<PAGE>
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
 
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
   [NO FEE REQUIRED]
 
For the fiscal year ended ______________December 31, 1996_______________________
 
                                       or
 
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
   [NO FEE REQUIRED]
 
For the transition period from _______________________ to ______________________
 
                         Commission file number 1-7418
 
                                 ESSEX GROUP, INC.
                 ---------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                  MICHIGAN                                     35-1313928
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)
   1601 WALL STREET, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA                         46802
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)
</TABLE>
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(219) 461-4000
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
            TITLE OF EACH CLASS                             WHICH REGISTERED
--------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>
         10% Senior Notes due 2003                       Pacific Stock Exchange
</TABLE>
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
                                      None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of class)
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
 
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. [X] Yes [ ] No
 
No voting stock is held by non-affiliates of the registrant.
 
As of January 31, 1997 the registrant had outstanding 100 shares of $.01 Par
Value Common Stock.
 
The registrant does not have a class of equity securities registered pursuant to
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                                      NONE
 
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
  GENERAL
 
    Essex Group, Inc. (the "Company"), founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1930, is
engaged in one principal line of business, the development, production and
marketing of electrical wire and cable. Among the Company's products are magnet
wire for electromechanical devices such as motors, transformers and electrical
controls; building wire for residential and commercial applications; copper
voice and data communication wire; automotive wire and specialty wiring
assemblies for automobiles and trucks and industrial wire for applications in
appliances, construction and recreational vehicles. The Company's operations at
December 31, 1996 included 28 domestic manufacturing facilities and employed
approximately 4,800 persons. The Company's principal executive offices are
located at 1601 Wall Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
 
    The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.
("Holdings"). The Company was acquired (the "Acquisition") in a merger in
October 1992 by Holdings' existing stockholders. The existing stockholders are
Bessemer Holdings, L.P. ("BHLP") and certain affiliated investment partnerships
(BHLP and its affiliated investment partnerships are collectively referred to
herein as the "BH Group") certain present and former employees of the Company,
affiliates of Goldman, Sachs, & Co. (collectively "Goldman Sachs"), affiliates
of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (collectively "DLJ") and
Chase Equity Associates ("CEA"). The principal asset of Holdings is all the
outstanding common stock of the Company. Holdings' previous stockholders
acquired the Company from United Technologies Corporation ("UTC") in February
1988 (the "1988 Acquisition"). See note 2 to the table included herein setting
forth information regarding beneficial ownership of Holdings common stock under
the caption "ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT" for information regarding BHLP.
 
PRODUCT LINES
 
    The following table sets forth for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996 the dollar amounts and percentages of sales of
each of the Company's major product lines:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SALES                       PERCENTAGE OF SALES
                                                     -------------------------------  -----------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                     1994 (A)   1995 (A)     1996       1994        1995         1996
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------     -----        -----
 
<CAPTION>
                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Magnet wire........................................  $   306.9  $   388.2  $   388.8         30%         32%          29%
Building wire......................................      390.0      406.1      487.1         39          34           37
Communication wire.................................      119.3      177.5      166.8         12          15           13
Automotive wire....................................       82.8       97.3       91.2          8           8            7
Industrial wire....................................       63.1       63.4       71.0          6           5            5
Other (b)..........................................       48.0       69.2      127.1          5           6            9
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------         ---          ---
Total..............................................  $ 1,010.1  $ 1,201.7  $ 1,332.0        100%        100%         100%
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------         ---          ---
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------         ---          ---
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(a) Due to a reorganization in the third quarter 1995, certain 1994 and 1995
    product line sales have been reclassified.
 
(b) Includes sales of third-party manufactured products including electrical
    insulating products, electric motors, motor repair parts and pump seals sold
    through the Company's distribution business unit.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
BUSINESS UNITS
 
    The Company classifies its operations into business units based on the
markets served. An overview of each business unit and the product lines
contained therein is set forth below.
 
    MAGNET WIRE
 
    INDUSTRY.  The independent domestic supply of magnet wire has experienced
continued growth since 1990 and was, by Company estimates, approximately 790
million copper equivalent pounds sold in 1996. Growth in the magnet wire
business is being driven by the increasing demand for electrical devices
containing motors for the home and automobile, along with continuing consumer
and government pressure for higher energy efficiency from these devices (energy
efficient motors utilize materially more magnet wire per unit than traditional
counterparts). Strong consumer demand for greater numbers of electrical
convenience items in homes, offices and vehicles have resulted in increased
sales of household appliances and increased use of electric motors in vehicles.
 
    Due to the substantial capital costs associated with magnet wire production,
the importance to original equipment manufacturers of a reputation for quality
and the stringent technological requirements and the cost efficiencies achieved
by larger magnet wire producers, significant industry consolidation has occurred
during the past ten years. In addition, the percentage of domestic magnet wire
produced by independent magnet wire manufacturers such as the Company has grown
as the manufacturing capacity of captive magnet wire producers (electrical
equipment manufacturers who internally produce their own magnet wire) has been
reduced as a result of outsourcing over the last several years. Consequently, as
a result of the Company's efforts to maintain and enhance its manufacturing
capabilities, product development efforts and cost efficiencies through capital
spending and its continuous improvement programs, the Company has positioned
itself as one of the two leading independent domestic producers of magnet wire.
 
    PRODUCTS.  The Company's magnet wire business unit offers a comprehensive
product line, including over 500 types of magnet wire used in a wide variety of
electromagnetic devices, such as motors, transformers, control devices, relays,
generators and solenoids, for household and automotive applications. Household
products requiring magnet wire include major appliances (dishwashers, dryers,
refrigerators and washing machines), small kitchen appliances (blenders, can
openers and mixers), lawn tools (hedge trimmers, lawn mowers and power tools)
and other products such as air conditioning units, humidifiers, security
systems, overhead lighting and pole/pad distribution transformers. Automotive
products requiring magnet wire include alternators, anti-lock braking systems,
dashboard gauges, wiper motors and power controls (antenna, seat, steering and
windows).
 
    The Company has received ISO 9001 and 9002 and QS 9000 certification at all
its magnet wire manufacturing facilities.
 
    SALES AND DISTRIBUTION.  The Company's magnet wire products are sold to
original equipment manufacturers, motor repair shops, coil manufacturers and
independent distributors. Products are marketed nationally through a direct
sales force and the Company's distribution business unit. (See "Recent
Acquisitions" under this caption.) In 1996, approximately three-fourths of the
company's magnet wire sales were made directly to end users and approximately
one-fourth were made through distributors.
 
    BUILDING WIRE
 
    INDUSTRY.  The Company estimates that the domestic building wire market was
approximately 1.3 billion copper equivalent pounds sold in 1996. Increased
industry sales volume in recent years has resulted primarily from the level of
repair and remodel activity, as well as new nonresidential and residential
construction. For 1996, approximately two-thirds of industry sales volume was
attributable to repair and remodel activity and one-third to new construction.
Demand is also influenced by growth in electrical needs.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    The building wire industry has experienced significant consolidation in
recent years, declining from approximately 28 manufacturers in 1980 to seven
primary manufacturers in 1996. The Company believes this consolidation is due
primarily to cost efficiencies achieved by the larger building wire producers as
they capitalize on the benefits of vertical integration and of manufacturing,
purchasing and distribution economies of scale. The Company has been an active
participant in this industry consolidation with the purchase of the Canadian
assets of BICC Canada and the Triangle acquisition in 1996 (See "Recent
Acquisitions" under this caption). The Company believes that it is one of the
two leading domestic manufacturers of building wire.
 
    PRODUCTS.  The Company's building wire business unit, which began
manufacturing building wire in 1933, develops, manufactures and markets a
complete line of building wire. These products include a wide variety of
thermoplastic and thermoset insulated wires for the commercial and industrial
building markets and service entrance cable, underground feeder wire and
nonmetallic jacketed wire and cable for the residential market.
 
    SALES AND DISTRIBUTION.  The Company sells its building wire products
nationally through a direct sales force and a large network of manufacturers
representatives to a large and diverse customer base, consisting primarily of
electrical distributors and consumer product retailers. The Company maintains
numerous stocking locations across the United States and Canada to facilitate
distributors' "just-in-time" inventory practices. The ultimate end users of the
Company's building wire products are electrical contractors and "do-it-yourself"
consumers.
 
    COMMUNICATION WIRE
 
    INDUSTRY.  The Company focuses on two segments of the communication wire
market: (i) outside plant ("OSP") wire and cable for voice communication in the
local loop segment of telephone networks and (ii) premise wire and cable for
voice and data communication in homes and offices for local area computer
networks ("LANs") and other applications. The Company believes that the domestic
copper OSP market was approximately $0.6 billion in 1996 and that the domestic
copper premise wire market was approximately $1.1 billion in 1996.
 
    The local loop segment of the telecommunication network connects homes and
offices to the nearest telephone company switch or central office. Although
other transmission media, such as fiber optic cable, are extensively used for
long distance and trunk lines, copper wire and cable, with its lower
installation cost and ease of repair, is the most widely used medium for
transmission in the local loop, which comprises approximately 160 million
residential and business access lines across the United States. As a result of
consolidation in the OSP copper wire industry, total industry capacity has been
reduced and the number of manufacturers has declined. Demand for OSP wire in the
local loop should benefit from the increasing demand for multiple residential
access lines, as more households install additional access lines for multiple
telephone lines, facsimile machines, access to the Internet and for home
offices.
 
    Premise wire is used within buildings to connect telecommunication devices
(telephones, facsimile machines and computer modems) to the telecommunications
network and to establish LANs. Rapid technological advances in communication and
computer systems have created increasing demand for greater bandwidth
capabilities in data transmission cable products. The Company expects demand for
enhanced premise wire products to increase significantly in the future,
particularly as office buildings are upgraded to accommodate advanced network
requirements. In addition, the Company believes that increasing demand for
multiple residential access lines will increase demand for premise wire. The
demand for product quality and the rapid pace of technological change have
necessitated significant capital investments by manufacturers.
 
    PRODUCTS.  Although the Company continues to have a strong presence in the
OSP market, it has begun to shift its focus to the premise wire market, which
provides potentially greater growth opportunities
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
than the OSP market. Sales volumes of the Company's premise wire products have
grown at a compound annual growth rate of 50% since 1992. The Company is
developing new products in the OSP segment, such as broad band "extra
terrestrial" OSP cable to support new technologies, and in the premise segment,
such as enhanced category five wire for high-speed LAN applications.
 
    SALES AND DISTRIBUTION.  While a significant amount of OSP wire has
historically been sold directly to domestic telephone companies, recently the
Company has focused its sales of both OSP and premise wire to domestic and
international distributors and representatives who in turn resell to
contractors, international and domestic telephone companies and private overseas
contractors for installation in the industrial, commercial and residential
markets.
 
    AUTOMOTIVE WIRE
 
    INDUSTRY.  The automotive primary wire market has experienced strong growth
over the last decade due to higher production levels of new vehicles and the
significant increase in the installation of electrical options in vehicles,
which deliver increased safety, convenience and engine performance to the
consumer. These electrical options include power windows, supplemental restraint
systems, digital displays, keyless entry, traction control, electronic
suspension and anti-lock brakes. According to the Copper Development
Association, the total content of copper wire per vehicle has grown from
approximately 10 pounds in 1982 to approximately 24 pounds in 192 and is
expected to grow to approximately 27 pounds by 1998.
 
    The increasing demand for copper wire content in vehicles has created strong
demand for thinner-gauge wire, which in turn requires significant manufacturing
sophistication. The Company and its major competitors also face stringent
demands by automotive manufacturers to improve cost efficiency. These factors
have resulted in higher levels of capital investment and stable product pricing,
as well as industry consolidation.
 
    PRODUCTS.  The Company's automotive wire products include primary wire for
use in engine harnesses, ignition wire, battery cable and specialty wiring
assemblies. Through a joint venture with Raychem Corp., the Company has begun to
market a high-temperature resistant, thinner-gauge automotive wire designed to
meet future specialized needs of the automotive industry.
 
    SALES AND DISTRIBUTION.  The Company sells automotive wire products
primarily to tier one motor vehicle manufacturer suppliers. The Company has
diversified its customer base for automotive wire products through steadily
improving product quality and increased productivity achieved through process
improvements.
 
    Historically, the automotive division of UTC ("UTA") has been the principal
customer for the unit's automotive products, although sales to UTA have declined
in relative terms due to the expansion of the unit's overall customer base. UTA
accounted for approximately 50%, 48% and 40% of the Company's automotive wire
revenues in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Currently, the Company is in the
midst of a three-year contract with UTA, which expires in October 1997. The
Company and UTA are currently discussing an extension of this contract. Although
the Company expects to extend the contract on reasonable terms, no assurance can
be given that this contract will be extended or, if extended, that it will be on
the same terms as the current contract. The loss of UTA as a customer could
materially and adversely affect the Company's automotive wire business unit.
 
    INDUSTRIAL WIRE
 
    INDUSTRY.  The domestic industrial wire market is estimated by the Company
to be approximately $1.0 billion. Significant factors influencing the growth of
this industry include the construction or expansion of manufacturing plants,
mine expansion and consumer spending for hard goods. Due to the diversity of
product offerings within this industry, the Company's competition is fragmented
across the product lines
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
and markets served by the industrial wire business unit. The Company's
acquisition of Triangle continues the recent industry trend toward consolidation
(see "Recent Acquisitions" under this caption).
 
    PRODUCTS.  The Company's industrial wire business unit develops,
manufactures and markets a broad line of industrial wire and cable products
including appliance wire, motor lead wire, submersible pump cable, power cable,
bulk flexible cord, power supply cord sets, welding cable and recreational
vehicle wire.
 
    SALES AND DISTRIBUTION.  The Company sells industrial wire and cable
products on a nationwide basis, primarily to appliance and power tool
manufacturers, suppliers of electrical and electronic original equipment
manufacturers, electrical distributors and welding products distributors.
Distribution is done by a Company sales force and a large network of
manufacturers representatives.
 
RECENT ACQUISTIONS
 
    The Company has recently acquired three major businesses: (i) the
distribution business of Avnet Inc. in October 1995 ("Brownell"); (ii) the
Canadian building wire business of BICC Phillips, Inc. in March 1996 ("BICC
Canada"); (iii) and the building and industrial wire businesses of Triangle Wire
and Cable, Inc. ("Triangle") in October 1996. The Company believes that each of
these businesses provide operating synergy that complement the Company's
existing manufacturing, distribution and administrative capabilities.
 
    The Brownell acquisition significantly increased the Company's distribution
business, particularly of magnet wire. Brownell had previously served markets
similar to the Company's existing magnet wire distribution operations, but had
purchased all of its products from third party suppliers. The acquired assets
were absorbed into an existing distribution unit now known as "Essex Brownell".
Products sold through Essex Brownell include magnet wire and other products
manufactured by the Company and items purchased from third-party manufacturers,
including electric motors, electrical insulation products, motor repair parts
and pump seals. Of particular significance, Essex Brownell provides the Company
with an expanded sales channel to small original equipment motor manufacturers
and the motor repair markets.
 
    The BICC Canada acquisition increased the company's presence in Canada and
expanded its building wire product line.
 
    The Triangle acquisition, completed in October 1966, was the most
significant acquisition in the Company's history. As a result, the Company
increased the size of its building and industrial wire business units, added
manufacturing capacity and broadened the Company's product offerings.
Furthermore, the Company has realized cost savings through the elimination of
duplicative selling, general and administrative expenses and through purchasing
economies of scale.
 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
 
    The Company plans to increase sales across many of its product lines by
expanding product offerings within compatible markets, targeting new global
markets for existing products, consolidating its core market positions,
expanding penetration in overseas markets where a presence has already been
established and by selectively adding key integrated components. To accomplish
this objective, the Company expects to make business acquisitions and capital
investments in new plants and equipment as necessary in the United States and
intends to invest in core businesses, in strategic partnerships and participate
in joint ventures off-shore.
 
MANUFACTURING STRATEGY
 
    The Company's manufacturing strategy is primarily focused on maximizing
product quality and production efficiencies while maintaining a high level of
vertical integration through internal production of its principal raw materials:
copper rod, magnet wire enamels and extrudable polymeric compounds. The
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
Company believes one of its primary cost and quality advantages in the magnet
wire business is the ability to produce most of its enamel and copper rod
requirements internally. Similarly, the Company believes its ability to develop
and produce PVC and rubber compounds, which are used as insulation and jacketing
materials for many of its building wire, communication wire, automotive and
industrial wire products, provides competitive advantages because greater
control over the cost and quality of essential components used in production can
be achieved. These operations are supported by the Company's metallurgical,
chemical and polymer development laboratories.
 
METALS OPERATIONS
 
    Copper is the primary component of the Company's overall cost structure,
comprising approximately 54% of the Company's 1996 total cost of goods sold. Due
to the critical nature of copper to its business, the Company centrally
organized its metals operations. Through centralization, the Company carefully
manages its copper procurement, internal distribution, manufacturing and scrap
recycling processes.
 
    The Company's metals operations are vertically integrated in the production
of copper rod. The Company believes that only a few of its competitors are able
to match this capability. The Company manufactures most of its copper rod
requirements and purchases the remainder from various suppliers.
 
    COPPER PROCUREMENT.  The Company's copper procurement activities are
centralized. In 1996, the Company purchased approximately 285,000 tons of
copper, entirely from North American copper producers and metals merchants.
 
    To ensure a steady supply of copper, the Company contracts with copper
producers and metals merchants. Most contracts have a one-year term. Pricing
provisions vary, but are normally based on the COMEX price, plus a premium.
Premiums cover transportation and payment terms. Additionally, the Company
utilizes COMEX fixed price futures contracts to manage its commodity price risk.
The Company does not hold or issue such contracts for trading purposes.
 
    Historically, the Company has had adequate supplies of copper available to
it from producers and merchants, both foreign and domestic. Competition from
other users of copper has not affected the Company's ability to meet its copper
procurement requirements. However, no assurance can be given that the Company
will be able to procure adequate supplies of copper to meet its future needs.
 
    COPPER ROD PRODUCTION.  The production of copper rod is an essential part of
the Company's manufacturing process and strategy. By manufacturing its own rod,
the Company is able to maintain greater control over the cost and quality of
this critical raw material.
 
    Copper rod is manufactured in a continuous casting process in which high
quality copper cathodes are melted in a shaft furnace. The resultant molten
copper is transferred to a holding furnace and then transferred directly onto a
casting wheel where it is cooled and subsequently rolled into copper rod. The
rod is subjected to numerous quality control tests to assure that it meets the
high quality standards of the Company's products. Finally, the rod is packaged
for shipment via an automatic in-line coiling and packaging device.
 
    The Company's rod production facilities are strategically located near its
major wire producing plants to minimize freight costs. From its five continuous
casting units, the Company has the capability to produce approximately 85% of
its rod requirements, while purchasing the balance from external sources.
External rod purchases are used to cover rod requirements at manufacturing
locations where shipping Company-produced rod is not cost effective and when the
Company's rod requirements exceed its production capacity.
 
    COPPER SCRAP RECLAMATION.  The Company's Metals Processing Center receives
clean, high quality copper scrap from the Company's magnet wire plants. Copper
scrap is processed in rotary furnaces, which also have refining capability to
remove impurities. The Company uses a continuous casting process to
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
convert scrap material directly into copper rod. Manufacturing cost economies,
particularly in the form of energy savings, result from this direct conversion
technique. Additionally, management believes that internal reclamation of scrap
copper provides greater control over the cost to recover the Company's principal
manufacturing by-product. The Company also, from time to time, obtains magnet
wire scrap from other copper wire producers and processes it along with its
internally generated scrap.
 
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
 
    The manufacturing processes for all of the Company's wire and cable products
require copper rod to be drawn and insulated. Certain products also require that
the drawn copper wire be "bunched" or "cabled" prior to being insulated.
 
    WIRE DRAWING.  Wire drawing is the process of reducing the metal conductor
diameter by pulling it through a converging die until the specified product size
is attained. Since the reduction is limited by the breaking strength of the
metal conductor, this operation is repeated several times internally within the
machine. As the wire becomes smaller, less pulling force is required. Therefore,
machines operating in specific size ranges are required. Take-up containers or
spools are generally large, allowing one person to operate several machines.
 
    BUNCHING.  Bunching is the process of twisting together single wire strands
to form a concentric construction ranging from seven to over 200 strands. The
major purpose of bunching is to provide improved flexibility while maintaining
current carrying capacity.
 
    CABLING.  Cabling is the process of twisting individual bunched conductors
to form a conductor core. Cabling allows for the production of a very flexible
conductor which is useful in the production of larger products such as welding
cable, battery cable and mining cable. Cabling can also twist together insulated
conductors to form a multi-conductor product.
 
    INSULATING.  The magnet wire insulating materials (enamels) manufactured by
the Company's chemical processing facility are polymeric materials produced by
one of two methods. One method involves the blending of commercial resins which
are dissolved in various solvents and then modified with catalysts, pigments,
cross-linking agents and dyes. The other method involves synthesizing polymer
resins to desired molecular weights in reactor systems and blending these
polymers with solvent, catalysts and additives to form enamels.
 
    The enamelling process used in the manufacture of some magnet wire involves
applying several thin coats of liquid enamel and evaporating the solvent in
baking chambers. Some enamels require a specific chemical reaction in the baking
chamber to fully cure the film. Enamels are generally applied to the wires in
excess and are then metered off with dies or rollers; other applications apply
only the required amount of liquid enamel.
 
    Most other wire products are insulated and jacketed with either
thermoplastic or thermoset compounds that are applied to the metal conductor
through an extrusion process. Extrusion involves the feeding, melting and
pumping of a compound through a die to shape it into final form as it is applied
to the wire. The Company has the capability to manufacture both types of
jacketing and insulating compounds.
 
    Once the wire is fabricated, it is packaged and shipped to regional service
centers, stocking agents or directly to customers.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
EXPORTS
 
    Sales of exported goods approximated $52.7 million, $55.5 million and $85.8
million for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Building wire, magnet wire and communication cables are the Company's primary
exports. Canada and Mexico are the primary destinations.
 
BACKLOG; RETURNS
 
    The Company has no significant order backlog because it follows the industry
practice of producing its products on an ongoing basis to meet customer demand
without significant delay. The Company believes that the ability to supply
orders in a timely fashion is a competitive factor in the markets in which it
operates. Historically, returns have had no material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations.
 
COMPETITION
 
    In each of the Company's businesses, the Company experiences competition
from at least one major competitor. However, due to the diversity of the
Company's product lines as a whole, no single competitor competes with the
Company across the entire spectrum of the Company's product lines. Thus the
Company's diversity of products and diversity of end users insulate it from
adverse conditions in any one business unit or any one product line. Many of the
Company's competitors do not have such diversity.
 
    Many of the Company's products are made to industry specifications, and are
therefore essentially fungible with those of competitors. Accordingly, in these
markets the Company is subject to competition on the basis of price, delivery
time, customer service and its ability to meet specialty needs. The Company
believes that it enjoys strong customer relations resulting from its long
participation in the industry, its emphasis on customer service, its commitment
to quality control, its reliability and its substantial production resources.
The Company's distribution networks enable it to compete effectively with
respect to delivery time. From time to time, the Company has experienced reduced
margins in certain markets due to unfavorable market conditions. During 1995 and
the first half of 1996, building wire product pricing (without regard to copper
costs) declined materially, and sales volumes also declined, although to a
lesser extent, due to competitive pricing pressures, excess capacity and
liquidation of inventories by distributors as a result of the significant
increase in copper prices in 1995 and early 1996. The communication wire
business unit also experienced reduced margins in 1994. Expected decreases in
the domestic OSP copper wire market demand may lead to reduced margins in the
communication wire business over the next few years.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
 
    The Company does not believe that compliance with environmental laws and
regulations will have a material effect on the level of capital expenditures of
the Company or its business, financial condition, cash flows or results of
operations. The Company does not currently anticipate material capital
expenditures for environmental control facilities. No material expenditures
relating to these matters were made in 1994, 1995 or 1996. In connection with
the 1988 Acquisition and associated Stock Purchase Agreement with UTC dated
January 15, 1988 (the "1988 Acquisition Agreement"), UTC indemnified the Company
with respect to certain environmental liabilities. See "ITEM 3. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS" for further discussion of the Company's environmental liabilities
and the UTC indemnity.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of December 31, 1996, the Company employed approximately 1,700 salaried
and 3,100 hourly employees in 35 states. Labor unions represent approximately
49% of the Company's work force. Collective bargaining agreements expire at
various times between 1997 and 2000. Contracts covering approximately one-third
of the Company's unionized work force will expire at various times during 1997.
The Company believes that it will be able to renegotiate its contracts covering
such unionized employees
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
on terms that will not be materially adverse to it. However, no assurance can be
given to that effect. The Company believes that its relations with both
unionized and nonunionized employees have been satisfactory.
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
 
    At December 31, 1996 the Company operated 28 manufacturing facilities in 16
states. Except as indicated below, all of the facilities are owned by the
Company, subject to certain liens granted to the lenders pursuant to the
Revolving Credit Agreement as defined herein. The Company believes that its
facilities and equipment are reasonably suited to its needs and are properly
maintained and adequately insured.
 
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
manufacturing facilities of the Company at December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                SQUARE
OPERATION                                                     LOCATION           FEET
------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------  ---------
<S>                                                     <C>                    <C>        <C>
 
Magnet Wire...........................................  Charlotte, NC             26,000    (Leased)
                                                        Fort Wayne, IN           181,000
                                                        Franklin, IN              35,000(a)   (Leased)
                                                        Franklin, TN             289,000
                                                        Kendallville, IN          88,000
                                                        Rockford, IL             319,000
                                                        Vincennes, IN            267,000
 
Building Wire.........................................  Anaheim, CA              174,000
                                                        Columbia City, IN        400,000
                                                        Lithonia, GA             144,000
                                                        Pauline, KS              501,000
                                                        Sikeston, MO             189,000
                                                        Tiffin, OH               260,000
 
Communication.........................................  Chester, SC              218,000
                                                        Hoisington, KS           239,000
Automotive............................................  Kosciusko, MS             90,000(b)
                                                        Marion, IN                50,000
                                                        Orleans, IN              425,000
 
Industrial............................................  Florence, AL             129,000
                                                        Lafayette, IN            350,000
                                                        Pana, IL                 110,000
                                                        Pawtucket, RI            412,000
                                                        Phoenix, AZ               34,000
 
Insulation............................................  Newmarket, NH            132,000
                                                        (2 facilities)
                                                        Rutland, VT               61,000
Metals Processing.....................................  Columbia City, IN         75,000
                                                        Jonesboro, IN             56,000
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(a) The total square footage of the Franklin, IN facility is approximately
    70,000 of which 35,000 square feet is leased to Femco as described below.
 
(b) Approximately 30,000 square feet is leased.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    In addition to the facilities described in the table above, the Company owns
or leases 48 service centers throughout the United States and Canada to
facilitate the sale and distribution of its products. The Company owns and
maintains executive and administrative offices in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
 
    The Company believes that its plants are generally adequate to service the
requirements of its customers. Overall, the Company's plants are substantially
utilized. The extent of current utilization is generally consistent with
historical patterns, and, in the view of management, is satisfactory. The
Company does not view any of its plants as being underutilized, except for
Lafayette, Indiana, which just completed a major capacity expansion to make it
the focus plant for industrial wire products. Most plants operate on 24
hour-a-day schedules on either a five day or seven day per week basis. During
1996, the Company's facilities operated in excess of 90% capacity.
 
    The property in Franklin, Indiana is a magnet wire manufacturing facility
occupied by both the Company and a joint venture ("Femco") between the Company
and the Furukawa Electric Company, LTD., Tokyo, Japan. Half of the Franklin,
Indiana building is leased to Femco which manufactures and markets magnet wire
with special emphasis on products required by Japanese manufacturers with
production facilities in the United States.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The Company is engaged in certain routine litigation arising in the ordinary
course of business. While the outcome of litigation can never be predicted with
certainty the Company does not believe that any of its existing litigation,
either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect
upon its business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
 
    The Company's operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations
in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates governing, among other things,
emissions into the air, discharges to waters, the use, handling and disposal of
hazardous substances and the investigation and remediation of soil and
groundwater contamination, both on-site at Company facilities and at off-site
disposal locations. On-site contamination at certain Company facilities is the
result of historic disposal activities, including activities attributable to
Company operations and those occurring prior to the use of a facility by the
Company. Off-site liability includes clean-up responsibilities at various sites,
to be remedied under federal or state statutes, for which the Company has been
identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") (or
the equivalent state agency) as a Potentially Responsible Party ("PRP"). Certain
environmental laws have been construed to impose liability for the entire cost
of remediation at a site upon a PRP without regard to fault or the lawfulness of
the disposal activity.
 
    Once the Company has been named as a PRP, it estimates the extent of its
potential liability based upon its past experience with similar sites and a
number of factors, including, among other things, the number and financial
viability of other identified PRPs, the total anticipated cost of the
remediation and the relative contribution by the Company, in volume and type, of
waste at the site. Most of the sites for which the Company is currently named as
a PRP are covered by an indemnity (the "general indemnity") from UTC that was
granted in connection with the 1988 Acquisition. Pursuant to the general
indemnity, UTC agreed to indemnify the Company against losses incurred under any
environmental protection and pollution control laws or resulting from or in
connection with damage or pollution to the environment arising from events,
operations or activities of the Company prior to February 29, 1988, or from
conditions or circumstances existing at or prior to February 29, 1988. In order
to be covered by the general indemnity, the condition, event, and circumstance
must have been known to UTC prior to February 29, 1988. The sites covered by the
general indemnity are handled directly by UTC, and all payments required to be
made are paid directly by UTC. These sites are all mature sites where
allocations have been settled and remediation
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
is well underway or has been completed. The Company is not aware of any
inability or refusal on the part of UTC to pay amounts that are owing under the
general indemnity or any disputes between the Company and UTC concerning matters
covered by the general indemnity.
 
    UTC also provided an additional environmental indemnity, referred to as the
"basket indemnity." This indemnity relates to liabilities arising from
environmental events, conditions or circumstances existing at or prior to
February 29, 1988, which only became known to UTC in the five-year period
commencing February 29, 1988. As to such liabilities, the Company is responsible
for the first $4.0 million incurred. Thereafter, UTC has agreed to indemnify the
Company fully for any liabilities in excess of $4.0 million. The Company is
currently named as a PRP at three sites which meet the criteria for the basket
indemnity. Those sites are Fisher Calo Chemical and Solvents Corporation,
Kingsbury, IN ("Fisher Calo"); Organic Chemicals, Inc., Grandville, MI; and USS
Lead Refinery Inc., East Chicago, IL. Based on records showing very small
quantities of material shipped to Organic Chemicals and USS Lead Refinery Inc.,
the Company has determined that its liability, if any, for these sites will be
de minimis. At Fisher Calo, the Company entered into a consent decree that
defined its share as 0.25% and established an expected liability of $0.1
million, which has been accrued. Expenses at these three sites, up to $4.0
million, will be incurred by the Company rather than UTC, as the basket has not
been exhausted under the basket indemnity.
 
    In addition, there are five sites where the Company is either named as a PRP
or a defendant in a civil lawsuit which are not covered by the general indemnity
or the basket indemnity. They are Ascon Landfill, Huntington Beach, CA; A-1
Disposal Corp., Allegan County, MI; Angola Soya Co., Angola, IN; Milford Mill,
Beaver County, UT; and Uniontown Landfill, Uniontown, IN. Ascon Landfill was an
oil percolation refining center. The Company received a request for information
from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control in 1994 and replied
that it has no records linking the Company to the site. A-1 Disposal Corp.
stored and treated hazardous waste. The Company was one of a number of PRPs who
entered into a consent decree with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
to clean the site. The Company has paid its assessment for the remediation.
Although the shares and sources of funding for five-year monitoring expenses has
not been established, the Company believes that its share will be minimal.
Angola Soya was a solvent reclamation facility in the 1950s and 1960s. After
receiving notice in 1994 alleging that its spent solvent drums had been
identified at the site, the Company cooperated with the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management to conduct a limited removal of certain of these drums.
No further activity by the Company is expected to be required there. The Milford
Mill site was a copper mill used by the Company in the early 1970s. The Company
is one of four PRPs notified by the EPA. The EPA conducted a removal action at
the site and incurred $0.2 million in costs, for which it is currently seeking
reimbursement from the PRPs. The Uniontown Landfill is the subject of a civil
lawsuit in which the Company is one of several defendants sued by the owner of
the landfill to recover alleged site investigation and groundwater remediation
costs. The Company does not believe that it is responsible for any disposal at
this site and is vigorously defending itself. The Company has provided a reserve
in the amount of $0.9 million to cover contingencies associated with these five
sites. This accrual is based on management's best estimate of the Company's
exposure in light of relevant available information, including the allocations
and remedies set forth in applicable consent decrees, third party estimates of
remediation costs, actual remediation costs incurred, the probable ability of
other PRPs to pay their proportionate share of remediation costs, the conditions
at each site and the number of participating parties. The Company currently does
not believe that any of the environmental proceedings in which it is involved
and for which it may be liable will individually or in the aggregate have a
material adverse effect upon its business, financial condition, cash flows or
results of operations. There can be no assurance that future developments will
not alter this conclusion. None of the cases described above involves sanctions,
fines or administrative penalties against the Company.
 
    Since approximately 1990, the Company has been named as a defendant in a
number of product liability lawsuits brought by electricians and other skilled
tradesmen claiming injury from exposure to asbestos found in electrical wire
products produced a number of years ago. During 1996, the number of
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
cases filed against the Company increased to 95, involving approximately 400
claims. The Company's strategy is to defend these cases vigorously. The Company
believes that its liability, if any, in these matters and the related defense
costs will not have a material adverse effect either individually or in the
aggregate upon its business, financial condition, cash flows or results or
operations. There can be no assurance, however, that future developments will
not alter this conclusion.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
    None during the fourth quarter of 1996.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
  MATTERS
 
    There is no established public trading market for the common stock of the
Company or of its parent, Holdings. The common stock of the Company and its
parent has not been traded or sold publicly and accordingly no information with
respect to sales prices or quotations is available.
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following table sets forth (i) selected historical consolidated
financial data of the Company prior to the Acquisition ("Predecessor") as of and
for the nine month period ended September 30, 1992, (ii) selected historical
consolidated financial data of the Company after the Acquisition ("Successor")
as of and for the three month period ended December 31, 1992 and for the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, and, (iii) combined historical
consolidated financial data of Predecessor for the nine month period ended
September 30, 1992 and Successor for the three month period ended December 31,
1992. This data should be read in conjunction with "ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION" and
the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere
herein. The selected historical consolidated financial data presented below as
of September 30, 1992, December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 and for the nine month
period ended September 30, 1992 , the three month period ended December 31, 1992
and the year ended December 31, 1993, were derived from the audited consolidated
financial statements of Successor and Predecessor (not presented herein). The
selected historical consolidated financial data presented below, as of December
31, 1995 and 1996 and for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 were
derived from the consolidated financial statements of Successor, which were
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, whose report with respect
thereto, together with such financial statements, appears elsewhere herein.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                            <C>              <C>              <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                 PREDECESSOR      COMBINED(A)                            SUCCESSOR
                               ---------------  ---------------  ---------------------------------------------------------
                                 NINE MONTH      TWELVE MONTH     THREE MONTH
                                PERIOD ENDED     PERIOD ENDED    PERIOD ENDED            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,   ------------------------------------------
                                    1992             1992            1992         1993       1994       1995       1996
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                 IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                            <C>              <C>              <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales....................     $ 699,997        $ 909,351       $ 209,354    $ 868,846  $1,010,075 $1,201,650 $1,332,049
Cost of goods sold...........       594,122          780,148         186,026      745,875    846,611  1,030,511  1,102,460
Selling and administrative
  expenses...................        59,609           81,958          22,349       75,489     85,129     93,250    120,885
Other (income) expense-net...        (1,092)          (1,237)           (145)        (188)       910      1,032      2,151
Unusual items (b)............        18,139           18,139          --           --         --         --         --
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Income from operations.......        29,219           30,343           1,124       47,670     77,425     76,857    106,553
Interest expense.............        14,505           22,591           8,086       25,241     24,554     34,683     39,994
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before income
  taxes and extraordinary
  charge.....................        14,714            7,752          (6,962)      22,429     52,871     42,174     66,559
Provision (benefit) for
  income taxes (c)...........         9,278            7,378          (1,900)      13,052     22,700     19,680     28,988
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before
  extraordinary charge.......         5,436              374          (5,062)       9,377     30,171     22,494     37,571
Extraordinary charge net of
  income tax benefit (d).....           122              122          --            3,367     --          2,971      1,183
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income (loss)............     $   5,314        $     252       $  (5,062)   $   6,010  $  30,171  $  19,523  $  36,388
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                               ---------------  ---------------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
  PERIOD):
Working capital..............     $ 162,661                        $ 123,935    $ 155,136  $ 191,062  $ 167,921  $ 224,057
Total assets.................       447,874                          703,147      706,997    750,300    744,468    841,225
Long-term debt (including
  current portion)...........       189,890                          221,289      200,000    200,000    412,750    432,916
Stockholder's equity.........       132,257                          297,722      303,732    333,903    114,678    151,066
OTHER DATA:
Additions to property, plant
  and equipment..............     $  16,475        $  31,180       $  14,705    $  26,167  $  30,109  $  28,555  $  25,569
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges (e)................           1.9                           --              1.7        3.0        2.1        2.5
Deficiency of earnings to
  fixed charges (e)..........        --                            $   7,078       --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
 
------------------------------
 
(a) Represents a combination of Predecessor's nine month period ended September
    30, 1992 and Successor's three month period ended December 31, 1992. Such
    combined results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full
    year due to the effects of the Acquisition and Merger and related
    refinancings and the concurrent adoption of Statement of Financial
    Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes." Financial data
    of the Company as of October 1, 1992 and thereafter reflect the Acquisition
    using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price
    was allocated to assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair
    values. However, to the extent that Holdings management had a continuing
    investment interest in Holdings' common stock, such fair values (and
    contributed stockholders' equity) were reduced proportionately to reflect
    the continuing interest (approximately 10%) at the prior historical cost
    basis.
 
(b) In connection with the Acquisition and Merger, the Predecessor recorded
    certain merger related expenses of $18.1 million consisting primarily of
    bonus and option payments to certain employees and certain merger fees and
    expenses, which were charged to the Predecessor's operations in the nine
    month period ended September 30, 1992.
 
(c) Holdings and the Company file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return.
    The Company operates under a tax sharing agreement with Holdings whereby the
    Company's aggregate income tax liability is calculated as if it filed a
    separate tax return with its subsidiaries.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
 
(d) During 1992 Predecessor made Debenture Repurchases, defined below, resulting
    in an extraordinary charge of $0.1 million, net of applicable income tax
    benefit. During 1993, Successor recognized extraordinary charges of $3.1
    million, net of applicable tax benefit, representing the write-off of
    unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the termination of the
    Company's term credit facility under its former credit agreement, and $0.3
    million, net of applicable tax benefit, representing the net loss resulting
    from the redemption of its 12 3/8% Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2000
    (the "Debenture Repurchases"). During 1995 and 1996, Successor recognized
    extraordinary charges of $3.0 million and $1.2 million respectively, net of
    applicable tax benefit, representing the write-off of unamortized debt
    issuance costs associated with the termination of the Company's former
    credit agreements.
 
(e) For purposes of this computation, earnings consist of income before income
    taxes plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed charges
    consist of interest on indebtedness (including capitalized interest and
    amortization of deferred financing fees) plus that portion of lease rental
    expense representative of the interest factor (deemed to be one-third of
    lease rental expense). Earnings of the Successor were insufficient to cover
    fixed charges by the amount of $7.1 million for the three month period ended
    December 31, 1992.
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
        FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The Company, founded in 1930, is a leading developer, manufacturer and
marketer of electrical wire and cable products. Among the Company's products are
magnet wire for electromechanical devices such as motors, transformers and
electrical controls; building wire for commercial and residential applications;
copper voice and data communication wire; automotive wire and specialty wiring
assemblies for automobiles and trucks; and industrial wire for applications in
appliances, construction and recreational vehicles. The Company's operations at
December 31, 1996 included 28 domestic manufacturing facilities and employed
approximately 4,800 persons.
 
    Although net sales are heavily influenced by the price of copper, the
Company's major raw material, the Company's profitability is generally not
significantly affected by changes in copper prices because the Company generally
has been able to pass on its cost of copper to its customers and the Company
attempts to match its copper purchases with its production requirements, thereby
minimizing copper cathode and rod inventories. In the short term, however,
pronounced changes in the price of copper may tend to affect gross profits
within the building wire product line because such changes affect cost of goods
sold more quickly than those changes can be reflected in the pricing of building
wire products. See "ITEM 1. BUSINESS--Metals Operations".
 
    The Company believes that it is only affected by inflation to the extent
that the economy in general is affected. Should inflationary pressures drive
costs higher, the Company believes that general industry price increases would
sustain operating results, although there can be no assurance that this will be
the case. In addition, the Company believes that its sensitivity to downturns in
its primary markets is less significant than it might otherwise be due to its
diverse customer base, broad product line and its strategy of attempting to
match its copper purchases with its needs.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, the dollar amounts and percentages of sales of
each of the Company's major product lines:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SALES                        PERCENTAGE OF SALES
                                                          -------------------------------  -------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                           1994(A)    1995(A)     1996        1994         1995         1996
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------     -----        -----        -----
Magnet wire.............................................  $   306.9  $   388.2  $   388.3          30%          32%          29%
Building wire...........................................      390.0      406.1      487.1          39           34           37
Communication wire......................................      119.3      177.5      166.8          12           15           13
Automotive wire.........................................       82.8       97.3       91.2           8            8            7
Industrial wire.........................................       63.1       63.4       71.0           6            5            5
Other (b)...............................................       48.0       69.2      127.1           5            6            9
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------         ---          ---          ---
Total...................................................  $ 1,010.1  $ 1,201.7  $ 1,332.0         100%         100%         100%
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------         ---          ---          ---
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------         ---          ---          ---
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(a) Due to a reorganization in the third quarter of 1995, certain 1994 and 1995
    product line sales have been reclassified.
 
(b) Includes sales of third-party manufactured products, including electrical
    insulating products, electric motors, motor repair parts and pump seals sold
    through Essex Brownell.
 
    The following table sets forth for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, the percentage relationship of net sales to
certain income statement items:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                           -------------------------------
                                                                                             1994       1995       1996
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales................................................................................      100.0%     100.0%     100.0%
Cost of goods sold.......................................................................       83.8       85.8       82.8
Selling and administrative expense.......................................................        8.4        7.8        9.1
Other expense, net.......................................................................        0.1        0.1        0.1
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
Income from operations...................................................................        7.7        6.3        8.0
Interest expense.........................................................................        2.4        2.8        3.0
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes and extraordinary charge......................................        5.3        3.5        5.0
Provision for income taxes...............................................................        2.3        1.6        2.2
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before extraordinary charge.......................................................        3.0        1.9        2.8
Extraordinary charge--debt retirement, net of income tax benefit.........................     --             .3        0.1
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income...............................................................................        3.0%       1.6%       2.7%
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
1996 COMPARED WITH 1995
 
    Net sales for 1996 were $1,332.0 million or 10.8% greater than in 1995,
resulting primarily from improved sales volumes and increased sales attributable
to the Brownell acquisition in September 1995 and the Triangle acquisition in
October 1996, partially offset by lower copper prices. The 1996 daily average
COMEX copper price was 21.5% lower than in 1995. Sales volumes for 1996 exceeded
1995 by 16.9%. Improved sales volumes resulted primarily from increased demand
for the Company's magnet wire, building wire and industrial wire products.
 
    Sales of magnet wire in 1996 were essentially equal to those in 1995
reflecting increased sales volumes offset by declining copper prices. Improved
sales volumes were attributable to increased demand for magnet wire in the
electric motor and transformer markets due in part to the increased use of
magnet wire for increased energy efficiency. Sales increases were also a result
of increased sales to distributors.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    Building wire sales for 1996 increased as compared to 1995 due primarily to
an increase in sales volumes, product pricing (without regard to copper costs)
and incremental sales attributable to the Triangle acquisition, partially offset
by a decline in copper prices. Building wire market demand exhibited continued
growth during 1996 on the strength of new non-residential construction and
sustained expansion of the repair and remodeling segment of the market. The
Company believes that this growth in demand was the leading cause for the
improvement in market prices during the second half of 1996 over the depressed
market conditions of 1995 and the first half of 1996. No assurance, however, can
be given that such favorable market conditions will continue in 1997.
 
    Communication wire sales for 1996 were below those in 1995 due to the
decrease in copper prices partially offset by increased sales of premise wire
products. Premise wire sales were up 21.2% with volume up 31.5% as compared to
1995, reflecting continued strong growth in this segment of the communication
wire market. OSP sales volumes were 8.6% lower than 1995, reflecting, in part, a
decline in export sales, as the Company focused on strong domestic markets. The
Company believes that decreases in the domestic OSP copper wire market may lead
to reduced margins in the communications wire business unit in the future.
 
    Automotive wire sales in 1996 were below those in 1995 due to the decrease
in copper prices partially offset by improved sales volumes as North American
new car and light truck sales volume increased just over 1% in 1996. Industrial
wire sales in 1996 were above those in 1995 by 12.0% due to an increase in sales
volume partially offset by the decline in copper prices. The increase in sales
volume was partially due to incremental sales attributable to the Triangle
acquisition. Other sales in 1996 increased significantly over 1995 due to the
effect of inclusion of full-year sales from the Brownell acquisition.
 
    Cost of goods sold for 1996 was 7.0% higher than in 1995 due primarily to
higher sales volumes and increased sales attributable to the Brownell
acquisition and the Triangle acquisition, partially offset by lower copper
prices. The Company's cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was 82.8%
and 85.8% in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of
net sales decreased compared to 1995 due primarily to the marked decline in
copper costs, improved building wire product pricing (without regard to copper
costs), a change in product mix associated with the Brownell acquisition, which
tends to distribute more value-added products, and higher manufacturing volumes,
leading to increased manufacturing efficiency.
 
    Selling and administrative expenses for 1996 were 29.6% above 1995, due
primarily to increased selling, distribution and administrative expenses
attributable to the Brownell acquisition, the Triangle acquisition and increased
distribution and commission expenses due to higher sales volumes experienced
during 1996.
 
    Interest expense in 1996 was $5.3 million higher than in 1995 due primarily
to additional borrowings under the Company's new credit facilities to effect the
May 1995 redemption (the "Redemption") of all of Holdings' outstanding Senior
Discount Debentures due 2004 (the "Debentures"). See "Liquidity, Capital
Resources and Financial Condition" under this caption. The Company's average
interest rate decreased from 9.4% in 1995 to 8.6% in 1996 due to the Redemption.
 
    Income tax expense was 43.6% of pretax income in 1996 compared with 46.7%
for 1995. The effective income tax rate of the Company is higher than the
approximate statutory rate of 40.0% due to the effect of the amortization of
excess of cost over net assets acquired in the Acquisition which is not
deductible for income tax purposes.
 
    The Company recorded net income of $36.4 million for 1996 compared to net
income of $19.5 million in 1995. The 1996 and 1995 results include an
extraordinary charge of $1.2 million and $3.0 million, respectively, ($2.0
million and $5.0 million, respectively, before applicable tax benefit) for the
write-off of unamortized deferred debt expense associated with the Company's
former revolving credit agreements. In 1996, the former revolving credit
agreement was terminated in connection with the Triangle acquisition. In
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
1995, the former revolving credit agreement was terminated in connection with
the Redemption of Holding's Debentures.
 
1995 COMPARED WITH 1994
 
    Net sales for 1995 were $1,201.7 million or 19.0% higher than 1994,
reflecting primarily a marked increase in product prices and higher sales from
the Company's distribution business due to the Brownell acquisition. Sales
volumes in 1995 approximated those experienced in 1994. Higher product prices
were essentially the result of a significant increase in copper costs. Average
COMEX copper prices in 1995 rose approximately 26.2% from 1994 and,
notwithstanding the magnitude of the price increase, was generally passed on to
customers through product pricing.
 
    Sales of magnet wire increased approximately 26.5% over those in 1994,
driven by higher copper prices, improved pricing and growth in sales volumes.
Magnet wire sales volumes and product pricing improved during 1995 due to
increased demand for the Company's magnet wire products by distributors and
original equipment manufacturers.
 
    Building wire sales in 1995 increased approximately 4.1% over 1994
reflecting a combination of higher copper prices, lower sales volumes and a
steep decline in product pricing. Building wire product pricing (without regard
to copper costs) declined materially, and sales volumes also declined, although
to a lesser extent, due to competitive pricing pressure, excess capacity and
liquidation of inventories by distributors as a result of the significant
increase in copper prices in 1995.
 
    Communication wire sales in 1995 improved approximately 48.8% over those in
1994 due to higher copper prices and domestic sales volumes and strengthening
product prices. Premise wire sales were up 54.1% with volumes 42.6% higher as
compared to 1994 while OSP sales were up 66% with volume up 11.6%. Export sales
were essentially flat between 1995 and 1994. The Company believes that
communication wire pricing strengthened due to significantly higher demand for
copper communication wire products coupled with a decline in industry
manufacturing capacity.
 
    The Company's automotive wire sales volume in 1995 was up over 1994 by
approximately 8.2%, although North American new car and light truck sales volume
increased just over 2% in 1995. This improvement in sales volume was the result
of a marked increase in sales to other automotive accounts and, to a lesser
degree, improved sales to the Company's principal automotive wire customer.
Other sales increased approximately 44.2% attributable to the Brownell
acquisition.
 
    Cost of goods sold increased 21.7% in 1995 compared with 1994 due primarily
to increased copper and other material costs and increased distribution costs
attributable to the Brownell acquisition. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of
net sales was 85.8% and 83.8% in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Cost of goods sold
as a percentage of net sales in 1995 was higher compared to 1994 due primarily
to substantially higher copper prices and declining building wire product
pricing partially offset by lower manufacturing costs resulting from continued
capital investments and higher manufacturing volumes in the communication and
automotive business units.
 
    Selling and administrative expenses in 1995 were 9.5% higher than 1994 due
primarily to increased overhead expenses attributable to the Brownell
acquisition in the amount of approximately $5.1 million and to increased sales
commissions associated with higher sales.
 
    Interest expense in 1995 was 41.3% higher than in 1994 due primarily to
additional borrowings under the Company's new credit facilities to effect the
May 1995 Redemption of all of Holding's Debentures. See "Liquidity, Capital
Resources and Financial Condition" under this caption. The Company's average
interest rate decreased from 10.4% in 1994 to 9.4% in 1995 due to the
Redemption.
 
    Income tax expense was 46.7% of pretax income in 1995 compared with 42.9% in
1994. The effective income tax rate of the Company is higher than the
approximate statutory rate of 40.0% due to the effect of
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
the amortization of excess of cost over net assets acquired in the Acquisition,
which is not deductible for income tax purposes.
 
    The Company recorded net income of $19.5 million and $30.2 million in 1995
and 1994, respectively. The 1995 results include an extraordinary charge of $3.0
million ($5.0 million before applicable tax benefit) for the write-off of
unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Company's former credit
agreement.
 
LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
    GENERAL
 
    The Company's financial position at December 31, 1996 was highly leveraged.
The Company's aggregate notes payable to banks and long-term debt was $463.8
million, and its stockholder's equity was $151.1 million. The resulting ratio of
debt to stockholder's equity improved to 3.1 to 1 at December 31, 1996 from 3.7
to 1 at December 31, 1995. As of December 31, 1996, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants under the agreements governing their outstanding
indebtedness. Liquidity and capital resources continue to be adequate.
 
    CREDIT FACILITIES AND LINES OF CREDIT
 
    The Company maintains the following credit facilities: (i) a $370.0 million
revolving credit agreement dated as of October 31, 1996, by and among the
Company, Holdings, the Lenders named therein, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent ("the Revolving Credit Agreement"); (ii) a $60.0 million
senior unsecured note agreement, dated as of April 12, 1995 by and among the
Company, Holdings, as guarantor, the Lenders named therein and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (the "Term Loan"; (iii) a $25.0 million
agreement and lease, dated as of April 12, 1995, by and between the Company and
Mellon Financial Services Corporation #3 (the "Essex Sale and Leaseback
Agreement"); (iv) a $12.0 million (Canadian dollar) credit agreement by and
between a subsidiary of the Company and the Bank of Montreal (the "Canadian
Credit Agreement"); and (v) bank lines of credit with various lending banks
which provide for unsecured borrowings for working capital of up to $25.0
million.
 
    The Revolving Credit Agreement, entered into in connection with the Triangle
acquisition, provides for up to $370.0 million in revolving loans, subject to
specified percentages of eligible assets and reduced by outstanding borrowings
under the Canadian Credit Agreement and unsecured bank lines of credit. The
Revolving Credit Agreement also provides a $25.0 million letter of credit
subfacility. The Revolving Credit Agreement terminates October 31, 2001. The
Revolving Credit Agreement loans bear floating rates of interest, at the
Company's option, at bank prime plus 1.25% or a reserve adjusted Eurodollar rate
(LIBOR) plus 2.25%. The effective interest rate can be reduced by 0.25% to
1.50%, in 0.25% increments, if certain specified financial conditions are
achieved. The average interest rate on borrowings under the Revolving Credit
Agreement during the fourth quarter of 1996 was 7.16%. At December 31, 1996, the
amount of revolving credit available to the Company was $61.7 million based upon
the Essex Revolving Credit Agreement borrowing base of $272.5 million, reduced
by outstanding borrowings under (i) the Essex Revolving Credit Agreement ($179.9
million), (ii) unsecured bank lines of credit ($25.0 million) and (iii) the
Canadian Credit Agreement ($5.9 million). During 1996, average borrowings under
the Company's revolving credit facilities were $163.4 million compared to $92.1
million in 1995.
 
    The $60.0 million borrowed under the Term Loan is to be repaid in 20 equal
quarterly installments, subject to the loan's excess cash provision, beginning
August 15, 1995 and ending May 15, 2000. The Term Loan bears floating rates of
interest at bank prime plus 2.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75%. The Term Loan requires
50% of excess cash, as defined, to be applied against the outstanding term loan
balance. The 1996 excess cash repayment of $12.4 million, for the year ended
December 31, 1995, resulted in reducing the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
remaining principal payments to $2.3 million each. There were no requirements
for an excess cash payment to be made for 1996 results. Amounts repaid may not
be reborrowed.
 
    The Sale and Leaseback Agreement provided $25.0 million for the sale and
leaseback of certain of the Company's fixed assets. The lease obligation has a
seven-year term expiring in May 2002. The principal component of the rental is
paid quarterly, with the amount of each of the first 27 payments equal to 2.5%
of lessor's cost of the equipment, and the balance due at the final payment. The
interest component is paid on the unpaid principal balance and is calculated by
lessor at LIBOR plus 2.5%. The effective interest rate can be reduced by 0.25%
to 1.125% if certain specified financial conditions are achieved.
 
    As of December 31, 1996, $5.9 million (U.S. dollars) was outstanding under
the Canadian Credit Agreement and included as notes payable to banks in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Borrowings are restricted to meeting the
working capital requirements of the subsidiary and are secured by the
subsidiary's accounts receivable. The Canadian Credit Agreement bears interest
at rates similar to the Revolving Credit Agreement and terminates on May 30,
1997, although it may be extended for successive one-year periods upon the
mutual consent of the subsidiary and the lending bank.
 
    The Company had $25.0 million outstanding under the bank lines of credit at
December 31, 1996. Such amount is included in notes payable to banks in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. These lines of credit bear interest at
rates subject to agreement between the Company and the lending banks. At
December 31, 1996, such rates of interest averaged 7.6%.
 
    CASH FLOW AND WORKING CAPITAL
 
    In general, the Company requires liquidity for working capital, capital
expenditures, debt repayments, interest and taxes. Of particular significance to
the Company are its working capital requirements which increase whenever it
experiences strong incremental demand in its business or a significant rise in
copper prices. Historically, the Company has satisfied its liquidity
requirements through a combination of funds generated from operating activities
together with funds available under its credit facilities. Based upon historical
experience and the availability of funds under its credit facilities, the
Company expects that its usual sources of liquidity will be sufficient to enable
it to meet its cash requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, debt
repayments, interest and taxes for the reminder of 1997.
 
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES.  Net cash provided by operating activities in 1996 was
$67.5 million, compared to $55.7 million in 1995. The increase in cash provided
by operating activities was primarily attributable to a reduction in accounts
receivable attributable to a marked decline in copper prices and a reduction in
an intercompany payable, partially offset by an increase in inventories to
accommodate higher sales volumes, net of the Triangle acquisition and slower
growth in accounts payable.
 
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES.  Capital expenditures of $25.6 million in 1996 were
$3.0 million less than in 1995. In 1996, approximately $5.5 million was invested
in magnet wire ovens to improve quality and increase manufacturing productivity.
Capital expenditures in 1997 are expected to be approximately 40% above 1996 and
will be used for modernization projects to enhance efficiency and expand
capacity. At December 31, 1996, approximately $5.5 million was committed to
outside vendors for capital expenditures. The Revolving Credit Agreement imposes
limitations on capital expenditures, business acquisitions and investments.
 
    The costs of the BICC Canada and Triangle acquisitions, approximately $7.6
million and $71.8 million, respectfully, including related expenses, were
financed from proceeds received under the revolving credit agreements applicable
at the time. Future cash requirements of these operations are expected to be
satisfied through the Company's traditional sources of liquidity as previously
discussed.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO HOLDING'S CASH OBLIGATIONS
 
    Holdings is a holding company with no operations and virtually no assets
other than its ownership of the outstanding common stock of the Company. All
such stock is pledged, however, to the lenders under the Revolving Credit
Agreement. Accordingly, Holdings' ability to meet its cash obligations is
dependent on the Company's ability to pay dividends, to loan, or otherwise
advance or transfer funds to Holdings in amounts sufficient to service Holdings'
cash obligations.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    Holdings expects that it may receive certain cash payments from the Company
from time to time to the extent cash is available and to the extent it is
permitted under the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Senior Note
Indenture. Such payments may include (i) an amount necessary under the tax
sharing agreement between Holdings and the Company to enable Holdings to pay the
Company's taxes as if computed on an unconsolidated basis; (ii) an annual
management fee to an affiliate of BHLP of up to $1.0 million; (iii) amounts
necessary to repurchase management stockholders' shares of common stock under
certain specified conditions; and (iv) certain other amounts to meet ongoing
expenses of Holdings (such amounts are considered to be immaterial both
individually and in the aggregate, however, because Holdings has no operations,
other than those conducted through the Company, or employees). To the extent the
Company makes any such payments, it will do so out of operating cash flow,
borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement or other sources of funds it may
obtain in the future subject to the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement and
the Senior Note Indenture.
 
    On July 15, 1996, Holdings redeemed all its outstanding 15% Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Exchangeable Preferred Stock at $27.041 per share, or
$59.3 million in the aggregate including related redemption expenses. This was
financed by Holdings through a private offering of 11,860,000 shares of its
common stock to certain of its common stockholders and their affiliates at $5
per share (the "1996 Private Offering"). The 1996 Private Offering was extended
to certain management employees of the Company who collectively purchased
875,417 shares of common stock at $5 per share in December 1996.
 
    LONG-TERM LIQUIDITY CONSIDERATIONS
 
    Regarding long-term liquidity, the Senior Notes mature in 2003 and are
expected to be replaced by similar financing at that time. The terms of the Sale
and Leaseback Agreement include a balloon payment of $8.1 million in 2002 and
the Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.3 million through May
2002. The Company expects that its traditional sources of liquidity will enable
it to meet its long-term cash requirements for working capital, capital
expenditures, interest and taxes, as well as its debt repayment obligations
under both the Term Loan and the Sale and Leaseback Agreement.
 
    The Company's operations involve the use, disposal and cleanup of certain
substances regulated under environmental protection laws. The Company has
accrued $0.9 million for environmental remediation and restoration costs. The
accrual is based upon management's best estimate of the Company's exposure in
light of relevant available information including the allocations and remedies
set forth in applicable consent decrees, third-party estimates of remediation
costs, the estimated ability of other potentially responsible parties to pay
their proportionate share of remediation costs, the nature of each site and the
number of participating parties. Subject to the difficulty in estimating future
environmental costs, the Company expects that any sum it may have to pay in
connection with environmental matters in excess of the amounts recorded or
disclosed will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position,
results of operations or cash flows. See "ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS-Legal and
Environmental Matters" for further discussion of the Company's environmental
liabilities.
 
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
    REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
    In October 1996, the Company and Holdings entered into the Revolving Credit
Agreement. Set forth below is a summary of certain terms of the Revolving Credit
Agreement. The summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Revolving Credit Agreement, which
is included as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the purposes
of the following discussion, capitalized terms used therein and not otherwise
defined have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
 
    GENERAL.  The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for up to $370.0 million
in revolving loans, subject to specified percentages of eligible assets and
reduced by outstanding borrowings under the
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
Company's Canadian Credit Agreement and unsecured bank lines of credit. The
Revolving Credit Agreement also provides a $25.0 million letter of credit
subfacility and terminates on October 31, 2001. As of December 31, 1996, the
Company had outstanding borrowings of $179.9 million under the Revolving Credit
Agreement and $61.7 million of undrawn capacity based upon the Borrowing Base at
that time of $272.5 million, reduced by outstanding borrowings under (i) the
Revolving Credit Agreement ($179.9 million), (ii) unsecured bank lines of credit
($25.0 million) and (iii) the Canadian Credit Agreement ($5.9 million).
 
    The Revolving Credit Agreement is secured by all the capital stock of the
Company and substantially all the Company's assets and real property.
 
    PREPAYMENTS.  The Revolving Credit Agreement may be repaid by the Company at
any time without penalty. The Revolving Credit Agreement is subject to mandatory
prepayment if certain amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement
exceed the Borrowing Base or the Senior Note Indenture Revolving Credit
Incurrence Limit (as defined herein). At December 31, 1996, the Borrowing Base
was $272.5 and the Senior Note Indenture Revolving Credit Incurrence Limit was
$269.5.
 
    INTEREST RATE.  Loans under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at
rates, depending on the type of loan incurred, of (i) adjusted LIBOR plus a
spread based on certain financial ratios, which spread ranges from .75% to 2.25%
or (ii) bank prime plus a spread based on certain financial ratios, which spread
ranges from 0% to 1.25%. The effective interest rate can be reduced by 0.25% to
1.50%, in 0.25% increments, if certain specified financial conditions are
achieved.
 
    FEES.  Commitment fees during the revolving loan period are .25%, .375% or
 .5% of the average daily unused portion of the available credit based upon
certain financial ratios. For the purposes of setting the commitment fee and
interest rate spreads, the relevant financial ratios are the Company's Leverage
Ratio and the Company's Interest Coverage Ratio. Based on the combination of
those two ratios, the Company is classified into one of seven levels, with level
one being the most beneficial. For the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company's
Leverage and Interest Coverage Ratios positioned it in Level 2. The Company's
Leverage Ratio and Interest Coverage Ratio as of December 31, 1996 were 3.07 to
1.00 and 3.73 to 1.00, respectively.
 
    NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  The Company is required to maintain a ratio of
Consolidated Current Assets to Consolidated Current Liabilities of 2.0 to 1.0.
As of December 31, 1996 this ratio was 2.45 to 1.0. The Company is required to
maintain Consolidated Net Worth of not less than the sum of, subject to certain
adjustments, (a) $80 million, (b) 50% of the Company's Consolidated Net Income,
(c) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Common Equity Offering by the Company
and (d) 100% of any capital contribution made to the Company by one of its
stockholders. As of December 31, 1996, the Company's Consolidated Net Worth was
$151.1 million or 152% of that required to be maintained.
 
    The Revolving Credit Agreement also requires the maintenance of an Interest
Coverage Ratio of not less than 2.00 to 1.00, a Leverage Ratio prior to March
31, 1998 of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 decreasing to 4.00 to 1.00 by March 31,
2000, and a Senior Secured Leverage Ratio prior to March 31, 1998, of not more
than 3.00 to 1.00 decreasing to 2.25 to 1.00 by March 31, 2000. As of December
31, 1996, the Company's Leverage Ratio and Senior Secured Leverage Ratio were
3.07 to 1.00 and 1.37 to 1.00, respectively.
 
    The Revolving Credit Agreement contains other customary covenants, including
covenants on the incurrence of indebtedness, liens and guarantees, mergers,
sales of assets, lease obligations, investments and, with certain exceptions,
prepayment of indebtedness and transactions with affiliates. Capital
Expenditures are generally limited to $40 million per year plus any unspent
carryover from prior years. The Revolving Credit Agreement also restricts the
payment of dividends by the Company to Holdings and prohibits the payment of
dividends by Holdings to its stockholders.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary events
of default, including a failure to pay principal or interest, a material
inaccuracy of a representation or warranty, a failure to comply with certain
covenants, a default on other indebtedness in excess of $5.0 million, any
Security Document ceasing to be in full force and effect and the entry of
certain unbonded or unstayed judgments or decrees against the Company of $2.0
million or more. In addition, it is an event of default if BHLP and its
affiliates benefically own less than 70% of the common stock owned by BHLP and
its affiliates on the effective date of the Revolving Credit Agreement or,
except in certain circumstances, if in the aggregate, BHLP and its affiliates,
DLJ, Goldman Sachs and certain officers or employees of the Company have less
than 51% of the voting power for the election of directors of Holdings or if a
Change of Control (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture) occurs. In the case
of an event of default, all revolving credit commitments may terminate and all
amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement may become due and
payable.
 
SENIOR NOTES
 
    In May 1993, the Company issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of
notes (the "Senior Notes") pursuant to an indenture (the "Senior Note
Indenture") between the Company and NBD Bank, National Association, as trustee.
Set forth below is a summary of certain terms of the Senior Note Indenture. The
summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by, reference to the Senior Note Indenture, which is included as an
exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the purposes of the following
discussion, capitalized terms used therein and not otherwise defined have the
meanings given to them in the Senior Note Indenture.
 
    GENERAL.  The Senior Notes bear interest at 10% per annum, payable
semiannually and are due in May 2003. The Senior Notes are general unsecured
obligations of the Company limited to $200 million aggregate principal amount.
 
    REDEMPTION.  At the option of the Company, the Senior Notes may be redeemed,
commencing in May 1998, in whole, or in part, at redemption prices ranging from
103.75% in 1998 to 100% in 2001, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
    COVENANTS.  The Senior Note Indenture contains customary covenants. The
Senior Notes Indenture restricts the incurrence of debt by the Company unless
the Company has an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amorization
("EBITDA") Coverage Ratio of greater than 2.0 to 1.0 or unless another exemption
is available. At December 31, 1996, the Company had a 3.73 to 1.0 EBITDA
Coverage Ratio. The Senior Notes Indenture also restricts the issuance of debt
by each of the Company's subsidiaries to the sum of (i) 50% of the book value of
such subsidiaries' inventory (before giving effect to any LIFO Reserve) and (ii)
80% of the book value of such subsidiaries' accounts receivable (subject to
certain exceptions). At December 31, 1996, Essex could have incurred $269.5
million of debt under such provision. Dividends, distributions and repurchases
of capital stock also are limited under the Senior Notes Indenture to 50% of the
Company's Consolidated Net Income plus the Net Cash Proceeds of certain equity
issuances. At December 31, 1996, the Company could not have paid any dividends
due to the Limitations on Restricted Payments provision under this covenant. The
Senior Notes Indenture also restricts the incurrence of secured debt, sale and
leaseback transactions, sales of assets and transactions with affiliates.
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The Senior Note Indenture contains customary events of
default, including a failure to pay principal or interest, a payment default
with respect to, or the acceleration of, other indebtedness in excess of $10.0
million, the entry of certain unstayed judgments in excess of $10.0 million and
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency.
 
    CHANGE IN CONTROL.  Upon a Change in Control each holder of Senior Notes
will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such
holder's Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. "Change of Control" is
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
defined in the Senior Notes Indenture as (i) the acquisition by any person
(other than BH Group, Goldman Sachs, DLJ and certain other shareholders) of more
than 35% of Holding's voting stock or (ii) during any two-year period, the
directors who were on the Company's Board of Directors at the beginning of such
period (and any directors elected by, or whose nominations was approved by, the
Board) ceasing for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board then in
office.
 
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The Company, to a limited extent, uses forward fixed price contracts and
derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange and
commodity price risks. To protect the Company's anticipated cash flows from the
risk of adverse foreign currency exchange fluctuations for firm sales and
purchase commitments, the Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange
contracts. Copper, the Company's principal raw material, experiences marked
fluctuations in market prices, thereby subjecting the Company to copper price
risk with respect to copper purchases on fixed customer sales contracts.
Derivative financial instruments in the form of copper futures and forward
contracts are utilized by the Company to reduce those risks. The Company does
not hold or issue financial instruments for investment or trading purposes. The
Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by
counterparties to foreign exchange forward contracts, metal forward price
contracts and metals futures contracts but the Company does not anticipate
nonperformance by any of these counterparties. The amount of such exposure is
generally the unrealized gains, if any, with respect to the underlying
contracts.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Report of Independent Auditors........................................................        F-1
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
  As of December 31, 1996 and 1995....................................................        F-2
 
Consolidated Statements of Income:
  For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996...................        F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
  For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996...................        F-4
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................        F-5
 
                             INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.................................................        S-1
</TABLE>
 
    All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not
required or because the required information is included in the consolidated
financial statements or notes thereto.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
    Not applicable.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
    The following table sets forth information concerning the Directors and
Executive Officers of the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                         AGE                                   POSITION
---------------------------------------      ---      ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>
Steven R. Abbott.......................          49   President and Chief Executive Officer; Director (Chairman)
Robert J. Faucher......................          52   Executive Vice President; Director
Robert D. Lindsay......................          42   Director
Charles W. McGregor....................          55   Executive Vice President; Director
David A. Owen..........................          50   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Director
Gregory R. Schriefer...................          44   Executive Vice President
Ward W. Woods..........................          54   Director
</TABLE>
 
    Mr. Abbott has been a director since 1988. Messrs. Lindsay and Woods became
directors of the Company in 1992. Messrs. Owen and Faucher became directors in
1993 and Mr. McGregor was elected as a director in April 1994. Directors of the
Company are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders of the Company or until their successors have been elected or
appointed and qualified. Executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the
discretion of, the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
    Mr. Abbott was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company on February 26, 1996. He was President of the Wire and Cable Sector from
September 1995 to February 1996 and President of the Wire and Cable Division
from September 1993 to September 1995. He was President of the Magnet Wire and
Insulation Division from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Abbott has been employed by the
Company since 1967. Mr. Abbott is also a Director of Holdings.
 
    Mr. Faucher was appointed Executive Vice President in September 1995. He was
President of the Engineered Products Division from January 1992 to September
1995 and was Vice President, Operations in the Industrial Products Division from
June 1988 to January 1992. He joined the Company in 1985 as Vice President,
Planning.
 
    Mr. Lindsay is the sole shareholder and president of a corporation which is
a manager of a limited liability company that is the general partner of each of
the partnerships comprising BH Group. He is also the sole shareholder of
corporations that are general partners of the two partnerships affiliated with
BHLP to which the Company and Holdings paid the fees described under Item 13
below. Mr. Lindsay was Managing Director of BSC of from January 1991 to June
1993. Prior to joining BSC, Mr. Lindsay was a Managing Director in the Merchant
Banking Division of Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated. He is the Chairman of
Metropolitan International, Inc., and a director of Stant Corporation and
several private companies. Mr. Lindsay is also a Director of Holdings.
 
    Mr. McGregor was appointed Executive Vice President in October 1996. He was
President of the Magnet Wire and Insulation Sector from September 1995 to August
1996. He was President of the Magnet Wire and Insulation Division from September
1993 to September 1995. He was Director of Manufacturing for the Division from
1987 to 1993. Mr. McGregor has been employed by the Company since January 1970.
 
    Mr. Owen was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of the Company in March 1994. He had been appointed Vice President--Finance and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company in March 1993, and Treasurer of the
Company in April 1992. Prior to that time, Mr. Owen was Director,
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
Treasury and Financial Services for the Company. Mr. Owen has been employed by
the Company since 1976.
 
    Mr. Schriefer was appointed Executive Vice President in October 1996. He was
Vice President and General Manager of Building Wire Products from September 1995
to October 1996. He was Vice President, Manufacturing of the Wire and Cable
Division from April 1994 to September 1995. Mr. Schriefer has been employed in
various positions with the Company since 1981.
 
    Mr. Woods is the sole shareholder and president of a corporation that is the
principal manager of a limited liability company that is the general partner of
each of the partnerships comprising BH Group. He is also the sole shareholder of
corporations that are the managing general partners of the two partnerships
affiliated with BHLP to which the Company and Holdings paid the fees described
under Item 13 below. Mr. Woods is President and Chief Executive Officer of BSLLC
and BSC. Mr. Woods joined BSC in 1989. For ten years prior to joining BSC, Mr.
Woods was a senior partner of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, an investment banking
firm. He is Chairman of the Board of Stant Corporation. He is a director of
Boise Cascade Corporation, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., Graphic
Controls Corporation, Kelly Oil & Gas Corporation and several private companies.
Mr. Woods is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Holdings.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    The directors of the Company receive no compensation for their service as
directors except for reimbursement of expenses incidental to attendance at
meetings of the Board of Directors. The following table sets forth the cash and
non-cash compensation paid by or incurred on behalf of the Company to its Chief
Executive Officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers for
each of the three years ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          LONG TERM
                                                                         ANNUAL         COMPENSATION
                                                                      COMPENSATION         AWARDS
                                                                  --------------------  -------------
                                                                                          NUMBER OF
                                                                                         SECURITIES
                                                                                         UNDERLYING
                                                                                          OPTIONS/       ALL OTHER
                                                                   SALARY      BONUS        SARS       COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                              YEAR        ($)        ($)          (#)          ($) (A)
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
 
Steven R. Abbott.....................................       1996    287,993    600,000      250,000         27,531
  President and                                             1995    193,757    250,000       75,000         12,999
  Chief Executive                                           1994    182,502    200,000      120,000          8,306
  Officer (CEO)(b)
 
Stanley C. Craft(c)..................................  1996 1995    325,008          0            0         15,155
                                                            1994    310,004    450,000      100,000         27,905
                                                                    293,763    400,000      150,000         22,174
 
Charles W. McGregor..................................       1996    167,001    275,000       80,000         11,356
  Executive Vice President                                  1995    157,503    210,000       65,000          9,684
                                                            1994    132,504    165,000      100,000          7,787
 
David A. Owen........................................       1996    167,001    250,000       75,000          9,195
  Executive Vice President and                              1995    157,503    185,000       50,000          8,120
  Chief Financial Officer (CFO)                             1994    145,257    165,000      100,000          6,894
 
Robert J. Faucher....................................  1996 1995    167,001    250,000      100,000         11,972
  Executive Vice President                                  1994    157,503    175,000       50,000         11,356
                                                                    149,379    145,000      100,000          8,568
 
Gregory R. Schriefer.................................       1996    129,510    225,000      115,000         11,062
  Executive Vice President
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(a) All Other Compensation in 1996 consists of Company contributions to the
    defined contribution and deferred compensation plans on behalf of the
    executive officer and imputed income on excess Company-paid life insurance
    premiums. The following table identifies and quantifies these amounts for
    the named executive officers:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             S.R.       S.C.        C.W.        D.A.       R.J.       G.R.
                                                            ABBOTT      CRAFT     MCGREGOR      OWEN      FAUCHER   SCHRIEFER
                                                           ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
 
Company matching under the defined contribution and
  deferred compensation plans............................  $  25,700  $   9,750   $   8,498   $   7,478  $  10,335  $  10,635
 
Imputed income on excess life insurance premiums.........      1,831      5,405       2,858       1,717      1,637        427
                                                           ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
  Total..................................................  $  27,531  $  15,155   $  11,356   $   9,195  $  11,972  $  11,062
                                                           ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                           ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(b) Mr. Abbott was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Holdings
    and the Company on February 26, 1996.
 
(c) Mr. Craft served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
    from October 1992 until February 26, 1996 and also of Essex from March 1992
    until February 26, 1996.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                     OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                            POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                             NUMBER OF                                                    ANNUAL RATES OF
                                            SECURITIES      % OF TOTAL                                      STOCK PRICE
                                            UNDERLYING     OPTIONS/SARS                                  APPRECIATION FOR
                                           OPTIONS/SARS     GRANTED TO      EXERCISE OR                   OPTION TERM (B)
                                              GRANTED      EMPLOYEES IN     BASE PRICE    EXPIRATION   ---------------------
NAME                                          (#) (A)       FISCAL YEAR       ($/SH)         DATE       5% ($)     10% ($)
-----------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  ---------  ----------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>
Steven R. Abbott.........................      250,000            15.3            5.00       1/30/07     786,118   1,992,178
Stanley C. Craft.........................            0               0              --            --           0           0
Charles W. McGregor......................       80,000             4.9            5.00       1/30/07     251,558     637,497
David A. Owen............................       75,000             4.6            5.00       1/30/07     235,835     597,653
Robert J. Faucher........................      100,000             6.1            5.00       1/30/07     314,447     796,871
Gregory R. Schriefer.....................      115,000             7.0            5.00        (c)        361,614     916,402
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(a) The potential realizable value assumes a per-share market price at the time
    of the grant to be approximately $5.00 with an assumed rate of appreciation
    of 5% and 10%, respectively, compounded annually for 10 years. These values
    are provided pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. No
    assurance can be given as to the appreciation, if any, of Holdings' common
    stock.
 
(b) In October 1996 options to purchase 175,000 shares of Holdings' common stock
    were granted. Such options become exercisable on October 1, 1999. In January
    1997 options to purchase 1,460,000 shares of Holdings' common stock were
    granted to maintain management's equity interest in the Company as a result
    of the increase in total Holdings' common stock outstanding following the
    1996 Private Offering and in respect of performance for the year ended
    December 31, 1996. Such options become exercisable on January 30, 1998.
 
(c) Options to purchase 50,000 and 65,000 shares of Holdings' common stock
    granted in October 1996 and January 1997, respectively, expire on October 1,
    2006 and January 30, 2007, respectively.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    The following table details the December 31, 1996 year end estimated value
of each named executive officer's unexercised stock options. All unexercised
options are to purchase the number of shares of common stock of Holdings
indicated, although the Board of Directors of Holdings may require that, in lieu
of the exercise of any Roll-over options (as defined herein), such options be
surrendered without payment of the exercise price, in which case the number of
shares issuable upon exercise of such options shall be reduced by a number of
shares equal to the product of (A) the number of shares specified in the grant
and (B) the quotient of (x) the original exercise price (unadjusted for any
split or other reorganization) and (y) approximately $2.86.
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                         AND YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              VALUE OF
                                                                   NUMBER OF SECURITIES      UNEXERCISED
                                                                        UNDERLYING          IN THE-MONEY
                                                                        UNEXERCISED         OPTIONS/SARS
                                                                      OPTIONS/SARS AT      AT YEAR-END ($)
                                                                       YEAR-END (#)       EXERCISABLE (E)/
                                SHARES ACQUIRED   VALUE REALIZED     EXERCISABLE (E)/       UNEXERCISABLE
NAME                            ON EXERCISE (#)        ($)         UNEXERCISABLE (U) (1)       (U)(2)
------------------------------  ---------------  ----------------  ---------------------  -----------------
<S>                             <C>              <C>               <C>                    <C>
Steven R. Abbott..............        --                --                   298,000(E)          1,141,811(E)
                                                                             445,000(U)            417,774(U)
Stanley C. Craft..............        --                --                   623,000(E)          2,413,197(E)
                                                                             250,000(U)            535,608(U)
 
Charles W. McGregor...........        --                --                    70,500(E)            233,561(E)
                                                                             245,000(U)            353,501(U)
 
David A. Owen.................        --                --                    77,000(E)            258,811(E)
                                                                             225,000(U)            321,365(U)
 
Robert J. Faucher.............        --                --                   170,000(E)            624,811(E)
                                                                             250,000(U)            321,365(U)
 
Gregory R. Schriefer..........        --                --                    20,450(E)             80,550(E)
                                                                             135,000(U)             42,849(U)
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(1) The options to purchase Holdings' common stock granted in 1997 with respect
    to the 1996 Private Offering and 1996 performance become exercisable on
    January 30, 1998. The options to purchase Holdings' common stock granted in
    1995 and 1996 become exercisable three years from the date of grant. All
    other options granted prior to those issued in 1995 are currently
    exercisable.
 
(2) The estimated value of in-the-money stock options held at the end of 1996
    assumes a per-share fair market value of approximately $5.00 and per-share
    exercise prices of $1.00, $1.25 and $2.86 as applicable.
 
    PENSION PLANS.  The Company provides benefits under a defined benefit
pension plan (the "Pension Plan") and a supplemental executive retirement plan
(the "SERP"). The following table illustrates the estimated annual normal
retirement benefits at age 65 that will be payable under the Pension Plan and
SERP.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
                               PENSION PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEARS OF SERVICE
                                                             -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
REMUNERATION                                                    15         20         25         30         35
-----------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
125,000....................................................  $  28,125  $  37,500  $  46,875  $  56,250  $  65,625
150,000....................................................     33,750     45,000     56,250     67,500     78,750
175,000....................................................     39,375     52,500     65,625     78,750     91,875
200,000....................................................     45,000     60,000     75,000     90,000    105,000
225,000....................................................     50,625     67,500     84,375    101,250    118,125
250,000....................................................     56,250     75,000     93,750    112,500    131,250
300,000....................................................     67,500     90,000    112,500    135,000    157,500
400,000....................................................     90,000    120,000    150,000    180,000    210,000
450,000....................................................    101,250    135,000    168,750    202,500    236,250
500,000....................................................    112,500    150,000    187,500    225,000    262,500
</TABLE>
 
    The remuneration utilized in calculating the benefits payable under the
Pension Plan and SERP plans is the compensation reported in the Summary
Compensation Table under the captions Salary and Bonus. The formula utilizes the
remuneration for the five consecutive plan years within the ten completed
calendar years preceding the participant's retirement date that produces the
highest final average earnings.
 
    As of December 31, 1996, the years of credited service under the Pension
Plan for each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
were as follows: Mr. Abbott, twenty-seven years and seven months; Mr. Craft,
twenty-seven years and nine months; Mr. Owen, twenty years and eight months; Mr.
McGregor, twenty-six years and eleven months; Mr. Faucher, twenty-four years and
six months; and Mr. Schriefer, fifteen years and three months.
 
    The benefits listed in the Pension Plan Table are based on the formula in
the Pension Plan using a straight-life annuity and are subject to an offset of
50% of the participant's annual unreduced Primary Insurance Amount under Social
Security. In addition, benefits for credited service for years prior to 1974 are
calculated using the formula in effect at that time and would reflect a lesser
benefit than outlined in the Pension Plan Table for those years. Benefits under
the Pension Plan are also offset by benefits to which the participant is
entitled under any defined benefit plan of UTC (other than accrued benefits
transferred to the Pension Plan).
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    Messrs. Abbott, Woods and Lindsay constitute the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors of the Company. See footnote (2) under the caption "ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" for a
description of the relationship between Messrs. Lindsay and Woods and BHLP and
the information set forth under the caption "ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS" for a description of certain transactions between the
Company and BCP or BHLP and between Holdings and BCP or BHLP.
 
    Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Woods are also members of the Compensation Committee of
the Holdings Board of Directors. The other member of such committee is Mr.
Gleberman. Mr. Gleberman is a Partner of Goldman Sachs. The Holdings
Compensation Committee fixes the compensation paid to the Company's executive
officers, based in part on the recommendation of Mr. Abbott. See the information
set forth under the caption "ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS" for a description of certain transactions between the Company and
DLJ and Goldman Sachs and their respective affiliates. The Holdings Compensation
Committee considers compensation of executive officers of the Company to the
extent it is paid by or affects Holdings, as is the case when options to
purchase Holdings stock are granted to executive officers of Holdings.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
    All of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company is owned
beneficially and of record by Holdings. Holdings has pledged such stock to the
lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement in support of its guarantee of the
Company's obligations thereunder. In the event of a default by Holdings of its
obligations under such guarantee, the lenders under the Revolving Credit
Agreement could exercise their powers under such pledge and thereby obtain
control of the Company.
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the common stock of Holdings as of January 31, 1997 by (i) each
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock of Holdings,
(ii) each director of Holdings, (iii) each of the named executive officers, (iv)
all directors and executive officers of Holdings as a group, and (v) all
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Certain beneficial
owners of the common stock of Holdings are parties to an Investors Shareholder
Agreement, which provides restrictions on the transferability of Holdings'
common stock and other matters. The terms of the agreement are summarized in
"Investors Shareholders Agreement" under this caption.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NUMBER OF SHARES                       PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP
                                                       OF COMMON STOCK                         OF COMMON STOCK(1)
                                          ------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>
                                              SOLE          SHARED                       SOLE       SHARED
                                             VOTING         VOTING                      VOTING      VOTING
NAME AND ADDRESS                             POWER          POWER         COMBINED       POWER       POWER      COMBINED
----------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -----------  ---------  -------------
Bessemer Holdings,L.P.(2)...............    35,096,331       7,352,361(3)   42,448,692       73.1%      14.2%(3)        81.8%
  630 Fifth Avenue
  New York, NY 10111
GS Capital Partners, L.P.(4)............     7,415,448        --           7,415,448        14.8      --             14.8
  85 Broad Street
  New York, NY 10004
DLJ International Partners, C.V.(5).....     5,487,925        --           5,487,925        10.7      --             10.7
  140 Broadway
  New York, NY 10005
Steven R. Abbott(6).....................       --              612,000       612,000      --             1.3          1.3
  1601 Wall Street
  Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Robert J. Faucher(7)....................       --              382,977       382,977      --             0.8          0.8
  1601 Wall Street
  Fort Wayne,IN 46802
David A. Owen(8)........................       --              161,828       161,828      --             0.3          0.3
  1601 Wall Street
  Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Charles W. McGregor(9)..................       --              147,246       147,246      --             0.3          0.3
  1601 Wall Street
  Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Gregory R. Schriefer(10)................       --               83,187        83,187      --             0.2          0.2
  1601 Wall Street
  Fort Wayne, IN 46802
All directors and executive officers of
  Holdings as a group
  (7 persons)(11).......................       --           42,448,692    42,448,692      --            81.8         81.8
</TABLE>
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NUMBER OF SHARES                       PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP
                                                       OF COMMON STOCK                         OF COMMON STOCK(1)
                                          ------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
                                              SOLE          SHARED                       SOLE       SHARED
                                             VOTING         VOTING                      VOTING      VOTING
NAME AND ADDRESS                             POWER          POWER         COMBINED       POWER       POWER      COMBINED
----------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -----------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>
All directors and executive officers of
  Essex as a group
  (7 persons)(12).......................       --           42,448,692    42,448,692      --            81.8         81.8
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
 (1) Percentages have been calculated assuming, in the case of each person or
    group listed, the exercise of all warrants and options owned (which are
    exercisable within sixty days following January 30, 1997) by each such
    person or group, respectively, but not the exercise of any warrants or
    options owned by any other person or group listed.
 
 (2) BHLP is a limited partnership the only activity of which is to make private
    structured investments. The primary limited partner of BHLP is BSC, a
    corporation owned by trusts whose beneficiaries are descendants of Henry
    Phipps and charitable trusts established by such descendants. Each of
    Messrs. Woods and Lindsay, directors of Holdings, and Mr. Michael B.
    Rothfeld, is a sole shareholder of a corporation which is a manager of the
    limited liability company which is the sole general partner of BHLP. In
    addition, each of Messrs. Woods, Lindsay and Rothfeld are the sole
    shareholders of corporations which are the general partners of each of the
    partnerships affiliated with BHLP, to which the Company and Holdings paid
    the fees described under Item 13 below. Mr. Woods is the President and Chief
    Executive Officer of BSC. Each of Messrs. Woods, Lindsay and Rothfeld
    disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock of Holdings
    owned or controlled by BHLP.
 
 (3) Consists of (a) all shares of common stock owned by executive officers,
    employees, family members, former employees and retirees of the Company and
    its subsidiaries, or their respective estates (a total of 3,470,411 shares),
    which shares are subject to a proxy held by BHLP which provides that BHLP
    may vote such shares on all matters presented to stockholders other than (i)
    the sale or merger of Holdings or the Company; (ii) any amendment to the
    certificate of incorporation of Holdings which would adversely affect the
    terms of the common stock and (iii) the election of directors in the event
    that BHLP does not include at least one member of management of the Company
    in its nominees for directors of Holdings and (b) all shares of common stock
    issuable upon exercise of options held by executive officers, employees,
    family members, and retirees of the Company and its subsidiaries, or their
    respective estates (a total of 3,881,950 shares). Pursuant to the terms of
    the applicable options agreements, the aggregate number of shares issuable
    upon exercise of such options can be reduced. All shares issuable upon
    exercise of the foregoing options are subject to the proxy held by BHLP.
 
 (4) Held by GS Capital Partners, L.P. (an affiliate of Goldman Sachs) and
    certain of its affiliates, and includes 2,241,103 shares issuable upon
    exercise of warrants.
 
 (5) Includes 3,425,635 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by
    affiliates and employees of DLJ.
 
 (6) Includes 298,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
    Abbott, of which 273,000 shares, pursuant to the applicable option
    agreement, may be reduced to 176,152 shares. All shares owned by Mr. Abbott
    and all shares issuable to Mr. Abbott upon exercise of options are subject
    to the proxy described in footnote (3) above.
 
 (7) Includes 170,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
    Faucher, of which 145,000 shares, pursuant to the applicable option
    agreement, may be reduced to 91,196 shares. All shares owned by Mr. Faucher
    and all shares issuable to Mr. Faucher upon exercise of options are subject
    to the proxy described in footnote (3) above.
 
 (8) Includes 77,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Owen,
    of which 52,000 shares, pursuant to the applicable option agreement, may be
    reduced to 32,840 shares. All shares owned by
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    Mr. Owen and all shares issuable to Mr. Owen upon exercise of options are
    subject to the proxy described in footnote (3) above.
 
 (9) Includes 70,500 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
    McGregor, of which 45,500 shares, pursuant to the applicable option
    agreement, may be reduced to 28,877 shares. All shares owned by Mr. McGregor
    and all shares issuable to Mr. McGregor upon exercise of options are subject
    to the proxy described in footnote (3) above.
 
(10) Includes 20,450 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr.
    Schriefer which, pursuant to the applicable option agreement, may be reduced
    to 12,856 shares. All shares owned by Mr. Schriefer and all shares issuable
    to Mr. Schriefer upon exercise of options are subject to the proxy described
    in footnote (3) above.
 
(11) Consists of (a) the 35,096,331 shares of common stock owned by BH Group,
    which, together with the shares described in (b), (c) and (d) below, may be
    deemed to be beneficially owned by Messrs. Woods and Lindsay (which
    beneficial ownership is disclaimed by Messrs. Woods and Lindsay--see
    footnote (2) above), (b) 398,828 shares of common stock owned by the
    executive officers of Holdings included in this group, (c) 375,000 shares
    issuable to the executive officers of Holdings included in this group upon
    exercise of options which, pursuant to the applicable option agreements, may
    be reduced and (d) 3,071,583 shares of common stock and 3,506,950 shares of
    common stock issuable upon exercise of options (also subject to reduction)
    owned by other employees, former employees and retirees of Essex and its
    subsidiaries, or their respective estates. All shares described in (b), (c)
    and (d) are subject to the proxy described in footnote (3) above.
 
(12) Consists of (a) 35,096,331 shares of common stock owned by BH Group, which,
    together with the shares described in (b), (c) and (d) below, may be deemed
    to be beneficially owned by Messrs. Woods and Lindsay (which beneficial
    ownership is disclaimed by Messrs. Woods and Lindsay--see footnote (2)
    above), (b) 751,288 shares of common stock owned by the other directors and
    executive officers of Essex included in this group, (c) 635,950 shares
    issuable to the other directors and executive officers of Essex included in
    this group upon exercise of options which, pursuant to the applicable option
    agreements, may be reduced and (d) 2,719,123 shares of common stock and
    3,246,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options (also
    subject to reduction) owned by other employees, former employees and
    retirees of the Company and its subsidiaries, or their respective estates.
    All shares described in (b), (c) and (d) are subject to the proxy described
    in footnote (3) above.
 
MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENTS
 
    The members of the Company's management who are stockholders of Holdings
(each a "Management Stockholder") are each parties to various agreements
pertaining to their ownership of Holdings' common stock and options therefor.
Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of these agreements, each of
which is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report. Capitalized terms set forth
below and not otherwise defined have the meanings assigned thereto in the
relevant agreements.
 
    MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  The Management
Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement as amended generally prohibits
Management Stockholders from transferring shares of common stock of Holdings
owned by them before an initial public offering by Holdings (or any successor
thereto) (an "IPO"). If any Management Stockholder receives a bona fide offer to
purchase any of his common stock, such Management Stockholder may transfer such
common stock only after offering such common stock first to Holdings and then,
if not accepted by Holdings, to BHLP, in each case on the same terms and
conditions as such bona fide offer.
 
    Any Management Stockholder whose employment with the Company ceases prior to
an IPO will have a "put right" for one year by which he, or his estate may
require Holdings to repurchase all or a portion of his shares of common stock of
Holdings. If the Management Stockholder leaves the Company due to
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
death, disability or retirement, Holdings will purchase the shares at a price
equal, at the option of Holdings, to (i) the higher of (x) the last price paid
by BHLP, Holdings or a Management Stockholder for shares of common stock of
Holdings and (y) approximately $2.86 per share or (ii) the fair market value of
the shares of common stock of Holdings as determined by an independent appraiser
or investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of Holdings (the
value determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) being the "Fair Market Value").
In all other cases of termination of employment, Holdings will purchase the
shares at the lesser of Fair Market Value or the purchase price actually paid by
the Management Stockholder. Holdings will be required to repurchase such shares
at such price, unless such repurchase would violate any applicable law or
regulation or any agreement pursuant to which Holdings incurred any debt, in
which case Holdings may defer such repurchase until such repurchase would no
longer result in any such violation. Holdings will have a "call right" for 365
days by which it can repurchase, at Fair Market Value, any or all of the shares
of common stock of Holdings belonging to the Management Stockholder or his
estate if, prior to an IPO, the Management Stockholder's employment is
terminated for any reason, whether due to his retirement, resignation, death,
disability or otherwise. Under certain circumstances, Holdings may pay the
purchase price of any common stock of Holdings repurchased from a Management
Stockholder pursuant to the put rights and call rights described above by
delivery of a subordinated note.
 
    Management Stockholders also have certain "piggyback" registration rights in
the event that Holdings registers shares of its common stock for sale under the
Securities Act of 1933.
 
    STOCK OPTION PLAN.  Grants of options to purchase common stock have been
made to management and employees of the Company pursuant to, and are subject to
the provisions of, an Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, as amended (the
"Stock Option Plan"), and individual stock option agreements. Options granted
prior to January 1, 1997 are exercisable: (i) in full, upon the third
anniversary of the grant of the options; (ii) in full, upon the death,
retirement or disability of the optionee; (iii) in part, upon the occurrence of
a Company Sale (as defined below), in which case the option becomes exercisable
in a portion equal to the percentage of the Company's then outstanding voting
stock transferred pursuant to the transactions constituting the Company Sale;
and (iv) in part, upon the sale by BH Group of 25% or more of the then
outstanding Common Stock, in which case the option becomes exercisable in a
portion equal to the percentage of the Company's then outstanding common stock
sold by BH Group pursuant to the sale. Options granted after January 30, 1997,
are exercisable: (i)in full, upon the first anniversary of the grant of the
options and (ii) in full or in part, as described in clauses (ii), (iii) and
(iv) of the prior sentence.
 
    Such options are generally not transferable. For the purposes of the Stock
Option Plan, a "Company Sale" is deemed to have occurred if any person (other
than BH Group) becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's securities or acquires substantially all the
assets of Holdings or the Company.
 
    The Board of Directors of the Company may require that certain options
granted in connection with the Acquisition (the "Roll-over Options") be
surrendered and cancelled without payment of the exercise price. In this event,
the optionee is entitled to receive a number of shares of common stock equal to
the number specified in the grant, reduced by a number of shares equal to the
product of (A) the number of shares specified in the grant and (B) the quotient
of (x) the original exercise price (unadjusted for any split or other
reorganization) and (y) approximately 2.86.
 
INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
 
    SET FORTH BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN TERMS OF THE INVESTORS SHAREHOLDERS
AGREEMENT AMONG HOLDINGS, BHLP (AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BCP), AFFILIATES OF
DLJ, AFFILIATES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND CEA. CAPITALIZED TERMS USED BELOW AND NOT
OTHERWISE DEFINED HAVE THE MEANING ASSIGNED THERETO IN THE INVESTORS
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    In connection with the Acquisition, BHLP (as successor in interest to
Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.), Goldman Sachs, DLJ and CEA (together with
certain assignees, the "Initial Shareholders") entered into the Investors
Shareholders Agreement, dated as of October 9, 1992 (as amended, the "Investors
Shareholders Agreement"), with the Company. Set forth below is a summary of
certain terms of the Investors Shareholders Agreement. The summary does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by,
the Investors Shareholders Agreement.
 
    BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  The Investors Shareholders Agreement provides that the
Initial Shareholders will use their power to cause the Board of Directors of the
Company to be composed of seven directors, that BHLP (as successor in interest
to Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.) shall have the right to nominate five of
these directors and that, so long as Goldman Sachs own a minimum number of
shares of common stock, Goldman Sachs will have the right to nominate one
director, which director will sit on all committees of the Board of Directors.
As a result of these arrangements, BHLP controls the Board of Directors of the
Company. These rights survive the Termination Date (as defined below).
 
    The Agreement also grants to BHLP and, so long as Goldman Sachs own a
minimum number of shares of Common Stock, to Goldman Sachs, the right to veto
certain extraordinary transactions by the Company. This right terminates on the
Termination Date.
 
    APPROVAL OF CERTAIN MATTERS.  The Investors Shareholders Agreement provides
that, without the approval of the Board of Directors, the Company will not, and
will not permit any subsidiary to, sell assets having an aggregate value in
excess of $1.0 million, grant liens in excess of $1.0 million, make capital
expenditures in excess of $1.0 million or prepay, repurchase or redeem any debt
or equity security if the amount used for such purpose exceeds $1.0 million. The
requirement for Board approval of such matters terminates on the Termination
Date.
 
    TAG-ALONG RIGHTS.  Subject to certain exceptions, if at any time BHLP or any
of its affiliates or associates propose to sell to a third party or parties,
directly or indirectly (other than in a registered public offering), any shares
of common stock, then effective provision will be made whereby each other
Initial Shareholder will be given the right to sell an equal proportion of its
common stock to such third party or parties on terms identical to those
applicable to such proposed sale. This right SURVIVES the Termination Date.
 
    Subject to certain exceptions, if at any time BHLP or any of its affiliates
or associates propose to purchase from other stockholders of the Company,
directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock, then effective provision
will be made whereby each other Initial Shareholder will be given the right to
purchase an equal proportion of the common stock of such other stockholder on
terms identical to those applicable to such proposed purchase. This right
terminates on the Termination Date.
 
    PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS.  The Investor Shareholders Agreement provides that the
Initial Shareholders shall have the pre-emptive right to subscribe to issuances
by the Company of equity securities or securities convertible into equity
securities. This right terminates on the Termination Date.
 
    RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER.  The Investor Shareholders Agreement requires that
each Initial Shareholder offer to the Company and, if the Company declines, to
the other Initial Shareholders, any shares of common stock to be sold or
otherwise transferred by the Initial Shareholder (other than pursuant to a
public offering). This right terminates on the Termination Date.
 
    TERMINATION DATE.  For the purposes of the Investors Shareholders Agreement,
the "Termination Date" is the closing date of a public offering whereby on such
date, 25% of the total number of common stock (including those issuable pursuant
to options warrants and right) have been sold in one or more public offerings.
It is anticipated that the closing date of the Offerings will be the Termination
Date.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    OTHER RIGHTS.  The Investors Shareholders Agreement also includes various
rights of first offer, tag-along and pre-emptive rights among the Investor
Shareholders. Holdings and the Investor Shareholders are also parties to
registration rights agreements relating to Holdings' common stock.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Company incurred advisory fees of approximately $1.0 million for each
year during the three-year period ending December 31, 1996, payable to an
advisory partnership that is an affiliate of BHLP. Pursuant to an advisory
services agreement among Holdings, the Company and this affiliate of BHLP, the
Company agreed to pay such affiliate an annual advisory fee of $1.0 million. The
agreement is terminable by any party on 30 days prior notice to the other
parties. See footnote (2) under "ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" for a description of the relationship of
Messrs. Woods Lindsay, directors of both Holdings and the Company and Mr. Cohen,
a director of Holdings with such BHLP affiliate.
 
    Pursuant to an engagement letter dated July 22, 1992, as amended by a letter
agreement dated October 9, 1992 (collectively, the "Engagement Letter"), DLJ and
Goldman Sachs were given the right, but not the obligation, subject to certain
conditions, to act as financial advisor to the Company and Holdings until
October 1997 on a co-exclusive basis in connection with all acquisition,
divestiture and other financial advisory assignments relating to Holdings or the
Company and to act as co-exclusive managing placement agents or co-exclusive
managing underwriters in connection with any debt or equity financing which is
either privately placed or publicly offered (excluding commercial bank debt or
other senior debt which is privately placed other than any private placement
which contemplates a registration of, registered exchange offer for, or similar
registration with respect to such securities). DLJ also had the right, but not
the obligation, to act as co-managing placement agent or co-managing
underwriter, together only with The Chase Manhattan Bank in connection with
senior debt that is privately placed. Holdings has retained the right to
designate DLJ or The Chase Manhattan Bank as lead placement agent or lead
managing underwriter. However, DLJ no longer has the right to act as financial
advisor to the Company and Holdings under the engagement letter because it no
longer holds a specified minimum investment in Holdings.
 
    Pursuant to such engagement, DLJ and Goldman Sachs acted as underwriters in
the offerings of the Senior Notes, and in such capacity received aggregate
underwriting discounts and commissions of $5.3 million. For any further services
performed by DLJ or Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Engagement Letter, DLJ and
Goldman Sachs are entitled to fees competitive with those customarily charged by
DLJ, Goldman Sachs and other major investment banks in similar transactions and
to customary out of pocket fee and expense reimbursement and indemnification and
contribution agreements.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
    (a) 1.  Financial Statements
          The financial statements listed under Item 8 are filed as a part of
    this report.
 
       2.  Financial Statement Schedules
           The financial statement schedules listed under Item 8 are filed as a
           part of this report.
 
       3.  Exhibits
           The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed
           as a part of this report.
 
    (b) Reports on Form 8-K:
 
       1.  A Current Report on Form 8-K (Items 5 and 7) was filed on October 16,
           1996 to report the third quarter 1996 earnings.
 
       2.  A Current Report on Form 8-K (Items 5 and 7) was filed on November 5,
           1996 to report the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and
           certain liabilities of Triangle Wire and Cable, Inc. of Lincoln,
           Rhode Island and its Canadian affiliate, FLI Royal Wire and Cable
           related to the sales, marketing, manufacture and distribution of
           electrical wire and cable.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
                                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
             DATE                                (Registrant)
------------------------------
 
      February 19, 1997         By   /s/ DAVID A. OWEN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     David A. Owen Executive Vice President,
                                     Chief Financial Officer; Director
                                     (Principal Financial Officer)
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             DATE
  ---------------------------
 
       February 19, 1997     /s/ STEVEN R. ABBOTT
                             ------------------------------
                             Steven R. Abbott
                             President and Chief Executive
                             Officer; Director
                             (Principal Executive Officer)
       February 19, 1997     /s/ DAVID A. OWEN
                             ------------------------------
                             David A. Owen
                             Executive Vice President,
                             Chief Financial Officer;
                             Director
                             (Principal Financial Officer)
       February 19, 1997     /s/ ROBERT J. FAUCHER
                             ------------------------------
                             Robert J. Faucher
                             Director
       February 19, 1997     /s/ CHARLES W. MCGREGOR
                             ------------------------------
                             Charles W. McGregor
                             Director
       February 19, 1997     /s/ ROBERT D. LINDSAY
                             ------------------------------
                             Robert D. Lindsay
                             Director
       February 19, 1997     /s/ WARD W. WOODS, JR.
                             ------------------------------
                             Ward W. Woods, Jr.
                             Director
       February 19, 1997     /s/ JAMES D. RICE
                             ------------------------------
                             James D. Rice
                             Senior Vice President,
                             Corporate Controller
                             (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
                               INDEX OF EXHIBITS
                                (ITEM 14(A)(3))
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.                                                             DESCRIPTION
-----------             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <C>        <S>
 
      2.01          --  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 24, 1992, between B E Acquisition Corporation and
                        BCP/Essex Holdings Inc. (then known as MS/Essex Holdings Inc.), incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        2.1 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
                        Commission (the "Commission") on August 10, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      2.02          --  Amendment dated as of October 1, 1992, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger between B E Acquisition
                        Corporation and BCP/Essex Holdings Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to BCP/Essex
                        Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992
                        (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      3.01          --  Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the
                        Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-20825).
 
      3.02          --  By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.02 to the Company's
                        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991).
 
      4.01          --  Indenture under which the 10% Senior Notes Due 2003 are outstanding, incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-2
                        (Commission File No. 33-59488).
 
      4.02          --  Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 1996, between BCP/Essex Holdings Inc., the Registrant, the
                        lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the
                        Commission on November 13, 1996 (Commission File No. 33-03232).
 
      4.03          --  Senior Unsecured Note Agreement dated as of April 12, 1995, between BCP/Essex Holdings Inc., as
                        guarantor, the Registrant, the lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative
                        agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
                        filed with the Commission on May 12, 1995.
 
      4.04          --  Agreement and Lease dated as of April 12, 1995, between Mellon Financial Services Corporation #3 and
                        the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
                        Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 12, 1995.
 
      9.01          --  Investors Shareholders Agreement dated as of October 9, 1992, between B E Acquisition Corporation,
                        Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P., certain affiliates of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
                        Corporation, certain affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Chemical Equity Associates, A
                        California Limited Partnership, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File
                        No. 1-10211).
 
      9.02          --  Management Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 9, 1992, between B E
                        Acquisition Corporation, Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P. and certain employees of the Registrant and
                        its subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.3 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Current
                        Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.03          --  Form of Irrevocable Proxy dated as of October 9, 1992, granted to Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P. by
                        certain employees of the Registrant and its subsidiaries, incorporated by
</TABLE>
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.                                                             DESCRIPTION
-----------             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        reference to Exhibit 28.4 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
                        Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
<C>          <C>        <S>
 
      9.04          --  Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 3, 1996 to the Management Stockholders Agreement, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 9.04 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                        year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.05          --  Amendment No. 2 dated as of December 11, 1996 to the Management Stockholders Agreement, incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit 9.05 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                        year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.06          --  Form of Irrevocable Proxy dated December 1996, granted to Bessemer Holdings, L.P. by certain
                        employees of the Registrant's subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.06 to BCP/Essex
                        Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission
                        File No. 1-10211).
 
     10.01          --  Engagement Letter dated July 22, 1992 between Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P., and Donaldson, Lufkin
                        & Jenrette Securities Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant's Annual
                        Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-7418).
 
     10.02          --  Amendment dated October 9, 1992 between Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P., Donaldson, Lufkin &
                        Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs and Co., to Engagement Letter dated July 22, 1992
                        among Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P., and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                        ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-7418).
 
     10.03          --  Advisory Services Agreement dated as of December 15, 1992, between Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.,
                        BCP/Essex Holdings Inc. and the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to BCP/Essex
                        Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission
                        File No. 1-10211).
 
     12.01          --  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
     21.01          --  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
     27.01          --  Financial Data Schedule.
 
     99.01          --  Registration Rights Agreement ("Registration Rights Agreement") dated as of October 9, 1992, between
                        B E Acquisition Corporation, certain affiliates of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
                        Corporation, certain affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Chemical Equity Associates, A
                        California Limited Partnership, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.2 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File
                        No. 1-10211).
 
     99.02          --  Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 5, 1995 to the Registration Rights Agreement, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 99.02 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                        year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission File 1-10211).
 
     99.03          --  Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan") of BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K,
                        filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
     99.04          --  Amendment No. 1 to the Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.04 to BCP/Essex
                        Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission
                        File No. 1-10211).
</TABLE>
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholder
 
Essex Group, Inc.
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Essex Group,
Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the related consolidated statements of
income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in
the Index at Item 14 (a). These financial statements and schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Essex Group,
Inc. at December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the consolidated results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Indianapolis, Indiana
January 28, 1997, except for Note 13,
  as to which the date is February 19, 1997
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            ----------------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>         <C>
                                                                                               1995        1996
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...............................................................  $    3,157  $    2,899
  Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $3,930 and $5,239).............................     154,584     189,717
  Inventories.............................................................................     166,076     217,643
  Other current assets....................................................................       8,988      12,147
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
    Total current assets..................................................................     332,805     422,406
Property, plant and equipment, net........................................................     270,546     280,489
Excess of cost over net assets acquired (net of accumulated amortization of $13,221 and
  $17,388)................................................................................     129,943     126,619
Other intangible assets and deferred costs (net of accumulated amortization of $3,102 and
  $4,501).................................................................................       9,187       7,417
Other assets..............................................................................       1,987       4,294
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            $  744,468  $  841,225
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Notes payable to bank...................................................................  $   11,760  $   30,913
  Current portion of long-term debt.......................................................      24,734      11,576
  Accounts payable........................................................................      66,797      71,243
  Accrued liabilities.....................................................................      45,864      64,313
  Deferred income taxes...................................................................      15,345      15,151
  Due to Holdings.........................................................................         384       5,153
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
    Total current liabilities.............................................................     164,884     198,349
Long-term debt............................................................................     388,016     421,340
Deferred income taxes.....................................................................      66,809      58,043
Other long-term liabilities...............................................................      10,081      12,427
 
Stockholder's equity:
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 1,000 shares authorized; 100 shares issued and
    outstanding; plus additional paid in capital..........................................     104,036     104,036
  Retained earnings.......................................................................      10,642      47,030
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
    Total stockholder's equity............................................................     114,678     151,066
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            $  744,468  $  841,225
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          ----------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                                              1994          1995          1996
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
Net sales...............................................................  $  1,010,075  $  1,201,650  $  1,332,049
Cost of goods sold......................................................       846,611     1,030,511     1,102,460
Selling and administrative expenses.....................................        85,129        93,250       120,885
Other expense, net......................................................           910         1,032         2,151
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Income from operations..................................................        77,425        76,857       106,553
Interest expense........................................................        24,554        34,683        39,994
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Income before income taxes and extraordinary charge.....................        52,871        42,174        66,559
Provision for income taxes..............................................        22,700        19,680        28,988
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Income before extraordinary charge......................................        30,171        22,494        37,571
Extraordinary charge--debt retirement, net of income tax benefit........       --              2,971         1,183
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Net income..............................................................  $     30,171  $     19,523  $     36,388
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                    1994         1995         1996
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income...................................................................  $    30,171  $    19,523  $    36,388
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization..............................................       31,420       34,205       33,944
    Non cash interest expense..................................................        2,630        1,990        1,935
    Non cash pension expense...................................................        2,328        1,947        3,021
    Provision for losses on accounts receivable................................        1,332          676        1,175
    Benefit for deferred income taxes..........................................       (8,964)      (1,025)      (7,417)
    Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment..........................        1,354        2,610        1,679
    Loss on repurchase of debt.................................................      --             4,951        1,971
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable...............................      (27,160)     (10,665)       6,288
      (Increase) decrease in inventories.......................................       (4,515)       3,762      (16,109)
      Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.....................        4,575       18,901        6,164
      Net (increase) decrease in other assets and liabilities..................      (10,725)      11,378       (6,319)
      Increase (decrease) in due to Holdings...................................       14,616      (32,595)       4,769
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
        NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES..............................       37,062       55,658       67,489
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Additions to property, plant and equipment...................................      (30,109)     (28,555)     (25,569)
  Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment......................          227        2,419          533
  Acquisitions.................................................................      --           (24,934)     (79,395)
  Other investments............................................................         (236)        (459)        (285)
  Issuance of equity interest in a subsidiary..................................      --             1,063      --
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
        NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES.................................      (30,118)     (50,466)    (104,716)
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from long term debt.................................................      106,000      428,390      493,900
  Repayments of long term debt.................................................     (106,396)    (215,640)    (473,734)
  Proceeds from notes payable to banks.........................................      --           160,030      537,550
  Repayments from notes payable to banks.......................................      --          (148,270)    (518,397)
  Dividends paid to Holdings...................................................      --          (238,748)     --
  Debt issuance costs..........................................................      --            (4,691)      (2,350)
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
        NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES...................         (396)     (18,929)      36,969
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS...........................        6,548      (13,737)        (258)
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year...............................       10,346       16,894        3,157
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.....................................  $    16,894  $     3,157  $     2,899
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 1  ACQUISITION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY AND HOLDINGS
 
    On February 29, 1988, MS/Essex Holdings Inc. ("Predecessor" or "Holdings"),
acquired Essex Group, Inc. (the "Company") from United Technologies Corporation
("UTC") (the "1988 Acquisition"). The outstanding common stock of Holdings was
beneficially owned by The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P., certain
directors and members of management of Holdings and the Company, and others.
 
    On October 9, 1992, Holdings was acquired (the "Acquisition") by merger (the
"Merger") of B E Acquisition Corporation ("BE") with and into Holdings with
Holdings surviving under the name BCP/ Essex Holdings Inc. ("Successor" or
"Holdings"). BE was a newly organized Delaware corporation formed for the
purpose of effecting the Acquisition. Shareholders of BE included Bessemer
Holdings, L.P. (an affiliate and successor in interest to Bessemer Capital
Partners, L.P. ["BCP"]) ("BHLP"), members of management and other employees of
the Company and others. As a result of the Merger, the stockholders of BE became
stockholders of Holdings. The effects of the Acquisition and Merger resulted in
a new basis of accounting reflecting estimated fair values for assets and
liabilities as of October 1, 1992. However, to the extent that Holdings'
management had a continuing investment interest in Holdings' common stock, such
fair values and contributed stockholders' equity (denoted as carryover of
Predecessor basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) were reduced
proportionately to reflect the continuing interest (approximately 10%) at the
prior historical cost basis.
 
ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS
 
    On October 31, 1996, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets
and certain liabilities of Triangle Wire and Cable, Inc. of Lincoln, Rhode
Island and its Canadian affiliate, FLI Royal Wire and Cable ("Triangle"),
related to the sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution of electrical
wire and cable. The acquisition included four manufacturing facilities which
produce a broad range of building and industrial wire and cable. The total
purchase price for the net assets of Triangle, including acquisition costs, was
$71,764. The acquisition was financed from proceeds received under the Company's
revolving credit agreement.
 
    The acquisition was recorded under the purchase method of accounting and
accordingly, the results of operations of Triangle for the two-month period
ended December 31, 1996 are included in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements. The purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the date of
acquisition. The allocation of the purchase price, which is preliminary, is
summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Current assets....................................................  $  73,343
Property, plant and equipment.....................................     14,181
Current liabilities...............................................    (17,304)
Deferred taxes....................................................      1,544
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $  71,764
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 1  ACQUISITION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information for the
Company for 1995 and 1996 are presented assuming the acquisition had occurred on
January 1, 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1995          1996
                                                                    ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
Net sales.........................................................  $  1,505,196  $  1,561,224
Income before extraordinary charge................................        21,032        40,112
Net income........................................................        18,061        38,929
</TABLE>
 
    The pro forma consolidated financial information does not purport to present
what the Company's consolidated results of operations would actually have been
if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1995 and is not intended to
project future results of operations.
 
CONSOLIDATION
 
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles thereby requiring management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
 
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
    The Company operates in one industry segment. The Company develops,
manufactures and markets electrical wire and cable and insulation products. The
Company's principal products in order of revenue are: building wire for the
construction industry; magnet wire for electromechanical devices such as motors,
transformers and electrical controls; voice and data communication wire and
cable; automotive wire and specialty wiring assemblies for automobiles and
trucks; and industrial wire for applications in construction, appliances and
recreational vehicles. The Company's customers are principally located
throughout the United States, without significant concentration in any one
region or any one customer. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of
its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral.
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the
date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    Holdings and the Company file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return.
The Company operates under a tax sharing agreement with Holdings whereby the
Company's aggregate income tax liability is calculated as if it filed a separate
tax return with its subsidiaries.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 1  ACQUISITION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are stated at cost, determined principally on the last-in,
first-out ("LIFO") method, which is not in excess of market.
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over
estimated useful lives using the straight-line method.
 
INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURE
 
    Investments in joint ventures are stated at cost adjusted for the Company's
share of undistributed earnings or losses.
 
EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED
 
    Excess of cost over net assets acquired primarily represents the excess of
Holdings' purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the
Acquisition, and is being amortized by the straight-line method over 35 years.
Holdings' excess of cost over net assets acquired is assessed for potential
impairment whenever existing facts and circumstances indicate the carrying value
of those assets may not be recoverable. The assessment process consists of
estimating the future undiscounted cash flows of the businesses for which the
excess of cost over net assets acquired relates and comparing the resultant
amount to their carrying value to determine if an impairment has occurred. If an
impairment has occurred, an impairment loss would be recognized for the excess
of the carrying value over the fair value, as measured on a discounted cash flow
basis, of the excess of cost over net assets acquired.
 
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DEFERRED COSTS
 
    Other intangible assets and deferred costs consist primarily of deferred
debt issuance costs and are being amortized over the lives of the applicable
debt instruments using the straight line or bonds outstanding method and charged
to operations as additional interest expense.
 
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
    Other long-term liabilities consist primarily of accrued liabilities under
the Company sponsored defined benefit pension plans for salaried and hourly
employees and the supplemental executive retirement plan.
 
RECOGNITION OF REVENUE
 
    Substantially all revenue is recognized at the time the product is shipped.
 
RECLASSIFICATION
 
    Certain 1994 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current year presentation.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 2  INVENTORIES
 
    The components of inventories are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
                                                                           1995        1996
                                                                        ----------  ----------
Finished goods........................................................  $  146,821  $  171,213
Raw materials and work in process.....................................      52,366      56,840
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                           199,187     228,053
LIFO reserve..........................................................     (33,111)    (10,410)
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        $  166,076  $  217,643
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    Principal elements of cost included in inventories are copper, other
purchased materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Inventories valued
using the LIFO method amounted to $161,449 and $210,454 at December 31, 1995 and
1996, respectively.
 
NOTE 3  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
                                                                           1995        1996
                                                                        ----------  ----------
Land..................................................................  $    8,877  $    9,386
Buildings and improvements............................................      87,704      95,600
Machinery and equipment...............................................     240,257     272,621
Construction in process...............................................      18,049      14,990
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                           354,887     392,597
Less accumulated depreciation.........................................      84,341     112,108
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        $  270,546  $  280,489
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 4  ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
    Accrued liabilities include the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
                                                                            1995       1996
                                                                          ---------  ---------
Salaries, wages and employee benefits...................................  $  15,566  $  20,271
Amounts due customers...................................................      5,860     11,381
Other...................................................................     24,438     32,661
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                          $  45,864  $  64,313
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 5  NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
    Notes payable consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
                                                                            1995       1996
                                                                          ---------  ---------
Bank lines of credit....................................................  $  11,760  $  25,000
Canadian credit facility................................................     --          5,913
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                          $  11,760  $  30,913
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
                                                                           1995        1996
                                                                        ----------  ----------
10% Senior notes......................................................  $  200,000  $  200,000
Revolving loan........................................................     135,000     179,900
Term loan.............................................................      54,000      31,766
Lease obligation......................................................      23,750      21,250
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                           412,750     432,916
    Less current portion..............................................      24,734      11,576
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        $  388,016  $  421,340
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
BANK FINANCING
 
    In connection with the Triangle acquisition, the Company terminated its
former revolving credit agreement dated as of April 12, 1995 (the "Former
Revolving Credit Agreement") and entered into a new revolving credit agreement,
dated October 31, 1996, by and among the Company, Holdings, the Lenders named
therein, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (the "Revolving
Credit Agreement"). The Revolving Credit Agreement expires in 2001 and provides
for up to $370,000 in revolving loans, subject to specified percentages of
eligible assets, reduced by outstanding borrowings under the Company's Canadian
credit agreement and unsecured bank lines of credit ($5,913 and $25,000,
respectively, at December 31, 1996), as described below. The Company recognized
an extraordinary charge of $1,183 ($1,971 before applicable income tax benefit)
in 1996 for the write-off of unamortized deferred debt expense associated with
the termination of the Former Revolving Credit Agreement. The Company's
Revolving Credit Agreement loans bear floating rates of interest, at the
Company's option, at bank prime plus 1.25% or a reserve adjusted Eurodollar rate
(LIBOR) plus 2.25%. The effective interest rate can be reduced by 0.25% to
1.50%, in 0.25% increments, if certain specified financial conditions are
achieved. Commitment fees during the revolving loan period are .250%, .375% or
 .5% of the average daily unused portion of the available credit based upon
certain specified financial conditions. At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the
incremental borrowing rate under the Former Revolving Credit Agreement and the
Revolving Credit Agreement, including applicable margins, approximated 9% and
8.75%, respectively. Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement is
guaranteed by Holdings and all of the Company's subsidiaries, and is secured by
a pledge of the capital stock of the Company and its subsidiaries and by a first
lien on substantially all assets.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 5  NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
    The Revolving Credit Agreement also provides a $25,000 letter of credit
subfacility. The Company's ability to borrow under the Revolving Credit
Agreement is restricted by the financial covenants contained therein as well as
those contained in the Term Loan, as defined in the second succeeding paragraph,
and by certain debt limitation covenants contained in the indenture under which
the 10% Senior Notes due 2003 (the "Senior Notes") were issued (the "Senior Note
Indenture").
 
    The Revolving Credit Agreement contains various covenants which include,
among other things: (a) the maintenance of certain financial ratios and
compliance with certain financial tests and limitations; (b) limitations on
investments and capital expenditures; (c) limitations on cash dividends paid;
and (d) limitations on leases and the sale of assets. Through December 31, 1996,
the Company fully complied with all of the financial ratios and covenants
contained in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
 
    The Company and its subsidiaries also maintain three additional credit
facilities consisting of: (i) a $60.0 million senior unsecured note agreement,
dated as of April 12, 1995 by and among the Company, Holdings, as guarantor, the
lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (the
"Term Loan"); (ii) a $25.0 million agreement and lease dated as of April 12,
1995 by and between the Company and Mellon Financial Services Corporation #3
(the "Sale and Leaseback Agreement"); and (iii) a $12.0 million (Canadian
dollar) credit agreement by and between an Essex subsidiary and a Canadian
chartered bank (the "Canadian Credit Agreement").
 
    On May 12, 1995 the Company borrowed the full amount available under the
Term Loan and the Sale and Leaseback Agreement. These funds, together with
available cash and borrowings under the Former Revolving Credit Agreement, were
paid to Holdings in the form of a cash dividend ($238,748) and repayment of a
portion of an intercompany liability ($34,102) totaling $272,850. Holdings
applied such funds to redeem all of its outstanding 16% Senior Discount
Debentures due 2004 (the "Debentures") at 100% of their principal amount of
$272,850 on May 15, 1995. In connection with the Debenture redemption, the
Company terminated its previous credit agreement and recognized an extraordinary
charge of $2,971 ($4,951 before applicable income tax benefit) in the second
quarter 1995 for the write-off of unamortized deferred debt expense.
 
    The Term Loan provides an aggregate $60.0 million in term loans, and is to
be repaid in 20 equal quarterly installments, subject to the loan's excess cash
provision through May 15, 2000. The Term Loan bears floating rates of interest
at bank prime plus 2.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75%. The Term Loan requires 50% of
excess cash, as defined to be applied against the outstanding term loan balance.
The 1996 excess cash repayment of $12.4 million, for the year ended December 31,
1995, resulted in remaining principal payments of 17 equal quarterly
installments of $2.3 million. Amounts repaid with respect to the excess cash
provisions may not be reborrowed. There are no requirements for an excess cash
payment to be made for year ended December 31, 1996 results.
 
    The Sale and Leaseback Agreement provides $25,000 for the sale and leaseback
of certain of the Company's fixed assets. The Sale and Leaseback Agreement has a
seven-year term expiring in May 2002. The principal component of the rental is
paid quarterly, with the amount of each of the first 27 payments equal to 2.5%
of lessor's cost of the equipment, and the balance is due at the final payment.
The interest component is paid on the unpaid principal balance and is calculated
by lessor at LIBOR plus 2.5%. The effective interest rate can be reduced by
0.25% to 1.125% if certain specified financial conditions are achieved. The
fixed assets subject to the Sale and Leaseback Agreement (all of which are
machinery and
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 5  NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
equipment) are included in property, plant and equipment in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets and have a gross cost of $30,882 and accumulated amortization of
$4,139 at December 31, 1996.
 
    Borrowings under the Canadian Credit Agreement are restricted to meeting the
working capital requirements of the subsidiary and are collateralized by the
subsidiary's accounts receivable. As of December 31, 1996, $5.9 million was
outstanding under the Canadian Credit Agreement and denoted as notes payable to
banks in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Canadian Credit Agreement bears
interest at rates similar to the Revolving Credit Agreement and terminates one
year from its effective date of May 30, 1996, although it may be extended for
successive one year periods upon the mutual consent of the subsidiary and
lending bank.
 
    The Company also has uncommitted bank lines of credit which provide
unsecured borrowings for working capital of up to $25,000 of which $11,760 and
$25,000 were outstanding at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and
denoted as notes payable to banks in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These
lines of credit bear interest at rates subject to agreement between the Company
and the lending banks. At December 31, 1995 and 1996 such rates of interest
averaged 6.7% and 7.6%, respectively.
 
SENIOR NOTES
 
    At December 31, 1995 and 1996, $200,000 aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Notes were outstanding. The Senior Notes bear interest at 10% per annum
payable semiannually and are due in May 2003. The Senior Notes rank PARI PASSU
in right of payment with all other senior indebtedness of the Company. To the
extent that any other senior indebtedness of the Company is secured by liens on
the assets of the Company, the holders of such senior indebtedness will have a
claim prior to any claim of the holders of the Senior Notes as to those assets.
 
    At the option of the Company, the Senior Notes may be redeemed, commencing
in May 1998 in whole, or in part, at redemption prices ranging from 103.75% in
1998 to 100% in 2001. Upon a Change in Control, as defined in the Senior Note
Indenture, each holder of Senior Notes will have the right to require the
Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder's Senior Notes at a
repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof. The Senior Note
Indenture contains various covenants which include, among other things,
limitations on debt, on the sale of assets, and on cash dividends paid. Through
December 31, 1996 the Company fully complied with all of the financial ratios
and covenants contained in the Senior Note Indenture.
 
OTHER
 
    The Company capitalized interest costs of $132, $565 and $558 in 1994, 1995
and 1996, respectively, with respect to qualifying assets.
 
    Total interest paid was $20,826, $32,312 and $38,284 in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 5  NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
    Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
1997..............................................................  $  11,576
1998..............................................................     11,576
1999..............................................................     11,576
2000..............................................................      7,038
2001..............................................................    182,400
</TABLE>
 
    The year 2001 includes repayment of the Company's Revolving Credit Agreement
in the amount of $179,900.
 
NOTE 6  INCOME TAXES
 
    Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          --------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
                                                                            1995       1996
                                                                          ---------  ---------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property, plant and equipment.........................................  $  68,553  $  60,519
  Inventory.............................................................     28,485     30,114
  Other.................................................................      3,844      4,502
                                                                          ---------  ---------
    Total deferred tax liabilities......................................    100,882     95,135
Deferred tax assets:
  Accrued liabilities...................................................      6,650      8,252
  Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward...........................      1,384     --
  Other.................................................................     10,694     13,689
                                                                          ---------  ---------
    Total deferred tax assets...........................................     18,728     21,941
                                                                          ---------  ---------
    Net deferred tax liabilities........................................  $  82,154  $  73,194
                                                                          ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The components of income tax expense are:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               -------------------------------
                                                                 1994       1995       1996
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal....................................................  $  27,157  $  14,872  $  29,572
  State......................................................      4,507      5,833      6,833
Deferred (Credit):
  Federal....................................................     (8,362)     1,135     (5,805)
  State......................................................       (602)    (2,160)    (1,612)
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                               $  22,700  $  19,680  $  28,988
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 6  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    Total income taxes paid were $11,484, $45,839 and $32,536 in 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively.
 
    Principal differences between the effective income tax rate and the
statutory federal income tax rate are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    -------------------------------
                                                                      1994       1995       1996
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate.................................       35.0%      35.0%      35.0%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit.....................        4.8        5.8        5.1
Excess of cost over net assets acquired amortization..............        2.7        3.4        2.1
Other, net........................................................         .4        2.5        1.4
                                                                         ---        ---        ---
Effective income tax rate.........................................       42.9%      46.7%      43.6%
                                                                         ---        ---        ---
                                                                         ---        ---        ---
</TABLE>
 
    In connection with the Acquisition and Merger in 1992, the Company elected
not to step up its tax bases in the assets acquired. Accordingly, the income tax
bases in the assets acquired have not been changed from pre-1988 Acquisition
values. Depreciation and amortization of the higher allocated financial
statement bases are not deductible for income tax purposes, thus increasing the
effective income tax rate reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
 
NOTE 7  RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
    The Company sponsors two defined benefit retirement plans for substantially
all salaried and hourly employees. The Company also has a supplemental executive
retirement plan which provides retirement benefits based on the same formula as
in effect under the salaried employees' plan, but which only takes into account
compensation in excess of amounts that can be recognized under the salaried
employees' plan. Salaried plan retirement benefits are generally based on years
of service and the employee's compensation during the last several years of
employment. Hourly plan retirement benefits are based on hours worked and years
of service with a fixed dollar benefit level. The Company's funding policy is
based on an actuarially determined cost method allowable under Internal Revenue
Service regulations, the projected unit credit method. Pension plan assets
consist principally of fixed income and equity securities and cash and cash
equivalents.
 
    The components of net periodic pension cost for the plans are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               --------------------------------
                                                                 1994        1995       1996
                                                               ---------  ----------  ---------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>         <C>
Service-cost benefits earned during the period...............  $   2,964  $    2,365  $   3,377
Interest costs on projected benefit obligation...............      3,643       3,923      4,715
Actual return on plan assets.................................      2,409     (13,597)    (5,123)
Net amortization and deferral................................     (6,458)      9,751        268
                                                               ---------  ----------  ---------
Net periodic pension cost....................................  $   2,558  $    2,442  $   3,237
                                                               ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                               ---------  ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 7  RETIREMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED)
    The following table summarizes the funded status of these pension plans and
the related amounts that are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         ---------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
                                                                           1995        1996
                                                                         ---------  ----------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
  Vested...............................................................  $  42,052  $   44,726
  Nonvested............................................................      3,656       3,804
                                                                         ---------  ----------
  Accumulated benefit obligation.......................................     45,708      48,530
  Effect of projected future salary increases..........................     17,195      17,690
                                                                         ---------  ----------
  Projected benefit obligation.........................................     62,903      66,220
Plan assets at fair value..............................................     55,447      60,131
                                                                         ---------  ----------
Projected benefit obligation in excess of fair value of plan assets....     (7,456)     (6,089)
Unrecognized net gain..................................................     (1,312)     (5,131)
Unrecognized prior service cost........................................       (326)       (299)
                                                                         ---------  ----------
Pension liability recognized in balance sheets.........................  $  (9,094) $  (11,519)
                                                                         ---------  ----------
                                                                         ---------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    Certain actuarial assumptions were revised in 1995 and 1996 resulting in an
increase of $13,262 and a decrease of $5,345, respectively, in the projected
benefit obligation.
 
    Following is a summary of significant actuarial assumptions used:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                                                              1994         1995         1996
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>
Discount rates...........................................................         8.5%         7.0%         7.5%
Rates of increase in compensation levels.................................         5.0%         5.0%         5.0%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets..............................         9.0%         9.0%         9.0%
</TABLE>
 
    In addition to the defined benefit retirement plans as detailed above, the
Company also sponsors defined contribution savings plans which cover
substantially all salaried and non-union hourly employees of the Company and
certain other hourly employees, represented by collective bargaining agreements,
who negotiate this benefit into their contract. The purpose of these savings
plans is generally to provide additional financial security during retirement by
providing employees with an incentive to make regular savings. The Company's
contributions to the defined contribution plans totalled $1,088, $1,123 and
$1,194 in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
    The Company also sponsors an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation
plan which permits certain key management employees to annually elect to defer a
portion of their compensation and earn a guaranteed interest rate on the
deferred amounts. The total amount of participant deferrals and accrued
interest, which is reflected in other long-term liabilities, was $609 and $1,234
at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 8  STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
    The following is an analysis of stockholder's equity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              COMMON
                                                                            STOCK PLUS
                                                                            ADDITIONAL                  TOTAL
                                                                             PAID IN     RETAINED   STOCKHOLDER'S
                                                                             CAPITAL     EARNINGS      EQUITY
                                                                            ----------  ----------  -------------
<S>                                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993..............................................  $  302,784  $      948   $   303,732
Net income................................................................      --          30,171        30,171
                                                                            ----------  ----------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1994..............................................     302,784      31,119       333,903
Net income................................................................      --          19,523        19,523
Cash dividends paid to Holdings...........................................    (198,748)    (40,000)     (238,748)
                                                                            ----------  ----------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1995..............................................     104,036      10,642       114,678
Net income................................................................      --          36,388        36,388
                                                                            ----------  ----------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1996..............................................  $  104,036  $   47,030   $   151,066
                                                                            ----------  ----------  -------------
                                                                            ----------  ----------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 9  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    Advisory services fees of $1,000 were paid to an affiliate of BHLP for 1994,
1995 and 1996. It is expected that financial advisory fees to an affiliate of
BHLP will continue to be paid for such services in the future.
 
NOTE 10  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE INFORMATION
 
    The Company, to a limited extent, uses forward fixed price contracts and
derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange and
commodity price risks. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments
for investment or trading purposes. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the
event of nonperformance by counterparties for foreign exchange forward
contracts, metal forward price contracts and metals futures contracts but the
Company does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these counterparties. The
amount of such exposure is generally the unrealized gains within the underlying
contracts.
 
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK MANAGEMENT
 
    The Company engages in the sale and purchase of goods and services which
periodically require payment or receipt of amounts denominated in foreign
currencies. To protect the Company's related anticipated cash flows from the
risk of adverse foreign currency exchange fluctuations for firm sales and
purchase commitments, the Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange
contracts. At December 31, 1995, the Company had Deutschemark forward exchange
sales contracts of $1,145 and purchase contracts of $886. At December 31, 1996,
the Company had no Deutschemark forward exchange sales contracts but did have
$138 of purchase contracts. The fair value of such contracts approximated the
contract amount. Foreign currency gains or losses resulting from the Company's
operating and hedging activities are recognized in earnings in the period in
which the hedged currency is collected or paid. The related amounts due to or
from counterparties are included in other liabilities or other assets.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 10  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
COMMODITY PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT
 
    Copper, the Company's principal raw material, experiences marked
fluctuations in market prices, thereby subjecting the Company to copper price
risk with respect to copper purchases and to firm and anticipated customer sales
contracts. Derivative financial instruments in the form of copper futures
contracts are utilized by the Company to reduce those risks.
 
    Purchase or "long" contracts are utilized by the Company to hedge firm and
anticipated sales contracts while sales or "short" contracts are employed with
respect to "carryover" copper purchases. Copper carryover purchases represent
that portion of the Company's current month's copper purchase commitments priced
at the current month's average New York Commodity Exchange, Inc. ("COMEX")
price, but not delivered until the following month. Short contracts are utilized
to mitigate risk that copper prices, at the time of copper receipt, are likely
to be below the average COMEX price of the incoming copper carryover.
 
    Purchase contracts at December 31, 1995 and 1996 totalled 14.7 and 42.5
million copper pounds, respectively, with contract amounts of $17,100 and
$42,000 and estimated fair values of $16,900 and $41,300, respectively. There
are no sales contracts at December 31, 1996. Sales contracts at December 31,
1995 totalled 13.5 million copper pounds, with a contract amount of $16,600 and
a fair value of $16,300. Deferred and unrealized gains or losses on these
futures contracts ($100 gain and $700 loss at December 31, 1995 and 1996,
respectively) are included within other assets and will be recognized in
earnings in the period in which the hedged copper is sold to customers and the
underlying contracts are liquidated, when a sale is no longer expected to occur
or when the carryover copper is received.
 
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The Company's financial instruments, exclusive of certain foreign currency
exchange and futures contracts as discussed above, generally consist of cash and
cash equivalents and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of the Company's cash
and cash equivalents approximated fair value at December 31, 1995 and 1996 while
the carrying amount of the Senior Notes exceeded fair value by approximately
$4,000 at December 31, 1995 and was less then fair value by approximately $8,000
at December 31, 1996. Fair values with respect to the Company's foreign currency
forward exchange and copper futures contracts are determined based on quoted
market prices.
 
NOTE 11  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS
 
    There are various claims and pending legal proceedings against the Company
including environmental matters and other matters arising out of the ordinary
course of its business. Pursuant to the 1988 Acquisition, UTC agreed to
indemnify the Company against all losses (as defined) resulting from or in
connection with damage or pollution to the environment and arising from events,
operations, or activities of the Company prior to February 29, 1988 or from
conditions or circumstances existing at February 29, 1988. Except for certain
matters relating to permit compliance, the Company is fully indemnified with
respect to conditions, events or circumstances known to UTC prior to February
29, 1988. The sites covered by this indemnity are handled directly by UTC and
all payments required to be made are paid directly by UTC. The amounts related
to this environmental contingency are not material to the Company's
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 11  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS (CONTINUED)
consolidated financial statements. UTC also provided a second environmental
indemnity which deals with losses related to environmental events, conditions or
circumstances existing at or prior to February 29, 1988, which only became known
in the five year period commencing February 29, 1988. As to any such losses, the
Company is responsible for the first $4,000 incurred. Management and its legal
counsel periodically review the probable outcome of pending proceedings and the
costs reasonably expected to be incurred. The Company accrues for these costs
when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the
loss can be reasonably estimated. After consultation with counsel, in the
opinion of management, the ultimate cost to the Company, exceeding amounts
provided, will not materially affect its consolidated financial position, cash
flows or results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that future
developments will not alter this conclusion.
 
    Since approximately 1990, the Company has been named as a defendant in a
number of product liability lawsuits brought by electricians and other skilled
tradesmen claiming injury from exposure to asbestos found in electrical wire
products produced a number of years ago. During 1996, the number of cases filed
against the Company increased to 95 involving approximately 400 claims. The
Company's strategy is to defend these cases vigorously. The Company believes
that its liability, if any, in these matters and the related defense costs will
not have a material adverse effect either individually or in the aggregate upon
its business or financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. There
can be no assurance, however, that future developments will not alter this
conclusion.
 
    At December 31, 1996, the Company had purchase commitments of 747.6 million
pounds of copper. This is not expected to be either a quantity in excess of
needs or at prices in excess of amounts that can be recovered upon sale of the
related copper products. The commitments are to be priced based on the COMEX
price in the contractual month of shipment except for 26.6 million pounds of
copper that have been priced at fixed amounts through forward purchase contracts
covered by customer sales agreements at copper prices at least equal to the
Company's copper commitment.
 
    At December 31, 1996, the Company had committed $5,547 to outside vendors
for certain capital projects.
 
    The Company occupies space and uses certain equipment under lease
arrangements. Rent expense was $6,912, $7,478 and $8,941 under such arrangements
for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Rental commitments at December 31, 1996
under long-term noncancellable operating leases were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            REAL ESTATE   EQUIPMENT     TOTAL
                                                            -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
1997......................................................   $   3,096    $   2,730   $   5,826
1998......................................................       2,962        2,514       5,476
1999......................................................       3,003        1,866       4,869
2000......................................................       2,704          996       3,700
2001......................................................       2,562          681       3,243
After 2001................................................      10,696          683      11,379
                                                            -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                             $  25,023    $   9,470   $  34,493
                                                            -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                            -----------  -----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                            IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
 
NOTE 12  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995                                                                1ST QTR     2ND QTR     3RD QTR     4TH QTR
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales........................................................  $  289,649  $  288,534  $  308,288  $  315,179
Gross margin.....................................................      42,426      37,598      44,765      46,350
Income before extraordinary charge...............................       9,184       4,044       6,117       3,149
Net income (loss)(a).............................................  $    9,184  $    1,073  $    6,117  $    3,149
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996                                                                1ST QTR     2ND QTR     3RD QTR     4TH QTR
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales........................................................  $  308,410  $  337,533  $  328,777  $  357,329
Gross margin.....................................................      49,759      52,891      58,964      67,975
Income before extraordinary charge...............................       6,419       7,654      11,521      11,977
Net income (b)...................................................  $    6,419  $    7,654  $   11,521  $   10,794
</TABLE>
 
------------------------
 
(a) In the second quarter 1995, the Company recognized an extraordinary charge
    of $2,971, net of applicable income tax benefit of $1,980, representing the
    write-off of unamortized deferred debt expense in connection with the
    termination of its former credit agreement.
 
(b) In the fourth quarter 1996, the Company recognized an extraordinary charge
    of $1,183, net of applicable income tax benefit of $788, representing the
    write-off of unamortized deferred debt expense in connection with the
    termination of its former credit agreement.
 
NOTE 13  SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On February 19, 1997 Holdings filed a Registration Statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering ("IPO") of its
common stock. The proceeds to the Company from the IPO will be used to repay, in
full, the remaining amounts outstanding under the Term Loan and repay a portion
of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                               ESSEX GROUP, INC.
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 YEAR ENDED
                                                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       -------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                                         1994       1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
  Balance at beginning of year.......................................................  $   2,811  $   3,537  $   3,930
  Provision..........................................................................      1,332        676      1,782
  Write-offs.........................................................................       (900)      (476)      (738)
  Recoveries.........................................................................        294        193        265
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Balance at end of year.............................................................  $   3,537  $   3,930  $   5,239
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         LOCATION OF EXHIBIT
   EXHIBIT                                                                                                  IN SEQUENTIAL
    NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                               NUMBERING SYSTEM
-----------             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
<C>          <C>        <S>                                                                              <C>
 
      2.01          --  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 24, 1992, between B E
                        Acquisition Corporation and BCP/Essex Holdings Inc. (then known as MS/Essex
                        Holdings Inc.), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
                        Commission (the "Commission") on August 10, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      2.02          --  Amendment dated as of October 1, 1992, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger
                        between B E Acquisition Corporation and BCP/Essex Holdings Inc., incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form
                        8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File No.
                        1-10211).
 
      3.01          --  Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 3.01 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
                        33-20825).
 
      3.02          --  By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        3.02 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                        December 31, 1991).
 
      4.01          --  Indenture under which the 10% Senior Notes Due 2003 are outstanding,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration
                        Statement on Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-2 (Commission File No.
                        33-59488).
 
      4.02          --  Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 1996, between BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.,
                        the Registrant, the lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
                        administrative agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                        Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on
                        November 13, 1996 (Commission File No. 33-03232).
 
      4.03          --  Senior Unsecured Note Agreement dated as of April 12, 1995, between BCP/Essex
                        Holdings Inc., as guarantor, the Registrant, the lenders named therein and The
                        Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the
                        Commission on May 12, 1995.
 
      4.04          --  Agreement and Lease dated as of April 12, 1995, between Mellon Financial
                        Services Corporation #3 and the Registrant, incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the
                        Commission on May 12, 1995.
 
      9.01          --  Investors Shareholders Agreement dated as of October 9, 1992, between B E
                        Acquisition Corporation, Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P., certain affiliates of
                        Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, certain affiliates of
                        Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Chemical Equity Associates, A California Limited
                        Partnership, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26,
                        1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.02          --  Management Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October
                        9, 1992, between B E Acquisition Corporation, Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.
                        and certain employees of the Registrant and its
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         LOCATION OF EXHIBIT
   EXHIBIT                                                                                                  IN SEQUENTIAL
    NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                               NUMBERING SYSTEM
-----------             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
                        subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.3 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26,
                        1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
<C>          <C>        <S>                                                                              <C>
 
      9.03          --  Form of Irrevocable Proxy dated as of October 9, 1992, granted to Bessemer
                        Capital Partners, L.P. by certain employees of the Registrant and its
                        subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.4 to BCP/ Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26,
                        1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.04          --  Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 3, 1996 to the Management Stockholders
                        Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.04 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
                        (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.05          --  Amendment No. 2 dated as of December 11, 1996 to the Management Stockholders
                        Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.05 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
                        (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
      9.06          --  Form of Irrevocable Proxy dated December 1996, granted to Bessemer Holdings,
                        L.P. by certain employees of the Registrant's subsidiaries, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 9.06 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form
                        10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
     10.01          --  Engagement Letter dated July 22, 1992 between Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.,
                        and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                        year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-7418).
 
     10.02          --  Amendment dated October 9, 1992 between Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.,
                        Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs and Co.,
                        to Engagement Letter dated July 22, 1992 among Bessemer Capital Partners, L.P.,
                        and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                        year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-7418).
 
     10.03          --  Advisory Services Agreement dated as of December 15, 1992, between Bessemer
                        Capital Partners, L.P., BCP/Essex Holdings Inc. and the Registrant incorporated
                        by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on
                        Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No.
                        1-10211).
 
     12.01          --  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
     21.01          --  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
     27.01          --  Financial Data Schedule.
 
     99.01          --  Registration Rights Agreement ("Registration Rights Agreement") dated as of
                        October 9, 1992, between B E Acquisition Corporation, certain affiliates of
                        Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, certain affiliates of
                        Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Chemical Equity Associates, A California Limited
                        Partnership, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.2 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         LOCATION OF EXHIBIT
   EXHIBIT                                                                                                  IN SEQUENTIAL
    NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                               NUMBERING SYSTEM
-----------             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
                        8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26, 1992 (Commission File No.
                        1-10211).
<C>          <C>        <S>                                                                              <C>
 
     99.02          --  Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 5, 1995 to the Registration Rights Agreement,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.02 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual
                        Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission
                        File No. 1-10211).
 
     99.03          --  Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan ("Stock Option Plan") of BCP/Essex
                        Holdings Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to BCP/Essex Holdings
                        Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 26,
                        1992 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
 
     99.04          --  Amendment No. 1 to the Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        99.04 to BCP/Essex Holdings Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                        year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission File No. 1-10211).
</TABLE>