THERMO ELECTRON CORP
S-3/A, 1998-09-17
MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>
 
     
  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-62957     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                --------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                --------------
                          THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                                --------------
                                   DELAWARE
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
                                --------------
                                  04-2209186
                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                        81 WYMAN STREET, P.O. BOX 9046
                       WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02454-9046
                                (781) 622-1000
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                                --------------
                         SANDRA L. LAMBERT, SECRETARY
                          THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION
                        81 WYMAN STREET, P.O. BOX 9046
                       WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02454-9046
                                (781) 622-1000
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                   OF AGENT FOR SERVICE FOR THE REGISTRANT)
                                --------------
                                  COPIES TO:
        SETH H. HOOGASIAN, ESQ.               EDWIN L. MILLER, JR., ESQ.
  VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL,      TESTA, HURWITZ & THIBEAULT, LLP
      THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION                 HIGH STREET TOWER
    81 WYMAN STREET, P.O. BOX 9046                 125 HIGH STREET
   WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02454-9046         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
            (781) 622-1000      --------------      (617) 248-7000
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
  If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
  If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [X]
  If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
  If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
  If delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
check the following box. [_]
                                --------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                PROPOSED MAXIMUM
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF       AMOUNT TO  BE   AGGREGATE OFFERING      AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED    REGISTERED(1)        PRICE(2)      REGISTRATION FEE(5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>               <C>                <C>
 Common Stock of Thermo
  Electron Corporation
  ($1.00 par value)......                            (1)(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Debt Securities of Thermo
  Electron Corporation...                            (1)(4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Common Stock of Thermo
  Electron
  Corporation(1)(6).......   10,000,000 shares        (3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total..................      $696,328,125       $696,328,125         $205,417
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) There are being registered hereunder such principal amount or number of
    securities as may from time to time be issued, but in no event will the
    aggregate initial offering price of the securities registered hereunder
    exceed $696,328,125. The securities registered shall be deemed to include
    such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock of Thermo Electron
    Corporation and such indeterminate amounts of Debt Securities of Thermo
    Electron Corporation as may be issued upon conversion or exchange of any
    securities registered hereunder that provide for conversion or exchange
    into other securities. Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of
    1933, as amended, the amount being registered hereunder is carried forward
    from the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-32111,
    filed on July 25, 1997) (the "Prior Registration Statement"), which has
    not been sold. No additional securities are being registered hereby.
    10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which comprise a portion of the
    aggregate principal amount of securities registered hereunder, may be
    offered in transactions by persons other than the Company, from time to
    time, at indeterminate prices.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) The shares of Thermo Electron Corporation Common Stock being registered
    hereunder, if issued prior to the termination of the Thermo Electron
    Corporation Shareholder Rights Plan, shall include Rights to purchase a
    Unit consisting of one ten-thousandth of a share of Series B Junior
    Participating Preferred Stock. Prior to the occurrence of certain events,
    the Rights will not be exercisable or evidenced separately from the Common
    Stock.
(4) Plus accrued interest, if any.
   
(5) Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Prospectus
    included herein covers the Securities previously registered under the
    Prior Registration Statement and not sold thereunder; no additional
    securities are being registered hereby. A filing fee of $303,031 was paid
    at the time of filing of the Prior Registration Statement, which
    registered an aggregate of $1,000,000,000 of the Company's securities. The
    filing fee that would have been payable upon filing of this registration
    statement ($205,417) was brought over to this filing from the Prior
    Registration Statement upon the initial filing of this registration
    statement on September 4, 1998. Accordingly, no additional filing fee is
    submitted herewith.     
(6) Refers to shares of Common Stock that may be offered for the account of
    persons other than the Company, from time to time, at indeterminate
    prices.
                                --------------
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
                        STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 429
  Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Prospectus
included herein relates to the securities previously registered under the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-32111, filed on
July 25, 1997) (the "Prior Registration Statement") and not sold thereunder;
no additional securities are being registered hereby. This Registration
Statement, which is a new registration statement, also constitutes the first
post-effective amendment to the Prior Registration Statement. Such post-
effective amendment shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the
effectiveness of this Registration Statement in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933. The Prospectus contained herein is intended to
be the combined prospectus referred to in Rule 429 under the Securities Act of
1933.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+   THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT AND COMPLETION.   +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 
              SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 17, 1998     
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $696,328,125
 
                          THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION
 
                        COMMON STOCK AND DEBT SECURITIES
 
  This Prospectus may be used in connection with the offering and sale, from
time to time, together or separately, of shares of the common stock, $1.00 par
value per share (the "Common Stock") of Thermo Electron Corporation (the
"Company"), and the Company's debt securities ("Debt Securities"), which may be
either senior debt securities ("Senior Securities") or subordinated debt
securities ("Subordinated Securities"), consisting of debentures, notes and/or
other unsecured evidences of indebtedness. The Common Stock and the Debt
Securities in one or more series (collectively, the "Securities") may be
offered, separately or together, at prices and terms to be set forth in one or
more supplements to this Prospectus (each a "Prospectus Supplement") up to an
aggregate initial offering price of $696,328,125. Any Debt Securities sold
hereunder will be denominated in U.S. dollars. Specific terms of the Securities
for which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the
applicable accompanying Prospectus Supplement including, where applicable, (i)
in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal
amount, denominations, maturity, premium, rate of interest (or method of
calculation thereof) and time of payment thereof, terms for redemption at the
option of the Company or the holder, terms for any sinking fund payments,
subordination provisions, if any, terms, if any, providing for conversion of
the Debt Securities into Common Stock, the form of the Debt Securities (which
may be registered or bearer, or certificated or global), the initial public
offering price and certain other terms of the offering and sale of the Debt
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered; and (ii) in
the case of Common Stock, the number of shares and initial public offering
price of the Common Stock and certain terms of the offering and sale thereof,
including the identity of selling securityholders, if any. The Prospectus
Supplement may also contain information, as applicable, about certain U.S.
federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities
exchange of, the Securities for which the Prospectus Supplement is being
delivered. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any
Common Stock offered will be listed, subject to notice of issuance, on such
exchange.
 
  The Securities may be sold by the Company or by selling securityholders
directly or indirectly through agents, underwriters or dealers as designated
from time to time, or through a combination of such methods. See "Plan of
Distribution." The applicable accompanying Prospectus Supplement will set forth
the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered and any
applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. See "Plan of
Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements with underwriters,
dealers and agents.
 
  This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, preceded by a
Prospectus Supplement.
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS THE
    SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED  UPON THE  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF  THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY
       REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
               The date of this Prospectus is September  , 1998.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational 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
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20549; and at the Commission's regional offices at 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 7 World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained by mail from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a Web
site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission, including the Company; the address of such Web site is
http://www.sec.gov. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
and such material that relates to the Company may also be inspected at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), of which this Prospectus constitutes a part. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information,
reference is made to the Registration Statement.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company (File No.
1-8002) are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus:
 
    (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1998,
  as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on
  April 3, 1998;
 
    (b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 4,
  1998;
 
    (c) Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 7, 1998
  with respect to the Company's execution of a domestic and an international
  underwriting agreement with respect to its public sale of 6,500,000 shares
  of its common stock;
 
    (d) Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 4, 1998
  with respect to a contemplated offering by Thermo Power Corporation and
  with respect to an exchange offer being conducted by Thermedics Inc.;
 
    (e) Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 7, 1998
  with respect to the Company's anticipated total gains from the issuance of
  stock by the Company's subsidiaries for the quarter ended July 4, 1998;
 
    (f) Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 22, 1998
  with respect to the Company's expected operating income for the quarter
  ended July 4, 1998;
 
    (g) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 4,
  1998;
 
    (h) Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 3,
  1998 with respect to changes in the executive management of the Company;
     
    (i)  Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September
  15, 1998 with respect to the retirement of the Company's Chief Financial
  Officer;     
     
    (j)  The description of the Common Stock which is contained in the
  Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act,
  as such description may be amended from time to time; and     
     
    (k)  The description of the Company's Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
  which is contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
  filed under the Exchange Act, as such description may be amended from time
  to time.     
 
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from
the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained
herein or in a document all or any portion of which is incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference
(other than certain exhibits to such documents). Requests for such copies
should be directed to Sandra L. Lambert, Secretary, Thermo Electron
Corporation, 81 Wyman Street, P.O. Box 9046, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9046
(telephone: (781) 622-1000).
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  In addition to the other information in this Prospectus and the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, prospective purchasers of the Securities offered hereby
should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the Company's most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company develops, manufactures and markets environmental monitoring and
analysis instruments; biomedical products including heart-assist devices,
respiratory care equipment, and mammography systems; paper-recycling and
papermaking equipment; alternative-energy systems; industrial process
equipment; and other specialized products. The Company also provides a range
of services for the personal care, environmental, laboratory analysis, and
metals-processing industries, and conducts advanced technology research and
development. The Company performs its business through majority-owned
subsidiaries that are partially owned by the public or by private investors,
as well as through wholly-owned subsidiaries.
 
  The Company has developed leading market positions in many lines of
business, including environmental monitoring and analysis instruments,
mammography systems, biomass power plants, and paper-recycling equipment and
papermaking accessories. The Company is currently seeking to establish leading
market positions in the field of left ventricular-assist systems, explosives-
detection systems, thermal soil-remediation services and dedicated natural gas
engines. The Company is developing new products in its Advanced Technologies
segment, as well as other segments.
 
  A key element in the Company's growth has been its ability to commercialize
innovative products and services emanating from research and development
activities conducted at the Company's various subsidiaries and divisions. The
Company's strategy has been to identify business opportunities arising from
social, economic and regulatory issues and seek a leading market share through
the application of proprietary technology. As part of this strategy, the
Company continues to focus on the acquisition of complementary businesses that
can be integrated into existing core businesses to leverage the Company's
access to new markets.
 
  The Company believes that maintaining an entrepreneurial atmosphere is
essential to continuing its growth and development. In order to preserve this
environment, the Company adopted the strategy of having certain subsidiaries
sell a minority interest to outside investors. The Company believes that this
strategy provides additional motivation and incentives for the management of
the subsidiaries through the establishment of subsidiary-level stock option
incentive programs, as well as capital to support the subsidiaries' growth.
The Company's majority-owned subsidiaries are provided with centralized
strategic planning, corporate development, administrative, financial and other
services that would not be available to many independent companies of similar
size.
 
  The Company, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated on October 11, 1960,
completed its initial public offering in 1967, and was listed on the New York
Stock Exchange in 1980. The principal executive office of the Company is
located at 81 Wyman Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9046 (telephone: 781-
622-1000).
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
net proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be used by the Company for
general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of outstanding
indebtedness, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, research and
development, repurchase of its Common Stock and other securities and the
securities of any of its subsidiaries through open-market purchases or
otherwise, and possible future acquisitions. The precise amount and timing of
the application of such proceeds will depend upon the funding requirements of
the Company, and the availability and cost of other funds. Pending these uses,
the Company expects to invest the net proceeds primarily in investment grade
interest or dividend bearing instruments.
 
                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
  The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to fixed
charges of the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods indicated. For
purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings"
represent income from continuing operations before taxes, cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle and extraordinary item, adjusted for minority
interest in losses of consolidated subsidiaries and minority interest in
income of consolidated subsidiaries with fixed charges, plus fixed charges,
excluding capitalized interest. "Fixed charges" for continuing operations
consist of interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense,
capitalized interest and one-third of rental expense, which is deemed to be
the interest component of such rental expense.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           FISCAL YEAR(1)      SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                      ------------------------ ----------------
                                      1993 1994 1995 1996 1997   JULY 4, 1998
                                      ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------------
<S>                                   <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges... 3.21 3.63 4.17 4.18 5.15       4.94
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The Company's fiscal years ended on January 1, 1994, December 31, 1994,
    December 30, 1995, December 28, 1996 and January 3, 1998.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
 
  The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of
the Debt Securities of the Company to which any Prospectus Supplement may
relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus
Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not
apply to the Debt Securities so offered will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Debt Securities.
 
  The Debt Securities constitute either senior Debt Securities (the "Senior
Securities") or subordinated Debt Securities (the "Subordinated Securities").
The Senior Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and Bankers Trust Company,
as trustee (the "Trustee"), the form of which Senior Indenture is filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement containing this Prospectus. The
Subordinated Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Subordinated
Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and Bankers Trust Company,
as trustee (in such capacity, also the "Trustee"), the form of which
Subordinated Indenture is also filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement containing this Prospectus. The Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the
"Indentures."
 
  The following summary of certain provisions of the Debt Securities and the
Indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indentures, including
the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever particular provisions or
defined terms of the Indentures are referred to, such provisions or defined
terms are incorporated herein by reference. Certain defined terms in the
Indentures are capitalized herein. Article or section references in
parentheses are to the applicable Indenture. References in this section to the
"Company" are solely to Thermo Electron Corporation and not to any of its
subsidiaries.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement are stated in United States dollars ("$," "U.S. Dollars"
or "dollars").
 
GENERAL
 
  The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities that may be issued thereunder and provide that Debt Securities may
be issued thereunder up to an aggregate principal amount that may be
authorized from time to time by the Company. Debt Securities may be issued in
one or more series thereunder. The Senior Securities will be unsecured
obligations of the Company and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Subordinated Securities will be
unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, in the manner and to the extent described
below under "Subordination of Subordinated Securities." The Company's rights
as a stockholder and the rights of its creditors, including holders of the
Debt Securities, to participate in the assets of any of the Company's
subsidiaries, as the case may be, upon a subsidiary's liquidation or
recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary's
creditors.
 
  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular
series of Debt Securities offered thereby for specific terms, including (where
applicable): (1) the title or designation of such Debt Securities and the
series in which such Debt Securities shall be included; (2) the aggregate
principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit on such aggregate
principal amount and the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount thereof) at which such Debt Securities will be issued; (3) if
there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustees and, if not the
Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, and the identity of each
Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to the
Debt Securities; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium,
if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, or the method or methods, if
any, by which such date or dates will be determined; (5) the rate or rates
(which may be fixed or variable) at which such Debt Securities will bear
interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or
rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such
interest will accrue or the
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined,
the interest payment dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable
and the record dates, if any, for the interest payable on Debt Securities in
registered form on any interest payment dates, whether and under what
circumstances Additional Amounts on such Debt Securities will be payable, and
the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-
day year of twelve 30-day months; (6) if the Debt Securities are to be
issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether
upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Debt Security) only upon
receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other
conditions, then the terms of such certificates, documents or conditions; (7)
the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and any interest
or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Debt Securities shall be
payable, the place or places where such Debt Securities may be surrendered for
registration of transfer and exchange, and the place or places of transfer,
exchange or conversion in the circumstances described in the Prospectus
Supplement or in the Indentures, if other than The City of New York; (8) the
period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other
terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be redeemed at the
option of the Company; (9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem,
repay or purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or
analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or
periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and
conditions upon which such Debt Securities shall be redeemed, repaid or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (10) whether any
such Debt Securities are to be issuable in registered form ("Registered
Securities") or bearer form ("Bearer Securities") or both and, if in bearer
form, the terms and conditions relating thereto, including whether interest in
respect of any portion of a temporary Bearer Security in global form payable
in respect of an interest payment date therefor prior to the Exchange Date
shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such
temporary Bearer Security held for its account and any further terms and
conditions relating to the crediting of such interest payments to the persons
entitled thereto, and any limitations on issuance of such Bearer Securities
(including in exchange for registered Debt Securities of the same series);
(11) the authorized denominations in which Debt Securities will be issuable,
if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof (in
the case of Registered Securities) or $1,000 or $10,000 (in the case of Bearer
Securities); (12) the terms, if any, on which such Debt Securities may be
exchanged for or converted into other securities of the Company; (13) whether
any such Debt Securities will be issued in temporary or permanent global form
and, if so, the identity of the depository or depositories for such global
Debt Security; (14) the index, formulas or other method, if any, with
reference to which the amount of any payment of principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities
will be determined; (15) the portion of the principal amount of such Debt
Securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof, if other than the stated principal amount thereof; (16) any
addition to, or modification or deletion of, any covenant or Event of Default
with respect to such Debt Securities; (17) the terms, if any, upon which Debt
Securities may be exchangeable for other Securities; (18) in the case of an
issue of Subordinated Securities, the subordination provisions, if different
from those described under "Subordination of Subordinated Securities" below;
(19) the applicability of any provisions described below under "Discharge,
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance;" (20) the date(s) that the Securities are
to be dated; and (21) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent
with the provisions of the Indentures. As used in this Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering of any Debt Securities,
references to the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
Debt Securities will be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional
Amounts, if any, required by the terms of Debt Securities in such context.
(Section 301)
 
  Under the Indenture, the terms of the Debt Securities of any series may
differ, and the Company, without the consent of the holders of the Debt
Securities of any series, may reopen a previous series of Debt Securities and
issue additional Debt Securities of such series. (Section 301)
 
  Debt Securities may be issued at a discount from their stated principal
amount. United States Federal income tax considerations and other special
considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  Debt Securities may be issued that qualify as "Variable Rate Debt
Securities" for tax purposes. United States Federal income tax considerations
and other special considerations applicable to any such Variable Rate Debt
Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Debt Securities may also be issued that provide for the use of an index to
determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on the series of which such Debt Securities are a part, but which do not
qualify as Variable Rate Debt Securities. Special Federal income tax,
accounting and other considerations applicable to such Indexed Securities will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED SECURITIES
 
  The Subordinated Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the
Company. Senior Indebtedness of the Company is defined for this purpose as the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest and other amounts due on or with
respect to the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the
Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred or created: (a) indebtedness of
the Company for money borrowed by the Company (including, without limitation,
purchase money obligations and money borrowed from any of its affiliates),
whether or not evidenced by debentures, bonds, notes or other corporate debt
securities or similar instruments issued by the Company; (b) obligations to
reimburse any bank or other person in respect of amounts paid under letters of
credit; (c) leases of real property, equipment or other assets, which leases
are capitalized in the Company's financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles; (d) commitment, standby and other
fees due and payable to financial institutions with respect to credit
facilities available to the Company; (e) obligations of the Company under
interest rate and currency swaps, floors, caps or other similar arrangements
intended to hedge interest rates or currency exposure; (f) obligations secured
by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance on property which is owned
or held by the Company subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien or other
encumbrance, whether or not the obligations secured thereby shall have been
assumed by the Company; (g) obligations of the Company constituting guarantees
of indebtedness of or joint obligations with another or others which would be
included in the preceding clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f); and (h)
modifications, renewals, extensions or refundings of any of the indebtedness,
leases, fees or obligations referred to in the preceding clauses (a), (b),
(c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) or debentures, notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in exchange therefor; provided that Senior Indebtedness
shall not include any particular indebtedness, lease, fee or obligation,
modification, renewal, extension, refunding or exchanged securities if, under
the express provisions of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, or
pursuant to which the same is outstanding, such indebtedness, lease, fee or
obligation or such modification, renewal, extension or refunding thereof or
exchanged securities are stated to be not superior in right of payment to the
Subordinated Securities. (Article Seventeen of the Subordinated Indenture) The
Subordinated Securities will rank pari passu with each other. The obligations
represented by the Subordinated Securities may rank pari passu with certain
other obligations of the Company, if so indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
  Upon (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding
in connection therewith, relative to the Company or its creditors, as such, or
to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving
insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit or creditors
or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, all
principal of, premium, if any, and interest due upon all Senior Indebtedness
must be paid in full before the Holders of the Subordinated Securities or the
Trustee are entitled to receive or retain any assets so distributed in respect
of the Subordinated Securities. (Section 1702) Upon the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, such Senior
Indebtedness shall first be paid in full, or duly provided for in cash, before
any payment is made by the Company, directly or indirectly, on the
Subordinated Securities. Upon the happening of any event of default with
respect to any Senior Indebtedness, as defined therein or in the instrument
under which it is outstanding, permitting the holders to accelerate the
maturity thereof, then, unless and until such event of default shall have been
cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payment shall be made by the
Company, directly or
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
indirectly, on account of the principal of, premium, if any or interest on the
Subordinated Securities and any Coupons appertaining thereto. (Section 1703)
By reason of these provisions, in such events, Holders of the Subordinated
Securities may recover less, ratably, than other creditors of the Company,
including holders of Senior Indebtedness.
 
  Subject to payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the
rights of Holders of the Subordinated Securities will be subrogated to the
rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions
of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior
Indebtedness. (Section 1705)
 
  The Subordinated Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional
Senior Indebtedness or any other indebtedness that may be incurred by the
Company. The Company expects from time to time to incur additional
indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness.
 
STRUCTURAL SUBORDINATION
 
  The obligations represented by the Debt Securities are obligations
exclusively of the Company and not of its subsidiaries. Because the operations
of the Company are, in large part, conducted through subsidiaries, the cash
flow and the consequent ability to service debt of the Company, including the
obligations represented by the Debt Securities, are dependent, in part, upon
the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to the
Company or upon loans or other payments of funds by those subsidiaries to the
Company. The Company's ability to access assets held by its majority-owned
subsidiaries through dividends, loans, or other transactions is subject in
each instance to a fiduciary duty owed to the minority stockholders of the
relevant subsidiary. The subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities
and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due
pursuant to the Debt Securities or to make any funds available therefor,
whether by dividends, loans or other payments. In addition, the payment of
dividends and the making of loans and advances to the Company by its
subsidiaries may be subject to statutory restrictions, and dividends paid by a
subsidiary that does not consolidate with the Company for tax purposes will be
subject to taxation.
 
  The obligations represented by the Debt Securities will be effectively
structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities that each
of the Company's subsidiaries owes to its creditors. Any right of the Company
to receive assets of any of its subsidiaries upon liquidation or
reorganization of such subsidiary (and the consequent right of the holders of
the Debt Securities to participate in those assets) will be effectively
subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors, except to the
extent that the Company is itself recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary,
in which case the claims of the Company would still be subject to any security
interests in the assets of such subsidiary and subordinated to any
indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by the Company. In
addition, any minority stockholder of such subsidiary would be entitled to
participate in the assets of such subsidiary on the same terms as the Company
(in the Company's capacity as a stockholder of such subsidiary).
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
following provisions shall be applicable with respect to any Debt Security
that is convertible into Common Stock (a "Convertible Debt Security").
 
  The Holder of any Convertible Debt Security will have the right, at the
Holder's option, to convert any portion of the principal amount of a
Convertible Debt Security that is an integral multiple of $1,000 into shares
of Common Stock at any time on or after (a) in the case of all Convertible
Debt Securities other than a temporary global Bearer Security, its date of
issuance and (b) in the case of Convertible Debt Securities represented by a
temporary global Bearer Security, the receipt of definitive Convertible Debt
Securities, and prior to the close of business on the maturity date, unless
previously redeemed or repurchased, at the Conversion Price per share set
forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement (subject to adjustment as
described below). The right to convert a Convertible Debt Security called for
redemption or delivered for repayment will terminate at the close of business
on the fifth business day prior to the redemption date for such Convertible
Debt Security or the second business day preceding the repayment date, as the
case may be, unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption or repayment, as the case may be. (Section 1201)
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  The right of conversion attaching to any Convertible Debt Security may be
exercised by the Holder by delivering the Convertible Debt Security at the
specified office of a Conversion Agent (which in the case of a Convertible
Debt Security which is a Bearer Debt Security (a "Bearer Convertible Debt
Security") will only be the office of any Conversion Agent outside the United
States), accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of conversion. The
Conversion Date will be the date on which the Convertible Debt Security and
the duly signed and completed notice of conversion are so delivered. As
promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date, the Company will
issue and deliver to the Trustee a certificate or certificates for the number
of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, together with payment
in lieu of any fraction of a share; such certificate will be sent by the
Trustee to the appropriate Conversion Agent for delivery to the Holder.
Accrued interest from the immediately preceding interest payment date until
the Conversion Date will be paid within five business days after the
Conversion Date. Each Bearer Convertible Debt Security delivered for
conversion must be delivered with all Coupons maturing after the Conversion
Date. Coupons maturing on or before the Conversion Date and not in default
will be payable against surrender thereof, and Coupons so maturing but in
default will continue to be payable as set forth in the Indenture,
notwithstanding the exercise of the right of conversion by the Holder of the
Convertible Debt Security to which the Coupons appertain, but Coupons maturing
after the Conversion Date will not be paid. In the case of any Convertible
Debt Security that is a Registered Debt Security which has been converted
after any Regular Record Date but on or prior to the next Interest Payment
Date (other than any such Registered Debt Security whose Maturity is prior to
such Interest Payment Date), interest the Stated Maturity of which is on such
Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date
notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest shall be paid to the Holder
of such Registered Convertible Debt Security on such Regular Record Date. No
other payment or adjustment for interest, or for any dividends in respect of
Common Stock, will be made upon conversion. Holders of Common Stock issued
upon conversion will not be entitled to receive any dividends payable to
holders of Common Stock as of any record time before the close of business on
the Conversion Date. No fractional shares will be issued upon conversion, but
in lieu thereof, an appropriate amount will be paid in cash by the Company
based on the market price of the Common Stock at the close of business on the
day of conversion. (Sections 307, 1202 and 1203)
 
  A Holder delivering a Convertible Debt Security for conversion will not be
required to pay any stamp and similar taxes or duties in respect of the issue
or delivery of Common Stock on conversion but will be required to pay any tax
or duty which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue
or delivery of the Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the
Convertible Debt Security. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock
will not be issued or delivered unless all taxes and duties, if any, payable
by the Holder have been paid. (Sections 1202 and 1208)
 
  The Conversion Price is subject to adjustment in certain events, including:
(a) dividends (and other distributions) payable in Common Stock on shares of
capital stock of the Company, (b) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock
of rights, options or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase
Common Stock at less than the then current market price (determined as
provided in the Indenture) of the Common Stock, (c) subdivisions, combinations
and reclassifications of Common Stock and (d) distributions to all holders of
Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of the Company, shares of capital
stock, cash or assets (including securities, but excluding those dividends,
rights, options, warrants and distributions referred to above, dividends and
distributions paid exclusively in cash out of the consolidated retained
earnings of the Company and mergers and consolidations to which the last
paragraph of this section applies). The Company reserves the right to make
such reductions in the Conversion Price in addition to those required in the
foregoing provisions as it considers to be advisable in order that any event
treated for federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights
will not be taxable to the recipients. No adjustment of the Conversion Price
will be required to be made until the cumulative adjustments amount to 1.0% or
more of the Conversion Price. (Section 1204) Notices of any adjustments to the
Conversion Price pursuant to this paragraph will be given to all Holders in
the manner required in the Indenture. (Section 1205)
 
  If at any time the Company makes a distribution of property to its
stockholders which would be taxable to the stockholders as a dividend for
federal income tax purposes (e.g., distributions of evidences of indebtedness
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
or assets of the Company, but generally not stock dividends on Common Stock or
rights to subscribe for Common Stock) and, pursuant to the anti-dilution
provisions of the Indenture, the number of shares into which Convertible Debt
Securities are convertible is increased, such increase may be deemed for
federal income tax purposes to be the payment of a taxable dividend to Holders
of Convertible Debt Securities.
 
  In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another
Person or any merger of another Person into the Company (other than a merger
which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or
cancellation of the Common Stock), or in case of any sale or transfer of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, each Convertible Debt
Security then outstanding will, without the consent of the Holder of any
Convertible Debt Security or Coupon, become convertible only into the kind and
amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such Convertible Debt Security was convertible
immediately prior thereto (assuming such holder of Common Stock failed to
exercise any rights of election and that such Convertible Debt Security was
then convertible). (Section 1211)
 
REGISTRATION, TRANSFER, PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
  The Indentures provide that the Company may issue Debt Securities in
registered form only, in bearer form only, or in both registered and bearer
form.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
Registered Securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any
integral multiple thereof, without interest Coupons, and definitive Bearer
Securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and $10,000, with
interest Coupons attached. (Section 302)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Registered Securities will be
payable, Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer
or exchange and Registered Securities may be surrendered for conversion at an
office or agency to be maintained by the Company in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, provided that payments of interest with respect to any
Registered Security may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed
to the address of the person entitled thereto or by transfer to an account
maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States. No service
charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt
Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses that may be
imposed in connection therewith, except in certain circumstances. (Sections
305, 307 and 1002)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Bearer Securities will be
made, and Bearer Securities may be presented for conversion, subject to any
applicable laws and regulations, at such office or agency outside the United
States as is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and as the
Company may designate from time to time. Unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest due on Bearer Securities
on any Interest Payment Date will be made only against surrender of the Coupon
relating to such Interest Payment Date. Unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, no payment of principal, premium or interest
or surrender for conversion with respect to any Bearer Security will be made
at any office or agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address
in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank
located in the United States; provided, however, that payment with respect to
Bearer Securities may be made and any Bearer Securities may be surrendered for
conversion, if applicable, at the Corporate Trust Office of the applicable
Trustee or at any office or agency designated by the Company in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment of the full amount
of such principal, premium or interest or the surrender of Bearer Securities
for conversion at all offices outside of the United States maintained for such
purpose by the Company is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange
controls or similar restrictions. (Sections 307 and 1002)
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Bearer
Securities (provided that all unmatured related Coupons and matured related
Coupons in default are attached) will be exchangeable for an equal aggregate
principal amount of Registered Securities of the same series in denominations
of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof without Coupons, and Registered
Securities will be exchangeable for an equal aggregate principal amount of
Registered Securities of different denominations, in each case without service
charge (other than the cost of delivery) but upon payment of any taxes and
other governmental charges, except in certain circumstances. Bearer Securities
may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series by surrender of
such Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any applicable Office or Agency for
such series, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default
thereto appertaining. If and so long as Registered Securities of a series are
represented solely by a global Debt Security (see "Global Securities" below),
a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a beneficial interest in such global
Debt Security only by and through a DTC Participant (as defined in "Global
Securities" below). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at
any such Office or Agency for such series in exchange for a Registered
Security of such series and like tenor after the close of business at such
Office or Agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of
business at such Office or Agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or
(ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such Office
or Agency on the related date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer
Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, as the case
may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, shall not be
payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment of
Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security
issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but shall be payable only to the
Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of the
Indentures. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, Registered Securities will not be exchangeable for Bearer
Securities. Registered Securities shall be registered as provided in the
Indenture. (Section 305)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange any Debt Securities during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of such Debt
Securities and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection,
or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Debt
Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or
(iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except, to
the extent provided with respect to such Bearer Security, that such Bearer
Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of like tenor and the same
series, provided that such Registered Security shall be immediately
surrendered for redemption with written instruction for payment consistent
with the provisions of Indenture or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange any Debt Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been
surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder of such Debt Security,
except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid. (Section
305)
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
  The Debt Securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or
more global securities, each of which will be deposited with, or on behalf of,
a depository (a "Depository"). Global Debt Securities may be issued in either
registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The
Company anticipates that Bearer Securities will be represented initially by a
temporary global Debt Security in bearer form, without interest Coupons or
conversion rights, which will be deposited on the applicable closing date on
behalf of subscribers for the Bearer Securities represented thereby with a
common depository in London for their respective accounts at Morgan Guaranty
Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, as operator of the Euroclear
Clearance System ("Euroclear"), or Cedel Bank, S.A. ("Cedel"). Upon deposit of
the temporary global Debt Security, Euroclear or Cedel, as the case may be,
will credit each subscriber with a principal amount of Bearer Securities equal
to the principal amount thereof for which it has subscribed and paid. The
temporary global Debt Security will be exchangeable for definitive Bearer
Securities in denominations of $1,000 and $10,000 or other authorized
denominations, each with related interest Coupons attached, or Registered
Securities in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, if
permitted by the rules and procedures then in effect
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
of Cedel, Euroclear and The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), commencing on
the exchange date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the
"Exchange Date"), if permitted. Exchange for definitive Bearer Securities will
be made only upon certification that the beneficial owners of such Bearer
Securities are not United States persons (as defined below) or other persons
who have purchased such Bearer Securities for resale to United States persons.
No Bearer Debt Security so delivered in exchange will be mailed or otherwise
delivered to any location in the United States. The temporary global Debt
Security will be exchangeable for Registered Securities in denominations of
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof at any time without certification of
non-U.S. status; provided that such exchange is permitted by the rules and
procedures then in effect of Cedel and Euroclear, and provided, further, that
if and so long as Registered Securities of a series are represented solely by
a global Debt Security, such exchange may be effected only by and through a
DTC Participant (as defined below). A beneficial owner must exchange its share
of the global Debt Security in bearer form for definitive Debt Securities, in
either registered or bearer form, before payments can be collected or
conversion rights exercised. (Section 304) Any additional or differing terms
of the depository arrangements will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a particular series of Debt Securities issued in the form of
temporary global Debt Securities.
 
  In addition, the Company anticipates that any global Debt Security in
registered form will be deposited with, or on behalf of DTC, and that such
global Debt Security will be permanent and will be registered in the name of
Cede & Co., DTC's nominee. The Company further anticipates that the following
provisions will apply to the Depository arrangements with respect to any such
global Debt Security in registered form. Any additional or differing terms of
the depository arrangements will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a particular series of Debt Securities issued in the form of
global Debt Securities.
 
  So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global Debt
Security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole
Holder of the Debt Securities represented by such global Debt Security for all
purposes under the applicable Indenture. Except as described below, owners of
beneficial interests in a global Debt Security will not be entitled to have
Debt Securities represented by such global Debt Security registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt
Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or Holders
thereof under the applicable Indenture. The laws of some jurisdictions require
that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form; accordingly, such laws may limit the
transferability of beneficial interests in a global Debt Security.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
global Debt Security in registered form will be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities of the same series only if (i) DTC notifies the Company
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository or DTC ceases to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act (if so required by
applicable law or regulation) and, in either case, a successor Depository is
not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such
notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, (ii) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that the global Debt Securities shall be exchangeable
for definitive Registered Securities and delivers a Company Order to the
Trustee to such effect or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an
Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of
any series. Upon any such exchange, owners of a beneficial interest in the
global Debt Security or Securities in registered form will be entitled to
physical delivery of individual Debt Securities in definitive form of like
tenor, terms and rank, equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest,
and to have such Debt Securities in definitive form registered in the names of
the beneficial owners, which names shall be provided by DTC's relevant
participants (as identified by DTC) to the Trustee. Unless otherwise described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities so issued in
definitive form will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral
multiple thereof, and will be issued in registered form only, without Coupons.
(Section 305)
 
  The following is based on information furnished to the Company:
 
  DTC will act as securities Depository for the global Debt Securities in
registered form. These Debt Securities will be issued as fully Registered
Securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's partnership
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
nominee). One fully registered Debt Security certificate will be issued and
deposited with DTC with respect to each series of Debt Securities, each in the
aggregate principal amount of such series (except that if the aggregate
principal amount of a series of Debt Securities exceeds $200 million (or such
other amount as shall be permitted by DTC from time to time) one certificate
will be issued with respect to each $200 million of principal amount and an
additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal
amount of such series).
 
  DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions,
such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is
owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to
others, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant,
either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable
to DTC and its Participants are on file with the Commission.
 
  Purchases of Debt Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through
Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Debt Securities on
DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Debt
Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn recorded on the Direct and Indirect
Participants' records. A Beneficial Owner will not receive written
confirmation from DTC of its purchase, but is expected to receive a written
confirmation providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of its holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through
which such Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of
ownership interests in Debt Securities are accomplished by entries made on the
books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial
Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their
ownership interests in Debt Securities, except in the event that use of the
book-entry system for the Debt Securities is discontinued.
 
  To facilitate subsequent transfers, the Debt Securities deposited by
Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee,
Cede & Co. The deposit of the Debt Securities with DTC and their registration
in the name of Cede & Co. will effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC
has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Debt Securities; DTC's
records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts
such Debt Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial
Owners. The Participants remain responsible for keeping account of their
holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
  Delivery of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants,
by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants
and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners are governed by arrangements
among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time.
 
  Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to the Debt
Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy (an "Omnibus Proxy")
to the issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy
assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants
to whose accounts the Debt Securities are credited on the record date
(identified on a list attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
 
  Principal payments, premium payments, if any, and interest payments, if any,
on the registered Debt Securities in global form will be made to Cede & Co.,
as nominee of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts,
upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from the
issuer, on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings as
shown on DTC's records. Payments by Direct and
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and
are the responsibility of such Direct and Indirect Participants and not of
DTC, the Trustee, or the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal
(premium, if any) and interest, if any, to Cede & Co. is the responsibility of
the Company or the Trustee, disbursement of such payments to Direct
Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments
to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect
Participants.
 
  If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of
the Debt Securities of a series represented by global Debt Securities in
registered form are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the
amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be
redeemed.
 
  To the extent that any Debt Securities provide for repayment or repurchase
at the option of the Holders thereof, a Beneficial Owner shall give notice of
any option to elect to have its interest in the global Debt Security repaid by
the Company, through its Participant, to the Trustee, and shall effect
delivery of such interest in a global Debt Security by causing the Direct
Participant to transfer the Participant's interest in the global Debt Security
or Securities representing such interest, on DTC's records, to such Trustee.
The requirement for physical delivery of Debt Securities in connection with a
demand for repayment will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the
global Debt Security or Securities representing such Debt Securities are
transferred by Direct Participants on DTC's records and followed by a book-
entry credit of the tendered Debt Securities to the Trustee's account.
 
  DTC may discontinue providing its services as Depository with respect to the
Debt Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Company or the
Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor Depository is
not appointed, Debt Security certificates are required to be printed and
delivered.
 
  The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC (or a successor Depository). In that event, Debt
Security certificates will be printed and delivered.
 
  The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but
the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
  None of the Company, the Trustee or any applicable Paying Agent will have
any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global Debt Security, or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial interest.
 
LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
 
  In compliance with United States tax laws and regulations, Bearer Securities
may not be offered or sold prior to the Exchange Date specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, or at any time if part of a distributor's
unsold allotment, to a person who is within the United States or to a United
States person other than (i) certain financial institutions located outside
the United States that agree in writing to comply with the requirements of
Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B), or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations thereunder, (ii) the
United States offices of exempt distributors, or (iii) United States offices
of international organizations or foreign central banks. United States tax
laws and regulations also require that Bearer Securities not be mailed or
otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. Any underwriters,
agents and dealers participating in the offering of Debt Securities must
covenant that they will not offer or sell during the applicable restricted
period (as defined in the Code and the regulations thereunder) any Bearer
Securities within the United States or to United States persons (other than
the persons described above) or deliver in connection with the sale of Bearer
Securities during the restricted period any Bearer Securities within the
United States, and that they have in effect procedures reasonably designed to
ensure that their employees and agents who are directly engaged in selling the
Bearer Securities are aware of the
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
restrictions described above. No definitive Bearer Security will be delivered
in connection with its original issuance nor will interest be paid on any
Bearer Security until receipt of written certification of non-U.S. status
described above under "--Global Securities."
 
  As used herein, "United States person" means any citizen or resident of the
United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States, any estate, the income of
which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its
source, and any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision of the administration thereof and one or more United
States persons has the authority to control all substantial decisions thereof,
or any other person included within the definition of United States person
under the Code and the regulations thereunder; and "United States" means the
United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of
Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction. Purchasers of Bearer Securities will be subject to certification
procedures and may be affected by certain limitations under United States tax
laws. (Section 101)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
temporary global Bearer Security and the definitive Bearer Securities and
interest Coupons will bear the following legend: "Any United States person who
holds this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States
income tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and
1287(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code." The sections referred to
in such legend provide that any United States person holding a Bearer Security
or interest Coupon, with certain limited exceptions, will not be entitled to
deduct any loss incurred with respect to such Bearer Security or interest
Coupon and will not be entitled to any capital gain treatment with respect to
any sale, redemption or other disposition of such Bearer Security or interest
Coupon but will be taxed thereon at ordinary income rates instead.
 
REDEMPTION
 
 Redemption at the Option of the Company
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify whether or not the Debt
Securities will be redeemable at the option of the Company and the terms upon
which such Debt Securities may be so redeemed.
 
  Notice of intention to redeem redeemable Debt Securities will be given in
accordance with "Notices" below. In the case of redemption of all Debt
Securities of a series, notice will be given by the Trustee not more than 60
nor less than 20 days prior to the Redemption Date. Notices of redemption will
specify, among other things, (i) the Redemption Date; (ii) the Redemption
Price, and accrued interest, if any; (iii) in the case of a partial
redemption, the identification and aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities which will be outstanding after such partial redemption; (iv) that,
on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon
each such Debt Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, and, if applicable,
that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date; (v) if
applicable, the Conversion Price, the date on which the right to convert the
Debt Securities to be redeemed will terminate and the places where such Debt
Securities, together with all unmatured Coupons and any matured Coupons in
default appertaining thereto, may be surrendered for conversion; (vi) the
place or places where such Securities, together (in the case of Bearer
Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the
Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and
any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto; (vii) that the
redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; (viii) that, unless
otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any,
surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all Coupons maturing
subsequent to the Redemption Date or the amount of any such missing Coupon or
Coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or
indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and any Paying Agent is
furnished; and (ix) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and
any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such
Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to
redemption on the Redemption Date, the last date, as determined by the
Company, on which such exchanges may be made. All redemption notices are
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
irrevocable, except in the case of certain redemptions for taxation reasons
specified in the next succeeding subsection. (Section 1104).
 
 Redemption for Taxation Reasons
 
  If the Company has or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts (as
described below under "Payment of Additional Amounts to Non United States
Persons") as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (including
any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting
taxation, or any change in, or amendment to, the application or official
interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (any such change or
amendment being herein referred to as a "Tax Law Change"), and such
obligations cannot be avoided by the Company taking reasonable measures
available to it, the Debt Securities held by Persons who are not United States
persons and to whom such Additional Amounts have or will become payable (the
"Tax Affected Debt Securities") may be redeemed, at the option of the Company,
in whole but not in part. Such redemption of Tax Affected Debt Securities
shall be upon not less than 20 nor more than 60 days' prior notice as provided
under "Notices" below, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of the Tax Affected Debt Securities, plus accrued interest to the
redemption date and any Additional Amounts then payable; provided, however,
that (1) no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days
prior to the earliest date on which the Company would be obligated to pay any
such Additional Amounts were a payment in respect of the Tax Affected Debt
Securities then due and (2) at the time such notice of redemption is given,
the obligation to pay such Additional Amounts remains in effect. Prior to the
publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this paragraph, the
Company shall deliver to the Trustee (a) a certificate stating that the
Company is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of
facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Company so to
redeem have occurred and (b) an opinion of counsel selected by the Company to
the effect that the Company has or will become obligated to pay such
Additional Amounts as a result of a Tax Law Change. The Company's right to
redeem the Tax Affected Debt Securities shall continue as long as the Company
is obligated to pay such Additional Amounts, notwithstanding that the Company
shall have theretofore made payments of Additional Amounts. (Section 1102)
 
  In addition, if the Company determines, based upon a written opinion of
counsel selected by the Company, that, as a result of a Tax Law Change, any
payment made outside the United States by the Company or any of its Paying
Agents of the full amount of principal, premium, if any, or interest due with
respect to any Bearer Debt Security or Coupon appertaining thereto would be
subject to any certification, identification or other information reporting
requirement of any kind, the effect of which is the disclosure to the Company,
any Paying Agent or any governmental authority of the nationality, residence
or identity of a beneficial owner of such Bearer Debt Security or Coupon who
is not a United States person as defined below under "Payment of Additional
Amounts to Non United States Persons" (other than such a requirement (a) which
would not be applicable to a payment made by the Company or any one of its
Paying Agents (i) directly to the beneficial owner or (ii) to any custodian,
nominee or other agent of the beneficial owner, (b) which can be satisfied by
the custodian, nominee or other agent certifying that the beneficial owner is
not a United States person, provided that in each case referred to in clauses
(a) (ii) and (b) payment by such custodian, nominee or other agent to such
beneficial owner is not otherwise subject to any such requirement, or (c)
which would not be applicable but for the fact that a Bearer Debt Security
constitutes a "United States real property interest," as defined in Section
897(c)(1) of the Code, with respect to the beneficial owner of such Bearer
Debt Security, the Company at its election will either (x) redeem the Bearer
Securities, as a whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the redemption date, or
(y) if and so long as the conditions of the third paragraph under "Payment of
Additional Amounts to Non United States Persons" are satisfied, pay the
Additional Amounts specified in such paragraph. The Company will make such
determination and election and notify the Trustee thereof in writing as soon
as practicable, and the Trustee will promptly give notice of such
determination (the "Determination Notice"), in each case stating the effective
date of such certification, identification or information reporting
requirement, whether the Company will redeem the Bearer Securities or will pay
the Additional Amounts specified in the third paragraph under "Payment of
Additional Amounts" and
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
(if applicable) the last date by which the redemption of the Bearer Securities
shall take place. If the Company elects to redeem the Bearer Securities, such
redemption shall take place on a date not later than one year after
publication of the Determination Notice, as the Company elects by notice in
writing to the Trustee at least 75 days before that date, unless shorter
notice is acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company shall not be required to so redeem the Bearer Securities if the
Company, based upon a written opinion of counsel selected by the Company,
subsequently determines, not less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date,
that subsequent payments would not be subject to any such requirement, in
which case the Company will notify the Trustee in writing of its determination
not to so redeem the Bearer Securities, and the Trustee will promptly give
notice to the Holders of the Bearer Securities of that determination and any
earlier redemption notice will thereupon be revoked and of no further effect.
If the Company elects as provided in clause (y) above to pay Additional
Amounts, the Company may, as long as the Company is obligated to pay such
Additional Amounts, redeem all the Bearer Securities, at any time, as a whole
but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued interest to the redemption date and any Additional
Amounts then payable. (Section 1102)
 
 Repayment at Option of Holder
 
  Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
holder of a Convertible Debt Security shall have the right to cause the
Company to repay such Convertible Debt Security (or portions thereof in
integral multiples of $1,000) for a cash amount equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest to the redemption date and any Additional
Amounts then payable, if a Repayment Event (as defined below) occurs or has
occurred. The "Repayment Date" for this purpose shall be the ninetieth (90th)
day after the later of the Exchange Date or the date a Repayment Event has
occurred. (Section 1502) Notice with respect to the occurrence of a Repayment
Event will be given to all Holders of Convertible Debt Securities with
repayment rights in accordance with "Notices" below and not later than 30 days
after the later of the Exchange Date or the date of such Repayment Event.
Notices of repayment will specify, among other things, (i) the Repayment Date;
(ii) the date by which the repurchase right must be exercised; (iii) the price
at which the Convertible Debt Securities are to be repaid, including accrued
interest and Additional Amounts, if any; (iv) if applicable, the Conversion
Price then in effect, the date on which the right to convert the Securities to
be repaid will terminate and the place or places where such Securities,
together (in the case of Bearer Securities) with all unmatured Coupons and any
matured Coupons in default appertaining thereto, may be surrendered for
conversion; and (v) a description of the repayment right procedures that a
Holder must follow and the place or places where such Securities, together (in
the case of Bearer Securities) with all Coupons appertaining thereto, if any,
maturing after the Repayment Date, are to be surrendered for payment (or the
amount of any such missing Coupon or Coupons will be deducted from any amount
due to such Holder) and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any,
pertaining thereto. (Section 1503)
 
  To be repaid, a Convertible Debt Security must be received by the Trustee
with a duly executed written notice, substantially in the form provided on the
reverse side of such Convertible Debt Security, at the place of payment not
earlier than 60 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. Each
Bearer Convertible Debt Security delivered for repayment must be delivered
with all unmatured Coupons. Once notice is given by the Holder to the Paying
Agent, it is irrevocable. However, holders of Convertible Debt Securities will
retain the right to require such Convertible Debt Securities to be converted
into Common Stock until two business days prior to the Repayment Date.
(Sections 1201 and 1504)
 
  A "Repayment Event" shall have occurred if the Common Stock (or other equity
securities into which the Debt Securities are then convertible) is neither
listed for trading on a United States national securities exchange, the Nasdaq
National Market nor approved for trading on an established automated over-the-
counter trading market in the United States. (Section 1502)
 
  Certain of the Company's existing and future agreements relating to its
indebtedness could prohibit the repayment by the Company of the Convertible
Debt Securities pursuant to the exercise by a Convertible Debt Security holder
of the foregoing option, depending on the financial circumstances of the
Company at the time
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
any such repayment may occur, because such repayment could cause a breach of
certain financial ratio and/or other covenants contained in such agreements.
Such a breach may constitute an event of default under such indebtedness and
thereby restrict the Company's ability to repay the Convertible Debt
Securities. See "Subordination of Debt Securities" above.
 
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
  Unless set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Indenture will
not contain any financial covenants or similar restrictions respecting the
Company, and in the absence of such provisions, holders of the Debt Securities
will have no protection (other than their rights upon an event of default, as
described under "Events of Default" below) from adverse changes in the
Company's financial condition. The Indenture also does not contain provisions
which may afford the holders of any of the Debt Securities protection in the
event of a highly leveraged transaction or similar transaction involving the
Company. Any such provisions, if applicable to any Debt Securities, will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements relating
thereto.
 
PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS TO NON UNITED STATES PERSONS
 
  Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company will pay to the holder of any Debt Security or any related Coupon who
is not a United States person (as defined below) such additional amounts
("Additional Amounts") as may be necessary in order that every net payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Security, after
withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or
governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment by the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein,
will not be less that the amount provided for in such Debt Security or in such
Coupon to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing
obligations to pay Additional Amounts shall not apply to any one or more of
the following:
 
    (a) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
  been so imposed but for (i) the existence of any present or former
  connection between such Holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor,
  beneficiary, member, stockholder of or possessor of a power over such
  Holder, if such Holder is an estate, a trust, a partnership or a
  corporation) and the United States or any political subdivision or taxing
  authority thereof or therein, including, without limitation, such Holder
  (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, stockholder or possessor)
  being or having been a citizen or resident of the United States or treated
  as a resident thereof, or being or having been engaged in trade or business
  or present therein, or having had a permanent establishment therein, (ii)
  such Holder's present or former status as a personal holding company, a
  foreign personal holding company with respect to the United States, a
  controlled foreign corporation, a passive foreign investment company, or a
  foreign private foundation or foreign tax exempt entity for United States
  tax purposes, or a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid United
  States Federal income tax, or (iii) such Holder's status as a bank
  extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary
  course of business;
 
    (b) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
  been so imposed but for the presentation by the Holder of such Debt
  Security or any related Coupon for payment on a date more than 15 days
  after the date on which such payment became due and payable or the date on
  which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;
 
    (c) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property or
  similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;
 
    (d) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
  been imposed but for the failure to comply with any certification,
  identification or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality,
  residence, identity or connection with the United States of the Holder or
  beneficial owner of such Debt Security or any related Coupon, if compliance
  is required by statute or by regulation or ruling of the United States
  Treasury Department as a precondition to exemption from such tax,
  assessment or other governmental charge;
 
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
    (e) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable
  otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments of principal of,
  premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Security;
 
    (f) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed as a result
  of a Person's past or present actual or constructive ownership, including
  by virtue of the right to convert Debt Securities, of 10% or more of the
  total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled
  to vote;
 
    (g) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be
  withheld by any Paying Agent from any payment of the principal of, premium,
  if any, or interest on such Debt Security, if such payment can be made
  without such withholding by any other Paying Agent in Western Europe;
 
    (h) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed on a Holder
  that is a partnership or a fiduciary, but only to the extent that any
  beneficial owner or member of the partnership or beneficiary or settlor
  with respect to the fiduciary would not have been entitled to the payment
  of Additional Amounts had the beneficial owner, member, beneficiary or
  settlor directly received its beneficial or distributive stock of payments
  on such Debt Security;
 
    (i) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
  been imposed but for the fact that such Debt Security constitutes a "United
  States real property interest," as defined in Section 897(c)(1) of the
  Internal Revenue Code, and the regulations thereunder, with respect to the
  beneficial owner of such Debt Security; or
 
    (j) any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and
  (i) (Section 1004)
 
    As used herein, "United States" means the United States of America
  (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its
  possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and a "United
  States person" is a person that is, for United States federal income tax
  purposes, (a) a citizen or a resident of the United States, (b) a
  corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under
  the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, (c)
  an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income
  taxation regardless of source, (d) any trust if a court within the United
  States is able to exercise primary supervision of the administration
  thereof and one or more United States persons has the authority to control
  all substantial decisions thereof, or (e) any other person included within
  the definition of United States person under the Code and the regulations
  thereunder. (Sections 101 and 1004)
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and so long as a certification,
identification or other information reporting requirement referred to in the
second paragraph under "Redemption for Taxation Reasons" above would be fully
satisfied by payment of a backup withholding tax or similar charge, the
Company may elect, by so stating in the Determination Notice, to have the
provisions of this paragraph apply in lieu of redeeming the Bearer Debt
Security pursuant to such second paragraph. In such event, the Company will
pay as Additional Amounts such amounts as may be necessary so that every net
payment made, following the effective date of such requirements, outside the
United States by the Company or any Paying Agent of principal of, and premium,
if any, due in respect of any Bearer Debt Security, or interest represented by
any Coupon, the beneficial owner of which is not a United States person (but
without any requirement that the nationality, residence or identity of such
beneficial owner be disclosed to the Company, any Paying Agent or any
governmental authority), after deduction or withholding for or on account of
such backup withholding tax or similar charge, other than a backup withholding
tax or similar charge which is (a) the result of a certification,
identification or information reporting requirement described in the first
parenthetical clause of such second paragraph, (b) imposed as a result of the
fact that the Company or any Paying Agent has actual knowledge that the
beneficial owner of such Bearer Debt Security or Coupon is within the category
of persons described in clause (a) of the first paragraph under this heading
or (c) imposed as a result of presentation of such Bearer Debt Security or
Coupon for payment more than 15 days after the date on which such payment
becomes due and payable or on which payment thereof is duly provided for,
whichever occurs later, will not be less than the amount provided for in such
Bearer Debt Security or Coupon to be then due and payable. (Section 1004)
 
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  The following are Events of Default under the Indentures with respect to
Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay any interest on, or any
Additional Amounts payable in respect of any interest on, any Debt Security of
that series when due, continued for 10 days, and in the case of the
Subordinated Securities, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture; (b) failure to pay
principal or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due, upon
maturity, redemption or otherwise, and in the case of the Subordinated
Securities, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination
provisions of the Subordinated Indenture; (c) default in the deposit of any
sinking fund payment or analogous payment, when due by the terms of the Debt
Securities of that series, and in the case of the Subordinated Securities,
whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of
the Subordinated Indenture; (d) failure to perform any other covenant or
breach of a warranty of the Company in the applicable Indenture (other than a
covenant expressly included in such Indenture solely for the benefit of a
series of Debt Securities other than that series) or any Debt Security of such
series, continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the
applicable Indenture; (e) any acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness
of the Company for borrowed money in an aggregate principal amount exceeding
$25,000,000, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, or a failure to pay such indebtedness at its stated maturity, if
such indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or
annulled within 20 days after written notice as provided in the Indentures;
(f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company;
and (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of
that series. (Section 501) No Event of Default with respect to any particular
series of Debt Securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with
respect to any other series of Debt Securities. The Indentures provide that
the Trustee thereunder may withhold notice to the holders of the Debt
Securities of any series of the occurrence of a default with respect to the
Debt Securities of such series (except a default in payment of principal,
premium, if any, interest, Additional Amounts, if any, or sinking fund
payments, if any) if the Trustee considers it in the interest of the Holders
to do so. (Section 602) If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities
of any series at the time outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either
the applicable Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all
Debt Securities of that series (or if any Debt Securities of such series are
Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the
principal amount of such Debt Securities as may be specified by the terms
thereof) to be due and payable immediately; provided that in the case of
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, such principal
amount (or portion thereof), premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts,
if any, shall automatically become due and payable. However, at any time after
a declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of any series
has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration has
been obtained, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt
Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul
such acceleration. (Section 502) For information as to waiver of default, see
"Modifications, Waivers and Meetings." Reference is made to the Prospectus
Supplement relating to each series of Debt Securities which are Original Issue
Discount Securities or Indexed Securities for the particular provisions
relating to acceleration of the Maturity of a portion of the principal amount
of such Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof.
 
  The Indentures provide that, subject to the duty of the respective Trustees
thereunder during default to act with the required standard of care, such
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the respective Indentures at the request or direction of any of the
Holders of the Debt Securities unless they shall have offered to such Trustee
reasonable indemnity. (Section 601) Subject to such provisions for
indemnification of the Trustees, the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Debt Securities of any series affected will have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the applicable Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred on such Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.
(Section 512)
 
  No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the
appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder,
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
unless (i) such Holder has previously given to the applicable Trustee written
notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of
that series, (ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request, and
such Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity to such Trustee to
institute such proceeding as trustee, and (iii) such Trustee for 60 days after
receipt of such notice has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not
received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such
request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. (Section 507)
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a
Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any
premium or interest or Additional Amounts on such Debt Security on or after
the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security or the right to
convert such Debt Security. (Section 508)
 
  The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustees annually a statement
as to whether there is a default in the performance or observance of certain
covenants. (Section 1005)
 
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
  Upon the direction of the Company, the Indenture shall cease to be of
further effect with respect to any series of Debt Securities and any Coupons
appertaining thereto issued thereunder specified by the Company (subject to
the survival of certain provisions thereof, including the obligation to pay
Additional Amounts to the extent described below) when (i) either (A) all
outstanding Debt Securities of such series and, in the case of Bearer
Securities, all Coupons appertaining thereto, have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation (subject to certain exceptions) or (B) all Debt
Securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and
payable at their stated maturity within one year and such securities are not
convertible or exchangeable for other securities or are to be called for
redemption within one year and such securities are not convertible or
exchangeable for other securities, and the Company has irrevocably deposited
with the Trustee, in trust, funds in Dollars in an amount sufficient to pay
the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any (and, to the extent that (x) the Debt
Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts upon
the occurrence of certain events of taxation, assessment or governmental
charge with respect to payments on such Debt Securities and (y) the amount of
any such Additional Amounts is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable
by the Company, any such Additional Amounts) to the date of such deposit (if
such Debt Securities have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof,
as the case may be, (ii) the Company has paid all other sums payable under the
Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and (iii)
certain other conditions are met. If the Debt Securities of any such series
provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will remain
obligated, following such deposit, to pay Additional Amounts on such Debt
Securities to the extent that the amount thereof exceeds the amount deposited
in respect of such Additional Amounts as aforesaid. (Section 401)
 
  If so provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may
elect with respect to any series of Debt Securities either (a) to defease and
be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt
Securities (except for, among other things, the obligation to pay Additional
Amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of taxation, assessment
or governmental charge with respect to payments on such Debt Securities to the
extent that the amount thereof exceeds the amount deposited in respect of such
Additional Amounts as provided below, and the obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office or
agency in respect of such Debt Securities, to hold moneys for payment in
trust, and, if applicable, to exchange or convert such Debt Securities into
other securities in accordance with their terms) ("defeasance"), or (b) to
omit to comply with its obligations with respect to certain restrictive
covenants in Section 1005 (Statement as to Compliance), Section 102
(Compliance Certificates and Opinions), and, to the extent specified pursuant
to Section 301, any other covenant applicable to such Debt Securities in the
Indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not
constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to the Debt
Securities of such series ("covenant defeasance"), in either case upon the
irrevocable deposit with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust
for such purpose, of an amount, in U.S. dollars and/or Government Obligations
(as defined in the Indenture) which through the scheduled payment of principal
and interest in accordance with their
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and
any premium and any interest on (and, to the extent that (x) the Debt
Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts and
(y) the amount of any such Additional Amounts is at the time of deposit
reasonably determinable by the Company, any such Additional Amounts with
respect to) such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous
payments thereon, on the due dates therefor, whether upon maturity, redemption
or otherwise. (Section 402)
 
  Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall only be effective if, among
other things, (i) it shall not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, the Indenture or any other material agreement to
which the Company is a party or is bound, and (ii) the Company has delivered
to the Trustee an opinion of counsel (as specified in the Indenture) to the
effect that the holders of such Debt Securities and Coupons appertaining
thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case
may be, and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred (which opinion must, in the
case of defeasance but not covenant defeasance, be based on a ruling of the
Internal Revenue Service unless there has been a change in applicable federal
income tax law after the date of execution of the Indenture such that a ruling
is no longer required). It shall also be a condition to the effectiveness of
such defeasance and covenant defeasance that no Event of Default or event
which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default
with respect to Debt Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto of such
series shall have occurred and been continuing on the date of, or with respect
to defeasance (but not covenant defeasance) during the period ending on the
91st day after the date of, such deposit into trust. (Section 402)
 
  In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because
of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than an Event of Default with
respect to any other covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance,
the amount of monies and/or Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee
to effect such covenant defeasance may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
such Debt Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto at the time of any
acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company would
remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
 
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if
any, permitting or restricting such defeasance or covenant defeasance with
respect to the Debt Securities of a particular series.
 
MODIFICATIONS, WAIVERS AND MEETINGS
 
  The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee
thereunder, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series and affected by a
modification or amendment, to modify or amend any of the provisions of the
Indenture or of the Debt Securities of such series or the rights of the
holders of the Debt Securities of such series under the Indenture, provided
that no such modification or amendment shall, among other things, (i) change
the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any
installment of principal or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to
any Debt Securities or any sinking fund or analogous payment with respect
thereof or reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or the
rate of interest thereon (or modify the calculation of such rate), or change
the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts, or reduce the amount
of principal of any Debt Security that would be due and payable upon an
acceleration of the maturity thereof, or adversely affect any right of
repayment at the option of any Holder, or change the provisions of the
Indentures relating to the Place of Payment for Bearer Debt Securities being
located outside the United States, or the Currency in which the principal of,
any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt
Security or any sinking or analogous fund payment in respect thereof, is
payable, or impair the Holder's right to institute suit to enforce the payment
of any such Debt Securities, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage in
principal amount of Debt Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders
of which is required for any such modification or amendment or the consent of
whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their
consequences) or reduce the requirements for a quorum or
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
voting at a meeting of holders of such Debt Securities. (Section 902) The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
without the consent of the holders of any Debt Securities issued thereunder,
to modify or amend the Indenture in order to, among other things, (a) add to
the Events of Default or the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
holders of all or any series of Debt Securities; (b) to add or change any
provisions of the Indenture to facilitate the issuance of Bearer Securities;
(c) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series and any
related Coupons; (d) to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any
provision therein which may be defective or inconsistent with other provisions
therein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of
the Holders of any series of Debt Securities in any material respect; or (e)
to amend or supplement any provision contained in the Indenture, provided that
such amendment or supplement does not apply to any Outstanding Debt Securities
issued prior to the date of such amendment or supplement and entitled to the
benefits of such provision. (Section 901)
 
  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Debt Securities of any series may, on behalf of all Holders of Debt Securities
of that series, waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to
Debt Securities of that series and its consequences, except a default in the
payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any
Additional Amounts with respect to, any Debt Securities or any Coupons
appertaining thereto of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision
which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513)
 
  The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities of each series. (Section 1601) A meeting may be called at any
time by the Trustee, and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of
at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such
series, in any such case upon notice given in accordance with the provisions
of the Indenture. (Section 1602) Except for any consent which must be given by
the Holder of each outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, as described
above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly
reconvened at which a quorum (as described below) is present may be adopted by
the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided, however, that any
resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by
the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less or more than a majority,
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be
adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is
present by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any
resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities of any series duly held in accordance with the Indenture will be
binding on all Holders of Debt Securities of that series and the related
Coupons. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any
reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series, subject to
certain exceptions. (Section 1604)
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
  The Company, without the consent of any Holders of Debt Securities, may
consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease its properties or
assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person, and any other Person may
consolidate or merge with and into, or transfer or lease properties or assets
substantially as an entirety to, the Company provided that (i) the Person (if
other than the Company) formed by any such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or which acquires or leases the properties or assets of the
Company substantially as an entirety is a corporation, partnership or trust
organized and validly existing under the laws of any United States
jurisdiction or, subject to certain additional requirements, a corporation,
limited liability company, partnership or trust organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction other than the United States, that assumes the Company's
obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indentures, (ii) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction no Event of Default, and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of
Default, shall have happened and be continuing, and (iii) certain other
conditions are met. Upon compliance with these provisions by a successor
corporation, the Company would be relieved from its obligations under the
Securities and under the Indenture. (Article Eight)
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
NOTICES
 
  Notice to Holders of Registered Securities will be given by mail to the
addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register. Notice
to Holders of Bearer Securities, if any, will be given by publication in a
leading daily newspaper in the English language of general circulation in New
York City and, if such Debt Securities are then listed on any stock exchange
outside the United States, in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the
city that such stock exchange requires. (Section 106)
 
TITLE
 
  The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the
purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. Title to Bearer
Securities passes on delivery. (Section 308)
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to
agreements made or instruments entered into and, in each case, performed in
said state, except that the rights, protections, obligations, indemnities and
immunities of the Trustee under the Indentures shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without
regard to the conflicts of laws principles of either state. (Section 113)
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Indentures contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize for its own account on certain property received
in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. (Section 611) The
Trustee will be permitted to engage in certain other transactions; however, if
it acquires any conflicting interest and there is a default under the Debt
Securities, it must eliminate such conflict or resign. (Section 613)
 
  The Trustee serves as a depositary of funds of, and performs other services
for, the Company and its subsidiaries, and is trustee and fiscal agent under
several other indentures and fiscal agency agreements pursuant to which
debentures of the Company and various of its subsidiaries have been issued.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Securities may be offered and sold by the Company or by other selling
securityholders to or through underwriters or to dealers acting as principals
for their own account, and also may be sold directly to other purchasers or
through agents.
 
  The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
 
  In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters or agents may
receive compensation from the Company, the selling securityholders or from
purchasers of Securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell Securities to or
through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions
from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and
agents that participate in the distribution of Securities may be deemed to be
underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from the
Company or the selling securityholders and any profit on the resale of
Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions,
under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified,
and any such compensation received from the Company or the selling
securityholders will be described, in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
  Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters and
agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to
indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
  Any Securities issued hereunder (other than Common Stock) will be new issues
of securities with no established trading market. The Company may not apply
for the listing of any Securities (other than the Common Stock) on any
national securities exchange or on Nasdaq. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for any such Securities.
 
  Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for, the
Company or the selling securityholders in the ordinary course of business.
 
                            VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
 
  The validity of the Securities to which this Prospectus relates will be
passed upon for the Company by Seth H. Hoogasian, Esq., General Counsel of the
Company. Mr. Hoogasian is a full-time employee and an officer of the Company.
The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for any
relevant Underwriters by Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, Boston,
Massachusetts.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and the financial statement schedules incorporated by reference in
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, to the extent
and for the periods as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and
are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said
firm as experts in giving said reports.
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
  The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the Securities being registered, other than the
underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts shown are estimates except
for the registration fee of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"
or the "Commission").
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   SEC registration fee............................................... $205,417
   Listing fees.......................................................   25,700
   Legal fees and expenses............................................   75,000
   Accounting fees and expenses.......................................   25,000
   Blue sky fees and expenses (including legal fees)..................   25,000
   Printing and engraving expenses....................................  200,000
   Rating agencies' fees..............................................  150,000
   Miscellaneous......................................................   30,000
                                                                       --------
     Total............................................................ $736,117
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
  The Delaware General Corporation Law and the corporate charter and by-laws
of the Company limit the monetary liability of directors to the Company and
its stockholders and provide for indemnification of its officers and directors
for liabilities and expenses that they may incur in such capacities. In
general, officers and directors are indemnified with respect to actions taken
in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the Company and with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, actions that the indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe
were unlawful. Reference is made to the Company's corporate charter and by-
laws filed as exhibits to this registration statement.
 
  The Company has an insurance policy that insures the directors and officers
of the Company and its subsidiaries against certain liabilities that might be
incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
 
  The forms of underwriting agreements to be filed as exhibits to this
registration statement require the underwriters under certain circumstances to
indemnify the directors and officers of the registrant against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
  The registrant also has indemnification agreements with its directors and
officers that provide for the maximum indemnification allowed by law.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>   
   <C>    <S>
    1.1+  Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement.
    3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as
          Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended June 29, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
    3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3 to
          the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
          July 4, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
    4.1+  Form of Senior Indenture.
    4.2+  Form of Subordinated Indenture.
    4.3*  Form of Senior Debt Security.
    4.4*  Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
    4.5   Specimen Certificate for Common Stock of the Company (filed as
          Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg.
          No. 2-27225] and incorporated herein by reference).
    4.6   Rights Agreement dated as of January 19, 1996, between the Company
          and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent (filed as
          Exhibit 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A,
          declared effective by the Commission on January 31, 1996 and
          incorporated herein by reference).
    5.1** Opinion and consent of Seth H. Hoogasian, Esq. as to the validity of
          the Securities.
    8.1*  Opinion and consent of tax counsel as to certain tax matters.
   12.1** Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
   23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
   23.2** Consent of Seth H. Hoogasian, Esq. (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).
   23.3   Consent of tax counsel (included as part of Exhibit 8.1).
   23.4** Power of Attorney (see signature pages to this registration
          statement).
   25.1** Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
          Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Bankers Trust Company.
</TABLE>    
- --------
* To be filed, if applicable, by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to
  be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of
  specific Securities.
   
** Previously filed.     
+ Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
  Form S-3 [Reg. No. 333-32111].
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (a) 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
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
    Prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
    Securities Act 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;
 
  provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the
  information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by a registrant pursuant
  to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement.
 
      (b) 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.
 
      (c) 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.
 
    2. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
  determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of a
  registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 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.
 
    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 provisions described under
  Item 15 above, 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.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THERMO ELECTRON
CORPORATION CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS
ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO ITS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 TO BE SIGNED ON ITS
BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN WALTHAM,
MASSACHUSETTS, ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1998.     
 
                                          Thermo Electron Corporation
                                                  
                                               /s/ John N. Hatsopoulos*     
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            John N. Hatsopoulos
                                            Chief Financial Officer and
                                            Vice Chairman of the Board
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.     
 
<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
              SIGNATURE                      TITLE(S)
                                                                      DATE
 
     /s/ George N. Hatsopoulos*        Chief Executive          September 17,
- -------------------------------------   Officer, Chairman            1998
        GEORGE N. HATSOPOULOS           of the Board and
                                        Director (Principal
                                        Executive Officer)
 
      /s/ John N. Hatsopoulos*         Chief Financial          September 17,
- -------------------------------------   Officer, Vice                1998
         JOHN N. HATSOPOULOS            Chairman of the
                                        Board and Director
                                        (Principal
                                        Financial Officer)
 
        /s/ Paul F. Kelleher*          Senior Vice              September 17,
- -------------------------------------   President, Finance           1998
          PAUL F. KELLEHER              & Administration
                                        and Chief
                                        Accounting Officer
                                        (Principal
                                        Accounting Officer)
 
       /s/ John M. Albertine*          Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
          JOHN M. ALBERTINE
 
         /s/ Peter O. Crisp*           Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
           PETER O. CRISP
 
      /s/ Elias P. Gyftopoulos*        Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
        ELIAS P. GYFTOPOULOS
 
         /s/ Frank Jungers*            Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
            FRANK JUNGERS
 
        /s/ Robert A. McCabe*          Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
          ROBERT A. MCCABE
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
              SIGNATURE
<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
                                             TITLE(S)
                                                                     DATE
 
        /s/ Donald E. Noble*           Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
           DONALD E. NOBLE
 
       /s/ Robert W. O'Leary*          Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
          ROBERT W. O'LEARY
 
        /s/ Hutham S. Olayan*          Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
          HUTHAM S. OLAYAN
 
        /s/ Richard F. Syron*          Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
          RICHARD F. SYRON
 
      /s/ Roger D. Wellington*         Director                 September 17,
- -------------------------------------                                1998
         ROGER D. WELLINGTON
</TABLE>
   
  * THE UNDERSIGNED KENNETH J. APICERNO, BY SIGNING HIS NAME HERETO, DOES
HEREBY EXECUTE THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 ON
BEHALF OF EACH OF THE ABOVE-NAMED PERSONS PURSUANT TO POWERS OF ATTORNEY GIVEN
BY EACH PERSON AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.     
                                               
                                            /s/ Kenneth J. Apicerno     
                                            -----------------------------
                                                      
                                            Kenneth J. Apicerno     
                                               
                                            Attorney-in-Fact     
                                                   
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                             PAGE
 -------                           -----------                             ----
 <C>     <S>                                                               <C>
  1.1+   Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3.1    Restated Certificates of Incorporation of the Company (filed as
         Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
         the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 1996 and incorporated herein
         by reference).
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3
         to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
         quarter ended July 4, 1998 and incorporated herein by
         reference).
  4.1+   Form of Senior Indenture.
  4.2+   Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  4.3*   Form of Senior Debt Security.
  4.4*   Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
  4.5    Specimen Certificate for Common Stock of the Company (filed as
         Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
         [Reg. No. 2-27225] and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.6    Rights Agreement dated as of January 19, 1996, between the
         Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent
         (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
         Form 8-A, declared effective by the Commission on January 31,
         1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
  5.1**  Opinion and consent of Seth H. Hoogasian, Esq. as to the
         validity of the Securities.
  8.1*   Opinion and consent of tax counsel as to certain tax matters.
 12.1**  Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
 23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 23.2**  Consent of Seth H. Hoogasian, Esq. (included as part of Exhibit
         5.1).
 23.3    Consent of tax counsel (included as part of Exhibit 8.1).
 23.4**  Power of Attorney (see signature pages to this registration
         statement).
 25.1**  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
         Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Bankers Trust
         Company.
</TABLE>    
- --------
* To be filed, if applicable, by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be
  incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of specific
  Securities.
   
** Previously filed.     
+ Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
  Form S-3 [Reg. No. 333-32111].

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Thermo Electron Corporation:
 
  As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement and related Prospectus of Thermo
Electron Corporation on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 18, 1998
included or incorporated by reference in Thermo Electron Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 1998 and to all references
to our Firm included in this Registration Statement and related Prospectus.
 
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
   
September 15, 1998     


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