BLYTH INDUSTRIES INC
424B3, 1998-10-13
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
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<PAGE>
                                                FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(3)
                                                   TO REGISTRATION NO. 333-59847
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                             BLYTH INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
                   BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM) STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
This Prospectus describes the Blyth INVESTDIRECT(SM) Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan"), a direct stock purchase plan of Blyth Industries, Inc. ("Blyth" or the
"Company"). This Prospectus relates to the offer of up to 500,000 shares of
Blyth's Common Stock, par value $0.02 per share ("Common Stock") pursuant to the
Plan; it should be retained by participants in the Plan for future reference.
 
The Plan is designed to provide the employees and stockholders of Blyth, as well
as others, a convenient means by which to purchase shares of Blyth's Common
Stock. As a Plan participant you may:
 
    - Become a first time Blyth stockholder by purchasing shares of Blyth Common
      Stock directly through the Plan.
 
    - Purchase or sell shares of Blyth Common Stock easily and at low cost.
 
    - Purchase shares of Blyth Common Stock with automatic debits from your bank
      account, additional cash contributions or, in the case of employees of
      Blyth, automatic payroll deductions.
 
    - Transfer or gift your shares of Blyth Common Stock easily.
 
    - Enjoy "certificateless" ownership of your Blyth shares and easy tracking
      of your investment.
 
The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the
symbol "BTH." On October 2, 1998, the last reported sales price of the Common
Stock on the NYSE was $26 9/16 per share.
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
           COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
             PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
The words "Blyth INVESTDIRECT"(SM) are a service mark of Blyth Industries, Inc.
 
                                OCTOBER 5, 1998
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
                   BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM) STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            -----
<S>                                                                      <C>
The Company............................................................           2
The Blyth INVESTDIRECT(SM) Stock Purchase Plan.........................           2
Legal Matters..........................................................          12
Experts................................................................          12
Available Information..................................................          12
Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference........................          13
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH
OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT
IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE 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 DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                                October 5, 1998
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
Blyth designs, manufactures, markets and distributes an extensive line of
candles and home fragrance products, including scented candles, outdoor lighting
products, potpourri and environmental home fragrance products, and markets a
broad range of related candle accessories and decorative gift bags and tags.
These products are sold under various brand names, including the names Colonial
Candle of Cape Cod-Registered Trademark-, PartyLite Gifts-Registered Trademark-,
Carolina Designs-TM-, Ambria-TM-, Canterbury-TM-,
Florasense-Registered Trademark-, Jeanmarie-Registered Trademark- and
FilterMate-Registered Trademark-. Blyth is also a leading producer of portable
heating fuel products sold under the Sterno-Registered Trademark- and Handy
Fuel-Registered Trademark- brand names. Blyth markets its products through a
wide variety of distribution channels, including a network of sales
representatives and home party plan independent sales consultants serving the
consumer market, and independent sales representatives and distributors serving
the institutional market. Consumable products, which include candles, scented
candles, outdoor lighting products, potpourri, other fragrance products,
portable heating fuels and decorative gift bags and tags, account for
approximately 60% of Blyth's net sales and candle accessories account for the
balance of net sales. Blyth believes that it is a leading supplier in the
natural home fragrance industry based on net sales and the breadth of
distribution channels served.
 
Blyth was incorporated under Delaware law in 1977. Its principal executive
offices are located at 100 Field Point Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 and
its telephone number is (203) 661-1926.
 
                 THE BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM) STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
PURPOSE
 
The purpose of the Plan is to promote long-term stock ownership by Blyth
employees and by existing and new stockholders of the Company.
 
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
 
Blyth has appointed the existing Transfer Agent for Blyth Common Stock, Harris
Trust and Savings Bank ("Harris Bank"), as the Plan
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
Agent to administer the Plan and to act as Agent for all Plan participants. As
Plan Agent, Harris Bank will purchase and hold shares of Common Stock for the
Plan participants, keep records, send statements, and perform other duties
required by the Plan. You may send correspondence to the Plan Agent addressed as
follows:
 
                                  Harris Bank
                   Blyth INVESTDIRECT(SM) Stock Purchase Plan
                                 P.O. Box A3309
                          Chicago, Illinois 60690-3309
 
You may also correspond with the Plan Agent by phone, FAX or by contacting its
web site, as follows:
 
                                  Harris Bank
                       Phone: 1-877-424-1968 (toll free)
                              FAX: 1-312-461-5543
                            web site: www.harris.com
 
ENROLLMENT
 
If you own shares of Blyth Common Stock that are registered in your name, you
may join the Plan by completing the Enrollment Form for Registered Shareholders
and returning it by mail to the address specified in such Enrollment Form.
 
If you own shares of Blyth Common Stock, but they are held in the name of a bank
nominee or a broker in "street name," you may ask your bank or a broker to
register some or all of your Blyth shares directly in your name, or you may have
them send your shares directly to Harris Bank (contact Harris Bank for delivery
instructions). In either case, you may then enroll in the Plan as explained
above. Alternatively, you may leave your existing shares in street name and
separately enroll in the Plan as explained in the next paragraph.
 
If you do not own any shares of Blyth Common Stock, or if you own only shares
registered in street name which you do not want to enroll in the Plan, you may
enroll in the Plan by completing the Enrollment Form for Non-Registered
Shareholders and returning it by mail to the address specified in such
Enrollment Form. If you do not elect to make investments through an automatic
monthly withdrawal from your bank account, or through a payroll deduction, as
described below, you must enclose a check or money order, in U.S. dollars, for
at least
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
$250, $10 of which will be applied toward payment of an initial enrollment fee
and the balance of which will be applied towards your initial investment.
 
If you have elected to make investments through an automatic monthly withdrawal
from your bank account, you must enclose a check or money order, in U.S.
dollars, for at least $50, $10 of which will be applied toward payment of an
initial enrollment fee and the balance of which will be applied towards your
initial investment.
 
If you are an employee of Blyth or one of its subsidiaries who has elected to
make investments through an automatic payroll deduction, you may enroll by
completing the Enrollment Form for Employees of Blyth Industries, Inc. and its
subsidiaries and returning it by mail to the address specified in such
Enrollment Form. Blyth has waived the enrollment fee, as well as the obligation
to make an initial investment by check or money order, for any employee of Blyth
who has elected to make investments through an automatic payroll deduction.
 
YOUR INVESTMENT OPTIONS
 
Once enrolled in the Plan, you may purchase additional Blyth shares at any time
by using the Plan's optional cash investment feature. You must invest at least
$50 at any one time and your optional cash investments during any one calendar
month may not exceed $10,000. Your additional investments may be made by mailing
a check or money order in U.S. dollars to Harris Bank using the tear-off form on
your Plan Statement.
 
You may also purchase Blyth shares by authorizing an automatic monthly
withdrawal from your bank account of at least $50 but not more than $10,000.
Investments of automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account will
generally occur on the third Thursday of every month if a business day, or if
not, on the next business day (the "Monthly Withdrawal Investment Date"). In
order to allow for orderly purchases, the funds will be deducted from your bank
account five business days prior to the Monthly Withdrawal Investment Date.
Automatic monthly withdrawals will begin in the month after your automatic
monthly withdrawal election has been processed.
 
Employees of Blyth and its subsidiaries may purchase Blyth shares by authorizing
an automatic payroll deduction of at least $50 in the case
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
of those employees who are paid bi-weekly, which will be deducted each month
from the first paycheck of the month, and at least $10 in the case of employees
who are paid weekly, which will be deducted from each paycheck. Investments of
automatic payroll deductions will generally occur on the 15th day of every month
if a business day, or if not, on the next business day (the "Payroll Deduction
Investment Date"). Automatic payroll deductions will begin at the end of the
first full payroll period after your automatic payroll deduction election has
been processed.
 
PURCHASING YOUR SHARES
 
Harris Bank may purchase shares of Blyth Common Stock either in the open market
or directly from Blyth. Shares purchased directly from Blyth will be issued from
authorized but unissued or treasury shares. Harris Bank will make purchases for
initial and optional cash investments on a monthly basis.
 
For Plan shares purchased on the open market, your purchase price will be the
weighted average price paid by Harris Bank on the day the shares are purchased,
plus, except in the case of an investment made pursuant to an automatic payroll
deduction, both a service charge and a brokerage commission. The brokerage
commission will be $0.10 per share (or fraction of a share) purchased. In
general, the service charge will be $5.00 per transaction. However, if you have
elected to make investments through automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank
account, the service charge will only be $1.50 per transaction. Moreover, if you
are an employee of Blyth who has elected to make automatic investments through
payroll deductions, you will not be charged a service charge or a brokerage
commission for investments made through automatic payroll deductions.
 
If you authorize automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account, your
money will be transferred five business days prior to the Monthly Withdrawal
Investment Date, and such funds generally will be invested no later than the
Monthly Withdrawal Investment Date.
 
If you are an employee of Blyth or one of its subsidiaries, and if you authorize
automatic payroll deductions, the funds that you have elected to invest will be
deducted from your payroll on the first payday of each month, in the case of
employees who are paid bi-weekly, and every payday, in the case of employees who
are paid on a weekly
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
basis. Such payroll deductions generally will be invested no later than the
Payroll Deduction Investment Date.
 
If you are making an investment otherwise than through an automatic monthly
withdrawal or an automatic payroll deduction, your funds generally will be
invested on the third Thursday of the month if a business day, or if not, on the
next business day, so long as such funds are received by Harris Bank five
business days prior to such investment date.
 
For Plan shares purchased from Blyth, your price will be the average of the
daily high and low sales prices of Blyth shares as reported by the New York
Stock Exchange on the purchase date.
 
After each transaction, Harris Bank will send you a statement which will include
the purchase price of your shares and the brokerage commission charged.
 
TIMING AND CONTROL OF PURCHASES
 
Harris Bank will arrange for the purchase of all Blyth shares for the Plan.
Neither Blyth nor any Plan participant will control either the timing or pricing
of shares purchased. Accordingly, you will bear any risk associated with
fluctuations in the market price of Blyth Common Stock while your funds are held
pending investment. In addition, you will not earn interest on cash held by the
Plan Agent for your account pending investment.
 
ALL CASH INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO COLLECTION BY HARRIS BANK
 
If your check or automatic monthly withdrawal from a bank account is rejected
because of insufficient funds, Harris Bank will charge you an uncollected funds
fee of $25.00, cancel your purchase request and immediately remove any shares of
Blyth Common Stock purchased on the credit of the uncollected funds. Harris Bank
may sell such shares to satisfy any uncollected amounts plus the $25 fee, and,
if the proceeds of such sale are insufficient, Harris Bank may sell additional
shares from your Plan account until the uncollected balance and such fee are
satisfied in full.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
GIFTS
 
You may make gifts of Blyth shares held by you in the Plan to another person by
calling Harris Bank and requesting transfer instructions. Gifts must be a
minimum of five shares and must be made in whole shares. Once your completed
transfer instructions are received, your request will be processed promptly by
Harris Bank. A $5 service charge will be imposed with respect to each such gift.
 
You may also make a gift by establishing a new account and making an initial
investment in the recipient's name. If the recipient is already a Plan
participant, you may make a gift by making an optional cash investment in the
recipient's name. However, whether you are establishing an account or making an
optional cash investment as a gift, you are subject to minimum requirements and
enrollment fees established by the Plan, as well as a gift service charge of $5.
 
"CERTIFICATELESS" HOLDING OF YOUR BLYTH SHARES
 
The Plan permits you to deposit all of your Blyth stock certificates with Harris
Bank. By doing so, shares which you deposit and all shares purchased under the
Plan will be held in book entry form and no certificate will be issued. As a
Plan participant, you will receive semi-annual statements from Harris Bank
advising you as to the number of shares in your account. You may sell, transfer
or make gifts of stock simply by giving Harris Bank written instructions. At any
time, if you want certificates for some or all of your shares, you must send a
written request to Harris Bank and they will send you your certificates.
 
To deposit certificates for shares of Blyth Common Stock you already own into
your Plan account, send them by insured mail with appropriate instructions to:
 
                                  Harris Bank
                   Blyth INVESTDIRECT(SM) Stock Purchase Plan
                                 P.O. Box A3309
                          Chicago, Illinois 60690-3309
 
OBTAINING STOCK CERTIFICATES FOR YOUR PLAN SHARES
 
To obtain a stock certificate for any or all of your shares of Blyth Common
Stock that are purchased pursuant to the Plan, complete the tear-off form on
your Plan Statement and mail or fax both sides of the
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
form to Harris Bank at 1-312-461-5543. Stock certificates will not be issued for
fractions of shares.
 
YOUR PLAN STATEMENTS AND CONFIRMATIONS
 
Harris Bank will mail you a semi-annual statement showing all transactions for
your account during the preceding six months, including year-to-date and other
account information. Each time you purchase, deposit, transfer, gift or withdraw
shares, Harris Bank will send you a transaction statement.
 
YOUR RIGHTS AS A BLYTH STOCKHOLDER
 
Plan participants possess all of the rights and privileges that any Blyth
stockholder enjoys. As a Blyth stockholder, you will also receive copies of all
communications sent generally to Blyth stockholders, including annual reports
and proxy statements. The proxy statement and proxy form for meetings of Blyth
stockholders will cover all the Blyth shares you own, including any shares you
own directly outside of the Plan (other than shares held in street name, as to
which a separate mailing will be made). The proxy allows you to indicate how you
want your shares to be voted.
 
CHANGING YOUR INVESTMENT OPTIONS
 
You may change or stop automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account by
mailing the tear-off form on your Plan Statement to Harris Bank. Harris Bank
must receive your written request at least five business days before the date of
the next automatic withdrawal. Forms may be obtained by calling Harris Bank at
1-877-424-1968 (toll free). If you are an employee of Blyth or one of its
subsidiaries, you may change or stop your automatic payroll deductions by
notifying your payroll manager that you wish to change or stop such deductions
(subject to Blyth's stock trading "blackout" policies for its employees as in
effect from time to time), in which event the deductions will be stopped or
changed as soon as practicable after the date of your notice.
 
REFUNDS
 
You may obtain a refund of your initial investment or any optional cash
investment if your written request for refund is received by Harris
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
Bank at least two business days prior to the investment date. Harris Bank will
mail you a refund check within approximately two weeks of your request.
 
SELLING YOUR SHARES
 
You may sell some or all of your shares held in the Plan by mailing the tear-off
form on your Plan Statement to Harris Bank. Harris Bank will generally sell
shares within five business days from the date of receipt of the request. Your
sales price will be the weighted average price received by Harris Bank for all
sales made on the day on which your shares are sold. The cash proceeds that you
will receive for the shares sold will be equal to this weighted average daily
sales price, less both a service charge of $10.00 and a brokerage commission of
$0.10 per share (or fraction of a share). Please note that Harris Bank cannot
accept instructions to sell on a specific day or at a specific price. Harris
Bank will mail you a check for the net proceeds from the sale of your shares
within three business days after the settlement date.
 
If you prefer, you may withdraw your Blyth shares from the Plan and sell them
through your broker.
 
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN
 
You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice of your
desire to withdraw to Harris Bank. Upon withdrawal, you may instruct Harris Bank
to sell your Blyth shares held in the Plan, as described above, or to send you
stock certificates for all of your Blyth shares in the Plan. Fractional shares
will be liquidated and Harris Bank will send the net proceeds to you. A tear-off
form for
withdrawing from the Plan will be provided by Harris Bank in your transaction
statement.
 
If the shares in your Plan account fall below one full share, Harris Bank will
automatically liquidate the fractional share, close your Plan account and send
the net proceeds to you. Sales of a fractional share will be subject to the same
service charges and brokerage commissions as a sale of a whole share.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
FEES
 
All Plan fees and charges are subject to change by Blyth and Harris Bank.
Participants will be notified promptly of any changes. The current Plan fees and
charges are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION                                              AMOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                                      <C>
Initial enrollment fee, if applicable*.................  $10.00
Service charge for optional cash investments...........  $5.00 per purchase
Service charge for investment of automatic bank
  withdrawals..........................................  $1.50 per purchase
Brokerage commissions on purchase of Plan shares*......  $0.10 per share
Service charge for sale of Plan shares.................  $10.00 per sale
Brokerage commissions on sale of Plan shares...........  $0.10 per share
Gifts of shares........................................  $5.00 per gift
Certificate deposit ("Certificateless Holdings").......  No Charge
Previous years' Plan statements........................  $10.00 per year
Charge for dishonored checks/automatic monthly
  withdrawals..........................................  $25.00
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Blyth employees who have elected to make investments through automatic
    payroll deductions will not be charged an initial enrollment fee nor will
    they be charged a service charge or brokerage commissions for the purchase
    of shares through payroll deductions.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
If you are an employee of Blyth or one of its subsidiaries who has elected to
make investments though automatic payroll deductions, the brokerage commissions
on the purchase on the open market of Plan shares acquired with funds derived
from such automatic payroll deductions, as well as service charges of Harris
Bank for such purchases ($1.00 per transaction), will be considered taxable
income to you because they will be paid for your account by Blyth. The total
amount of such commissions and service charges will be reported to you on your
W-2 and will be subject to payroll withholding in accordance with applicable
law. Such amounts will also be reported to the Internal
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
Revenue Service and, where applicable, to state tax authorities shortly after
the close of each year.
 
All Blyth shares that are sold through Harris Bank will be reported to the IRS
as required by law. Any profit or loss you incur should be reflected when you
file your income tax returns. A transfer of shares to the Plan or withdrawal of
shares which are not actually sold will not generate a gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes.
 
Be sure to keep your Plan Statements for income tax purposes.
 
If you have any questions about the tax treatment of any transaction or your
participation in the Plan, please consult your tax advisor.
 
CHANGES TO THE PLAN
 
Blyth may terminate or change the Plan, including its fees and charges, at any
time. We will send you written notice of any significant changes. Blyth and
Harris Bank also have the right to adopt other rules and regulations from time
to time in order to enhance the operation of the Plan.
 
STOCK SPLITS, STOCK DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
In the event that shares of Blyth Common Stock are distributed in connection
with any stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction, each Plan account
will be adjusted to reflect the receipt of the distributed shares in book entry
form. Your Plan Statement will reflect any such adjustments.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF BLYTH AND HARRIS BANK
 
Neither Blyth nor Harris Bank shall be liable for any act, or for any failure to
act, as long as they have made good faith efforts to carry out the terms of the
Plan, as described in this Prospectus.
 
FOREIGN INVESTORS
 
If you are a non-U.S. investor, you are responsible for ensuring that your
participation in the Plan does not violate any laws of your home country, and
neither Blyth nor Harris Bank will be responsible for compliance with
non-U.S.laws. Blyth reserves the right to limit or deny enrollment in the Plan
by any non-U.S. investor.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The proceeds from the sale by Blyth of newly issued shares will be used for
general corporate purposes.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
Certain legal matters in connection with the Plan will be passed upon for Blyth
by Finn Dixon & Herling LLP, Stamford, Connecticut. As of the date hereof,
certain attorneys who are partners of, or employed by, Finn Dixon & Herling LLP,
and who have provided advice with respect to the offer and sale of securities
pursuant to the Plan, beneficially own an aggregate of 15,150 shares of Common
Stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
The audited consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company as of
January 31, 1997 and for each of the two fiscal years ended January 31, 1996 and
1997, incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 into this Prospectus and elsewhere in
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, have been
incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP,
independent certified public accountants, and upon the authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The audited consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company as of
January 31, 1998 and for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, incorporated by
reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 1998 into this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, have been incorporated herein
in reliance upon the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P. prior to its July 1, 1998 with Price Waterhouse LLP), independent
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
A Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Act, including amendments
thereto, relating to the shares of Common Stock offered
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
pursuant to the Plan has been filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), Washington, D.C. This Prospectus does
not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and
the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the
Company and the shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plan, you may
refer to such Registration Statement and exhibits and schedules filed as a part
thereof. The Company also files periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. You may inspect a copy of the Registration
Statement and such other materials without charge at the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Northwest Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. You may
also obtain copies of all or any portion of the Registration Statement and other
such materials from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of prescribed fees. Copies of
such documents may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. The Commission
maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. The address of the Commission's Web site is http://www.sec.gov.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
The following documents previously filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), are hereby incorporated by reference:
 
    (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31,
        1998, including portions of the Company's Proxy Statement dated April
        29, 1998 relating to the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
        and portions of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the
        fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, which are incorporated therein by
        reference.
 
    (2) The Company's Proxy Statement dated April 29, 1998.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                             BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM)
 
    (3) The description of the Common Stock of the Company which is contained in
        the registration statement on Form 8-A filed by the Company on April 19,
        1994.
 
    (4) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 5, 1998.
 
    (5) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
        ended April 30, 1998 and July 31, 1998.
 
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination
of this offering shall be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and
shall be deemed to be part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such
reports and documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for
purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this
Prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
The Company will provide, upon request, without charge to each person, including
any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, a
copy of any or all of the documents which have been or may be incorporated in
this Prospectus by reference, other than certain exhibits to such documents
unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the
information that this Prospectus incorporates. Requests for such copies should
be directed to: Blyth Industries, Inc., 100 Field Point Road, Greenwich,
Connecticut 06830 (Attention: Investor Relations Department) (telephone: (203)
661-1926).
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                   BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM) STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
                ENROLLMENT FORM FOR NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
 
ACCOUNT LEGAL REGISTRATION (CHOOSE ONE)
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                             <C>        <C>                             <C>        <C>
/ /        SINGLE/JOINT ACCOUNT*           / /        CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT*              / /        TRUST ACCOUNT*
Name                                       Custodian's Name                           Trust Name or Beneficiary
Joint Owner (if any)                       Minor's Name                               Trustee Name
Joint Owner (if any)                       Minor's State of Residence                 Date of Trust
 
* Joint account will be presumed to be     * A minor is the beneficial owner of the   * Trust account is established in
joint tenants with right of survivorship   account with an adult custodian managing   accordance with the provisions of a trust
unless restricted by applicable state law  the account until the minor becomes of     agreement.
or otherwise indicated. Only one Social    age, as specified in the Uniform Gifts To
Security Number is required.               Minors Act in the minor's state of
                                           residence.
 
  SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
  SHOULD BE THAT OF (1) A MINOR FOR A CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT, OR (2) A GIFT RECIPIENT IF ENROLLMENT REPRESENTS A GIFT.
 
  ACCOUNT ADDRESS
                                           Street, City, State, Zip Code and Daytime Telephone Number
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
  ENCLOSED IS A CHECK FOR   $                                      ,                                .
 
</TABLE>
 
The minimum initial investment is $250 (or $50 if you elect automatic deductions
from your bank or financial institution), the maximum initial investment is
$10,000. No interest will be paid on funds held pending investment.
 
/ /  AUTOMATIC DEDUCTIONS Please check this box and complete the Automatic
Deductions Form on the reverse side if you wish to make additional cash
investments by Automatic Deductions from your bank or financial institution.
 
Participation in the Plan is subject to the terms outlined in the Prospectus,
which I (we) have fully read. Participation in the Plan may be terminated at any
time by sending written instructions signed by all registered owners to Harris
Bank at the address listed in the Prospectus. I (we) hereby warrant, under
penalties of perjury, that the social security number provided is correct. If I
(we) have checked the automatic deduction box above, I (we) hereby authorize
Harris Trust and Savings Bank to make monthly automatic transfers of funds from
the checking or savings account in the amount stated. This monthly deduction
will be used to purchase shares of Blyth Industries, Inc. common stock for
deposit into my (our) account.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                               <C>                 <C>
Signature:                                            Date:
                                                      Daytime
Signature:                                            Telephone Number:
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
AUTHORIZATION FORM FOR AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION
 
Complete this form if you wish to purchase additional shares by AUTOMATIC
DEDUCTIONS from your bank or financial institution. Please complete all 6 steps.
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                 <C>
1.         TYPE OF ACCOUNT: Check One.  / / Checking Account  / / Savings Account
 
2.         BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: Enter your bank account number found in the lower left portion of your check or
           deposit slip as illustrated in the example below.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
3.         BANK ROUTING NUMBER (ABA): Enter your bank's 9 digit number (ABA number) found in the lower left
           portion of your check or deposit slip as illustrated below.
 
<CAPTION>
 
<CAPTION>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
4.         AMOUNT OF AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION Enter the amount to be deducted from your
           bank account approximately five business days prior to the third Thursday
           of each month. ($50 minimum; $10,000 maximum per month.)
   $                             ,                                .
 
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                               <C>
5.         NAME ON BANK ACCOUNT: Enter the name that appears on the bank account as illustrated in the example
           below.
 
6.         FINANCIAL INSTITUTION: Enter the information on your financial institution as illustrated in the
           example below.
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                     <C>
           FINANCIAL
           INSTITUTION
           BRANCH
           NAME
           BRANCH
           STREET ADDRESS
           BRANCH
           CITY, AND ZIP CODE
Please enclose a copy of a VOIDED check or a savings deposit slip to verify banking information.
 
USE THIS ILLUSTRATION AS A GUIDE TO COMPLETE THE ABOVE FORM
</TABLE>
 
                          [LOGO]
 
Completed and signed form should be mailed with your check or money order to:
 
                                    Blyth INVESTDIRECT(SM) Stock Purchase Plan
                                    Shareholder Communications Corp.
                                    P. O. Box 1004
                                    Bowling Green Station
                                    New York, NY 10275-1004
<PAGE>
                   BLYTH INVESTDIRECT(SM) STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                            INITIAL ENROLLMENT FORM
          FOR EMPLOYEES OF BLYTH INDUSTRIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
ACCOUNT LEGAL REGISTRATION (CHOOSE ONE)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                 <C>
/ / SINGLE/JOINT ACCOUNT*           / / CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT*              / / TRUST ACCOUNT*
Name                                Custodian's Name                    Trust Name or Beneficiary
Joint Owner (if any)                Minor's Name                        Trustee Name
Joint Owner (if any)                Minor's State of Residence          Date of Trust
 
* Joint account will be presumed    * A minor is the beneficial owner   * Trust account is established in
to be joint tenants with right of   of the account with an adult        accordance with the provisions of
survivorship unless restricted by   custodian managing the account      a trust agreement.
applicable state law or otherwise   until the minor becomes of age, as
indicated. Only one Social          specified in the Uniform Gifts To
Security Number is required.        Minors Act in the minor's state of
                                    residence.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
</TABLE>
 
SHOULD BE THAT OF (1) A MINOR FOR A CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT, OR (2) A GIFT RECIPIENT
IF ENROLLMENT REPRESENTS A GIFT.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1.  PAYROLL FREQUENCY:  Check one. / / Biweekly  / / Weekly
 
2.  AMOUNT OF AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION:
    Enter the amount to be deducted ($50 minimum per paycheck; $10,000 maximum
    per month) from the first paycheck of each month (biweekly payroll frequency):            $
                                                                                                                       ,
    Enter the amount to be deducted ($10 minimum per paycheck; $10,000 maximum
    per month) from each paycheck (weekly payroll frequency):                                 $
                                                                                                                       ,
                                                  
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Participation in the Plan is subject to the terms outlined in the Prospectus,
which I (we) have fully read. Participation in the Plan may be terminated at any
time by sending written instructions signed by all registered owners to Harris
Bank at the address listed in the Prospectus. I (we) hereby warrant, under
penalties of perjury, that the social security number provided is correct. I
(we) hereby authorize Blyth Industries, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries to make
automatic payroll deductions in the amount stated. I (we) understand that no
interest will be paid on funds pending investment. These deductions will be used
to purchase shares of Blyth Industries, Inc. common stock for deposit into my
(our) account.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>                              <C>                 <C>
Signature:                                             Date:
                                                       Daytime
Signature:                                             Telephone Number:
</TABLE>
 
Completed and signed form should be mailed to:
 
                                   Blyth INVESTDIRECT(SM) Stock Purchase Plan
                                   Blyth Industries, Inc.
                                   470 Mission Common Drive--Suites 2 & 4
                                   Carol Stream, IL 60188
                                   Attn: Payroll Manager


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