-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OqbwrGofJsm+oiw0fDKFhKPEJnWgsBBlTar77mYQAWeHMnaKfXPVfKLCYOthZnVJ I4bIkExAQZRLERDETpM6ZQ== 0000921895-02-000502.txt : 20020903 0000921895-02-000502.hdr.sgml : 20020903 20020903152243 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-02-000502 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: PRRN14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020903 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STEEL PARTNERS II L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000915653 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PRRN14A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 150 EAST 52ND STREET STREET 2: 21ST FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-813-1500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 150 EAST 52ND STREET, 21ST FLOOR CITY: NY STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000101271 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [3690] IRS NUMBER: 952081809 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PRRN14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-04252 FILM NUMBER: 02755302 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 570 LEXINGTON AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10017 BUSINESS PHONE: 2127528787 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 570 LEXINGTON AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10017 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: HAYES MANUFACTURING CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19660911 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: TOPP INDUSTRIES CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19710510 PRRN14A 1 formprrn14a01874_09032002.htm SCHEDULE 14A sec document

                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                (AMENDMENT NO. 1)


Filed by the Registrant / /


Filed by a Party other than the Registrant /x/


Check the appropriate box:


   /x/    Preliminary Proxy Statement

   / /    Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
          14a-6(e)(2))

   / /    Definitive Proxy Statement

   / /    Definitive Additional Materials

   / /    Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

                          UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                             STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
                             WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
                                 GLEN M. KASSAN
                               JAMES R. HENDERSON

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

     Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

     /x/  No fee required.

     / /  Fee  computed  on table  below  per  Exchange  Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
          and 0-11.

     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (3)  Per unit  price  or other  underlying  value of  transaction  computed
          pursuant to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (5)  Total fee paid:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     / /  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     / /  Check  box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided  by  Exchange
Act Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting  fee was
paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1)  Amount previously paid:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (3)  Filing Party:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (4)  Date Filed:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                      -2-


                             STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.



                               September __, 2002



Dear Fellow Stockholder:



            Steel  Partners  II,  L.P.  ("Steel")  is the  beneficial  owner  of
1,310,250 shares of Common Stock of United Industrial Corporation,  representing
approximately  10.0% of the outstanding Common Stock. We do not believe that the
current  Board  of  Directors  is  acting  in your  best  interests,  and we are
therefore  seeking  your support for the election of our nominee to the Board of
Directors of United  Industrial at the annual meeting of stockholders  scheduled
to be held at the Park Lane Hotel  (Ballroom  Suite,  2nd  floor)  located at 36
Central Park South, New York, New York on October 4, 2002, at 10:00 A.M.

            We urge you to carefully  consider the information  contained in the
attached Proxy Statement and then support the efforts of Steel to maximize value
for all  stockholders  by signing,  dating and returning the enclosed GOLD proxy
today.  The attached Proxy  Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are first
being furnished to the stockholders on or about September __, 2002.


            If you have already  voted for the  incumbent  management  slate you
have every  right to change  your vote by signing  and  returning  a later dated
proxy.

            If you have any questions or require any  assistance  with your vote
please contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc., which is assisting us, at their address
and toll-free numbers below.

                                           Thank you for your support,



                                           Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                           On behalf of Steel Partners II, L.P.



                                [MACKENZIE LOGO]



                     PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

                             DATED SEPTEMBER 3, 2002


                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                       OF
                          UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION

                            -------------------------

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                             STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

                            -------------------------

                    PLEASE MAIL THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD


            Steel Partners II, L.P. ("Steel") is the second largest  stockholder
of  United  Industrial  Corporation,   a  Delaware  corporation  ("UIC"  or  the
"Company").  Steel is  writing to you in  connection  with the  election  of two
directors  to UIC's Board of  Directors  at the annual  meeting of  stockholders
scheduled to be held at the Park Lane Hotel (Ballroom  Suite, 2nd floor) located
at 36 Central Park South,  New York, New York on October 4, 2002, at 10:00 A.M.,
including any adjournments or postponements thereof and any meeting which may be
called in lieu thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). Steel has nominated a director in
opposition to UIC's incumbent  director  nominees,  Richard Erkeneff and Paul J.
Hoeper,  whose terms expire at the Annual  Meeting.  Steel  believes that recent
actions of the Board of  Directors of UIC (the "UIC Board") have not been in the
best  interests  of UIC's  stockholders.  As  further  described  herein,  Steel
believes that a more thorough investigation of strategic alternatives, a greater
dedication to maximizing  stockholder value and improving  corporate  governance
policies,  will be best achieved through the election of Steel's nominee.  There
can be no assurance  that the election of our nominee will maximize or otherwise
enhance stockholder value or improve corporate governance.

            This proxy  statement (the "Proxy  Statement") and the enclosed GOLD
proxy card are being  furnished to  stockholders  of UIC by Steel in  connection
with the  solicitation  of  proxies  from UIC's  stockholders  to be used at the
Annual Meeting to elect Steel's nominee, Glen M. Kassan (the "Nominee"),  to the
UIC Board. As Nominee for director,  Mr. Kassan is deemed to be a participant in
this proxy  solicitation.  As members of the soliciting group,  Steel and Warren
Lichtenstein,  the managing  member of the general  partner of Steel,  and James
Henderson,  an affiliate of Steel,  are also deemed to be  participants  in this
proxy solicitation.  Mr. Lichtenstein has been a director of UIC since May 2001.
This Proxy  Statement and the GOLD proxy card are first being furnished to UIC's
stockholders on or about September __, 2002.

            UIC has set the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual  Meeting as of August 26, 2002 (the  "Record
Date").  The  principal  executive  offices of UIC are located at 570  Lexington
Avenue,  New  York,  New York  10022.  Stockholders  of  record  at the close of
business  on the Record  Date will be  entitled  to vote at the Annual  Meeting.
According to UIC, as of the Record Date, there were 13,064,818  shares of common
stock,  $1.00 par value per share (the  "Shares"),  outstanding  and entitled to
vote at the




Annual Meeting.  Steel, along with all of the participants in this solicitation,
are the beneficial  owners of an aggregate of 1,320,250  Shares which represents
approximately  10.1% of the Shares  outstanding  (based on information  publicly
disclosed by UIC). The  participants  in this  solicitation  intend to vote such
Shares for the election of the Nominee.

THIS  SOLICITATION  IS BEING  MADE BY STEEL  AND NOT ON  BEHALF  OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OR  MANAGEMENT  OF UIC.  STEEL IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER MATTERS TO BE
BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OTHER THAN THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF THE COMPANY'S AUDITORS.  SHOULD OTHER MATTERS,  WHICH STEEL IS NOT AWARE OF A
REASONABLE TIME BEFORE THIS SOLICITATION,  BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING,
THE PERSONS  NAMED AS PROXIES IN THE ENCLOSED  GOLD PROXY CARD WILL VOTE ON SUCH
MATTERS IN THEIR DISCRETION.


WE URGE  YOU TO SIGN,  DATE  AND  RETURN  THE  GOLD  PROXY  CARD IN FAVOR OF THE
ELECTION OF OUR NOMINEE DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.


IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A PROXY CARD  FURNISHED  BY UIC  MANAGEMENT  TO THE UIC
BOARD, YOU MAY REVOKE THAT PROXY AND VOTE AGAINST THE ELECTION OF UIC'S NOMINEES
BY SIGNING,  DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD. THE LATEST DATED
PROXY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS. ANY PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO
THE ANNUAL MEETING BY DELIVERING A WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION OR A LATER DATED
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL  MEETING TO STEEL,  C/O  MACKENZIE  PARTNERS,  INC.  WHO IS
ASSISTING  IN THIS  SOLICITATION,  OR TO THE  SECRETARY  OF UIC, OR BY VOTING IN
PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.





                                      -2-


                                    IMPORTANT


            YOUR VOTE IS  IMPORTANT,  NO MATTER  HOW MANY OR HOW FEW  SHARES YOU
OWN.  STEEL URGES YOU TO SIGN,  DATE,  AND RETURN THE  ENCLOSED  GOLD PROXY CARD
TODAY TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE.

            The Nominee is  committed,  subject to his  fiduciary  duty to UIC's
stockholders,  to giving all UIC's  stockholders  the opportunity to receive the
maximum value for their Shares.  A vote FOR the Nominee will enable you - as the
owners of UIC - to send a message  to the UIC Board  that you are  committed  to
maximizing the value of your Shares.


o           If your Shares are registered in your own name, please sign and date
            the enclosed  GOLD proxy card and return it to Steel,  c/o MacKenzie
            Partners, Inc., in the enclosed envelope today.

o           If any of your  Shares  are  held in the name of a  brokerage  firm,
            bank, bank nominee or other  institution on the Record Date, only it
            can  vote  such  Shares  and  only  upon  receipt  of your  specific
            instructions. Accordingly, please contact the person responsible for
            your account and instruct  that person to execute on your behalf the
            GOLD proxy card.  Steel urges you to confirm  your  instructions  in
            writing to the person  responsible for your account and to provide a
            copy of such  instructions to Steel, c/o MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc.,
            who is assisting in this solicitation,  at the address and telephone
            numbers  set  forth  below,  and on the  back  cover  of this  proxy
            statement,  so  that we may be  aware  of all  instructions  and can
            attempt to ensure that such instructions are followed.

                 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR PROXY,
             OR NEED ASSISTANCE IN VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE CALL:


                                [MACKENZIE LOGO]


                                      -3-



PROPOSAL I - ELECTION OF  DIRECTOR


REASONS FOR THE SOLICITATION


            We are asking you to elect our Nominee in order to:

            o  remove one of two incumbent directors up for election;

            o  elect  a nominee that  supports actions that we believe would give
               stockholders the greatest  opportunity to maximize the value of
               their Shares; and

            o   elect  a clearly independent  director.

            As further described below,  Steel believes that the election of the
Nominee  represents the best means for UIC's  stockholders to maximize the value
of their Shares.  Steel, as the second largest  stockholder of UIC, has a vested
interest in the  maximization  of the value of the Shares.  Additionally,  Steel
believes  that the  Nominee  has  extensive  experience  in  private  and public
investment,  corporate  governance  and business  management.  If elected to the
Board,  the Nominee will use his experience to explore  alternatives to maximize
stockholder   value  including,   but  not  limited  to,  the  sale  of  all  or
substantially  all of UIC on a tax  efficient  basis.  There can be no assurance
that the election of our Nominee will maximize or otherwise enhance  stockholder
value.


WE BELIEVE THAT ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY  ALL OF THE ASSETS OF UIC MUST BE SOLD ON A
TAX EFFICIENT BASIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE


            In Steel's opinion,  maximum stockholder value will only be achieved
through  a  prompt  sale of all or  substantially  all of UIC.  The  Nominee  is
committed  to working with the other  members of the UIC Board to encourage  the
sale of all or  substantially  all of  UIC.  UIC has  previously  announced  its
intention to explore a sale of the company and,  more  recently,  announced  its
intention to accelerate  the sale process.  On April 8, 2002, UIC announced that
it had been working with Wachovia Securities for a year to explore  alternatives
to enhance stockholder value, including a possible sale of UIC. Additionally, on
August  26,  2002,  less than a week after  Steel  filed its  preliminary  proxy
statement  with  respect  to the  Annual  Meeting,  UIC  announced  that  it has
accelerated  the process under which it is seeking a potential  buyer.  Based on
the timing of these press releases and the extended  process under which the UIC
Board has purported to explore a possible sale,  Steel is concerned that the UIC
Board may be  delaying  the sale  process  and is not moving  quickly  enough to
enhance  stockholder  value.  While UIC has taken steps to divest certain of its
businesses  and assets  during the past two years,  Steel  believes  that all or
substantially all of UIC should be sold as soon as possible.

            Despite the UIC Board's recent announcement,  we do not believe that
the UIC Board is moving  quickly  enough to maximize  stockholder  value.  While
stockholders  have  waited  patiently  for  the UIC  Board  to  further  enhance
stockholder value, we believe UIC's financial  performance this year has taken a
turn for the worse,  as evidenced by net losses  reported in UIC's Form 10-Q for
the six months  ended June 30,  2002 (the "June 30  10-Q").  We  believe,


                                      -4-


UIC's financial performance will languish as long as UIC continues to operate as
it has historically.


     o    According   to  the  June  30  10-Q,   UIC   realized  net  losses  of
          approximately  $10.7 million for the three month period ended June 30,
          2002  compared  to net income of  approximately  $1.9  million for the
          comparable period in 2001.

     o    According   to  the  June  30  10-Q,   UIC   realized  net  losses  of
          approximately  $22.0  million for the six month  period ended June 30,
          2002  compared  to net income of  approximately  $4.5  million for the
          comparable period in 2001.

     o    This represents,  in our opinion, a stunning decrease in net income of
          approximately  463% and 389%  during the three and six month  periods,
          respectively.


WE  BELIEVE  THAT  UIC  SHOULD  ADOPT  CRITICAL  CORPORATE  GOVERNANCE  POLICIES
INCLUDING  CAUSING  A  MAJORITY  OF THE  BOARD  TO BE  COMPOSED  OF  INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS AND DECLASSIFYING THE UIC BOARD


            We believe  that UIC  should  respond  to the  sweeping  legislation
enacted by  Congress  and rules  being  adopted  by the New York Stock  Exchange
("NYSE")   which  are  promoting   greater   accountability   to   stockholders.
Specifically,  we  believe  that UIC must  cause  its Board of  Directors  to be
composed of a majority of clearly  independent  directors  which we believe will
shortly be a listing requirement for all NYSE companies.  Under proposed Section
303A of the NYSE listing standards,  listed companies will be required to have a
majority  of  independent  directors.   According  to  UIC's  preliminary  proxy
statement for the Annual Meeting (the  "Management  Proxy  Statement"),  the UIC
Board is currently  composed of six  directors,  two of whom are also  executive
officers of UIC, as follows:


           NAME                        POSITION
           ----                        --------

           Harold Gelb                 Chairman of the Board

           Richard Erkeneff            President and Director

           Susan Fein Zawel            Vice President  Corporate  Communications,
                                       Associate General Counsel and Secretary

           Joseph Schneider            Director


           Paul J. Hoeper              Director


           Warren Lichtenstein         Director

            We do not believe  that a majority  of the UIC Board is  independent
under either the existing or proposed NYSE standards.


                                      -5-




     o    According to the  Management  Proxy  Statement,  Richard  Erkeneff and
          Susan Zawel are UIC  employees  and  collected  salaries,  bonuses and
          other   compensation  in  the  aggregate  of  $608,171  and  $229,436,
          respectively, during 2001.

     o    According to the Management  Proxy  Statement,  Mr. Gelb has a special
          compensation arrangement with UIC under which he received compensation
          of $137,500 during 2001 and will receive  $150,000 during 2002 for his
          services  as Chairman of the Board.  The other UIC  directors  receive
          only $20,000 per year and other fees for attending Board and committee
          meetings.


     o    As three of the current six UIC Board  members  are  employees  of UIC
          and/or collect  six-figure  salaries and other  compensation for their
          services  and  receive  other  benefits,  we question  the  collective
          Board's ability to exercise  independent  judgment in carrying out its
          responsibilities.


            We believe that a majority of  independent  directors  will increase
the quality of oversight over the UIC Board, lessen the possibility of conflicts
of interest and allow the UIC Board to most  effectively  exercise its fiduciary
duties to the stockholders.

            If  elected,  the  Nominee  would also  attempt to work with the UIC
Board to take other measures to improve UIC's  corporate  governance,  including
declassifying  the  Board  and  removing  the  "staggered  board"  provision.  A
classified  board of directors  limits the ability of  stockholders to elect all
directors on an annual basis.  We believe that the annual  election of directors
is the primary means for stockholders to influence corporate governance policies
and to hold  management  accountable for its  implementation  of those policies.
Steel and the Nominee view classified  boards as having the effect of insulating
directors from being accountable to the corporation's stockholders.


WE BELIEVE  THAT THE UIC BOARD  MUST  PROMPTLY  EXPLORE  OTHER  ALTERNATIVES  TO
MAXIMIZE STOCKHOLDER VALUE INCLUDING A SALE OF THE ENTIRE COMPANY


            We  believe  that  the  election  of  the  Nominee   represents   an
opportunity for stockholders to maximize the present value of their Shares. Glen
Kassan has extensive  experience  providing  management and advisory services to
public and private  companies and currently  serves as an executive  officer and
director of various public companies. See "The Nominee." If elected, the Nominee
will,  subject to his  fiduciary  duties of the highest  standards,  explore all
available alternatives to maximize stockholder value including,  but not limited
to:


     o    working  with the UIC Board to sell the  entire  company by means of a
          merger, tender offer or otherwise,  or to divest assets of the Company
          on a tax efficient basis;


     o    working  with the UIC Board to  respond  to new  corporate  governance
          legislation  and NYSE listing  standards,  and take other  measures to
          improve corporate governance, including declassifying the organization
          of the UIC Board;




                                      -6-




     o    working  with the UIC Board to reduce  unnecessary  expenses by, among
          other  things,  closing  UIC's New York office and  consolidating  all
          activities in the AAI  Corporation  facility in Huntsville,  Maryland;
          and

     o    maximizing UIC's cash position.

There can be no assurance that the foregoing  actions will be implemented if our
Nominee  is  elected  or that the  election  of our  Nominee  will  maximize  or
otherwise enhance stockholder value.

            Subject to his fiduciary duties,  the Nominee's priority would be to
maximize stockholder value by pursuing a sale of UIC. Although the Nominee would
seek to sell UIC to the  highest  bidder,  the  Nominee's  priority  would be to
negotiate and consummate a transaction on the most favorable  terms available to
the UIC  stockholders.  The Nominee  would work to solicit  bids from  potential
acquirors,  including  competitors  of UIC.  In  accordance  with the  Nominee's
fiduciary  duties to enter into a sale  transaction that would have the greatest
benefit to UIC stockholders,  bids would be carefully  evaluated based on, among
other things, the value of the consideration  offered, the ability of the bidder
to finance the bid, the quality of any non-cash consideration offered (including
the financial condition of any bidder offering non-cash consideration),  and the
timing and likelihood of  consummation  of the proposed  transaction in light of
any required financing or regulatory approvals. This process could result in the
Nominee's decision to accept a proposal to acquire UIC for a purchase price that
is not necessarily the highest price offered.

            We wish to provide the  stockholders,  the true owners of UIC,  with
the  opportunity  to elect  directors  that are  unaffiliated  with the existing
Board. Your vote to elect the Nominee does not constitute a vote in favor of our
value enhancing  plans including  pursuing a sale of UIC. Your vote to elect the
Nominee will have the legal effect of replacing one incumbent  director with our
Nominee. If the Nominee is elected to the Board and a transaction  involving the
sale of UIC is proposed by the Board,  stockholders  will have an opportunity to
vote on such transaction to the extent required by law.

            Neither we (nor to our  knowledge,  any other  person on our behalf)
has made or undertaken any analysis or reports as to whether  stockholder  value
will be  maximized  as a result of this  solicitation  or obtained  reports from
consultants  or other  outside  parties as to whether  the  proposals  presented
herein would have an effect on stockholder value. There can be no assurance that
stockholder  value will be  maximized  as a result of this  solicitation  or the
election of the Nominee.

THE  NOMINEE

            The following  information  sets forth the name,  business  address,
present  principal   occupation,   and  employment  and  material   occupations,
positions,  offices, or employments for the past five years of the Nominee. This
information  has been furnished to Steel by the Nominee.  Where no date is given
for the  commencement  of the  indicated  office  or  position,  such  office or
position was assumed prior to September 1, 1997. The Nominee is a citizen of the
United States.



                                      -7-



            GLEN M. KASSAN (59) has been an  Executive  Vice  President of Steel
Partners,  Ltd., a  management  and advisory  company,  since March 2002.  Steel
Partners, Ltd. has provided management services to Steel and other affiliates of
Steel since March 2002.  Mr. Kassan served as Executive  Vice President of Steel
Partners  Services,  Ltd., a management  and  advisory  company,  from June 2001
through March 2002 and Vice President from October 1999 through May 2001.  Steel
Partners  Services,  Ltd.  provided  management  services  to  Steel  and  other
affiliates of Steel until March 2002,  when Steel  Partners,  Ltd.  acquired the
rights to provide certain management services from Steel Partners Services, Ltd.
He has also served as Vice President,  Chief Financial  Officer and Secretary of
WebFinancial Corporation, a commercial and consumer lender, since June 2000. Mr.
Kassan  has  served as Vice  Chairman  of the Board of  Directors  of  Caribbean
Fertilizer   Group  Ltd.,  a  private  company  engaged  in  the  production  of
agricultural products in Puerto Rico and Jamaica, since June 2000. Mr. Kassan is
a director and has served as President of SL  Industries,  Inc., a  manufacturer
and marketer of Power and Data Quality  systems and  equipment  for  industrial,
medical,  aerospace and consumer  applications,  since January 2002 and February
2002,  respectively.  From June 2000 to April 2002,  Mr.  Kassan  served as Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Gateway Industries,  Inc., a
provider of database  development and Web site design and development  services.
From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Kassan served as Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of
Long Term Care Services,  Inc., a privately owned  healthcare  services  company
which Mr. Kassan  co-founded  in 1994 and initially  served as Vice Chairman and
Chief  Financial  Officer.  Mr.  Kassan is currently a director of  Tandycrafts,
Inc., a manufacturer of picture frames and framed art, Puroflow Incorporated,  a
designer and manufacturer of precision  filtration devices,  and the Chairman of
the Board of US Diagnostic Inc., an operator of outpatient  diagnostic  imaging.
As of the date  hereof,  Mr.  Kassan did not  beneficially  own any Shares.  Mr.
Kassan  has not  purchased  or sold any Shares  during  the past two years.  The
business  address  of Mr.  Kassan is c/o  Steel  Partners,  Ltd.,  150 East 52nd
Street, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.


            The Nominee  will not receive  any  compensation  from Steel for his
services as a director of UIC. On March 20, 2002,  Glen Kassan and Steel entered
into a Reimbursement  Agreement (the "Kassan Reimbursement  Agreement") in which
Steel agreed to bear all expenses  incurred by Mr. Kassan in connection with his
nomination to the UIC Board,  including approved expenses incurred by Mr. Kassan
in the  solicitation of proxies or written consents from UIC  stockholders.  The
Kassan  Reimbursement  Agreement is attached to Amendment  No. 6 to the Schedule
13D filed by Steel,  Warren Lichtenstein and the Nominee with respect to UIC and
is incorporated herein by reference.

            Other  than  as  stated  above,   there  are  no   arrangements   or
understandings  between  Steel and the  Nominee  or any other  person or persons
pursuant to which the nomination  described herein is to be made, other than the
consent by the  Nominee to be named in this  Proxy  Statement  and to serve as a
director  of UIC if elected as such at the Annual  Meeting.  The Nominee has not
been  convicted in any criminal  proceedings  (excluding  traffic  violations or
similar  misdemeanors)  over the  past ten  years.  The  Nominee  is not a party
adverse to UIC or any of its subsidiaries or has a material  interest adverse to
UIC or any of its subsidiaries in any material pending legal proceedings.



                                      -8-



            Steel does not expect that the  Nominee  will be unable to stand for
election,  but,  in the event  that the  Nominee  is unable to serve or for good
cause will not serve,  the Shares  represented  by the enclosed  GOLD proxy card
will be voted for a substitute nominee. In addition, Steel reserves the right to
nominate a substitute person if UIC makes or announces any changes to its Bylaws
or takes or announces any other action that has, or if  consummated  would have,
the effect of disqualifying the Nominee. In any such case, Shares represented by
the  enclosed  GOLD  proxy  card  will be  voted  for such  substitute  nominee.
Notwithstanding  Steel's ability to vote proxies for a substitute  nominee,  the
enclosed  GOLD proxy  card can only be voted for up to one of the two  directors
being elected at the Annual Meeting.

            The UIC  Board is  divided  into  three  classes  serving  staggered
three-year  terms. Two directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to hold
office until 2005 and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Steel
has no reason to believe  that the  Nominee  will be  disqualified  or unable or
unwilling to serve if elected.

YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE ON THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY
CARD.

PROPOSAL 2 - APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

            Steel has no objection to the  ratification  of the  appointment  of
Ernst & Young LLP as independent  accountants for UIC for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2002.  Please see the Management  Proxy Statement for a description
of this proposal.


                           VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES

            Only  stockholders  of record on the Record Date will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each Share is entitled to one vote.
Stockholders  who sell Shares  before the Record Date (or acquire  them  without
voting rights after the Record Date) may not vote such Shares.  Stockholders  of
record on the Record Date will retain their voting rights in connection with the
Annual  Meeting even if they sell such Shares  after the Record  Date.  Based on
publicly available  information,  Steel believes that the only outstanding class
of securities of UIC entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are the Shares.


            Shares  represented  by properly  executed  GOLD proxy cards will be
voted  at the  Annual  Meeting  as  marked  and,  in  the  absence  of  specific
instructions,  will be voted FOR the  election of the Nominee to the Board,  FOR
the  proposal  to ratify  the  appointment  of Ernst & Young LLP as  independent
accountants  of UIC for the fiscal year ending  December  31,  2002,  and in the
discretion  of the persons named as proxies on all other matters as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.

QUORUM

            In order to conduct  any  business at the Annual  Meeting,  a quorum
must be present in person or represented by valid proxies.  A quorum consists of
a majority of the Shares issued and  outstanding  on the Record Date. All Shares
that are voted  "FOR",  "AGAINST"  or  "ABSTAIN"




                                      -9-



on any  matter  will count for  purposes  of  establishing  a quorum and will be
treated as Shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (the "Votes Present").

ABSTENTIONS

            Abstentions  will  count as Votes  Present  and shall  have the same
effect as a vote  against a matter  (other than in the election for the Board of
Directors).  While there is no  definitive  statutory  or case law  authority in
Delaware,  the Company's state of  incorporation,  as to the proper treatment of
abstentions,  Steel believes that abstentions  should be counted for purposes of
determining  both:  (i) the total  number of Votes  Present,  for the purpose of
determining  whether a quorum  is  present;  and (ii) the total  number of Votes
Present that are cast ("Votes Cast") with respect to a matter (other than in the
election of the Board of Directors).

BROKER NON-VOTES

            Shares  held in  street  name  that are  present  by  proxy  will be
considered  as Votes  Present for  purposes of  determining  whether a quorum is
present.  With regard to certain proposals,  the holder of record of Shares held
in street name is permitted to vote as it determines,  in its discretion, in the
absence of direction from the beneficial holder of the Shares.

            The term "broker non-vote" refers to shares held in street name that
are not voted  with  respect  to a  particular  matter,  generally  because  the
beneficial  owner did not give any  instructions to the broker as to how to vote
such shares and the broker is not permitted under  applicable rules to vote such
shares in its  discretion  because of the subject  matter of the  proposal,  but
whose shares are present on at least one matter. Such shares shall be counted as
Votes Present for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. Broker
non-votes  will not be counted as Votes Cast with respect to matters as to which
the record  holder has  expressly not voted.  Accordingly,  Steel  believes that
broker  non-votes  will have no effect  upon the outcome of voting on any of the
business matters set forth in this Proxy Statement.

VOTES REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL

            Election  of  Directors.  A  plurality  of the total  Votes  Cast by
holders of the Shares is  required  for the  election  of  directors.  A vote to
"WITHHOLD"  for any  nominee  for  director  will be  counted  for  purposes  of
determining  the Votes Present,  but will have no other effect on the outcome of
the vote on the  election of  directors.  Stockholders  have  cumulative  voting
rights with respect to the election of directors.  Under cumulative voting, each
stockholder  is  entitled to the same number of votes per share as the number of
directors  to be elected  (or,  for  purposes  of this  election,  two votes per
Share). A stockholder may cast all of such votes for the Nominee or distribute a
portion of such votes to the Nominee, as he or she wishes,  either by so marking
the ballot at the meeting or by specific voting  instructions sent with a signed
proxy to either  Steel in care of  MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc. at the address set
forth  on the back  cover of this  Proxy  Statement  or to UIC at 570  Lexington
Avenue,  New York, New York 10022 or any other address provided by UIC. Steel is
not aware of any  conditions  precedent  to the  exercise of  cumulative  voting
rights by UIC  stockholders.  Steel  intends to cumulate  all votes for the sole
Nominee.



                                      -10-




            Other  Proposals.  Other than the  election of  directors,  the vote
required for all other business matters set forth in this Proxy Statement is the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Votes Cast.

            We  are  asking  you to  elect  our  Nominee  in  opposition  to two
incumbent  nominees whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting.  The enclosed GOLD
proxy card may only be voted for our  Nominee and does not confer  voting  power
with respect to the remaining directorship.


REVOCATION OF PROXIES

            Stockholders  of UIC may revoke  their  proxies at any time prior to
exercise  by  attending  the  Annual  Meeting  and  voting in  person  (although
attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation
of a proxy) or by delivering a written notice of  revocation.  The delivery of a
subsequently   dated  proxy  which  is  properly  completed  will  constitute  a
revocation of any earlier proxy. The revocation may be delivered either to Steel
in care of MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc. at the address set forth on the back cover
of this Proxy  Statement or to UIC at 570 Lexington  Avenue,  New York, New York
10022 or any other address  provided by UIC.  Although a revocation is effective
if  delivered to UIC,  Steel  requests  that either the original or  photostatic
copies of all revocations be mailed to Steel in care of MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
at the address set forth on the back cover of this Proxy Statement so that Steel
will be aware of all revocations  and can more accurately  determine if and when
proxies  have been  received  from the holders of record on the Record Date of a
majority of the outstanding Shares.  Additionally,  MacKenzie Partners, Inc. may
use this  information to contact  stockholders who have revoked their proxies in
order to solicit later dated proxies for the election of the Nominee.

IF YOU WISH TO VOTE FOR THE  ELECTION  OF THE  NOMINEE TO THE UIC BOARD,  PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD IN THE  POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE PROVIDED.


                             SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

            The  solicitation  of proxies  pursuant to this Proxy  Statement  is
being made by Steel.  Proxies may be  solicited by mail,  facsimile,  telephone,
telegraph,  in person and by advertisements.  Steel will not solicit proxies via
the Internet.


            Steel has entered into an agreement  with MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc.
for solicitation and advisory services in connection with this solicitation, for
which  MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc.  will  receive  a fee not to  exceed  $75,000,
together with reimbursement for its reasonable  out-of-pocket expenses, and will
be indemnified  against  certain  liabilities  and expenses,  including  certain
liabilities under the federal  securities laws.  MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc. will
solicit  proxies  from  individuals,  brokers,  banks,  bank  nominees and other
institutional  holders.  Steel has requested  banks,  brokerage houses and other
custodians,  nominees and fiduciaries to forward all  solicitation  materials to
the  beneficial  owners of the Shares they hold of record.  Steel will reimburse
these record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing. It
is  anticipated  that  MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc. will employ  approximately  45
persons to solicit UIC's stockholders for the Annual Meeting.



                                      -11-



            The entire expense of soliciting proxies is being borne by Steel. If
the Nominee is elected to the UIC Board,  Steel intends to seek reimbursement of
the costs of this solicitation from UIC. Unless otherwise required by law, Steel
does not currently  intend to submit the question of  reimbursement of the costs
of this  solicitation  to a  stockholder  vote.  Costs of this  solicitation  of
proxies are currently  estimated to be approximately  $175,000.  Steel estimates
that through the date hereof,  its expenses in connection with this solicitation
are approximately [$35,000].


                             PARTICIPANT INFORMATION


            Along  with  the  Nominee,   Warren   Lichtenstein   and  Steel  are
participants in this solicitation. Warren Lichtenstein is Chairman of the Board,
Secretary and the Managing  Member of Steel  Partners,  L.L.C.  ("Steel LLC"), a
Delaware limited liability  company.  Steel LLC is the general partner of Steel.
The principal business of Mr. Lichtenstein,  Steel LLC and Steel is investing in
the securities of small-cap  companies.  The principal  business  address of Mr.
Lichtenstein, Steel LLC and Steel is 150 East 52nd Street, 21st Floor, New York,
New York 10022. Mr. Lichtenstein has been a director of UIC since May 2001. Glen
Kassan is a Vice President of Steel Partners, Ltd., an affiliate of Steel. As of
the date hereof,  Steel is the beneficial owner of 1,310,250  Shares.  Steel LLC
does not beneficially own any Shares on the date hereof, except by virtue of its
role in Steel.  Mr.  Lichtenstein  beneficially  owns 10,000  Shares  underlying
options  exercisable  within 60 days of the date of this Proxy Statement and may
be  deemed to  beneficially  own the  1,310,250  Shares of UIC owned by Steel by
virtue of his positions  with Steel.  For  information  regarding  purchases and
sales of Shares during the past two years by Steel, see Schedule I.

            On March 7, 2001, Warren Lichtenstein, Steel and James Henderson, an
affiliate  of  Steel,  entered  into an  Agreement  (the  "Agreement")  with UIC
pursuant to which,  among other things, Mr. Henderson has been allowed to attend
all meetings of the UIC Board in a non-voting  observer capacity.  The Agreement
is attached to  Amendment  No. 5 to the  Schedule  13D filed by Steel and Warren
Lichtenstein with respect to UIC and is incorporated herein by reference.

            On  March  20,  2002,  James  Henderson  and  Steel  entered  into a
Reimbursement Agreement (the "Henderson Reimbursement Agreement") in which Steel
agreed to bear all expenses  incurred by Mr.  Henderson in  connection  with his
nomination  to the  UIC  Board,  including  approved  expenses  incurred  by Mr.
Henderson  in  the   solicitation  of  proxies  or  written  consents  from  UIC
stockholders.  Although  Mr.  Henderson  was  previously  nominated by Steel for
election at the Annual Meeting, Steel has decided not to solicit proxies for his
election. The Henderson  Reimbursement  Agreement is attached to Amendment No. 6
to the Schedule 13D filed by Steel,  Warren  Lichtenstein and Mr. Henderson with
respect to UIC and is incorporated herein by reference.

            As a member of the soliciting group, Mr. Henderson is deemed to be a
participant  in  this  proxy  solicitation.  The  principal  occupation  of  Mr.
Henderson is serving as an Executive Vice President of Steel  Partners,  Ltd., a
management  and advisory  company.  Steel  Partners,  Ltd.  provides  management
services to Steel and other  affiliates  of Steel.  As of the date  hereof,  Mr.
Henderson did not beneficially  own any Shares.  Mr. Henderson has not purchased
or sold



                                      -12-


any Shares during the past two years.  The business  address of Mr. Henderson is
c/o Steel Partners,  Ltd., 150 East 52nd Street,  21st Floor, New York, New York
10022.


                   CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN STEEL AND UIC

            Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement (including the Schedules
hereto),  neither Steel nor any of the other  participants in this solicitation,
or any of their respective associates:  (i) directly or indirectly  beneficially
owns any Shares or any securities of UIC; (ii) has had any relationship with UIC
in any capacity  other than as a  stockholder,  or is or has been a party to any
transactions,  or series of similar transactions,  or was indebted to UIC during
the  past  year  with  respect  to any  Shares  of UIC;  or  (iii)  knows of any
transactions during the past year, currently proposed transactions, or series of
similar transactions,  to which UIC or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a
party, in which the amount involved  exceeds $60,000 and in which any of them or
their  respective  affiliates  had, or will have, a direct or indirect  material
interest.  In addition,  other than as set forth herein, there are no contracts,
arrangements or understandings entered into by Steel or any other participant in
this  solicitation or any of their  respective  associates  within the past year
with any person  with  respect to any of UIC's  securities,  including,  but not
limited  to,  joint  ventures,  loan or  option  arrangements,  puts  or  calls,
guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit,  division of losses or profits,
or the giving or withholding of proxies.


            Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement (including the Schedules
hereto),  neither Steel nor any of the other  participants in this solicitation,
or any of  their  respective  associates,  has  entered  into any  agreement  or
understanding  with any person with respect to (i) any future  employment by UIC
or its  affiliates  or (ii) any future  transactions  to which UIC or any of its
affiliates  will or may be a  party.  However,  Steel  has  reviewed,  and  will
continue to review,  on the basis of  publicly  available  information,  various
possible  business  strategies  that it might  consider  in the  event  that the
Nominee is elected to the Board.


                    OTHER MATTERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


            Steel is unaware of any other matters to be considered at the Annual
Meeting  other  than  the  ratification  of the  appointment  of  the  Company's
auditors.  However,  should  other  matters,  which  Steel  is  not  aware  of a
reasonable time before this solicitation,  be brought before the Annual Meeting,
the persons  named as proxies on the enclosed  GOLD proxy card will vote on such
matters in their discretion.

            Steel has  omitted  from this  Proxy  Statement  certain  disclosure
required by  applicable  law that is already  included in the  Management  Proxy
Statement.   This  disclosure   includes,   among  other  things,   biographical
information on UIC's directors and executive  officers,  information  concerning
executive compensation, an analysis of cumulative total returns on an investment
in UIC Shares during the past five years, information on audit services and fees
of Ernst & Young LLP and procedures for nominating directors for election to
the UIC Board and submitting proposals for inclusion in UIC's proxy statement at
the next annual  meeting.  Stockholders  should  refer to the  Management  Proxy
Statement in order to review this disclosure.


            See Schedule II for information  regarding  persons who beneficially
own more than 5% of the Shares and the ownership of the Shares by the management
of UIC.


                                      -13-



            The information concerning UIC contained in this Proxy Statement and
the Schedules  attached  hereto has been taken from, or is based upon,  publicly
available information.

                                             STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.


                                             _______, 2002














                                      -14-


                                   SCHEDULE I

              TRANSACTIONS IN THE SHARES DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS

     Shares of Common             Price Per                  Date of
     Stock Purchased              Share ($)                  Purchase
     ---------------              ---------                  --------

                            STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

           20,000                  9.84410                     8/28/00
            5,000                  9.95500                     8/29/00
           20,300                 10.02380                     8/30/00
            7,000                 10.82000                     9/06/00
              500                 11.29000                     9/13/00
            6,000                 11.27960                     9/19/00
              600                 11.05000                     9/20/00
            3,400                 11.10250                     9/21/00
            5,000                 10.91500                     9/22/00
           10,200                 10.21820                    10/18/00
            9,000                 10.17500                    10/19/00
            4,200                 10.41610                    10/20/00
           11,000                 10.56140                    10/23/00
            5,000                 10.48750                    10/24/00
            6,000                 10.50830                    10/25/00
            1,700                 10.67500                    10/27/00
            5,000                 10.67000                    10/30/00
            1,000                 10.81000                    10/31/00
            3,000                 10.42500                    11/02/00
              900                 10.42500                    11/03/00
            2,500                 10.67500                    11/06/00
            3,600                 10.67500                    11/22/00
           10,800                 10.79650                    11/27/00
            8,720                 10.80000                    11/28/00
           11,000                 10.67500                    11/29/00


                                      -15-



     Shares of Common             Price Per                  Date of
     Stock Purchased              Share ($)                  Purchase
     ---------------              ---------                  --------

                            STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

              300                 10.72500                    12/04/00
              500                 10.67500                    12/06/00
            5,500                 11.05000                    12/27/00
           14,400                 11.09340                    12/28/00
            9,000                 11.10500                    12/29/00
            2,000                 11.17500                     1/03/01
            6,600                 11.12570                     1/04/01
           17,600                 13.50920                     3/12/01
            4,700                 13.47000                     3/13/01
            5,000                 13.30000                     3/14/01
            3,400                 13.53000                     3/15/01
           10,000                 13.30000                     3/16/01
           11,300                 13.20260                     3/19/01






                                      -16-

                             WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
                             ----------------------

                                    NONE(1)


                               JAMES R. HENDERSON
                               ------------------

                                      NONE


                                 GLEN M. KASSAN
                                 --------------

                                      NONE











- ----------------------

(1)  By virtue of his position with Steel  Partners II, L.P.,  Mr.  Lichtenstein
     has the power to vote and dispose of UIC Shares owned by Steel Partners II,
     L.P.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Lichtenstein may be deemed the beneficial owner of
     the UIC Shares owned by Steel Partners II, L.P.



                                      -17-

                                   SCHEDULE II

           SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT


            THE  FOLLOWING  IS  BASED  SOLELY  ON  INFORMATION  PROVIDED  IN THE
MANAGEMENT PROXY STATEMENT:


                 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS


            At the record date, more than 5% of the Company's outstanding voting
securities was beneficially  owned by each of the persons named in the following
table,  except that the  information  as to Kennedy  Capital  Management,  Inc.,
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., Elaine Fein and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is as of
December 31, 2001 and is based upon information furnished to the Company by such
entities in Schedules 13G, and the  information as to Steel Partners II, L.P. is
based upon information furnished by such entity in a Schedule 13D and a Form 4.

                          Name and Address of             Amount and Nature of        Percent
 Title of Class            Beneficial Owner               Beneficial Ownership       of Class
 --------------            ----------------               ---------------------      ---------
Common Stock          Kennedy Capital Management, Inc.        1,509,450(1)             11.55%
                      10829 Olive Boulevard
                      St. Louis, Missouri  63141

Common Stock          Steel Partners II, L.P.                 1,310,250                10.03%
                      150 East 52 Street
                      New York, New York  10022

Common Stock          Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.          1,059,440(2)              8.11%
                      1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
                      Santa Monica, California  90401

Common Stock          Elaine Fein                               983,747(3)              7.53%
                      P.O. Box 99
                      Scarsdale, New York  10583

Common Stock          J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.               914,551(4)              7.00%
                      270 Park Avenue
                      New York, New York  10017


(1)  Kennedy Capital Management, Inc., a registered investment advisor, has sole
     voting  power as to 1,496,400  shares of Common Stock and sole  dispositive
     power as to 1,509,450 shares.

(2)  Dimensional  Fund Advisors  Inc.  ("Dimensional"),  an  investment  advisor
     registered  under  Section 203 of the  Investment  Advisors Act of 1940, is
     deemed to have  beneficial  ownership of 1,059,440  shares of Common Stock.
     Dimensional  furnishes  investment  advice  to  four  investment  companies
     registered  under  the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  and  serves  as
     investment  manager to certain other  commingled  group trusts and separate
     accounts (collectively,  the "Funds"). In its role as investment advisor or
     manager,  Dimensional  possesses  voting and/or  investment  power over the
     securities  of  the  Company  that  are  owned  by the  Funds.  Dimensional
     disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.

(3)  Includes  912,551  shares of Common  Stock  owned by The  Estate of Bernard
     Fein, of which Ms. Fein is an executor, and 71,196 shares owned by The Fein
     Foundation, of which Ms. Fein is a trustee.


                                      -18-


(4)  Includes  912,551  shares of Common  Stock  owned by The  Estate of Bernard
     Fein, of which J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is an executor.

                        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT


            The following table sets forth, as of August 26, 2002, the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by each director of the
Company, each nominee for director,  each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation  Table above,  and by all directors  and executive  officers of the
Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated all shares are owned directly.


                                     Amount and
                                 Nature of Beneficial               Percent
Name or Group                       Ownership(1)(2)                of Class
- -------------                    --------------------              --------
Richard R. Erkeneff                    646,000                        4.76%
Harold S. Gelb                          35,000                          (3)
Paul J. Hoeper                           5,000                          (3)
Warren G. Lichtenstein               1,320,250(4)                    10.10%
James H. Perry                          82,843                          (3)
Joseph S. Schneider                     30,000                          (3)
Robert W. Worthing                      80,419(5)                       (3)
Susan Fein Zawel                       386,954(6)                      2.95%
All directors and executive
  officers as a group,
  consisting of 8 persons            2,586,466                        18.68%

(1)  The information as to securities owned by directors, nominees and executive
     officers  was  furnished  to the Company by such  directors,  nominees  and
     executive  officers.  Includes  units in the Company's  401(k) plan,  which
     consist of shares of Common Stock and cash.

(2)  Includes  shares  which the  following  persons  have the right to  acquire
     within 60 days through the exercise of stock options: Mr. Erkeneff, 510,000
     shares;   Mr.  Gelb,  30,000  shares;   Mr.  Hoeper,   5,000  shares;   Mr.
     Lichtenstein,  10,000  shares;  Mr. Perry,  77,000 shares;  Mr.  Schneider,
     25,000 shares; Mr. Worthing,  71,000 shares; Ms. Fein Zawel, 55,000 shares;
     and all directors and executive officers as a group, 783,000 shares.


(3)  Less than 1%.

(4)  All of such shares are owned by Steel  Partners II, L.P.  ("Steel")  (other
     than Mr. Lichtenstein's stock options). Mr. Lichtenstein is the Chairman of
     the Board,  Secretary and Managing  Member of the general partner of Steel.
     Mr.  Lichtenstein  disclaims  beneficial  ownership  of the shares owned by
     Steel, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(5)  Does not include 500 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Worthing's spouse,
     as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(6)  Includes  11,440  shares of Common Stock owned by Ms. Fein Zawel's  spouse,
     4,772  shares of Common  Stock  owned by Ms.  Fein Zawel  jointly  with her
     spouse,  and  32,634  shares  of Common  Stock  held in trust for her minor
     children.





                                      -19-


                                    IMPORTANT

            Tell your Board what you think!  Your vote is  important.  No matter
how many Shares you own,  please  give Steel your proxy FOR the  election of the
Nominee by taking three steps:


     o    SIGNING the enclosed GOLD proxy card,

     o    DATING the enclosed GOLD proxy card, and

     o    MAILING the enclosed GOLD proxy card TODAY in the envelope provided (no
          postage is required if mailed in the United States).

            If any of your  Shares  are  held in the name of a  brokerage  firm,
bank, bank nominee or other  institution,  only it can vote such Shares and only
upon receipt of your  specific  instructions.  Accordingly,  please  contact the
person responsible for your account and instruct that person to execute the GOLD
proxy card representing your Shares.  Steel urges you to confirm in writing your
instructions  to  Steel  in care of  MacKenzie  Partners,  Inc.  at the  address
provided  below so that  Steel will be aware of all  instructions  given and can
attempt to ensure that such instructions are followed.

            If you have any  questions  or require  any  additional  information
concerning this Proxy Statement,  please contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the
address set forth below.



                                [MacKenzie Logo]

                                      -20-





                     PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

                             DATED SEPTEMBER 3, 2002


          UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
          ------------------------------------------------------------


          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION IS NOT SOLICITING THIS
PROXY.


The undersigned  appoints Warren G. Lichtenstein and Glen M. Kassan, and each of
them, attorneys and agents with full power of substitution to vote all shares of
common  stock  of  United  Industrial  Corporation  (the  "Company")  which  the
undersigned  would be  entitled  to vote if  personally  present  at the  Annual
Meeting of  Stockholders  of the Company,  and including at any  adjournments or
postponements thereof and at any meeting called in lieu thereof, as follows:


1.           ELECTION OF DIRECTOR:

            A total of two  Directors  will be elected at the Annual  Meeting of
            Stockholders of the Company. This Proxy can only be voted for one of
            the two Directors being elected at the Annual Meeting.  Accordingly,
            this  Proxy  does  not  confer  voting  power  with  respect  to the
            remaining directorship.

                                            FOR        WITHHOLD

            Nominee:  Glen M. Kassan       [   ]        [    ]


 2.        RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT      FOR       AGAINST        ABSTAIN
            OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS:       [   ]       [    ]         [    ]


3.          IN  THEIR  DISCRETION  WITH  RESPECT  TO ANY  OTHER  MATTERS  AS MAY
            PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.








            The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy or proxies heretofore
given to vote or act with  respect to the shares of Common  Stock of the Company
held by the undersigned,  and hereby ratifies and confirms all action the herein
named attorneys and proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may lawfully take
by virtue  hereof.  IF PROPERLY  EXECUTED,  THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED
ABOVE.  IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE ABOVE  PROPOSALS,  THIS
PROXY  WILL BE VOTED  FOR THE  ELECTION  OF THE  NOMINEE,  OR ANY  SUBSTITUTIONS
THERETO, AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.


            This proxy will be valid  until the sooner of one year from the date
indicated below and the completion of the Annual Meeting.

DATED:  ____________________________

PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ON THIS PROXY.

- ------------------------------------
(Signature)

- ------------------------------------
(Signature, if held jointly)

- ------------------------------------
(Title)



    WHEN SHARES ARE HELD JOINTLY, JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN. EXECUTORS,
 ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, ETC., SHOULD INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNING.

         IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!



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