SL INDUSTRIES INC
SC 13D, 1998-10-16
ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 13D
                                (RULE 13d-101)

              INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
      TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(a)

                            (AMENDMENT NO.          )*
                                          ---------

                              SL Industries, Inc.
           --------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, par value $0.20 per share
           --------------------------------------------------------
                          (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    784413106
           --------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                   Kenneth Liang
                       Managing Director and General Counsel
                          Oaktree Capital Management, LLC
                         550 South Hope Street, 22nd Floor
                           Los Angeles, California  90071
                                  (213) 614-0900
           --------------------------------------------------------
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                 October 7, 1998
           --------------------------------------------------------
            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Sections  240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check
the following box. / /

NOTE:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See Section  240.13d-7 for
other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

   *The remainder of  this cover  page  shall  be  filled  out  for a reporting
person's  initial  filing on this  form with  respect to the  subject  class of
securities,  and for any  subsequent  amendment  containing  information  which
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

   The information  required on the  remainder of this  cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of  Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934  ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other  provisions of the Act  (however, see
the Notes).


                        (Continued on following page(s))

                              Page 1 of 8 Pages
                                        


<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 784413106                   13D                 Page  2  of  8  Pages
          ---------                                            ---    --- 


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Name of Reporting Person.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above
     Person

     Oaktree Capital Management, LLC
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member     (a)  / /
     of a Group*                               (b)  /X/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (3) SEC Use Only

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (4) Source of Funds*
     Not applicable.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (5) Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
     Items 2(d) or 2(e)                                                  / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (6) Citizenship or Place of Organization
     California
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares              (7) Sole Voting Power
 Beneficially Owned                 326,000
 by Each Reporting           --------------------------------------------------
 Person With                  (8) Shared Voting Power
                                    -0-
                             --------------------------------------------------
                              (9) Sole Dispositive Power
                                    326,000
                             --------------------------------------------------
                             (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                    -0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
     326,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares*
                                                                         / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
     5.84%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person*
     IA, OO
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 784413106                   13D                 Page  3  of  8  Pages
          ---------                                            ---    --- 


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Name of Reporting Person.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above
     Person

     OCM Principal Opportunities Fund, L.P.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member     (a)  / /
     of a Group*                               (b)  /X/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (3) SEC Use Only

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (4) Source of Funds*
     OO, WC
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (5) Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
     Items 2(d) or 2(e)                                                  / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (6) Citizenship or Place of Organization
     Delaware
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares              (7) Sole Voting Power
 Beneficially Owned                 326,000
 by Each Reporting           --------------------------------------------------
 Person With                  (8) Shared Voting Power
                                    -0-
                             --------------------------------------------------
                              (9) Sole Dispositive Power
                                    326,000
                             --------------------------------------------------
                             (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                    -0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
     326,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares*
                                                                         / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
     5.84%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person*
     PN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!



<PAGE>

                                                          Page  4  of  8  Pages
                                                               ---    --- 


ITEM 1.  SECURITY AND ISSUER

This Schedule 13D relates to the Common Stock, par value $0.20 per share
("Common Stock"), of SL Industries, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the
"Issuer").  The address of the principal executive office of the Issuer is 520
Fellowship Road, Suite A114, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054.

ITEM 2.   IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

This Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of:

     (1)  Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, a California limited liability
          company ("Oaktree"), in its capacity as general partner of the
          Principal Opportunities Fund (see below); and

     (2)  OCM Principal Opportunities Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
          (the "Principal Opportunities Fund").

The principal business of Oaktree is providing investment advice and 
management services to institutional and individual investors.  The Principal 
Opportunities Fund is a limited partnership which generally invests in 
entities in which there is a potential for the fund to exercise significant 
influence over such entities.  Based on Oaktree's relationship with the 
Principal Opportunities Fund, Oaktree may be deemed to beneficially own the 
shares of Common Stock held by the Principal Opportunities Fund.

(a)-(c) & (f)

Oaktree is the general partner of the Principal Opportunities Fund.  The address
of the principal business and principal office for Oaktree, the Principal
Opportunities Fund and the portfolio managers is 550 South Hope Street, 22nd
floor, Los Angeles, California 90071.  The members and executive officers of
Oaktree and the Principal Opportunities Fund are listed below. The principal
address for each member and executive officer of Oaktree and the Principal
Opportunities Fund is 550 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. 
Each individual listed below is a citizen of the United States of America.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS & MEMBERS

Howard S. Marks          Chairman and Principal
Bruce A. Karsh           President and Principal
Sheldon M. Stone         Principal
David Richard Masson     Principal
Larry W. Keele           Principal
Stephen A. Kaplan        Principal
Russel S. Bernard        Principal
David Kirchheimer        Managing Director and Chief Financial and
                         Administrative Officer
Kenneth Liang            Managing Director and General Counsel

<PAGE>

                                                          Page  5  of  8  Pages
                                                               ---    --- 


PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Stephen A. Kaplan        Principal 
Bruce A. Karsh           President and Principal

(d)-(e)

During the last five years, neither Oaktree, the Principal Opportunities Fund, 
nor, to the best of their knowledge, any of their respective executive officers,
directors and general partners (i) has been convicted in a criminal proceeding
(excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); or (ii) has been a party
to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceedings was or is subject to a 
judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding
any violation with respect to such laws.

ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

The Principal Opportunities Fund holds 326,000 shares of the Issuer's Common
Stock as of the date hereof. The Principal Opportunities Fund used $4,354,504 of
funds obtained from its working capital for the acquisition of such shares of
Common Stock.

ITEM 4.   PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

The shares of the Issuer's Common Stock described herein were acquired for
investment purposes.

Oaktree, as the general partner of the Principal Opportunities Fund, will 
evaluate the Issuer's businesses and prospects, alternative investment
opportunities and all other factors deemed relevant in determining whether
additional shares of the Issuer's Common Stock will be acquired.  The investment
strategy of the Principal Opportunities Fund is generally to invest in entities
in which there is a potential to exercise significant influence over such
entities.  Additional shares of Common Stock may be acquired in the open market
or in privately negotiated transactions, or some or all of the shares of the
Issuer's Common Stock beneficially owned by Oaktree may be sold.  Oaktree
currently has no agreements, beneficially or otherwise, which would be related
to or would result in any of the matters described in Items 4(a)-(j) of Schedule
13D; however, as part of its ongoing review of investment alternatives, Oaktree
may consider such matters in the future and, subject to applicable law, may
formulate a plan with respect to such matters, and, from time to time, Oaktree
may hold discussions with or make formal proposals to management or the Board of
Directors of the Issuer, other shareholders of the Issuer or other third parties
regarding such matters.

<PAGE>

                                                          Page  6  of  8  Pages
                                                               ---    --- 

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

(a) As of the date of this Schedule 13D, the Principal Opportunities Fund owns
and has sole power to vote and dispose of 326,000 shares of Common Stock of the
Issuer (approximately 5.84% of the outstanding shares of the Issuer's Common
Stock).

As of the date of this Schedule 13D, Oaktree, in its capacity as the general
partner of the Principal Opportunities Fund, may be deemed to be beneficially
own 326,000 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer (approximately 5.84% of the
outstanding shares of the Issuer's Common Stock).

(b) Oaktree has discretionary authority and control over all of the assets of
the Principal Opportunities Fund pursuant to its status as general partner,
including the power to vote and dispose of the Issuer's Common Stock. 
Therefore, Oaktree has the power to vote and dispose of 326,000 shares of the
Issuer's Common Stock.

(c) On October 6, 1998, the Principal Opportunities Fund purchased 3,000 shares
of the Issuer's Common Stock in the open market at a price of $10.00 per share. 
On October 7, 1998, the Principal Opportunities Fund purchased 48,000 shares of
the Issuer's common stock in the open market at an average price of
approximately $10.00 per share.  Oaktree, as general partner of the Principal
Opportunities Fund, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of the Issuer's
Common Stock which were purchased by the Principal Opportunities Fund.  Oaktree
and each of the individuals listed in Item 2 disclaims ownership of the shares
of the Issuer's Common Stock reported herein (except for the shares owned
directly by such individuals) and the filing of this Statement shall not be
construed as an admission that any such person is the beneficial owner of any
securities covered by this statement.  Other than these transactions, neither
the Principal Opportunities Fund nor Oaktree and, to the best of their
knowledge, none of their respective executive officers, directors or general
partners has effected any transaction involving the Issuer's Common Stock during
the last 60 days.

(d) None

(e) Not applicable

ITEM 6.   CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
          TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

Oaktree, as general partner of the Principal Opportunities Fund, receives a
management fee for managing the assets of the Principal Opportunities Fund and
has a carried interest in the Principal Opportunities Fund. 

Except as described above and herein in this Schedule 13D, there are no other
contracts, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the
parties named in Item 2 hereto and 


<PAGE>

                                                          Page  7  of  8  Pages
                                                               ---    --- 

between such persons and any person with respect to any of the securities of 
the Issuer currently owned by the Principal Opportunities Fund.(1)

ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

The following are filed herewith as Exhibits to this Schedule 13D:

Exhibit 1-     A written agreement relating to the filing of the joint
               acquisition statement as required by Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.




- ---------------------------
(1)  GFI Energy Ventures LLC ("GFI") acts as an advisor to Principal
     Opportunities Fund in the energy sector and GFI and the Principal
     Opportunities Fund regularly collaborate in investing in and managing
     interests in the energy sector.  The Principal Opportunities Fund and GFI
     have a written agreement with respect to GFI sponsored portfolio companies,
     but GFI and the Principal Opportunities Fund have agreed that this
     agreement does not apply to the securities of the Issuer currently owned by
     the Principal Opportunities Fund.  The Principal Opportunities Fund and GFI
     may enter into an arrangement with respect to the sharing of profits, if
     any, realized on the common stock of the Issuer.


<PAGE>

                                                          Page  8  of  8  Pages
                                                               ---    --- 

                                  SIGNATURE

    After  reasonable  inquiry and to the  best of my  knowledge and belief,  I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,  complete and
correct.

Dated as of this 16th day of October, 1998.

OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC



BY: /s/  Stephen A. Kaplan                        
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen A. Kaplan
Principal



OCM PRINCIPAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.

By: /s/  Stephen A. Kaplan                        
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen A. Kaplan
Principal of Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, 
general partner of OCM Principal Opportunities
Fund, L.P.


<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 1
                          JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

          Each of the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing 
statement on Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of the undersigned and that all 
subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13D shall be filed on 
behalf of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint 
acquisition statements.  Each of the undersigned acknowledges that it shall 
be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the 
completeness and accuracy of the information concerning it contained therein, 
but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the 
information concerning the other, except to the extent that he or it knows or 
has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

Dated as of this 16th day of October, 1998.

OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC



By: /s/  Stephen A. Kaplan                        
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen A. Kaplan
Principal



OCM PRINCIPAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.


By: /s/  Stephen A. Kaplan                        
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen A. Kaplan
Principal of Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, 
general partner of OCM Principal Opportunities
Fund, L.P.



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