474   $ 539,030   $ 528,233     $ 117,341    $ 117,305    $ 117,305

   Operating income (FN2)              24,617      59,101      53,268      51,102        11,555        9,775        9,775

   Other income (expense):
     Interest expense                 (19,546)    (18,386)    (20,562)    (45,299)       (3,643)      (6,877)     (10,758)
     Interest income                    1,577       1,010       2,877         746           489           51           51
     Other income, net (FN3)           12,126       7,645       3,442       3,441           510        1,329        1,329
     Gain on sale of Office              -          2,493      95,001         -          95,001         -             -
     Products Business

   Income from continuing
   operations before                   18,774      51,863     134,026       9,990       103,912        4,278          397
     income taxes and
     extraordinary items
   Income tax expense                 (16,199)    (12,810)   (51,654)      (3,708)     (40,593)      (1,497)         (111)
                                    ---------    --------    --------    --------    ---------     ---------    ---------

   Income before extraordinary          2,575      39,053      82,372       6,282        63,319        2,781          286
     items

   Extraordinary items, net of           -            -          (728)       -           -             -            -
     tax
                                    ---------    --------    --------    --------    ---------     ---------    ---------

   Net income                      $    2,575   $  39,053   $  81,644   $   6,282   $   63,319    $    2,781   $      286
                                    =========    ========    ========    ========    =========     =========    =========

Balance Sheet Data (at period
end):
   Working capital                 $   44,920   $   51,436  $  39,508               $   130,914   $   57,262   $   60,640
   Total assets                       340,129      348,393    302,673                   432,520      323,404      330,736
   Total debt                         186,489      161,042    257,743                   168,700      268,798      421,549
   Stockholders' equity (deficit)     (15,779)      33,402   (102,328)                   97,460      (96,201)    (238,242)

Consolidated Cash Flow Data:
   Net cash provided by (used
     in) operating activities      $   37,744   $  55,423   $   45,511   $ 37,671   $   (4,212)   $  (11,222)  $  (11,643)
   Net cash provided by (used
     in) investing activities         (14,678)    (29,783)     95,217     (17,400)      108,684       (4,620)      (4,620)
   Net cash provided by (used
     in) financing activities         (21,862)    (32,053)   (133,256)    (20,646)        7,772       13,002       13,002

Per Share Data:
   Basic income per share before
     extraordinary item           $     0.26    $   4.10   $   11.44    $   4.61    $      6.65   $    0.68    $     0.21
   Diluted income per share
     before extraordinary item          0.25        3.95       11.22        4.27           6.39         0.66         0.19
   Book value per share                (1.64)       3.52      (25.08)        n.a.         10.24       (23.54)     (174.89)

Other Data:
   Depreciation and amortization   $   14,758   $  16,831   $  18,571   $  18,377   $    4,065    $     4,240  $    4,240
   Amortization of
     Reorganization Goodwill           32,172           -          -          -            -            -             -
   EBITDA (FN4)                        71,547       75,932     71,839      69,479        15,620        14,015      14,015
   Cash interest expense               17,986       16,718     19,326      30,953         3,340         6,526       7,274
   Capital expenditures                22,159       22,579     23,583      23,590         4,505         5,813       5,813


The Notes to the  summary  historical  and  unaudited  pro forma  condensed
consolidated financial and operating data follow:

<FN>

(1)  Pro forma net sales for 1997 exclude net sales of the Rolodex Business
     (divested March 1997) as if the business was divested at the beginning
     of the period  presented.  In addition to the 1997  divestiture of the
     Rolodex Business,  the Company divested Curtis  Manufacturing Co. Inc.
     ("Curtis") in September 1996 and the Rolodex  electronics product line
     ("Rolodex   Electronics")   in  October   1996   (Curtis  and  Rolodex
     Electronics,  collectively  with the  Rolodex  Business,  the  "Office
     Products  Business").  Sales of the divested Office Products  Business
     are included in the  consolidated  results as follows:  1997 and first
     quarter 1997,  $10.8 million,  1996, $80.1 million,  and 1995,  $111.7
     million.

     See "Unaudited Pro Forma  Condensed  Consolidated  Financial Data" for
     further information regarding acquisitions and divestitures.

(2)  Pro forma  consolidated  operating income for 1997 excludes  operating
     income,  before  allocation  of  corporate  overhead,  of the  Rolodex
     Business  as if the  business  was  divested at the  beginning  of the
     period presented.  Operating income for the Office Products  Business,
     before the  allocation  of  corporate  overhead,  is  included  in the
     consolidated  results as follows:  1997 and first quarter  1997,  $2.2
     million, 1996, $10.7 million, and 1995, $1.7 million.

     Operating  income in 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 included in the Company's 1997 Form
     10-K) and a gain of $4.3 million  related to a change in the Company's
     pension  plan (see Note 12 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
     included in the Company's 1997 Form 10-K).

(3)  Other income in 1996 included a $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  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.

(4)  "EBITDA"  represents  net income before net interest  expense,  income
     taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other income and net gain or
     net loss on sale of assets.  EBITDA is not intended to  represent  and
     should not be considered more  meaningful  than, or an alternative to,
     operating  income,  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  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.  While
     EBITDA is frequently  used as a measure of operations  and the ability
     to meet debt service requirements, it is not necessarily comparable to
     other  similarly  titled  captions  of  other  companies  due  to  the
     potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation.

</FN>
</TABLE>

     This summary historical and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial  and  operating  data  should  also be read in  conjunction  with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," included in the Company's 1997 Form 10-K.


                           MARKET PRICE OF SHARES

     The  Shares  are  listed  and have  traded on NASDAQ  under the symbol
"INSL" since  November 29, 1993.  The following  table sets forth,  for the
periods  indicated,  the high and low sale  prices per Share as reported by
NASDAQ.  The  number of record  holders of the Shares on June [ ], 1998 was
740.

                                         High            Low
                                         ----            ---
1995
   First Quarter..................     $28.625         $23.250
   Second Quarter.................      38.125          26.750
   Third Quarter..................      39.000          34.125
   Fourth Quarter.................      41.250          30.000
1996
   First Quarter..................      36.500          27.125
   Second Quarter.................      37.000          33.500
   Third Quarter..................      37.375          31.000
   Fourth Quarter.................      42.000          35.500
1997
   First Quarter..................      43.000          34.000
   Second Quarter.................      39.000          36.750
   Third Quarter..................      41.000          36.000
   Fourth Quarter.................      38.500          33.000
1998
   First Quarter..................      43.625          32.000
   Second Quarter
      (through June [    ], 1998).      [    ]         [    ]
    


     On March 23, 1998, the last full trading day prior to the first public
announcement  by the Company of the entering into of the Merger  Agreement,
the  reported  high and low sale  prices per Share were  $43.00 and $42.75,
respectively.

   
     On June [ ], 1998,  the  reported  high and low sale  prices per Share
were [ ] and [ ], respectively.  Stockholders  should obtain current market
price quotations in connection with voting their Shares.
    


                                RISK FACTORS

     In addition to the other information set forth herein, stockholders of
the  Company  should  carefully  consider  the  following   information  in
evaluating  whether to vote in favor of the  approval  and  adoption of the
Merger Agreement and the Mergers.

CONTROL BY THE DLJMB FUNDS

   
     Following  the  Mergers,  up to  70.1%  of the  outstanding  Surviving
Corporation  Shares (up to 72.4% on a fully diluted  basis) will be held by
the DLJMB Funds  (assuming that no stockholders  validly perfect  appraisal
rights and  assuming  further  that CVC  purchases  MergerSub  Stock  which
converts in the Merger into 19.6% of the outstanding  Surviving Corporation
Shares  (18.1%  on a fully  diluted  basis)).  As a result  of their  stock
ownership,  following the  Effective  Time the DLJMB Funds will control the
Surviving  Corporation  and will have the power  (subject to any  agreement
they may have with CVC; see  "Management  Following  the Merger -- Board of
Directors")  to elect all of the  directors,  appoint  new  management  and
approve any action  requiring  the  approval  of the  holders of  Surviving
Corporation Shares,  including adopting certain amendments to the Surviving
Corporation's  certificate of incorporation  and approving mergers or sales
of all or substantially all of the Surviving Corporation's assets. As noted
above,  the  DLJMB  Funds  could  elect all or a  majority  of the Board of
Directors,  and those  directors would have the authority to make decisions
affecting the capital structure of the Surviving Corporation, including the
issuance  of  additional   capital  stock,  the   implementation  of  stock
repurchase  programs  and  the  declaration  of  dividends.  Moreover,  the
existence of a  controlling  stockholder  will have the effect of making it
impossible  for a third party to acquire the  Surviving  Corporation  on an
unsolicited  or hostile basis. A third party would be required to negotiate
any acquisition  transaction with the DLJMB Funds, and the interests of the
DLJMB Funds may differ from the  interests  of other  holders of  Surviving
Corporation Shares.

     The  general  partners of each of the DLJMB  Funds are  affiliates  or
employees of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Inc., as are DLJ Capital Funding,
Inc. and DLJ Bridge Finance, Inc., which have committed to DLJMB to provide
various components of the Merger Financing.

SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

     Upon consummation of the Mergers, the Surviving  Corporation will have
substantial   consolidated   indebtedness.   The  Company   currently   has
substantial indebtedness pursuant to the Credit Facility ($117.5 million at
March 31, 1998) and the indenture  governing the  Subordinated  Notes ($150
million at March 31, 1998). These agreements include significant  operating
and  financial  restrictions  on the  Company  and  require  the Company to
maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and leverage
ratios.  All of the  borrowings  under the Credit  Facility  are subject to
variable  interest rates. In connection with  consummating the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, MergerSub will issue notes which will
generate  approximately  $110  million  of gross  proceeds  (in the form of
Discount  Notes or  Bridge  Notes,  as  applicable),  which  will  become a
liability  of the  Surviving  Corporation  upon  the  effectiveness  of the
Merger,  and the  Company  will incur  approximately  $42.8  million of new
borrowings  under  the  Credit  Facility  to (i) fund  payment  of the cash
portion of the Merger  Consideration  and the Option Cash Proceeds and (ii)
pay the fees and expenses incurred by the Company,  MergerSub and the DLJMB
Funds in connection with the Mergers and the Merger Financing. Although the
definitive  terms of the Merger Financing have not been finalized as of the
date of this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  the  Company  expects  that such
terms will include additional operating and financial restrictions, such as
limitations  on the Company's and the  Surviving  Corporation's  ability to
incur  indebtedness,  create  liens,  sell  assets,  engage in  mergers  or
consolidations,  make  investments and pay dividends.  The Bridge Notes, if
they are issued in place of the Discount Notes, will be subject to variable
interest rates, and the Backstop Facility,  to the extent it is drawn, will
be  subject  to  variable   interest  rates.  See  "The  Mergers  -  Merger
Financing."

     As of March 31,  1998,  after  giving pro forma effect to the Mergers,
including the Merger Financing and the application of the proceeds thereof,
the   Surviving   Corporation   would  have  had  (i)  total   consolidated
indebtedness  of  approximately  $421.5  million,  (ii)  $31.5  million  of
additional  borrowings  available  under the  Credit  Facility  and (iii) a
stockholders'  deficit  of $238.2  million.  In  addition,  subject  to the
restrictions in the Credit Facility and the indentures  governing the other
indebtedness  outstanding  from  time to time,  the  Surviving  Corporation
expects that it or the Company may incur additional  indebtedness from time
to time in connection  with the pursuit of strategic  acquisitions  and its
intended expansion through internal growth.
    

     The level of the  Surviving  Corporation's  consolidated  indebtedness
could have  important  consequences  to the Surviving  Corporation  and the
Company,  including: (i) limiting cash flow available for general corporate
purposes,  such  as  acquisitions  and  capital  expenditures,   because  a
substantial  portion of the  Company's  cash flow from  operations  must be
dedicated to debt service;  (ii) limiting the Surviving  Corporation or the
Company's  ability to obtain (or obtain on favorable terms) additional debt
financing  in the future  for  working  capital,  capital  expenditures  or
acquisitions;  (iii) limiting the Surviving  Corporation's or the Company's
flexibility  in reacting to  competitive  and other changes in the industry
and economic conditions generally;  (iv) exposing the Surviving Corporation
and the Company to a risk that a substantial decrease in net operating cash
flows could make it difficult to meet debt service requirements; (v) making
the Surviving  Corporation and the Company more vulnerable to a downturn in
business  or  the  economy  generally;  and  (vi)  exposing  the  Surviving
Corporation and the Company to risks inherent in interest rate fluctuations
because  certain of the  borrowings  may be at variable  rates of interest,
which could result in higher interest  expense in the event of increases in
interest rates;

   
     The  Surviving   Corporation's  and  the  Company's  ability  to  make
scheduled  payments of principal  of, to pay interest on, or to  refinance,
their  indebtedness and to satisfy their other debt obligations will depend
upon  the  future  operating  performance  of the  Company,  which  will be
affected  by  general  economic,   financial,   competitive,   legislative,
regulatory,  business and other factors beyond its control.  If the Company
were unable to meet its consolidated debt service obligations,  it could be
forced  to reduce  or defer  acquisitions  or  capital  expenditures,  sell
assets, and reduce operating expenses. It could also attempt to restructure
or refinance its indebtedness or effect a public offering or a private sale
of its capital  stock.  There can be no assurance  that the Company and the
Surviving  Corporation  would be able to  effect  any of the  foregoing  on
satisfactory terms, if at all. Based on its current level of operations and
anticipated  growth, the Company believes that it will be necessary for the
Surviving  Corporation to refinance the Discount Notes (or Bridge Notes, if
issued)  upon  their  maturity,  and  there  can be no  assurance  that the
Surviving  Corporation  will be able to do so on satisfactory  terms, if at
all. If the Company or the Surviving Corporation were to default in respect
of its  obligations  to pay its  respective  indebtedness,  (including  the
failure by the Surviving  Corporation  to pay the Discount Notes (or Bridge
Notes,   if  issued)  when  due)  such  default   could  cause  the  entire
consolidated  indebtedness,  together with accrued interest thereon,  to be
due and payable.  If the Company or the Surviving  Corporation is unable to
pay such  amounts when due, the value of the  Company's  and the  Surviving
Corporation's  assets will likely be  insufficient to satisfy the claims of
their creditors.

POTENTIAL DILUTION OF COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS

     In  connection  with the Merger,  MergerSub  will issue the  Warrants,
which  will  be  exercisable  for  an  aggregate  amount  of up to  110,453
Surviving  Corporation  Shares (or  approximately  7.5% of the  outstanding
Surviving Corporation Shares on a fully diluted basis) at an exercise price
of not less than $0.01 per Surviving  Corporation  Share. In addition,  the
terms  of  the  Bridge  Notes  would,  if  issued,  require  the  Surviving
Corporation to issue additional warrants if the Surviving  Corporation were
unable to refinance the Bridge Notes within one year of issuance.  See "The
Mergers - Merger  Financing."  Exercise of the  Warrants or the  additional
warrants  would dilute the equity  ownership  percentage  of the  Company's
stockholders.  In addition,  following the Mergers,  the Company intends to
establish a stock option plan and to grant  options  thereunder to purchase
Surviving  Corporation  Shares  to  members  of the  Company's  management,
although the aggregate number of Surviving  Corporation  Shares expected to
be reserved for issuance pursuant to the stock option plan, the other terms
of the stock option plan and the identity of the recipients of options have
not been determined.  Any exercise of any such stock option will dilute the
equity ownership percentage of Surviving  Corporation  stockholders and the
DLJMB Funds  equally.  See "The  Mergers - Conflicts of Interest of Certain
Persons."

LOSS OF LIQUIDITY

     Because the number of Surviving Corporation Shares which will be owned
by the public will be  significantly  smaller  following  the  Merger,  the
liquidity of the Surviving Corporation Shares may be adversely affected. In
the Merger Agreement,  MergerSub has agreed that the Surviving  Corporation
will not take any action,  for at least  three  years  after the  Effective
Time, to cause the Surviving  Corporation Shares to be de-listed from or to
fail to meet any of the listing  standards of NASDAQ  (except in connection
with a transaction  which results in the termination of registration of the
Surviving   Corporation  Shares  under  the  Exchange  Act);  however,  the
Surviving  Corporation  is not required to take any  affirmative  action to
prevent the Surviving  Corporation Shares from being de-listed by NASDAQ if
such shares cease to meet the listing  standards.  For continued listing on
NASDAQ,  NASDAQ requires,  among other things, a listed company to maintain
(i) at least 300 round lot holders and (ii) at least 500,000  publicly held
shares with a market value of at least $1 million.  Following  the Mergers,
there  will be fewer  than 300 round lot  holders  and fewer  than  500,000
publicly  held  Surviving  Corporation  Shares.  Consequently,  the Company
believes that, following the Mergers, it may be de-listed by NASDAQ.

     Upon any delisting,  the Surviving Corporation Shares would trade only
on the over-the-counter  market. Although prices in respect of trades would
be  published by the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.
periodically  in the "pink sheets,"  quotes for such shares will likely not
be readily  available.  As a result,  it is anticipated  that the Surviving
Corporation  Shares will trade less  frequently  as compared to the trading
volume of the Shares prior to the Merger,  and  stockholders may experience
difficulty selling their Surviving Corporation Shares. MergerSub has agreed
in the Merger  Agreement  that,  for at least  three  years  following  the
Effective  Time,  the  Surviving   Corporation   will  make  available  the
information required pursuant to Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act.

POSSIBLE TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 12(G) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

     Following the Mergers,  there will be fewer than 300 holders of record
of Surviving Corporation Shares.  Accordingly, if the Surviving Corporation
chose to do so, it could, under existing rules of the Commission, terminate
the registration of the Surviving Corporation Shares under Section 12(g) of
the Exchange Act and, as a result, it would not have to comply with Section
14  of  the  Exchange  Act  and  its  directors,   executive  officers  and
shareholders  would not have to comply  with  Sections  13(d) and 16 of the
Exchange Act, to the extent otherwise applicable. However, even in the case
of such a termination,  the Surviving Corporation will continue to file the
reports  required by Section  13(a) of the Exchange Act since the Indenture
governing  the  Discount  Notes  will  require  it to do so.  Additionally,
MergerSub has agreed in the Merger Agreement that, for at least three years
following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will make available
the information required pursuant to Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act.
    


                            THE SPECIAL MEETING

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING

   
     At the Special Meeting,  holders of Shares will consider and vote upon
a proposal  to  approve  and adopt the Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers.
Stockholders  will also consider and vote on such other matters incident to
the conduct of, and as may be properly brought before, the Special Meeting.
    

REQUIRED VOTE

     The  affirmative  vote of the  holders  of a  majority  of the  Shares
entitled  to vote  thereon  is  required  to  approve  and adopt the Merger
Agreement and the Mergers.

     The  Company's  largest  stockholder  is Water  Street,  an investment
partnership  of which  Goldman Sachs is the general  partner.  On March 24,
1998, Water Street owned the 1,783,878 Water Street Shares, and on April 1,
1998, Water Street acquired  beneficial  ownership of an additional  80,000
Shares upon the exercise of options  issued  pursuant to the 1993 Directors
Plan (as defined  herein),  increasing  the  beneficial  ownership of Water
Street to approximately 45% of the then outstanding  Shares.  See "Security
Ownership of Certain  Beneficial  Owners and Management."  Water Street has
entered into the Voting Agreement pursuant to which Water Street has agreed
to vote the Water  Street  Shares in favor of approval  and adoption of the
Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers.  A copy  of the  Voting  Agreement  is
attached  to this  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  as Annex  C.  See  "Certain
Provisions of the Voting Agreement" and Annex C.

   
     As of June [ ], 1998,  directors and executive officers of the Company
beneficially  owned an aggregate of 93,566 Shares (excluding Shares subject
to purchase  pursuant to outstanding stock options and excluding the Shares
beneficially owned by Water Street), representing approximately 2.3% of the
outstanding  Shares.  The directors  and executive  officers of the Company
have  indicated  that  they  intend  to vote  their  Shares in favor of the
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers.

     As of June [ ], 1998,  Water Street and the  directors  and  executive
officers of the Company  collectively  beneficially owned 1,957,444 Shares,
constituting approximately 47.2% of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote
at the Special Meeting.
    

VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES

     Shares  that  are  entitled  to vote  and are  represented  by a proxy
properly  signed and  received at or prior to the Special  Meeting,  unless
subsequently  properly  revoked,  will be  voted  in  accordance  with  the
instructions  indicated thereon.  If a proxy is signed and returned without
any voting instructions indicated thereon, Shares represented by such proxy
will be voted FOR the  proposal to approve  and adopt the Merger  Agreement
and the Mergers.  AS NOTED BELOW UNDER "APPRAISAL  RIGHTS," A VOTE IN FAVOR
OF THE  MERGER  AGREEMENT  AND  THE  MERGERS  WILL  CAUSE A  FORFEITURE  OF
APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER THE DGCL.

   
     The Board of  Directors is not  currently  aware of any business to be
acted upon at the  Special  Meeting  other than as  described  herein.  If,
however,  other matters  incident to the conduct of the Special Meeting are
properly  brought  before  the  Special  Meeting  or  any  adjournments  or
postponements  thereof,  the  persons  appointed  as proxies  will have the
discretion to vote or act thereon in accordance  with their best  judgment,
unless authority to do so is withheld in the proxy.  The persons  appointed
as proxies may not exercise their  discretionary  voting  authority to vote
any proxy in favor of any  adjournments  or  postponements  of the  Special
Meeting if  instruction is given in such proxy to vote against the approval
and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers.
    

     Any proxy given  pursuant to this  solicitation  may be revoked by the
person  giving it at any time before the Shares  represented  by such proxy
are voted at the Special  Meeting by (a)  attending and voting in person at
the Special  Meeting,  (b) giving  notice of revocation of the proxy at the
Special  Meeting,  or (c)  delivering to the Secretary of the Company (i) a
written  notice of revocation or (ii) a duly executed proxy relating to the
same Shares and matters to be considered at the Special Meeting and bearing
a date later than the proxy previously executed.  Attendance at the Special
Meeting will not in and of itself  constitute a revocation of a proxy.  All
written  notices of  revocation  and other  communications  with respect to
revocation of proxies should be addressed as follows:  Insilco Corporation,
425  Metro  Place  North,  Fifth  Floor,  Dublin,  Ohio  43017,  Attention:
Corporate Secretary, and must be received before the taking of the votes at
the Special Meeting.

RECORD DATE; STOCK ENTITLED TO VOTE; QUORUM

   
     Only holders of Shares at the close of business on June 15, 1998,  the
Record  Date,  will be  entitled  to  receive  notice of and to vote at the
Special  Meeting.  At the close of business on the Record Date,  there were
outstanding and entitled to vote [ ] Shares,  and there were [ ] holders of
record. The presence,  in person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting of the
holders  of at least a  majority  of the votes  entitled  to be cast at the
Special  Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business.  Abstentions and broker  non-votes will be counted as present for
the  purposes  of  determining  whether a quorum is present but will not be
counted as votes cast.  The approval  and adoption of the Merger  Agreement
and the Mergers requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast at the Special Meeting. Accordingly,  abstentions
and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a negative vote thereon.
    

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

     Under the DGCL,  Shares which are issued and  outstanding  immediately
prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time and which are held by a
holder who has  delivered a written  demand for appraisal of such Shares in
the manner provided by the DGCL ("Dissenting Shares") will not be converted
into the right to receive ExistingSub Shares.  Instead, such holder will be
entitled  to receive  payment  of the fair  value of his or her  Dissenting
Shares as appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery;  provided,  however,
that if any  such  holder  of  Dissenting  Shares  fails  to  establish  an
entitlement  to appraisal  rights as provided in Section 262 of the DGCL or
effectively  withdraws his or her demand for  appraisal of such  Dissenting
Shares or loses the right to appraisal  under Section 262 of the DGCL or if
neither any holder of Dissenting Shares nor the Surviving Corporation files
a petition  demanding a determination of the value of all Dissenting Shares
within the time  provided  in Section  262 of the DGCL,  such  holder  will
forfeit the right to appraisal of his or her  Dissenting  Shares,  and each
such  Dissenting  Share will be  converted  into the right to  receive  the
Merger Consideration.  Under the DGCL, holders of ExistingSub Shares do not
have statutory appraisal rights in respect of the Merger.

     A STOCKHOLDER WHO DESIRES TO EXERCISE  APPRAISAL  RIGHTS IF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT  AND THE MERGERS ARE  APPROVED  AND ADOPTED MUST TAKE THE ACTIONS
SET FORTH IN SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL, INCLUDING FILING A WRITTEN DEMAND FOR
APPRAISAL  WITH  THE  COMPANY  PRIOR TO THE  DATE OF THE  SPECIAL  MEETING.
MOREOVER,  SINCE,  UNDER  SECTION  262 OF THE DGCL,  A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
MERGER  AGREEMENT AND THE MERGERS WILL CAUSE THE STOCKHOLDER TO FORFEIT HIS
OR HER APPRAISAL RIGHTS,  ANY STOCKHOLDER WHO WISHES TO EXERCISE  APPRAISAL
RIGHTS  SHOULD NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT AND THE MERGERS. SEE "DISSENTING  STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS" AND ANNEX
D, WHICH SETS OUT THE FULL TEXT OF SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

     The cost of solicitation  of proxies will be borne by the Company.  In
addition to the use of the mails,  proxies may be solicited by telephone by
officers  and  directors  and a small  number of regular  employees  of the
Company  who will not be  specially  compensated  for  such  services.  The
Company also will request  banks and brokers to solicit  proxies from their
customers,   where  appropriate,   and  will  reimburse  such  persons  for
reasonable expenses incurred in that regard.

RECOMMENDATION  OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS;  OPINION OF INVESTMENT
BANKER

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,  BY UNANIMOUS  VOTE, HAS  DETERMINED  THAT THE
MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED THEREBY,  INCLUDING THE
MERGERS,  ARE FAIR TO AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE  STOCKHOLDERS OF THE
COMPANY,   HAS  APPROVED  THE  MERGER   AGREEMENT   AND  THE   TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED   THEREBY,   INCLUDING  THE  MERGERS,   AND  RECOMMENDS   THAT
STOCKHOLDERS  VOTE TO  APPROVE  AND  ADOPT  THE  MERGER  AGREEMENT  AND THE
MERGERS.

   
     Lazard  rendered the Original  Lazard  Opinion,  orally,  on March 24,
1998, which was subsequently confirmed by a written opinion dated March 24,
1998, to the Board of Directors to the effect that,  based upon and subject
to the  matters  stated  therein,  as of the  date of the  Original  Lazard
Opinion,  the Original  Merger  Consideration  taken as a whole was fair to
holders  of  Shares  (other  than  MergerSub  and  its  affiliates)  from a
financial  point of view.  On June 8,  1998,  Lazard  rendered  the  Lazard
Opinion,  orally,  which was  subsequently  confirmed by a written  opinion
dated June 8, 1998,  to the Board of Directors  to the effect  that,  based
upon and  subject  to the  matters  stated  therein,  as of the date of the
Lazard  Opinion,  the  Merger  Consideration  taken  as a whole  is fair to
holders  of  Shares  (other  than  MergerSub  and  its  affiliates)  from a
financial point of view.

                                THE COMPANY

     The   Company   is   a    diversified    producer    of    automotive,
telecommunications and electronics  components,  and is a leading specialty
publisher of student yearbooks.  The Company has three reporting  segments:
(i)  the  Automotive  Components  Group,  which  manufactures  transmission
components and assemblies  and heat  exchangers and heat exchanger  tubing;
(ii) the Technologies Group, which manufactures high performance data-grade
connectors for the  telecommunications  and networking  markets,  cable and
wire assemblies primarily for the telecommunications  market, and precision
metal  stampings  and  power  transformers  primarily  for the  electronics
market; and (iii) Specialty Publishing,  which publishes student yearbooks.
The Company's primary focus is to tailor its products for customer specific
applications in niche markets.  This strategy includes customizing products
for particular accounts and applications and developing technology in order
to produce the highest quality  products in each of its product lines,  and
thereby maintain long term, often  sole-supplier,  customer  relationships.
The Company  believes  that this niche market focus  results in more stable
revenues and higher margins.  The Company's  portfolio of businesses serves
several  market  segments,  which  the  Company  believes  tends to  dampen
cyclicality  and diversify  business risk. The Company's broad base of more
than 17,000  customers  includes  automotive  and  non-automotive  original
equipment  manufacturers  ("OEMs"),   telecommunications,   networking  and
electronics companies and student yearbook departments nationwide.
    

     The  following  chart  depicts  the  organizational  structure  of the
Company prior to the Mergers:

                             [OBJECT OMITTED]

   
     The Automotive  Components  Group consists of three  operating  units,
Thermal  Components,   Steel  Parts  and  Romac,  and  one  joint  venture,
Thermalex.  Thermal  Components  produces  aluminum- and copper-based  heat
exchanger  tubing  for  automotive  OEMs  and  Tier 1  suppliers,  and also
manufactures   radiators,   air  conditioning  condensers  and  other  heat
exchangers for automotive and industrial  applications.  Steel Parts is the
leading supplier of automatic transmission clutch plates to Ford Motors and
produces  other  stamped  components  for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.  Romac
produces stainless steel tubing for marine,  architectural,  industrial and
automotive  applications.  Thermalex,  a joint venture owned equally by the
Company and Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd. ("Mitsubishi  Aluminum"),  is the
nation's leading producer of precision  extruded  multi-port  aluminum heat
exchanger tubing used in automotive air-conditioning condensers. Management
believes  that  the  impact  of the  automotive  cycle  on  the  Automotive
Components  Group's  financial  performance  is  mitigated  by sales to the
automotive  aftermarket and non-automotive  OEMs, which represented 16% and
27%, respectively, of the Automotive Components Group's 1997 net sales.

     The Technologies  Group generally  focuses on niche products which are
designed for specific customer applications,  and the Group seeks to supply
all  or  a  substantial  portion  of  its  customers'   requirements.   The
Technologies Group has four operating units: Escod Industries,  the leading
outside  supplier  of cable and wire  assemblies  to  Northern  Telecom and
Siemens;   Stewart  Connector,  a  leading  producer  of  high  performance
data-grade  connectors for the computer  networking and  telecommunications
markets;  Stewart  Stamping,  a  producer  of highly  customized  precision
stamped metal parts,  primarily for the  electronics  industry;  and Signal
Transformer,   the   leading   non-captive   producer  of  50-60  Hz  power
transformers used in a variety of product applications.

     Specialty  Publishing  consists of Taylor, one of the nation's leading
publishers of student yearbooks. The Company believes that Taylor's digital
pre-press  technology  (which  eliminates many manual cutting,  pasting and
rescaling  operations)  offers  yearbook  customers  superior  quality  and
greater  design and revision  flexibility.  The student  yearbook  business
benefits from very limited cyclicality,  low customer turnover and pre-paid
sales.

CERTAIN FORECASTS AS TO FUTURE RESULTS

     The  Company   prepared   certain   nonpublic   forecasts   reflecting
management's estimates as to the possible future performance of the Company
over the six fiscal years ending in 2003. This  information was provided to
each of the three parties that were  evaluating a possible  acquisition  of
the  Company,  including  DLJMB  (see "The  Mergers  --  Background of  the
Mergers") and to Lazard. The following table summarizes the forecasts:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Forecasts
                                                    (in millions)
- ------------------ ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
      Item              1998             1999            2000             2001             2002            2003
- ------------------ ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
<S>                <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>   
Net sales          $558.1           $591.1          $623.6           $656.1           $689.0          $723.1
- ------------------ ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Operating Income   $54.9            $58.9           $62.7            $66.2            $69.7           $74.0
- ------------------ ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
EBITDA (FN1)       $76.4            $81.5           $87.8            $94.0            $100.1          $106.4
- ------------------ ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------


<FN>

(1) EBITDA  represents the Company's  projected net income before projected
net interest expense,  income taxes,  depreciation and amortization,  other
income  and net  gain or net loss on the sale of  assets.  EBITDA  data was
provided  to each of the three  parties  that were  evaluating  a  possible
acquisition  of  the  Company  including  DLJMB  and  Lazard  because  such
information  is  frequently  used by investors as a measure of  operations.
While  EBITDA is  frequently  used as a measure  of  operations,  it is not
necessarily   comparable  to  other  similarly  titled  captions  of  other
companies   due  to  the  potential   inconsistencies   in  the  method  of
calculation.  EBITDA  is  not  intended  to  represent  and  should  not be
considered more meaningful than or alternative to, operating  income,  cash
flows  from  operating  activities  or other  measures  of  performance  in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

</FN>
</TABLE>

     The forecasts were generated by consolidating individual business unit
projections.  The key  assumptions  that  underlie the  forecasts  were (i)
modest growth of net sales,  ranging from 5.0% to 5.9%, resulting primarily
from economic  growth  together with internal  growth from new products and
further penetration of current and alternate channels of distribution,  and
(ii)  EBITDA  margins  increasing  from 13.7% to 14.7% of revenue  over the
period  resulting  both from  anticipated  margin  improvement in Specialty
Publishing and, to a lesser extent, from an increasing  percentage of total
Company  revenues being  generated by certain higher margin business units.
The Company has projected  essentially  constant  gross margins while other
operating  expenses are  forecasted  to grow with sales,  but at a slightly
slower rate.

     The  forecasts  do not assume that any  acquisitions  or  divestitures
would occur during the period presented.

     THE FORECASTS  REFERRED TO ABOVE WERE PREPARED  INITIALLY FOR INTERNAL
PLANNING  PURPOSES AND THEN WERE UPDATED AND EXTENDED TO COVER SIX YEARS IN
CONNECTION  WITH  REQUESTS  MADE BY THE  INTERESTED  PARTIES  EVALUATING  A
POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY (SEE "THE  MERGERS--BACKGROUND  OF THE
MERGERS"),  AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO PUBLIC  DISCLOSURE  OR  COMPLIANCE  WITH
PUBLISHED  GUIDELINES   ESTABLISHED  BY  THE  COMMISSION  OR  THE  AMERICAN
INSTITUTE  OF  CERTIFIED  PUBLIC  ACCOUNTANTS  REGARDING  PROJECTIONS.  THE
FORECASTS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/  PROSPECTUS  SOLELY BECAUSE
SUCH INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO DLJMB AND THE OTHER PARTIES  INTERESTED IN
A POTENTIAL  ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY AND TO LAZARD. WHILE PRESENTED WITH
NUMERICAL  SPECIFICITY  THE FORECASTS WERE BASED UPON NUMEROUS  ASSUMPTIONS
RELATING TO  COMMERCIAL  ACCEPTANCE  OF THE  COMPANY'S  PRODUCTS,  INDUSTRY
PERFORMANCE,  GENERAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE BUSINESS OF THE
COMPANY AND OTHER MATTERS, ALL OF WHICH MAY NOT BE REALIZED AND ARE SUBJECT
TO SIGNIFICANT  UNCERTAINTIES AND  CONTINGENCIES,  MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND
THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT RESULTS FORECAST
WILL BE  REALIZED,  AND  ACTUAL  RESULTS  MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN THOSE
ESTIMATED.   SEE   "CAUTIONARY   STATEMENT   CONCERNING    FORWARD--LOOKING
STATEMENTS"  AND "RISK  FACTORS."  NEITHER THE  COMPANY'S  AUDITORS NOR ANY
OTHER  INDEPENDENT  ACCOUNTANTS  HAVE  COMPILED,  EXAMINED OR PERFORMED ANY
PROCEDURES  WITH  RESPECT TO THE  FORECASTS,  NOR HAVE THEY  EXPRESSED  ANY
OPINION  OR  ANY  OTHER  FORM  OF  ASSURANCE  ON  SUCH  INFORMATION  OR ITS
ACHIEVABILITY,   AND  ASSUME  NO  RESPONSIBILITY   FOR,  AND  DISCLAIM  ANY
ASSOCIATION WITH, THE PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL  INFORMATION.  THE INCLUSION OF
THE FORECASTS  HEREIN  SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS AN INDICATION  THAT DLJMB,
MERGERSUB  OR THE COMPANY  CONSIDERS  IT AN ACCURATE  PREDICTION  OF FUTURE
EVENTS. NONE OF DLJMB,  MERGERSUB OR THE COMPANY INTENDS PUBLICLY TO UPDATE
OR  OTHERWISE  PUBLICLY  REVISE  THE  FORECASTS  SET  FORTH  ABOVE  EVEN IF
EXPERIENCE OR FUTURE  CHANGES MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE FORECASTS  WILL NOT BE
REALIZED.

     The  forecasts do not give effect to the Mergers and should be read in
conjunction with "Risk Factors" and "Unaudited  Condensed  Consolidated Pro
Forma  Financial  Data,"  and  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial  Conditions  and  Results  of  Operations"  as set  forth  in the
Company's  1997 Form 10-K and the Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1998,  each of which is incorporated
herein by reference.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

     On January 14, 1997,  Taylor sued one of its principal  competitors in
the yearbook business,  Jostens, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas,  alleging  violations of the federal  antitrust  laws as
well as various claims arising under state law. On May 13, 1998 the jury in
that case awarded  Taylor the amount of $8 million with respect to Taylor's
claim under Section 2 of the Sherman  Antitrust Act, which award is subject
to automatic  trebling to $24 million under the federal antitrust laws, and
an aggregate of $12 million on Taylor's  various  state law claims.  Taylor
has  stipulated  with  Jostens  that the  amount  of legal  fees and  costs
recoverable  by Taylor is $1.225  million  and that the awards on the other
claims  overlap with the award made with  respect to the federal  antitrust
law claim and will not be recoverable  in addition to the $24 million.  The
exact  amount  of the  Taylor  Verdict  will  be  determined  by the  judge
presiding  over the  litigation in the U.S.  District  Court when his final
judgment is rendered.  Jostens has announced  that it will seek to overturn
the Taylor Verdict in post trial motions or on appeal.
    


                                THE MERGERS

BACKGROUND OF THE MERGERS

     In the second  half of 1996,  the  Company  was advised by its largest
stockholder,  Water Street,  that the term of the Water Street  partnership
would  end on June 15,  1997  and that  under  the  partnership  agreement,
Goldman Sachs, as the sole general partner of Water Street, was required to
dispose of or distribute all of the  partnership's  assets, or the proceeds
from the  disposition  thereof,  by June 15, 1998  (although  the  one-year
period could be extended with the consent of a majority of the  partnership
interests in Water  Street).  Given that,  at the time,  Water Street owned
approximately 62% of the Shares,  the Board of Directors was concerned that
the market price of the Shares could be adversely  affected if Water Street
were to  distribute  the  Shares  it  owned  to its  partners  and all or a
substantial  number of the recipients  were to attempt to sell their Shares
in the open market.

   
     In  light of this  concern,  the  Company  retained  Goldman  Sachs in
November 1996 to act as its financial advisor to evaluate various strategic
alternatives to maximize  stockholder value. As noted above,  Goldman Sachs
is  the  general  partner  of  Water  Street,  which  at  that  time  owned
approximately 62% of the Shares. Among the strategic alternatives the Board
of Directors and Goldman Sachs considered at that time were (i) selling the
entire  Company to a single  purchaser,  (ii) selling each of the Company's
operating units  separately and (iii)  refinancing  the Company's  existing
indebtedness, incurring new debt and repurchasing Shares.

     In late 1996  through  early  1997,  Goldman  Sachs,  on behalf of the
Company, identified and contacted a number of prospective buyers to solicit
expressions  of interest in purchasing the Company.  However,  based on the
results of such solicitation, which yielded very few interested buyers, and
none at a price that the Company's  Board of Directors,  relying in part on
the advice of its  financial  advisor,  believed  reflected  the  Company's
value, the Board of Directors  determined that a sale of the entire Company
to a single  purchaser would not maximize  stockholder  value. The Board of
Directors  also  concluded  that  selling each of the  Company's  remaining
operating units  separately  would not maximize  stockholder  value because
individual  sales  would  entail  substantial  transaction  costs and would
result in significant cash tax payments on the realized gains, reducing the
amounts   available  upon   liquidation  to  pay  down  debt  and  to  make
distributions to stockholders.
    

     The Board of Directors decided to effect a repurchase of Shares in the
amount of approximately  $220 million (the "Share  Repurchase").  The Share
Repurchase was consummated on August 12, 1997. In connection with the Share
Repurchase,   the  Company  amended  its  existing  secured   indebtedness,
substituting  the Credit  Facility for the then  existing $155 million term
loan and $130 million revolving credit facility,  and incurred $150 million
in new debt in the form of the Subordinated Notes.

     Following the Share  Repurchase,  a financial buyer that had indicated
an  interest in early 1997 in buying the  Company  (the  "First  Interested
Party"),  initiated  sporadic  discussions with Goldman Sachs and Robert L.
Smialek, the Company's  President,  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the  Board,  regarding  the  possible  purchase  of  all  or a  substantial
percentage of the Company.  These discussions  commenced in September 1997,
and continued intermittently thereafter.

     In December 1997, the Company  received an unsolicited  inquiry from a
second interested party (the "Second  Interested  Party").  Officers of the
Company met with the Second  Interested  Party in December  1997 and made a
presentation  to it of certain public  information  concerning the Company.
The  Company  continued  to have  intermittent  contacts  with  the  Second
Interested Party thereafter.

   
     On February 3, 1998,  representatives of Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette
Inc. and of DLJMB met with the Company's officers. At this meeting, William
F. Dawson,  Jr., a Principal of DLJMB,  disclosed  that DLJMB might have an
interest in  acquiring  the Company and that one purpose of the meeting was
to evaluate the Company's interest in pursuing a potential  transaction and
the  feasibility of various  transaction  structures.  At the conclusion of
this initial meeting,  the parties agreed to continue their discussions and
to permit DLJMB access to additional  information regarding the Company and
its businesses.

     During the week of February 2, 1998,  Mr.  Smialek and Thompson  Dean,
the  Managing  Partner  of DLJMB,  informed  Mr.  O'Toole,  a member of the
Company's  Board of Directors and a Managing  Director of Goldman Sachs, of
DLJMB's  expressed  interest in a potential  transaction  with the Company.
Separately,  Mr. Smialek also updated Mr. O'Toole with respect to the other
two parties' interest in the Company. Mr. O'Toole and Mr. Smialek concluded
that Mr. Smialek should continue his  discussions  with DLJMB and the other
parties.
    

     On February 10,  1998,  Company  officers  met with  Messrs.  Dean and
Dawson.  The principal  purpose of the meeting was to inform DLJMB that the
Company  would  continue  with  discussions  concerning  DLJMB's  potential
interest in acquiring the Company and to discuss  generally the form that a
transaction  might take.  On the same day, the Company had a  substantially
similar meeting with representatives of the Second Interested Party.

     Subsequent to the meeting on February 10, 1998,  DLJMB and the Company
executed a  confidentiality  agreement in  connection  with the delivery to
DLJMB of additional  information  concerning  the Company.  Confidentiality
Agreements with the two other interested parties were already in effect.

     Several meetings or teleconferences  were held over the next two weeks
with  each  of  the  interested   parties,   and  each  was  provided  with
supplemental nonpublic financial information.

   
     On February 27, 1998, the Company's senior  management made a detailed
presentation  to DLJMB at the Company's  offices  concerning  the Company's
businesses,  financial results,  prospects and forecasts. On March 4, 1998,
the senior management of the Company and the operating heads of each of the
Company's  operating  units  met with  the  First  Interested  Party at the
Company's  offices  and  made  a  management  presentation  to it  covering
substantially  the same  material  covered the previous week in the meeting
with  DLJMB.  On March 5, 1998,  Company  management  made a  substantially
identical  presentation at the Company's  offices to the Second  Interested
Party. During the week of March 9, representatives of DLJMB visited each of
the  Company's  significant  manufacturing  operations  and  met  with  the
management  of  each  of  the  Company's   various   business   units.   At
approximately  the same  time,  both DLJMB and the First  Interested  Party
commenced financial, accounting, legal and environmental due diligence.
    

     During the week of March 9, 1998,  Mr.  Smialek  contacted each of the
members of the Board of Directors  to report on the  interest  expressed by
each of the parties  regarding  the Company,  and to make a  recommendation
that the  Company  retain an  independent  investment  banker to assist the
Company in this process.  The Board  concurred,  and Mr. Smialek  contacted
Lazard to discuss retaining Lazard as the Company's  investment  banker. On
March 11,  1998,  Mr.  Smialek  and other  officers  of the Company and the
Company's outside legal advisor,  Fried, Frank, Harris,  Shriver & Jacobson
("Fried Frank"), met with various  representatives of Lazard to discuss the
potential sale transaction and to develop a process and proposed  timetable
subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

     Lazard  recommended,  and  the  Company  agreed,  that a  process  and
timetable  should be developed  for the receipt of potential  bids.  It was
determined that each of the three  interested  parties be informed that its
bid would be due by no later than 12:00  noon on  Friday,  March 20,  1998.
Through  Lazard,  the  Company  advised  each of the three  parties  of the
process,  the fact that there were other potential bidders for the Company,
and the date for receipt of  definitive  offers.  The Company  also decided
that Lazard  should  contact an additional  party that, in early 1997,  had
expressed  an interest in  acquiring  the Company to see whether that party
had any renewed interest in acquiring the Company.  The party was contacted
but declined to participate.

     On March 16, 1998,  Mr. Smialek met with Messrs.  Dean and Dawson,  at
their  request,  to discuss the level of DLJMB's  interest in acquiring the
Company. At that meeting,  DLJMB indicated a possible price range of $40 to
$42 per share,  subject to actually submitting a proposal,  and stated that
any transaction  would need to be effected in a manner so as to qualify for
recapitalization accounting treatment, which would require existing Company
stockholders to retain a continuing  equity  ownership in the Company after
the  consummation  of  the  transaction.  DLJMB  further  stated  that,  as
conditions to its willingness to proceed with the transaction,  and subject
to agreement as to terms and definitive documentation, it would require the
Company  to  agree  to  a  non-solicitation   agreement  with  a  customary
"break-up"  fee, and Water Street to execute a voting  agreement to vote in
favor of the proposed  merger.  DLJMB also  indicated  its desire to retain
current management of the Company in any proposed transaction.

     On March 17 and 18,  1998,  representatives  of the Second  Interested
Party visited each of the Company's significant  manufacturing  operations,
met with the management of each of the Company's  various  business  units,
and were given management  presentations  substantially  identical to those
made to DLJMB during the preceding week.

     The Board of Directors  held a special  meeting by  teleconference  on
March 19,  1998 to receive a status  report on the process and the level of
interest  of the  three  interested  parties.  Each  member of the Board of
Directors  participated in the teleconference,  together with the Company's
senior management and representatives of Lazard and Fried Frank.

     On March 20, 1998, DLJMB submitted an acquisition proposal in the form
of a leveraged recapitalization of the Company at a nominal value of $44.00
per Share in cash and stock of the surviving corporation.  DLJMB's proposal
was subject to, among other things,  the Company's  agreement to a break-up
fee and  reimbursement of expenses in prescribed  circumstances,  and Water
Street's  execution of a satisfactory  voting  agreement.  The high and low
sale  prices per Share as  reported by NASDAQ on March 19, 1998 were $40.50
and $39.75,  respectively.  On March 21, 1998, the Company's management and
financial  advisors  informed  the Board of Directors of the results of the
process and the terms of the DLJMB acquisition proposal.  After considering
the  proposal,  the Board of Directors  approved the  initiation  of formal
discussions  with DLJMB,  but required that the final terms of the proposal
and a  definitive  merger  agreement be submitted to the Board of Directors
for its review prior to execution.

   
     Negotiations between the Company and DLJMB commenced on March 22, 1998
and  continued   until  the  morning  of  March  24,  1998.   During  these
negotiations,  DLJMB agreed to improve the economic  terms of its proposal,
including  increasing  the price to a nominal  value of $44.50  per  Share,
consisting of $42.98 in cash and 0.03419 of a Surviving  Corporation Share.
The terms of the Voting  Agreement were negotiated  separately among DLJMB,
Water Street, and, to a limited extent, the Company.
    

     The Board of  Directors  held a meeting on the  afternoon of March 23,
1998 to receive a status report on the progress of negotiations with DLJMB.
Following the status report,  Lazard presented a valuation  analysis of the
Company,  using various  methodologies.  Based on the status report and the
valuation  analysis,  the Board  reiterated  its interest in  proceeding to
negotiate a transaction with DLJMB.

   
     On the morning of March 24, 1998,  the Board of Directors  convened to
discuss the proposed  transaction  with DLJMB.  All members of the Board of
Directors  participated  either in person or by  conference  call.  Also in
attendance  were  officers of the Company  and  representatives  of Lazard,
Goldman Sachs,  and Fried Frank.  Lazard updated the Board on the status of
negotiations with DLJMB, including a review of the final economic and other
terms of the DLJMB proposal. Counsel then reviewed with the Board the terms
and conditions of the proposed definitive Original Merger Agreement and the
proposed   definitive   Voting   Agreement.   At  the   conclusion  of  the
presentation,  representatives  of  Lazard  provided  the  Original  Lazard
Opinion,  in oral form (subsequently  confirmed in writing),  to the effect
that,  as of that date and based  upon and  subject to the  matters  stated
therein,  the Original  Merger  Consideration  taken as a whole was fair to
holders  of  Shares  (other  than  MergerSub  and  its  affiliates)  from a
financial  point of view.  After the  presentation  from Lazard,  and after
discussion of such matters as the members of the Board of Directors  deemed
relevant,  the  Board of  Directors  unanimously  (i)  determined  that the
Original  Merger  Agreement  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby,
including  the  Mergers,  were  fair to and in the  best  interests  of the
Company's stockholders, (ii) approved the Original Merger Agreement and the
Voting Agreement and the transactions  contemplated thereby,  including the
Mergers, (iii) authorized the execution and delivery of the Original Merger
Agreement  and the Voting  Agreement,  and (iv)  resolved to recommend  the
approval and adoption of the Original  Merger  Agreement and the Mergers to
the stockholders of the Company.

     On May 13,  1998,  the Taylor  Verdict  was  rendered.  Following  the
Company's public announcement of the Taylor Verdict, the Company received a
number of inquiries from stockholders as to whether current stockholders of
the  Company  would be paid  any  portion  of the  proceeds  of the  Taylor
Verdict.  The Company  advised each of the callers that the Original Merger
Agreement did not permit any portion of the proceeds of the Taylor  Verdict
to be paid to current  stockholders  of the Company.

     On May 28, 1998, Mr. Smialek and other members of senior management of
the Company spoke with Messrs.  Dean and Dawson regarding whether the DLJMB
Funds would be prepared to increase the Original  Merger  Consideration  in
light of the Taylor Verdict.  Messrs. Dean and Dawson stated that they were
not  prepared  to respond  at that time and noted  that the  receipt by the
Company of any amount with  respect to the Taylor  Verdict  would not occur
for  several  years  and was  contingent  on the  Company's  prevailing  on
Jostens' post trial motions and appeals.

     On June 3, 1998,  the Board of  Directors  of the Company  convened to
discuss the Taylor  Verdict  and its impact on the  Board's  March 24, 1998
recommendation to the stockholders that the Mergers were fair to and in the
best interest of the  Company's  stockholders.  At that meeting,  the Board
directed  management to request  Lazard to seek an increase of the Original
Merger  Consideration  and also to  request  Lazard to  render  an  updated
opinion as to the fairness,  from a financial point of view, to the holders
of Shares (other than MergerSub and its  affiliates) of the Original Merger
Consideration (or any increase in merger consideration) taken as a whole.

     On June 5, 1998,  following  negotiations between Lazard and Mr. Dean,
Mr. Dean advised  Lazard that the DLJMB Funds were prepared to increase the
Original Merger Consideration by $0.50 per Share in cash.

     On June 8, 1998,  the Board of Directors of the Company  reconvened to
discuss the proposed  increase in the Original Merger  Consideration and to
consider  whether it was the Board's  continued belief that the Mergers are
fair to and in the best  interest of the  Company's  stockholders.  At that
meeting,  Lazard  delivered the Lazard Opinion  (subsequently  confirmed in
writing), to the effect that, as of that date and based upon and subject to
the matters stated therein,  the Merger  Consideration  taken as a whole is
fair to holders of Shares (other than MergerSub and its affiliates)  from a
financial  point of view.  After the  presentation  from Lazard,  and after
discussion of such matters as the members of the Board of Directors  deemed
relevant, the Board of Directors unanimously (i) determined that the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Mergers,
are fair to and in the best interests of the Company's  stockholders,  (ii)
authorized  the  execution  and  delivery of the  Amendment to the Original
Merger  Agreement  providing  for  the  increase  in  the  Original  Merger
Consideration  and (iii) resolved to recommend the approval and adoption of
the Merger Agreement and the Mergers to the stockholders of the Company.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REASONS FOR THE MERGERS

     As discussed  above,  the Board of Directors,  at its meeting on March
24, 1998,  determined  that the Original  Merger  Agreement and the Mergers
were fair to and in the best interests of the  stockholders  of the Company
and  recommended  that the  Company's  stockholders  approve  and adopt the
Original  Merger  Agreement  and the Mergers.  Such action was taken by the
unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.  In its deliberations,  the Board
of Directors  consulted with the Company's legal and financial advisors and
considered a number of factors,  including the following  principal factors
that were material to the Board's decision:
    

   
     1. The oral and  written  presentations  of  Lazard  and the  Original
Lazard Opinion.

     2. The Board's belief that it was unlikely that there were  additional
parties  interested  in  acquiring  the Company or that the  Company  could
obtain a greater  price (which belief was based in part on the fact that in
the past 18 months the Company and its  financial  advisors  had  contacted
what they believed to be the most likely purchasers);

     3. The fact that the  Original  Merger  Consideration  represented  an
approximately  13.4% premium over the average  trading price of a Share for
the 30 trading days preceding March 24, 1998;

     4. The fact that the  Original  Merger  Consideration,  consisting  of
$42.98 in cash and  0.03419 of a  Surviving  Corporation  Share had, in the
Board of Directors' view, an implied aggregate value of between $44 and $45
per share;
    

     5.  The  fact  that  Water  Street,   as  the   beneficial   owner  of
approximately  45% of the outstanding  Shares,  favored the transaction and
had agreed to vote the Water Street Shares in favor of the Mergers pursuant
to the terms of the Voting Agreement;

     6. The fact that the term of the  Water  Street  partnership  ended on
June 15, 1997, and that the partnership agreement required Goldman Sachs to
dispose of or  distribute  all of the  partnership  assets by June 15, 1998
(although  the one-year  period  could be extended  with the consent of the
majority of partnership interests), and that the market price of the Shares
could be adversely affected if the Water Street Shares were sold to a third
party or  distributed  to the partners who might then attempt to sell their
Shares in the open market;

   
     7.  The  terms  and  conditions  of  the  Original  Merger  Agreement,
including  the  "no   solicitation"   provisions  of  the  Original  Merger
Agreement,  the fees and expense reimbursements payable to MergerSub (which
could  require  payments  of  up  to  approximately   $11  million  in  the
aggregate),   the  circumstances  in  which  such  fees  are  payable,  the
termination  provisions of the Original Merger Agreement,  and the terms of
the related Voting Agreement.  The Board of Directors sought to balance the
concerns  of  DLJMB,  which  the Board of  Directors  believed  had made an
attractive  acquisition proposal to the Company conditioned on receipt of a
break-up  fee and  reimbursement  of  expenses  in  certain  circumstances,
against the  likelihood  of there being a  subsequent  better  offer to the
Company's stockholders which might be deterred by such payments.  While the
Merger Agreement prohibits the Company from soliciting  third-party offers,
it allows the Board to fulfill its fiduciary  duties if a third party makes
or expresses interest in making an unsolicited offer, including negotiating
with a third party or furnishing third parties with  information  about the
Company,  and permits the termination of the Merger  Agreement  (subject to
payment of fees and  reimbursement  of expenses) if an offer more favorable
to  stockholders  from a financial point of view than that contained in the
Merger Agreement is received from a third party;
    

     8. The fact  that the  Company's  stockholders  would be  entitled  to
dissent  from the  Reorganization  Merger and  demand  payment of the "fair
value" of their Shares by complying with the applicable requirements of the
DGCL;

     9. The  experience  and  success of DLJMB in  structuring  and closing
transactions  similar to the Mergers,  the strength and favorable  terms of
the financing  commitment letters delivered by DLJMB pursuant to the Merger
Agreement (which Merger Agreement is conditioned on financing) and the fact
that DLJMB has funds available to assist the Company in making acquisitions
and has  expressed a strong  interest in investing in growth  opportunities
for the Company; and

   
     10. The fact that the receipt of an opinion as to the  solvency of the
Surviving  Corporation  upon  consummation of the Mergers is a condition to
the Company's obligation to consummate the Mergers.

     The Board also  considered  the fact that,  if the Mergers took place,
the  Company's  stockholders  would no  longer  be  participating  at their
current  ownership level in the long-term  growth of the Company,  and that
the stockholders  would potentially  suffer from the loss of liquidity for,
and the  potential  delisting  from  NASDAQ of, the  Surviving  Corporation
Shares,  and that the Company would become more highly leveraged,  with the
risks  attendant  substantial  leverage.   See  "Risk  Factors  -  Loss  of
Liquidity" and "Risk Factors - Substantial Leverage."

     As  discussed  above,  following  the  Taylor  Verdict,  the  Board of
Directors  met twice to consider  the impact of the Taylor  Verdict and the
proposed increase in the Original Merger Consideration on the Board's March
24, 1998  recommendation  to the stockholders that the Mergers were fair to
and in the best interest of the Company's  stockholders.  At its meeting on
June 8, 1998, the Board of Directors,  by unanimous  vote,  determined that
the Merger Agreement and the Mergers were fair to and in the best interests
of the  stockholders  of the Company  and  recommended  that the  Company's
stockholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Mergers. In its
deliberations,  the Board of Directors  consulted with the Company's  legal
and financial  advisors and  considered a number of factors,  including the
following principal factors that were material to the Board's decision:

     1. The presentation of Lazard, and the Lazard Opinion described below.
See "The Mergers -- Opinion of  Investment  Banker" for a discussion of the
factors  considered in rendering the Lazard  Opinion.  The Lazard  Opinion,
which  is  subject  to  limitations,  qualifications  and  assumptions,  is
included as Annex B hereto, and should be read in its entirety;

     2. The uncertainty inherent in predicting the outcome of any appeal of
the Taylor  Verdict,  the fact that payment,  if any, of the Taylor Verdict
might not be received  by the Company for a number of years given  Josten's
stated intention to appeal,  and the rate of interest (5.434%) at which the
Taylor Verdict would accrue, by statute, until payment, if any;

     3. The fact that the Taylor Verdict, if received, will be taxed to the
Company at an estimated  combined  effective  federal,  state and local tax
rate of approximately 38% (assuming present tax rates);

     4.  The  fact  that,  if the  Mergers  are  consummated,  the  current
stockholders  of the Company will retain a 10.3%  interest in the Surviving
Corporation  and,  consequently,  will participate in the Taylor Verdict to
the  extent  of their  continuing  ownership  of  shares  in the  Surviving
Corporation; and

     5. The Board's  belief that it was  unlikely  that other  parties were
interested  in  acquiring  the Company or that the Company  could  obtain a
better price for its stock (which belief was based in part on the fact that
the Company had not seen any  significant  increase in its stock price,  or
received any unsolicited third party offers to purchase the Company,  since
the Taylor Verdict was publicly announced).

     The Board also noted that,  pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  (i) if
the holders of a majority of the  outstanding  Shares were to vote  against
the Mergers,  MergerSub would be entitled to reimbursement from the Company
of its  out-of-pocket  fees and  expenses  (including  reasonable  fees and
expenses  of its  counsel)  not to exceed $5  million  (plus an  additional
break-up  fee of $6 million if the Company  were to be  acquired  within 12
months of termination of the Merger  Agreement and the  consideration  paid
exceeded  the  Original  Merger  Consideration),  and  (ii)  if  the  Board
determined  in the exercise of its  fiduciary  duties as advised by counsel
not to recommend the Mergers to the stockholders of the Company,  MergerSub
would have the right (but would not be required)  to  terminate  the Merger
Agreement  and  receive  a  "break-up"   fee  of  $6  million  as  well  as
reimbursement of fees and expenses of up to $5 million.
    

     The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and
given weight by the Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive. In
view of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation
of the Mergers,  the Board of Directors did not find it practicable to, and
did not,  quantify or  otherwise  assign  relative  weights to the specific
factors considered in reaching its determination.  In addition,  individual
members  of the Board of  Directors  may have  given  different  weights to
different factors.

OPINION OF INVESTMENT BANKER

   
     The  Company  retained  Lazard to act as its  investment  banker  with
respect  to the  Mergers.  At a meeting of the Board of  Directors  held on
March 24,  1998,  Lazard  rendered  to the Board of  Directors  orally  the
Original  Lazard  Opinion  (subsequently  confirmed in writing) that, as of
that date and based upon and subject to the  matters  stated  therein,  the
Original Merger  Consideration  taken as a whole was fair to the holders of
Shares (other than MergerSub and its affiliates)  from a financial point of
view. The Board of Directors  subsequently requested that Lazard update the
Original  Lazard  Opinion.  At a meeting of the Board of Directors  held on
June 8, 1998,  Lazard rendered to the Board of Directors  orally the Lazard
Opinion (subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of that date and based
upon and subject to the matters stated  therein,  the Merger  Consideration
taken as a whole was fair to the holders of Shares  (other  than  MergerSub
and its affiliates) from a financial point of view.
    

     The full text of the Lazard Opinion,  which sets forth the assumptions
made,  matters considered and limits of the review undertaken in connection
with the Lazard Opinion,  is attached hereto as Annex B and is incorporated
herein by  reference.  The Lazard  Opinion  was  delivered  to the Board of
Directors for its use in connection with its  consideration  of the Mergers
and does not constitute a recommendation  to any stockholder of the Company
as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger Agreement
or the  Mergers.  The  summary of the Lazard  Opinion  set forth  herein is
qualified  in its  entirety  by  reference  to the full text of the  Lazard
Opinion. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE LAZARD OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY.

   
     In connection with the  preparation of the Lazard Opinion,  Lazard (i)
reviewed the financial terms and conditions of the Merger  Agreement;  (ii)
analyzed certain historical business and financial  information relating to
the Company;  (iii)  reviewed  various  financial  forecasts and other data
provided to Lazard by the Company  relating to its businesses and financial
performance;  (iv) reviewed the  financial  assessment of management of the
Company  with  respect to the Taylor  Verdict;  (v) held  discussions  with
members  of the  senior  management  of the  Company  with  respect  to the
businesses  and  prospects of the Company;  (vi)  reviewed  certain  public
financial  and  stock  market  information  for  certain  other  companies,
although  Lazard did not identify any publicly  traded  companies  which it
deemed to be comparable;  (vii)  reviewed the  historical  stock prices and
trading   volumes  of  the  Shares;   and  (viii)   considered  such  other
information,  financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial,
economic, market and trading criteria that Lazard deemed appropriate.

     In rendering the Lazard Opinion, Lazard assumed that the Mergers would
be consummated on the terms described in the Merger Agreement,  without any
waiver  of any  material  terms  or  conditions  by the  Company,  and that
obtaining any necessary regulatory or third party approvals for the Mergers
will not have an adverse effect on the Company.  The Lazard Opinion did not
address  the  future  trading  value of the  Surviving  Corporation  Shares
following the Mergers.

     In preparing the Lazard  Opinion,  Lazard relied upon the accuracy and
completeness  of the  information  reviewed  by Lazard for  purposes of the
Lazard  Opinion,  and  Lazard did not  assume  any  responsibility  for any
independent  verification of such information or any independent  valuation
or  appraisal  of any of the assets or  liabilities  of the  Company or any
independent financial or other assessment of the Taylor Verdict. Lazard did
not opine or provide any advice  with  respect to the impact of the Mergers
on the  solvency,  viability or  financial  condition of the Company or its
ability to satisfy its  obligations  as they become  due.  With  respect to
financial  forecasts,  Lazard assumed that they were reasonably prepared on
bases  reflecting the best currently  available  estimates and judgments of
the management of the Company as to the future financial performance of the
Company.  With respect to the financial  assessment of the Taylor  Verdict,
Lazard assumed that it has been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the
best  currently  available  estimates  and  judgments of  management of the
Company.  Lazard  expressed  no view as to the  financial  forecasts or the
financial  assessment of the Taylor  Verdict,  or the  assumptions on which
they were  based.  The Lazard  Opinion is  necessarily  based on  economic,
monetary,  market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information
made  available  to  Lazard  as of,  the  date of the  Lazard  Opinion.  In
addition,  the Lazard  Opinion  did not address  the  Company's  underlying
business decision to enter into the Original Merger Agreement or the Merger
Agreement.  Lazard considered the impact of the contemplated liquidation of
Water Street, which beneficially owned approximately 45% of the outstanding
Shares as of June 8, 1998,  and the efforts  undertaken  by the Company and
its advisors  within the 18 months  preceding the execution of the Original
Merger  Agreement  to solicit  third  party  offers to  acquire  all of the
Company.  Lazard was not requested to, and did not, solicit any third party
offers to acquire all or any part of the  Company  other than the one party
previously described in "Background of the Mergers."

     At a meeting of the Board of Directors held on March 23, 1998,  Lazard
presented certain financial analyses,  accompanied by written materials, in
connection with the Original Lazard Opinion.  In addition,  at a meeting of
the Board of  Directors  held on June 8,  1998,  Lazard  presented  certain
financial analyses in connection with the Lazard Opinion.  The following is
a summary of the material  financial and comparative  analyses performed by
Lazard in arriving at the Lazard Opinion.

     Hypothetical   Blended  Valuation  of  Consideration   Received.   The
consideration  to be  received  by holders of Shares  consists of $43.48 in
cash and 0.03378 of a Surviving  Corporation  Share. Since a portion of the
consideration  to be  received by holders of Shares  consists of  Surviving
Corporation Shares,  Lazard analyzed the hypothetical public trading values
for the  Surviving  Corporation  Shares  to be  outstanding  following  the
Effective Time in order to determine the hypothetical  blended valuation of
the consideration to be received.  Lazard analyzed the hypothetical  public
trading  values  for the  Surviving  Corporation  Shares to be  outstanding
following  the  Effective  Time  derived  from an  application  of  various
multiples  to the  Company's  pro  forma  earnings  per share and pro forma
EBITDA  giving  effect to the  Mergers  (based on  projections  prepared by
management  of the Company and  management's  financial  assessment  of the
Taylor   Verdict).   This   calculation   indicated   that   (i)   applying
price-earnings  multiples  ranging from 9.0x to 11.0x to pro forma earnings
per share in 2000 and 2002 and equity  discount rates of 20% and 25% to the
resulting  hypothetical stock price in such years resulted in a net present
value  hypothetical  public market  trading value per share as of March 31,
1998  ranging  from  $39.53 to $63.91 and (ii)  applying  EBITDA  multiples
ranging  from 5.0x to 6.0x to pro forma  EBITDA in 2000 and 2002 and equity
discount rates of 20% and 25% to the resulting  hypothetical stock price in
such years  resulted  in a net present  value  hypothetical  public  market
trading value per share as of March 31, 1998 ranging from $28.66 to $73.64.
Using this  hypothetical  value range,  Lazard  calculated that a holder of
ExistingSub  Shares  receiving  $43.48 in cash and  retaining  0.03378 of a
Surviving  Corporation  Share  for each  ExistingSub  Share  would  receive
consideration  pursuant  to the  Mergers  having a  hypothetical  valuation
ranging from  approximately  $44.50 to $45.50 for each  ExistingSub  Share.
Lazard  noted  that the  actual  future  trading  prices  of the  Surviving
Corporation Shares may be outside the estimated range and will depend upon,
and fluctuate with, changes in interest rates, market conditions, the terms
of financing for the Mergers,  the condition and  prospects,  financial and
otherwise,  of the Surviving  Corporation and other factors which generally
influence  the prices of  securities.  In  addition,  Lazard noted that the
reduced public float of Surviving  Corporation  Shares may adversely affect
the  liquidity of such shares and result in greater  volatility  in trading
prices  following the Effective  Time (in addition to increased  volatility
resulting  from the  increased  leverage of the Surviving  Corporation)  as
compared to trading prices prior to the Effective Time.

     Historical Stock Price Review.  Lazard reviewed information  regarding
historical stock price and trading volume for the Shares. Lazard noted that
between June 5, 1997 and June 5, 1998 the trading  range for the Shares was
from a closing  low of $32.00  per  share to a closing  high of $44.00  per
share.  Lazard  noted that issues  affecting  the  valuation  of the Shares
include, among other things,  extremely limited liquidity,  lack of analyst
coverage,  high  leverage and the small size of the Company and each of its
individual businesses.

     Hypothetical  Public  Trading Value  Analysis.  Lazard  calculated the
hypothetical  public trading values that the Company could attain  assuming
that the  Shares  were to become  widely  distributed  and had  appropriate
research  coverage and trading support from brokerage  houses for a company
of its size.  For the purpose of this  analysis,  Lazard  reviewed  certain
publicly available financial and stock market information  relating to four
selected companies (General Signal Corporation,  Mark IV Industries,  Inc.,
United  Dominion  Industries  Limited  and  U.S.  Industries,   Inc.)  (the
"Selected  Companies"),  which  were  diversified  conglomerates,  although
Lazard did not deem the  Selected  Companies  comparable  to the Company in
that,  among other  things,  each such company has a  substantially  larger
market capitalization and liquidity,  a more conservative capital structure
and significantly  greater analyst coverage than the Company.  The analysis
considered  hypothetical  share  prices for midyear  1999 based on applying
price-earnings  multiples  ranging  from  9.0x to 11.0x  to 1999  estimated
earnings  per  share for the  Company  (based on  projections  prepared  by
management  of the Company and  management's  financial  assessment  of the
Taylor  Verdict) and  discounting  those  projected  midyear 1999 per share
values at equity  discount  rates ranging from 15% to 25%. The  calculation
resulted in a net present value  hypothetical  public market  trading value
per share for a widely distributed stock ranging from $34.58 to $47.90. The
actual future  trading  prices of the Surviving  Corporation  Shares may be
outside the  estimated  range and will depend  upon,  and  fluctuate  with,
changes in interest rates,  market  conditions,  the terms of financing for
the Mergers, the condition and prospects,  financial and otherwise,  of the
Surviving  Corporation  and other  factors  which  generally  influence the
prices of securities.

     Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Lazard derived ranges of implied equity
values  for the  Company  based  upon the  present  value of the  Company's
projected  cash flow for the years 1998 through  2003,  inclusive,  and the
projected 2003 terminal values based upon a range of multiples of projected
2003  EBITDA  and upon a range of free cash flow  perpetual  growth  rates.
Lazard  performed such analysis based on management  projections for both a
base  case  and  a  downside  case  and  based  on  management's  financial
assessment of the Taylor  Verdict.  Lazard  applied  discount rates ranging
from 12.5% to 13.5%, terminal multiples of EBITDA ranging from 5.0x to 5.5x
and free cash flow perpetual  growth rates ranging from 3.5% to 4.0%. Based
on this  analysis,  for the base case Lazard  calculated a range of present
values  of $41.42 to $55.79  per  share and for the  downside  case  Lazard
calculated a range of present values of $26.17 to $39.98 per share.

     Break-up  Value  Analysis.  Lazard  analyzed the  potential  after-tax
proceeds  that were likely to be realized if the Company were to separately
sell its operating units that make up the three  reporting  segments of the
Company. Based on a segment-by-segment valuation, Lazard projected that the
Company's  three lines of business (and its joint  venture  interest in the
Thermalex  joint venture) were likely to yield gross values of between $485
million and $540 million. Lazard also noted that such sales of assets would
necessitate  capital  gains tax payments  ranging from $100 million to $119
million  assuming  standard  rates.  Adjusting for the payment of estimated
taxes on the gains from such  sales,  the  recovery  of the Taylor  Verdict
(based on management's  financial assessment of the Taylor Verdict) and the
repayment  of  existing   indebtedness   (excluding   potential  prepayment
penalties), Lazard projected net cash proceeds to stockholders ranging from
$30.95 to $40.11 per share.

     Leveraged  Buy-Out  Analysis.  Lazard  analyzed the projected range of
values  that  could  likely be  attained  in the sale of the  Company  to a
non-strategic  financial buyer in a highly  leveraged  transaction.  Lazard
assumed that the  acquisition  would be  structured  as a  recapitalization
transaction and would be partially financed by pay-in-kind  increasing rate
notes at a holding company level.  Lazard's  analysis took into account (i)
the gross amount of debt that could be financed based on the projected cash
flows of the Company as implied by recent highly leveraged transactions and
(ii) the amount of additional  equity that a non-strategic  financial buyer
could contribute with the reasonable expectation of making a return ranging
from 20% to 30% per year upon the sale of the  Company  within  five years.
Based on the  projections  of the  Company's  management  and  management's
financial  assessment  of the  Taylor  Verdict,  Lazard  projected  the net
proceeds  that could be  realized  upon the sale of the  Company in 2002 at
values  ranging from 5.0x to 6.0x  projected  2002 EBITDA and 9.0x to 11.0x
projected  2002 net income.  Based on these  projected  exit values for the
Company,  Lazard  estimated that a  non-strategic  financial buyer might be
able to pay a maximum price ranging from $41.50 to $46.50 per share. Lazard
noted  that the  actual  price  which a party  would be willing to pay in a
recapitalization  transaction is dependent on various  factors not included
in this  methodology  and,  therefore,  this  analysis  is not  necessarily
indicative  of  actual  prices  realizable  or of  rates of  return  of the
Surviving Corporation Shares retained in the Mergers, which rates of return
may be more or less  favorable than those  indicated in this analysis,  are
dependent on many contingencies and, therefore, are speculative.
    

     The  summary  set  forth  above  does  not  purport  to be a  complete
description of the analyses  performed by Lazard,  although it is a summary
of the material  financial and comparative  analyses performed by Lazard in
arriving at the Lazard Opinion.  The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process and is not necessarily  susceptible to partial  analysis or
summary  description.  Selecting portions of the analyses or of the summary
set forth above,  without considering the analyses as a whole, could create
an  incomplete  view of the processes  underlying  the Lazard  Opinion.  In
arriving at its fairness  determination,  Lazard  considered the results of
all  such  analyses  and  did not  assign  relative  weights  to any of the
analyses.

   
     The analyses were prepared solely for the purpose of Lazard  providing
the Lazard  Opinion and do not purport to be an  appraisal  or  necessarily
reflect the prices at which businesses or securities  actually may be sold,
which are inherently  subject to uncertainty and may be significantly  more
or less favorable than as set forth in these  analyses.  In connection with
the analyses,  Lazard made, and was provided estimates and forecasts by the
Company's  management  based upon,  numerous  assumptions  with  respect to
industry  performance,  general business and economic  conditions and other
matters,  many of which are beyond the  control of the  Company and Lazard.
Similarly,  analyses  based  upon  forecasts  of  future  results  are  not
necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly
more  or less  favorable  than  suggested  by  such  analyses.  All of such
estimates and forecasts represent the subjective views of the management of
the Company and are based upon  information  then available and assumptions
made as of the time the estimates and forecasts were prepared. Because such
estimates  and  forecasts  are  inherently  subject to  uncertainty,  their
inclusion in this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  should not be regarded as an
indication  that the  Company or Lazard  believes  that  future  results or
actual  values will not be  materially  different  from such  forecasts  or
assumptions.
    

     The opinion and  presentation  of Lazard to the Board of Directors was
only one of many factors taken into consideration by the Board of Directors
in making its determination to approve the Merger  Agreement.  In addition,
the terms of the Merger  Agreement  were  determined  through  negotiations
between the Company and MergerSub and its  affiliates  and were approved by
the Board of Directors.

     The Company selected Lazard to act as its investment banker because of
Lazard's  expertise and  reputation  in investment  banking and mergers and
acquisitions.  Lazard is an internationally  recognized  investment banking
firm and is  continually  engaged in the valuation of businesses  and their
securities  in  connection  with  mergers  and   acquisitions,   negotiated
underwritings,  secondary  distributions of listed and unlisted securities,
private placements, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and valuations for
estate, corporate and other purposes.

     In connection with the services of Lazard as investment  banker to the
Company with  respect to the Mergers,  the Company has agreed to pay Lazard
(i) a fee of $250,000 in connection with its retention as investment banker
to the  Company,  (ii) a fee  of  $500,000  upon  execution  of the  Merger
Agreement and (iii) a fee of $2,000,000  upon  consummation  of the Mergers
(against  which the fees described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence
will be credited).  In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse Lazard
for  its  reasonable   out-of-pocket   expenses  (including  the  fees  and
disbursements of its attorneys) and to indemnify Lazard and certain related
persons against certain  liabilities,  including certain  liabilities under
the federal securities laws, arising out of its engagement.

   
THE DLJMB FUNDS' REASONS FOR THE MERGER

     DLJMB  continuously  evaluates  investment  opportunities  on  both  a
domestic and an  international  basis. As a result of its evaluation of the
Company,  DLJMB concluded that the Company might be an attractive candidate
for a possible  investment by the DLJMB Funds.  The DLJMB Funds based their
decision to proceed with the proposed  transaction  on their  assessment of
the values  inherent in the Company and the  potential  investment  returns
that a transaction of the type ultimately  negotiated and described  herein
could yield for the DLJMB Funds.

THE DLJMB FUNDS' BUSINESS STRATEGY AFTER THE EFFECTIVE TIME

     The Company has been  advised  that,  at the present  time,  the DLJMB
Funds do not contemplate any material  departure from the current operating
plans  of  the  Company.   However,  the  DLJMB  Funds  and  the  Surviving
Corporation's  management will continually evaluate the business strategies
of the  Surviving  Corporation  after the  Effective  Time.  Resources  and
investment  capital will be  allocated  among the  Surviving  Corporation's
various  business  lines in  light  of  prevailing  economic  and  industry
conditions,  with  a  goal  of  maximizing  the  profitability  and  growth
potential of the Surviving  Corporation as a whole. The means for achieving
this goal may include, among other things, acquisitions,  divestitures, and
alterations to the Surviving  Corporation's  various product and geographic
markets. The Company has also been advised that the DLJMB Funds do not have
any present intention of eliminating the minority  interest  represented by
the continuing  interest which the Company's  stockholders will have in the
Surviving Corporation following the Mergers.

MERGER CONSIDERATION

     Under the Merger Agreement, (A) at the Reorganization Merger Effective
Time, each Share outstanding immediately prior to the Reorganization Merger
Effective  Time (other than Shares as to which  appraisal  rights have been
validly  perfected)  will be converted into one  ExistingSub  Share and the
right to receive $0.01 in cash and (B) at the Effective  Time,  each issued
and  outstanding  ExistingSub  Share  will be  converted  into the right to
receive  $43.47 in cash and to retain  0.03378 of a  Surviving  Corporation
Share.  Thus, as a result of the Mergers,  each  stockholder of the Company
immediately prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time (other than
stockholders   who  validly   perfect   their   appraisal   rights  in  the
Reorganization  Merger) will have, in respect of each of his or her Shares,
the  right to (i)  receive  $43.48  in cash and (ii)  retain  0.03378  of a
Surviving  Corporation  Share.  The Company's  existing  stockholders  will
retain (assuming no stockholders  validly perfect appraisal rights), in the
aggregate,   approximately  10.3%  of  the  Surviving   Corporation  Shares
outstanding immediately following the Merger (approximately 9.5% on a fully
diluted basis).

     No certificates or scrip representing fractional Surviving Corporation
Shares  will be issued upon the  surrender  for  exchange  of  certificates
representing  ExistingSub  Shares, and such fractional share interests will
not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder  of
the Surviving  Corporation.  Each  beneficial  owner of ExistingSub  Shares
exchanged  pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to
retain a fraction  of a  Surviving  Corporation  Share  (after  taking into
account all ExistingSub  Shares  delivered by such  beneficial  owner) will
receive,  in lieu thereof,  a cash payment (without interest) equal to such
fraction  multiplied  by $45.00  (inclusive  of the $0.01 to be paid in the
Reorganization Merger).

EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGERS

     The Reorganization  Merger will become effective upon the filing of an
agreement and plan or certificate  of merger with respect  thereto with the
Secretary  of State of the State of  Delaware  or at such  later time as is
specified in such agreement and plan or  certificate of merger.  The filing
of such  agreement and plan or  certificate of merger will occur as soon as
practicable after satisfaction or waiver (if legally permissible) of all of
the  conditions to the Mergers  unless another date is agreed to in writing
by the Company and MergerSub.  The  Reorganization  Merger cannot occur any
earlier than the receipt of the approval by the Company's  stockholders  of
this Merger  Agreement and the Mergers (which  condition may not be waived)
and  the  receipt  by  MergerSub  of the  Merger  Financing.  See  "Certain
Provisions of the Merger  Agreement--Conditions  to the Consummation of the
Mergers."  The Merger  will occur  promptly  following  the  Reorganization
Merger and will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of merger
with respect  thereto with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
Subject to certain  limitations,  the Merger Agreement may be terminated by
either party if, among other reasons, the Mergers have not been consummated
by September 30, 1998.  See "Certain  Provisions of the Merger  Agreement -
Termination."

EFFECT ON STOCK OPTIONS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS

     Immediately  prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time, each
outstanding  Option  granted to  employees  and  directors  of the Company,
whether or not vested, will be canceled. In lieu thereof, immediately prior
to the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time, each holder of an Option will
receive a cash payment  from the Company of the Option Cash  Proceeds in an
amount  equal to (i) the  total  number of Shares  subject  to such  Option
multiplied  by (ii) the excess of $45.00 over the exercise  price per Share
subject to such Option, less any applicable withholding.
    

     Prior to the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective Time, the Company will
(i) use its reasonable  best efforts to obtain any necessary  consents from
holders of Options to the cancellation of the Options in consideration  for
the Option Cash  Proceeds and (ii) make any  amendments to the terms of any
stock option or compensation plans or arrangements  necessary and permitted
to effect the  cancellation  of the  Options.  Payment  may be  withheld in
respect of any Option until any necessary consents are obtained.

     The Merger Agreement provides that, from and after the Effective Time,
subject to applicable law, the Surviving Corporation will cause the Company
and its subsidiaries  to, and the Company and its subsidiaries  will, honor
the obligations of the Company and its  subsidiaries  incurred prior to the
Effective  Time under all of the Company's and its  subsidiaries'  existing
employee benefit plans and benefit arrangements.  In addition, for a period
of at least one year from the Effective  Time,  subject to applicable  law,
the Surviving  Corporation  will cause the Company and its subsidiaries to,
and the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  will,  provide  benefits  to their
employees  which,  in the aggregate,  will be comparable to those currently
provided  by the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  to their  employees.  The
Company will also grant to all persons who are, as of the  Effective  Time,
employees of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries,  past service  credit
for   purposes  of   vesting,   participation,   eligibility   for  benefit
commencement and benefit accrual,  and will, among other things,  waive any
waiting periods,  pre-existing  conditions and actively-at-work  exclusions
with respect to such employees and their dependents under benefit plans and
benefit arrangements  providing medical,  dental or life insurance benefits
after the Effective Time.

   
     The Company has Income  Protection  Agreements with certain  officers,
which  provide  that if an  executive's  employment  is  terminated  by the
Company without cause, or, in certain circumstances  including a "Change in
Control"  as  defined  in  the  Agreements   (which  will  occur  following
consummation  of the Mergers),  by the  executive,  the  executive  will be
entitled to receive certain severance  benefits as follows:  (i) one year's
base salary and target bonus;  (ii) a pro rated bonus for the year in which
employment is terminated;  (iii) continued  participation  in the Company's
benefit plans for the duration of the severance  period;  (iv)  accelerated
vesting  of  all  stock  options  and  stock   appreciation   rights;   (v)
continuation of any rights to  indemnification  from the Company;  and (vi)
certain outplacement  services. The Income Protection Agreements have three
year terms and  automatically  renew for subsequent one year terms,  unless
terminated by either party.

     In December  1996,  the Company  entered  into the Value  Appreciation
Agreement with certain of its officers.  The Value  Appreciation  Agreement
provides that these officers will be entitled to receive a payment from the
Company in certain  circumstances  following a transaction giving rise to a
change in control.  The  payment is  conditioned  on  achieving a threshold
price per Share in any such  transaction  and the amount of the  payment is
determined  based  on the  amount  realized  per  Share  in  excess  of the
threshold price taking into account  increases in the Company's  enterprise
value since December 1996. The Value  Appreciation  Agreement has a term of
two years. If the Mergers are consummated, the aggregate payment payable to
such officers will be $2.6 million.

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     The  following  is a general  summary of  certain  of the  anticipated
material  United States Federal income tax  consequences  of the Mergers to
stockholders  of the  Company.  This  summary  is based  upon the  Internal
Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code"),  applicable  income tax
regulations,  published  rulings,  administrative  pronouncements and court
decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject
to  change  or   differing   interpretations   at  any  time  and  in  some
circumstances  with retroactive  effect.  This summary does not discuss all
aspects of Federal  income  taxation  that may be relevant to a  particular
stockholder in light of the stockholder's particular  circumstances,  or to
certain  types of  stockholders  subject  to  special  treatment  under the
Federal  income  tax  laws  (including,   but  not  limited  to,  financial
institutions,  tax-exempt organizations,  insurance companies, stockholders
who are not U.S.  Holders (as hereinafter  defined),  regulated  investment
companies,   brokers,   dealers,  persons  holding  Shares  as  part  of  a
"straddle,"   "conversion"  or  hedging   transaction,   or  persons  whose
functional  currency  (as  defined in  section  985 of the Code) is not the
United States dollar).  Moreover,  this discussion does not address the tax
treatment  of  stockholders   who  exercise   dissenters'   rights  in  the
Reorganization  Merger,  nor  does  it  address  the tax  treatment  of any
stockholders  who own,  directly,  or indirectly,  an interest in the DLJMB
Funds.  In  addition,  this  summary  does not  consider  the effect of any
foreign,  state,  local or other tax laws,  or any other United  States tax
consequence  other than income tax consequences  (e.g.,  estate or gift tax
consequences),  that may be  applicable to  particular  stockholders.  This
summary  also  assumes  that the Shares are held as  capital  assets.  Each
holder of the Shares should  consult his or her own tax advisor  concerning
the  application  of United  States  Federal  income tax laws to his or her
particular  situation as well as any  consequences  of the Mergers  arising
under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
    

     As used herein,  the term "U.S.  Holder"  means a beneficial  owner of
Shares  that is, for United  States  Federal  income  tax  purposes,  (i) a
citizen or resident of the United States,  (ii) a corporation,  partnership
or other  entity  created or  organized  in or under the laws of the United
States or of any political subdivision thereof,  (iii) an estate the income
of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation  regardless of
its source,  or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary  supervision over the  administration of the trust and one
or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust.

   
     While the  Company  believes  that the  Mergers  will be  treated as a
single integrated transaction for United States Federal income tax purposes
(and the discussion that follows  assumes that this will be the case),  the
treatment of  stockholders  exchanging  Shares in the Mergers is not clear.
This is because it is unclear  whether or not,  for purposes of Section 351
of the Code, the funds  contributed to the equity of MergerSub by the DLJMB
Funds  will  be  treated  as  a  transfer  of  property  to  the  Surviving
Corporation  in  the  Mergers,  so as to  cause  Section  351 to  apply  to
stockholders.

     1.   DLJMB Funds Are not Treated as Transferors  under Section 351. If
          the DLJMB Funds are not treated as  transferring  property to the
          Surviving  Corporation  in the Mergers,  so that Section 351 does
          not apply to the Mergers,  then  stockholders of the Company will
          recognize  capital  gain  or loss  with  respect  to  each  Share
          exchanged  equal to the  difference  between  (i) $43.48 plus the
          fair market  value of the  fraction  of a  Surviving  Corporation
          Share received in exchange for such share (based upon the trading
          price  of an  ExistingSub  Share  at  the  Reorganization  Merger
          Effective  Time)  and (ii) the  stockholder's  tax  basis in such
          Share. Any such gain recognized will, in the case of stockholders
          who are  individuals,  be subject to taxation at reduced rates if
          the  stockholder's  holding  period  for the  Shares  exceeds  12
          months,  subject to further  reduction in the case of Shares held
          for  more  than 18  months.  A  stockholder's  tax  basis in each
          Surviving Corporation Share received in the Mergers will be equal
          to  the  fair  market  value  of  an  ExistingSub  Share  at  the
          Reorganization  Merger Effective Time. The holding period for the
          Surviving   Corporation  Share  will  begin  the  day  after  the
          Reorganization Merger.

     2.   DLJMB Funds Are Treated as Transferors  under Section 351. If the
          DLJMB  Funds  are   treated  for   purposes  of  Section  351  as
          transferring   property  to  the  Surviving  Corporation  in  the
          Mergers,  then the Company  believes that the stockholders of the
          Company  will be  treated  as  transferring  their  Shares to the
          Surviving  Corporation in a transaction  governed by Sections 351
          and 304 of the Code. In such event,  stockholders  will recognize
          gain  or loss  with  respect  to the  percentage  of  each  Share
          exchanged for cash (i.e., the percentage that the cash portion of
          the Merger  Consideration  received by stockholders  bears to the
          total  Merger  Consideration  (approximately  97%))  equal to the
          difference   between  $43.48  and  the  same  percentage  of  the
          stockholder's  tax basis in such Share. As described  above,  any
          such   gain   recognized   will,   in  the  case  of   individual
          stockholders,  be subject to tax at reduced  rates,  depending on
          the  stockholder's  holding  period for the Shares.  Stockholders
          will  not  recognize  any  gain  or  loss  with  respect  to  the
          percentage  of each Share  exchanged  for stock of the  Surviving
          Corporation.   A  stockholder's   tax  basis  in  each  Surviving
          Corporation  Share  received in the Mergers  will be equal to the
          stockholder's  aggregate  tax basis in the portion of each of the
          Shares exchanged for the Surviving Corporation Share. The holding
          period for a Surviving Corporation Share will include the holding
          period of the Shares  exchanged  for such  Surviving  Corporation
          Share.  Although the Company believes that if Section 351 applies
          to the Mergers  the  treatment  described  in this  paragraph  is
          correct,   other  treatment  is  possible  (including   treatment
          pursuant to which losses will not be recognized).

     In sum, under alternative 1 (Section 351 of the Code is not applicable
to the Mergers) a stockholder  will  recognize  100% of any gain or loss in
his or her Shares,  whereas under alternative 2 (Section 351 of the Code is
applicable) a stockholder will recognize only approximately 97% of any gain
or loss in his or her  Shares.  Whether or not  Section  351 of the Code is
applicable to the Mergers is unclear and each  stockholder  should  consult
his or her own tax advisor in this regard.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     The Merger will be accounted for as a  recapitalization  for financial
reporting  purposes.  Accordingly,  the  historical  basis of the Company's
assets and liabilities will not be affected by the transaction.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS
    

     Certain  directors  and  executive  officers  of the  Company may have
interests,  described herein, that present them with potential conflicts of
interest in connection with the Mergers. The Board of Directors is aware of
the conflicts  described below and considered them in addition to the other
matters  described  under  "The  Mergers -  Recommendation  of the Board of
Directors; Reasons for the Mergers."

   
     Certain  officers  of  the  Company,  including  the  Chief  Executive
Officer, have employment and other  employment-related  agreements with the
Company  that provide them with  certain  benefits in  connection  with the
Mergers.  See "The Mergers - Effect on Stock  Options and Employee  Benefit
Matters" and  "Management  Following the Mergers."  Further,  following the
Mergers,  the  Surviving  Corporation  intends  to  enter  into  employment
agreements with certain of the executive officers of the Company;  however,
the terms of these  arrangements have not yet been determined and DLJMB has
not  had   discussions   with  any  executive   officers   concerning  such
arrangements. In addition, the Surviving Corporation intends to establish a
new stock  option plan for members of  management,  although  the terms and
size of the option plan have not been determined and option recipients have
not been identified.

     Immediately  prior to the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective Time, all
Options, whether or not vested, will be canceled and the holders of Options
will receive a cash payment equal to the Option Cash Proceeds. As of June [
], 1998, Options to purchase approximately 607,418 Shares were outstanding.
The Company estimates that the aggregate amount of the Option Cash Proceeds
will be approximately $9.1 million, less applicable withholding taxes.

     In addition,  if the Mergers are  consummated,  certain  officers will
receive  payments  pursuant  to the  Value  Appreciation  Agreement  in the
aggregate amount of $2.6 million,  and certain officers will be entitled to
the  benefits of their  Income  Protection  Agreements  if such  officer is
terminated  from,  or  elects to  terminate,  employment  with the  Company
following  the  Mergers.  See "The  Mergers - Effect on Stock  Options  and
Employee Benefit Matters."

     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Surviving Corporation has agreed
to cause the  Company,  and the Company has agreed,  (a) to  indemnify  all
present  and former  directors  and  officers  of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries  in respect of acts or omissions  occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time, and (b) for six years after the Effective Time, to maintain
directors'  and  officers'   liability   insurance   containing  terms  and
conditions  which are not less favorable to the directors and officers than
those under the policy currently in effect, provided that in satisfying the
aforementioned  obligation,  the  Company  will  not  be  obligated  to pay
premiums in excess of 150% of the amount per annum the Company  paid in its
last full fiscal year preceding the Effective Time. See "Certain Provisions
of the Merger Agreement--Indemnification and Insurance."

     In connection with the Merger Agreement and the Mergers, Goldman Sachs
will  receive  an  investment  banking  fee  of  $2  million,   payable  on
consummation  of the Mergers,  arising out of its engagement in 1996 as the
Company's  financial  advisor  to  assist  the  Company  in its  review  of
strategic alternatives. See "The Mergers--Background of the Mergers."

     ExistingSub  and MergerSub have agreed to enter into the  Registration
Rights Agreement with Water Street, and have agreed, among other things, to
grant  Water  Street  certain  rights  to  registration  of  the  Surviving
Corporation  Shares  retained  by  Water  Street  in the  Merger.  See "The
Mergers--Water Street Registration Rights."

     The following  table sets forth the value of all benefits that will be
received in connection  with the Mergers (i) by Water  Street,  (ii) by the
executive  officers and  directors of the Company as a group,  and (iii) by
each  executive  officer or director of the  Company  that will  receive in
excess of $100,000 in such benefits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Total Benefits(FN1)
                                                                               -------------------
                                  Cash
                                Component                          Value                       Surviving
                                of Merger        Stock Option   Appreciation      Cash        Corporation
                              Consideration       Payment        Agreement     Payments       Shares (FN*)
                              -------------     ------------   ------------   -----------    ---------------
<S>                           <C>               <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>
Water Street (FN2)(FN4)        $81,041,415                $0           $0     $81,041,415        62,962

Executive Officers and
   Directors as a
   Group(3)                     $4,068,250        $6,015,530    $2,272,400    $12,356,180         3,161

Robert L. Smialek               $3,263,870        $4,120,000            $0     $7,383,870         2,536

Terence M. O'Toole/            $81,041,415                $0            $0    $81,041,415        62,962
   Barry S. Volpert (FN4)

James J. Gaffney                  $347,840                $0            $0       $347,840           270

Thomas E. Petry                   $347,840                $0            $0       $347,840           270

Leslie G. Jacobs                   $17,392          $371,780      $384,800       $773,972            14

David A. Kauer                     $34,784          $322,500      $397,800       $755,084            27

Kenneth H. Koch                    $56,524          $317,500      $390,000       $764,024            44

Robert F. Heffron(FN5)              -               $883,750      $678,600     $1,562,350             -

Philip K. Woodlief(FN6)             -                     $0      $421,200       $421,200             -

<FN>

(1)  Does not  include  payments  to  certain  officers  under  the  Income
     Protection  Agreements,  as those  payments  are  owing  only if their
     employment is terminated.

(2)  As noted above,  Goldman  Sachs,  an affiliate of Water  Street,  will
     receive a $2 million investment banking fee.

(3)  Does not include amounts attributed to Messrs. O'Toole and Volpert but
     which are payable to Water Street.

(4)  Water Street owns the shares attributed to Messrs. O'Toole and Volpert
     and will receive the Merger  Consideration  and other benefits  listed
     above.

(5)  Mr. Heffron terminated his employment with the Company on February 24,
     1998 and is no  longer a  reporting  person  under  Section  16 of the
     Exchange  Act.  Consequently,  the  Company  does not know his current
     ownership of Shares.

(6)  Mr. Woodlief terminated his employment with the Company on May 8, 1998
     and is no longer a reporting  person under  Section 16 of the Exchange
     Act. Consequently,  the Company does not know his current ownership of
     Shares.

*    Less  than  1%  of  the  Surviving   Corporation   Shares  outstanding
     immediately following the Mergers, except for Water Street, which will
     own approximately 4.6% of the Surviving Corporation Shares outstanding
     immediately following the Mergers.

</FN>
</TABLE>
    
RESALE OF SHARES FOLLOWING THE MERGER

     The Surviving Corporation Shares to be retained in connection with the
Merger  will be freely  transferable,  except  that  Surviving  Corporation
Shares  retained by any  stockholder who may be deemed to be an "affiliate"
(as defined  under the  Securities  Act and  generally  including,  without
limitation,  directors, certain executive officers and beneficial owners of
10% or more of a class of capital  stock) of the  Company  for  purposes of
Rule 145  under  the  Securities  Act will not be  transferable  except  in
compliance  with the Securities Act. This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  does
not cover resales of Surviving  Corporation  Shares  retained by any person
who may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Company.

WATER STREET REGISTRATION RIGHTS

   
     ExistingSub,  MergerSub  and Water  Street have agreed to enter into a
Registration  Rights Agreement  granting Water Street,  among other things,
the  right to  demand  registration  of the  Surviving  Corporation  Shares
retained  by  Water  Street  in the  Merger  or  thereafter  issued  by the
Surviving  Corporation in respect of such Surviving  Corporation  Shares by
way  of  conversion,   exchange,  stock  dividend,  split  or  combination,
recapitalization,  merger, consolidation, other reorganization or otherwise
(the "Registrable Securities").

     Under the Registration  Rights Agreement,  Water Street is entitled to
require  that  the  Surviving  Corporation  register  some  or  all  of the
Registrable  Securities  for a period  of up to 180  days  (or such  lesser
period  as  is   necessary   to   complete   such   offering)   (a  "Demand
Registration").  Water  Street is limited to one such Demand  Registration,
which it may exercise at any time from the date commencing six months after
the Effective  Time and  continuing  through the first  anniversary  of the
Effective  Time.  In  addition,  pursuant to the terms of the  Registration
Rights Agreement,  for the period commencing six months after the Effective
Time and continuing through the first anniversary of the Effective Time, if
the Surviving  Corporation proposes to file a registration  statement under
the Securities Act with respect to any offering of (or including) Surviving
Corporation Shares (other than certain registrations  relating to Surviving
Corporation  Shares issued in certain business  combinations or pursuant to
certain  employee  benefit  plans),  then the  Surviving  Corporation  will
provide Water Street an opportunity to register its Registrable  Securities
on the same  terms and  conditions  (a  "Piggyback  Registration").  To the
extent  any  affiliates  of  Water  Street  may hold or  acquire  Surviving
Corporation Shares, such affiliates will be permitted to participate in any
registration  contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement on the same
terms as Water Street.

     In connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback  Registration,
the Surviving  Corporation will be responsible for all expenses incurred in
connection with such registration,  except that Water Street (or such other
participating  holders,  if any)  will pay any  underwriting  discounts  or
commissions  that  may be  payable  in  connection  with  the  sale  of its
Registrable  Securities.   In  addition,  the  Surviving  Corporation  will
indemnify Water Street and the underwriters and each of their employees and
affiliates  against certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities under the
Securities Act, or will contribute to payments Water Street may be required
to make in respect thereof.  The Registration Rights Agreement  terminates,
except  with  respect to rights to  indemnification,  upon the  earliest to
occur  of  the  sale  of  all  of the  Registrable  Securities,  the  first
anniversary of the Effective Time and the mutual consent of the parties.

     The foregoing  summarizes the material  provisions of the Registration
Rights  Agreement,  but does not purport to be complete  and is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the text of the Registration
Rights Agreement.

MERGER FINANCING

     The total  amount of cash  required  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement,  including  payment  of  the  cash
component  of the Merger  Consideration,  the  Option  Cash  Proceeds  (and
applicable  withholding  taxes),  and  transaction  fees  and  expenses  is
estimated to be  approximately  $208.5 million.  Such amount will be funded
with (i) the issuance by MergerSub of either (x) Discount  Notes which will
generate gross proceeds to MergerSub of  approximately  $110 million or (y)
$110  million of the Bridge  Notes to DLJ Bridge  Finance,  Inc.,  (ii) the
issuance  by  MergerSub  to DLJMB and the other  DLJMB  Funds,  and,  it is
expected,  to  CVC,  for  aggregate  consideration  of  $54,999,990.00,  of
1,222,222 shares of MergerSub Stock and Warrants to purchase 110,453 shares
of MergerSub  Stock at an exercise  price of not less than $0.01 per share,
and (iii)  approximately  $42.8 million of new borrowings  under the Credit
Facility.  Set forth below is a  description  of the  general  terms of the
Merger Financing:

     .    MergerSub  expects to issue  Discount  Notes which will  generate
          gross  proceeds to  MergerSub  of  approximately  $110 million to
          qualified  institutional  investors in the United States pursuant
          to Rule 144A  under the  Securities  Act and  outside  the United
          States in accordance  with Regulation S under the Securities Act.
          The specific  terms and  conditions  of the  Discount  Notes will
          depend   on   market   conditions   at  the  time  of   issuance.
          Nevertheless, it is expected that the Discount Notes will contain
          (i) a right to require the Surviving Corporation (as successor to
          MergerSub in the Merger) to repurchase  those  securities  upon a
          change of control of the Surviving Corporation and (ii) customary
          covenants that will, among other things, limit the ability of the
          Surviving  Corporation and certain of its  subsidiaries to: incur
          indebtedness or liens, make payments in respect of capital stock,
          sell  assets  and  engage in  mergers,  consolidations  and other
          extraordinary  transactions.  MergerSub  has retained  Donaldson,
          Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation,  an affiliate of DLJMB,
          to manage the placement of these securities.

     .    If MergerSub is unable to consummate the issuance and sale of the
          Discount  Notes on acceptable  terms due to market  conditions or
          otherwise,  DLJ Bridge  Finance,  Inc. has committed,  subject to
          certain terms and  conditions,  to purchase up to $110 million of
          the Bridge  Notes.  The sale of the Bridge  Notes by MergerSub to
          DLJ  Bridge   Finance,   Inc.  is  expected  to  be  exempt  from
          registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The Bridge
          Notes would initially  accrue interest at the prime rate plus 300
          basis  points and would  contain  terms and  conditions  that are
          customary  for  securities of this nature.  If MergerSub  were to
          issue  the  Bridge  Notes  to DLJ  Bridge  Finance,  Inc.,  it is
          contemplated that,  subject to prevailing market conditions,  the
          Surviving  Corporation  (as successor to MergerSub in the Merger)
          would refinance these  obligations at the earliest  possible time
          with securities  substantially  similar to the Discount Notes. If
          the Surviving Corporation is unable to refinance the Bridge Notes
          within one year,  holders of the Bridge Notes will be entitled to
          receive  warrants  to  purchase  a  percentage  of the  Surviving
          Corporation  Shares that will  increase  from 0.50% to 10.0% on a
          fully diluted basis for each 90-day period  between the first and
          the third  anniversaries  of the  Effective  Time that the Bridge
          Notes remain outstanding.

     .    MergerSub will issue 1,222,222  shares of MergerSub Stock and the
          Warrants for aggregate consideration of $54,999.990.00.  Although
          no  preliminary or definitive  agreement has been  executed,  the
          DLJMB  Funds  expect  that,  of the  foregoing  equity,  CVC will
          purchase  MergerSub  Stock in an amount which when converted into
          Surviving  Corporation Shares in the Merger will give CVC a 19.6%
          interest in the Surviving  Corporation,  and the DLJMB Funds will
          purchase the balance of the equity. See "Risk  Factors--Potential
          Dilution  of  Company  Stockholders,"   "Description  of  Company
          Capital   Stock--Capital  Stock  of  the  Surviving   Corporation
          Following the Merger," and "MergerSub".

     .    Subject  to the  receipt of a waiver  under the  Credit  Facility
          discussed  below,  it is anticipated  that the Company will incur
          $42.8 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility. The Credit
          Facility  provides for $200 million of total  borrowing  capacity
          under which $117.5 million was drawn as of March 31, 1998.

     .    The Merger will constitute an Event of Default under the terms of
          the  Credit  Facility,   and  will  also  require  the  Surviving
          Corporation  to make an  Offer to  Purchase  (as  defined  in the
          indenture  relating  to the  Subordinated  Notes)  for all of the
          outstanding   Subordinated  Notes  at  101%  of  their  aggregate
          principal amount, plus accrued interest. There is an aggregate of
          $150 million principal amount of Subordinated  Notes outstanding.
          It is  anticipated  that the  Company  and its lender  banks will
          amend the Credit Facility (which  amendment will include a waiver
          of the Event of Default  under the Credit  Facility and the right
          to acquire a limited amount of Subordinated Notes pursuant to the
          Offer to Purchase)  and that the Credit  Facility as amended will
          remain   outstanding   after  the  consummation  of  the  Merger.
          Financial  covenants have not been  determined in connection with
          the  amendment  to the  Credit  Facility  but should be usual and
          customary  for credit  facilities of this type and will include a
          leverage  ratio,  an interest  coverage  ratio and a fixed charge
          coverage ratio. The Credit Facility currently  restricts and will
          continue  to  restrict,  after  the  Effective  Time,  additional
          indebtedness   (beyond   certain   specific   limits),    capital
          expenditures, and further pledge or sale of assets of the Company
          or  any  of  its  wholly  owned   subsidiaries.   It  is  further
          anticipated  that,  based  on the  current  market  price  of the
          Subordinated  Notes, the holders of the  Subordinated  Notes will
          not require the Company to repurchase their Subordinated Notes in
          such Offer to  Purchase.  However,  DLJ Capital  Funding Inc. has
          committed to lend (pursuant to the Backstop  Facility) up to $350
          million  to the  Company,  which the  Company  believes  would be
          sufficient,  if the banks were to require repayment of the Credit
          Facility or any holders of Subordinated Notes were to require the
          Company to repurchase their Subordinated Notes as a result of the
          Merger.
    

                 CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

     The  following  summarizes  the  material  provisions  of  the  Merger
Agreement,  a  copy  of  which  is  attached  as  Annex  A  to  this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.  Such summary
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement.

THE MERGERS AND THE MERGER CONSIDERATION

   
     General.  The  transactions  contemplated by the Merger Agreement will
take place as  follows:  The Merger  Agreement  provides  for,  among other
things,  the  formation  by  ExistingSub  of  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary,
ReorgSub,  to be followed by the Reorganization Merger of ReorgSub with and
into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation.
Pursuant  to  the   Reorganization   Merger,  (A)  each  Share  issued  and
outstanding  immediately prior to the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time
(other  than  Shares  as  to  which  appraisal  rights  have  been  validly
perfected)  will be converted into (i) one  ExistingSub  Share and (ii) the
right to  receive  $0.01 in cash and (B) each  share of common  stock,  par
value $0.001 per share,  of ReorgSub  will be  converted  into one share of
common stock of the corporation surviving the Reorganization  Merger. Thus,
as a result  of the  Reorganization  Merger,  (A) each  stockholder  of the
Company  immediately  prior to the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective  Time
(other  than  holders  of Shares  as to which  appraisal  rights  have been
validly  perfected) will have his or her interest in the Company  converted
into the same proportionate interest in ExistingSub,  except for changes in
interest  resulting  from  the  valid  perfection  by  any  stockholder  of
appraisal  rights,  and (B)  ExistingSub,  instead of being a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the Company,  will become the parent of, and will own all of
the   outstanding   stock  of,  the   Company.   Promptly   following   the
Reorganization  Merger,  the  Merger  will take  place,  pursuant  to which
MergerSub will merge with and into ExistingSub with ExistingSub  continuing
as the  Surviving  Corporation.  Pursuant to the Merger,  each  ExistingSub
Share issued and outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time will
be converted  into the right to (i) receive  $43.47 in cash and (ii) retain
0.03378 of a Surviving  Corporation Share. Cash will be paid in lieu of any
fractional  Surviving  Corporation Share. Thus, as a result of the Mergers,
each  stockholder of the Company  immediately  prior to the  Reorganization
Merger  Effective Time (other than a holder who validly perfects his or her
appraisal  rights in the  Reorganization  Merger) will have,  in respect of
each of his or her Shares, the right to (i) receive $43.48 in cash and (ii)
retain 0.03378 of a Surviving  Corporation  Share.  The Company's  existing
stockholders   will  retain  (assuming  no  stockholders   validly  perfect
appraisal  rights in connection  with the  Reorganization  Merger),  in the
aggregate,   approximately  10.3%  of  the  Surviving   Corporation  Shares
immediately  following  the Merger  (approximately  9.5% on a fully diluted
basis).

     Immediately  prior to the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time, each
outstanding Option will be canceled,  and, in lieu thereof,  each holder of
an Option will  receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of
(x) the excess, if any, of $45.00 over the exercise price of the Option and
(y)  the  number  of  Shares  subject  to  the  Option,   less   applicable
withholding.  See "The  Mergers  - Effect  on Stock  Options  and  Employee
Benefit  Matters"  and "The  Mergers -  Conflicts  of  Interest  of Certain
Persons."
    

PROCEDURES FOR EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

     At the  Reorganization  Merger Effective Time, each outstanding  Share
(other  than  Shares  as  to  which  appraisal  rights  have  been  validly
perfected)  will be converted into one  ExistingSub  Share and the right to
receive $0.01 in cash.  However,  the certificates  representing the Shares
will continue to represent  ExistingSub Shares since the conversion will be
on a one-for-one  basis and since the Merger will occur  promptly after the
Reorganization  Merger,  pursuant  to  which  ExistingSub  Shares  will  be
converted  at the  Effective  Time  into the right to  receive  cash and to
retain Surviving Corporation Shares.

   
     MergerSub  has retained  National  City Bank to act as Exchange  Agent
following the Effective  Time.  As soon as  practicable  as of or after the
Effective  Time,  the  Surviving  Corporation  will send, or will cause the
Exchange  Agent  to  send,  a  letter  of  transmittal  to each  holder  of
ExistingSub  Shares.  The letter of transmittal  will contain  instructions
with  respect to the  surrender of Share  certificates  in exchange for the
$43.48   cash   component   of  the  Merger   Consideration,   certificates
representing  Surviving Corporation Shares to be retained in the Merger and
cash, if any, in lieu of any fractional interest in a Surviving Corporation
Share.

     STOCKHOLDERS   OF  THE  COMPANY   SHOULD  NOT   FORWARD   THEIR  STOCK
CERTIFICATES  TO THE EXCHANGE  AGENT UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.

     Upon  surrender to the Exchange Agent of  certificates  which prior to
the Effective Time represented ExistingSub Shares and acceptance thereof by
the Exchange Agent,  each holder of such outstanding  certificates  will be
entitled to the amount of cash into which the number of ExistingSub  Shares
previously represented by the certificates  surrendered have been converted
pursuant to the Merger Agreement and a certificate  representing the number
of full Surviving  Corporation  Shares to be retained by the holder thereof
pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement.  The  Exchange  Agent will  accept such
certificates  upon compliance with such reasonable  terms and conditions as
the  Exchange  Agent may  impose to effect an orderly  exchange  thereof in
accordance with normal exchange practices.  After the Reorganization Merger
Effective  Time,  there will be no further  transfer  on the records of the
Company or its  transfer  agent of  certificates  representing  the Shares.
After the Effective Time, there will be no further transfer of certificates
representing  ExistingSub  Shares  in the  records  of  ExistingSub  or its
transfer agent and if such  certificates  are presented to ExistingSub  for
transfer,  they will be canceled  against delivery of cash and certificates
for Surviving  Corporation Shares. Until surrendered as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, each certificate for ExistingSub Shares will be deemed at
any time after the  Effective  Time to represent  only the right to receive
upon such surrender the Merger  Consideration.  No interest will be paid or
will accrue on the cash  component  of the Merger  Consideration  or on the
cash  in  lieu  of  any  fractional   Surviving   Corporation  Shares.  Any
stockholder may request that the cash component of the Merger Consideration
payable to him or her be paid by wire  transfer  of  immediately  available
funds.
    

     No certificates or scrip representing fractional Surviving Corporation
Shares  will be issued upon the  surrender  for  exchange  of  certificates
representing  ExistingSub  Shares, and such fractional share interests will
not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights as a stockholder  of
the Surviving  Corporation.  Each  beneficial  owner of ExistingSub  Shares
exchanged  pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to
receive a fraction  of a Surviving  Corporation  Share  (after  taking into
account all ExistingSub  Shares  delivered by such  beneficial  owner) will
receive,  in lieu thereof, a cash payment (without  interest)  representing
such  same  fraction  of $45.00  (inclusive  of the $0.01 to be paid in the
Reorganization Merger).

     If any portion of the Merger  Consideration  is to be paid to a person
other than the registered holder of the ExistingSub  Shares  represented by
the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor, it will be a condition to
such payment that the  certificate so  surrendered be properly  endorsed or
otherwise  be in proper form for  transfer  and that the person  requesting
such payment pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes required
as a result of such payment to a person other than the registered holder of
such  ExistingSub  Shares or establish to the  satisfaction of the Exchange
Agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

     To prevent backup U.S. federal income tax withholding  equal to 31% of
the gross proceeds (i.e.,  Surviving  Corporation  Shares and cash) payable
pursuant to the Mergers,  each Company  stockholder  who does not otherwise
establish an  exemption  from backup  withholding  must notify the Exchange
Agent of such  stockholder's  correct  taxpayer  identification  number (or
certify that such  taxpayer is awaiting a taxpayer  identification  number)
and provide  certain other  information by completing,  under  penalties of
perjury,  a  Substitute  Form W-9 that will be  included  in the  letter of
transmittal.  Noncorporate  foreign  stockholders should generally complete
and sign a form W-8,  Certificate of Foreign Status, a copy of which may be
obtained from the Exchange Agent, in order to avoid backup withholding.

     Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange
Agent  pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement  that  remains  unclaimed  by the
holders of  ExistingSub  Shares six months after the Effective Time will be
returned to the Surviving Corporation,  upon demand, and any holder who has
not exchanged his or her ExistingSub Shares for the Merger Consideration in
accordance  with the  Merger  Agreement  may  thereafter  look  only to the
Surviving Corporation for payment of the Merger Consideration in respect of
his or her ExistingSub Shares. The Surviving Corporation will not be liable
to any  holder  of  ExistingSub  Shares  for any  amount  paid to a  public
official  pursuant  to  applicable  abandoned  property  laws.  Any amounts
remaining  unclaimed by holders of  ExistingSub  Shares two years after the
Effective Time (or such earlier date immediately prior to such time as such
amounts would otherwise  escheat to or become property of any  governmental
entity)  will,  to the  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  become the
property  of the  Surviving  Corporation  free and  clear of any  claims or
interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

     Shares which are held by a  stockholder  of record who has delivered a
written  demand for appraisal of such Shares in the manner  provided by the
DGCL ("Dissenting  Shares"),  will not be converted into ExistingSub Shares
and the right to receive in cash $0.01 per Share  (and,  accordingly,  will
not receive the Merger  Consideration upon consummation of the Mergers) and
the holder  thereof will be entitled  only to such rights as are granted by
Section  262 of the DGCL.  Each  holder of  Dissenting  Shares who  becomes
entitled to payment for such  Dissenting  Shares pursuant to Section 262 of
the DGCL will receive payment  therefor from the Surviving  Corporation (on
behalf of the Company) in accordance with the DGCL; provided, however, that
(i) if any such holder of  Dissenting  Shares fails to establish his or her
entitlement  to  appraisal  rights as  provided in Section 262 of the DGCL,
(ii) if any such holder of Dissenting Shares  effectively  withdraws his or
her  demand  for  appraisal  of such  Shares  or loses  his or her right to
appraisal  and payment for his or her Shares under  Section 262 of the DGCL
or (iii) if neither the Surviving  Corporation nor any holder of Dissenting
Shares has filed a petition  demanding a determination  of the value of all
Dissenting Shares within the time provided in Section 262 of the DGCL, such
holder will forfeit the right to appraisal of his or her Dissenting  Shares
and each such Dissenting  Share will be converted into the right to receive
the Merger Consideration.  The Company will give MergerSub prompt notice of
any demands received by the Company for appraisal of Shares,  and MergerSub
will have the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with
respect  to such  demands.  The  Company  will not,  except  with the prior
written  consent of MergerSub,  make any payment with respect to, or settle
or offer to settle,  any demands  received by the Company for  appraisal of
Shares. Under the DGCL, holders of ExistingSub Shares do not have statutory
appraisal rights in respect of the Merger.

THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

     The Certificate of Incorporation of ExistingSub in effect  immediately
prior  to the  Effective  Time  will  be  amended  and  restated  as of the
Effective Time, as set forth in Exhibit A to the Merger Agreement, which is
included in Annex A attached hereto, and, as so amended and restated,  will
be the  certificate of  incorporation  of the Surviving  Corporation  until
amended in  accordance  with  applicable  law.  The bylaws of  MergerSub in
effect  at  the  Effective  Time  will  be  the  bylaws  of  the  Surviving
Corporation until amended in accordance with such bylaws or applicable law.
From and after the Effective Time,  until their successors are duly elected
or appointed  and  qualified in  accordance  with  applicable  law, (a) the
directors of MergerSub at the  Effective  Time will be the directors of the
Surviving Corporation, and (b) the officers of the Company at the Effective
Time will be the officers of the  Surviving  Corporation.  See  "Management
Following the Mergers."

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties
of the Company  relating,  with  respect to the Company,  ExistingSub,  and
other  Company  subsidiaries,  to, among other  things,  (a)  organization,
standing and similar corporate matters;  (b) the authorization,  execution,
delivery,  performance and enforceability of the Merger Agreement;  (c) the
need for only specified governmental authorization;  (d) the ability of the
Company  and  ExistingSub  to  execute,  deliver  and  perform  the  Merger
Agreement and to consummate the contemplated transactions without violating
or conflicting with certain laws and agreements;  (e) the capital structure
of the Company and its  subsidiaries;  (f)  documents  filed by the Company
with the Commission and the accuracy of information  contained therein; (g)
the  Company's  financial  statements;  (h)  the  accuracy  of  information
supplied by the Company in connection with this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
and documents  filed by MergerSub with the  Commission;  (i) the absence of
certain  changes  or  events  since  the  date of the most  recent  audited
financial statements filed with the Commission,  including material adverse
changes with respect to the Company and the absence of material undisclosed
liabilities;  (j) the absence of undisclosed pending or threatened material
litigation;  (k) filing of tax returns  and  payment of taxes;  (l) benefit
plans and other  matters  relating  to ERISA and  employment  matters;  (m)
certain labor matters and compliance with  applicable  laws; (n) possession
of required  licenses and  permits;  (o) brokers'  fees and  expenses;  (p)
ownership of or rights to use  intellectual  property of the Company or its
subsidiaries;  (q) the stockholder  vote necessary to approve and adopt the
Merger  Agreement and the Mergers;  and (r) compliance  with  environmental
laws.

     The Merger  Agreement  also  contains  customary  representations  and
warranties of MergerSub  relating to, among other things, (a) organization,
standing and similar corporate matters;  (b) the authorization,  execution,
delivery,  performance  and  enforceability  of the  Merger  Agreement  and
related   matters;   (c)  the   need  for   only   specified   governmental
authorization; (d) the ability of MergerSub to execute, deliver and perform
the  Merger  Agreement  and to  consummate  the  contemplated  transactions
without violating or conflicting with certain laws and agreements;  (e) the
accuracy of information supplied by MergerSub in connection with this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  and accuracy of each document required to be filed by
MergerSub with the Commission in connection with the Mergers;  (f) brokers'
fees  and  expenses;  (g)  financing  commitments  in  connection  with the
Mergers;  (h) MergerSub's capital structure;  and (i) MergerSub's belief as
to the  availability  of the Merger  Financing,  as to the  solvency of the
Surviving  Corporation after consummation of the transactions  contemplated
by the Merger  Agreement  and as to the  availability  of  recapitalization
accounting treatment for the Merger.

CERTAIN PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

     Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  the Company has agreed that, prior
to the  Effective  Time,  without the prior  written  consent of  MergerSub
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Board of Directors will not
approve or  authorize  any  action  that would  allow the  Company  and its
subsidiaries  to carry on their  respective  businesses  other  than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or any action
that would  prevent  the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  from using  their
reasonable  best efforts to (a)  preserve  intact  their  present  business
organization, (b) maintain in effect all material licenses and permits, (c)
keep  available  the  services of their  respective  key  officers  and key
employees and (d) maintain  satisfactory  relationships with their material
customers,   lenders,   suppliers  and  others  having  material   business
relationships  with them. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement, without the prior
written consent of MergerSub (which cannot be unreasonably withheld), prior
to the  Effective  Time,  the  Board of  Directors  will  not,  nor will it
authorize or direct the Company or any  subsidiary  to, among other things:
(i) adopt any change in its certificate of  incorporation  or bylaws;  (ii)
except  pursuant to existing  agreements  or  arrangements  (A) acquire any
material business  organization,  or dispose of a material  subsidiary or a
material amount of assets (excluding inventory) or securities; (B) transfer
any rights of material  value,  except in the ordinary  course of business,
consistent  with past  practices;  (C) modify in any  material  respect any
existing material contract or other document, except in the ordinary course
of  business,  consistent  with  past  practices;  (D)  except to refund or
refinance  commercial  paper or with respect to  borrowings in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices,  incur, assume or prepay
any amount of  long-term  or  short-term  debt;  (E) become  liable for the
obligations of any other person, except in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past  practices;  (F) make any loans to, or investments in,
any other  person,  except in the ordinary  course of business,  consistent
with  past  practices;  or  purchase  any  property  or assets of any other
entity,  except in the ordinary  course of business,  consistent  with past
practices;  (G) enter into any  interest  rate,  currency  or other swap or
derivative  transaction,  other than in the  ordinary  course of  business,
consistent with past practices,  and for bona fide hedging purposes; or (H)
except for capital expenditures  provided for in the Company's 1998 capital
budget, incur any capital expenditure, individually or in the aggregate, in
excess of $3,000,000;  (iii) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its
capital stock, declare or pay any dividend in respect of its capital stock,
other than cash  dividends by a wholly owned  subsidiary  of the Company to
the  Company  or to a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  or in the case of a joint
venture  vehicle,  pro-rata  to all equity  holders  thereof,  or redeem or
otherwise   acquire  any  of  its  securities  or  any  securities  of  its
subsidiaries  except pursuant to the Reorganization  Merger;  (iv) adopt or
amend any employee  benefit plan or arrangement,  or increase in any manner
the compensation or fringe benefits of any director, officer or employee or
pay any benefit not required by any existing  plan or  arrangement  (except
for normal actions in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practices and that, in the aggregate,  do not result in a material increase
in  benefits  or  compensation  expense  to  the  Company  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries);  (v)  revalue  in any  material  respect  any of its  assets
(except as required by law or generally  accepted  accounting  principles);
(vi) pay or satisfy any material  claims other than in the ordinary  course
of business,  consistent with past  practices;  (vii) make any tax election
inconsistent  with past  practices,  or settle or  compromise  any material
income tax  liability;  (viii) take any action  other than in the  ordinary
course of business  and  consistent  with past  practices  with  respect to
accounting policies or procedures; or (ix) agree or commit to do any of the
foregoing.

NO SOLICITATION OF TRANSACTIONS

   
     The Merger Agreement  provides that neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries  will (a)  solicit,  initiate or take any action  knowingly to
facilitate the submission of inquiries,  proposals or offers from any Third
Party  relating  to (i) any  acquisition  or purchase of 20% or more of the
consolidated  assets of the Company and its  subsidiaries or 20% or more of
any class of equity securities of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries
whose assets,  individually or in the aggregate,  constitute 20% or more of
the consolidated assets of the Company,  (ii) any tender offer (including a
self tender offer) or exchange  offer that if  consummated  would result in
any  Third  Party  beneficially  owning  20% or more of any class of equity
securities  of  the  Company  or  any of  its  subsidiaries  whose  assets,
individually   or  in  the  aggregate,   constitute  20%  or  more  of  the
consolidated  assets  of the  Company,  (iii)  any  merger,  consolidation,
business combination,  sale of substantially all assets,  recapitalization,
liquidation,  dissolution or similar  transaction  involving the Company or
any of its  subsidiaries  whose assets,  individually  or in the aggregate,
constitute 20% or more of the consolidated  assets of the Company,  or (iv)
any other  transaction the  consummation of which would or could reasonably
be expected to impede,  interfere  with,  prevent or  materially  delay the
Merger (collectively,  "Acquisition Proposals"), or agree to or endorse any
Acquisition  Proposal,  (b) enter into or participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding any of the foregoing,  or furnish to any Third Party
any information with respect to its business, properties or assets in order
to  facilitate  or encourage any effort or attempt by any Third Party to do
or seek any of the  foregoing,  or otherwise  cooperate in any way with, or
knowingly assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage,  any effort or
attempt by any Third Party to do or seek any of the foregoing, or (c) grant
any waiver or  release  under any  standstill  or  similar  agreement  with
respect  to any class of equity  securities  of the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries;  provided,  however, that the foregoing will not prohibit the
Company  from  (i)  furnishing   information  pursuant  to  an  appropriate
confidentiality  letter  (which  letter will not be less  favorable  to the
Company in any material  respect than the  Confidentiality  Agreement and a
copy of  which  will be  provided,  for  informational  purposes  only,  to
MergerSub with the name of the Third Party redacted) concerning the Company
to a Third  Party  who has  made a bona  fide  Acquisition  Proposal,  (ii)
engaging in discussions or  negotiations  with a Third Party who has made a
bona fide  Acquisition  Proposal,  (iii)  following  receipt of a bona fide
Acquisition Proposal,  taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position
contemplated  by Rule  14e-2(a)  or Rule 14d-9  under the  Exchange  Act or
otherwise making disclosure to its stockholders,  (iv) following receipt of
a bona  fide  Acquisition  Proposal,  failing  to  make or  withdrawing  or
modifying its recommendation  with respect to the Mergers and/or (v) taking
any non-appealable,  final action ordered to be taken by the Company by any
court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  but in each  case  referred  to in the
foregoing  clauses  (i)  through  (iv) only to the extent that the Board of
Directors  has  concluded in good faith on the basis of advice from outside
counsel  that the failure to take such action  would  result in a breach of
the fiduciary  duties of the Board of Directors to the  stockholders of the
Company under  applicable  law;  provided,  further,  that (A) the Board of
Directors will not take any of the foregoing actions referred to in clauses
(i) through (iv) until after reasonable notice to MergerSub with respect to
such  action,  and (B) if the Board of  Directors  receives an  Acquisition
Proposal, to the extent it may do so without breaching its fiduciary duties
as advised by counsel and as determined in good faith and without violating
any of the conditions of such Acquisition  Proposal,  then the Company will
promptly inform  MergerSub of the terms and conditions of such proposal and
the identity of the person  making it. The Company has agreed in the Merger
Agreement to immediately  cease,  and cause its advisors,  agents and other
intermediaries  to cease, any and all existing  activities,  discussions or
negotiations with any parties  previously  conducted with respect to any of
the foregoing,  and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any such
parties in possession of confidential  information that was furnished by or
on behalf of the Company to return or destroy all such information.

     If a Payment Event (as defined in the Merger  Agreement)  occurs,  the
Company will pay to  MergerSub,  within two business  days  following  such
Payment  Event,  a  fee  of  $6,000,000.  "Payment  Event"  means  (i)  the
termination of the Merger  Agreement by MergerSub if the Board of Directors
withdraws or modifies,  in a manner  adverse to MergerSub,  its approval of
this  Agreement  and  the  Mergers,  (ii)  the  termination  of the  Merger
Agreement by the Company in contemplation of a merger agreement or a tender
or  exchange  offer or any  transaction  of the type  listed in clause (iv)
below,  on  terms  more  favorable  to the  Company's  stockholders  from a
financial  point of view  than the  Merger;  (iii) the  termination  of the
Merger  Agreement  by  MergerSub  by reason of a breach by the Company of a
covenant or warranty or  representation  but only if the breach in question
arises out of the bad faith or willful  misconduct of the Company;  or (iv)
the  occurrence  of any of the  following  events,  within 12 months of the
termination  of  the  Merger  Agreement  due to a  failure  to  obtain  the
requisite  stockholder  approval  and  adoption  of  the  Mergers,  whereby
stockholders  of  the  Company  receive,  pursuant  to  such  event,  cash,
securities or other  consideration  having an aggregate  value,  when taken
together  with  the  value  of  any   securities  of  the  Company  or  its
subsidiaries  otherwise held by the  stockholders of the Company after such
event, in excess of $45.00 per Share:  the Company is acquired by merger or
otherwise by a Third  Party;  a Third Party  acquires  more than 50% of the
total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; a Third
Party  acquires  more than 50% of the  outstanding  Shares  or the  Company
adopts and  implements  a plan of  liquidation,  recapitalization  or share
repurchase  relating  to more  than  50% of the  outstanding  Shares  or an
extraordinary  dividend relating to more than 50% of the outstanding Shares
or 50% of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
    

EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

     Upon (i) the  occurrence of a Payment  Event or (ii) a termination  by
MergerSub by reason of a failure to receive requisite  stockholder approval
of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers or by reason of indebtedness of the
Company  being  in  excess  of  $290  million   immediately  prior  to  the
Reorganization  Merger Effective Time, the Company will reimburse MergerSub
and its  affiliates,  not later than two business days after  submission of
reasonable  documentation thereof, for 100% of their out-of-pocket fees and
expenses  (including the reasonable  fees and expenses of their counsel and
fees payable to the financing entities and their respective  counsel),  not
to exceed  $5,000,000,  actually incurred by any of them or on their behalf
in connection with the Merger Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
thereby.

RESIGNATIONS OF DIRECTORS

     The Merger  Agreement  provides that prior to the Effective  Time, the
Company will deliver to MergerSub evidence satisfactory to MergerSub of the
resignation  of all  directors of the Company and  ExistingSub  (other than
Robert L. Smialek) effective at the Effective Time.

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

     Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Merger  Agreement,   the  Surviving
Corporation  will  cause the  Company  to, and the  Company  has agreed to,
indemnify and hold  harmless the present and former  officers and directors
of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  in respect of acts or omissions
or alleged acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to
the  fullest  extent  permitted  from time to time by the DGCL or any other
applicable  laws as presently  or hereafter in effect or as provided  under
the Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws as in effect on March
24, 1998. The Merger  Agreement  further provides that, for a period of six
years after the Effective  Time, the Surviving  Corporation  will cause the
Company to provide officers' and directors'  liability  insurance  covering
each person  currently  covered by the Company's  officers' and  directors'
liability  insurance policy on terms with respect to coverage and amount no
less  favorable  than  those of such  policy in  effect on March 24,  1998,
provided that in satisfying the aforementioned obligation, the Company will
not be  obligated to pay premiums in excess of 150% of the amount per annum
that the Company paid in its last full fiscal year  preceding the Effective
Time.

MERGER FINANCING

     Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement,  MergerSub must use its
reasonable  best efforts to obtain and satisfy the conditions of the Merger
Financing.  In the event that any portion of the Merger  Financing  becomes
unavailable,  regardless  of the reason  therefor,  MergerSub  must use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain  alternative  financing on  substantially
comparable or more favorable terms from other sources.

NASDAQ LISTING

   
     The Surviving Corporation will not take any action, for at least three
years after the Effective Time, to cause the Surviving  Corporation  Shares
to be  de-listed  from,  or fail to meet any of the listing  standards  of,
NASDAQ;  provided,  however,  that the Surviving  Corporation  may cause or
permit the Surviving  Corporation Shares to be de-listed in connection with
a transaction  (other than the Merger) which results in the  termination of
registration of such  securities  under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and
provided,  further,  that the  foregoing  does not  require  the  Surviving
Corporation  to take  any  affirmative  action  to  prevent  the  Surviving
Corporation  Shares  from  being  de-listed  by  NASDAQ  if  the  Surviving
Corporation  Shares cease to meet the  applicable  listing  standards.  For
continued listing on NASDAQ, NASDAQ currently requires, among other things,
a listed company to maintain (i) at least 300 round lot holders and (ii) at
least  500,000  publicly  held  shares  with a market  value of at least $1
million.  The  number of  holders of record of Shares on June [ ], 1998 was
740,  many of whom are not round lot holders.  Following  the Mergers,  the
Company  believes  that it will have fewer than 300 round lot  holders  and
fewer than 500,000 publicly held Shares. Consequently, the Company believes
that,  following the Mergers, it may be de-listed by NASDAQ.  MergerSub has
agreed in the Merger  Agreement that for at least three years following the
Effective  Time,  the  Surviving   Corporation   will  make  available  the
information required pursuant to Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act.

BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS

     The Surviving  Corporation  will cause the Company to, and the Company
has agreed to, honor the  provisions of the order  discharging  the Company
from the protection of the United States Federal  Bankruptcy  Court in 1993
(the "Bankruptcy  Order") with respect to the issuance of the 66,682 Shares
which,  as of June [ ], 1998,  were  issuable or reserved  for issuance for
payment of unasserted  bankruptcy claims against the Company,  except that,
in lieu of  issuing  any such  Shares,  payment  will be made in cash in an
amount equal to $45.00  multiplied by the aggregate  number of Shares which
otherwise  would become  issuable  pursuant to the terms of the  Bankruptcy
Order.
    

COOPERATION AND REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS

     Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  and subject to certain  conditions
and limitations described therein, MergerSub and the Company have agreed to
cooperate  with  each  other and to use their  respective  reasonable  best
efforts to take certain specified and other actions,  including cooperation
in the  arrangement  of the  Merger  Financing,  so that  the  transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement may be consummated.

CONDITIONS TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGERS

   
     The respective  obligations of the Company and MergerSub to consummate
the Mergers are subject to the  satisfaction  of the following  conditions:
(a) the Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers  shall have been  approved  and
adopted by a majority of the  outstanding  Shares as of the record date for
the  Special  Meeting;   (b)  any  applicable   waiting  period  under  the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the
rules promulgated  thereunder (the "HSR Act") relating to the Mergers shall
have expired or been terminated  (which condition has been satisfied);  (c)
no provision of any applicable  law or regulation  and no judgment,  order,
decree or injunction  shall  prohibit or restrain the  consummation  of the
Mergers;  provided,  however,  that the Company and MergerSub will each use
its  reasonable  best efforts to have any such judgment,  order,  decree or
injunction  vacated;  (d)  all  consents,  approvals  and  licenses  of any
governmental  or other  regulatory  body  required in  connection  with the
execution,  delivery and  performance  of the Merger  Agreement and for the
Company and its subsidiaries to conduct their business in substantially the
manner now conducted shall have been obtained, unless the failure to obtain
such  consents,  authorizations,  orders  or  approvals  would  not  have a
material  adverse effect on the Company and its  subsidiaries  after giving
effect to the transactions  contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including
the Merger  Financing);  and (e) the  Registration  Statement of which this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a part shall have been declared effective and
no stop order suspending the  effectiveness  of the Registration  Statement
shall be in effect  and no  proceeding  for such  purpose  shall be pending
before or threatened by the  Commission.  On May 22, 1998,  the Company was
advised  that the  waiting  period  under the HSR Act with  respect  to the
Mergers had been terminated.  None of the foregoing conditions,  other than
the condition set forth in clause (d) of this  paragraph,  may be waived by
the parties.

     The  obligation  of  MergerSub  to  consummate  the  Merger is further
subject to the  satisfaction of the following  conditions:  (a) the Company
shall  have  performed  in all  material  respects  all of its  obligations
required  to be  performed  by it at or prior to the  Effective  Time,  the
representations  and  warranties  of the  Company  contained  in the Merger
Agreement shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Effective
Time  (provided  that  representations  made as of a specific  date will be
required  to be  true as of such  date  only)  as if made at and as of such
time,  and  MergerSub  shall  have  received  a  certificate  signed  by an
executive  officer of the  Company to that  effect;  (b) there shall not be
pending  any  action   against  the  Company  or  any   subsidiary  by  any
governmental  authority or by any other  person,  in either case before any
court or governmental  authority or agency that has a reasonable likelihood
of success, (i) challenging or seeking to make illegal, to delay materially
or  otherwise  to restrain or prohibit  the  consummation  of the Merger or
seeking  to  obtain   material   damages  or  otherwise   relating  to  the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) seeking to restrain
or prohibit  MergerSub's  ownership  or  operation  of all or any  material
portion of the  business  or assets of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or to compel MergerSub to dispose of or hold separate all
or any  material  portion of the  business or assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries,   taken  as  a  whole,   (iii)  seeking  to  impose  material
limitations on the ability of MergerSub effectively to control the business
or operations  of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or
effectively to exercise full rights of ownership of the Shares,  including,
without  limitation,  the  right to vote any  Shares  acquired  or owned by
MergerSub on all matters properly presented to the Surviving  Corporation's
stockholders,  or (iv) seeking to require  divestiture  by MergerSub of any
Shares;  and no court or governmental  body shall have issued any judgment,
order,  decree or injunction,  and there shall not be any statute,  rule or
regulation,  that,  in the  reasonable  judgment of  MergerSub is likely to
result in any of the consequences  referred to in the preceding clauses (i)
through  (iv);  (c)  the  Reorganization  Merger  shall  have  occurred  as
contemplated by the Merger  Agreement;  (d) the Merger Financing shall have
been made available to MergerSub  and/or the Company as contemplated in the
Merger  Agreement;  (e) the holders of not more than 6% of the  outstanding
Shares shall have demanded appraisal of their Shares in accordance with the
DGCL; (f) MergerSub  shall be reasonably  satisfied that the Merger will be
recorded as a "recapitalization"  for financial reporting purposes; and (g)
total  indebtedness  (long-term  and  short-term)  of the  Company  and its
subsidiaries immediately preceding the Reorganization Merger Effective Time
shall not  exceed  $290,000,000.  All of the  foregoing  conditions  may be
waived by DLJMB.

     The obligation of the Company to consummate the Reorganization  Merger
and the  obligation of  ExistingSub to consummate the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction of the following further  conditions:  (a) MergerSub shall
have performed in all material  respects all of its  obligations  under the
Merger  Agreement  required  to be  performed  by it at  or  prior  to  the
Effective Time; the  representations  and warranties of MergerSub contained
in the Merger  Agreement and in any certificate or other writing  delivered
by it  pursuant  to the  Merger  Agreement  shall  be true in all  material
respects at and as of the Effective  Time  (provided  that  representations
made as of a  specific  date shall be  required  to be true as of such date
only)  as if made at and as of  such  time;  and  the  Company  shall  have
received a certificate  signed by an executive  officer of MergerSub to the
foregoing  effect;  and (b) the Board of Directors  shall have  received an
opinion,  addressed and reasonably  satisfactory to it, from an independent
advisor  confirming the belief of MergerSub that, upon the  consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement,  the  Surviving
Corporation  (i) will not  become  insolvent,  (ii)  will not be left  with
unreasonably  small capital,  (iii) will not have incurred debts beyond its
ability  to pay such  debts  as they  mature,  and  (iv)  will not have its
capital  impaired  (the  "Solvency  Condition").  The  Company  has engaged
Houlihan,  Lokey,  Howard & Zukin  Financial  Advisors,  Inc.  to render an
opinion as to the foregoing.

     All of the  conditions  may be waived by the  parties,  other than the
conditions  set  forth  in  clauses  (a),  (b),  (c) and  (e) of the  first
paragraph under this caption.  If the Company waives the Solvency Condition
(which it does not  intend to do) or if any other  condition  is waived and
the waiver will materially affect the rights of the Company's stockholders,
the  Company  will  resolicit  the  consent of  stockholders  to the Merger
Agreement    and   the   Mergers   and   will   file   an   updated   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  as a  post-effective  amendment  to the  Registration
Statement.
    

TERMINATION

     The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned
at any time prior to the Effective  Time  (notwithstanding  any approval of
the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of the Company):

          (a) by mutual written consent of the Company and MergerSub;

          (b) by either  the  Company or  MergerSub,  if the Merger has not
     been  consummated  by  September  30,  1998,  provided  that the party
     seeking to exercise  such right is not then in breach in any  material
     respect of any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement;

          (c) by either the Company or MergerSub, if MergerSub (in the case
     of  termination  by the  Company),  or the  Company  (in  the  case of
     termination by MergerSub) has breached in any material  respect any of
     its obligations under the Merger Agreement or any  representation  and
     warranty of MergerSub (in the case of  termination  by the Company) or
     the Company (in the case of termination by MergerSub) was incorrect in
     any material  respect when made or at any time prior to the  Effective
     Time  (unless  such  breach or  failure  to be  correct  is capable of
     correction  and, in such case, the breaching  party  promptly  effects
     such correction);

          (d) by either the  Company or  MergerSub,  if there is any law or
     regulation that makes  consummation of the Merger illegal or otherwise
     prohibited or if any judgment,  injunction,  order or decree enjoining
     MergerSub or the Company from  consummating  the Merger is entered and
     such  judgment,   injunction,   order  or  decree  becomes  final  and
     non-appealable;

          (e) by  MergerSub,  if the Board of  Directors  has  withdrawn or
     modified or amended, in a manner adverse to MergerSub, its approval or
     recommendation  of  the  Merger  Agreement  and  the  Mergers  or  its
     recommendation  that stockholders of the Company approve and adopt the
     Merger  Agreement  and the Mergers,  or has approved,  recommended  or
     endorsed  any  proposal  for a  transaction  other  than  the  Mergers
     (including  a tender or  exchange  offer for Shares) or if the Company
     has  failed  to call the  Company  Stockholders  Meeting  or failed as
     promptly  as  practicable  after  this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  is
     cleared by the  Commission to mail the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  to
     its   stockholders   or  failed  to  include  in  such  statement  the
     recommendation referred to above;

          (f) by the  Company if prior to the  Effective  Time the Board of
     Directors has withdrawn or modified or amended, in a manner adverse to
     MergerSub, its approval or recommendation of the Merger Agreements and
     the Mergers or its  recommendation  that  stockholders  of the Company
     approve  and adopt the Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers in order to
     permit the Company to execute a definitive agreement providing for the
     acquisition of the Company or in order to approve a tender or exchange
     offer for any or all of the Shares,  in either case,  as determined by
     the Board of Directors to be on terms more  favorable from a financial
     point of view to the Company's stockholders than the Mergers; and

          (g) by  either  the  Company  or  MergerSub  if,  at a duly  held
     stockholders  meeting  of the  Company or any  adjournment  thereof at
     which  the  Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers  are voted  upon,  the
     requisite stockholder approval has not been obtained.

     If the Merger  Agreement is terminated,  it will become void and of no
effect with no liability on the part of any party thereto,  except that the
agreements  relating  to payment of fees and  expenses  and the  provisions
relating to preservation of confidentiality of the information disclosed by
the Company to MergerSub will survive,  and except that no termination will
relieve  any party  from  liability  for  breach  of any of its  respective
covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement.

AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     The Merger  Agreement  may be amended or waived prior to the Effective
Time if such  amendment or waiver is in writing and signed,  in the case of
an  amendment,  by all of the parties  or, in the case of a waiver,  by the
party against whom the waiver is to be  effective;  provided that after the
approval  and  adoption  of the  Merger  Agreement  and the  Mergers by the
stockholders of the Company, no such amendment or waiver shall, without the
further  approval of such  stockholders,  alter or change (i) the amount or
kind of  consideration  to be received in exchange for ExistingSub  Shares,
(ii)  any  term  of the  certificate  of  incorporation  of  the  Surviving
Corporation or (iii) any of the terms or conditions of the Merger Agreement
if such  alteration  or change  would  adversely  affect the holders of any
ExistingSub Shares.

                 CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE VOTING AGREEMENT

     In  connection  with  the  Merger   Agreement  and  the   transactions
contemplated  thereby,  MergerSub  and the Company  entered into the Voting
Agreement with Water Street covering the Water Street Shares.

     The  following  summarizes  the  material  provisions  of  the  Voting
Agreement,   a  copy  of  which   appears   as   Annex  C  to  this   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.  This summary
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Voting Agreement.

VOTING

     During the period (the "Agreement Period") beginning on March 24, 1998
and ending on the earliest of (i) the Effective Time, (ii) the date that is
90 days after the  termination of the Merger  Agreement in accordance  with
Section  9.01(e),  9.01(f) or 9.01(g)  thereof  and  payment in full of all
amounts  (if any)  payable to  MergerSub  pursuant  to Section  5.04 of the
Merger Agreement, and (iii) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement
for any other  reason,  Water  Street has  agreed to vote the Water  Street
Shares to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Mergers  (provided
that  Water  Street  will not be  required  to vote in favor of the  Merger
Agreement or the Mergers if the Merger  Agreement has,  without the written
consent of Water  Street,  been  amended in any manner that is material and
adverse to Water Street) and any actions  directly and  reasonably  related
thereto at any meeting or meetings of the stockholders of the Company,  and
at any adjournment  thereof, at which such Merger Agreement,  or such other
actions,  are submitted for the  consideration and vote of the stockholders
of the Company so long as such meeting is held and completed (including any
adjournment thereof) prior to the termination of the Agreement Period.

   
     If at any time (i) there is a tender or  exchange  offer (an  "Offer")
commenced  by any person to purchase  Shares and (ii) the Merger  Agreement
has been  terminated  pursuant  to  Section  9.01(e),  9.01(f)  or  9.01(g)
thereof, then Water Street will have the right to validly tender any or all
of the Water Street Shares into the Offer three  business days (the "Tender
Day") prior to any scheduled  expiration of such Offer.  Any such tender or
sale pursuant  thereto will not be a breach of the provisions of the Voting
Agreement and the Agreement Period will be deemed to end upon  consummation
of such Offer. In addition, nothing in the Voting Agreement precludes Water
Street from making,  during the Agreement Period, any election with respect
to the form of  consideration  in respect of an  Acquisition  Proposal  (as
defined in the Merger Agreement). If Water Street elects to tender into the
Offer,  Water Street must notify MergerSub of such election,  and MergerSub
will have the nonassignable  option to purchase all (but not less than all)
of the Water Street Shares at a price of $45.00 per share in cash.
    

     Water Street has agreed that, during the Agreement Period, it will not
vote the Water Street  Shares in favor of the approval of any other merger,
consolidation,   sale   of   assets,   reorganization,    recapitalization,
liquidation  or  winding  up of  the  Company  or any  other  extraordinary
transaction  involving the Company or any matters in connection  therewith,
or any corporate  action the  consummation of which would either  frustrate
the purposes of, or prevent or delay the  consummation of, the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

NO SOLICITATION

     Water Street has agreed that, during the Agreement Period, it will not
(i) take any action to solicit or facilitate  any  Acquisition  Proposal or
(ii) engage in negotiations  or discussions  with, or furnish any nonpublic
information relating to the Company to, or otherwise assist,  facilitate or
encourage,  any third party that Water Street  believes may be  considering
making,  or has made, an Acquisition  Proposal.  Water Street will promptly
notify  MergerSub  after  receipt  of  any  Acquisition   Proposal  or  any
indication  from  any  third  party  that  it  is  considering   making  an
Acquisition  Proposal and will keep MergerSub  fully informed of the status
and details thereof.  The Voting Agreement will not limit actions taken, or
require  actions to be taken,  (i) by any party related to Water Street who
is, or one or more of whose affiliates,  directors,  partners,  officers or
employees  is, a director  or officer of the Company  that are  required or
restricted by such director's fiduciary duties or such officer's employment
duties, or permitted by the Merger  Agreement,  and that, in each case, are
undertaken solely in such person's capacity as a director or officer of the
Company and, in the case of an officer of the  Company,  as directed by the
Board  of  Directors  or (ii) by an  affiliate  of  Water  Street,  in such
affiliate's  capacity as investment banker,  investment broker or financial
advisor to the Company,  to the extent such affiliate performs such actions
at the request of the Board of Directors in connection with the exercise by
the Board of Directors of its fiduciary  obligations  under  applicable law
consistent  with the  Company's  rights  and  obligations  under the Merger
Agreement.

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

   
     Water Street has agreed not to exercise any rights (including, without
limitation,  under  Section  262 of the  DGCL) to demand  appraisal  of any
Shares owned by Water  Street.  Furthermore,  as Water Street has agreed to
vote in favor of the Merger  Agreement  and the Mergers,  Water Street will
not be entitled  under the DGCL to demand  appraisal of any Shares owned by
it with respect to the Reorganization Merger upon such a vote.
    

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

     Water  Street has agreed,  pursuant to the Voting  Agreement,  that it
will not sell,  transfer,  assign,  encumber or otherwise dispose of any of
the Water Street Shares  (whether to an affiliate or  otherwise)  until the
expiration   of  the   Agreement   Period,   other  than  pursuant  to  the
Reorganization Merger or pursuant to the terms of the Voting Agreement.

                    DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL

   
     The Company is  authorized by its  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as
amended,  to issue an aggregate of  15,000,000  Shares.  The following is a
summary of certain of the rights and  privileges  pertaining to the Shares.
For a full description of the Company's capital stock, reference is made to
the  Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as amended,  currently  in
effect,  a copy of which is on file  with the  Commission.  The  rights  of
stockholders  of the  Surviving  Corporation  after the Mergers will not be
materially  different than the rights of stockholders of the Company before
the Mergers.
    

SHARES

     Voting  Rights.  The  holders of Shares are  entitled  to one vote per
Share on all matters submitted for action by the stockholders.  There is no
provision for cumulative  voting with respect to the election of directors.
Accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the Shares can, if they choose
to do so, elect the entire Board of Directors.

     Dividend  Rights.  Holders of Shares are entitled to share  equally in
all  dividends  declared on Shares,  whether  payable in cash,  property or
securities of the Company.

     Liquidation  Rights;  Other  Rights.  In the event of any voluntary or
involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding up of the  Company,  the
holders of Shares are entitled to share equally in the assets available for
distribution.   Holders  of  Shares  have  no  conversion,   redemption  or
preemptive rights.

CAPITAL STOCK OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION FOLLOWING THE MERGER

   
     Shares.  If  the  Mergers  are  approved  by  the  requisite  vote  of
stockholders at the Special Meeting,  at the Effective Time the Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company,  as amended,  will be amended and restated
as set forth as Exhibit A to the Merger  Agreement,  which is  included  as
Annex A attached hereto, and, as so amended and restated,  unless and until
thereafter further amended, will be the certificate of incorporation of the
Surviving  Corporation  following  the Merger.  Immediately  following  the
Effective  Time  (assuming  no  stockholders   validly  exercise  appraisal
rights),  there will be 1,362,253  Surviving  Corporation Shares issued and
outstanding, of which 955,556 Surviving Corporation Shares will be owned by
the DLJMB Funds, 266,666 Surviving  Corporation Shares will be owned by CVC
and the  balance  will be  owned by  persons  who are  stockholders  of the
Company immediately prior to the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time. The
relative  ownership of Surviving  Corporation  Shares at the effective time
between the DLJMB Funds and CVC, on the one hand, and the  stockholders  of
the  Company,  on the other hand,  is based on the  exchange  ratios in the
Merger  pursuant  to which (i) the DLJMB  Funds  and CVC will  receive  one
Surviving Corporation Share for each share of MergerSub Stock they hold and
(ii) the  Company's  stockholders  at such time  will  receive  the  Merger
Consideration  which  includes the right to receive both $43.48 in cash and
0.03378 of a Surviving Corporation Share for each ExistingSub Share held by
them.

     Water Street Registration Rights.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement,  ExistingSub and MergerSub have agreed,  among other things,  to
grant Water Street Demand Registration and Piggyback  Registration  rights,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions  contained  therein.  See "The
Mergers--Water Street Registration Rights."

     Warrants. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one
Surviving Corporation Share at an exercise price of not less than $0.01 per
share  subject to customary  antidilution  provisions  and other  customary
terms. The Warrants will be exercisable at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time,  on [         ], 2010.  The exercise of the  Warrants  also
will be subject to applicable federal and state securities laws.

     Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the
Surviving  Corporation  Shares  following  the Merger will be National City
Bank, Cleveland, Ohio.

OTHER STOCKHOLDER ARRANGEMENTS

     The DLJMB Funds will be entitled to request four demand  registrations
with respect to the Warrants and the Surviving  Corporation Shares owned by
them,  which demand  registration  rights will be  immediately  exercisable
subject to customary  deferral  and cutback  provisions.  In addition,  the
holders  of the  Warrants  will also be  entitled  to  unlimited  piggyback
registration  rights  with  respect  to any  registration  of  Warrants  or
Surviving  Corporation  Shares  subject to  customary  deferral and cutback
provisions.  The Company will bear the costs and expenses of  registration,
including the costs and expenses of one counsel for the investors, and will
provide customary indemnities in connection therewith.  If the Warrants are
sold in connection  with a registered sale or a sale under Rule 144A of the
Securities  Act of the  Discount  Notes,  the  Company  will  file a  shelf
registration statement covering the Surviving Corporation Shares underlying
such Warrants.  The Company will use its reasonable  best efforts to assist
the holders of the  Warrants in the sale of any Warrants  made  pursuant to
their registration rights set forth above.

     If CVC  purchases  Merger  Sub  Stock,  the  DLJMB  Funds  and CVC are
expected  to enter into a  stockholders  agreement  that would  require the
DLJMB  Funds to vote for one CVC  nominee  to the  Surviving  Corporation's
Board of Directors.  See  "Management  Following the Mergers." In addition,
under the stockholders  agreement,  CVC would have the right to participate
pro rata in certain sales by the DLJMB Funds of their Surviving Corporation
Shares,  and the  DLJMB  Funds  would  have  the  right to  require  CVC to
participate pro rata in certain sales by the DLJMB Funds of their Surviving
Corporation Shares. The stockholders agreement would also grant CVC certain
registration,  pre-emptive  and other  rights,  none of which have yet been
determined.
    

SECTION 203 OF DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

   
     The  Company is a Delaware  corporation  subject to Section 203 of the
DGCL. In general, Section 203 prevents an "interested stockholder" (defined
generally  as a person  owning 15% or more of a  corporation's  outstanding
voting stock) from engaging in a "business combination" (as defined) with a
Delaware  corporation for three years following the date such person became
an  interested  stockholder,   subject  to  certain  exceptions,   such  as
transactions effected with the approval of the Board of Directors or of the
holders of at least  two-thirds of the  outstanding  shares of voting stock
not  owned  by the  interested  stockholder.  The  Board of  Directors,  in
approving  the Merger  Agreement and the Mergers,  rendered the  two-thirds
stockholders  vote provided for by Section 203 of the DGCL  inapplicable to
the Mergers.
    


         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

   
     The Pro Forma  Financial Data are based upon  historical  consolidated
financial  statements  of the  Company as  adjusted  to give  effect to the
Mergers,  including the Merger  Financing and  application  of the proceeds
thereof. In addition, operating results for the first quarter 1997 and full
year 1997 have been  adjusted  to give effect to the 1997  Transactions.  A
summary of these adjustments follows.
    

     The Reorganization Merger will be accounted for as a reorganization of
entities under common control,  which will have no impact on the historical
basis of the assets or  liabilities  of  ExistingSub  or the  Company.  The
Merger is accounted  for as a  recapitalization  and will have no impact on
the  historical  basis of the assets or  liabilities  of ExistingSub or the
Company.


The Mergers include the following transactions:
   

 .    The issuance of Discount Notes by MergerSub  which will generate gross
     proceeds of approximately  $110 million,  and new borrowings under the
     Company's  Credit Facility of  approximately  $42.8 million,  of which
     $24.4  million  will  be  paid  as a  dividend  from  the  Company  to
     ExistingSub to fund a portion of the Merger Consideration.
 .    The  initial  capitalization  of  MergerSub  through  the  issuance of
     1,222,222  shares of MergerSub Stock and Warrants to purchase  110,453
     shares  of  MergerSub  Stock  for  aggregate  consideration  of  $55.0
     million.
 .    Payment  of  the  Merger  Consideration  for  each  Share  outstanding
     immediately prior to the Mergers (4,145,372 Shares based on the number
     of  Shares   outstanding  as  of  June  [  ],  1998  and  assuming  no
     stockholders validly perfect appraisal rights) consisting of $43.48 in
     cash and 0.03378 of a Surviving Corporation Share.
 .    Payment  of fees and  expenses  associated  with the  issuance  of the
     Discount  Notes,  the  waiver of certain  Events of Default  under the
     Credit Facility, and the Mergers.
 .    Vesting of all  outstanding  Options  and  payment of the Option  Cash
     Proceeds (and applicable  withholding  taxes) and payments pursuant to
     employment related agreements.


The 1997 Transactions consist of the following:

 .    Divestiture - On March 5, 1997, the Company  completed the sale of its
     Rolodex Business for net cash proceeds of approximately  $112 million.
 .    Refinancing - The Company  entered into the Credit Facility as of July
     3, 1997 that,  among other  things,  provides  for (i) a $200  million
     revolving credit facility,  (ii) a $50 million sublimit for commercial
     and  standby  letters of credit and (iii) a $50 million  sublimit  for
     advances in selected foreign currencies.
 .    The issuance of  Subordinated  Notes - On August 12, 1997, the Company
     issued $150 million  aggregate  principal  amount of the  Subordinated
     Notes.
 .    Share  Repurchase - On July 10, 1997, the Company,  using the proceeds
     of its  sale  of the  Rolodex  Business,  purchased  an  aggregate  of
     2,857,142  Shares for  $109,999,967.  On August 12, 1997,  the Company
     completed a tender offer  pursuant to which it purchased an additional
     2,857,142  Shares  for  $109,999,967.  The  purchase  of Shares in the
     tender offer was paid for with proceeds  received through the issuance
     by the Company of the Subordinated Notes.

     The unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated  balance sheet data as
of March 31, 1998 have been  prepared  as if the  Mergers  occurred on that
date. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated income statements have
been prepared as if the Mergers and the 1997  Transactions  all occurred on
January 1 of the relevant periods. The nonrecurring  transactions  directly
related to the aforementioned  transactions are excluded from the unaudited
pro forma condensed consolidated income statements. The Pro Forma Financial
Data are based on certain  assumptions and estimates,  and therefore do not
purport to be  indicative  of the results that would have been obtained had
the  transactions  been  completed as of such dates or indicative of future
results of operations and financial position.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                               As of March 31, 1998
                                                  (In thousands)

                                                    The Company
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                                                                                       Surviving
                                                       Merger                       MergerSub         Corporation
                                        Historical   Adjustments       Pro Forma   Adjustments         Pro Forma
                                        ----------   -----------       ---------   -----------         ---------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>               <C>         <C>               <C>  
                Assets

Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents           $  7,777            -   (1)       7,777            -  (1)        7,777
    Trade receivables, net                71,688                         71,688                         71,688
    Other receivables                      5,850                          5,850                          5,850
    Inventories                           72,570                         72,570                         72,570
    Deferred tax asset                       371                            371                            371
    Prepaid expenses and other             8,993                          8,993                          8,993
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         ---------

      Total current assets               167,249                        167,249            -           167,249
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         ---------

Property, plant and equipment, net       114,770                        114,770                        114,770
Deferred tax assets                          654        2,017   (4)(7)    2,671          165  (4)(7)     2,836
Other assets                              40,731          600   (2)      41,331        4,550  (2)       45,881
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         ---------

      Total assets                      $323,404        2,617           326,021        4,715           330,736
                                         =======      ========          =========   =========         =========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

Current liabilities
    Current portion of long-term debt   $  1,113                          1,113                          1,113
    Accounts payable                      39,118                         39,118                         39,118
    Customer deposits                     34,792                         34,792                         34,792
    Accrued expenses and other            34,964       (3,158)  (4)(7)   31,806         (220) (4)(7)    31,586
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         --------

      Total current liabilities          109,987       (3,158)          106,829         (220)          106,609
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         --------

Long-term debt, excluding current        267,685       42,751   (1)(3)  310,436      110,000  (1)(3)   420,436
 portion
Other long-term obligations               41,933                         41,933                         41,933
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         --------

      Total liabilities                  419,605       39,593           459,198      109,780           568,978

Stockholders' deficit                   (96,201)      (13,316)  (1)(4)                (4,215) (1)(4)
                                                          731   (1)(9)              (180,241) (1)(5)
                                                                                      55,000  (1)(6)
                                                      (24,391)  (1)(8)  (133,177)     24,391  (1)(8)  (238,242)
                                         -------      --------          ---------   ---------         ---------

     Total liabilities and              $323,404        2,617           326,021        4,715           330,736
      stockholders' deficit              =======      ========          =========   =========         =========
      
</TABLE>


The notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet
follow:

(1) The sources and uses of cash required to consummate the Mergers as of
    March 31, 1998 follow (amounts in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           The                      Surviving
                                                                         Company     MergerSub     Corporation
                                                                        ---------    ---------     -----------
<S>                                                                     <C>          <C>           <C>   
    Sources:

      Revolving credit facility                                         $42,751          -            42,751
      Option exercise proceeds                                              731          -               731
      Discount Notes                                                       -          110,000        110,000
      Dividend from the Company to ExistingSub (into which MergerSub
       will merge at the Effective Time)                                (24,391)       24,391           -
      Common stock and warrants purchased                                  -           55,000         55,000
                                                                        --------      -------        -------
                                                                        $ 19,091      189,391        208,482
                                                                        ========      =======        =======
    Uses:
      Cash merger consideration                                            -          180,241        180,241
      Estimated fees and expenses                                       $ 19,091        9,150         28,241
                                                                        --------      -------        -------
                                                                        $ 19,091      189,391        208,482
                                                                        ========      =======        =======
</TABLE>

(2) To record the estimated costs and expenses associated with issuing the
    Discount Notes and borrowing on the Credit Facility, which will be
    capitalized as debt issuance costs and amortized using the effective
    interest method over the life of the respective financial instruments,
    as follows (amounts in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         The                       Surviving
                                                       Company      MergerSub     Corporation
                                                       -------      ---------     -----------
          <S>                                          <C>            <C>            <C>  
          Commitment fees and underwriting discounts   $  500         3,850          4,350
          Professional fees                               100           500            600
          Miscellaneous fees and expenses                   -           200            200
                                                       ------       -------         ------
                                                       $  600         4,550          5,150
                                                       ======       =======         ======

</TABLE>

(3) To record the issuance and sale of Discount Notes by MergerSub which
    generate approximately $110 million of gross proceeds and $42.8 million
    of additional borrowings by the Company under its Credit Facility.

(4) To record the estimated fees and expenses, net of the estimated tax
    benefits, which will be expensed upon consummation of the transactions
    (the remainder of the fees and expenses are capitalized -- see Note 2),
    as follows (amounts in thousands). Statutory tax rates used to
    calculate the tax benefit of (i) the Company was 38.5% (35.0% federal
    rate and an estimated 3.5% average state rate) and (ii) MergerSub was
    35.0% federal rate:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  The                       Surviving
                                                Company      MergerSub     Corporation
                                                -------      ---------     -----------
    <S>                                         <C>           <C>            <C>  
    Compensation Expenses:
       Buyout of existing options               $ 9,091          -            9,091
       Other                                      2,600          -            2,600
    Backstop and bridge facility commitments      1,750        1,100          2,850
    Professional fees                             4,700        3,500          8,200
    Other                                           350          -              350
                                                --------      -------        -------
       Total                                     18,491        4,600         23,091
    Less tax benefit
                                                 (5,175)        (385)        (5,560)
                                                 -------      -------        -------
       Net expenses                             $13,316        4,215         17,531
                                                ========     ========        =======

</TABLE>

(5) To record the cash portion of the Merger Consideration of $43.48 per
    share for all outstanding Shares (assuming that no appraisal rights are
    validly perfected) (based on 4,145,372 Shares).

(6) To record the sale of 1,222,222 shares of MergerSub Stock and Warrants
    to acquire 110,453 shares of MergerSub Stock.

(7) To record the tax benefit associated with the fees and expenses at
    statutory rates (see Note 4 above).

(8) To record a dividend from the Company to ExistingSub (into which
    MergerSub will merge at the Effective Time).

(9) To record cash proceeds and corresponding debt reduction from the
    exercise of options assumed as of March 31, 1998 which occurred between
    March 31, 1998 and June 4, 1998.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
                                          Quarter Ended March 31, 1998
                                     (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                       The Company
                                         ----------------------------------------

                                                                                                      Surviving
                                                       Merger             Pro       MergerSub        Corporation
                                         Historical  Adjustments         Forma     Adjustments        Pro Forma
                                         ----------  -----------         -----     -----------        ---------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>                <C>        <C>                 <C>    
Net sales                                $117,305                       117,305                        117,305

Cost of goods sold                         85,618                        85,618                         85,618
Depreciation and amortization               4,240                         4,240                          4,240
Selling, general and administrative        17,672                        17,672                         17,672
expenses                                 --------    --------           --------    --------           --------


    Operating income                        9,775        -                9,775         -                9,775

Interest expense:

    Currently payable                      (6,526)      (748) (3)        (7,274)                        (7,274)
    Accretion                                 (48)                          (48)     (3,025) (3)        (3,073)
    Amortization of debt issuance            (303)       (30) (3)          (333)        (78) (3)          (411)
Interest income                                51                            51                             51
Equity in net income of Thermalex             669                           669                            669
Other expense, net                            660                           660                            660
                                         --------    --------           --------    --------           --------

    Income before income taxes              4,278       (778)             3,500      (3,103)               397

Income tax expense                         (1,497)       300  (4)        (1,197)      1,086  (4)          (111)
                                         --------    --------           --------    --------           --------

    Net income                           $  2,781       (478)             2,303      (2,017)               286
                                          =======    ========           ========    ========           ========

Earnings per common share:

    Basic                                $   0.68                                                         0.21
    Basic shares                            4,086                                                        1,362

    Diluted                              $   0.66                                                         0.19
    Diluted shares                          4,195                                                        1,473

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
                                            Quarter Ended March 31, 1997
                                        (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                The Company
                        ------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                         Surviving
                                      1997                    Merger         Pro           MergerSub    Corporation
                      Historical  Transactions   Subtotal  Adjustments      Forma         Adjustments    Pro Forma
                      ----------  ------------   --------  -----------      -----         -----------    ---------

<S>                    <C>        <C>            <C>       <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>    
Net sales              $117,341   (10,797)  (1)  106,544                   106,544                        106,544

Cost of goods sold       82,789    (5,483)  (1)   77,306                    77,306                         77,306
Depreciation and          4,065      (194)  (1)    3,871                     3,871                          3,871
 amortization
Selling, general and
 administrative          18,932    (2,954)  (1)   15,978                    15,978                         15,978
 expenses               --------  ---------      --------  ---------       --------        ---------      --------

    Operating income     11,555    (2,166)         9,389       -             9,389            -             9,389

Interest expense:

    Currently payable    (3,340)   (3,680)  (2)   (7,020)      (748)  (3)   (7,768)                        (7,768)
    Accretion               (51)     -               (51)                      (51)         (3,025)  (3)   (3,076)
    Amortization of        (252)     -              (252)       (30)  (3)     (282)            (78)  (3)     (360)
     debt issuance
Interest income             489      (387)  (2)      102                       102                            102
Gain on sale of          95,001   (95,001)  (1)     -                         -                              -
 Rolodex
Equity in net income        717      -               717                       717                            717
 of Thermalex
Other expense, net         (207)       (1)  (1)     (208)                     (208)                          (208)
                        --------  ---------      --------                  --------        ---------      --------

    Income before       103,912  (101,235)        2,677        (778)         1,899          (3,103)        (1,204)
     income taxes

Income tax benefit      (40,593)   38,047   (1)
 (expense)                          1,566   (2)        (980)    300   (4)     (680)          1,086   (4)      406
                        --------  --------        ------------------        -------        --------       --------

    Net income (loss)   $63,319   (61,622)        1,697        (478)         1,219          (2,017)          (798)
                        ========  =========       ======    ========        =======        =========      ========

Earnings per common
 share:
    Basic               $  6.65                    0.45                                                     (0.59)
    Basic shares          9,517                   3,802                                                     1,362

    Diluted              $ 6.39                    0.40                                                     (0.59)
    Diluted shares        9,912                   4,198                                                     1,362

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        INSILCO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                            Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
                                            Year Ended December 31, 1997
                                       (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                 The Company
                        -------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                       Surviving
                                        1997                     Merger        Pro      MergerSub     Corporation
                        Historical  Transactions   Subtotal   Adjustments     Forma    Adjustments     Pro Forma
                        ----------  ------------   --------   -----------     -----    -----------     ---------

<S>                     <C>          <C>            <C>       <C>            <C>       <C>              <C>    
Net sales               $539,030     (10,797) (1)   528,233                  528,233                    528,233

Cost of goods sold       376,328      (5,483) (1)   370,845                  370,845                    370,845
Depreciation and          18,571        (194) (1)    18,377                   18,377                     18,377
 amortization
Selling, general and      90,863      (2,954) (1)    87,909                   87,909                     87,909
 administrative         ---------    --------       --------   --------      --------    --------       --------
 expenses

    Operating income      53,268      (2,166)        51,102       -           51,102        -            51,102

Interest expense:
    Currently payable    (19,326)     (8,634) (2)   (27,960)    (2,993) (3)  (30,953)                   (30,953)
    Accretion               (204)       -      -       (204)                    (204)    (12,433) (3)   (12,637)
    Amortization of       (1,032)       (245) (2)    (1,277)      (120) (3)   (1,397)       (312) (3)    (1,709)
     debt issuance

Interest income            2,877      (2,131) (2)       746                      746                        746
Gain on sale of           95,001     (95,001) (1)      -                        -                          -
 Rolodex
Equity in net income       2,647        -      -      2,647                    2,647                      2,647
 of Thermalex
Other income, net            795          (1) (1)       794                      794                        794
                        ---------    --------       --------   --------      --------    --------       --------

    Income before
     income taxes        134,026    (108,178)        25,848     (3,113)       22,735     (12,745)         9,990

Income tax expense       (51,654)     38,047  (1)
                                       4,239  (2)    (9,368)     1,199  (4)   (8,169)      4,461  (4)    (3,708)
                        ---------    --------       --------   --------      --------    --------       --------
    Income (loss)
     before
     extraordinary
     item                $82,372     (65,892)        16,480     (1,914)       14,566      (8,284)         6,282
                        =========    ========       ========   ========      ========    ========       ========

Earnings per common
share before

  extraordinary item:

    Basic               $ 11.44                        4.15                                                4.61
    Basic shares          7,200                       3,967                                               1,362

    Diluted             $ 11.22                        4.01                                                4.27
    Diluted shares        7,345                       4,112                                               1,473

</TABLE>


The notes to the unaudited pro forma consolidated income statements for the
quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 and for the year ended December 31,
1997 follow:

(1)  To record the effect on net sales, costs and expenses assuming that
     the divestiture of the Rolodex Business had occurred at 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 an aggregate of 2,857,142 Shares at
     $38.50 per Share in cash for an aggregate purchase price of
     $109,999,967, (ii) the entering into of the Credit Facility and the
     issuance and sale of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
     Subordinated 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, as if the aforementioned transactions had occurred at
     the beginning of the periods presented. Statutory tax rates used to
     calculate the income tax effect was 38.5% (35.0% federal rate and an
     estimated 3.5% average state rate).

(3)  To record the incremental interest expense for the quarters ended
     March 31, 1997 and 1998 and for the year ended December 31, 1997 as
     follows: (i) $3.0 million and $12.4 million, respectively, associated
     with MergerSub's issuance of Discount Notes which generate
     approximately $110 million of gross proceeds at an assumed 11%
     interest rate compounded semi-annually (interest expense would have
     been approximately $35,000 and $145,000 higher, respectively, if the
     interest rate were 1/8% higher); (ii) $0.7 million and $2.8 million,
     respectively, associated with the Company's $42.8 million of
     additional borrowings under the Credit Facility at an assumed interest
     rate of 7% (interest expense would have been approximately $13,000 and
     $54,000 higher, respectively, if the interest rate were 1/8% higher);
     (iii) amortization of MergerSub's debt issuance costs totaling $4.6
     million over the 10 year note term under the effective interest
     method; and (iv) amortization of the incremental debt issuance costs
     associated with the Credit Facility totaling $0.6 million over the
     remaining five-year term.

(4)  To record the tax benefit of the transaction at the statutory rate of
     each respective entity. Statutory tax rates used to calculate the tax
     benefit of (i) the Company was 38.5% (35.0% federal rate and an
     estimated 3.5% average state rate) and (ii) MergerSub was 35.0%
     (federal rate).
    


                      MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING THE MERGERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     Thompson Dean,  40, has been the Managing  Partner of DLJMB Inc. since
November  1996.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Dean was a Managing  Director of DLJMB
Inc.  (and its  predecessor).  Mr. Dean  serves as a director of  Commvault
Inc.,  Von Hoffman  Corporation,  Manufacturers'  Services  Limited,  Phase
Metrics, Inc., and Arcade Holding Corporation.

     Robert L. Smialek, 54, 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. Mr.  Smialek is a director of General  Cable
Corporation and Gleason Corporation.

     William F. Dawson,  Jr., 33, has been a Principal of DLJMB Inc.  since
August  1997.  From  December  1995 to August  1997,  he was a Senior  Vice
President in DLJ's High Yield Capital  Markets Group.  Prior  thereto,  Mr.
Dawson was a Vice  President in the  Leveraged  Finance  Group within DLJ's
Investment  Banking  Group.  Mr. Dawson serves as a director of Von Hoffman
Corporation and of Thermadyne Holdings Corporation.

   
     If CVC purchases 22% of the MergerSub Stock (see  "MergerSub"),  David
Howe,  33, a Vice  President of Citicorp  Venture  Capital,  Ltd.,  will be
nominated to the Board of Directors of the Surviving  Corporation after the
Effective  Time.  Mr. Howe has been a Vice  President  of Citicorp  Venture
Capital,  Ltd.  since  1993.  Mr.  Howe  serves  as  a  director  of  Aetna
Industries,  Inc., American Italian Pasta Company, IPC Information Systems,
Inc. and Pen-Tab  Industries,  Inc.  See  "Description  of Company  Capital
Stock--Other Stockholder Arrangements."
    

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   
     Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  the officers of the Company at the
Effective  Time will be the  officers  of the  Surviving  Corporation.  For
additional  information  regarding  the  officers of the  Company,  see the
Company's 1997 Form 10-K/A, a copy of which is on file with the Commission.
    

       SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

   
     The  following  table sets forth the only persons known by the Company
to be  the  beneficial  owners  of  more  than  five  percent  (5%)  of the
outstanding Shares on June 1, 1998:

       NAME AND ADDRESS                 NUMBER OF SHARES             PERCENTAGE
     OF BENEFICIAL OWNER               BENEFICIALLY OWNED             OF CLASS
     -------------------               ------------------             --------

Water Street Corporate Recovery         1,863,878(1)(2)(3)              45.0%
Fund I, L.P.
85 Broad Street
New York, NY  10004

Neuberger & Berman, LLC                   546,818                       13.2%
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY  10158-3698
    

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

(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 such
     ownership  corresponds to its interests in Water Street, and disclaims
     beneficial  ownership of the Shares held by GS Group.  Each of Goldman
     Sachs and 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 80,000  Shares  acquired  from the Company by
     Water Street  through the  exercise by Messrs.  O'Toole and Volpert of
     options  granted them  pursuant to the 1993 Director Plan and held for
     the benefit of Water Street.

   
(3)  By  virtue  of the  Voting  Agreement,  DLJMB  could be  deemed to own
     beneficially the 1,783,878 Water Street Shares,  or approximately  43%
     of the outstanding Shares.
    


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   
     The following  table sets forth,  as of June 4, 1998,  the  beneficial
ownership of Shares by each officer named in the Summary Compensation Table
in the Company's 1997 Form 10-K/A,  each director of the Company and by all
directors and executive officers as a group:

                                      NUMBER OF SHARES                PERCENTAGE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER             BENEFICIALLY OWNED                OF CLASS
- ------------------------             ------------------                --------

James J. Gaffney                           8,000                           *
Terence M. O'Toole                     1,863,878(1)                     45.0%
Thomas E. Petry                            8,000                           *
Robert L. Smialek                        315,066(2)                      7.2%
Barry S. Volpert                       1,863,878(1)                     45.0%
Kenneth H. Koch                           14,964(3)                        *
David A. Kauer                            14,300(4)                        *
Philip K. Woodlief (5)                        --                           *
Robert F. Heffron (6)                         --                           *
All directors and executive            2,240,515(1),(5),(6),(7)         50.6%
  officers as a group (10
  persons)
    

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

* Less than 1%

(1)  The Shares  listed for Messrs.  O'Toole  and Volpert are  beneficially
     owned by Water  Street or by Goldman  Sachs (of which Mr.  O'Toole and
     Mr. Volpert are Managing Directors) or GS Group.  Messrs.  O'Toole and
     Volpert  disclaim  beneficial  ownership of such Shares  except to the
     extent of their indirect pecuniary interest in such Shares.

   
(2)  Includes 240,000 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60
     days of June 4, 1998.

(3)  Includes 13,664 Shares subject to stock options  exercisable within 60
     days of June 1, 1998.

(4)  Includes 13,500 Shares subject to stock options  exercisable within 60
     days of June 4, 1998.

(5)  Employment  with the Company  terminated May 8, 1998.  Mr.  Woodlief's
     beneficial ownership of Shares is not known.

(6)  Employment  with  the  Company  terminated   February  24,  1998.  Mr.
     Heffron's beneficial ownership of Shares is not known.

(7)  Includes 283,472 Shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60
     days of June 4, 1998.
    

                         REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

   
     Under the HSR Act, certain merger  transactions may not be consummated
unless certain  information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division of
the Department of Justice (the "Antitrust  Division") and the Federal Trade
Commission ("FTC") and certain applicable waiting periods have expired. The
Merger is subject to the requirements of the HSR Act.

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the HSR Act,  the Company and DLJMB
filed  Notification  and Report  Forms with  respect to the Merger with the
Antitrust Division and the FTC. The waiting period applicable to the Merger
was terminated on May 22, 1998.

                                 MERGERSUB

     MergerSub,  a Delaware  corporation,  was organized in connection with
the Merger and has not carried on any  activities  to date other than those
incident to its formation and the  transactions  contemplated by the Merger
Agreement and the Voting  Agreement,  respectively.  As of the date hereof,
all of the  outstanding  capital  stock of MergerSub  is owned by DLJMB,  a
Delaware  limited  partnership.  The other DLJMB Funds that are expected to
purchase  MergerSub Stock prior to the Effective Time include the following
entities:  DLJ  Offshore  Partners  II, C.V.  ("Offshore"),  a  Netherlands
Antilles   limited   partnership,    DLJ   Diversified    Partners,    L.P.
("Diversified"),  a Delaware  limited  partnership,  DLJMB Funding II, Inc.
("Funding"),  a  Delaware  corporation  that is an  indirect,  wholly-owned
subsidiary of Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette,  Inc., a Delaware corporation,
UK  Investment  Plan 1997  Partners  ("UK  Partners"),  a Delaware  general
partnership,  DLJ  First  ESC,  L.P.  ("DLJ  First"),  a  Delaware  limited
partnership,  DLJ Merchant  Banking  Partners  II-A,  L.P.  ("DLJMB-A"),  a
Delaware   limited   partnership,    DLJ   Diversified   Partners-A,   L.P.
("Diversified-A"),  a Delaware limited partnership,  DLJ EAB Partners, L.P.
("EAB"),  a Delaware limited  partnership,  DLJ Millennium  Partners,  L.P.
("Millennium"),  a Delaware  limited  partnership,  DLJ ESC II, L.P.  ("ESC
II"), a Delaware limited partnership,  and DLJ Millennium Partners-A,  L.P.
("Millennium-A"), a Delaware limited partnership.
    

     The  two  general   partners  of  DLJMB,   DLJMB-A,   Millennium   and
Millennium-A are DLJMB Inc. and DLJ Merchant Banking II, LLC ("DLJMB LLC").
DLJMB Inc. is an indirect,  wholly-owned subsidiary of Donaldson,  Lufkin &
Jenrette,  Inc. DLJMB Inc. is also the advisory general partner of Offshore
and DLJMB LLC is the associate general partner of EAB and Offshore. The two
general  partners of  Diversified  and  Diversified-A  are DLJ  Diversified
Partners,  Inc.  ("DLJDP"),  a Delaware  corporation,  and DLJ  Diversified
Associates,  LP  ("DLJDA"),  a Delaware  limited  partnership.  The general
partner of DLJDA is DLJDP. DLJDP is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of
DLJ.  The  general  partner  of DLJ  First  and  ESC II is  DLJ  LBO  Plans
Management   Corporation,   a  Delaware   corporation  and  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of DLJ. DLJ LBO is also the managing general partner of EAB. The
general  partners of UK Partners are DLJ and UK Investment Plan 1997, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of DLJ.

   
     Although no preliminary or definitive agreement has been executed, the
DLJMB Funds expect that CVC will  purchase on or about the  Effective  Time
shares of MergerSub Stock in an amount which, when converted into Surviving
Corporation  shares in the Merger will  constitute  up to 19.6% of the then
outstanding Surviving Corporation Shares.
    

     The directors of MergerSub are Messrs.  Dean and Dawson.  The officers
of  MergerSub  are as of  the  date  hereof:  Mr.  Dean  as  President  and
Treasurer,  and Mr. Dawson, as Vice President and Secretary.  The principal
offices of  MergerSub  and the DLJMB Funds are located at 277 Park  Avenue,
New York, New York 10171; telephone number (212) 892-3000. MergerSub has no
operations  and  owns  no  real  properties.  There  are no  pending  legal
proceedings to which MergerSub is a party or which relate to its property.

   
     Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation,  an affiliate of
the DLJMB Funds,  is expected to receive a fee of $3.5 million in cash from
MergerSub upon consummation of the Merger. In addition, Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette  Securities  Corporation  and  affiliates  are expected to receive
customary financing fees in connection with the Merger Financing, which are
expected to be approximately $6.7 million.
    

                      DISSENTING STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS

   
     Because the  consideration  to be received by holders of Shares in the
Reorganization  Merger  includes  cash,  stockholders  of  record  will  be
entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the  Reorganization  Merger
under  Section  262 of  the  DGCL,  provided  that  they  comply  with  the
conditions established by Section 262 of the DGCL. Section 262 is reprinted
in  its  entirety  as  Annex  D to  this  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  The
following discussion does not purport to be a complete statement of the law
relating to appraisal  rights and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to Annex D. This discussion and Annex D should be reviewed carefully by any
holder who wishes to exercise  statutory  appraisal rights or who wishes to
preserve the right to do so, as failure to comply with the  procedures  set
forth  herein  or  therein  may  result  in the loss of  appraisal  rights.
Stockholders of record who desire to exercise their appraisal  rights must:
(i)  hold  Shares  on the  date of  making a  demand  for  appraisal;  (ii)
continuously hold such Shares through the  Reorganization  Merger Effective
Time; (iii) deliver a properly executed written demand for appraisal to the
Company  prior  to the  vote  by the  stockholders  of the  Company  on the
Reorganization  Merger; (iv) not vote in favor of the Reorganization Merger
or consent  thereto in  writing;  (v) file any  necessary  petition  in the
Delaware Court of Chancery (the "Delaware Court"),  as more fully described
below, within 120 days after the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time; and
(vi) otherwise satisfy all of the conditions described more fully below and
in Annex D.

     A record  holder of Shares who makes the demand  described  below with
respect to such  Shares,  who  continuously  is the  record  holder of such
Shares  through the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective  Time, who otherwise
complies  with the  statutory  requirements  of Section 262 and who neither
votes in favor of the Reorganization Merger nor consents thereto in writing
will be  entitled  to  receive  payment  of the fair value of his Shares as
appraised  by  the  Delaware   Court  if  the   Reorganization   Merger  is
consummated. All references in Section 262 and in this summary of appraisal
rights to a "stockholder"  or "holders of Shares" are to the stockholder of
record.

     Under Section 262, not less than 20 days prior to the Special Meeting,
the Company is required to notify each  stockholder  eligible for appraisal
rights  of  the   availability  of  such  appraisal   rights.   This  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  constitutes  notice to such  holders  that  appraisal
rights will be  available  to them in  connection  with the  Reorganization
Merger.  A holder of record of Shares who  desires to  exercise  his or her
appraisal rights must satisfy all of the conditions set forth herein and in
Section 262. A written  demand for appraisal must be filed with the Company
before the taking of the vote on the  Reorganization  Merger.  Such written
demand must  reasonably  inform the  Company of the  identity of the record
holder of Shares and of such stockholder's intention to demand appraisal of
the Shares held by such  stockholder.  This written demand for appraisal of
Shares  must  be in  addition  to and  separate  from  any  proxy  or  vote
abstaining  from  or  voting  against  the  Reorganization  Merger.  Voting
against,  abstaining from voting on, failing to return a proxy with respect
to, or  failing  to vote on the  Merger  will not  constitute  a demand for
appraisal within Section 262.

        Stockholders of record who desire to exercise appraisal rights must
not vote in favor of the Reorganization Merger or consent thereto in
writing. Voting in favor of the Reorganization Merger or delivering a proxy
in connection with the Special Meeting (unless the proxy votes against, or
expressly abstains from the vote on, the approval of the Reorganization
Merger), will constitute a waiver of the stockholder's right of appraisal,
and will nullify any written demand for appraisal submitted by the
stockholder.

     A  demand  for  appraisal  must be  executed  by or on  behalf  of the
stockholder of record,  fully and  correctly,  as such  stockholder's  name
appears on the  certificate  or  certificates  representing  the Shares.  A
person  having a  beneficial  interest in Shares that are held of record in
the name of another person,  such as a broker,  fiduciary or other nominee,
must act promptly to cause the record holder to follow the steps summarized
herein properly and in a timely manner to perfect any appraisal  rights. If
the Shares are owned of record by a person other than the beneficial owner,
including a broker, fiduciary (such as a trustee, guardian or custodian) or
other nominee,  such demand must be executed by or for the record owner. If
the  Shares  are owned of record  by more  than one  person,  as in a joint
tenancy or tenancy in common,  such  demand  must be executed by or for all
such joint owners. An authorized agent,  including an agent for two or more
joint owners,  may execute the demand for  appraisal  for a stockholder  of
record;  however,  the agent must  identify the record owner and  expressly
disclose the fact that, in exercising the demand,  such person is acting as
agent for the record owner. A record owner, such as a broker,  fiduciary or
other  nominee,  who holds  Shares as a nominee  for others,  may  exercise
appraisal  rights with  respect to the Shares held for all or less than all
beneficial owners of Shares as to which such person is the record owner. In
such case,  the written  demand must set forth the number of Shares covered
by such demand.  Where the number of Shares is not  expressly  stated,  the
demand will be presumed to cover all Shares outstanding in the name of such
record owner. A stockholder who elects to exercise  appraisal rights should
mail or deliver  his or her written  demand to:  Insilco  Corporation,  425
Metro Place North, Fifth Floor,  Dublin, Ohio 43017,  Attention:  Corporate
Secretary.   The  written   demand  for   appraisal   should   specify  the
stockholder's  name and mailing  address,  the number of Shares owned,  and
that the stockholder is thereby demanding appraisal of his or her Shares.
    

     Within ten days after the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective Time, the
Company must provide notice of the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time to
all  stockholders who have complied with Section 262. Within 120 days after
the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective  Time,  either  the  Company  or any
stockholder  who has complied  with the required  conditions of Section 262
may file a petition in the Delaware  Court of Chancery,  with a copy served
on the Company in the case of a petition filed by a stockholder,  demanding
a  determination  of the  fair  value  of  the  Shares  of  all  dissenting
stockholders.  The Company does not  currently  intend to file an appraisal
petition and stockholders  seeking to exercise  appraisal rights should not
assume that the Company  will file such a petition or that the Company will
initiate  any  negotiations  with respect to the fair value of such Shares.
Accordingly,  stockholders who desire to have their Shares appraised should
initiate any  petitions  necessary for the  perfection  of their  appraisal
rights within the time periods and in the manner prescribed in Section 262.
Within  120 days  after  the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective  Time,  any
stockholder who has theretofore complied with the applicable  provisions of
Section 262 will be  entitled,  upon written  request,  to receive from the
Company a statement  setting forth the aggregate number of Shares not voted
in favor of the Merger and with respect to which demands for appraisal were
received  by the  Company  and the number of holders of such  Shares.  Such
statement must be mailed within 10 days after the written request  therefor
has been received by the Company or within 10 days after  expiration of the
time for delivery of demands for appraisal under Section 262,  whichever is
later.

     If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed, at the hearing on such
petition, the Delaware Court will determine which stockholders are entitled
to   appraisal   rights  and  will   appraise  the  Shares  owned  by  such
stockholders,  determining  the fair value of such Shares  exclusive of any
element of value  arising from the  accomplishment  or  expectation  of the
Merger,  together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the
amount  determined to be the fair value.  In  determining  fair value,  the
Delaware Court is to take into account all relevant factors.  In Weinberger
v. UOP, Inc., the Delaware  Supreme Court  discussed the factors that could
be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating
that  "proof of value by any  techniques  or  methods  which are  generally
considered  acceptable in the financial community and otherwise  admissible
in court" should be considered,  and that,  "fair price obviously  requires
consideration  of all relevant  factors  involving the value of a company."
The Delaware  Supreme  Court stated that, in making this  determination  of
fair value, the court must consider market value,  asset value,  dividends,
earnings prospects,  the nature of the enterprise and any other facts which
are  known or which can be  ascertained  as of the date of the  merger  and
which throw any light on future  prospects  of the merged  corporation.  In
Weinberger,  the Delaware  Supreme  Court  stated that  "elements of future
value,  including  the  nature  of  the  enterprise,  which  are  known  or
susceptible  of proof as of the date of the merger  and not the  product of
speculation,  may be considered." Section 262, however,  provides that fair
value  is to be  "exclusive  of any  element  of  value  arising  from  the
accomplishment or expectation of the merger."

     Stockholders  considering  seeking appraisal should recognize that the
fair value of their Shares as  determined  under  Section 262 could be more
than, the same as or less than the  consideration to be received if they do
not seek  appraisal of their Shares.  The cost of the appraisal  proceeding
may be  determined  by the Delaware  Court and taxed against the parties as
the Delaware Court deems equitable in the  circumstances.  Upon application
of a dissenting  stockholder  of the Company,  the Delaware Court may order
that  all  or  a  portion  of  the  expenses  incurred  by  any  dissenting
stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding,  including without
limitation,  reasonable  attorneys'  fees  and the  fees  and  expenses  of
experts,  be  charged  pro rata  against  the value of all  Shares of stock
entitled to appraisal.

     Any holder of Shares who has duly  demanded  appraisal  in  compliance
with Section 262 will not, after the Reorganization  Merger Effective Time,
be entitled to vote for any purpose any Shares subject to such demand or to
receive payment of dividends or other distributions on such Shares,  except
for dividends or distributions  payable to stockholders of record at a date
prior to the Reorganization Merger Effective Time.

   
     At any time within 60 days after the  Reorganization  Merger Effective
Time, any stockholder will have the right to withdraw his or her demand for
appraisal  and to accept the terms  offered in the  Reorganization  Merger;
after this period,  the  stockholder may withdraw such demand for appraisal
only with the consent of the Company. If no petition for appraisal is filed
with the  Delaware  Court within 120 days after the  Reorganization  Merger
Effective Time, all stockholders'  rights to appraisal will cease, and such
stockholders' will instead be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration,
without interest.  Inasmuch as the Company has no obligation to file such a
petition,  and has no present  intention to do so, any holder of Shares who
desires  to  pursue  his or her  appraisal  rights is  advised  to file the
petition on a timely basis.
    

     Failure to take any required step in  connection  with the exercise of
appraisal  rights may result in termination of such rights.  In view of the
complexity  of  these   provisions  of  the  DGCL,   stockholders  who  are
considering  exercising  their rights under Section 262 should consult with
their legal advisors.

     Prior  to the  Reorganization  Merger  Effective  Time,  the  Board of
Directors  of the  Company,  acting  on  behalf  of  the  Company  as  sole
stockholder of ExistingSub, will act by written consent pursuant to Section
228 of the DGCL to approve the Merger  Agreement  and the Mergers.  Because
the Merger will be effected by a vote of the Company as sole stockholder of
ExistingSub,  holders  of  ExistingSub  Shares  do not have  any  statutory
appraisal rights in respect of the Merger.

                           STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     As described in the  Company's  proxy  statement  relating to its 1997
Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  in order for proposals of stockholders to
be  considered  for  inclusion in the proxy  statement  for the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (if the Merger is not  consummated),
such  proposals  must have been received by the Corporate  Secretary of the
Company by  December  31,  1997.  No such  proposals  were  received by the
Company's Secretary by such date.

                               OTHER MATTERS

   
     The  Board  of  Directors  has  no  knowledge  of any  business  to be
presented for  consideration at the Special Meeting other than as described
in this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Should any other matters  incident to
the conduct of the Special Meeting properly come before the Special Meeting
or any  adjournment  thereof,  the persons named in the enclosed Proxy will
have  discretionary  authority to vote such Proxy in accordance  with their
best judgment on such matters.
    

                                  EXPERTS

   
     The audited consolidated  financial statements of the Company included
in the  Company's  1997 Form 10-K  incorporated  by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been
audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants,
as set forth in their report  thereon,  and are included herein in reliance
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
    

                               LEGAL MATTERS

     The  validity of the  Surviving  Corporation  Shares to be retained in
connection  with the Merger  will be passed  upon for the Company by Fried,
Frank,  Harris,  Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership  including  professional
corporations), New York, New York.


                                  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 the DGCL.

     The  indemnification  provided for in the DGCL 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 DGCL.

     Section  145  of  the  DGCL,  as  amended,   provides  in  regards  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 as
     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 a 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.  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 and  authority to indemnify  its
     directors,  officers,  and employees or agents, so that any person who
     is or was a director,  officer,  employee or agent of such constituent
     corporation,  or is or was serving at the request of such  constituent
     corporation  as a  director,  officer,  employee  or agent of  another
     corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust or other enterprise,
     shall stand in the same  position  under 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 otherwise provided
     when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to
     be a  director,  officer,  employee  or agent and  shall  inure to the
     benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such 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)."

   
     Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Merger  Agreement,   the  Surviving
Corporation  will  cause the  Company  to, and the  Company  has agreed to,
indemnify and hold  harmless the present and former  officers and directors
of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  in respect of acts or omissions
or alleged acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to
the  fullest  extent  permitted  from time to time by the DGCL or any other
applicable  laws as presently  or hereafter in effect or as provided  under
the Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws as in effect on March
24, 1998. The Merger  Agreement  further provides that, for a period of six
years after the Effective  Time, the Surviving  Corporation  will cause the
Company to provide officers' and directors'  liability  insurance  covering
each person  currently  covered by the Company's  officers' and  directors'
liability  insurance policy on terms with respect to coverage and amount no
less  favorable  than  those of such  policy in  effect on March 24,  1998,
provided that in satisfying the aforementioned obligation, the Company will
not be  obligated to pay premiums in excess of 150% of the amount per annum
that the Company paid in its last full fiscal year  preceding the Effective
Time.
    


ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

          (a)                     Exhibits.

                               EXHIBIT INDEX

*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-5, 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 October 4, 1996, 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).

*4(c)  -  Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 3, 1997
          (Schedule 13E-4, Exhibit (b)(1), dated July 11, 1997).

   
*4(d) -   Indenture, dated as of August 12, 1997 between the Company and
          the Trustee (Form S-4 Registration Statement, dated October 15,
          1997, Exhibit 4(j), File No. 333-36523).

*4(e)  -  Form of New Note (Form S-4 Registration Statement, dated
          October 15, 1997, as amended, File No. 333-36523).

*4(f)  -  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")
          (Form S-4 Registration Statement, dated October 15, 1997, Exhibit
          4(l), File No. 333-36523).

*4(g)  -  Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August
          12, 1997, between the Company and the Initial Purchasers (Form
          S-4 Registration Statement, dated October 15, 1997, Exhibit 4(m),
          File No. 333-36523).

5(a)   -  Opinion of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, dated March 24, 1998 (filed
          as Annex B to the prospectus included in the Company Registration
          Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 28, 1998, File No.
          333-51145).

5(b)   -  Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as to the
          legality of the shares of common stock being offered.

5(c)   -  Opinion of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, dated June 8, 1998 (attached
          hereto as Annex B to the Prospectus included herein).
    

*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 Awards Under the Company 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan
          (Form S-8 Registration 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) -  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(e) -  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(f) -  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 for the year
          ended December 31, 1996, Exhibit 10(g), File No. 0-22098).

   
*10(g) -  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 for the year
          dated December 31, 1996, Exhibit 10(h), File No. 0-22098).
    

*10(h) -  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(i) -  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(j) -  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 (Form S-4 Registration
          Statement, dated October 15, 1997, Exhibit 4(k), File No.
          333-36523).
    

*10(k) -  First Amendment to the Insilco Corporation 1993 Long-Term
          Incentive Plan dated November 26, 1996 (Form 10-K/A, filed April
          13, 1998).

*10(l) -  Extension Agreement between the Company and Robert L. Smialek
          dated May 1, 1996 (Form 10-K/A, filed April 13, 1998).

*10(m) -  Second Extension Agreement between the Company and Robert L.
          Smialek dated September 25, 1997 (Form 10-K/A, filed April 13,
          1998).

   
10(n)  -  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 24, 1998, among
          the Company, INR Holding Co., and Silkworm Acquisition
          Corporation (attached hereto as Annex A to the prospectus
          included herein).

10(o)  -  Voting Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1998, among Silkworm
          Acquisition Corporation, the Company and Water Street Corporate
          Recovery Fund I, L.P. (attached hereto as Annex C to the
          prospectus included herein).

10(p)  -  Amendment dated April [ ], 1998 to Value Appreciation Agreement
          between the Company and the following officers: David M.
          Aronowitz, Robert F. Heffron, Les G. Jacobs, David A. Kauer,
          Kenneth H. Koch and Philip K. Woodlief (to be filed herewith).

10(q)  -  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June [ ], 1998,
          between the Company, Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P.
          and Silkworm Acquisition Corporation (to be filed by amendment).

10(r)  -  Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June
          8, 1998, among the Company, INR Holding Co. and Silkworm
          Acquisition Corporation (attached hereto as Annex A to the
          prospectus included herein).

10(s)  -  Letter Agreement, dated June 8, 1998, amending the Voting
          Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1998, among Silkworm Acquisition
          Corporation, the Company and Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund
          I, L.P. (attached hereto as Annex C to the prospectus included
          herein).
    

*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 Lazard Freres & Co. LLC.

   
23(c)  -  Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (included
          in Exhibit 5(b)).
    

24(a)  -  Power of Attorney of officers and directors of the Registrant
          appearing on the signature page hereof.
*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), 4(c) and 10(n).
    

ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS.
   

     (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1)  That  prior  to any  public  reoffering  of  the  securities
               registered  hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a
               part of this  Registration  Statement by any person or party
               who is deemed to be an  underwriter  within  the  meaning of
               Rule 145(c),  such  reoffering  prospectus  will contain the
               information  called for by the applicable  registration form
               with  respect to  reofferings  by persons  who may be deemed
               underwriters,  in addition to the information  called for by
               the other items of the applicable form.

          (2)  That every prospectus (i)that is filed pursuant to paragraph
               (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the
               requirements  of Section  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and
               is used in connection with an offering of securities subject
               to Rule 415,  will be filed as a part of an amendment to the
               Registration  Statement  and  will  not be used  until  such
               amendment   is   effective,   and  that,   for  purposes  of
               determining  any liability  under the  Securities  Act, 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)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
               Securities  Act may be permitted to directors,  officers and
               controlling  persons  of  the  registrant  pursuant  to  the
               foregoing provisions,  or otherwise, the registrant has been
               advised  that  in  the  opinion  of  the   Commission   such
               indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
               Securities  Act and  is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the
               event  that  a  claim  for   indemnification   against  such
               liabilities  (other  than the payment by the  registrant  of
               expenses  incurred  or  paid  by  a  director,   officer  or
               controlling  person  of the  registrant  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 registrant will,
               unless in the  opinion  of its  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 and will be  governed  by the  final
               adjudication of such issue.

     (b)  The undersigned 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;

               (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, 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.

     (c)  The undersigned  registrant  hereby undertakes that, for purposes
          of  determining  any  liability  under the  Securities  Act, each
          filing of the  registrant's  annual  report  pursuant  to section
          13(a)  or  section   15(d)  of  the  Exchange  Act  (and,   where
          applicable,  each filing of an  employee  benefit  plan's  annual
          report  pursuant to section  15(d) of the  Exchange  Act) 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.
    


                                 SIGNATURES

   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THE REGISTRANT HAS
DULY CAUSED THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED,  THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED,  IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK ON THE 11TH
DAY OF JUNE, 1998.
    

                                            INSILCO CORPORATION

                                            By:  /s/  Kenneth H. Koch
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                Name:  Kenneth H. Koch
                                                Title: Vice President &
                                                       General Counsel

     PURSUANT  TO THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933,  THIS
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  HAS BEEN  SIGNED BY THE  FOLLOWING  PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         <S>                   <C>                                           <C>
         Signature                              TITLE                             DATE
- ----------------------------   -------------------------------------------   -----------------
   


             *
- -----------------------------
     Robert L. Smialek        Chairman of the Board, President and           June 11, 1998
                                 Chief Executive Officer

             *
- -----------------------------
       David A. Kauer         Vice President and Chief Financial Officer     June 11, 1998

             *
- -----------------------------
      James J. Gaffney        Director                                       June 11, 1998

             *
- -----------------------------
     Terence M. O'Toole       Director                                       June 11, 1998

             *
- -----------------------------
      Thomas E. Petry         Director                                       June 11, 1998

             *
- -----------------------------
      Barry S. Volpert        Director                                       June 11, 1998
    

*By:  /s/ Kenneth H. Koch
      Kenneth H. Koch
      Attorney-in-Fact

</TABLE>

   
                        PROXY - INSILCO CORPORATION

     The  undersigned  stockholder of Insilco  Corporation  (the "Company")
hereby  appoints  Robert L.  Smialek and Kenneth H. Koch,  or either one of
them, as attorneys and proxies with full power of  substitution to vote all
shares of Common Stock of the Company which the  undersigned is entitled to
vote at the Special  Meeting of  Stockholders  of the Company to be held at
the  offices of Fried,  Frank,  Harris,  Shriver &  Jacobson,  One New York
Plaza,  27th Floor, New York, New York, on [ ], 1998, at [ ] a.m.  (Eastern
time), and at any adjournments or adjournments thereof as follows:

1.   Approval and adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
     March 24,  1998,  among the Company,  Insilco  Holding Co., a Delaware
     corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Silkworm
     Acquisition  Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation,  as  amended  (as
     described in the accompanying Proxy Statement).

        [_]  FOR                   [_]  AGAINST             [_]     ABSTAIN

2.   In  their  discretion  to  consider  and  vote on such  other  matters
     incident to the  conduct  of, and as may  properly  come  before,  the
     Special Meeting.

                (Continued and to be signed on other side.)

                        (Continued from other side.)

THIS PROXY,  WHEN EXECUTED,  WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE  UNDERSIGNED  STOCKHOLDER.  IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1.

     The undersigned hereby  acknowledges  receipt of the Notice of Special
Meeting  of  Stockholders,  dated  June [ ], 1998 and the  Proxy  Statement
furnished therewith.  Any proxy heretofore given to vote said shares hereby
is revoked.

     PLEASE  SIGN AND DATE  THIS  PROXY  BELOW AND  RETURN IN THE  ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.

                                          Dated: _______________________, 1998


                                          ---------------------------------
                                                      (Signature)

                                          ---------------------------------
                                                      (Signature)

                                          Signature(s)  must agree with the
                                          name(s) printed on this Proxy. If
                                          shares  are   registered  in  two
                                          names, both  stockholders  should
                                          sign this Proxy.  When signing as
                                          attorney,               executor,
                                          administrator,     trustee     or
                                          guardian,  please  give your full
                                          title.

        THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    

<PAGE>
                                                            Annex A
                                                            -------

                            AMENDMENT NO. 1
                    TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


     AMENDMENT dated as of June 8, 1998 among INSILCO CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation ("INSILCO" or the "COMPANY"), INSILCO HOLDING CO., a
Delaware corporation (formerly known as INR Holding Co.) ("EXISTINGSUB")
and SILKWORM ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("MERGERSUB").

     WHEREAS, the Company, ExistingSub and MergerSub have previously
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended hereby, the
"MERGER AGREEMENT") dated as of March 24, 1998, providing for the merger of
MergerSub with and into ExistingSub; and

     WHEREAS, the Company, ExistingSub and MergerSub desire to amend the
Merger Agreement as set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     SECTION 1. REFERENCES. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein,
each term used herein which is defined in the Merger Agreement has the
meaning assigned to such term in the Merger Agreement. Each reference to
"hereof", "hereunder", "herein" and "hereby" and each other similar
reference and each reference to "this Agreement" and each other similar
reference contained in the Merger Agreement shall from and after the
effective date of this Amendment refer to the Merger Agreement as amended
hereby, except in any instance in the Merger Agreement where any such
reference relates to the date of the execution of the Merger Agreement in
which instance such reference shall relate to the Merger Agreement, as
unamended hereby.

     SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS. The Merger Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:

     (a) The reference in Section 1.02(e)(iv)(A) to the number "0.03419" is
replaced with "0.03378".

     (b) The reference in Section 1.02(e)(iv)(B) to the number "$42.97" is
replaced with "$43.47".

     (c) The references in Sections 1.05(a), 5.04(c) and 7.05 to the number
"$44.50" are replaced with "$45.00".

     (d) The reference in Section 1.06(b) to the number "$44.49" is
replaced with "$44.99".

     (e) The reference in Section 4.08 to the number "$54,999,997.50" is
replaced with "$54,999,990.00".

     (f) The reference in Section 4.08 to the number " 1,235,955" is
replaced with "1,222,222".

     (g) The reference in Section 4.08 to the number "111,347" is replaced
with "110,453".

     SECTION 3. COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment may be signed
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the
same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument. This Amendment shall become effective when each party hereto
shall have received counterparts hereof signed by all of the other parties
hereto.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Amendment or have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their
respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.


                              INSILCO CORPORATION


                              By:/s/ Robert L. Smialek
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:  Robert L. Smialek
                                 Title: Chairman & CEO


                              INSILCO HOLDING CO.


                              By: /s/ Kenneth H. Koch
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:  Kenneth H. Koch
                                 Title: Vice President & General Counsel


                              SILKWORM ACQUISITION
                                 CORPORATION


                              By: /s/ Thompson Dean
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Name:  Thompson Dean
                                 Title: 
<PAGE>                                                  
                        AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                dated as of


                               March 24, 1998


                                   among


                            INSILCO CORPORATION,


                              INR HOLDING CO.


                                    and


                      SILKWORM ACQUISITION CORPORATION


                             TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                           PAGE


                                 ARTICLE 1
                                 THE MERGER

   Section 1.01        The Reorganization Merger...............................1
   Section 1.02        The Merger..............................................3
   Section 1.03.       Surrender and Payment...................................5
   Section 1.04.       Dissenting Shares.......................................7
   Section 1.05.       Stock Options...........................................7
   Section 1.06.       Fractional Shares.......................................8

                                 ARTICLE 2
                         THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

   Section 2.01.       Certificate of Incorporation............................8
   Section 2.02.       Bylaws .................................................8
   Section 2.03.       Directors and Officers..................................8

                                 ARTICLE 3
               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

   Section 3.01.       Corporate Existence and Power...........................9
   Section 3.02.       Corporate Authorization.................................9
   Section 3.03.       Governmental Authorization..............................9
   Section 3.04.       Non-Contravention......................................10
   Section 3.05.       Capitalization.........................................10
   Section 3.06.       Subsidiaries...........................................11
   Section 3.07.       SEC Filings............................................12
   Section 3.08.       Financial Statements...................................12
   Section 3.09.       Disclosure Documents...................................13
   Section 3.10.       Absence of Certain Changes.............................14
   Section 3.11.       No Undisclosed Material Liabilities....................14
   Section 3.12.       Litigation.............................................15
   Section 3.13.       Taxes .................................................15
   Section 3.14.       ERISA .................................................16
   Section 3.15.       Labor Matters..........................................19
   Section 3.16.       Compliance with Laws and Court Orders..................19
   Section 3.17.       Licenses and Permits...................................19
   Section 3.18.       Intellectual Property..................................19
   Section 3.19        Finders' Fees..........................................20
   Section 3.20.       Required Votes.........................................20
   Section 3.21.       Environmental Matters..................................20
   Section 3.22.       Disclaimer.............................................22

                                 ARTICLE 4
                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERGERSUB

   Section 4.01.       Corporate Existence and Power..........................22
   Section 4.02.       Corporate Authorization................................22
   Section 4.03.       Governmental Authorization.............................22
   Section 4.04.       Non-Contravention......................................23
   Section 4.05.       Disclosure Documents...................................23
   Section 4.06.       Finders' Fees..........................................24
   Section 4.07.       Financing..............................................24
   Section 4.08.       Capitalization.........................................25

                                 ARTICLE 5
                          COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

   Section 5.01.       Conduct of the Company.................................25
   Section 5.02.       Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Material....................27
   Section 5.03.       Access to Information..................................28
   Section 5.04.       Other Offers...........................................28
   Section 5.05.       Resignation of Directors...............................31
   Section 5.06.       Solvency Opinion.......................................31
   Section 5.07.       Transfers by Affiliates................................31

                                 ARTICLE 6
                           COVENANTS OF MERGERSUB

   Section 6.01.       Voting of Shares.......................................32
   Section 6.02.       Director and Officer Liability.........................32
   Section 6.03.       Employee Plans and Benefit Arrangements................33
   Section 6.04.       Financing..............................................34
   Section 6.05.       NASDAQ Listing.........................................34

                                 ARTICLE 7
                   COVENANTS OF MERGERSUB AND THE COMPANY

   Section 7.01.       Reasonable Best Efforts................................36
   Section 7.02.       Certain Filings........................................36
   Section 7.03.       Public Announcements...................................37
   Section 7.04.       Further Assurances.....................................37
   Section 7.05.       Reserved Shares........................................37
   Section 7.06.       Notices of Certain Events..............................38

                                 ARTICLE 8
                          CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

   Section 8.01.       Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party............38
   Section 8.02.       Conditions to the Obligations of MergerSub.............39
   Section 8.03.       Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and
                            ExistingSub.......................................40

                                 ARTICLE 9
                                TERMINATION

   Section 9.01.       Termination............................................41
   Section 9.02.       Effect of Termination..................................42

                                 ARTICLE 10
                               MISCELLANEOUS

   Section 10.01.      Notices ...............................................43
   Section 10.02.      Survival of Representations and Warranties.............44
   Section 10.03.      Amendments; No Waivers.................................44
   Section 10.04.      Expenses ..............................................44
   Section 10.05.      Successors and Assigns.................................44
   Section 10.06.      Governing Law..........................................45
   Section 10.07.      Counterparts; Effectiveness............................45
   Section 10.08.      Third Party Beneficiaries..............................45
   Section 10.09.      Entire Agreement.......................................45


                        AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of March 24, 1998 among Insilco
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("INSILCO" or the "COMPANY"), INR
Holding Co., a Delaware corporation ("EXISTINGSUB"), and Silkworm
Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("MERGERSUB").

                            W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, as of the date of execution of this Agreement, all of the
outstanding capital stock of, or other ownership interest in, MergerSub is
owned, in the aggregate, by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P., and
certain of its affiliates;

     WHEREAS, MergerSub is unwilling to enter into this Agreement unless,
contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Water
Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P., holder of 1,783,878 shares of
common stock of the Company, enters into a Voting Agreement (the "VOTING
AGREEMENT") providing for certain actions relating to such shares;

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Mergers (as
defined in Section 1.02) and also to prescribe certain conditions to the
Mergers; and

     WHEREAS, it is intended that the Merger be recorded as a
recapitalization for financial reporting purposes.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows:


                                 ARTICLE 1
                                 THE MERGER

     SECTION 1.01. The Reorganization Merger. (a) Prior to the Effective
Time (as defined in Section 1.02), Insilco shall cause (i) ExistingSub to
form a wholly-owned subsidiary ("REORGSUB") and (ii) ReorgSub to merge with
and into Insilco in the manner set forth in this Section 1.01 (the
"REORGANIZATION MERGER"), whereupon the separate existence of ReorgSub
shall cease, and Insilco shall be the surviving corporation, possessing
all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises and be subject to all of
the restrictions, disabilities and duties of Insilco and ReorgSub, all as
provided under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
("DELAWARE LAW"). The parties hereto contemplate that the Reorganization
Merger will precede the Merger (as defined in Section 1.02), but that each
will occur on the same date.

     (b)   The Reorganization Merger shall be effected pursuant to an
agreement and plan of merger (the "HOLDING COMPANY MERGER AGREEMENT")
in accordance with Delaware Law and in a manner that complies with Section
251(a) of Delaware Law. The certificate of incorporation of Insilco shall
be the certificate of incorporation of the corporation surviving the
Reorganization Merger.

     (c)  Insilco and ReorgSub will file the Holding Company Merger
Agreement (or a certificate of merger in lieu thereof) with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware and make all other filings or recordings
required by Delaware Law in connection with the Reorganization Merger which
shall become effective at such time (the "REORGANIZATION EFFECTIVE TIME")
as the Holding Company Merger Agreement (or a certificate of merger in lieu
thereof) is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
or at such later time as is specified therein, but in any event prior to
the Effective Time.

     (d)  At the Reorganization Effective Time:

         (i) (A) each share of common stock of ReorgSub held by ReorgSub as
     treasury stock immediately prior to the Reorganization Effective Time
     shall be canceled, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto;
     and (B) each share of common stock of ReorgSub outstanding immediately
     prior to the Reorganization Effective Time shall be converted into and
     become one share of common stock of the corporation surviving the
     Reorganization Merger, with the same rights, powers and privileges as
     the shares so converted;

           (ii)  (A) each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
     Insilco (the "Shares") held by Insilco as treasury stock (including
     the Reserved Shares (as defined in Section 3.05)) or owned by ReorgSub
     immediately prior to the Reorganization Effective Time shall be
     canceled, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto, and (B)
     each outstanding option (whether vested or unvested) to acquire Shares
     granted to employees and directors will be treated as set forth in
     Section 1.05(a); and

           (iii) Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.04 with respect to
     Shares as to which appraisal rights are exercised, each Share
     outstanding immediately prior to the Reorganization Effective Time
     shall be converted into the following (the "REORGANIZATION MERGER
     CONSIDERATION"):

                  (A) one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
               ExistingSub (the "EXISTINGSUB SHARES") with the same rights,
               powers and privileges as the Shares so converted; and

                  (B) the right to receive in cash an amount equal
               to $0.01.

     (e) Except for those stockholders who have exercised appraisal rights
with respect to their Shares, the stockholders of record of Insilco
immediately prior to the Reorganization Effective Time shall be the
stockholders of record of ExistingSub immediately after the Reorganization
Effective Time without further action by such stockholders or ExistingSub.
After the Reorganization Effective Time, the certificates (the
"CERTIFICATES") representing the Shares will continue to represent the
ExistingSub Shares.

     (f) For the avoidance of doubt, after the Reorganization Merger,
"Insilco" or the "Company" shall mean the corporation surviving the
Reorganization Merger.

     Section 1.02. The Merger. (a) Prior to the Reorganization Effective
Time, the Company, acting as sole stockholder of ExistingSub, shall
pursuant to Section 228 of the Delaware Law, act by written consent to
approve this Agreement and the Merger and ExistingSub shall, no more than
20 days prior to the Reorganization Effective Time, give notice to the
Company, as its sole stockholder, of the Merger, as required by Section
262(d) of Delaware Law.

     (b) At the Effective Time, MergerSub shall be merged (the "MERGER" and
collectively with the Reorganization Merger, the "MERGERS") with and into
ExistingSub in accordance with Delaware Law, and in accordance with the
terms and conditions hereof, whereupon the separate existence of MergerSub
shall cease, and ExistingSub shall be the surviving corporation, which will
be named "Insilco Holding Corporation" (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION").

        (c) As soon as practicable after satisfaction or, to the extent
permitted hereunder, waiver of all conditions to the Merger, ExistingSub
and MergerSub will file a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware and make all other filings or recordings required
by Delaware Law in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become
effective at such time as the certificate of merger is duly filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as is
specified in the certificate of merger (the "EFFECTIVE TIME").

     (d) The Company hereby represents that its Board of Directors (the
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS"), at a meeting duly called and held and acting on the
unanimous recommendation of the Board of Directors has (i) unanimously
determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Mergers, are fair to and in the best interest of the
Company's stockholders, (ii) unanimously approved this Agreement and the
Voting Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Mergers, which approval satisfies in full the requirements of Section
203(a)(1) of Delaware Law so as to make Section 203 of Delaware Law
inapplicable to the Mergers, and (iii) unanimously resolved to recommend
adoption of this Agreement and the Mergers to its stockholders. The Company
further represents that Lazard Freres & Co. LLC has delivered to the Board
of Directors its oral opinion (to be followed by its written opinion to the
same effect) that the Merger Consideration (as defined in Section 1.03)
taken as a whole is fair to the holders of the Shares (other than MergerSub
and its affiliates) from a financial point of view. The Company has been
advised that all of its directors and executive officers intend to vote all
of their Shares in favor of adoption of this Agreement and the Mergers.

     (e) At the Effective Time:

          (i) each ExistingSub Share held by ExistingSub as treasury stock
     or owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
     ExistingSub (excluding the Company) or owned by MergerSub immediately
     prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled, and no payment shall be
     made with respect thereto;

          (ii) each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
     MergerSub ("MERGERSUB COMMON STOCK") outstanding immediately prior to
     the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one share of
     common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation
     ("SURVIVING CORPORATION SHARES") with the same rights, powers and
     privileges as the MergerSub Common Stock so converted;

          (iii) each outstanding warrant to purchase MergerSub Common Stock
     ("MERGERSUB WARRANTS") shall be automatically amended to constitute a
     warrant to acquire one Surviving Corporation Share on the same terms
     and conditions as the warrants so converted; and

          (iv) each ExistingSub Share outstanding immediately prior to the
     Effective Time shall be converted into the following (the "EXISTINGSUB
     MERGER CONSIDERATION"):

                 (A) the right to retain 0.03419 of a Surviving
          Corporation Share, with the same rights, powers and
          privileges as the ExistingSub Share so converted; and

                 (B) the right to receive in cash an amount equal
to $42.97.

     SECTION 1.03. Surrender and Payment. (a) Prior to the mailing of the
Company Proxy Statement (as defined in Section 3.09), MergerSub shall
appoint an agent (the "EXCHANGE AGENT") for the purpose of exchanging the
Certificates for the cash portion of the Reorganization Merger
Consideration and the ExistingSub Merger Consideration (the cash portion of
the Reorganization Merger Consideration together with the ExistingSub
Merger Consideration shall be referred to herein as the "MERGER
CONSIDERATION"). The Surviving Corporation will make available to the
Exchange Agent, as needed, the Merger Consideration to be paid in respect
of the Shares and the ExistingSub Shares. Promptly after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation will send, or will cause the Exchange Agent
to send, to each holder of ExistingSub Shares at the Effective Time, a
letter of transmittal for use in such exchange (which shall specify that
the delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title shall pass, only
upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent).

     (b) Each holder of ExistingSub Shares at the Effective Time will, upon
surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate or Certificates, together
with a properly completed letter of transmittal covering such ExistingSub
Shares, be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration payable in respect
of such ExistingSub Shares and in respect of the Shares which were
converted into such ExistingSub Shares. Payment of the cash portion of the
Merger Consideration shall, at the request of the holder of the relevant
ExistingSub Shares, be made by wire transfer of immediately available
funds. Until so surrendered, each such Certificate shall, after the
Effective Time, represent for all purposes only the right to receive such
Merger Consideration and any dividends payable pursuant to Section 1.03(g).
No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payable as Merger
Consideration or any dividends payable pursuant to Section 1.03(g).

     (c) If any portion of the Merger Consideration is to be paid to a
Person other than the registered holder of the ExistingSub Shares
represented by the Certificate or Certificates surrendered in exchange
therefor, it shall be a condition to such payment that the Certificate or
Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in
proper form for transfer and that the Person requesting such payment shall
pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes required as a result
of such payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such
ExistingSub Shares or establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent
that such tax has been paid or is not payable. For purposes of this
Agreement, "PERSON" or "PERSON" means a(n) individual, corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity or
organization, including a government or political subdivision or any agency
or instrumentality thereof.

     (d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no further registration
of transfers of ExistingSub Shares. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be
canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration provided for, and in
accordance with the procedures set forth, in this Article 1.

     (e) Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the
Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 1.03(a) that remains unclaimed by the
holders of ExistingSub Shares six months after the Effective Time shall be
returned to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any such holder who
has not exchanged his ExistingSub Shares for the Merger Consideration in
accordance with this Section 1.03 prior to that time shall thereafter look
only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of the Merger Consideration
in respect of his ExistingSub Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Surviving Corporation shall not be liable to any holder of ExistingSub
Shares for any amount paid to a public official pursuant to applicable
abandoned property laws. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of
ExistingSub Shares two years after the Effective Time (or such earlier date
immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to
or become property of any governmental entity) shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Surviving
Corporation free and clear of any claims or interest of any Person
previously entitled thereto.

     (f) Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the
Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 1.03(a) to pay for ExistingSub Shares
that were not issued pursuant to Section 1.01(d)(iii) as a result of the
appraisal rights exception thereto shall be returned to the Surviving
Corporation, upon demand, after the appraisal rights have been perfected in
respect of the related Shares pursuant to Section 1.04 and Delaware Law.

     (g) No dividends or other distributions with respect to Surviving
Corporation Shares with a record date after the Effective Time shall be
paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate until the surrender of
such Certificate in accordance with this Article 1. Subject to the effect
of applicable laws, following surrender of any such Certificate, there
shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole Surviving
Corporation Shares issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) the
amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the
Effective Time but on or prior to such surrender and a payment date on or
prior to such surrender, paid with respect to such whole Surviving
Corporation Shares, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective
Time but on or prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to
such surrender payable with respect to such whole Surviving Corporation
Shares.

     SECTION 1.04. Dissenting Shares. Shares which are issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Reorganization Effective Time and
which are held by a holder who has not voted such Shares in favor of the
Mergers, who shall have delivered a written demand for appraisal of such
Shares in the manner provided by Delaware Law and who, as of the
Reorganization Effective Time, shall not have effectively withdrawn or lost
such right to appraisal ("DISSENTING SHARES") shall not be converted into a
right to receive the Reorganization Merger Consideration (or, if after the
Effective Time, the Merger Consideration). The holders thereof shall be
entitled only to such rights as are granted by Section 262 of Delaware Law.
Each holder of Dissenting Shares who becomes entitled to payment for such
Dissenting Shares pursuant to Section 262 of Delaware Law shall receive
payment therefor from the Surviving Corporation in accordance with Delaware
Law; provided, however, that (i) if any such holder of Dissenting Shares
shall have failed to establish his entitlement to appraisal rights as
provided in Section 262 of Delaware Law, (ii) if any such holder of
Dissenting Shares shall have effectively withdrawn his demand for appraisal
of such Shares or lost his right to appraisal and payment for his Shares
under Section 262 of Delaware Law, or (iii) if neither any holder of
Dissenting Shares nor the Surviving Corporation shall have filed a petition
demanding a determination of the value of all Dissenting Shares within the
time provided in Section 262 of Delaware Law, such holder shall forfeit the
right to appraisal of such Dissenting Shares and each such Dissenting Share
shall be converted into a right to receive the Reorganization Merger
Consideration (or, if after the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration)
without interest thereon, from the Surviving Corporation as provided in
Section 1.03 hereof. The Company shall give MergerSub prompt notice of any
demands received by the Company for appraisal of Shares, and MergerSub
shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings
with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior
written consent of MergerSub, make any payment with respect to, or settle
or offer to settle, any such demands.

     SECTION 1.05. Stock Options. (a) Immediately prior to the
Reorganization Effective Time, each outstanding option (whether vested or
unvested) to acquire Shares granted to employees and directors (the
"OPTIONS") shall be canceled and, in lieu thereof, immediately prior to the
Reorganization Effective Time, the holders of such Options shall receive a
cash payment from the Company equal to the product of (i) the total number
of Shares previously subject to such Options and (ii) the excess of $44.50
over the exercise price per Share subject to such Options, subject to any
required withholding of taxes.

     (b) Prior to the Reorganization Effective Time, the Company shall (i)
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain any consents from holders of
options to purchase Shares granted under the Company's stock option or
compensation plans or arrangements and (ii) make any amendments to the
terms of such stock option or compensation plans or arrangements that are
necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated by Sections 1.01
and 1.05(a). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1.05,
payment may be withheld in respect of any Option until any necessary or
appropriate consents are obtained.

     SECTION 1.06. Fractional Shares. (a) No certificates or scrip
representing fractional Surviving Corporation Shares shall be issued upon
the surrender for exchange of Certificates, and such fractional share
interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a
stockholder of the Surviving Corporation; and

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each
beneficial owner of ExistingSub Shares exchanged pursuant to the Merger who
would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a Surviving
Corporation Share (after taking into account all ExistingSub Shares
delivered by such beneficial owner) shall receive, in lieu thereof, a cash
payment (without interest) representing such same fraction of $44.49.


                                 ARTICLE 2
                         THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

     SECTION 2.01. Certificate of Incorporation. The certificate of
incorporation of ExistingSub in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be amended in its entirety as of the Effective Time to read as
set forth in Exhibit A, and, as so amended, shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with
applicable law.

     SECTION 2.02. Bylaws. The bylaws of MergerSub in effect at the
Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
amended in accordance with applicable law.

     SECTION 2.03. Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective
Time, until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in
accordance with applicable law, (a) the directors of MergerSub at the
Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, and (b)
the officers of the Company at the Effective Time shall be the officers of
the Surviving Corporation.


                                 ARTICLE 3
               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules annexed hereto (the
"DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"), the Company represents and warrants to MergerSub
that:

     SECTION 3.01. Corporate Existence and Power. The Company and
ExistingSub are corporations duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and have all
corporate powers required to carry on their businesses as now conducted.
The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of the
property owned or leased by it or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions where the failure
to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Company has heretofore delivered to MergerSub
true and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of
the Company and ExistingSub as currently in effect. For purposes of this
Agreement, "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any material adverse effect on
the financial condition, business, assets, liabilities or results of
operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 3.06)
taken as a whole, but excluding (i) any liabilities or reserves that are
reflected on, or reserved for in, the 1997 Financial Statements and (ii)
any change resulting from general economic conditions.

     Section 3.02. Corporate Authorization. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company and ExistingSub of this Agreement and the
consummation by the Company and ExistingSub of the transactions
contemplated hereby are within the Company's and ExistingSub's corporate
powers and, except for any required approval by the stockholders of the
Company, ReorgSub and ExistingSub by majority vote in connection with the
consummation of the Mergers, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate and stockholder action. This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of the Company and ExistingSub.

     SECTION 3.03. Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company and ExistingSub of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Reorganization Merger by the Company and ExistingSub,
and the Merger by ExistingSub, require no action by or in respect of, or
filing with, any governmental body, agency, official or authority other
than (a) the filing of a certificate of merger or the Holding Company
Merger Agreement in connection with the Reorganization Merger and a
certificate of merger in connection with the Merger; (b) compliance with
any applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "HSR
ACT"); (c) compliance with any applicable requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "EXCHANGE ACT"); (d) compliance with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the "SECURITIES ACT"); (e) compliance
with any applicable foreign or state securities or Blue Sky laws; and (f)
any actions or filings that if not taken or made would have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     SECTION 3.04. Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company and ExistingSub of this Agreement and the
consummation by the Company and ExistingSub of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not (a) contravene or conflict with the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, ExistingSub or any
Subsidiary, (b) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section
3.03, contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any
provision of any law, regulation, judgment, writ, injunction, order or
decree of any court or governmental authority binding upon or applicable to
the Company, ExistingSub or any Subsidiary or any of their properties or
assets, (c) constitute a default under or give rise to a right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation of the
Company, ExistingSub or any Subsidiary or to a loss of any benefit to which
the Company, ExistingSub or any Subsidiary is entitled under any provision
of any agreement, contract or other instrument binding upon the Company,
ExistingSub or any Subsidiary or any license, franchise, Permit (as defined
in Section 3.17) or other similar authorization held by the Company,
ExistingSub or any Subsidiary, or (d) result in the creation or imposition
of any Lien on any asset of the Company, ExistingSub or any Subsidiary,
except, in the case of clauses (b), (c) and (d), for any such violation,
failure to obtain any such consent or other action, default, right, loss or
Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, "LIEN" means, with respect
to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.

     SECTION 3.05. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 15,000,000 Shares of which as of March 16, 1998, there
were outstanding 4,016,711 Shares and Options to purchase an aggregate of
not more than 747,667 Shares (of which Options to purchase an aggregate of
420,266 Shares were exercisable) and 467,680 Shares were held in treasury
(and no such treasury stock is issuable or reserved for issuance, other
than 66,682 Shares (the "RESERVED SHARES") which are issuable or reserved
for issuance pursuant to the order discharging the Company from the
protection of the United States Federal Bankruptcy Court in 1993 (the
"BANKRUPTCY ORDER")). All outstanding Shares have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in
this Section 3.05 and except for changes since March 16, 1998 resulting
from the exercise of Options outstanding on such date, there are
outstanding (a) no shares of capital stock or other voting securities of
the Company, (b) no securities of the Company convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the
Company, and (c) no options or other rights to acquire from the Company,
and no obligation of the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting
securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock
or voting securities of the Company (the items in clauses (a), (b) and (c)
being referred to collectively as the "COMPANY SECURITIES"). There are no
outstanding obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities.

     SECTION 3.06. Subsidiaries. (a) Each Significant Subsidiary (as
defined in Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) is a corporation duly
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, has all corporate powers to carry on its
business as now conducted and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
character of the property owned or leased by it or the nature of its
activities makes such qualification necessary, except where failure to be
existing in good standing or so qualified would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement,
"SUBSIDIARY" means any corporation or other entity of which securities or
other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are
directly or indirectly owned by the Company and/or one or more
Subsidiaries.

     (b) Except for Liens, limitations and restrictions arising under the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 3, 1997 among the
Company and Insilco Deutschland Gmbh, as borrowers, various lenders and
issuing banks, The First National Bank of Chicago and Goldman Sachs Credit
Partners L.P., as syndication agents and Citicorp USA, Inc. as
administrative agent, and any related security arrangements, all of the
outstanding capital stock of, or other ownership interests in, each
Subsidiary, is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear
of any Lien and free of any other limitation or restriction (including any
restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital
stock or other ownership interests), except any that arise under applicable
securities laws or that are permitted by such credit agreement. All such
capital stock has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid
and non-assessable. There are no outstanding (i) securities of the Company
or any Subsidiary convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital
stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in any Subsidiary,
and (ii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any
Subsidiary, and no other obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary to
issue, any capital stock, voting securities or other ownership interests
in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any capital
stock, voting securities or ownership interests in, any Subsidiary (the
items in clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to collectively as the
"SUBSIDIARY SECURITIES"). There are no outstanding obligations of the
Company or any Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
outstanding Subsidiary Securities.

     (c) ExistingSub was incorporated in Delaware prior to January 1, 1997.
To the Company's knowledge, until the Reorganization Merger Effective Time
neither the ExistingSub Shares nor the assets of ExistingSub has a material
value.

     SECTION 3.07. SEC Filings. (a) The Company has delivered to MergerSub
(i) the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996 (the "COMPANY 10-K"), (ii) its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for
the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30,
1997 (together with the Company 10-K, the "CURRENT SEC REPORTS"), (iii) its
proxy or information statements relating to meetings of, or actions taken
without a meeting by, the stockholders of the Company held since January 1,
1996, and (iv) all of its other reports, statements, schedules and
registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") since January 1, 1996 (collectively, the "SEC DOCUMENTS").

     (b) As of its filing date, each such report or statement filed
pursuant to the Exchange Act did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.

     (c) Each such registration statement, as amended or supplemented, if
applicable, filed pursuant to the Securities Act as of the date such
statement or amendment became effective did not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading.

     SECTION 3.08. Financial Statements. The audited consolidated financial
statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the
Company included in the Current SEC Reports, and the draft unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Company previously delivered to
MergerSub (the "1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"), fairly present, in all
material respects and in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto), the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their consolidated
results of operations and changes in financial position for the periods
then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments in the case of any
unaudited interim financial statements). The final audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1997
will be substantially identical to the 1997 Financial Statements, other
than any disclosures necessary to reflect the execution of this Agreement
by the Company and ExistingSub and any transactions contemplated hereby.
For purposes of this Agreement, "BALANCE SHEET" means the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997
set forth in the 1997 Financial Statements, and "BALANCE SHEET DATE" means
December 31, 1997.

     SECTION 3.09. Disclosure Documents. (a) Each document required to be
filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with the Mergers (but
excluding the Financing) (the "COMPANY DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS"), including,
without limitation, any Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company in
respect of this Agreement, and the proxy statement of the Company
containing information required by Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act to
be filed with the SEC in connection with the Mergers (the "COMPANY PROXY
STATEMENT"), and any amendments or supplements thereto will, when filed,
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of the Exchange Act. The representations and warranties contained in this
Section 3.09(a) will not apply to statements or omissions in the Company
Disclosure Documents based upon information furnished to the Company by
MergerSub for use therein.

     (b) At the time the Company Proxy Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto is first mailed to stockholders of the Company, and at
the time such stockholders vote on adoption of this Agreement and the
Mergers, the Company Proxy Statement, as supplemented or amended, if
applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. At the time of the filing of any Company Disclosure
Document, other than the Company Proxy Statement, and at the time of any
required distribution thereof, such Company Disclosure Document will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
representations and warranties contained in this Section 3.09(b) will not
apply to statements or omissions in the Company Disclosure Documents based
upon information furnished to the Company by MergerSub for use therein.

     (c) The information with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary that
the Company furnishes to MergerSub for use in any document filed by
MergerSub with the SEC will not, at the time of the filing thereof and at
the time of any required distribution thereof, contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     SECTION 3.10. Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Balance Sheet
Date, the Company and the Subsidiaries have conducted their business in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has not been:

     (a) any event, occurrence or development of a state of circumstances
or facts which has had or reasonably would be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect;

     (b) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Company, or
any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of any
outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of, or other
ownership interests in, the Company;

     (c) except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, any amendment of any
material term of any outstanding security of the Company or any Subsidiary;

     (d) except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, any incurrence,
assumption or guarantee by the Company or any Subsidiary of any
indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices;

     (e) any damage, destruction or other casualty loss (whether or not
covered by insurance) affecting the business or assets of the Company or
any Subsidiary which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (f) (i) any material change in any method of accounting, or accounting
practice by the Company or any Subsidiary or (ii) any revaluation in any
material respect of any of the material assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary, except for any such change or revaluation required by reason of
a concurrent change in generally accepted accounting principles; or

     (g) except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, any (i) grant of any
severance or termination pay to any director or executive officer of the
Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) entering into of any employment, deferred
compensation or other similar agreement (or any amendment to any such
existing agreement) with any director or executive officer of the Company
or any Subsidiary, or (iii) increase in compensation, bonus or other
benefits (including severance or other termination benefits) payable to
directors, officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

     SECTION 3.11. No Undisclosed Material Liabilities. There are no
liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary of any kind whatsoever,
whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or
otherwise, which individually or in the aggregate would be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than:

     (a) liabilities disclosed or provided for in the Balance Sheet or the
balance sheets (and the notes thereto) included in the Company's reports on
Form 10-Q referred to in Section 3.07(a);

     (b) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date; and

     (c) liabilities under this Agreement.

     SECTION 3.12. Litigation. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents,
there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding (or any basis
therefor) pending against, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened
against or affecting, the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their
respective properties before any court or arbitrator or any governmental
body, agency or official which would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     SECTION 3.13. Taxes. (a) All tax returns, statements, reports and
forms (including estimated tax returns and reports and information returns
and reports) required to be filed with any taxing authority by or on behalf
of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the
"RETURNS"), were filed when due (including any applicable extension
periods).

     (b) The Company and its Subsidiaries have timely paid, or withheld and
remitted to the appropriate taxing authority, all taxes shown as due and
payable on the Returns that have been filed.

     (c) The charges, accruals and reserves for taxes with respect to the
Company and any Subsidiary (including for any tax period for which no
Return has yet been filed) reflected on the books of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (excluding any provision for deferred income taxes) are
adequate to cover taxes for which the Company and any such Subsidiary are
liable.

     (d) There is no material claim (including under any indemnification or
tax-sharing agreement), audit, action, suit, proceeding, or investigation
now pending or threatened in writing against or in respect of any tax or
tax asset of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than any in respect of
which a reserve or allowance has been recorded in the 1997 Financial
Statements). For purposes of this Section 3.13, the term "TAX ASSET" shall
include any net operating loss, net capital loss, investment tax credit,
foreign tax credit or charitable deduction.

     (e) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the
statutory period of limitation applicable to any Returns of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.

     (f) There are no Liens for taxes upon the assets of the Company or its
Subsidiaries except for Liens for current taxes not yet due, and except for
Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     Section 3.14. ERISA. (a) The Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list
identifying each material "employee pension benefit plan", as defined in
Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
("ERISA"), which (i) is subject to any provision of ERISA and (ii) is
maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any affiliate
(as defined below) and covers any employee or former employee of the
Company or any affiliate or under which the Company or any affiliate has
any material liability. Within five business days of the date hereof, the
Company will make available to MergerSub copies of such plans (and, if
applicable, related trust agreements) and all amendments thereto and
written interpretations, together with (A) the three most recent annual
reports (Form 5500 including, if applicable, Schedule B thereto) prepared
in connection with any such plan and (B) the most recent actuarial
valuation report prepared in connection with any such plan, in each case
only to the extent not previously made available. Such plans are referred
to collectively herein as the "EMPLOYEE PLANS". For purposes of this
Section 3.14, "affiliate" of any Person means any other Person which,
together with such Person, would be treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Code. The only Employee Plans which individually or
collectively would constitute (x) an employee pension benefit plan as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (the "PENSION PLANS") or (y) a
"Multiemployer plan", as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA (a
"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN") are identified as such in the list referred to above.

     (b) No Employee Plan is maintained in connection with any trust
described in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code. The only Employee Plans that
are subject to Title IV of ERISA (the "RETIREMENT PLANS") are identified in
the list of such Plans provided to MergerSub by the Company. As of the
Balance Sheet Date, the fair market value of the aggregate assets of the
Retirement Plans (excluding for these purposes any accrued but unpaid
contributions) exceeded the projected benefit obligations on an aggregate
basis accrued under such Retirement Plans as in effect on such date. No
"accumulated funding deficiency," as defined in Section 412 of the Code,
has been incurred with respect to any Retirement Plan, whether or not
waived. The Company knows of no "reportable event," within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA, and no event described in Section 4041, 4042, 4062
or 4063 of ERISA has occurred in connection with any Employee Plan, other
than a reportable event or other event that will not have a Material
Adverse Effect. To the Company's knowledge, no current condition exists and
no event has occurred that (i) would constitute grounds for termination of
any Retirement Plan and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has
incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA arising in connection with
the termination of, or complete or partial withdrawal from, any Retirement
Plan covered or previously covered by Title IV of ERISA that would have a
Material Adverse Effect or (ii) presents a material risk of complete or
partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan which would result in the
Company or any Subsidiary incurring a withdrawal liability within the
meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA that would have a Material Adverse Effect.
The assets of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries are not now, nor, to
the Company's knowledge, will they after the passage of time be, subject to
any lien imposed under Section 412(n) of the Code by reason of a failure of
any of the Company or any of its affiliates to make timely installments or
other payments required under Section 412 of the Code. Nothing done or
omitted to be done, and no transaction or holding of any asset under or in
connection with any Employee Plan, has made or will make the Company or any
Subsidiary, or any officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary,
subject to any liability under Title I of ERISA or liable for any tax
pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code that could have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     (c) Each Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code is so qualified and to the Company's knowledge has been
so qualified during the period from its adoption to date and each trust
forming a part thereof is exempt from tax pursuant to Section 501(a) of the
Code. The Company will furnish to MergerSub within five days of the date
hereof copies of the most recent Internal Revenue Service determination
letters with respect to each such Employee Plan's qualified status. Except
as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, each Employee Plan has been
maintained in compliance with its terms and with the requirements
prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and regulations,
including but not limited to ERISA and the Code, which are applicable to
such Employee Plan.

     (d) There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any
employee or former employee of the Company or any affiliate that,
individually or collectively, would give rise to the payment of any amount
that would not be deductible pursuant to the terms of Section 280G of the
Code.

     (e) "BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS" means each material, written plan or
arrangement providing for insurance coverage (including any self-insured
arrangements), severance, disability benefits, supplemental unemployment
benefits, vacation benefits, retirement benefits or for deferred
compensation, profit-sharing, bonuses, stock options, stock appreciation or
other forms of incentive compensation or post-retirement insurance,
compensation or benefits which (i) is not an Employee Plan, (ii) is entered
into, maintained or contributed to, as the case may be, by the Company or
any of its affiliates and (iii) covers any U.S. employee or former employee
of the Company or any of its affiliates. Copies or descriptions of all such
foregoing Benefit Arrangements will be made available to MergerSub within
five business days of the date hereof to the extent not previously made
available. Each Benefit Arrangement has been maintained in compliance with
its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes,
orders, rules and regulations that are applicable to such Benefit
Arrangement except where any noncompliance would have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     (f) The present value of the projected liability in respect of
post-retirement health and medical benefits for retired employees of the
Company and its affiliates is set forth fairly, in all material respects,
in the 1997 Financial Statements. To the Company's knowledge, each
"employee welfare benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of
ERISA) providing health or medical benefits in respect of any active
non-union employee of the Company or any Subsidiary may by its terms be
amended or terminated.

     (g) There has been no amendment to, written interpretation or written
announcement by the Company or any of its affiliates relating to any
Employee Plan or Benefit Arrangement which would increase materially the
expense of maintaining such Employee Plan or Benefit Arrangement above the
level of the expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended
on the Balance Sheet Date.

     (h) The Company is not a party to or subject to any employment
contract with any executive officer or director of the Company.

     (i) Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, each material
International Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance with its
terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable
statutes, orders, rules and regulations (including any special provisions
relating to qualified plans where such Plan was intended to so qualify) and
has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory
authorities. With respect to each material International Plan, there has
been no amendment to, written interpretation of or written announcement by
the Company or any Subsidiary relating to, or change in employee
participation or coverage under, any such material International Plan that
would increase materially the expense of maintaining such material
International Plan above the level of expense incurred in respect thereof
for the most recent fiscal year ended prior to the date hereof.

     "INTERNATIONAL PLAN" means any employment, severance or similar
contract or arrangement (whether or not written) or any plan, policy, fund,
program or arrangement or contract providing for severance, insurance
coverage (including any self-insured arrangements), workers' compensation,
disability benefits, supplemental unemployment benefits, vacation benefits,
pension or retirement benefits or for deferred compensation,
profit-sharing, bonuses, stock options, stock appreciation rights or other
forms of incentive compensation or post-retirement insurance, compensation
or benefits that (i) is not an Employee Plan or a Benefit Arrangement, (ii)
is entered into, maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company
or any Subsidiary and (iii) covers any non U.S. employee of the Company or
any Subsidiary.

     SECTION 3.15. Labor Matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in
compliance with all currently applicable laws respecting employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and are
not engaged in any unfair labor practice, the failure to comply with which
or engagement in which, as the case may be, would have a Material Adverse
Effect. There is no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary
before the National Labor Relations Board or otherwise which if adversely
resolved is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no strikes,
slowdowns, union organizational campaigns or other protected concerted
activity under the National Labor Relations Act or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threats thereof, by or with respect to any employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 3.16. Compliance with Laws and Court Orders. Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of, or has since January 1,
1996 violated, and to the knowledge of the Company none is under
investigation with respect to or has been threatened to be charged
with or given notice of any violation of, any applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree, except for
violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 3.17. Licenses and Permits. Except as would not, individually
or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each license,
franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorization
affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (the "PERMITS") is valid and in full force and effect
and (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under, and no
condition exists that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute
a default under, the Permits.

     SECTION 3.18. Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries
own or possess adequate licenses or other rights to use all Intellectual
Property Rights necessary to conduct the business now operated by them,
except where the failure to own or possess such licenses or rights would
not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the
knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property Rights of the Company
and the Subsidiaries do not conflict with or infringe upon any Intellectual
Property Rights of others to the extent that, if sustained, such conflict
or infringement would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT" means
any trademark, service mark, trade name, mask work, copyright, patent,
software license, other data base, invention, trade secret, know-how
(including any registrations or applications for registration of any of the
foregoing) or any other similar type of proprietary intellectual property
right.

     SECTION 3.19. Finders' Fees. With the exception of Lazard Freres & Co.
LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co., copies of whose engagement agreements have
been provided to MergerSub, there is no investment banker, broker, finder
or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on
behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary who might be entitled to any fee or
commission from the Company or any Subsidiary or any of its affiliates upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement (other than Section 3.14), "AFFILIATE" or
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such
other Person.

     SECTION 3.20. Required Votes. The adoption of this Agreement by the
affirmative vote of the holders of Shares entitling such holders to
exercise at least a majority of the voting power of the Shares, the vote of
the Company as sole stockholder of ExistingSub and the vote of ExistingSub
as sole stockholder of ReorgSub are the only votes of holders of any class
or series of the capital stock of the Company, ExistingSub and ReorgSub
required to adopt this Agreement, or to approve the Mergers or any of the
other transactions contemplated hereby and no higher or additional vote is
required pursuant to the Company's or ExistingSub's certificate of
incorporation or otherwise.

     SECTION 3.21. Environmental Matters. (a)(i) No action, suit,
investigation or proceeding is pending against, or, to the knowledge of the
Company, is threatened by any Person against, the Company or any Subsidiary
which has a reasonable likelihood of an adverse determination nor has any
material penalty been assessed against the Company or any Subsidiary with
respect to any (A) alleged violation of any Environmental Law or liability
thereunder, (B) alleged failure to have any permit, certificate, license,
approval, registration or authorization required under any Environmental
Law, (c) generation, treatment, storage, recycling, transportation or
disposal of any Hazardous Substance or (C) discharge, emission or release
of any Hazardous Substance, except for such actions, suits, investigations,
proceedings and penalties which, individually or in the aggregate, would
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

          (ii) no Hazardous Substance has been discharged, emitted,
     released or is present at any property now or previously owned, leased
     or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary, which circumstance,
     individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to
     result in a Material Adverse Effect;

          (iii) the estimated costs of environmental remediation set forth
     in the Company 10-K represent a reasonable estimate of the Company's
     potential exposure for Environmental Liabilities reasonably likely to
     be incurred in the next ten years, including without limitation the
     costs of remediation or similar obligations (based on an application
     of current Environmental Laws and the use of a remedy reasonably
     likely to be required under such Environmental Laws), provided that
     there will be no breach of this representation unless the costs of
     such environmental remediation exceed such estimate by $5,400,000; and

          (iv) there are no Environmental Liabilities that would reasonably
     be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) There has been no environmental investigation, study, audit, test,
review or other analysis conducted since January 13, 1991 of which the
Company has knowledge in relation to the current or prior business of the
Company or any property or facility now or previously owned or leased by
the Company or any Subsidiary which has not been made available to
MergerSub at least five days prior to the date hereof, except for such
investigations, studies, audits, tests, reviews or analyses which report on
conditions and liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, would
not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (c) For purposes of this Section 3.22 the following terms shall have
the meanings set forth below:

          (i) "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all federal, state, local
     and foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations,
     ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, codes and injunctions
     relating to the effect of the environment on human health, the
     environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants,
     contaminants or other hazardous substances or wastes into the
     environment, including without limitation ambient air, surface water,
     ground water or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
     processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport
     or handling of pollutants, contaminants or other hazardous substances
     or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof;

          (ii) "ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES" means any and all liabilities of
     or relating to the Company and any Subsidiary (including any liability
     which relates to a predecessor of the Company or any Subsidiary),
     whether contingent or fixed, actual or potential, known or unknown,
     which (i) arise under or relate to matters covered by Environmental
     Laws and (ii) relate to actions occurring or conditions existing on or
     prior to the Effective Time; and

          (iii) "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" means any toxic, radioactive or
     otherwise hazardous substance, including petroleum, its derivatives,
     by-products and other hydrocarbons, or any substance having any
     constituent elements displaying any of the foregoing characteristics,
     which in any event is regulated under Environmental Laws.

     SECTION 3.22. Disclaimer. Except as set forth in this Article 3 or in
Section 1.02(d), the Company has not made and shall not be deemed to have
made any representation or warranty, express or implied. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any otherwise express
representation or warranty made by the Company in Article 3 or Section
1.02(d), the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to
any projections, estimates or budgets heretofore delivered to or made
available to MergerSub of future revenues, expenses or expenditures or
results of operations of the Company or any Subsidiaries.


                                 ARTICLE 4
                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERGERSUB

         MergerSub represents and warrants to the Company that:

     SECTION 4.01. Corporate Existence and Power. MergerSub is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all corporate powers
and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and
approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted. Since the
date of its incorporation, MergerSub has not engaged in any activities
other than in connection with or as contemplated by this Agreement and the
Merger or in connection with arranging any financing required to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby. MergerSub has heretofore delivered to
the Company true and complete copies of MergerSub's certificate of
incorporation and bylaws as currently in effect.

     SECTION 4.02. Corporate Authorization. The execution, delivery and
performance by MergerSub of this Agreement and the consummation by
MergerSub of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the corporate
powers of MergerSub and have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement
of MergerSub.

     SECTION 4.03. Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and
performance by MergerSub of this Agreement and the consummation by
MergerSub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement require no
action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency,
official or authority other than (a) the filing of a certificate of merger
in accordance with Delaware Law; (b) compliance with any applicable
requirements of the HSR Act; (c) compliance with any applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act; (d) compliance with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act; (e) compliance with any applicable
foreign or state securities or Blue Sky laws; (f) any other authorizations
required to be obtained pursuant to applicable foreign statutes, rules or
regulations and (g) any actions or filings that if not taken or made would
not have a material adverse effect on MergerSub.

     SECTION 4.04. Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and
performance by MergerSub of this Agreement and the consummation by
MergerSub of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (a)
contravene or conflict with the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of
MergerSub, (b) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section
4.03, contravene or conflict with any provision of law, regulation,
judgment, order or decree binding upon MergerSub, or (c) constitute a
default under or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of any right or obligation of MergerSub or to a loss of any
benefit to which MergerSub is entitled under any agreement, contract or
other instrument binding upon MergerSub.

     SECTION 4.05. Disclosure Documents. (a) The information that MergerSub
furnishes to the Company for use in any Company Disclosure Document will
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading
(i) in the case of the Company Proxy Statement, at the time the Company
Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto is first mailed to
stockholders of the Company and at the time the stockholders vote on
adoption of this Agreement and the Mergers, and (ii) in the case of any
Company Disclosure Document other than the Company Proxy Statement, at the
time of the filing thereof and at the time of any required distribution
thereof.

     (b) Each document required to be filed by MergerSub with the SEC in
connection with the Mergers (including the Financing) will, when filed,
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not at the time of the
filing thereof, or at the time of the distribution thereof, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided, that
this representation and warranty will not apply to statements or omissions
in such documents based upon information furnished to MergerSub in writing
by the Company specifically for use therein.

     SECTION 4.06. Finders' Fees. Except for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation ("DLJSC"), whose fees will be paid by MergerSub,
there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary who
might be entitled to any fee or commission from MergerSub or any of its
affiliates upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

     SECTION 4.07. Financing. The Company has received copies of (a) a
commitment letter dated March 20, 1998 from DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
II, L.P., and certain of its affiliates pursuant to which each of the
foregoing has committed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
therein, to purchase securities of MergerSub for an aggregate amount equal
to $54,999,997.50, (b) a letter dated March 20, 1998 from DLJ Bridge
Finance, Inc. ("DLJ BRIDGE FUND") pursuant to which DLJ Bridge Fund has
committed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to
purchase senior pay-in-kind increasing rate notes of the Company in the
amount of $110,000,000 and (c) a commitment letter dated March 20, 1998
from DLJ Capital Funding, Inc. ("DLJ SENIOR DEBT FUND") pursuant to which
DLJ Senior Debt Fund has committed, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth therein, to enter into one or more credit agreements providing for
loans to the corporation surviving the Reorganization Merger of up to
$350,000,000. As used in this Agreement, the aforementioned entities shall
hereinafter be referred to as the "FINANCING ENTITIES". The aforementioned
credit agreements and commitments to purchase equity securities of
MergerSub shall be referred to as the "FINANCING AGREEMENTS" and the
financing to be provided thereunder shall be referred to as the
"FINANCING". The aggregate proceeds of the Financing are in an amount
sufficient to pay the Merger Consideration, to repay the Company's and its
Subsidiaries' indebtedness (excluding for this purpose capital lease
obligations) together with any interest, premium or penalties payable in
connection therewith, to provide a reasonable amount of working capital
financing and to pay related fees and expenses (collectively, the "REQUIRED
AMOUNTS"). As of the date hereof, none of the commitment letters relating
to the Financing Agreements referred to above has been withdrawn and
MergerSub does not know of any facts or circumstances that may reasonably
be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in the commitment
letters relating to the Financing Agreements not being satisfied. MergerSub
believes that the Financing will not create any liability to the directors
and stockholders of the Company under any Federal or state fraudulent
conveyance or transfer law. MergerSub further believes that, upon the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation, the Financing, the Surviving Corporation (i) will not become
insolvent, (ii) will not be left with unreasonably small capital, (iii)
will not have incurred debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they
mature, and (iv) will not have its capital impaired. MergerSub knows of no
reason why the Merger will not be recorded as a "recapitalization" for
financial reporting purposes.

     SECTION 4.08. Capitalization. All outstanding shares of capital stock
of MergerSub have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
paid and nonassessable. As of the moment immediately prior to the Effective
Time, 1,235,955 shares of MergerSub Common Stock and MergerSub Warrants to
acquire 111,347 shares of MergerSub Common Stock at an exercise price of
not less than $0.01 per share (which will have been purchased for aggregate
consideration of $54,999,997.50) will be outstanding. Except as set forth
in this Section 4.08, there are outstanding (a) no shares of capital stock
or other voting securities of MergerSub, (b) no securities of MergerSub
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting
securities of MergerSub, and (c) no options or other rights to acquire from
MergerSub, and no obligation of MergerSub to issue, any capital stock,
voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
capital stock or voting securities of MergerSub (the items in clauses (a),
(b) and (c), together with the MergerSub Common Stock and the MergerSub
Warrants, being referred to collectively as the "MERGERSUB SECURITIES").
There are no outstanding obligations of MergerSub to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any MergerSub Securities.


                                 ARTICLE 5
                          COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company agrees that:

     SECTION 5.01. Conduct of the Company. Except as otherwise contemplated
by, or provided for, in this Agreement or the Disclosure Schedule, without
the prior written consent of MergerSub (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld), from the date hereof to the Effective Time, the Board of
Directors shall not approve or authorize any action that would allow the
Company and its Subsidiaries to carry on their respective businesses other
than in the ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with past
practices or any action that would prevent the Company and its Subsidiaries
from using their reasonable best efforts to (i) preserve intact its present
business organization, (ii) maintain in effect all material federal, state
and local licenses, approvals and authorizations, including, without
limitation, all material Permits that are required for the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to carry on their business, (iii) keep available the
services of its key officers and key employees, and (iv) maintain
satisfactory relationships with its material customers, lenders, suppliers
and others having material business relationships with it. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise contemplated by,
or provided for, in this Agreement or the Disclosure Schedule, without the
prior written consent of MergerSub (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld), prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall not,
nor shall it authorize or direct the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to:

     (a) adopt or propose any change in its certificate of incorporation or
bylaws;

     (b) except pursuant to existing agreements or arrangements, (i)
acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or
otherwise), directly or indirectly, any material corporation, partnership
or other business organization or division thereof, or sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of a material Subsidiary or a material amount of assets
(excluding sales of inventory) or securities; (ii) waive, release, grant,
or transfer any rights of material value, except in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practices; (iii) modify or change in any
material respect any existing material license, lease, contract, or other
document, except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practices; (iv) except to refund or refinance commercial paper or with
respect to borrowings in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices, incur, assume or prepay an amount of long-term or
short-term debt; (v) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable
or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the
obligations of any other person, except in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practices; (vi) make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person, except in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices; or purchase
any property or assets of any other individual or entity, except in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices; (vii) enter
into any interest rate, currency or other swap or derivative transaction,
other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practices, and for bona fide hedging purposes; or (viii) except for capital
expenditures provided for in the Company's 1998 capital budget, a copy of
which has been previously provided to MergerSub, incur any capital
expenditure, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $3,000,000.

     (c) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock,
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in
cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its
capital stock, other than cash dividends and distributions by a directly or
indirectly wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a
directly or indirectly wholly owned Subsidiary, or, in the case of a joint
venture vehicle pro rata to all equity owners thereof, or redeem,
repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or
otherwise acquire any of its securities or any securities of its
Subsidiaries, except pursuant to the Reorganization Merger;

     (d) adopt or amend any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, severance,
termination, stock option, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
employment or employee benefit plan, agreement, trust, plan, fund or other
arrangement for the benefit and welfare of any director, officer or
employee, or increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of
any director, officer or employee or pay any benefit not required by any
existing plan or arrangement (including, without limitation, the granting
of stock options or stock appreciation rights or the removal of existing
restrictions in any benefit plans or agreements), except, in each case, for
normal actions in the ordinary course of business that are consistent with
past practices and that, in the aggregate, do not result in a material
increase in benefits or compensation expense to the Company;

     (e) except as required by applicable law or generally accepted
accounting principles, revalue in any material respect any of its assets,
including, without limitation, writing down the value of inventory in any
material manner or write-off of notes or accounts receivable in any
material manner;

     (f) pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims, liabilities or
obligations (whether absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent
or otherwise) other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, of liabilities
reflected or reserved against in the consolidated financial statements of
the Company or incurred in the ordinary course of business, consistent with
past practices;

     (g) make any tax election inconsistent with past practices, or settle
or compromise any material income tax liability;

     (h) take any action other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices with respect to accounting policies or
procedures; or

     (i) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

     SECTION 5.02. Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Material. (a) The Company
shall cause a meeting of its stockholders (the "COMPANY STOCKHOLDER
MEETING") to be duly called and held as soon as reasonably practicable for
the purpose of voting on the approval and adoption of this Agreement and
the Mergers. The Board of Directors shall, subject to its fiduciary duties
as advised by counsel, recommend approval and adoption by the Company's
stockholders of this Agreement and the Mergers.

     (b) In connection with the Company Stockholder Meeting, the Company
(i) will as promptly as practicable prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT") (which
Registration Statement includes the Company Proxy Statement), will use its
reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared
effective by the SEC and will thereafter mail to its stockholders as
promptly as practicable the Company Proxy Statement and all other proxy
materials for such meeting, (ii) will use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain the necessary approvals by its stockholders of this Agreement, the
Mergers and the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) will otherwise
comply with all legal requirements applicable to such meeting.

     SECTION 5.03. Access to Information. From the date hereof until the
Effective Time, the Company will give MergerSub, its counsel, financial
advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives full access to the
offices, properties, books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries
(so long as such access does not unreasonably interfere with the operations
of the Company and the Subsidiaries), will furnish to MergerSub, their
counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives
such financial and operating data and other information as such Persons may
reasonably request and will instruct the Company's employees, counsel and
financial advisors to cooperate with MergerSub in its investigation of the
business of the Company and the Subsidiaries; provided that no
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall affect any representation
or warranty given by the Company to MergerSub hereunder; and provided,
further that (i) any information provided to MergerSub pursuant to this
Section 5.03 shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement dated as of
February 16, 1998 between the Company and DLJ Merchant Banking II, Inc.
(the "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT") and (ii) none of the Company or any other
Persons covered by this Section 5.03 shall be obligated to furnish any
information under this Section 5.03 if doing so would, on the basis of
advice from the Company's counsel, result in the loss of attorney-client
privilege in favor of the Company or a Subsidiary or violate the terms of
any contract, so long as the Company informs MergerSub of its decision to
withhold such information and furnishes a description of such information
that is consistent with the preservation of such privilege or compliance
with such agreement, as applicable.

     SECTION 5.04. Other Offers. (a) Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall (whether directly or indirectly through advisors, agents
or other intermediaries), nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
authorize or permit any of its or their officers, directors, agents,
representatives, advisors or Subsidiaries to (A) solicit, initiate or take
any action knowingly to facilitate the submission of inquiries, proposals
or offers from any Third Party (as defined below) (other than MergerSub)
relating to (i) any acquisition or purchase of 20% or more of the
consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or of over 20% of
any class of equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than 20% of
the consolidated assets of the Company, (ii) any tender offer (including a
self-tender offer) or exchange offer that if consummated would result in
any Third Party beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of equity
securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets,
individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than 20% of the
consolidated assets of the Company, (iii) any merger, consolidation,
business combination, sale of substantially all assets, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate,
constitute more than 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company other
than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (iv) any other
transaction the consummation of which would or could reasonably be expected
to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the Mergers
(collectively, "ACQUISITION PROPOSALS"), or agree to or endorse any
Acquisition Proposal, (B) enter into or participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding any of the foregoing, or furnish to any Third Party
any information with respect to its business, properties or assets in order
to facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any Third Party (other
than MergerSub) to do or seek any of the foregoing, or otherwise cooperate
in any way with, or knowingly assist or participate in, facilitate or
encourage, any effort or attempt by any Third Party (other than MergerSub)
to do or seek any of the foregoing, or (C) grant any waiver or release
under any standstill or similar agreement with respect to any class of
equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company (either directly
or indirectly through advisors, agents or other intermediaries) from (i)
furnishing information pursuant to an appropriate confidentiality letter
(which letter shall not be less favorable to the Company in any material
respect than the Confidentiality Agreement, and a copy of which shall be
provided for informational purposes only to MergerSub with the name of the
other party redacted) concerning the Company and its businesses, properties
or assets to a Third Party who has made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal,
(ii) engaging in discussions or negotiations with a Third Party who has
made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal, (iii) following receipt of a bona
fide Acquisition Proposal, taking and disclosing to its stockholders a
position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 under the Exchange Act
or otherwise making disclosure to its stockholders, (iv) following receipt
of a bona fide Acquisition Proposal, failing to make or withdrawing or
modifying its recommendation referred to in Section 5.02 and/or (v) taking
any non-appealable, final action ordered to be taken by the Company by any
court of competent jurisdiction, but in each case referred to in the
foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) only to the extent that the Board of
Directors shall have concluded in good faith on the basis of advice from
outside counsel that the failure to take such action would result in a
breach of the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors to the
stockholders of the Company under applicable law; provided, further, that
(A) the Board of Directors shall not take any of the foregoing actions
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) until after reasonable notice to
MergerSub with respect to such action, and (B) if the Board of Directors
receives an Acquisition Proposal, to the extent it may do so without
breaching its fiduciary duties as advised by counsel and as determined in
good faith and without violating any of the conditions of such Acquisition
Proposal, then the Company shall promptly inform MergerSub of the terms and
conditions of such proposal and the identity of the person making it. The
Company will immediately cease and cause its advisors, agents and other
intermediaries to cease any and all existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of
the foregoing, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any such
parties in possession of confidential information about the Company that
was furnished by or on behalf of the Company to return or destroy all such
information in the possession of any such party or in the possession of any
agent or advisor of any such party. As used in this Agreement, the term
"THIRD PARTY" means any person, corporation, entity or "group" as defined
in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than MergerSub or any of its
affiliates.

     (b) If a Payment Event (as hereinafter defined) occurs, the Company
shall pay to MergerSub, within two business days following such Payment
Event, a fee of $6,000,000.

     (c) "PAYMENT EVENT" means (w) the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.01(e);(x) the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 9.01(f) in contemplation of a merger agreement or a tender or
exchange offer or any transaction of the type listed in clause (z) below,
on terms more favorable to the Company's stockholders from a financial
point of view than the Merger; (y) the termination of this Agreement by
MergerSub pursuant to Section 9.01(c) but only if the breach of covenant or
warranty or misrepresentation in question arises out of the bad faith or
willful misconduct of the Company; or (z) the occurrence of any of the
following events within 12 months of the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.01(g) whereby stockholders of the Company receive,
pursuant to such event, cash, securities or other consideration having an
aggregate value, when taken together with the value of any securities of
the Company or its Subsidiaries otherwise held by the stockholders of the
Company after such event, in excess of $44.50 per Share: the Company is
acquired by merger or otherwise by a Third Party; a Third Party acquires
more than 50% of the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole; a Third Party acquires more than 50% of the outstanding
Shares or the Company adopts and implements a plan of liquidation,
recapitalization or share repurchase relating to more than 50% of the
outstanding Shares or an extraordinary dividend relating to more than 50%
of the outstanding Shares or 50% of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     (d) Upon (ix) the occurrence of a Payment Event, or (x) a termination
by MergerSub that follows a failure of the conditions set forth in Sections
8.01(a) or 8.02(g) to be satisfied, the Company shall reimburse MergerSub
and its affiliates not later than two business days after submission of
reasonable documentation thereof for 100% of their out-of-pocket fees and
expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel and
fees payable to the financing entities and their respective counsel) up to
$5,000,000, in each case, actually incurred by any of them or on their
behalf in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

     (e) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this
Section 5.04 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, MergerSub would not enter
into this Agreement; accordingly, if the Company fails to promptly pay any
amount due pursuant to this Section 5.04 and, in order to obtain such
payment, the other party commences a suit which results in a judgment
against the Company for the fee or fees and expenses set forth in this
Section 5.04, the Company shall also pay to MergerSub its costs and
expenses incurred in connection with such litigation.

     (f) Section 5.04(b)-(e) shall survive any termination of this
Agreement, however caused.

     SECTION 5.05. Resignation of Directors. Immediately prior to the
Effective Time, the Company and ExistingSub shall deliver to MergerSub
evidence satisfactory to MergerSub of the resignation of all directors of
the Company and ExistingSub (in each case other than Robert L. Smialek)
effective at the Effective Time.

     SECTION 5.06. Solvency Opinion. The Company shall request an
independent advisor to deliver the opinion contemplated by Section 8.03(b)
as promptly as practicable.

     SECTION 5.07. Transfers by Affiliates. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain and provide to MergerSub prior to the
Effective Time undertakings in writing from each Person, if any, who
according to counsel for the Company might reasonably be considered
"affiliates" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the SEC
pursuant to the Securities Act (each, a "RULE 145 AFFILIATE"), in each case
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for MergerSub
providing (i) such Rule 145 Affiliate will notify MergerSub in writing
before offering for sale or selling or otherwise disposing of any Shares or
ExistingSub Shares owned by such Rule 145 Affiliate and (ii) no such sale
or other disposition shall be made unless and until the Rule 145 Affiliate
has supplied to MergerSub an opinion of counsel for the Rule 145 Affiliate
(which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to MergerSub) to the effect
that such transfer is not in violation of the Securities Act.


                                 ARTICLE 6
                           COVENANTS OF MERGERSUB

     MergerSub agrees that:

     SECTION 6.01. Voting of Shares. MergerSub agrees to vote all Shares
beneficially owned by it in favor of adoption of this Agreement at the
Company Stockholder Meeting.

     SECTION 6.02. Director and Officer Liability. The Surviving
Corporation shall cause the Company to do the following and the Company
hereby agrees to do the following:

     (a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the present and
former officers and directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(each an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") in respect of acts or omissions or alleged
acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to the
fullest extent permitted from time to time by Delaware Law or any other
applicable laws as presently or hereafter in effect or provided under the
Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws in effect on the date
hereof.

     (b) The Company shall pay on an as-incurred basis the reasonable fees
and expenses of such Indemnified Person (including fees and expenses of
counsel) in advance of the final disposition of any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation that is the subject of the right to
indemnification, subject to reimbursement in the event such Indemnified
Person is not entitled to indemnification.

     (c) The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company shall
contain the provisions providing for exculpation of director and officer
liability and indemnification on the same basis as set forth in the
Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws in effect on the date
hereof. For a period of six years after the Effective Time, the Company
shall maintain in effect such provisions in the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of the Company providing for exculpation of
director and officer liability and indemnification to the fullest extent
permitted from time to time under Delaware Law, which provisions shall not
be amended except as required by applicable law or except to make changes
permitted by applicable law that would enlarge the scope of the Indemnified
Parties' indemnification rights thereunder.

     (d) The Company shall pay all expenses, including attorneys' fees,
that may be incurred by an Indemnified Person in enforcing the indemnity
and other obligations provided for in this Section 6.02. In the event of
any action, suit, investigation or proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall
be entitled to control the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing
reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Company shall cooperate in the
defense thereof, provided however that the Company shall not be liable for
the fees of more than one counsel for all Indemnified Parties, other than
local counsel, unless a conflict of interest shall be caused thereby and
provided further that the Company shall not be liable for any settlement
effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld).

     (e) For a period of six years after the Effective Time, the Company
shall provide officers' and directors' liability insurance in respect of
acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time covering each
such Person currently covered by the Company's officers' and directors'
liability insurance policy on terms with respect to coverage and amount no
less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date hereof,
provided that in satisfying its obligation under this Section 6.02(e), the
Company shall not be obligated to pay premiums in excess of 150% of the
amount per annum the Company paid in its last full fiscal year, which
amount has been disclosed to MergerSub.

     (f) The rights of each Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in
addition to any other rights such Indemnified Party may have under the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or the Surviving
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, under Delaware Law or otherwise.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or
otherwise, the provisions of this Section 6.02 shall survive the
consummation of the Merger, and each Indemnified Person shall, for all
purposes, be a third party beneficiary of the covenants and agreements
contained in this Section 6.02 and, accordingly, shall be treated as a
party to this Agreement for purposes of the rights and remedies relating to
enforcement of such covenants and agreements and shall be entitled to
enforce any such rights and exercise any such remedies directly against
MergerSub, the Surviving Corporation and the Company.

     SECTION 6.03. Employee Plans and Benefit Arrangements. (a) From and
after the Effective Time, subject to applicable law, the Surviving
Corporation shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to, and the
Company and its Subsidiaries shall, honor the obligations of the Company
and its Subsidiaries incurred prior to the Effective Time under all
existing Employee Plans, Benefit Arrangements and International Plans.

     (b) The Surviving Corporation agrees that, for at least one year from
the Effective Time, subject to applicable law, the Surviving Corporation
shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to, and the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall, provide benefits to their employees which will, in the
aggregate, be comparable to those currently provided by the Company and its
Subsidiaries to their employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
herein shall obligate or require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
provide its employees with a plan or arrangement similar to the stock
option or any other equity-based compensation plans currently maintained by
the Company and nothing herein shall limit the Company's right to amend,
modify or terminate any particular Employee Plan or Benefit Arrangement.

     (c) After the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause
the Company to, and the Company shall, grant to all individuals who are, as
of the Effective Time, employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
credit for all service with the Company, any of its present and former
Subsidiaries, any other affiliate of the Company and their respective
predecessors (collectively, the "INSILCO AFFILIATED GROUP") prior to the
Effective Time for purposes of vesting, participation, eligibility for
benefit commencement and benefit accrual (but without any duplication of
benefits in any such case). Any Benefit Arrangements or International Plans
which provide medical, dental or life insurance benefits after the
Effective Time to any individual who is a current or former employee of the
Insilco Affiliated Group as of the Effective Time (an "EMPLOYEE") or a
dependent of an Employee (a "DEPENDENT") shall, with respect to such
individuals, waive any waiting periods and any pre-existing conditions and
actively-at-work exclusions to the extent so waived under present policy
and shall provide that any expenses incurred on or before the Effective
Time by such individuals shall be taken into account under such plans for
purposes of satisfying applicable deductible or coinsurance provisions to
the extent taken into account under present policy.

     SECTION 6.04. Financing. MergerSub shall use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain the Financing (including satisfying the conditions
thereto). In the event that any portion of such Financing becomes
unavailable, regardless of the reason therefor, MergerSub will use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative financing on substantially
comparable or more favorable terms from other sources.

     SECTION 6.05. NASDAQ Listing. The Surviving Corporation will not take
any action, for at least three years after the Effective Time, to cause the
Surviving Corporation Shares to be de-listed from, or fail to meet any of
the listing standards of, the NASDAQ National Market ("NASDAQ"); provided,
however, that the Surviving Corporation may cause or permit the Surviving
Corporation Shares to be de-listed in connection with a transaction (other
than the Merger) which results in the termination of registration of such
securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and provided, further,
that nothing in this Section 6.05 shall require the Surviving Corporation
to take any affirmative action to prevent the Surviving Corporation Shares
from being de-listed by NASDAQ if the Surviving Corporation Shares cease to
meet the applicable listing standards. For at least three years after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall make available the
information required pursuant to Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act.


                                 ARTICLE 7
                   COVENANTS OF MERGERSUB AND THE COMPANY

     The parties hereto agree that:

     SECTION 7.01. Reasonable Best Efforts. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each party will use its reasonable best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to
be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws
and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including delivering such documents relating to corporate
existence and authority as the other parties may reasonably request. Each
party shall also refrain from taking, directly or indirectly, any action
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement,
including action which would impair such party's ability to consummate the
Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting
the foregoing, the Company and the Board of Directors shall use their
reasonable best efforts to (a) take all action necessary so that no state
takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes applicable
to the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (b) if any state takeover statute or similar statute or
regulation becomes applicable to any of the foregoing, take all action
necessary so that the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms
contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such
statute or regulation on the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     SECTION 7.02. Certain Filings. (a) The Company and MergerSub shall use
their respective reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken, (i)
all actions necessary, proper or advisable by such party with respect to
the prompt preparation and filing with the SEC the Registration Statement
and the other Company Disclosure Documents, (ii) such actions as may be
required to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the
Securities Act and to have the Company Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC,
in each case as promptly as practicable, and (iii) such actions as may be
required to be taken under state securities or applicable Blue Sky laws in
connection with the issuance of the securities contemplated hereby.

     (b) The Company agrees to provide, and will cause its Subsidiaries and
its and their respective officers, employees and advisors to provide, all
necessary cooperation in connection with the arrangement of any financing
to be consummated contemporaneous with or at or after the Effective Time in
respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
without limitation, (x) participation in meetings, due diligence sessions
and road shows, (y) the preparation of offering memoranda, private
placement memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents, and (z) the
execution and delivery of any commitment letters, underwriting or placement
agreements, pledge and security documents, other definitive financing
documents, or other requested certificates or documents, including comfort
letters of accountants and legal opinions relating to the Company as may be
reasonably requested by MergerSub and as are customarily provided in
similar transactions; provided that the form and substance of any of the
material documents referred to in clause (y), and the terms and conditions
of any of the material agreements and other documents referred to in clause
(z), shall be substantially consistent with the terms and conditions set
forth in the commitment letters referred to in Section 4.07.

     (c) The Company and MergerSub shall cooperate with one another (i) in
determining whether any action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
governmental body, agency or official, or authority is required, or any
actions, consents, approvals or waivers are required to be obtained from
parties to any material contracts, in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) in seeking any
such actions, consents, approvals or waivers or making any such filings,
furnishing information required in connection therewith or with the Company
Disclosure Documents and seeking to obtain any such actions, consents,
approvals or waivers in a timely manner.

     SECTION 7.03. Public Announcements. MergerSub and the Company will
consult with each other before issuing any press release or making any
public statement with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and, except for any press release or public statement
as may be required by applicable law or any listing agreement with any
national securities exchange or NASDAQ, will not issue any such press
release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation.

     SECTION 7.04. Further Assurances. At and after the Effective Time, the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation will be authorized to
execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company or MergerSub,
any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances and to take and do, in
the name and on behalf of the Company or MergerSub, any other actions and
things to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving
Corporation any and all right, title and interest in, to and under any of
the rights, properties or assets of the Company acquired or to be acquired
by the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the
Mergers.

     SECTION 7.05. Reserved Shares. The Surviving Corporation shall cause
the Company to, and the Company shall, honor the provisions of the
Bankruptcy Order and all agreements made pursuant thereto with respect to
the issuance of the Reserved Shares, except that in lieu of issuing any
Reserved Shares, payment shall be made in cash in an amount equal to $44.50
multiplied by the aggregate number of Reserved Shares which otherwise would
become issuable pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Order.

     SECTION 7.06. Notices of Certain Events. Each of the parties hereto
shall promptly notify the other parties of:

     (a) the receipt by such party of any material written notice or other
material communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such
Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;

     (b) the receipt by such party of any material written notice or other
material communication from any governmental or regulatory agency or
authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement;

     (c) actual knowledge by such party of any actions, suits, claims,
investigations or proceedings commenced or, to the knowledge of such party
threatened against such party or any of its Affiliates which, if pending on
the date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed
pursuant to Section 3.12 or which relate to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

     (d) actual knowledge by such party of (i) the occurrence, or failure
to occur, of any event that has caused any of its representations or
warranties hereunder to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at
any time from the date hereof to the Effective Time and (ii) the failure by
it to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement.


                                 ARTICLE 8
                          CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

     SECTION 8.01. Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The
obligations of the Company and MergerSub to consummate the Mergers are
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

     (a) This Agreement and the Mergers shall have been adopted by a
majority of the outstanding Shares as of the record date of the Company
Stockholder Meeting;

     (b) Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the
Merger shall have expired or been terminated;

     (c) No provision of any applicable law or regulation and no judgment,
order, decree or injunction shall prohibit or restrain the consummation of
the Merger; provided, however, that the Company and MergerSub shall each
use its reasonable best efforts to have any such judgment, order, decree or
injunction vacated;

     (d) All consents, approvals and licenses of any governmental or other
regulatory body required in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and for the Company and its Subsidiaries to
conduct their business in substantially the manner now conducted, shall
have been obtained, unless the failure to obtain such consents,
authorizations, orders or approvals would not have a Material Adverse
Effect after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (including the Financing); and

     (e) The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective and
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending
before or threatened by the SEC.

     SECTION 8.02. Conditions to the Obligations of MergerSub. The
obligations of MergerSub to consummate the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction of the following further conditions:

     (a) The Company shall have performed in all material respects all of
its obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the
Effective Time, the representations and warranties of the Company contained
in this Agreement shall be true in all material respects at and as of the
Effective Time (provided that representations made as of a specific date
shall be required to be true as of such date only) as if made at and as of
such time (except as contemplated by this Agreement) and MergerSub shall
have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of the Company
to the foregoing effect. The parties agree that the Reorganization Merger
shall not be deemed to have occurred for the purposes of determining the
satisfaction of this Section 8.02(a) as to the representations and
warranties of the Company covered by this Section 8.02(a) and following the
Reorganization Merger, ExistingSub will take no actions, incur no
liabilities, enter into no agreements or otherwise engage in any business
except as necessary to consummate the Merger and the Financing;

     (b) There shall not be pending (x) any action or proceeding against
the Company or any Subsidiary by any government or governmental authority
or agency or (y) any action or proceeding against the Company or any
Subsidiary by any other person, in either case before any court or
governmental authority or agency that has a reasonable likelihood of
success, challenging or seeking to make illegal, to delay materially or
otherwise directly or indirectly to restrain or prohibit the consummation
of the Merger or seeking to obtain material damages or otherwise directly
or indirectly relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
seeking to restrain or prohibit MergerSub's (including its Subsidiaries and
affiliates) ownership or operation of all or any material portion of the
business or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or to compel MergerSub or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates to dispose
of or hold separate all or any material portion of the business or assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, seeking to impose or
confirm material limitations on the ability of MergerSub or any of its
Subsidiaries or affiliates to effectively control the business or
operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
effectively to exercise full rights of ownership of the Shares, including,
without limitation, the right to vote any Shares acquired or owned by
MergerSub or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates on all matters properly
presented to the Company's stockholders, or seeking to require divestiture
by MergerSub or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates of any Shares, and no
court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official shall have
issued any judgment, order, decree or injunction, and there shall not be
any statute, rule or regulation, that, in the reasonable judgment of
MergerSub is likely, directly or indirectly, to result in any of the
consequences referred to in this paragraph (b);

     (c) The Reorganization Merger shall have occurred as contemplated by
Section 1.01;

     (d) The funds in an amount at least equal to the Required Amounts
shall have been made available to MergerSub and/or the Company as
contemplated in Section 4.07;

     (e) The holders of not more than 6% of the outstanding Shares shall
have demanded appraisal of their Shares in accordance with Delaware Law;

     (f) MergerSub shall be reasonably satisfied that the Merger will be
recorded as a "recapitalization" for financial reporting purposes; and

     (g) Total indebtedness (long- and short-term) of the Company and its
Subsidiaries immediately preceding the Reorganization Effective Time shall
not exceed $290,000,000 (excluding capital leases).

     SECTION 8.03. Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and
ExistingSub. The obligation of the Company to consummate the Reorganization
Merger and the obligation of ExistingSub to consummate the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

     (a) MergerSub shall have performed in all material respects all of its
obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the
Effective Time, the representations and warranties of MergerSub contained
in this Agreement and in any certificate or other writing delivered by it
pursuant hereto shall be true in all material respects at and as of the
Effective Time (provided that representations made as of a specific date
shall be required to be true as of such date only) as if made at and as of
such time and the Company shall have received a certificate signed by an
executive officer of MergerSub to the foregoing effect.

     (b) The Board of Directors shall have received an opinion, addressed
and reasonably satisfactory to it, from an independent advisor confirming
the belief of MergerSub set forth in the second to last sentence of Section
4.07.


                                 ARTICLE 9
                                TERMINATION

     SECTION 9.01. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time
(notwithstanding any approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the
Company):

     (a) by mutual written consent of the Company on the one hand and
MergerSub on the other hand;

     (b) by either the Company or MergerSub, if the Merger has not been
consummated by September 30, 1998, provided that the party seeking to
exercise such right is not then in breach in any material respect of any of
its obligations under this Agreement;

     (c) by either the Company or MergerSub, if MergerSub (in the case of
termination by the Company), or the Company (in the case of termination by
MergerSub) shall have breached in any material respect any of its
obligations under this Agreement or any representation and warranty of
MergerSub (in the case of termination by the Company) or the Company (in
the case of termination by MergerSub) shall have been incorrect in any
material respect when made or at any time prior to the Effective Time
(unless such breach or failure to be correct shall be capable of correction
and, in such case, the breaching party shall promptly effect such
correction);

     (d) by either the Company or MergerSub, if there shall be any law or
regulation that makes consummation of the Merger illegal or otherwise
prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree enjoining
MergerSub or the Company from consummating the Merger is entered and such
judgment, injunction, order or decree shall become final and nonappealable;

     (e) by MergerSub if the Board of Directors shall have withdrawn or
modified or amended, in a manner adverse to MergerSub, its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement and the Mergers or its recommendation that
stockholders of the Company adopt and approve this Agreement and the
Mergers, or approved, recommended or endorsed any proposal for a
transaction other than the Mergers (including a tender or exchange offer
for Shares) or if the Company has failed to call the Company Stockholders
Meeting or failed as promptly as practicable after the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC to mail the Company Proxy
Statement to its stockholders or failed to include in such statement the
recommendation referred to above;

     (f) by the Company if prior to the Effective Time the Board of
Directors shall have withdrawn or modified or amended, in a manner adverse
to MergerSub, its approval or recommendation of this Agreement and the
Mergers or its recommendation that stockholders of the Company adopt and
approve this Agreement and the Mergers in order to permit the Company to
execute a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition of the Company
or in order to approve a tender or exchange offer for any or all of the
Shares, in either case, that is determined by the Board of Directors to be
on terms more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company's
stockholders than the Mergers, provided that the Company shall be in
compliance with Section 5.04; and

     (g) by either the Company or MergerSub if, at a duly held stockholders
meeting of the Company or any adjournment thereof at which this Agreement
and the Mergers are voted upon, the requisite stockholder adoption and
approval shall not have been obtained.

     The party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Sections
9.01(b)-(g) shall give written notice of such termination to the other
party in accordance with Section 10.01.

     Section 9.02. Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 9.01, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect
with no liability on the part of any party hereto, except that the
agreements contained in clause (i) of Section 5.03, Sections 5.04(b)-(e) and
10.04 shall survive the termination hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing in this Section 9.02 shall relieve any party to this Agreement of
liability for a breach of any of its covenants or agreements contained in
this Agreement.


                                 ARTICLE 10
                               MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 10.01. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications
to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar
writing) and shall be given,

     if to MergerSub, to:

          Thompson Dean
          c/o DLJ Merchant Banking II, Inc.
          277 Park Avenue
          New York, New York 10172
          Telecopy: 212-892-7552

          with a copy to:

          John W. Buttrick
          Davis Polk & Wardwell
          450 Lexington Avenue
          New York, New York 10017
          Telecopy: (212) 450-4800

          if to the Company, to:

          General Counsel
          Insilco Corporation
          425 Metro Place North
          5th Floor
          Dublin, Ohio 43017
          Telecopy: (614) 791-3195

          with a copy to:

          Aviva Diamant
          Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
          One New York Plaza
          New York, NY 10004
          Telecopy: (212) 859-4000

or such other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter
specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto. Each such
notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by
telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number
specified in this Section 10.01 and the appropriate telecopy confirmation
is received or (b) if given by any other means, when delivered at the
address specified in this Section 10.01.

     SECTION 10.02. Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties contained herein and in any certificate or
other writing delivered pursuant hereto shall not survive the Effective
Time.

     SECTION 10.03. Amendments; No Waivers. (a) Any provision of this
Agreement may be amended or waived prior to the Effective Time if, and only
if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an
amendment, by Insilco, ExistingSub and MergerSub or in the case of a
waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided
that after the adoption of this Agreement and the Mergers by the
stockholders of the Company, no such amendment or waiver shall, without the
further approval of such stockholders, alter or change the amount or kind
of consideration to be received in exchange for ExistingSub Shares, any
term of the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or
any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement if such alteration or
change would adversely affect the holders of any ExistingSub Shares.

     (b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single
or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and
remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies provided by law.

     SECTION 10.04. Expenses. Except as provided in Section 5.04 all costs
and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by
the party incurring such cost or expense. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, including without limitation, Sections 7.01 and 7.02,
prior to the Effective Time, neither the Company nor ExistingSub shall be
required to execute any document unless it would have no liability or
obligation thereunder or with respect thereto in the event the transactions
contemplated hereby are not consummated.

     SECTION 10.05. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, provided that no party
may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations
under this Agreement without the consent of the other parties hereto,
except that MergerSub may make such an assignment to any wholly owned
subsidiary without such consent.

     SECTION 10.06 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware.

     SECTION 10.07. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be
signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original,
with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the
same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party
hereto shall have received counterparts hereof signed by all of the other
parties hereto.

     SECTION 10.08. Third Party Beneficiaries. Except for Section 6.02, no
provision of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Person other
than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

     SECTION 10.09. Entire Agreement. Except for the Confidentiality
Agreement and the Voting Agreement, this Agreement and the exhibits and
schedules attached hereto and thereto constitute the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement
and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and
written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and
year first above written.

                            INSILCO CORPORATION



                            By:  /s/ Robert L. Smialek
                                 --------------------------
                            Name: Robert L. Smialek
                            Title:  CEO



                            INR HOLDING CO.



                            By:   /s/ Kenneth H. Koch
                                  -------------------------
                            Name: Kenneth H. Koch
                            Title:  Vice President and General Counsel



                            SILKWORM ACQUISITION CORPORATION

                            By:   /s/ William F. Dawson
                                  -------------------------
                            Name: William F. Dawson
                            Title:


                                                                  EXHIBIT A


     FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Insilco Holding Corporation.

     SECOND: The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware
is 1013, Centre Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19805. The name of its
registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

     THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act
or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended ("DELAWARE LAW").

     FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is 15,000,000, consisting of 15,000,000
shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share.

     FIFTH: The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or
repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

     SIXTH: Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the
bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

     SEVENTH: (1) A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware
Law.

     (2) (a) Each person (and the heirs, executors or administrators of
such person) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to,
or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law. The right to
indemnification conferred in this ARTICLE SEVENTH shall also include the
right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in connection
with any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the fullest
extent authorized by Delaware Law. The right to indemnification conferred
in this ARTICLE SEVENTH shall be a contract right.

     (b) The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide
indemnification to such of the officers, employees and agents of the
Corporation to such extent and to such effect as the Board of Directors
shall determine to be appropriate and authorized by Delaware Law.

     (3) The 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 expense, liability or loss incurred by such person 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 Delaware Law,

     (4) The rights and authority conferred in this ARTICLE SEVENTH shall
not be exclusive of any other right which any person may otherwise have or
hereafter acquire.

     (5) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this ARTICLE SEVENTH, nor the
adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of
the Corporation, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law, any
modification of law, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this ARTICLE
SEVENTH in respect of any acts or omissions occurring prior to such
amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

     EIGHTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend this Certificate
of Incorporation in any manner permitted by Delaware Law and, with the sole
exception of those rights and powers conferred under the above ARTICLE
SEVENTH, all rights and powers conferred herein on stockholders, directors
and officers, if any, are subject to this reserved power.


<PAGE>
                                                            ANNEX B



                                June 8, 1998


The Board of Directors
Insilco Corporation
425 Metro Place North
Dublin, OH 43017

Dear Members of the Board:

     We understand that Silkworm Acquisition Corporation ("Silkworm"), an
entity formed by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P. and its affiliates,
Insilco Corporation (the "Company") and INR Holding Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of March 24, 1998 (the "Original Agreement"), as amended by
Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 8, 1998 (the Original Agreement, as
amended, the "Agreement"). As a result of the mergers contemplated by the
Agreement (the "Mergers"), each stockholder of the Company immediately
prior to the effective time of the Mergers (other than stockholders who
validly perfect their appraisal rights) will have, in respect of each of
his or her shares of Common Stock of the Company ("Shares"), the right to
(i) receive $43.48 in cash and (ii) retain 0.03378 of a share of Common
Stock of the parent corporation surviving the Mergers ("Surviving
Corporation Shares"), on the terms set forth in the Agreement
(collectively, the "Merger Consideration"). The Company's existing
stockholders will retain (assuming no stockholders validly perfect
appraisal rights), in the aggregate, approximately 10.3% of the Surviving
Corporation Shares outstanding immediately following the Mergers.

     You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of Shares (other than Silkworm and its
affiliates) of the Merger Consideration taken as a whole. In connection
with this opinion, we have:

     (i)       Reviewed the financial terms and conditions of the
               Agreement;

     (ii)      Analyzed certain historical business and financial
               information relating to the Company;

     (iii)     Reviewed various financial forecasts and other data provided
               to us by the Company relating to its businesses and financial
               performance;

     (iv)      Reviewed the financial assessment of management of the
               Company with respect to the jury verdict obtained in the
               pending lawsuit (the "Lawsuit") by Taylor Publishing Company
               against Jostens, Inc.;

     (v)       Held discussions with members of the senior management of
               the Company with respect to the businesses and prospects of
               the Company;

     (vi)      Reviewed certain public financial and stock market
               information for certain other companies, although we did not
               identify any publicly traded companies which we deemed to be
               comparable;

     (vii)     Reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of
               the Shares; and

     (viii)    Considered such other information, financial studies,
               analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
               market criteria that we deemed appropriate.

     We have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing
information, and have not assumed any responsibility for any independent
verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal
of any of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any independent
financial or other assessment of the Lawsuit. We are not opining or
providing any advice with respect to the impact of the Mergers on the
solvency, viability or financial condition of the Company or its ability to
satisfy its obligations as they become due. With respect to financial
forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of
management of the Company as to the future financial performance of the
Company. With respect to the financial assessment of the Lawsuit, we have
assumed that it has been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of management of the Company.
We express no view as to the financial forecasts or the financial
assessment of the Lawsuit, or the assumptions on which they are based. In
addition, our opinion does not address the Company's underlying business
decision to enter into the Original Agreement or the Agreement. Further,
our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other
conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of,
the date hereof. We have considered the impact of the contemplated
liquidation of an investment fund which owns approximately 45% of the
outstanding Shares and the efforts undertaken by the Company and its
affiliates and their respective advisors within the 18 months preceding the
execution of the Original Agreement to solicit third party offers to
acquire all or a part of the Company. Accordingly, we were not requested
to, and did not, solicit third party offers to acquire all or any part of
the Company, although we did, at your request, contact a party that had
previously expressed an interest in acquiring the Company to see whether
that party had any renewed interest in acquiring the Company.

     In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the Mergers will be
consummated on the terms described in the Agreement, without any waiver of
any material terms or conditions by the Company and that obtaining any
necessary regulatory or third party approvals for the Mergers will not have
an adverse effect on the Company. Our opinion does not address the future
trading value of the Surviving Corporation Shares following the Mergers.

     Lazard Freres & Co. LLC is acting as investment banker to the
Company  in  connection  with the  Mergers  and will  receive a fee for our
services, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon consummation of
the Mergers.

     Our opinion is addressed to, and is for the use and benefit of, the
Board of Directors of the Company and does not constitute a recommendation
to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to
the Agreement or the Mergers.

     Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Merger Consideration taken as a whole is fair to the holders of Shares
(other than Silkworm and its affiliates) from a financial point of view.

                              Very truly yours,

                              LAZARD FRERES & CO. LLC,

                                  by: /s/ Steven J. Golub
                                      -----------------------
                                      Managing Director

<PAGE>
                                                       ANNEX C


                                                       June 8, 1998

Silkworm Acquisition Corporation
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
Attention: Thompson Dean

Insilco Corporation
425 Metro Place North
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Attention: General Counsel

Gentlemen:

     We understand that Silkworm Acquisition Corporation ("Silkworm"),
Insilco  Corporation  ("Insilco")  and Insilco Holding Co. are amending the
Agreement  and Plan of Merger  Agreement  between such parties  dated as of
March  24,  1998 (the  "Merger  Agreement")  pursuant  to  Amendment  No. 1
attached hereto as Exhibit A to this letter (the "Amendment").

     We hereby agree: (i) references to the Merger Agreement in the Voting
Agreement dated as of March 24, 1998 among Insilco, Silkworm and us (the
"Voting Agreement"), mean the Merger Agreement, as amended by the Amendment
and (ii) the amount of "$44.50" in the second sentence of the second
paragraph of paragraph 1 of the Voting Agreement is amended to be "$45.00".
The Voting Agreement, as amended by the foregoing, remains in full force
and effect.

                              Very truly yours,

                              WATER STREET CORPORATE
                               RECOVERY FUND I, L.P.
                              By:  Goldman, Sachs & Co., its
                                    General Partner

                              By: /s/ Terence M. O'Toole
                                  --------------------------
                                  Name:  Terence M. O'Toole
                                  Title:  Managing Director


Accepted and agreed as of
the date first above written:

SILKWORM ACQUISITION CORPORATION

By: /s/ Thompson Dean
    ---------------------
    Name:  Thompson Dean
    Title:

INSILCO CORPORATION

By: /s/ Kenneth H. Koch
    -----------------------
    Name: Kenneth H.  Koch
    Title: Vice President and General Counsel
<PAGE>
                              VOTING AGREEMENT

     In  consideration  of  Silkworm  Acquisition  Corporation,  a Delaware
corporation  ("Holdco"),  Insilco Corporation,  a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and INR Holding Co., a Delaware corporation and existing wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company ("ExistingSub"),  entering into on the date
hereof an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  (the  "Merger  Agreement")  which
provides,  among  other  things,  that upon the terms  and  subject  to the
conditions thereof,  (i) pursuant to the Reorganization  Merger (as defined
in the Merger Agreement), the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary
of ExistingSub  and the shares of common stock in the Company (the "Company
Common Stock") will be exchanged for shares of common stock of ExistingSub,
having the same rights,  powers,  privileges and preferences as the Company
Common Stock and (ii)  immediately  following  the  Reorganization  Merger,
Holdco  will be  merged  with  and into  ExistingSub  (the  "Merger")  with
ExistingSub continuing as the surviving  corporation,  and pursuant thereto
each  outstanding  share of the Company Common Stock will be converted into
the right to receive  the Merger  Consideration  (as  defined in the Merger
Agreement)  in  accordance  with the  terms of the  Merger  Agreement,  the
undersigned  holder (the  "Stockholder")  of shares of the  Company  Common
Stock agrees with Holdco as follows:

     1. During the period (the  "Agreement  Period")  beginning on the date
hereof and ending on the earliest of (i) the Effective  Time (as defined in
the Merger Agreement),  (ii) the date that is 90 days after the termination
of the Merger  Agreement in  accordance  with Section  9.01(e),  9.01(f) or
9.01(g)  thereof and  payment in full of all  amounts  (if any)  payable to
Holdco pursuant to Section 5.04 of the Merger  Agreement and (iii) the date
of  termination  of  the  Merger  Agreement  for  any  other  reason,   the
Stockholder  hereby agrees to vote 1,783,878 shares of Company Common Stock
(the  "Stockholder  Securities") to approve and adopt the Merger  Agreement
and the Merger (provided that the Stockholder shall not be required to vote
in favor of the Merger Agreement or the Merger if the Merger Agreement has,
without the written consent of the Stockholder,  been amended in any manner
that is material and adverse to the  Stockholder)  and any actions directly
and  reasonably   related  thereto  at  any  meeting  or  meetings  of  the
stockholders of the Company,  and at any adjournment thereof, at which such
Merger   Agreement,   or  such  other   actions,   are  submitted  for  the
consideration  and vote of the  stockholders of the Company so long as such
meeting is held and completed  (including any adjournment thereof) prior to
the termination of the Agreement  Period.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary provided in this Voting  Agreement,  if at any time (i) there is a
tender or exchange  offer (an "Offer")  commenced by any person to purchase
Company  Common  Stock and (ii) the Merger  Agreement  has been  terminated
pursuant  to  Section  9.01(e),   9.01(f)  or  9.01(g)  thereof,  then  the
Stockholder  shall  have the  right  to  validly  tender  any or all of its
Stockholder  Securities  into the Offer three  business  days (the  "Tender
Day") prior to any scheduled  expiration of such Offer.  Any such tender or
sale  pursuant  thereto  shall  not be a breach of the  provisions  of this
Voting  Agreement  and the  Agreement  Period  shall be  deemed to end upon
consummation of such Offer. In addition,  nothing in this Voting  Agreement
shall preclude the Stockholder  from making,  during the Agreement  Period,
any  election  with respect to the form of  consideration  in respect of an
Acquisition Proposal.

     At or prior to 10:00  A.M.  (New York City  Time) on the  Tender  Day,
Stockholder  will deliver to Holdco  written  notice if it elects to tender
into such Offer.  If  Stockholder  elects to tender into the Offer,  Holdco
will have the nonassignable  option to purchase all (but not less than all)
of the  Stockholder  Securities  at a price of $44.50  per share in cash by
delivery to  Stockholder  of a written notice making such election no later
than  10:00  A.M.  (New York City  Time) on the  business  day  immediately
following  the Tender  Day.  In the event  Holdco  exercises  such  option,
Stockholder will withdraw any Stockholder  Securities that were tendered in
the Offer,  and the settlement for the purchase  thereof by Holdco pursuant
to this paragraph will take place by 12:00 Noon (New York City Time) on the
second  business  day  immediately  following  the Tender Day.  This Voting
Agreement  shall  terminate  immediately  following such purchase,  or upon
Holdco's failure to consummate such purchase by such designated time.

     2. During the Agreement Period,  the Stockholder hereby agrees that it
will not vote any of the Stockholder Securities in favor of the approval of
any  other   merger,   consolidation,   sale  of  assets,   reorganization,
recapitalization,  liquidation  or winding  up of the  Company or any other
extraordinary  transaction  involving the Company or any matters related to
or in  connection  therewith,  or any corporate  action  relating to or the
consummation of which would either frustrate the purposes of, or prevent or
delay the  consummation  of, the  transactions  contemplated  by the Merger
Agreement.

     3. During the Agreement Period,  the Stockholder will not, directly or
indirectly,  (i)  take  any  action  to  solicit,  initiate,  encourage  or
facilitate  any  Acquisition  Proposal  or (ii) engage in  negotiations  or
discussions with, or furnish or disclose any nonpublic information relating
to the Company or any Subsidiary or afford access to the properties,  books
or  records of the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  to, or  otherwise  assist,
facilitate or encourage, any Third Party (other than Holdco, its affiliates
and   their   respective   directors,   officers,   employees,   agents  or
representatives)  that the Stockholder  believes may be considering making,
or has made, an Acquisition Proposal.  The Stockholder will promptly notify
Holdco after receipt of any Acquisition Proposal or any indication from any
Third Party that it is considering making an Acquisition  Proposal and will
keep  Holdco  fully  informed  of  the  status  and  details  of  any  such
Acquisition  Proposal,  indication  or  request.  Anything  herein  to  the
contrary  notwithstanding,  this Voting  Agreement  shall not limit actions
taken,  or  require  actions to be taken,  (i) by any party  related to the
Stockholder  who  is,  or one  or  more  of  whose  affiliates,  directors,
partners,  officers or  employees  is, a director or officer of the Company
that are required or restricted by such director's fiduciary duties or such
officer's  employment  duties,  or permitted by the Merger  Agreement,  and
that, in each case,  are undertaken  solely in such person's  capacity as a
director  or officer of the  Company  and, in the case of an officer of the
Company, as directed by the Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) by an
affiliate of the Stockholder,  in such  affiliate's  capacity as investment
banker,  investment  broker or  financial  advisor to the  Company,  to the
extent such affiliate  performs such actions at the request of the Board of
Directors  of the Company in  connection  with the exercise by the Board of
Directors of its fiduciary obligations under applicable law consistent with
the Company's rights and obligations under the Merger Agreement.

     4. The  Stockholder  agrees not to  exercise  any  rights  (including,
without limitation, under Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of  Delaware)  to demand  appraisal  of any shares of Company  Common
Stock owned by the Stockholder with respect to the Merger.

     5. The Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Holdco that as of
the date hereof:

     (a) the  Stockholder  (i)  owns  beneficially  all of the  Stockholder
Securities,  (ii) has the full and unrestricted legal power,  authority and
right to enter into,  execute and deliver this Voting Agreement without the
consent  or  approval  of any  other  person  and (iii) is not party to any
voting  agreement,  and has not granted any person any proxy  (revocable or
irrevocable),  with respect to the Stockholder  Securities (other than this
Voting Agreement);

     (b) this Voting  Agreement  is the valid and binding  agreement of the
Stockholder; and

     (c) other  than as  disclosed  pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement,  no
investment banker, broker or finder is entitled to a commission or fee from
the Company in respect of this Voting  Agreement based upon any arrangement
or agreement made by or on behalf of the Stockholder.

     6. If any  provision  of this  Voting  Agreement  shall be  invalid or
unenforceable  under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to
the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability  only, without in any way
affecting the remaining provisions of this Voting Agreement.

     7. This Voting  Agreement may be executed in two or more  counterparts
each  of  which  shall  be an  original  with  the  same  effect  as if the
signatures hereto and thereto were upon the same instrument.

     8. The parties  hereto  agree that if for any reason any party  hereto
shall have failed to perform its obligations  under this Voting  Agreement,
then the party  seeking to  enforce  this  Voting  Agreement  against  such
non-performing   party  shall  be  entitled  to  specific  performance  and
injunctive and other equitable relief, and the parties hereto further agree
to  waive  any  requirement  for the  securing  or  posting  of any bond in
connection  with the obtaining of any such  injunctive  or other  equitable
relief.  This  provision  is  without  prejudice  to any  other  rights  or
remedies,  whether  at law or in  equity,  that any party  hereto  may have
against any other party  hereto for any failure to perform its  obligations
under this Voting Agreement.

     9.  This  Voting  Agreement  shall be  governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

     10. The Stockholder will, upon reasonable request, execute and deliver
any additional  documents  deemed by Holdco to be necessary or desirable to
complete and effectuate the covenants contained herein.

     11. This Voting  Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of the
Agreement Period.

     12. The Stockholder  agrees that it will not sell,  transfer,  assign,
encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Stockholder Securities (whether
to an affiliate or otherwise) until the expiration of the Agreement Period,
other than pursuant to the  Reorganization  Merger or pursuant to the terms
of this Voting Agreement.

     13.  Holdco and the  Company  understand  and agree  that this  Voting
Agreement  pertains  only  to  the  Stockholder  and  not  to  any  of  its
affiliates, if any, or advisers.

     14. (a) Holdco and the Company severally and not jointly represent and
warrant to the Stockholder that (i) there is no agreement, understanding or
commitment,   written  or  oral,  to  pay  any  consideration  directly  or
indirectly in connection with the Merger or otherwise to or for the benefit
of any holder of Company Common Stock or options  thereon other than as set
forth in the Merger Agreement (except, in the case of directors, employees,
agents,  customers,  suppliers or  contractors  of the Company who are also
holders,  such  consideration  as is payable by the Company in the ordinary
course of business and except for amounts payable to officers, directors or
employees in connection with or pursuant to any options,  or option,  stock
purchase,  stock  ownership or other  employee  benefit  plans),  (ii) this
Voting  Agreement  is the valid and  binding  agreement  of Holdco  and the
Company,  as the case may be, and (iii) Holdco and the Company, as the case
may be, have not entered into any voting agreements with any other existing
shareholders  of the  Company  prior to or  concurrently  with this  Voting
Agreement.

     (b) If Holdco or the Company  enters into any agreement with any other
stockholder  having a purpose  or effect  substantially  similar to that of
this Voting  Agreement on  financial  or other terms (with  respect to such
other  stockholder) more favorable than the terms of this Voting Agreement,
the Stockholder  will have the right to elect any of the benefits  thereof,
as they may be amended or waived from time to time.

     15.  All  notices,  requests  and  other  communications  to any party
hereunder shall be in writing  (including  telecopy or similar writing) and
shall be given:

     if to Holdco, to:

     Thompson Dean
     c/o DLJ Merchant Banking II, Inc.
     277 Park Avenue
     New York, New York 10172
     Telecopy:  212-892-7552

     if to the Company, to:

     Insilco Corporation
     425 Metro Place North
     5th Floor
     Dublin, Ohio 43017
     Attention:  General Counsel
     Telecopy:  614-791-3195

     if to the Stockholder, to:

     Water Street Corporate Recovery Fund I, L.P.
     c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
     85 Broad Street
     New York, New York 10004
     Attention:  David J. Greenwald, Esq.
     Telecopy:  212-357-5505

or such  other  address  or  telecopy  number as such  party may  hereafter
specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto.

     16.  Capitalized  terms not  defined  herein  shall  have the  meaning
ascribed  to them in the Merger  Agreement.  For  purposes  of this  Voting
Agreement,  following consummation of the Reorganization Merger,  "Company"
means  ExistingSub and "Company  Common  Stock" means the shares of common
stock of ExistingSub resulting from the Reorganization Merger.


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto have  executed  this Voting
Agreement as of this 24th day of March, 1998.

                                   SILKWORM ACQUISITION CORPORATION


                                   By /S/ William F. Dawson, Jr.
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Name: William F. Dawson, Jr.
                                      Title: Vice President


                                   INSILCO CORPORATION


                                   By /s/ Robert L. Smialek
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Name: Robert L. Smialek
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                   WATER STREET  CORPORATE  RECOVERY  FUND I,
                                   L.P.


                                   By:  Goldman,  Sachs  & Co.,  its  General
                                        Partner


                                   By /s/ Terence M. O'Toole
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Name: Terence M. O'Toole
                                      Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>
                                                            ANNEX D

                   SECTION 262 OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION
                        LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

SS. 262.  APPRAISAL RIGHTS

     (a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of
stock on the date of the making of a demand  pursuant to subsection  (d) of
this  section  with respect to such  shares,  who  continuously  holds such
shares through the effective date of the merger or  consolidation,  who has
otherwise  complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither
voted in favor of the  merger or  consolidation  nor  consented  thereto in
writing pursuant to ss. 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal
by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the  stockholder's  shares of
stock under the circumstances  described in subsections (b) and (c) of this
section. As used in this section,  the word "stockholder" means a holder of
record  of stock in a stock  corporation  and also a member  of record of a
nonstock  corporation;  the words "stock" and "share" mean and include what
is  ordinarily  meant by those  words  and also  membership  or  membership
interest of a member of a nonstock  corporation;  and the words "depository
receipt"  mean  a  receipt  or  other  instrument  issued  by a  depository
representing  an  interest in one or more  shares,  or  fractions  thereof,
solely  of stock  of a  corporation,  which  stock  is  deposited  with the
depository.

     (b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent  corporation in a merger or  consolidation
to be effected  pursuant to ss. 251 (other than a merger effected  pursuant
to ss.  251(g) of this title),  ss. 252, ss. 254, ss. 257, ss. 258, ss. 263
or ss. 264 of this title:

          (1)  Provided,  however,  that no  appraisal  rights  under  this
     section  shall be  available  for the shares of any class or series of
     stock, which stock, or depository  receipts in respect thereof, at the
     record date fixed to determine  the  stockholders  entitled to receive
     notice of and to vote at the meeting of  stockholders  to act upon the
     agreement  of merger or  consolidation,  were  either  (i) listed on a
     national securities exchange or designated as a national market system
     security  on  an   interdealer   quotation   system  by  the  National
     Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of record by more
     than 2,000  holders;  and further  provided  that no appraisal  rights
     shall  be  available  for  any  shares  of  stock  of the  constituent
     corporation  surviving  a merger if the merger did not require for its
     approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving  corporation as
     provided in subsection (f) of ss. 251 of this title.

          (2) Notwithstanding  paragraph (1) of this subsection,  appraisal
     rights  under this section  shall be  available  for the shares of any
     class or series of stock of a constituent  corporation  if the holders
     thereof  are  required  by the  terms of an  agreement  of  merger  or
     consolidation  pursuant to ss.ss. 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264
     of this title to accept for such stock anything except:

               a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting
          from such  merger or  consolidation,  or  depository  receipts in
          respect thereof;

               b. Shares of stock of any other  corporation,  or depository
          receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository
          receipts  in  respect  thereof)  or  depository  receipts  at the
          effective  date of the  merger  or  consolidation  will be either
          listed on a  national  securities  exchange  or  designated  as a
          national  market  system  security  on an  interdealer  quotation
          system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or
          held of record by more than 2,000 holders;

               c.  Cash  in  lieu  of   fractional   shares  or  fractional
          depository  receipts described in the foregoing  subparagraphs a.
          and b. of this paragraph; or

               d.  Any  combination  of the  shares  of  stock,  depository
          receipts  and cash in lieu of  fractional  shares  or  fractional
          depository receipts described in the foregoing  subparagraphs a.,
          b. and c. of this paragraph.

          (3)  In the  event  all of the  stock  of a  subsidiary  Delaware
     corporation  party to a merger effected under ss. 253 of this title is
     not owned by the parent  corporation  immediately prior to the merger,
     appraisal  rights shall be available for the shares of the  subsidiary
     Delaware corporation.

     (c) Any corporation  may provide in its  certificate of  incorporation
that appraisal  rights under this section shall be available for the shares
of any class or series  of its  stock as a result  of an  amendment  to its
certificate  of  incorporation,  any merger or  consolidation  in which the
corporation   is  a  constituent   corporation   or  the  sale  of  all  or
substantially  all of the assets of the corporation.  If the certificate of
incorporation  contains such a provision,  the  procedures of this section,
including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall
apply as nearly as is practicable.

     (d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:

          (1) If a proposed  merger or  consolidation  for which  appraisal
     rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval
     at a meeting of stockholders,  the corporation,  not less than 20 days
     prior to the meeting,  shall notify each of its  stockholders  who was
     such on the record date for such  meeting  with  respect to shares for
     which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c)
     hereof  that  appraisal  rights  are  available  for any or all of the
     shares of the  constituent  corporations,  and shall  include  in such
     notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder electing to demand the
     appraisal of his shares shall deliver to the  corporation,  before the
     taking of the vote on the merger or  consolidation,  a written  demand
     for  appraisal  of his shares.  Such demand will be  sufficient  if it
     reasonably  informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder
     and that the  stockholder  intends  thereby to demand the appraisal of
     his shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation  shall
     not  constitute  such a demand.  A  stockholder  electing to take such
     action  must do so by a separate  written  demand as herein  provided.
     Within  10  days  after  the   effective   date  of  such   merger  or
     consolidation,  the  surviving or resulting  corporation  shall notify
     each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with
     this  subsection  and has not  voted in favor of or  consented  to the
     merger or  consolidation  of the date that the merger or consolidation
     has become effective; or

          (2) If the merger or consolidation  was approved  pursuant to ss.
     228 or ss. 253 of this title,  each  constituent  corporation,  either
     before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten
     days  thereafter,  shall  notify  each of the  holders of any class or
     series of stock of such  constituent  corporation  who are entitled to
     appraisal  rights of the approval of the merger or  consolidation  and
     that  appraisal  rights  are  available  for any or all shares of such
     class or series of stock of such  constituent  corporation,  and shall
     include in such notice a copy of this section;  provided  that, if the
     notice  is given on or  after  the  effective  date of the  merger  or
     consolidation,  such  notice  shall  be  given  by  the  surviving  or
     resulting  corporation  to all such  holders of any class or series of
     stock of a  constituent  corporation  that are  entitled to  appraisal
     rights.  Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date
     of the merger or  consolidation,  shall, also notify such stockholders
     of the effective date of the merger or consolidation.  Any stockholder
     entitled to  appraisal  rights  may,  within 20 days after the date of
     mailing  of such  notice,  demand in  writing  from the  surviving  or
     resulting  corporation  the  appraisal of such holder's  shares.  Such
     demand will be sufficient if it reasonably  informs the corporation of
     the  identity  of the  stockholder  and that the  stockholder  intends
     thereby to demand  the  appraisal  of such  holder's  shares.  If such
     notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger
     or consolidation,  either (i) each such constituent  corporation shall
     send a second  notice  before  the  effective  date of the  merger  or
     consolidation  notifying each of the holders of any class or series of
     stock of such  constituent  corporation that are entitled to appraisal
     rights of the effective  date of the merger or  consolidation  or (ii)
     the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice
     to all such  holders on or within 10 days after such  effective  date;
     provided,  however,  that if such  second  notice is sent more than 20
     days  following  the sending of the first  notice,  such second notice
     need only be sent to each  stockholder  who is entitled  to  appraisal
     rights  and who has  demanded  appraisal  of such  holder's  shares in
     accordance  with this  subsection.  An affidavit  of the  secretary or
     assistant  secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation  that
     is  required  to give  either  notice  that such notice has been given
     shall,  in the absence of fraud,  be prima facie evidence of the facts
     stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders  entitled
     to receive either notice,  each  constituent  corporation  may fix, in
     advance,  a record  date that  shall be not more than 10 days prior to
     the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on
     or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record
     date shall be such effective  date. If no record date is fixed and the
     notice is given prior to the effective  date, the record date shall be
     the close of business on the day next  preceding  the day on which the
     notice is given.

     (e)  Within  120  days  after  the  effective  date of the  merger  or
consolidation,  the surviving or resulting  corporation or any  stockholder
who has complied with  subsections  (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise
entitled to appraisal rights,  may file a petition in the Court of Chancery
demanding  a  determination   of  the  value  of  the  stock  of  all  such
stockholders.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  at any time within 60 days
after the effective date of the merger or  consolidation,  any  stockholder
shall have the right to withdraw his demand for appraisal and to accept the
terms offered upon the merger or  consolidation.  Within 120 days after the
effective  date of the merger or  consolidation,  any  stockholder  who has
complied with the  requirements  of  subsections  (a) and (d) hereof,  upon
written  request,  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  from  the  corporation
surviving  the  merger or  resulting  from the  consolidation  a  statement
setting  forth the  aggregate  number  of shares  not voted in favor of the
merger or  consolidation  and with respect to which  demands for  appraisal
have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such
written  statement shall be mailed to the stockholder  within 10 days after
his written  request for such a statement  is received by the  surviving or
resulting  corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the period for
delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) hereof, whichever is
later.

     (f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder,  service of
a copy thereof shall be made upon the  surviving or resulting  corporation,
which  shall  within 20 days after such  service  file in the office of the
Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly  verified  list
containing  the names and addresses of all  stockholders  who have demanded
payment for their shares and with whom  agreements as to the value of their
shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation.  If
the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation,  the
petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in
Chancery,  if so ordered by the  Court,  shall give  notice of the time and
place fixed for the hearing of such  petition by  registered  or  certified
mail to the  surviving or  resulting  corporation  and to the  stockholders
shown on the list at the addresses  therein stated.  Such notice shall also
be given by 1 or more  publications  at least 1 week  before the day of the
hearing,  in a newspaper  of general  circulation  published in the City of
Wilmington,  Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The
forms of the  notices by mail and by  publication  shall be approved by the
Court,  and the costs  thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting
corporation.

     (g) At the hearing on such  petition,  the Court shall  determine  the
stockholders  who have  complied  with  this  section  and who have  become
entitled to appraisal  rights.  The Court may require the  stockholders who
have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock  represented
by  certificates  to submit their  certificates of stock to the Register in
Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings;
and if any stockholder  fails to comply with such direction,  the Court may
dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.

     (h) After determining the stockholders  entitled to an appraisal,  the
Court shall appraise the shares,  determining their fair value exclusive of
any element of value arising from the  accomplishment or expectation of the
merger or consolidation,  together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to
be paid upon the amount  determined  to be the fair value.  In  determining
such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In
determining the fair rate of interest,  the Court may consider all relevant
factors,  including  the rate of interest  which the surviving or resulting
corporation  would have had to pay to borrow  money  during the pendency of
the proceeding.  Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation
or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal  proceeding,
the Court  may,  in its  discretion,  permit  discovery  or other  pretrial
proceedings  and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final
determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal.  Any stockholder
whose  name  appears  on the  list  filed  by the  surviving  or  resulting
corporation  pursuant  to  subsection  (f) of  this  section  and  who  has
submitted his certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is
required,  may  participate  fully in all  proceedings  until it is finally
determined that he is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.

     (i) The  Court  shall  direct  the  payment  of the fair  value of the
shares,  together  with  interest,  if any, by the  surviving  or resulting
corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or
compound,  as the Court may direct.  Payment  shall be so made to each such
stockholder,  in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and
the  case of  holders  of  shares  represented  by  certificates  upon  the
surrender to the corporation of the certificates  representing  such stock.
The  Court's  decree  may be  enforced  as other  decrees  in the  Court of
Chancery may be enforced,  whether such surviving or resulting  corporation
be a corporation of this State or of any state.

     (j) The costs of the  proceeding  may be  determined  by the Court and
taxed upon the parties as the Court deems  equitable in the  circumstances.
Upon application of a stockholder,  the Court may order all or a portion of
the expenses  incurred by any  stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding,  including, without limitation,  reasonable attorney's fees and
the fees and expenses of experts,  to be charged pro rata against the value
of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.

     (k) From and after the effective date of the merger or  consolidation,
no  stockholder  who has  demanded  his  appraisal  rights as  provided  in
subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any
purpose or to receive  payment of dividends or other  distributions  on the
stock (except dividends or other  distributions  payable to stockholders of
record  at a date  which is prior to the  effective  date of the  merger or
consolidation);  provided,  however,  that if no petition  for an appraisal
shall be filed within the time provided in subsection  (e) of this section,
or if  such  stockholder  shall  deliver  to  the  surviving  or  resulting
corporation  a written  withdrawal  of his demand for an  appraisal  and an
acceptance of the merger or consolidation,  either within 60 days after the
effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e)
of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation,
then  the  right  of  such   stockholder  to  an  appraisal   shall  cease.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  no appraisal  proceeding  in the Court of
Chancery shall be dismissed as to any  stockholder  without the approval of
the Court,  and such  approval  may be  conditioned  upon such terms as the
Court deems just.

     (l) The shares of the surviving or resulting  corporation to which the
shares of such  objecting  stockholders  would have been converted had they
assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized
and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.

                                                            EXHIBIT 23.a



KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

      Two Nationwide Plaza    Telephone 614 249 2300  Telefax 614 249 2348
      Columbus, OH 43215






The Board of Directors
Insilco Corporation

We consent to the use of our reports  incorporated  herein by reference and
to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

                                                /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
   
June 10, 1998
    

                                                            EXHIBIT 23.b

                          






   
                                             June 10, 1998
    


Insilco Corporation
425 Metro Place North
Dublin, OH 43017

     We hereby consent to the reference to the opinion of our Firm in the
Proxy Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section
7 of the Securities Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             LAZARD FRERES & CO. LLC



                                             By: /s/ Steven J. Golub
                                                 -----------------------
                                                 Steven J. Golub
                                                 Managing Director


                                                            EXHIBIT 24.a

                             POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the persons whose signatures
appear below, constitute and appoint Robert L. Smialek and Kenneth H. Koch,
and each of them as their true and  lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,
with full power of substitution and  resubstitution,  for them and in their
names,  places,  and  steads,  in any  and  all  capacities,  to  sign  the
Registration  Statement/Proxy  Statement to be filed in connection with the
sale of approximately  90% of Insilco  Corporation to funds affiliated with
Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and the reorganization
of Insilco Corporation immediately prior thereto and any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to such Registration  Statement/Proxy
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended and to file the same,  with all exhibits  thereto,  and
the other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission,  granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing  requisite and necessary to be done in connection  therewith,  as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as they  might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
or any of them,  or  their or his or her  substitute  or  substitutes,  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

   
Dated: June 9, 1998
    



/s/ David A. Kauer
- --------------------------
David A. Kauer


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