TRANSMATION INC
S-3, 1997-12-16
INSTRUMENTS FOR MEAS & TESTING OF ELECTRICITY & ELEC SIGNALS
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<PAGE>   1
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 1997

                                                           REGISTRATION NO. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                               ------------------
                                    FORM S-3

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                TRANSMATION, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

            OHIO                                          16-0874418
(State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)  

                             10 VANTAGE POINT DRIVE
                            ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14624
                                 (716) 352-7777
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                      including area code, of Registrant's
                          principal executive offices)

                              ROBERT G. KLIMASEWSKI
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                TRANSMATION, INC.
                             10 VANTAGE POINT DRIVE
                            ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14624
                                 (716) 352-7777
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:

                           Susan Mascette Brandt, Esq.
                             Harter, Secrest & Emery
                                700 Midtown Tower
                         Rochester, New York 14604-2070
                                 (716) 232-6500

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.

        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]



<PAGE>   2



        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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, 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, please 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(c)
under the Securities Act, 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, please check the following box. [ ]

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================================================
                                                    Proposed Maximum               Proposed Maximum              Amount of
    Title of Shares           Amount to              Offering Price               Aggregate Offering           Registration
    to be Registered        be Registered            per Share (1)                     Price (1)                    Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                       <C>                         <C>                          <C>             
Common Stock, par              762,524                   $8.125                       $6,195,508                  $1,878
value $.50 per share
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)     Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c), based on the average of the
        high and low sales prices per share as of December 10, 1997, solely for
        the purpose of calculating the registration fee.


        The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.



<PAGE>   3



                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 16, 1997

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

PROSPECTUS
                         762,524 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

                                TRANSMATION, INC.

        All of the 762,524 shares of Common Stock, par value $.50 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of Transmation, Inc., an Ohio corporation ("Transmation" or the
"Company"), offered hereby (the "Shares") are being offered for the account of a
certain shareholder of the Company (the "Selling Shareholder"). The Company will
receive none of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares.

        The Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market System (the
"Nasdaq") under the symbol "TRNS." On December 10, 1997, the closing price of
the Common Stock on the Nasdaq was $8.00 per share.

        The Shares may be sold by the Selling Shareholder in transactions on the
Nasdaq at prices and on terms related to the then current market price of the
Common Stock, in privately negotiated transactions at such prices as may be
agreed upon, or in a combination of such methods of sale. In connection with any
sales, the Selling Shareholder and any brokers or dealers participating in such
sales may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). See "Plan of Distribution."

        The Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration
of the Shares offered hereby, other than the following expenses which will be
borne by the Selling Shareholder: discounts and commissions payable to brokers
or dealers in respect of sales of the Shares, stock transfer taxes and (except
to the extent covered by a certain expense reimbursement obligation of the
Company) the expenses of the Selling Shareholder's counsel, accountants and
other advisors. See "Plan of Distribution" and "Selling Shareholder."

        SEE "RISK FACTORS" STARTING ON PAGE 3 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.

          THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
            SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE 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 ________, 1997.


<PAGE>   4



NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO THE DATE HEREOF.


                              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"). Reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's regional offices at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048, and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Commission at
prescribed rates through its Public Reference Section at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission maintains a Website (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains reports, proxy statements and other information required of
registrants, such as the Company, that file electronically with the Commission.

        The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered
hereby (including all amendments or supplements thereto, the "Registration
Statement"). This Prospectus, which forms a part of the Registration Statement,
does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. Statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of certain documents are not necessarily complete and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.



<PAGE>   5



                                   THE COMPANY

        Transmation, Inc., an Ohio corporation organized in 1964, is primarily
engaged in the sale and distribution, development, manufacture and service of
electronic instrumentation which is used principally for measurement, indication
and transmission of information. The principal products sold and serviced by
Transmation fall within two main categories:

        -      Test, measurement and calibration equipment - Instruments used
               for calibrating, measuring and testing many physical parameters
               in industry and science. These products are manufactured by
               Transmation or by other manufacturers and are distributed and
               serviced by Transmation.

        -      Process monitoring instrumentation - A line of instrumentation
               which measures low level signals, proportional to some parameter
               such as temperature, and then amplifies the measurement to permit
               transmission to a receiving device which may be used to alter the
               process or trigger an alarm. Certain of these products may be
               used to monitor one or more points of a process by multiplexing
               information into one or more digital devices. These products are
               manufactured, distributed and serviced by Transmation.

Products and services sold range in price from approximately $100 for a single
calibration service to more than $200,000 for a large multiplexing system.

        The principal market for Transmation's products and services is within
the process industry and is primarily directed to the petroleum refining and
chemical manufacturing industries, and secondarily to the pulp and paper, gas
pipeline and primary metals industries. Transmation's sales are accomplished
through a catalog distribution division, the Transcat/EIL Division
("Transcat/EIL"), a manufacturing division, the Instrument Division, a
manufacturing subsidiary, Altek Industries Corp. ("Altek"), and four foreign
sales subsidiaries.

        Sales of test, measurement and calibration equipment and services are
principally made through Transcat/EIL, which sells through a catalog distributed
to existing and prospective customers, and through direct salespeople in
selected locations in the United States and Canada. Transcat/EIL sells
Transmation-manufactured products and resells the products of approximately 200
other manufacturers through an annual catalog, which is currently approximately
550 pages. To date, more than one million catalogs have been distributed through
this part of Transmation's sales and marketing effort. In addition to the annual
catalog, Transcat/EIL makes periodic mailings to existing and prospective
customers to spur additional sales as well as to generate names for future
catalog or product mailings.

        In addition to catalog sales, Transmation engages in direct sales of
test, measurement and calibration equipment and services as well as process
monitoring instrumentation. The Company employs over 40 direct sales people in
Transcat/EIL and four sales managers in the Instrument Division and Altek. Three
sales people are employed in Australia to manage Far Eastern sales
representative or distributor organizations and to direct sell in Australia. The
Company also maintains one regional sales manager in Singapore. In addition, the
Company has arrangements with approximately 80 sales representative and
distributor organizations, each employing one or



<PAGE>   6


more sales engineers, located in other areas of concentrated demand for
Transmation's products in the United States, Canada, the Far East, Central and
South America, Australia, the Middle East and Eastern and Western Europe. These
sales representatives and distributors either promote Transmation's products on
a commission basis or purchase them from Transmation at a discount and resell to
end users at a gross price.

        The Company's Transcat/EIL CalXPress operations, which are ISO 9002
registered, provide periodic calibration and repair services for customers
owning instrumentation manufactured by others and by Transmation. At September
30, 1997, there were Transcat/EIL CalXPress facilities in 16 locations in the
United States and Canada.

        The Company's two manufacturing operations, both located in Rochester,
New York, primarily develop, manufacture and sell electronic and pneumatic
instrumentation used to calibrate and test instrumentation used primarily in the
process industries. The Instrument Division's facility has ISO 9001
registration.

        The Company's value added operations, which customize, modify and repair
analog gauges, are located in Dayton, Ohio, Buffalo, New York and Baltimore,
Maryland.

        Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, Transmation has expanded
its business through two acquisitions:

               ALTEK ACQUISITION. In April 1996 the Company acquired all of the
stock of Altek, a manufacturer of electronic calibration equipment, for cash and
notes aggregating $4.8 million, and 300,000 shares of Common Stock. As a result
of this acquisition, the Company's sales have increased by more than $5 million
annually.

               EIL ACQUISITION. In April 1997 the Company acquired substantially
all of the assets of the Sales and Service Division of E.I.L. Instruments, Inc.,
a distributor and servicer of electronic test, measurement and calibration
instrumentation, for $22 million in cash and the value of certain assumed
liabilities (subject to post-closing adjustment). As a result of this
acquisition, the Company has added a significant base of potential new
customers, a value added meter modification business and several new product
lines, and has significantly increased its overall capabilities to provide
repair, calibration and certification services.

        Transmation's future performance will depend substantially on its
ability to integrate and manage its acquired businesses and operations, to
respond to competitive developments, to further develop markets for its products
and services, to anticipate future customer needs and to provide solutions for
customers in a timely, cost-effective manner.

        The Company's principal executive offices are located at 10 Vantage
Point Drive, Rochester, New York 14624. Its telephone number is (716) 352-7777.


                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference may
contain forward- looking statements based on current expectations, estimates and
projections about Transmation's industry, management's beliefs and assumptions
made by management. Words such as "antici-

                                        2

<PAGE>   7



pates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates,"
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that
are difficult to forecast. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from
those expressed or forecast in any such forward-looking statements. Such risks
and uncertainties include, in addition to those set forth herein under "Risk
Factors," those noted in the documents incorporated herein by reference.
Transmation undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


                                  RISK FACTORS

        PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FACTORS SET FORTH
BELOW, IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN EVALUATING AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY.

        INTEGRATION OF ACQUISITIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH. Since April 1,
1996, the Company has acquired one manufacturing business and one business
engaged in the distribution and service of products. See "The Company." This has
resulted in a 150% increase in the Company's work force, the addition of one
manufacturing facility, the addition of three value added operations and the
addition of ten service facilities. The Company is in the process of integrating
the acquired operations and efforts are underway to assimilate into Transmation
the products and services formerly sold independently by the acquired
businesses, their operations, corporate cultures, product lines, personnel,
management information systems, financial control systems, facilities
infrastructure and customer relationships. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in these efforts. If the Company is unable to
integrate and manage all of the elements of these acquisitions effectively and
efficiently, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

               In addition, if the Company continues to experience rapid growth,
a significant strain may be placed on its financial, management and other
resources. The Company's ability to manage growth effectively will require it to
continue to improve its operational and financial control systems,
infrastructure and management information systems, and to attract, train,
motivate, manage and retain key employees. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be successful in doing so. If the Company is not able to manage
growth effectively, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

        COMPETITION. The market to which the Company sells the products it
manufactures is highly competitive, and the Company expects that competition
will increase in the future. Failure to keep pace with rapid technological
advances, which characterize the industry, could adversely affect the Company's
competitive position with respect to the products it manufactures and the way it
distributes its products. In its manufacturing operations, the Company competes
on the basis of price, performance, inventory availability, quality, reliability
and customer service and support. To maintain its competitive position with
respect to manufactured product, the Company must continue to develop new
products, periodically enhance its existing products,

                                        3

<PAGE>   8



reduce its cost of manufacturing such products, maintain the quality of its
products and compete effectively in the areas described above. Although the
Company believes that its products are competitive in each of the
above-described areas, there can be no assurance that existing or future
competitors, some of which have greater financial resources than the Company,
will not introduce comparable or superior products incorporating more advanced
technology at lower prices. The Company's competitors are numerous, ranging from
large corporations to many relatively small and highly specialized firms.
Although no single company competes in all of the Company's product markets,
some of the major competitors which compete in the Company's individual product
markets include Fluke Corporation, Beta (a division of Hathaway Corporation) and
certain divisions of Ametek Corporation. Some of these competitors have more
extensive sales, distribution, engineering, manufacturing and/or marketing
capabilities and substantially greater financial, technological and personnel
resources than does the Company.

               The markets to which the Company through Transcat/EIL sells
products and related services is also highly competitive. Competition for sales
in distribution and service is quite fragmented and ranges from large, well
financed national distributors to small local distribution organizations and
service providers, as well as the manufacturers of the products themselves.
Transcat/EIL competes on the basis of price, inventory availability, service
quality and customer service and support. To maintain its competitive position
with respect to such products and services, the Company must continually
demonstrate to customers its commitment to achieving the highest level of
performance possible for a distributor and compete effectively in the areas
described above. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in doing so.

        DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS. Products required for Transcat/EIL's sales are
generally available from only one source per product (the manufacturer),
although on occasion substitutions of product are possible. If the Company's
source for a particular product is unable to deliver such product or delivers
product of unacceptable or unusable quality, the Company may have no acceptable
alternative product to satisfy customers' demands. In such event, customers may
choose to order products through competitors of the Company, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, results of
operations and financial condition.

               In addition, a portion of the Company's manufacturing operations
is dependent on the ability of suppliers to deliver completed products,
sub-assemblies or components in time to meet critical distribution and
manufacturing schedules. In certain instances, important parts and components
are available through fewer suppliers than the Company deems suitable. In the
event that certain of the Company's suppliers should fail to deliver components
to the Company or deliver components of an unacceptable or unusable quality,
delays in the production of the Company's products could result, which in turn
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects,
results of operations and financial condition.

        FOREIGN SALES. A significant portion of Transmation's sales are
generated outside of the United States, primarily as the result of sales of
products distributed through the Transcat/EIL catalog. Approximately 27.8% of
Transmation's sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 resulted from sales
in foreign countries, as compared with 20.7% of sales in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 and 22.7% of sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995.
Management believes that until recently, the relatively lower value of the
dollar compared to foreign

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currencies has had a positive effect on international sales. However, increased
strength of the dollar, particularly compared to currencies of Pacific Rim
countries, could negatively affect future international sales. In addition,
Transmation's revenues are subject to the customary risks of operating in an
international environment, including the potential imposition of trade or
foreign exchange restrictions, tariff and other tax increases, fluctuations in
exchange rates and unstable political situations, any one or more of which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, results of
operations and financial condition.

        ABILITY TO RESPOND TO RAPID CHANGE. The Company's future success will
depend in part on its ability to enhance its current products and develop or
acquire and market new products which keep pace with technological developments
and evolving industry standards as well as respond to changes in customer needs.
The market for the Company's products is characterized by rapidly changing
technology, evolving industry standards and customer demands, and frequent new
product introductions and enhancements. The Company will be required to manage
its strategic position effectively in a rapidly changing environment. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing or acquiring
product enhancements or new products to address changing technologies and
customer requirements adequately, that it will introduce such products on a
timely basis, or that any such products or enhancements will be successful in
the marketplace. The Company's delay or failure to develop or acquire
technological improvements or to adapt its products to technological change
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects,
results of operations and financial condition.

        DEPENDENCE UPON KEY PERSONNEL. The Company's success depends in part
upon the retention of key senior management and technical personnel,
particularly Robert G. Klimasewski, its President and Chief Executive Officer,
and Eric W. McInroy, its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
The loss of the services of any of the Company's key personnel could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, results of
operations and financial condition.

        ABILITY TO ATTRACT QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The Company believes that its
future success also depends upon its ability to attract and retain additional
highly skilled technical, professional, management and sales and marketing
personnel. The market for skilled employees has historically been, and the
Company expects that it will continue to be, intensely competitive. The
Company's inability to attract and retain qualified employees could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, results of
operations and financial condition.

        DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. The Company
participates in markets where the timely introduction of new products is
critical to the success and market acceptance of such products. The Company's
new product development programs are subject to delays due to unforeseen
complexities in product design that arise during the development process. When
encountered, these complexities may cause delays in product introductions or
costly design modifications which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

        PRODUCT RECALLS, POTENTIAL LIABILITY AND INSURANCE. Many of the
instruments which the Company designs and manufacturers are used in the
petroleum refining and chemical manufacturing industries. The tolerance for
error in the design, manufacture or use of these products

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<PAGE>   10



may be small or non-existent. If an instrument designed or manufactured by the
Company is found to be defective, whether due to design or manufacturing
defects, improper use of the product or other reasons, the instrument may need
to be recalled, possibly at the Company's expense. Furthermore, the adverse
effect of a product recall on the Company might not be limited to the cost of
the recall on the Company. Recalls, especially if accompanied by unfavorable
publicity or termination of customer contracts, could result in substantial
costs, loss of revenues and diminution of the Company's reputation, each of
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects,
results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the manufacture and
sale of the instruments manufactured by the Company also involves the risk of
product liability claims. The Company evaluates its insurance coverage from time
to time in view of developments in its business and products currently under
development. Product liability insurance is expensive and, in the future, may
not be available on acceptable terms, in sufficient amounts, or at all. A
successful claim brought against the Company in excess of its insurance coverage
or any material claim for which insurance coverage is denied or limited could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, results of
operations and financial condition.

        DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. The Company's success and ability to
compete depends in part upon protecting its proprietary rights in its products,
its name and its trade names. There can be no assurance that the measures taken
by the Company will be adequate to deter misappropriation of its products, its
name and its trade names or independent third-party development of its products,
or that its intellectual property rights can be successfully enforced or
defended if challenged. Given the continuing development of technology, there
can be no assurance that certain aspects of the Company's products do not or
will not infringe upon the existing or future proprietary rights of others or
that, if licenses or rights are required to avoid infringement, such licenses or
rights could be obtained or obtained on terms that would not have a material
adverse effect on the Company, if at all.

        ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. The Company's operations are subject to
federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other
things, emissions to air, discharge to waters and the generation, handling,
storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste and other materials.
The Company believes that its business, operations and facilities have been and
are being operated in compliance in all material respects with applicable
environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide
for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. However, the
operation of manufacturing facilities entails risks in these areas and there can
be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or liabilities.
In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to
comply with evolving environmental and health and safety laws, regulations or
requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future.

        LIMITATIONS ON TAKEOVERS. Certain provisions of the Company's Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws may have the effect of discouraging a third party
from making an acquisition proposal for the Company and may thereby inhibit a
change in control of the Company under circumstances that could give the
shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing
market prices. Specifically, mergers and certain other corporate actions with a
10% shareholder of the Company require the approval of 75% of the Common Stock
entitled to vote, and the Company's Board of Directors is divided into three
classes, with the members

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of each class serving for staggered three-year terms. See "Provisions With
Possible Anti-Takeover Effects."


                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission
(Commission File No. 0-3905) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated
herein by reference:

        (1) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
            ended March 31, 1997;

        (2) the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 1997;

        (3) the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 19, 1997;

        (4) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
            June 30, 1997;

        (5) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
            September 30, 1997; and

        (6) all other 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 this
            offering of the Shares.

        Any statement contained herein or in a document or information
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 subsequently filed document which also is,
or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.

        THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A
COPY OF ANY AND ALL OF THE FOREGOING DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION THAT HAVE BEEN
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH
DOCUMENTS (UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO
SUCH DOCUMENTS). REQUESTS THEREFOR SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO JOHN A. MISIASZEK, VICE
PRESIDENT - FINANCE, TRANSMATION, INC., 10 VANTAGE POINT DRIVE, ROCHESTER, NEW
YORK 14624; TELEPHONE (716) 352-7777.


                               SELLING SHAREHOLDER

        The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
ownership of Common Stock, as of November 30, 1997 and as adjusted to reflect
the sale of all of the Shares

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<PAGE>   12



offered hereby, by the Selling Shareholder. The Selling Shareholder has advised
the Company that he has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of
the Shares owned by him.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    COMMON STOCK                    NUMBER OF                 COMMON STOCK
                                    OWNED BEFORE                  SHARES BEING                 OWNED AFTER
                                    THE OFFERING                     OFFERED                THE OFFERING (1)
                                    ------------                     -------                ----------------

        SELLING               NO. OF            PERCENT                                  NO. OF           PERCENT
      SHAREHOLDER             SHARES           OF CLASS                                  SHARES          OF CLASS
      -----------             ------           --------                                  ------          --------
<S>                           <C>               <C>                 <C>                    <C>              <C>
William J. Berk               762,524           13.3%               762,524                0                0
</TABLE>


          (1) Assumes that all Shares being offered are sold.

        The Selling Shareholder was the Company's founder. He served as the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer from 1964 until June 1994, and
as a director of the Company from 1964 until June 1996. He is now retired.

        Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement with the Selling Shareholder dated
April 1, 1979 and amended April 1, 1990, the Company has agreed to retain him as
a consultant for 20 years commencing March 1, 1995, to pay him $30,000 a year
for the first ten years and $20,000 a year for the remainder, and to provide him
with certain fringe benefits, including reimbursement for medical expenses up to
$10,000 annually and for accounting and legal expenses up to $10,000 annually.
In addition, pursuant to a Disability, Supplemental Death Benefit and Retirement
Agreement with the Selling Shareholder dated April 1, 1979 and amended April 1,
1990, the Company has agreed to make annual payments to him, commencing March 1,
1995 and continuing for the rest of his life, in the amount of $96,456. Upon the
Selling Shareholder's death, his wife will be paid 60% of that amount annually
for the rest of her life. The payments due under this agreement are not insured
or funded nor are any assets segregated for the benefit of the Selling
Shareholder or his wife.

        In addition, pursuant to a Stock Registration and Repurchase Agreement
with the Selling Shareholder dated April 1, 1979 and amended April 1, 1990 and
December 12, 1997, during the Selling Shareholder's lifetime and for five years
after his death, the Selling Shareholder and his estate have "piggyback"
registration rights, at the Company's expense (with certain exceptions), with
respect to all of his shares of Common Stock. In addition, within five years
after the Selling Shareholder's death, his estate has a one-time demand
registration right with respect to all of his shares of Common Stock and, at the
request of the Selling Shareholder's estate, the Company must, subject to
certain exceptions, redeem from his estate the maximum number of shares
permitted by section 303 of the Internal Revenue Code, at the market value of
the Common Stock at the time of his death. The Company and the Selling
Shareholder have also agreed to indemnify each other against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. The Selling
Shareholder's rights under this agreement are personal to him and his estate,
and are not assignable or transferable to purchasers of the Shares pursuant to
this Prospectus. The Selling Shareholder's registration and redemption rights
under this agreement will be terminated upon the Selling Shareholder's sale of
all of the Shares as contemplated hereby.

                                        8

<PAGE>   13





                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        The Shares are being sold by the Selling Shareholder. The Company will
receive none of the proceeds from sales of the Shares. Sales may be made by the
Selling Shareholder on the Nasdaq at prices and on terms related to the then
current market price of the Common Stock, in privately negotiated transactions
at such prices as may be agreed upon, or in a combination of such methods of
sale. The Shares may be sold by the Selling Shareholder by any one or more of
the following methods:

        (a) a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will
            attempt to sell the Shares as agent, but may position and resell
            a portion of a block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

        (b) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal, and resale by such
            broker or dealer, for its account, pursuant to this Prospectus;

        (c) ordinary open market brokerage transactions;

        (d) transactions in which a broker or dealer solicits purchasers; and

        (e) privately negotiated transactions.

        The Selling Shareholder may effect such transactions by selling the
Shares to or through brokers or dealers, who may act as agent or principal. In
effecting sales, brokers and dealers engaged by the Selling Shareholder or by
the purchasers of Shares may arrange for other brokers or dealers to
participate. Such brokers or dealers may receive discounts, concessions or
commissions from the Selling Shareholder and/or purchasers of Shares for whom
such broker or dealer may act as agent or to whom such broker or dealer may sell
as principal, or both. Such discounts, concessions or commissions from the
Selling Shareholder or from such purchasers may be in excess of those customary
in the types of transactions involved.

        The Selling Shareholder and such brokers and dealers who act in
connection with the sale of the Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions or commissions
received by them and any profit on any resale of the Shares as principal may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

        In addition, any Shares covered by this Prospectus may be sold by the
Selling Shareholder pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act rather
pursuant to this Prospectus.

        The Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration
of the Shares offered hereby, other than the following expenses which will be
borne by the Selling Shareholder: discounts and commissions payable to brokers
or dealers in respect of sales of the Shares, stock transfer taxes and (except
to the extent described below) the expenses of the Selling Shareholder's
counsel, accountants and other advisors. Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement with
the Selling Shareholder, the Company is obligated to reimburse him for

                                        9

<PAGE>   14



accounting and legal expenses up to $10,000 annually. See "Selling Shareholder."
Accordingly, it is anticipated that the Company will reimburse the Selling
Shareholder, in an amount not to exceed $10,000, for accounting and legal
expenses incurred by him in connection with his sale of the Shares hereby. It is
estimated that the aggregate fees and expenses payable by the Company in
connection with the registration and offering of the Shares hereby will be
approximately $40,000.


                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        OUTSTANDING AND COMMITTED SHARES. The Company is authorized to issue
15,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.50 per share. As of November 30,
1997, there were outstanding 5,740,833 shares of Common Stock. In addition, an
aggregate of approximately 2,388,000 shares of Common Stock are subject to
issuance from time to time in the future under the Transmation, Inc. Amended and
Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, the Transmation, Inc. Amended and Restated
Directors' Warrant Plan, the Transmation, Inc. Directors' Stock Plan, the
Transmation, Inc. Employees' Stock Purchase Plan and certain bonus arrangements
with senior management.

        COMMON STOCK. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for
each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by the shareholders.
Shareholders have the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors if
certain notice procedures are complied with. The holders of Common Stock are
entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors
out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are
entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to
them after payment of liabilities. Holders of Common Stock, as such, have no
conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption
provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

        TRANSFER AGENT. The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is
National City Bank, the address of which is Corporate Trust Administration, P.O.
Box 94915, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-4915.


               LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS

        Under the Ohio General Corporation Law (the "OGCL"), a director's
liability to the Company or its shareholders for damages is limited solely to
those situations where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that his
act or failure to act was undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to
the Company or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best interests of the
Company, and those situations involving unlawful loans, asset distributions,
dividend payments or share repurchases. As a result, shareholders may be unable
to recover monetary damages against directors for actions which constitute gross
negligence or which are in violation of their fiduciary duties, although it may
be possible to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief with respect to such
actions. If equitable remedies are found not to be available to shareholders

                                       10

<PAGE>   15



for any particular case, shareholders may not have any effective remedy against
the challenged conduct.

        The Company's Code of Regulations (the "Bylaws") provide for the
indemnification of the Company's directors, officers and authorized
representatives to the fullest extent permitted by Ohio law and provide that
potential indemnitees have the right to be paid by the Company for expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding as such expenses are incurred in advance of
the final disposition of such proceeding, provided that the indemnitee executes
any undertaking required under Ohio law to repay such amounts if a
non-appealable judicial decision determines that the indemnitee is not entitled
to indemnification. The Bylaws also provide that the Company may purchase
insurance on behalf of any potential indemnitee for protection against any
liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would
have the power to indemnify such person under the Bylaws or under applicable
provisions of Ohio law. The Bylaws further provide that the Company may extend
indemnification rights to any employee or agent of the Company to such extent as
the Board of Directors may determine, up to the full indemnification permitted
under the Bylaws and Ohio law.

        The Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to indemnify each
other against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the
Securities Act. See "Selling Shareholder."

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the
Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Company 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.


                 PROVISIONS WITH POSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS

        The OGCL prohibits certain transactions, including mergers, sales of
assets and similar corporate transactions, involving Ohio corporations and
holders of 10% or more of their voting shares, unless certain advance approvals
are obtained or certain other conditions are met.

        Furthermore, the Company's Articles of Incorporation require the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the capital stock of the
Company entitled to vote in order to authorize: (i) any merger or consolidation
of the Company with any other corporation if such transaction would otherwise by
law require a vote of the shareholders; (ii) any combination or majority share
acquisition with or by any corporation if such transaction would otherwise by
law require a vote of the shareholders; or (iii) any lease, sale, exchange,
transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company to any other person or entity; if, in any such event, such other
corporation, person or entity is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the
outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, such restrictions do not apply if the Company's
Board of Directors approves a memorandum of understanding with the other
corporation, person or entity prior to the time it becomes the owner of 10% or
more of the outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock.

                                       11

<PAGE>   16



Additionally, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the capital
stock of the Company entitled to vote is required to amend, alter or repeal any
of the foregoing provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation.

        Consequently, the OGCL and the Company's Articles of Incorporation may
have the effect of deterring merger proposals, tender offers or other attempts
to effect changes in control of the Company that are not negotiated and approved
by the Board of Directors or approved by the holders of at least 75% of the
Company's capital stock.

        In addition, the Company's Board of Directors is divided into three
classes, with the members of each class serving for staggered three-year terms.
This structure makes it more difficult to effect a change in control of the
Company through election to the Board of Directors.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

        The legality of the Shares offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Harter, Secrest & Emery, Rochester, New York.


                                     EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997 have been audited
by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such
report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.

        Any audited financial statements hereafter incorporated by reference in
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part will be so
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of independent
auditors pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by
consents filed with the Commission) given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in auditing and accounting.

                                       12

<PAGE>   17



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.       OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

        The following table sets forth the expenses expected to be incurred by
the Registrant in connection with the offering of the Shares registered hereby.
All amounts, except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, are
estimated.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
         Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee............  $   1,878
         Accounting Fees and Expenses...................................      5,000
         Legal Fees and Expenses .......................................     20,000
         Reimbursement of Selling Shareholder's Accounting
         and Legal Fees and Expenses ...................................     10,000
         Miscellaneous Expenses ........................................      3,122
                                                                          ---------

                           Total    ....................................   $ 40,000
</TABLE>


ITEM 15.       INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        Section 1701.13 of the OGCL sets forth the conditions and limitations
governing the indemnification of officers, directors and other persons. Section
1701.13 provides that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the
corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation in a similar capacity with another corporation or entity, against
expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement incurred in connection therewith if he acted in good faith and in a
manner that he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the
corporation and, with respect to a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause
to believe that his conduct was unlawful. With respect to a suit by or in the
right of the corporation, indemnity may be provided to the foregoing persons
under Section 1701.13 on a basis similar to that set forth above, except that no
indemnity may be provided: (i) in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
to the extent that the Court of Common Pleas or other court in which such
action, suit or proceeding was brought determines that despite the adjudication
of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case such person is
entitled to indemnity for such expenses as such court deems proper; or (ii) the
action or suit is one in which the only liability asserted against a director is
pursuant to Section 1701.95 of the OGCL (which relates to unlawful loans,
dividends and distributions of assets). Moreover, Section 1701.13 provides for
mandatory indemnification of a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation to the extent that such person has been successful in defense of any
such action, suit or proceeding and provides that a corporation shall pay the
expenses of an officer or director in defending an action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt

                                      II-1

<PAGE>   18



of an undertaking to repay such amounts if it is ultimately determined that such
person is not entitled to be indemnified. Section 1701.13 establishes provisions
for determining whether a given person is entitled to indemnification, and also
provides that the indemnification provided by or granted under Section 1701.13
is not exclusive of any rights to indemnity or advancement of expenses to which
such person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.

        Article 6 of the Bylaws provides for the indemnification of the
Registrant's directors, officers and authorized representatives to the fullest
extent permitted by Ohio law and provides that potential indemnitees have the
right to be paid by the Registrant for expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding as such expenses are incurred in advance of the final disposition of
such proceeding, provided the indemnitee executes any undertaking required under
Ohio law to repay such amounts if a non-appealable judicial decision determines
that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. The Bylaws also provide
that the Registrant may purchase insurance on behalf of any potential indemnitee
for protection against any liability asserted against such person and incurred
by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person
under the Bylaws or under applicable provisions of Ohio law. The Bylaws further
provide that the Registrant may extend indemnification rights to any employee or
agent of the Registrant to such extent as the Board of Directors may determine,
up to the full indemnification permitted under the Bylaws and Ohio law.


ITEM 16.       EXHIBITS.

        (a)    Exhibits:

       4.1    Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended, are
              incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the
              Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
              33-61665) filed on August 8, 1995. Certificate of Amendment
              thereto is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit I to the
              Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
              September 30, 1996.

        4.2   Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended, are incorporated herein by
              reference to Exhibit (3) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the year ended March 31, 1988.

        4.3   Specimen Common Stock certificate is incorporated herein by 
              reference to Exhibit (4) to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 2-27910).

        4.4   Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated April 4, 1997 among
              the Registrant, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and State
              Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference
              to Exhibit 4(c) to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
              dated April 4, 1997.


                                      II-2

<PAGE>   19



      +5.1    Opinion of Harter, Secrest & Emery with respect to the validity of
              the Registrant's Common Stock.

     *23.1    Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.

     +23.2    Consent of Harter, Secrest & Emery (included in Exhibit 5.1).

     *24.1    Power of Attorney.

      99.1    Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 1979 between the Registrant
              and William J. Berk, Disability, Supplemental Death Benefit and
              Retirement Agreement dated April 1, 1979 between the Registrant
              and William J. Berk, and Stock Registration and Repurchase
              Agreement dated April 1, 1979 between the Registrant and William
              J. Berk are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the
              Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March
              31, 1984.

      99.2    Amendment to Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 1990 between the
              Registrant and William J. Berk, Amendment to Disability,
              Supplemental Death Benefit and Retirement Agreement dated April 1,
              1990 between the Registrant and William J. Berk, and Amendment to
              Stock Registration and Repurchase Agreement dated April 1, 1990
              between the Registrant and William J. Berk are incorporated herein
              by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrant's Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1991.

     *99.3    Second Amendment to Stock Registration and Repurchase Agreement 
              dated December 12, 1997 between the Registrant and William J.
              Berk.

- -----------------
*  Filed herewith.
+  To be filed by Amendment.


ITEM 17.       UNDERTAKINGS.

        (a)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement:

                      (i)  to include any prospectus required by Section 
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                      (ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
Registration Statement;


                                      II-3

<PAGE>   20



                      (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)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(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 with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.

               (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

               (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the 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 Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        (i) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

               (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus
filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part
of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.


                                      II-4

<PAGE>   21



               (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                      II-5

<PAGE>   22



                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant 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 Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Rochester, State of New York, on December 16, 1997.

                                      TRANSMATION, INC.


                                      By: /s/ Robert G. Klimasewski
                                         --------------------------------------
                                          Robert G. Klimasewski
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>

<S>                        <C>                                     <C>
                           President, Chief Executive
/s/ Robert G. Klimasewski  Officer and Director (Prin-             December 16, 1997
- -------------------------  cipal Executive Officer)
Robert G. Klimasewski      

                            Vice President - Finance
/s/ John A. Misiaszek       (Principal Financial Officer            December 16, 1997
- -------------------------   and Principal Accounting
John A. Misiaszek           Officer)

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
Angelo J. Chiarella

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
E. Lee Garelick

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
Nancy D. Hessler

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
Cornelius J. Murphy

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
John W. Oberlies

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
Harvey J. Palmer

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
Arthur M. Richardson

               *            Director                                December 16, 1997
- -------------------------
Philip P. Schulp


*By: /s/ John A. Misiaszek
    -------------------------
      John A. Misiaszek
      Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>

                                      II-6

<PAGE>   23



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


4.1     Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended, are
        incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-61665) filed on
        August 8, 1995. Certificate of Amendment thereto is incorporated herein
        by reference to Exhibit I to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
        10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.

4.2     Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended, are incorporated herein by
        reference to Exhibit (3) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
        for the year ended March 31, 1988.

4.3     Specimen Common Stock certificate is incorporated herein by reference to
        Exhibit (4) to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration
        Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 2-27910).

4.4     Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated April 4, 1997 among the
        Registrant, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and State Street
        Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
        4(c) to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 1997.

+5.1    Opinion of Harter, Secrest & Emery with respect to the validity of the
        Registrant's Common Stock.

*23.1   Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.

+23.2   Consent of Harter, Secrest & Emery (included in Exhibit 5.1).

*24.1   Power of Attorney.

99.1    Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 1979 between the Registrant and
        William J. Berk, Disability, Supplemental Death Benefit and Retirement
        Agreement dated April 1, 1979 between the Registrant and William J.
        Berk, and Stock Registration and Repurchase Agreement dated April 1,
        1979 between the Registrant and William J. Berk are incorporated herein
        by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
        10-K for the year ended March 31, 1984.

99.2    Amendment to Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 1990 between the
        Registrant and William J. Berk, Amendment to Disability, Supplemental
        Death Benefit and Retirement Agreement dated April 1, 1990 between the
        Registrant and William J. Berk, and Amendment to Stock Registration and
        Repurchase Agreement dated April 1, 1990 between the Registrant and
        William J. Berk are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to
        the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31,
        1991.


                                      II-7

<PAGE>   24


*99.3   Second Amendment to Stock Registration and Repurchase Agreement dated
        December 12, 1997 between the Registrant and William J. Berk.

- --------------------
*  Filed herewith.
+  To be filed by Amendment.

                                      II-8


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
May 14, 1997 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Transmation, Inc. appearing on page 18 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended March 31, 1997. We also consent to the references to us under the
headings "Experts" in such Prospectus.



PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Rochester, New York
December 15, 1997





<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1


                                TRANSMATION, INC.

                   OFFICERS' AND DIRECTORS' POWER OF ATTORNEY


        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That each of the undersigned, being an
Officer or a Director of TRANSMATION, INC., an Ohio corporation, which
corporation anticipates filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 for the registration of certain shares of its Common Stock
for sale and public offering by a certain Selling Shareholder, DOES HEREBY
constitute and appoint ROBERT G. KLIMASEWSKI and JOHN A. MISIASZEK and each of
them, the attorneys of the undersigned with full power of substitution for and
in the name, place and stead of the undersigned:

        To sign and file on behalf of the undersigned such Registration
Statement and any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to
such Registration Statement and exhibits thereto and any and all applications or
other documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pertaining to the securities covered by said Registration Statement, with full
power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever
under and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations issued thereunder by said Commission, hereby ratifying and
approving the acts of such attorney or attorneys, or any such substitute or
substitutes.

        This Instrument may be executed in several counterparts, each of which
shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Instrument.


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has hereunto set his or her
hand and seal as of the respective dates set forth below.


October 28, 1997                         /s/ Robert G. Klimasewski
                                         -------------------------
                                         Robert G. Klimasewski,
                                         President, Chief Executive Officer
                                         and Director


October 28, 1997                         /s/ John A. Misiaszek
                                         ---------------------
                                         John A. Misiaszek,
                                         Vice President - Finance


October 28, 1997                         /s/ Angelo J. Chiarella
                                         -----------------------
                                         Angelo J. Chiarella, Director



<PAGE>   2




October 28, 1997                             /s/ E. Lee Garelick
                                             -------------------
                                             E. Lee Garelick, Director


October 28, 1997                             /s/ Nancy D. Hessler
                                             --------------------
                                             Nancy D. Hessler, Director


October 28, 1997                             /s/ Cornelius J. Murphy
                                             -----------------------
                                             Cornelius J. Murphy, Director


October 28, 1997                             /s/ John W. Oberlies
                                             --------------------
                                             John W. Oberlies, Director


October 28, 1997                             /s/ Harvey J. Palmer
                                             --------------------
                                             Harvey J. Palmer, Director


October 28, 1997                             /s/ Arthur M. Richardson
                                             ------------------------
                                             Arthur M. Richardson, Director


October 28, 1997                             /s/ Philip P. Schulp
                                             --------------------
                                             Philip P. Schulp, Director

                                       -2-

<PAGE>   3



State of New York)
County of Monroe )  ss.

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came ROBERT G.
KLIMASEWSKI, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in,
and who executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came JOHN A.
MISIASZEK, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


State of New York)
County of Monroe) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came ANGELO J.
CHIARELLA, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public

State of New York)
County of Monroe) ss.

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came E. LEE
GARELICK, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he executed
the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public

                                       -3-

<PAGE>   4




State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came NANCY D.
HESSLER, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and she acknowledged to me that she executed
the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came CORNELIUS
J. MURPHY, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came JOHN W.
OBERLIES, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he executed
the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came HARVEY J.
PALMER, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he executed
the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


                                       -4-

<PAGE>   5



State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came ARTHUR M.
RICHARDSON, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public


State of New York)
County of Monroe ) ss:

        On this 28th day of October, 1997, before me personally came PHILIP P.
SCHULP, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in, and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he executed
the same.


                                           /s/ Susan Mascette Brandt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Notary Public



                                       -5-


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.3


                               SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                   STOCK REGISTRATION AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT


        THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO STOCK REGISTRATION AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
(this "Amendment") is made as of December 12, 1997 by and between TRANSMATION,
INC., an Ohio corporation having its principal place of business at 10 Vantage
Point Drive, Rochester, New York 14624 ("Transmation"), and WILLIAM J. BERK,
residing at 9258 Vista Del Lago, 21A, Boca Raton, Florida 33428 ("Berk").

        WHEREAS, Transmation and Berk are parties to a certain Stock
Registration and Repurchase Agreement dated April 1, 1979 and amended April 1,
1990 (the "Stock Agreement"), relating to shares of the Common Stock, par value
$.50 per share, of Transmation (the "Common Stock") owned by Berk; and
Transmation and Berk now wish to amend further the Stock Agreement in the manner
hereinafter set forth;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, Transmation and Berk hereby agree as follows:


        1.     SPECIAL RIGHT OF REGISTRATION.

               (a) Berk represents and warrants that on the date hereof, he
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 762,524 shares of Common Stock (the
"762,524 Shares").

               (b) As soon as practicable after the date hereof, Transmation
will prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement which registers for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), the 762,524 Shares (the "Special Registration Statement"). Subject
to all of the terms and conditions of this Section 1, Transmation will use its
best efforts to cause the Special Registration Statement to be declared
effective under the Act as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but
Transmation undertakes no obligation to maintain the effectiveness of the
Special Registration Statement for any period of time.

               (c) Berk and, in the event of his death, Berk's personal
representative will comply with the provisions of Subsections (i), (ii), (iii)
and (iv) of Section 1(e) of the Stock Agreement in connection with the Special
Registration Statement. Upon failure of Berk or Berk's personal representative
for any reason to comply with the provisions of Subsections (ii), (iii) and (iv)
of Section 1(e) of the Stock Agreement in connection with the Special
Registration Statement, Transmation may, at its option, amend the Special
Registration Statement to remove and de-register the 762,524 Shares. The
provisions of Section 2(a) hereof will have no effect on the rights and
obligations created by this Section 1(c).



<PAGE>   2



               (d) Berk and, in the event of his death, Berk's personal
representative will, if requested, execute and deliver to Transmation a power of
attorney empowering Transmation's officers to take such actions as may be
reasonable and necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Section 1.

               (e) All expenses incurred by Transmation in complying with the
provisions of this Section 1 will be borne and paid by Transmation, except that
Berk will bear and pay all discounts and commissions payable to brokers or
dealers in respect of his sale of the 762,524 Shares, all stock transfer taxes
and all fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel to Berk.

        2.     EFFECT OF SALE OF BERK'S SHARES.

               (a) Immediately upon sale of the 762,524 Shares by Berk, and
without any further act or deed by any party, Section 1 ("Incidental
Registration Under the Securities Act"), Section 2 ("Right of Registration After
Death") and Section 4 ("Stock Redemption Upon the Death of Berk") of the Stock
Agreement will each terminate and be of no further force or effect, and
thereafter neither party will have any obligation or liability whatsoever to the
other arising at any time under or in connection with Sections 1, 2 and 4 of the
Stock Agreement.

               (b) In the event of the sale of less than all of the 762,524
Shares by Berk, Sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Stock Agreement will terminate, as
aforesaid, only with respect to the portion of the 762,524 Shares so sold, and
the Stock Agreement will remain in full force and effect, in accordance with its
terms, with respect to the balance of the 762,524 Shares not sold; provided,
however, that in no event will the Stock Agreement have any force or effect with
respect to additional shares of Common Stock acquired directly or indirectly by
Berk on or after the date hereof.

        3. EFFECT OF THIS AMENDMENT. The Stock Agreement is hereby amended to
add to the Stock Agreement the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this Amendment.
Except as modified by this Amendment, the Stock Agreement will remain unchanged
and in full force and effect; provided, however, that any inconsistency between
the terms of the Stock Agreement and the terms of this Amendment will be
resolved in favor of this Amendment.

        4.     IN GENERAL.

               (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof, this Amendment
together with the Stock Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the
parties, and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and
understandings, written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof.

               (b) This Amendment will be binding up and will inure to the
benefit of each of the parties and their respective personal representatives,
heirs, administrators, successors and assigns.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>   3


               (c) This Amendment may be executed in counterpart copies, each of
which will be deemed an original but both of which together will constitute one
and the same instrument.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the
date first above written.

                                            TRANSMATION, INC.


                                            By: /s/ Robert G. Klimasewski
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Its: President and CEO



                                            /s/ William J. Berk
                                               --------------------------------
                                               William J. Berk

                                       -3-



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