<PAGE>   1
                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-Q

[X]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       For the quarterly period ended October 3, 1998

                                       OR

[ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       For the transition period from ______ to _______.

                        Commission File Number 333-61041

                            STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                   Delaware                                  57-1067030
---------------------------------------------          -----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation             (I.R.S. Employer
               or organization)                        (Identification Number)

1801 Rutherford Road, Greenville, South Carolina                   29607
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)

                  Registrant's telephone number (864) 244-4110

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.      Yes       No  X
                                                  ---       ---

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock as of the latest practicable date:  234,949 shares, par value
$0.01 per share, of the Company's Common Stock were outstanding as of November
15, 1998.



<PAGE>   2

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC.

INDEX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       PAGE

<S>         <C>                                                                                         <C>
PART I       FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
                 October 3, 1998 (Unaudited) and January 3, 1998                                        3-4

             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
                 Income (Loss):

                 Fourteen Weeks ("Three Months") Ended October 3, 1998 (Successor)
                 and Fourteen Weeks ("Three Months") Ended October 4, 1997
                 (Predecessor) (Unaudited)                                                               5

                 Nineteen Weeks Ended October 3, 1998 (Successor), Twenty Weeks
                 Ended May 25, 1998 (Predecessor) (collectively, "Nine Months") and
                 the Forty Weeks ("Nine Months") Ended October 4, 1997 (Predecessor)
                 (Unaudited)                                                                             6

             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
                 Nineteen Weeks Ended October 3, 1998 (Successor), Twenty Weeks
                 Ended May 25, 1998 (Predecessor) (collectively, "Nine Months") and
                 Forty Weeks ("Nine Months") Ended October 4, 1997 (Predecessor) (Unaudited)            7-8

             Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements                             9-19

Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                 Results of Operations                                                                 20-27

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION                                                                           28
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3

ITEM I.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SUCCESSOR             PREDECESSOR
                                                     COMPANY                COMPANY
 ASSETS                                          OCTOBER 3, 1998        JANUARY 3, 1998
                                                   (UNAUDITED)                (1)

<S>                                              <C>                    <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                        $   1,657               $    379
  Accounts receivable                                  8,972                  9,290
  Income taxes receivable                                826                      -
  Inventories                                         17,690                 14,030
  Prepaid expenses                                        72                     99
                                                   ---------               --------

       Total current assets                           29,217                 23,798
                                                   ---------               --------

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT:
  Cost                                                42,031                 52,561
  Less accumulated depreciation                       (2,730)               (35,876)
                                                   ---------               --------

                                                      39,301                 16,685
                                                   ---------               --------

OTHER ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES:
  Prepaid pension cost                                 2,390                    546
  Goodwill, net                                      106,172                 22,537
  Identifiable intangible assets, net                 12,459                      -
  Sundry                                               4,213                    774
                                                   ---------               --------

                                                     125,234                 23,857
                                                   ---------               --------

TOTAL ASSETS                                       $ 193,752               $ 64,340
                                                   =========               ========
</TABLE>

(1)  Derived from January 3, 1998 audited financial statements.

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>   4

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED) 
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SUCCESSOR              PREDECESSOR
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                     COMPANY                 COMPANY
  (DEFICIT)                                                          OCTOBER 3, 1998         JANUARY 3, 1998
                                                                       (UNAUDITED)                 (1)

<S>                                                                  <C>                     <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable                                                      $   1,513              $  2,166
  Accrued and sundry liabilities                                            9,066                 5,313
  Deferred income taxes                                                     1,122                   670
  Income taxes payable                                                          -                   302
  Current portion of long-term debt                                         1,000                 6,500
                                                                        ---------              --------

              Total current liabilities                                    12,701                14,951

LONG-TERM DEBT, LESS CURRENT PORTION                                      144,774                46,300

RETIREMENT BENEFITS PAYABLE                                                 4,433                 5,126

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                      16,890                 1,120

REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK - $.01 par value per share -
  authorized 300,000 shares, issued and outstanding
  234,949 shares at October 3, 1998; and Class A, $.01 par
  value per share - authorized 2,000,000 shares, issued
  and outstanding 91,080 shares at January 3, 1998                              2                 1,366

CONTINGENCIES

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
  Class B common stock - $1.00 par value per share -
     authorized 1,500,000 shares, issued and outstanding                        -                     -
     10 shares at January 3, 1998
  Additional paid-in capital                                               23,375                13,689
  Notes receivable - shareholders                                            (350)                    -
  Carryover basis of managements' interest                                 (4,494)                    -
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                      (48)                  (48)
  (Deficit)                                                                (3,531)              (18,164)
                                                                        ---------              --------

                                                                           14,952                (4,523)
                                                                        ---------              --------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  (DEFICIT)                                                             $ 193,752              $ 64,340
                                                                        =========              ========
</TABLE>

(1)  Derived from January 3, 1998 audited financial statements.

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   5

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                        -----------------------------------------
                                                                        OCTOBER 3, 1998           OCTOBER 4, 1997
                                                                           SUCCESSOR                PREDECESSOR
                                                                            COMPANY                   COMPANY
                                                                           (14 WEEKS)                (14 WEEKS)

<S>                                                                     <C>                       <C>
NET SALES                                                                  $ 16,584                  $ 19,349

COST OF GOODS SOLD                                                           13,010                    12,085
                                                                           --------                  --------

GROSS PROFIT                                                                  3,574                     7,264

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS                                     1,979                     2,115

MANAGEMENT FEES                                                                 224                        69

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL                                                        671                       182
                                                                           --------                  --------

OPERATING INCOME                                                                700                     4,898

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest income                                                                31                        36
  Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing
    costs                                                                    (4,287)                   (1,368)
  Other financing expense                                                         -                       (37)
                                                                           --------                  --------

        Income (loss) before income taxes                                    (3,556)                    3,529

INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE                                                   (974)                    1,234
                                                                           --------                  --------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                            (2,582)                    2,295

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - NET OF TAX:
  Foreign currency translation adjustment                                         -                         3
                                                                           --------                  --------

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                                $ (2,582)                 $  2,298
                                                                           ========                  ========
</TABLE>

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   6

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           ---------------------------------------------
                                                                OCTOBER 3, 1998          OCTOBER 4, 1997
                                                           ---------------------------   ---------------
                                                           SUCCESSOR       PREDECESSOR     PREDECESSOR
                                                            COMPANY          COMPANY         COMPANY
                                                           (19 WEEKS)      (20 WEEKS)      (40 WEEKS)

<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>
NET SALES                                                   $ 23,745        $ 29,631        $ 55,100

COST OF GOODS SOLD                                            17,983          18,628          35,254
                                                            --------        --------        --------

GROSS PROFIT                                                   5,762          11,003          19,846

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
  COSTS                                                        2,824           3,824           6,327

MANAGEMENT FEES                                                  298             132             406

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL                                         892             289             546
                                                            --------        --------        --------

OPERATING INCOME                                               1,748           6,758          12,567

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest income                                                 51              29             103
  Interest expense, including amortization of
      deferred financing costs                                (6,749)         (1,528)         (4,103)
  Other financing expense                                          -             (50)           (212)
                                                            --------        --------        --------

         Income (loss) before income taxes and
           extraordinary item                                 (4,950)          5,209           8,355

INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE                                  (1,419)          1,868           2,922
                                                            --------        --------        --------

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY
  ITEM                                                        (3,531)          3,341           5,433

EXTRAORDINARY (LOSS) ON THE EARLY
  EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT, NET OF
  INCOME TAXES OF $1,688                                           -               -          (2,753)
                                                            --------        --------        --------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                             (3,531)          3,341           2,680

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) -
  NET OF TAX:
  Foreign currency translation adjustment                        (16)             16              (4)
                                                            --------        --------        --------

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                 $ (3,547)       $  3,357        $  2,676
                                                            ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>   7

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                 --------------------------------------------
                                                                      OCTOBER 3, 1998         OCTOBER 4, 1997
                                                                 --------------------------   ---------------
                                                                 SUCCESSOR      PREDECESSOR     PREDECESSOR
                                                                  COMPANY         COMPANY        COMPANY
                                                                 (19 WEEKS)     (20 WEEKS)      (40 WEEKS)

<S>                                                             <C>             <C>           <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)                                             $  (3,531)       $ 3,341        $ 2,680
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
    to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
    Depreciation                                                    2,730          1,517          2,631
    Amortization                                                    2,341            346            907
    Accretion of senior discount debentures                           758              -              -
    Benefit for deferred income taxes                                (729)           (83)             -
    Accrued retirement benefit costs                                 (127)           176             (4)
    Extraordinary item                                                  -              -          4,441
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                                           1,683         (1,977)        (2,700)
      Inventories                                                   1,129           (888)          (340)
      Prepaid expenses                                                 31             (5)           (56)
      Income taxes receivable                                        (826)             -              -
      Accounts payable                                               (856)           203           (499)
      Accrued and sundry liabilities                                1,131         (2,127)        (1,958)
      Income taxes payable                                           (111)         1,707           (523)
                                                                ---------        -------        -------

         Net cash provided by operating activities                  3,623          2,210          4,579
                                                                ---------        -------        -------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Acquisition of SH Holdings Corp.:
    Current assets                                                (31,128)             -              -
    Property, plant and equipment, net                            (41,272)             -              -
    Other assets                                                   (2,487)             -              -
    Intangible assets                                            (124,357)             -              -
    Current and noncurrent liabilities                             16,905              -              -
    Deferred income taxes                                          16,891              -              -
    Long-term debt                                                 52,492              -              -
                                                                ---------        -------        -------
  Net cash used to acquire SH Holdings Corp.                     (112,956)             -              -
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment                          (702)          (968)        (1,499)
  Proceeds on disposals of property, plant and
      equipment                                                         -            238              -
                                                                ---------        -------        -------

           Net cash (used in) operating activities               (113,658)          (730)        (1,499)
                                                                ---------        -------        -------
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   8

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               --------------------------------------------
                                                                   OCTOBER 3, 1998          OCTOBER 4, 1997
                                                               --------------------------   ---------------
                                                               SUCCESSOR      PREDECESSOR     PREDECESSOR
                                                                COMPANY         COMPANY         COMPANY
                                                               (19 WEEKS)      (20 WEEKS)      (40 WEEKS)

<S>                                                            <C>            <C>             <C>
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Proceeds from debt                                         $ 148,616        $ 1,317        $ 62,500
    Proceeds from sale of stock                                   22,995              -               -
    Payments of debt, including penalty                          (52,492)        (1,625)        (61,190)
    Revolver borrowings (repayments), net                         (3,600)             -            (375)
    Dividends paid                                                     -              -          (7,929)
    Financing costs incurred                                      (5,378)             -            (886)
                                                               ---------        -------        --------

          Net cash provided by (used in) operating
           activities                                            110,141           (308)         (7,880)
                                                               ---------        -------        --------

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
    EQUIVALENTS                                                      106          1,172          (4,800)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
    BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                            1,551            379           4,645
                                                               ---------        -------        --------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
    END OF PERIOD                                              $   1,657        $ 1,551        $   (155)
                                                               =========        =======        ========

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Interest paid                                                $     833        $ 1,893        $  5,135
  Income taxes paid                                            $     245        $   270        $  1,602
</TABLE>

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   9

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.     DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

       DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - Steel Heddle Group, Inc. ("SH Group" or the
       "Company") is a holding company whose wholly-owned subsidiary, Steel
       Heddle Mfg. Co. ("Steel Heddle") manufactures products and loom
       accessories used by textile mills. It also processes and sells metal
       products from its wire rolling facilities to industrial users. Steel
       Heddle sells to foreign and domestic companies.

       THE ACQUISITION OF STEEL HEDDLE - On May 26, 1998, SH Group consummated
       the acquisition (the "Acquisition") of SH Holdings, Corp. ("Old
       Holdings"). SH Group, a corporation formed by American Industrial
       Partners Capital Fund II, L.P. (together with its affiliates, "AIP"),
       was organized as a holding company to effectuate the acquisition of all
       of the outstanding common stock of Old Holdings. The purchase price,
       including transaction fees and expenses, of approximately $175.2
       million was financed with a $25  million capital contribution from AIP
       (including rollover of the ownership interests of certain members of
       management), approximately $15 million in proceeds from SH Group's
       issuance of $29.25 million of 13 3/4% Senior Subordinated Discount
       Debentures, issuance of $100 million of 10 5/8 % Senior Subordinated
       Notes (the "Notes") of Steel Heddle and borrowings of approximately
       $33.6 million under a new bank credit facility (the "Credit Facility")
       of Steel Heddle. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase
       method of accounting.

       In accordance with the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price
       has been allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of Old
       Holdings based on their estimated respective fair values at the date of
       acquisition. The preliminary fair values have been determined by
       independent appraisals, valuations and other means deemed appropriate by
       management. Management believes that adjustments, if any, resulting from
       the finalization of the fair values will not have a significant effect on
       the allocation of the purchase price or the determination of goodwill.
       Based on such preliminary allocation, the purchase price exceeded the
       fair value of the net assets acquired by approximately $107.0 million. In
       addition, certain options to purchase the common stock of the Predecessor
       that were held by continuing management employees prior to the time of
       the acquisition were converted into options to acquire 17,707 shares of
       the common stock of SH Group at an exercise price of $15 per share. On a
       fully-diluted basis, these options represent approximately 5% of the
       ownership interest in SH Group immediately following the acquisition. The
       historical predecessor basis of such options has been considered in the
       allocation of the purchase cost and in the initial basis of equity. Since
       the assets and liabilities of Old Holdings have been adjusted to their
       fair values as of the date of acquisition, the financial information for
       periods prior to May 26, 1998 ("Predecessor Company") are not comparable
       with financial information for periods subsequent to that date
       ("Successor Company").

       The following unaudited pro forma financial information shows the results
       of operations as though the acquisition occurred as of December 29, 1996.
       These results include the straight-line amortization of the excess of
       purchase price over the net assets acquired over a 40-year period, the
       straight-line amortization of certain identifiable intangible assets over
       a 12 1/2 year period, an increase in management fees paid to a related
       party due to a new contract with the new ownership group, an increase in
       interest expense as a result of the debt issued and financing costs
       incurred to finance the Acquisition, and a reduction in income tax
       expense as a result of the reductions in income resulting from the above
       described increased expenses.


<PAGE>   10

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Pro forma
                                                       Nine Months Ended
                                              -----------------------------------
                                              October 3, 1998     October 4, 1997
                                                        (in thousands)

         <S>                                  <C>                 <C>
         Revenue                                 $ 53,376            $ 55,100
         Income from continuing operations          5,634               6,428
         Net loss                                  (5,405)             (5,171)
</TABLE>

       The pro forma financial information presented above does not purport to
       be indicative of either (i) the results of operations had the acquisition
       taken place on December 29, 1996 or (ii) future results of operations.

       BASIS OF PRESENTATION - The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
       financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with
       generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
       information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
       footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for
       complete financial statements. It is suggested that these unaudited
       condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial
       statements and notes thereto included in the Predecessor Company's
       consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 3, 1998. In
       addition, certain other significant accounting policies arising from the
       May 26, 1998 acquisition include the following:

              Goodwill - Goodwill associated with the May 26, 1998 acquisition
              is approximately $107.0 million and is being amortized on a
              straight-line basis over 40 years. Accumulated amortization was
              approximately $0.9 million as of October 3, 1998.

              Identifiable Intangible Assets - Identifiable intangible assets
              acquired in the May 26, 1998 acquisition, consisting principally
              of engineering drawings, were approximately $12.8 million and are
              being amortized on a straight-line basis over 12.5 years.
              Accumulated amortization was approximately $0.3 million as of
              October 3, 1998.

              Deferred Financing Costs - Deferred financing costs associated
              with the acquisition financing were approximately $4.4 million and
              are being amortized using the interest method over the life of the
              related debt. Accumulated amortization was approximately $0.2
              million as of October 3, 1998 and the net deferred financing costs
              are classified as sundry other assets and deferred charges in the
              accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

       In the opinion of the management of the Company, these unaudited
       condensed consolidated financial statements contain all of the
       adjustments consisting of a normal recurring nature, necessary for fair
       presentation. Operating results for the nine months ended October 3, 1998
       (19 weeks of Successor Company and 20 weeks of Predecessor Company) are
       not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for fiscal
       1998. Certain amounts previously presented in the Predecessor Company
       consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been
       reclassified to conform to current classification. The preparation of
       financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
       principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
       affect the reported amounts of revenues and expense during the reporting
       period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

       ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD - At January 4, 1998, the Company
       adopted SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income , which requires
       comprehensive income to be reported in a financial statement that is
       displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements.
       Adoption of this statement did not have a significant effect on the
       Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
       flows for the nine months ended October 3, 1998.


<PAGE>   11


2.     EXTRAORDINARY ITEM

       On February 21, 1997, the Company entered into a credit arrangement with
       a bank group consisting of a Term Loan Facility of $52.5 million and a
       $15 million Revolving Line of Credit. The Company utilized proceeds of
       the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility to repay its senior notes in
       the principal amount of $24.9 million plus a penalty of $2.5 million and
       to repay its subordinated notes in the principal amount of $25.1 million
       plus a penalty of $3.2 million. The total penalty net of other losses and
       gains on the refinancing is reported as an extraordinary item, net of
       taxes of approximately $1.7 million. Included in the net extraordinary
       loss is a reversal of accrued interest of approximately $1.4 million.
       This reversal resulted from the difference between the stated rate of
       interest and the effective rate of interest.

3.     BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS

       Certain balance sheet components are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   SUCCESSOR         PREDECESSOR
                                                    COMPANY            COMPANY
                                                OCTOBER 3, 1998    JANUARY 3, 1998
                                                  (UNAUDITED)

         <S>                                    <C>                <C>
         Inventories:
           Raw materials and component parts        $ 6,040            $ 6,312
           Work in process and finished goods        11,650              7,718
                                                    -------            -------

                                                    $17,690            $14,030
                                                    =======            =======
</TABLE>
       If all inventories had been priced by FIFO or average cost method, they
       would have been higher than the amounts reported by approximately $627 at
       January 3, 1998; amounts are comparable at October 3, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SUCCESSOR            PREDECESSOR
                                                 COMPANY               COMPANY
                                             OCTOBER 3, 1998       JANUARY 3, 1998
                                               (UNAUDITED)

         <S>                                 <C>                   <C>
         Property, plant and equipment:
           Land                                $    672               $    855
           Buildings and improvements            13,251                 10,692
           Machinery and equipment               22,550                 32,362
           Furniture and fixtures                 4,534                  7,640
           Automotive equipment                     534                    827
           Construction in progress                 490                    185
                                               --------               --------
                                                 42,031                 52,561
         Less:  accumulated amortization         (2,730)               (35,876)
                                               --------               --------

         Property, plant and equipment         $ 39,301               $ 16,685
                                               ========               ========
</TABLE>

Commitments to complete construction in progress total approximately $193 at
October 3, 1998.


<PAGE>   12

4.     LONG-TERM DEBT

       Long-term debt consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    SUCCESSOR            PREDECESSOR
                                                                     COMPANY               COMPANY
                                                                 OCTOBER 3, 1998       JANUARY 3, 1998
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)

         <S>                                                     <C>                   <C>
         Senior Notes, due in 28 quarterly installments,
           ranging from $1,600 to $2,400, commencing
           March 1997                                                                     $ 46,000
         Revolving line of credit                                                            6,800
           10 5/8% Senior subordinated notes ("Notes")              $ 100,000                    -
           13 3/4% Senior discount debentures
           ("Debentures")                                              15,774                    -
         Bank Credit Facility ("Credit Facility") - term loan          30,000                    -
                                                                    ---------             --------
                                                                      145,774               52,800
         Less current portion                                          (1,000)              (6,500)
                                                                    ---------             --------

                                                                    $ 144,774             $ 46,300
                                                                    =========             ========
</TABLE>

       The Senior Notes and the Revolving Line of Credit were repaid in
       connection with the new financing associated with the May 26, 1998
       acquisition.

       The Notes are due in full on June 1, 2008. Interest on the Notes is
       payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on December 1, 1998.

       The Debentures (original proceeds of $15.016 million and accreted value
       of $15.774 million at October 3, 1998) will mature on June 1, 2009. The
       Debentures are accreting, using the interest method, to a principal
       amount of $29.25 million on June 1, 2003. Cash interest on the Debentures
       will be payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on December 1, 2003.

       The Credit Facility consists of a $30 million term loan and a $20 million
       revolving loan commitment. The term loan is payable in quarterly
       installments ranging from $1 million to $2 million beginning July 3, 1999
       through April 3, 2004. The term loan and the revolving loan bear interest
       at the bank's prime rate (as defined) plus one percent or Eurodollar
       rates (as defined) plus 2.25 percent, at the Company's option. At
       October 3, 1998, the interest rate on the Credit Facility borrowings was
       7.94% and approximately $193 million was available for borrowing under
       the revolving loan. Substantially all of the Company's assets are pledged
       as collateral under the Credit Facility.

       The Credit Facility, the Notes and the Debentures contain various
       financial and non-financial covenants; including minimum levels of
       EBITDA, minimum interest coverage ratio, and maximum capital expenditures
       and total leverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with its various
       financial and non-financial covenants at October 3, 1998.

       See Note 8.


<PAGE>   13


5.     MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

       On May 26, 1998, the Company and Steel Heddle entered into a management
       services agreement with AIP. Under the terms of the agreement, AIP will
       provide general management, financial and other corporate advisory
       services to Steel Heddle for $895,000 annually, payable in equal
       semi-annual installments on May 30 and November 29. The agreement
       expires on the earlier of May 26, 2008 or such other date as AIP and the
       Company mutually agree.
       
6.     REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK

       The common stock contains provisions that allow the holder or the estate
       of the holder, upon disability or death of the holder, to require SH
       Group to redeem such stock. Accordingly, such common stock is classified
       as redeemable common stock in the accompanying condensed consolidated
       balance sheet at October 3, 1998 and is classified outside of the
       shareholders' equity section. The redemption price is equal to the lesser
       of a) the fair value of such stock as determined by the Company's Board
       of Directors, or b) the original cost of the stock plus interest at 6%
       per annum. Further, the redeemable common stock contains certain other
       provisions that allow SH Group to call such stock upon the termination,
       as defined, of an employee stockholder. The call price which ranges
       between the original cost, original cost plus interest at 6% per annum
       and fair market value, as determined by the Board, is dependent on the
       reason for termination.

       In accordance with relevant accounting literature, such redeemable common
       stock is recorded at its original cost basis with no accretion, as the
       events that give rise to the redemption provisions are uncertain as to
       their occurrence.

7.     STOCK OPTION PLAN

       On May 26, 1998, the Company adopted the Steel Heddle Group, Inc.
       Management Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), a non-qualified stock option
       plan. Under the terms of the Plan, options to purchase 13,172 shares of
       the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $100 per share were
       granted to certain members of management in conjunction with the
       acquisition. All options vest on May 26, 2005, but may vest earlier if
       certain specified annual EBITDA (as defined) targets are achieved from
       1998 through 2001. In addition, the Plan provides that options to
       purchase up to 5,645 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise
       price of $100 per share may be granted to certain members of management
       on a discretionary basis. At October 3, 1998, no such discretionary
       options were granted.

8.     CONTINGENCIES

       LITIGATION - Although the Company may be subject to litigation from time
       to time in the ordinary course of business, it is not a party to any
       pending or threatened legal proceedings that management believes will
       have a material impact on its financial position or results of
       operations.

       ENVIRONMENTAL - The Company is subject to various federal, state and
       local government laws and regulations concerning, among other things, the
       discharge, storage, handling and disposal of a variety of hazardous and
       non-hazardous substances and wastes.


<PAGE>   14


       The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with all
       existing environmental laws and regulations to which it is subject. In
       addition, the Company is subject to liability under environmental laws
       relating to the past release or disposal of hazardous materials. The
       Company has included in accrued and sundry liabilities an accrual for
       hazardous waste site maintenance for the estimated total cost over an
       initial period of 30 years to close out and monitor its inactive
       hazardous waste site. Payment is secured by a standby letter of credit of
       approximately $671. To date, and in management's belief for the
       foreseeable future, additional liability under and compliance with,
       existing environmental laws has not had and will not have a material
       adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
       operations.

9.     SUBSEQUENT EVENT

       INVESTMENT IN MILLENTEX - On October 23, 1998, Steel Heddle, through its
       wholly owned subsidiary, Millentex Investment Corporation, acquired a 49%
       ownership interest in Millentex, N.V., an entity organized under the laws
       of the Kingdom of Belgium. Millentex, N.V. was established on August 16,
       1998 to effect the acquisition of the outstanding common stock of a
       company with operations in the loom accessories industry. The purchase
       price of approximately $2 million was financed via a capital contribution
       from Steel Heddle and will be accounted for using the purchase method of
       accounting. An allocation of the purchase price has not yet been
       determined.

10.    PAYMENT OF STEEL HEDDLE'S SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

       Payment of the Notes is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly
       and severally, on a senior subordinated basis by certain of Steel
       Heddle's wholly owned subsidiaries. Management has determined that
       separate complete financial statements of the guarantor entities would
       not be material to users of the financial statements, therefore, the
       following information sets forth unaudited condensed consolidating
       financial statements of the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries.


<PAGE>   15

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF OCTOBER 3, 1998
(SUCCESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           COMBINED        COMBINED                               RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                           GUARANTOR    NON-GUARANTOR                                   AND
                                         SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES   STEEL HEDDLE   SH GROUP     ELIMINATIONS      CONSOLIDATED

<S>                                      <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>        <C>                 <C>
Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                $    10           $   67        $  1,580                                     $  1,657
  Accounts receivable                                           266           8,706                                        8,972
  Income tax receivable                                          16           1,667    $    270      $  (1,127)              826
  Inventories                                                   196          17,494                                       17,690
  Prepaid expenses                             225                2              70                       (225)               72
                                           -------           ------        --------    --------      ---------          --------
           Total current assets                235              547          29,517         270         (1,352)           29,217
Due from affiliates                                           3,519          72,280                    (75,799)               -
Notes receivable from affiliates            72,413                                                     (72,413)               -
Investments in subsidiaries                   (240)                          75,293     105,463       (180,516)               -
Property, plant and equipment, net                               65          39,236                                       39,301
Other assets and deferred charges, net                                      124,797         437                          125,234
                                           -------           ------        --------    --------      ---------          --------

Total assets                               $72,408           $4,131        $341,123    $106,170      $(330,080)         $193,752
                                           =======           ======        ========    ========      =========          ========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
  Accounts payable and accrued
    and sundry liabilities                                   $    2        $ 10,802                  $    (225)         $ 10,579
  Due to affiliates, net                   $   357                                     $ 75,442        (75,799)               -
  Deferred income taxes                                                       1,122                                        1,122
  Income taxes payable                       1,127                                                      (1,127)               -
  Current position of long-term debt                                          1,000                                        1,000
                                           -------           ------        --------    --------      ---------          --------
           Total current liabilities         1,484                2          12,924      75,442        (77,151)           12,701
Long-term debt                                                              201,413      15,774        (72,413)          144,774
Retirement benefits payable                                                   4,433                                        4,433
Deferred income taxes                                                        16,890                                       16,890
Redeemable common stock                                                                       2                                2
Shareholders' equity (deficit)              70,924            4,129         105,463      14,952       (180,516)           14,952
                                           -------           ------        --------    --------      ---------          --------

Total liabilities and shareholders'
  equity                                   $72,408           $4,131        $341,123    $106,170      $(330,080)         $193,752
                                           =======           ======        ========    ========      =========          ========
</TABLE>

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998
(SUCCESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        COMBINED        COMBINED                                  RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                        GUARANTOR     NON-GUARANTOR                                      AND
                                       SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES     STEEL HEDDLE    SH GROUP      ELIMINATIONS     CONSOLIDATED

<S>                                    <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>        <C>                 <C>
Net sales                                                $ 248            $16,336                                        $16,584
Cost of goods sold                                         279             12,731                                         13,010
                                                         -----            -------                                        -------
Gross profit                                               (31)             3,605                                          3,574
Selling, general and administrative
  costs                                   $    1                            1,978                                          1,979
Other expenses                                                                895                                            895
                                          ------         -----            -------                                        -------
Operating income (loss)                       (1)          (31)               732                                            700
Other income (expense), net                1,732                           (5,409)     $  (579)                           (4,256)
                                          ------         -----            -------      -------                           -------
Income (loss) before income taxes          1,731           (31)            (4,677)        (579)                           (3,556)
Income tax expense (benefit)                 582           (11)            (1,342)        (203)                             (974)
Equity in earnings (losses) of
  subsidiaries                               (20)                           1,129       (2,206)          $1,097               -
                                          ------         -----            -------      -------           ------          -------
Net income (loss)                         $1,129         $ (20)           $(2,206)     $(2,582)          $1,097          $(2,582)
                                          ======         =====            =======      =======           ======          =======
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   16

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINETEEN WEEKS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998
(SUCCESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             COMBINED        COMBINED                               RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                             GUARANTOR    NON-GUARANTOR                                    AND
                                           SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES    STEEL HEDDLE   SH GROUP      ELIMINATIONS    CONSOLIDATED

<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>         <C>              <C>             <C>
   Net sales                                                 $    351        $ 23,394                                     $ 23,745
   Cost of goods sold                                             353          17,630                                       17,983
                                                             --------        --------                                     --------
   Gross profit                                                    (2)          5,764                                        5,762
   Selling, general and administrative
     costs                                   $      1                           2,823                                        2,824
   Other expenses                                                               1,190                                        1,190
                                             --------        --------        --------                                     --------
   Operating income (loss)                         (1)             (2)          1,751                                        1,748
   Other income (expense), net                  2,527                          (8,454)    $   (771)                         (6,698)
                                             --------        --------        --------     --------                        --------
   Income (loss) before income taxes            2,526              (2)         (6,703)        (771)                         (4,950)
   Income tax expense (benefit)                   884              (1)         (2,032)        (270)                         (1,419)
   Equity in earnings (losses) of
     subsidiaries                                  (1)                          1,641       (3,030)       $  1,390             -
                                             --------        --------        --------     --------        --------        --------

   Net income (loss)                         $  1,641        $     (1)       $ (3,030)    $ (3,531)       $  1,390        $ (3,531)
                                             ========        ========        ========     ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE TWENTY WEEKS ENDED MAY 25, 1998
(PREDECESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             COMBINED        COMBINED                     RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                            GUARANTOR     NON-GUARANTOR         THE              AND
                                           SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES     COMPANY (1)      ELIMINATIONS     CONSOLIDATED

<S>                                          <C>            <C>              <C>                <C>             <C>
   Net sales                                                 $    354        $ 29,277                           $ 29,631
   Cost of goods sold                                             392          18,236                             18,628
                                                             --------        --------                           --------
   Gross profit                                                   (38)         11,041                             11,003
   Selling, general and administrative
     costs                                                          5           3,819                              3,824
   Other expenses                                                                 421                                421
                                                             --------        --------                           --------
   Operating income (loss)                                        (43)          6,801                              6,758
   Other income (expense), net               $  3,417             (19)         (4,947)                            (1,549)
                                             --------        --------        --------                           --------
   Income (loss) before income taxes            3,417             (62)          1,854                              5,209
   Income tax expense                           1,299              23             546                              1,868
   Equity in earnings (losses) of
     subsidiaries                                (255)                          2,033           $ (1,778)            -
                                             --------        --------        --------           --------        --------

   Net income (loss)                         $  1,863        $    (85)       $  3,341           $ (1,778)       $  3,341
                                             ========        ========        ========           ========        ========
</TABLE>

   (1)  For the periods marked as "Predecessor", "the Company" is comprised of
        the financial information of Old Holdings, SH Intermediate Corp. and
        Steel Heddle.


<PAGE>   17

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 4, 1997
(PREDECESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   COMBINED          COMBINED                      RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                   GUARANTOR      NON-GUARANTOR         THE               AND
                                 SUBSIDIARIES      SUBSIDIARIES     COMPANY (1)      ELIMINATIONS          CONSOLIDATED
<S>                              <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>                    <C>
Net sales                                           $  281          $ 19,068                                 $ 19,349
Cost of goods sold                                     223            11,862                                   12,085
                                                    ------          --------                                 --------
Gross profit                                            58             7,206                                    7,264
Selling, general and
  administrative costs           $      1                              2,114                                    2,115
Other expenses                                                           251                                      251
                                 --------           ------          --------                                 --------
Operating income (loss)                (1)              58             4,841                                    4,898
Other income (expense), net         2,217              151            (3,737)                                  (1,369)
                                 --------           ------          --------                                 --------
Income before income taxes          2,216              209             1,104                                    3,529
Income tax expense                    842               18               374                                    1,234
Equity in earnings of
  subsidiaries                         58                              1,565          $  (1,623)                 -
                                 --------           ------          --------          ---------              --------

Net income                       $  1,432           $  191          $  2,295          $  (1,623)             $  2,295
                                 ========           ======          ========          =========              ========
</TABLE>

(1)   For the periods marked as "Predecessor", "the Company" is comprised of the
      financial information of Old Holdings, SH Intermediate Corp. and Steel
      Heddle.


UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 4, 1997
(PREDECESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            COMBINED         COMBINED                       RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                           GUARANTOR      NON-GUARANTOR          THE               AND
                                          SUBSIDIARIES     SUBSIDIARIES      COMPANY (1)      ELIMINATIONS         CONSOLIDATED

<S>                                         <C>                <C>            <C>             <C>                    <C>
Net sales                                                      $702           $54,398                                $55,100
Cost of goods sold                                              607            34,647                                 35,254
                                                               ----           -------                                -------
Gross profit                                                     95            19,751                                 19,846
Selling, general and
  administrative costs                      $    1                5             6,321                                  6,327
Other expenses                                                                    952                                    952
                                            ------             ----           -------                                -------
Operating income (loss)                         (1)              90            12,478                                 12,567
Other income (expense), net                  5,014              304            (9,530)                                (4,212)
                                            ------             ----           -------                                -------
Income before income taxes
  and extraordinary item                     5,013              394             2,948                                  8,355
Income tax expense                           1,905               36               981                                  2,922
                                            ------             ----           -------                                -------
Income before extraordinary item             3,108              358             1,967                                  5,433
Extraordinary (loss) on early
  extinguishment of debt, net
  of income taxes                                                              (2,753)                                (2,753)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries              95                              3,466         $  (3,561)                   -
                                            ------             ----           -------         ---------              -------

Net income                                  $3,203             $358           $ 2,680         $  (3,561)             $ 2,680
                                            ======             ====           =======         =========              =======
</TABLE>

(1)   For the periods marked as "Predecessor", "the Company" is comprised of the
      financial information of Old Holdings, SH Intermediate Corp. and Steel
      Heddle.



<PAGE>   18

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINETEEN WEEKS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998
(SUCCESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             COMBINED         COMBINED
                                             GUARANTOR      NON-GUARANTOR
                                           SUBSIDIARIES     SUBSIDIARIES      STEEL HEDDLE        SH GROUP       CONSOLIDATED

  <S>                                         <C>             <C>                <C>             <C>              <C>
  Net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities                      $ 4,467         $  (45)            $   (752)       $     (47)       $   3,623
                                              -------         ------             --------        ---------        ---------
  Investing activities:
    Purchase of business                                                                          (112,956)        (112,956)
    Purchases of property, plant
       and equipment                                             (13)                (689)                             (702)
                                                              ------             --------        ---------        ---------
  Net cash used in investing activities                          (13)                (689)        (112,956)        (113,658)
                                                              ------             --------        ---------        ---------
  Financing activities:
    Payments of debt                                                              (56,092)                          (56,092)
    Proceeds from issuance of debt                                                133,600           15,016          148,616
    Intercompany transactions, net             (4,468)            99              (71,073)          75,442                -
    Proceeds from sale of stock                                                                     22,995           22,995
    Other                                                                          (4,928)            (450)          (5,378)
                                              -------         ------             --------        ---------        ---------
  Net cash provided by (used in)
    financing activities                       (4,468)            99                1,507          113,003          110,141
  Net increase (decrease) in cash
    and equivalents                                (1)            41                   66                               106
  Cash and cash equivalents at
    beginning of period                            11             26                1,514                             1,551
                                              -------         ------             --------        ---------        ---------

  Cash and cash equivalents
    at end of period                          $    10         $   67             $  1,580        $       -        $   1,657
                                              =======         ======             ========        =========        =========
</TABLE>

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE TWENTY WEEKS ENDED MAY 25, 1998
(PREDECESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   COMBINED        COMBINED
                                                                   GUARANTOR     NON-GUARANTOR         THE
                                                                 SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARIES      COMPANY (1)    CONSOLIDATED

 <S>                                                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
 Net cash provided by operating activities                          $ 1,158         $ 220           $   832         $ 2,210
                                                                    -------         -----           -------         -------
 Investing activities:
   Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                         (20)             (948)           (968)
   Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                  238             238
                                                                    -------         -----           -------         -------
 Net cash used in investing activities                                                (20)             (710)           (730)
                                                                    -------         -----           -------         -------
 Financing activities:
   Revolver borrowings, net                                                                           1,317           1,317
   Payments of debt                                                                                  (1,625)         (1,625)
   Intercompany transactions, net                                    (1,163)         (270)            1,433
                                                                    -------         -----           -------         -------
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                 (1,163)         (270)            1,125            (308)
                                                                    -------         -----           -------         -------
 Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents                         (5)          (70)            1,247           1,172
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                          16            96               267             379
                                                                    -------         -----           -------         -------

 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                           $    11         $  26           $ 1,514         $ 1,551
                                                                    =======         =====           =======         =======
</TABLE>

(1)   For the periods marked as "Predecessor", "the Company" is comprised of the
      financial information of Old Holdings, SH Intermediate Corp. and Steel 
      Heddle.
        


<PAGE>   19

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE QUARTERS ENDED OCTOBER 4, 1997
(PREDECESSOR)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       COMBINED         COMBINED                       RECLASSIFICATIONS
                                       GUARANTOR     NON-GUARANTOR          THE               AND
                                     SUBSIDIARIES     SUBSIDIARIES      COMPANY (1)      ELIMINATIONS      CONSOLIDATED

<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>
Net cash provided by (used
  in) operating activities             $  4,784         $ 225            $   (430)                           $  4,579
                                       --------         -----            --------                            --------
Investing activities:
  Purchases of property,
     plant and equipment                                   (3)             (1,496)                             (1,499)
  Advances to subsidiaries              (67,297)                                          $    67,297               -
                                       --------         -----            --------         -----------        --------
Net cash used in investing
  activities                            (67,297)           (3)             (1,496)             67,297          (1,499)
                                       --------         -----            --------         -----------        --------
Financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance
     of debt                                                              129,797            (67,297)          62,500
  Payments of debt,
     including penalty                                                    (61,565)                            (61,565)
  Dividends paid                                                           (7,929)                             (7,929)
  Intercompany transactions,
     net                                     (3)         (256)                259                                   -
  Capital contributions                  62,531                           (62,531)                                  -
  Other                                                                      (886)                               (886)
                                       --------         -----            --------         -----------        --------
Net cash provided by
  (used in) financing activities         62,528          (256)             (2,855)           (67,297)          (7,880)
                                       --------         -----            --------         -----------        --------
Net increase (decrease) in
  cash and equivalents                       15           (34)             (4,781)                             (4,800)
Cash and equivalents at
  beginning of period                                     105               4,540                               4,645
                                       --------         -----            --------         -----------        --------

Cash and equivalents at
  end of period                        $     15         $  71            $   (241)        $         -        $   (155)
                                       ========         =====            ========         ===========        ========
</TABLE>

(1)   For the periods marked as "Predecessor", "the Company" is comprised of the
      financial information of Old Holdings, SH Intermediate Corp. and Steel 
      Heddle.



<PAGE>   20

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


OVERVIEW

The Company has two reportable segments, the Textile Products Group ("Textile
Products") and the Metal Products Group ("Metal Products"). The Textile Products
Group manufactures textile loom accessories including heddles, dropwires,
harness frames, reeds and shuttles and bobbins, all of which are used to hold or
guide individual yarns during the weaving process. In its Metal Products Group,
the Company processes and sells rolled products and tool and die services to
industrial users. In its wire rolling operation, the Company converts round rod
to flat wire through a rolling process which results in a flat wire with a round
edge. Originally developed to satisfy in-house heddle manufacturing needs, the
Company's rolled products can also be found in a variety of other industries,
including electronics, automotive and solar power.

On May 26, 1998, SH Group consummated the Acquisition. SH Group, a corporation
formed by AIP, was organized as a holding company to effectuate the Acquisition
of substantially all the outstanding stock of Old Holdings. The acquisition has
been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, whereby the
purchase cost has been allocated to the fair value of the tangible and
identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the excess
identified as goodwill.

As a result of the transaction, the assets and liabilities of Old Holdings were
revalued to their respective fair values under the principles of APB No. 16,
"Business Contributions." The most significant effects were to increase
property, plant and equipment, certain intangibles, inventory and certain
liabilities. Accordingly, financial information for periods prior to May 26,
1998 (Predecessor) is not comparable with that for periods subsequent to May 26,
1998 (Successor). The principal changes in the Company's Successor periods'
statement of operations resulting from the change in basis of accounting from
that of the Predecessor periods include increased depreciation and amortization
expense resulting from write-up of the Company's fixed and intangible assets and
goodwill and increased interest expense resulting from financing the
transaction.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The following table sets forth certain unaudited performance details for the
periods shown. Net sales, costs of sales, gross profit, SG&A, operating income
and net income of the company are presented in millions of dollars and as a
percentage of sales.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                         ------------------------------------------------
                            OCTOBER 3, 1998            OCTOBER 4, 1997
                         ---------------------      ---------------------
                               SUCCESSOR                 PREDECESSOR
                                COMPANY                   COMPANY
                              (14 WEEKS)                 (14 WEEKS)
                         ---------------------      ---------------------
 <S>                     <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>
 Net Sales               $  16.6        100.0%      $  19.4       100.0%
 Cost of sales              13.0         78.4          12.1        62.5
 Gross profit                3.6         21.6           7.3        37.5
 SG&A                        2.0         11.9           2.1        10.9
 Operating income            0.7          4.2           4.9        25.3
 Net income (loss)          (2.6)       (15.6)          2.3        11.9
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                             --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             OCTOBER 3, 1998                         OCTOBER 4, 1997
                             -----------------------------------------------      ---------------------
                                   SUCCESSOR                 PREDECESSOR               PREDECESSOR
                                    COMPANY                    COMPANY                   COMPANY
                                   (19 WEEKS)                 (20 WEEKS)               (40 WEEKS)
                             ---------------------      --------------------      ---------------------

 <S>                         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>
 Net Sales                   $  23.8        100.0%      $  29.6       100.0%      $  55.1        100.0%
 Cost of sales                  18.0         75.7          18.6        62.9          35.3         64.0
 Gross profit                    5.8         24.3          11.0        37.1          19.8         36.0
 SG&A                            2.8         11.9           3.8        12.9           6.3         11.5
 Operating income                1.7          7.4           6.8        22.8          12.6         22.8
 Net income (loss)              (3.5)       (14.9)          3.4         2.7           2.7          4.9
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   21

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS (THIRD QUARTER) ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998 (SUCCESSOR) COMPARED TO THREE
MONTHS (THIRD QUARTER) ENDED OCTOBER 4, 1997 (PREDECESSOR)

NET SALES - Net sales declined $2.8 million (14.3%) in the third quarter of 1998
compared to the third quarter of 1997. The decrease results primarily from a
decrease in domestic Textile Product sales of $1.5 million and export Textile
Product sales of $1.1 million to $10.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
Metal product sales remained flat at $2.7 million.

The decrease in export sales of Textile Products is attributable to several
factors. Demand from Asia has been reduced as new loom installations in that
region have been significantly curtailed due to the currency devaluations and
the lack of credit. This results in lower demand for the Company's Textile
Products. The difficulties associated with opening commercial letters of credit
to support international purchases has forced local textile mills to operate
with existing accessories - mainly heddles - even if loom operating speeds and
efficiency are reduced. In addition, the amount of secondhand accessories has
increased due to reduced operating levels and some mill closings.

The decrease in domestic sales of Textile Products is attributable to a number
of factors. Mill operating rates in the filament sector have been adversely
affected by a surge in low cost fabric imports from Asia. Fewer new looms are
being purchased, along with the Company's associated products. This comes after
record levels of new loom purchases in 1997. As the record number of new looms
were installed - replacing older looms - an increased amount of used accessories
became available within the large companies to support their remaining older
looms. Finally, mill managers have been reducing operating costs and
expenditures of new accessories in reaction to uncertainties created in the
textile market by the Asian crisis.

GROSS PROFIT - Gross profit for the quarter ended October 3, 1998 decreased $3.7
million to $3.6 million compared to the quarter ended October 4, 1997, a
decrease of 51%. The decrease is primarily due to the decline in sales volume in
the Textile Products segment, lower export prices for Textile Products sold in
Asian markets due to heightened competition for fewer orders, and to additional
depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the write-up of the
Company's assets in connection with the new basis of accounting used in the
Acquisition. Depreciation and amortization totaled $2.8 million and $.8 million
during the third quarter of 1998 and 1997, respectively.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES - SG&A expenses for the quarter
ended October 3, 1998 decreased $0.1 million to $2.0 million, from $2.1 million
for the quarter ended October 4, 1997. The decrease in SG&A expenses during the
quarter ended October 3, 1998 was primarily due to decreased incentive
compensation resulting from declining business levels partially offset by costs
incurred in connection with the Company's year 2000 computer project.

OPERATING INCOME - Operating income for the quarter ended October 3, 1998
decreased $4.2 million to $0.7 million from $4.9 million for the quarter ended
October 4, 1997. The decrease in operating income for the quarter ended October
4, 1998 is principally due to the decrease in gross profit as described above,
coupled with increased amortization of goodwill in connection with the new basis
of accounting used in the Acquisition. Goodwill amortization was $.7 million for
the third quarter 1998, an increase of $ .5 million compared to the third
quarter 1997.

NET INCOME (LOSS) - The Company incurred a loss of $2.6 million for the quarter
ended October 3, 1998, due primarily to increased interest expense and to the
factors described above. Interest expense for the third quarter of 1998
increased by $2.9 million from the third quarter of 1997 due to the increased
borrowings associated


<PAGE>   22

with the Acquisition. The effective tax rate for third quarter of 1998 was 27.3%
compared to 34.9% for the same period in 1997. The 1998 rate is significantly
different from the statutory rate due to an increase in the amount of
nondeductible goodwill amortization related to the acquisition.


NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998 (SUCCESSOR) COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 4, 1997 (PREDECESSOR)

NET SALES - Net sales declined $1.7 million (3.1%) to $53.4 million during the
nine months ended October 3, 1998 compared to $55.1 million during the nine
months ended October 4, 1997.

The decrease in net sales for the nine-month period results primarily from a
decline in Textile Product sales of $2.6 million to $45.1 million. This decrease
was partially offset by an increase in sales of Metal Products to $8.3 million.
Domestic and export Textile Products sales declined $1.0 million and $1.6
million, respectively, due primarily to a worldwide decrease in new loom sales,
the economic and monetary crisis in Asia, and reduced replacement sales as
customers work off of record new loom purchases in 1997 as discussed above.


<PAGE>   23

GROSS PROFIT - Gross profit for the nine months ended October 3, 1998 decreased
$3.0 million to $16.8 million compared to $19.8 million for the nine months
ended October 4, 1997. The decrease is primarily due to the decline in sales
volume in the Textile Products business segment, lower export prices for textile
products sold in Asian markets, and to additional depreciation and amortization
expense resulting from the write-up of the Company's assets in connection with
the new basis of accounting used in the Acquisition. Depreciation and
amortization totaled $4.9 million for the nine months ended October 3, 1998, an
increase of $2.5 million compared to the comparable period of 1997.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES - SG&A expenses for the nine months
ended October 3, 1998 increased $0.3 million to $6.6 million from $6.3 million
for the nine months ended October 4, 1997. The increase is due primarily to the
write off of the Company's investment in its China operation of $.3 million and
costs incurred in connection with the Company's year 2000 computer project of
$.3 million, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation resulting from
declining business levels.

OPERATING INCOME - Operating income for the nine months ended October 3, 1998
was $8.5 million, 15.9 percent of net sales, compared to $12.6 million, 22.8
percent of net sales, for the nine months ended October 4, 1997. The decrease of
$4.1 million is due to the decrease in gross profit as described above and to an
increase of $.6 million in amortization of goodwill in connection with the new
basis of accounting used in the Acquisition.

NET INCOME (LOSS) - The Company incurred a net loss of $0.1 million for the nine
months ended October 3, 1998 compared to net income of $2.7 million for the nine
months ended October 4, 1997. The loss during 1998 is due primarily to increased
interest expense resulting from debt issued in connection with the acquisition
and to the factors noted above. Included in 1997 net income was an extraordinary
charge for early extinguishment of debt of $2.8, net of income taxes of $1.7
million, incurred in connection with the refinancing of the Company's debt. The
effective tax rate for the nine month period in 1998 is significantly different
from the statutory rate due to an increase in the amount of nondeductible
goodwill amortization related to the Acquisition.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES - The Company has historically generated
sufficient internal cash flow from operations to fund its operations, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements. Cash provided by operating
activities for the nine months ended October 3, 1998 increased to $5.8 million
from $4.6 million for the nine months ended October 4, 1997. The increase was
primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization and reduction in
working capital requirements, partially offset by the decrease in net income in
1998 and by the extraordinary loss incurred upon the early extinguishment of
debt in the prior year.

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES - Net cash used in investing activities for
the nine months ended October 3, 1998 reflect the acquisition of substantially
all of the Company's tangible and intangible assets and is not comparable to the
prior period. The Company's capital expenditures for the nine months ended
October 3, 1998 were $1.7 million, an increase of $0.2 million compared to the
same period in 1997. These expenditures were primarily for the replacement of
machinery and equipment.

Subsequent to October 3, 1998, the Company acquired a 49% ownership interest in
Millentex, N.V., a Belgium company with operations in the loom accessories
industry and annual sales of $13 million. The purchase price of approximately $2
million was financed via a capital contribution from Steel Heddle.

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES - Cash flows from financing activities for
the nine months ended October 3, 1998 reflect the initial capitalization of the
Company through the issuance of Common Stock,


<PAGE>   24


Senior Discount Debentures, Senior Subordinated Notes and bank debt, all net of
associated fees, and is not directly comparable to the prior year.

ADJUSTED EBITDA - EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation and
amortization and is calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of
"Consolidated EBITDA" in the Indenture dated as of May 26, 1998 among the
Company, Steel Heddle International, Inc., Heddle Capital Corp. and United
States Trust Company (the "Indenture"). Adjusted EBITDA, as presented below,
represents EBITDA plus items which management believes to be unusual, including,
but not limited to, management and transaction fees paid to Butler Capital
Corporation "BCC" and "AIP", supplemental bonus compensation, compensation
expense for certain eliminated management positions and incremental increases in
obsolete inventory reserves. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated in a manner
substantially consistent with the definition of "Consolidated EBITDA" in the
Credit Agreement. Adjusted EBITDA was $15.5 million for the nine months ended
October 3, 1998, $17.1 million for the nine months ended October 4, 1997, and
$21.2 million for the twelve months ended October 3, 1998. The decrease of $1.5
million or 9.3% for the nine-month period is a result of the factors discussed
above.

Adjusted EBITDA is included herein as it is a basis upon which the Company
assesses its financial performance, and certain covenants that are part of the 
Credit Facility are tied to similar measures. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to
represent cash flow from operations as defined by GAAP and should not be used as
an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance or to cash
flows as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, represents a
useful measure of assessing the Company's ongoing operating activities without
the impact of financing activities and unusual items. While EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA are frequently used as a measure of operations and the ability to meet
debt service requirements, it is not necessarily comparable to other similarly
titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the
method of calculation.


<PAGE>   25

LIQUIDITY - The Company's principal sources of funds are cash provided by
operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The
Company believes that such funds will be adequate for the Company's foreseeable
working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations
on both a short term and a long term basis. However, the level of the Company's
indebtedness could have important consequences, including, but not limited to,
the following: (i) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the
future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, product
development, general corporate purposes or other purposes may be materially
limited or impaired; (ii) significant amounts of the Company's borrowings bear
interest at variable rates, which could result in higher interest expense in the
event of increases in interest rates; (iii) the Indenture, the Notes and the
Credit Facility contain financial and restrictive covenants, the failure to
comply with which may result in an event of default which if not cured or
waived, could have a material adverse effect on the Company; (iv) the Company
may be substantially more leveraged than certain of its competitors, which may
place the Company at a competitive disadvantage; and (v) the Company's
substantial degree of leverage may limit its flexibility to adjust to changing
market conditions, reduce its ability to withstand competitive pressures and
make it more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or in its
business or be unable to carry out capital spending. The Company's ability to
fund its operations and make planned capital expenditures, to make scheduled
debt payments, to refinance indebtedness and to remain in compliance with all of
the financial covenants under its debt agreements depends on its future
operating performance and cash flow, which in turn, are subject to prevailing
economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, some of which
are beyond its control.

YEAR 2000 MATTERS

Steel Heddle initiated the process of preparing its computer systems and
applications for the year 2000 in 1997. This process involves addressing the
impacts on information technology (IT) systems plus non-IT systems involving
embedded chip technology. The process involves modifying or replacing certain
hardware and software maintained by the Company as well as communicating with
customers and suppliers to ensure that they are taking appropriate actions to
remedy their year 2000 issues. The Company has conducted an inventory of its IT
systems and currently is correcting the systems that it found to have
date-related deficiencies. In the case of non-IT systems, the Company is
conducting an inventory of its facilities and is beginning the correction of
date-related deficiencies. The Company will utilize both internal and external
resources to reprogram or replace, and test the software for year 2000
modifications. The Company anticipates completing the year 2000 project by
mid-year 1999, which is prior to any anticipated impact on its operating
systems. The Company will also prepare a contingency plan in the event there are
any system interruptions.

The Company has not yet established a contingency plan, but intends to formulate
one and expects it to be substantially complete by July 1999. The contingency
plan is anticipated to address mission-critical applications such as purchasing
and inventory management, production control, general ledger accounting, billing
and disbursements. The contingency plan will address these issues through, among
other actions, use of manual records and workarounds, extra staffing, increased
inventories and establishment of alternate sources of raw materials.

The cost of the year 2000 project is estimated at $1.0 million and is being
funded through operating cash flows. Of the total project cost, approximately
$0.4 million is attributable to the purchase of new software and hardware and
will be capitalized. The remaining $0.6 million, which is being expensed as
incurred, is not expected to have a material effect on the results of
operations. The Company has incurred approximately $0.4 million during fiscal
1998 of which approximately $0.3 million has been expensed.


<PAGE>   26


The Company has surveyed all of its significant suppliers and large customers to
determine the extent to which the Company's interface systems are vulnerable to
those third parties' failures to remediate their own year 2000 issues. The
Company has received representations from its primary third-party vendors that
they will have resolved any year 2000 problems in their software prior to any
impact on their operating systems.

The costs of the project and the date on which the Company believes it will
complete the year 2000 modifications are based on management's best estimates,
which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events, including
the continued availability of certain resources, third party modification plans
and other factors. However, there can be no guarantee that these estimates can
be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated.
Specific factors that might cause such material differences include, but are not
limited to, the availability and cost of personnel trained in this area, the
ability to locate and correct all relevant computer codes and similar
uncertainties. Further, there can be no assurance given that any or all of the
Company's systems are or will be year 2000 compliant or that the impact of any
failure to achieve substantial year 2000 compliance will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial conditions. Furthermore, no assurance
can be given that the third parties important to Steel Heddle will successfully
and timely reprogram or replace, and test, all of their own computer hardware,
software and process control systems.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued SFAS
No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.
"In February 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 "Employer's Disclosures about
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. "Additionally, in June 1998, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities. "SFAS Nos. 131 and 132 are effective in 1998 and principally affect
the display and disclosure of financial information in the Company's financial
statements. SFAS No. 133 is effective for fiscal quarters beginning after June
15, 1999.

SFAS No. 131 requires entities to disclose financial and detailed information
about its operating segments in a manner consistent with internal reporting used
by the Company to allocate resources and assess financial performance. The
Company has not completed the analyses required to determine such segment
disclosures or additional disclosure requirements, if any, arising from the
adoption of SFAS No. 131. The Company will adopt this statement retroactively
during the fiscal year ending January 2, 1999.

SFAS No. 132 standardizes the disclosures for pensions and other postretirement
liabilities, requires additional information on changes in the benefit
obligations and fair values of plan assets and eliminates certain other
disclosures. The Company will adopt this statement retroactively during the
fiscal year ending January 2, 1999.

SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either
assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair
value. At the present time, the Company does not engage in any derivative
instruments or hedging activities and therefore, management does not anticipate
that such adoption will have a material impact on its financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.


<PAGE>   27

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10Q contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that can be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "intend," will," "expect,"
anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negative thereof or other
variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, any statement,
express or implied, concerning future operating results or the ability to
generate revenues, income or cash flow to service the Company's debt are
forward-looking statements. We refer you to documents the Company files from
time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and specifically the
"Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Registration Statement on
Form S-4. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such
expectations will prove to have been correct. All forward-looking statements
are expressly qualified by such cautionary statements.


<PAGE>   28

STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM

<S>                                                                      <C>
1.    Legal Proceedings                                                  None

2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds                         None

3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                    None

4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                None

5.    Other Information                                                  None

6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K:

      (a)      Exhibit - (27) Financial Data Schedule

      (b)      Current Reports on Form 8-K                               None
</TABLE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                            STEEL HEDDLE GROUP, INC.




Date:  December 7, 1998                  /s/ Jerry B. Miller
     ------------------------            -------------------
                                         Jerry B. Miller
                                         Vice President - Finance and Secretary