THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORP /DE - 10-K Annual Report

Back to GetFilings.com

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

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
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-23378

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE 74-2482571
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333-57457

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE 74-2878452
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333-57457

THERMADYNE CAPITAL CORP.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE 74-2878453
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

16052 SWINGLEY RIDGE RD., SUITE 300
CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI 63017
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (ZIP Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(636) 728-3000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
TITLE OF CLASS
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrants: (1) have 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
registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by checkmark 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 registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are accelerated filers (as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [ ] No [X]

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity
held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common
equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity,
as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second
fiscal quarter: approximately $80,000 based on the closing sales price of the
Common Stock, on March 1, 2003.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 3,590,286 shares of
Common Stock, outstanding at March 1, 2003.

Thermadyne Mfg. LLC and Thermadyne Capital Corp. meet the conditions set
forth in General Instruction I 1(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and are therefore
filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
NONE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that relate to future
plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements. Actual results
could differ materially due to a variety of factors and the other risks
described in this Annual Report and the other documents the Company files from
time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may
be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or that reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Thermadyne Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Thermadyne" or
the "Company"), is a leading global manufacturer of cutting and welding products
and accessories. The Company manufactures a broad range of gas (oxy-fuel) and
electric arc cutting and welding products that are ultimately sold to end-user
customers principally engaged in the aerospace, automotive, construction, metal
fabrication, mining, mill and foundry, petroleum and shipbuilding industries.
Thermadyne Mfg. LLC ("Thermadyne LLC") is wholly owned by, and the principal
operating subsidiary of, the Company, and Thermadyne Capital Corp. ("Thermadyne
Capital") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermadyne LLC.

BANKRUPTCY FILING

On November 19, 2001, the Company and substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries, including Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital (collectively, the
"Debtors"), filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri (the "Court"). The filing resulted from insufficient
liquidity, and was determined to be the most efficient and favorable alternative
to restructure the Company's balance sheet. Since 1998, the Company's operating
results have been negatively impacted by a weak industrial economy in the U.S.
as well as difficult economic conditions in most of its foreign markets. The
deterioration of operating results and liquidity made it increasingly difficult
for the Company to meet all of its debt service obligations. Prior to filing
Chapter 11, the Company failed to make the semi-annual interest payments on the
10.75% subordinated notes, due November 1, 2003 (the "Subordinated Notes"),
which were due on May 1 and November 1, 2001, and totaled approximately $4.0
million. In addition, the Company failed to make an interest payment in the
amount of $10.2 million related to the 9.875% senior subordinated notes, due
June 1, 2008 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes"), which was due on June 1, 2001.
The Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits the Company from making payments on
unsecured, pre-petition debt, including the Senior Subordinated Notes and the
Subordinated Notes, except pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. The
Company is in possession of its properties and assets and continues to manage
the business as a debtor-in-possession subject to the supervision of the Court.

On January 8, 2002, the Court entered the final order approving a new $60
million debtor-in-possession credit facility among Thermadyne LLC, as borrower,
the Company and certain U.S. subsidiaries as guarantors, and a syndicate of
lenders with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as agent (the "DIP Facility".) Prior to the
final order, on November 21, 2001, the Court entered an interim order
authorizing the Debtors to use up to $25 million of the DIP Facility for loans
and letters of credit. On November 19, 2002, the Court entered a final order
amending the DIP Facility. The amendment extended the expiration date to May 23,
2003, and lowered the total capacity from $60 million to $50 million. All other
terms of the DIP Facility remained substantially unchanged. The DIP Facility
expires on the earlier of the consummation of a plan of reorganization or May
23, 2003. If a plan of reorganization is not consummated by May 23, 2003, the
Company will need to seek an extension of the maturity of the DIP Facility. The
DIP Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of the Debtors,
including a pledge of the capital stock of substantially all their subsidiaries,
subject to

2

certain limitations with respect to foreign subsidiaries. Actual borrowing
availability is subject to a borrowing base calculation. The amount available to
the Company under the DIP Facility is equal to the sum of approximately 85% of
eligible accounts receivable, 50% of eligible inventory and 72% of eligible
fixed assets. As of December 31, 2002, the Company's eligible accounts
receivable, inventories and fixed assets supported access to the full amount of
the DIP Facility. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had borrowed $10.2
million and issued letters of credit of $9.5 million under the DIP Facility. The
DIP Facility contains financial covenants, including minimum levels of EBITDA
(defined as net income or loss plus depreciation, amortization of goodwill,
amortization of intangibles, net periodic postretirement benefits expense,
income taxes, amortization of deferred financing costs, any net loss realized in
connection with the sale of any asset, any extraordinary loss or the non-cash
portion of non-recurring expenses, and reorganization costs), and other
customary provisions.

As of December 1, 2001, the Company discontinued accruing interest on the
Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the 12.5% debentures, due
June 1, 2008 (the "Debentures"), and the 15% junior subordinated notes, due
December 15, 2009 (the "Junior Notes"), and ceased accruing dividends on its
redeemable preferred stock. Contractual interest on the Senior Subordinated
Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures and the Junior Notes for the year
ended December 31, 2002, was $20.4 million, $4.0 million, $18.9 million and $5.3
million, respectively. No interest was recorded for the Senior Subordinated
Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures or the Junior Notes during 2002.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, contractual interest on the Senior
Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures and the Junior Notes
totalled $45.8 million, of which $41.9 million was recorded. Contractual
dividends for the redeemable preferred stock were $10.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002, of which none was recorded. For the year ended December
31, 2001, contractual dividends for the redeemable preferred stock were $9.5
million, which compares to recorded dividends of $8.7 million. As part of the
Court order approving the DIP Facility, the Company was required to continue
making periodic interest payments on its old syndicated senior secured credit
agreement (the "Old Credit Facility.") This order did not approve the payment of
any principal outstanding under the Old Credit Facility as of the petition date,
or the payment of any future mandatory amortization of the loans. In total,
contractual interest on the Company's obligations was $71.2 million and $80.3
million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively which was
$48.6 million and $4.0 million in excess of reported interest, respectively.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, substantially all
actions to collect upon any of the Debtors' liabilities as of the petition date
or to enforce pre-petition date contractual obligations were automatically
stayed. Absent approval from the Court, the Debtors are prohibited from paying
pre-petition obligations. However, the Court has approved payment of certain
pre-petition liabilities such as employee wages and benefits and certain other
pre-petition obligations. Additionally, the Court has approved the retention of
legal and financial professionals. Claims against the Debtors had to be filed
with the Court on or before April 19, 2002. As debtor-in-possession, the Debtors
have the right, subject to Court approval and certain other conditions, to
assume or reject any pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases.
Parties affected by such rejections may file pre-petition claims with the Court
in accordance with bankruptcy procedures.

On January 17, 2003, the Company filed with the Court its First Amended and
Restated Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization") which provides
for, among other things the restructuring of the Company's balance sheet to
significantly strengthen the Company's financial position.

The Company expects the Court to confirm the Plan of Reorganization early
in the second quarter of 2003. The Plan of Reorganization was filed with the SEC
on Form 8-K February 6, 2003. Once the Court confirms the Plan of Reorganization
and the Company satisfies the conditions precedent to effectiveness of the Plan
of Reorganization, as described in the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
then consummate the Plan of Reorganization and emerge from Chapter 11.
Management anticipates that the consummation and effectiveness of the Plan of
Reorganization will occur in the second calendar quarter of 2003.

The Plan of Reorganization provides for a substantial reduction of the
Company's long-term debt. Under the plan, the Company's total debt would
aggregate approximately $230 million, versus the nearly $800 mil-

3

lion in debt and $79 million in preferred stock when the Company filed for
Chapter 11 protection in November 2001. The Plan of Reorganization provides for
treatment to the various classes of claims and equity interests as follows (as
is more fully described in the Plan of Reorganization):

Administrative Expense Claims, Priority Tax Claims and the Class 1 Other
Priority Claims (as each such class, and all classes described herein, are more
fully described in the Plan or Reorganization) remain unaffected by the Chapter
11 cases and are to be paid in full. The Class 3 Other Secured Claims are also
unimpaired by the Chapter 11 cases and the holders of such claims will continue
to retain their liens.

The pre-petition senior secured lenders (Class 2) will exchange their
approximately $365 million in debt and outstanding letters of credit for up to
approximately 94.5% of the new common stock of the Company (subject to reduction
for shares of the Company's new common stock acquired pursuant to the
subscription offering referenced below), the cash proceeds realized from the
subscription offering, $180 million in Senior Debt Notes, and Series C Warrants
exercisable for additional shares of new common stock of the Company. Under
certain circumstances, up to an additional $23 million in Senior Debt Notes may
be issued to the pre-petition senior secured lenders in substitution for up to
12.3% of the new common stock of the Company. The pre-petition senior lenders
have agreed to transfer the Series C Warrants to certain current Company equity
holders.

General Unsecured Creditors (Class 4) will receive distributions of cash
equal to the lesser of (1) a holder's pro rata share of $7,500,000 and (2) fifty
percent (50%) of such holder's claim (estimated by the Company to provide a
recovery on such claims of 30% to 37% of the amount of such claims.)

The 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note Holders (Class 5) will exchange their
approximately $230 million in debt and accrued interest for approximately 5.5%
of the new common stock of the Company, with the opportunity to subscribe for
more shares through the subscription offering held pursuant to the Plan of
Reorganization, and Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants exercisable for
additional shares of new common stock of the Company.

The Junior Subordinated Note Claims, the 10.75% Senior Subordinated Note
Claims and the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Debenture Claims (Class 6, Class 7 and
Class 8, respectively) in the aggregate amount of approximately $220 million
will not receive any distribution under the Plan of Reorganization, but will
have the opportunity to participate in the subscription offering for shares of
new common stock of the reorganized Company.

The Thermadyne Holdings Equity Interests (Class 9), which includes the
existing common and preferred stock of the Company, will be cancelled and the
holders of such interests will not receive any distribution pursuant to the Plan
of Reorganization.

In connection with the proposed Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
issue the following:

- Senior Debt Notes in the aggregate amount of up to $203 million;

- Up to 13,300,000 shares of common stock of the reorganized Company;

- 1,157,000 Series A Warrants;

- 700,000 Series B Warrants; and

- 271,429 Series C Warrants.

Upon effectiveness of the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will use its
proposed senior secured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $50 million
to pay the DIP Facility, for the payment of various pre-petition obligations,
and for general working capital purposes.

Absent a successful restructuring of the Company's balance sheet,
substantial doubt exists about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis. This basis contemplates the continuity of operations, realization
of assets, and discharge of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The
statements also present the assets of the Company at historical cost and the
current intention that they will be realized as a going concern and in the
4

normal course of business. Approval of a Plan of Reorganization could materially
change the amounts currently disclosed in the financial statements.

ACQUISITIONS

In 2000, the Company made the following two acquisitions. On April 13, the
Company, through a 90% owned subsidiary, acquired all the assets of Unique
Welding Alloys ("Unique"), a business that sells industrial gases, welding
equipment and accessories to the retail end-user trade, and on November 9, the
Company, through a 90% owned subsidiary, acquired all the assets of Maxweld &
Braze (Pty) Ltd. ("Maxweld"), a wholesale business that sells welding equipment
and accessories to distributors and the retail end-user trade. Both of these
businesses are located in Boksburg, South Africa. The aggregate consideration
paid for these two acquisitions was approximately $4.4 million and was financed
through existing bank facilities. These transactions were accounted for as
purchases.

PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

The Company manufactures a broad range of both gas (oxy-fuel) and arc
cutting and welding equipment (including a line of advanced plasma arc cutting
systems and oxy-fuel apparatus), accessories and consumables, including repair
parts used in the cutting and welding industry. Gas cutting and welding torches
burn a mixture of oxygen and fuel gas, typically acetylene. Arc cutting and
welding systems are powered by electricity. The major arc cutting and welding
systems are plasma, stick and metal inert gas ("MIG"). Arc technology is more
sophisticated than gas technology and can be used on more types of metals. In
addition, arc equipment produces less distortion in the surrounding metal and it
cuts and welds faster, reducing labor costs. However, gas technology is more
portable and generally less expensive than arc technology and therefore remains
important in many industries.

The Company conducts its operations through the following subsidiaries:

Thermal Dynamics -- Plasma Arc Cutting Products. Thermal Dynamics
Corporation ("Thermal Dynamics"), located in West Lebanon, New Hampshire and
founded in 1957, developed many of the early plasma cutting systems and
maintains its position as a leading manufacturer of plasma cutting systems and
replacement parts. Thermal Dynamics' product line ranges from a portable 12-amp
unit to large 1,000-amp units. Thermal Dynamics' end users are engaged primarily
in fabrication and repair of sheet metal and plate products found in fabricated
structural steel and nonferrous metals, automotive products, appliances, sheet
metal, heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC"), general fabrication,
shipbuilding and general maintenance.

Advantages of the plasma cutting process over other methods include faster
cutting speeds, the ability to cut ferrous and nonferrous alloys and minimum
heat distortion on the material being cut. Plasma cutting also permits metal
cutting using only compressed air and electricity.

Tweco -- Electric Arc Products and Arc Gouging Systems. Tweco Products,
Inc. ("Tweco"), located in Wichita, Kansas and founded in 1936, manufactures a
line of arc welding replacement parts and accessories, including electrode
holders, ground clamps, cable connectors, terminal connectors and lugs and cable
splicers, and a variety of automatic and semiautomatic welding guns and cable
assemblies utilized in the arc welding process. Tweco also manufactures manual
stick electrode holders, ground clamps and accessories. Manual stick welding is
one of the oldest forms of welding and is used primarily by smaller welding
shops which perform general repair, maintenance and fabrication work. Tweco's
end users are primarily engaged in the manufacture or repair and maintenance of
transportation equipment, including automobiles, trucks, aircraft, trains and
ships; the manufacture of a broad range of machinery; and the production of
fabricated metal products, including structural metal, hand tools and general
hardware.

Tweco is a leading domestic manufacturer of MIG welding guns. The MIG
process is an arc welding process utilized in the fabrication of steel,
aluminum, stainless steel and other metal products and structures. In the MIG
process, a small diameter consumable electrode wire is continuously fed into the
arc. The welding arc area is protected from the atmosphere by a "shielding" gas.
The welding guns and cable assemblies

5

manufactured by Tweco carry the continuous wire electrode, welding current and
shielding gas to the welding arc. Tweco manufactures a related line of robotic
welding accessory products. This accessory line includes, but is not limited to,
a robotic torch with patented consumables, a robotic deflection mount, a robotic
cleaning station, robotic arms and an anti-splatter misting system.

Through its Arcair product line, Tweco manufactures equipment and related
consumable materials for "gouging," a technique that liquefies metal in a narrow
groove and then removes it using compressed air.

Gouging products are often used in joint preparation prior to a welding
process. Numerous other applications exist for these gouging systems, such as
removal of defective welds, removal of trim in foundries and repair of track,
switches and freight cars in the railroad industry. Tweco also manufactures a
line of underwater welding and gouging equipment.

In addition to gouging products, Tweco produces a patented exothermic
cutting system, SLICE(R). This system generates temperatures in excess of 7000
degrees F and can quickly cut through steel, concrete and other materials.
SLICE(R) has many applications, including opening clogged steel furnaces and
providing rapid entry in fire and rescue operations. Tweco has developed an
underwater version of the SLICE(R) cutting system for use in the marine repair
and salvage industry.

Tweco provides a complete line of chemicals used in the welding industry.
Chemicals are used for weld cleaning and as agents to reduce splatter adherence
on the metal being welded. Chemicals are also used to reduce splatter adherence
in welding nozzles in MIG applications.

Victor -- Oxy-Fuel Gas Products. Victor Equipment Company ("Victor") has
plants in Denton, Texas and Hermosillo, Sonoro, Mexico, and was founded in 1913.
Victor is the leading domestic manufacturer of gas-operated cutting and welding
torches and gas and flow pressure regulation equipment. Victor's torches are
used to cut ferrous metals and to weld, heat, solder and braze a variety of
metals, and its regulation equipment is used to control pressure and flow of
most industrial and specialty gases. In addition, Victor manufactures a variety
of replacement parts, including welding nozzles and cutting tips of various
types and sizes and a line of specialty gas regulators purchased by end users in
the process control, electronics and other industries. Victor also manufactures
a wide range of medical regulation equipment serving the oxygen therapy market,
including home health care and hospitals.

The torches produced by Victor are commonly referred to as oxy-fuel
torches. These torches combine a mixture of oxygen and a fuel gas, typically
acetylene, to produce a high-temperature flame. These torches are designed for
maximum durability, reparability and performance utilizing patented built-in
reverse flow check valves and flash arresters in the majority of models. Victor
also manufactures lighter-duty handheld heating, soldering and brazing torches.
Pressure regulators, which are basically diaphragm valves, serve a broad range
of industrial and specialty gas process control operations.

The principal uses of the Victor torch are cutting steel in metal
fabricating applications such as shipbuilding, construction of oil refineries,
power plants and manufacturing facilities, and welding, heating, brazing and
cutting in connection with maintenance of machinery, equipment and facilities.

Victor sells its lighter-duty products to end-user customers principally
engaged in the plumbing, refrigeration and heating, ventilation and air
conditioning industries. The relative low cost, mobility and ease of use of
Victor torches make them suitable for a wide variety of uses.

Cigweld -- Electric Arc Products, Oxy-Fuel Products, Filler Metals, Gas
Control Products and Safety Products. The business now known as Cigweld,
located in Melbourne, Australia, and founded in 1922, is the leading Australian
manufacturer of gas equipment and welding products.

Cigweld manufactures arc welding equipment products for both the automatic
arc and manual arc welding markets. The Cigweld range of automatic welding
equipment includes packages specifically designed for particular market
segments. End users of this product range include the rural market and the
vehicle repair, metal fabrication, shipbuilding, general maintenance and heavy
industries. Manual arc equipment products range from small welders designed for
the home handyman to units designed for heavy industry.

6

Cigweld manufactures a range of consumable products (filler metals) for
manual and automatic arc and gas welding. The range of manual arc electrodes
includes over 50 individual electrodes for different applications. Cigweld
markets its manual arc electrodes under such brand names as Satincraft,
Weldcraft, Ferrocraft(R), Alloycraft(R), Satincrome, Cobalarc(R), Castcraft and
Weldall(R).

For automatic and semiautomatic welding applications, Cigweld manufactures
a significant range of solid and flux-cored wires, principally under the
Autocraft(R), Verti-Cor, Satin-Cor, Metal-Cor and Cobalarc(R) brand names. For
gas welding, Cigweld manufactures and supplies approximately 40 individual types
of wires and solders for use in different applications. Cigweld's filler metals
are manufactured to standards appropriate for their intended use, with the
majority of products approved by agencies such as Lloyd's Register of Shipping,
American Bureau of Shipping, De Norske Veritas and U.S. Naval Ships.

Cigweld manufactures a comprehensive range of equipment for gas welding and
cutting and ancillary products such as gas manifolds, gas regulators and
flowmeters. Gas welding and cutting equipment is sold in kit form or as
individual products. Kits are manufactured for various customer groups and their
components include combinations of oxygen and acetylene regulators, blowpipes,
cutting attachments, mixers, welding and heating tips, cutting nozzles, roller
guides, twin welding hoses, goggles, flint lighters and tip cleaners,
combination spanners and cylinder keys. In addition to its kits, Cigweld
manufactures and/or distributes a complete range of gas equipment, including a
range of blowpipes and attachments, regulators (for oxygen, acetylene, argon and
carbon dioxide), flashback arrestors, cutting nozzles, welding and heating tips,
hoses and fittings, gas manifolds and accessories.

Cigweld also manufactures a range of gas control equipment including
specialty regulators (for use with different gases, including oxygen, acetylene,
liquefied petroleum gas, argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, helium, hydrogen,
carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethane and nitrous oxide), manifold systems, cylinder
valves and spares and natural gas regulators. Cigweld's gas control items are
primarily sold to gas companies.

Cigweld manufactures and/or distributes a range of safety products for use
in welding and complementary industries. The product range includes welding
helmets and accessories, respirators and masks, breathing apparatus, earmuffs
and earplugs, safety spectacles, safety goggles and gas welding goggles and
faceshields.

Medical products are also manufactured by Cigweld in its manufacturing
plant in Melbourne, Australia. These products are sold through distributors in
the Australian market and exported through third-party distributors and related
entities. The product range includes regulators, flowmeters, suction units,
oxygen therapy and resuscitation and outlet valves for medical gas systems.

C&G Systems -- Cutting Tables. C&G Systems Inc. ("C&G"), located in
Itasca, Illinois, and founded in 1968, manufactures a line of mechanized cutting
tables for fabricating sheet metal and metal plate. The machines utilize either
oxy-fuel or plasma cutting torches produced by other divisions of the Company.
C&G has a wide range of cutting tables from the relatively inexpensive
cantilever type used in general fabrication and job shops to the large precision
gantry type found in steel service centers and specialty cutting applications.
These metal cutting tables can be used in virtually any metal fabrication plant.

Stoody -- Hardfacing Products. Stoody Company ("Stoody"), located in
Bowling Green, Kentucky and with operations founded in 1921, is a recognized
world leader in the development and manufacture of hardfacing welding wires,
electrodes and rods. While Stoody's primary product line is iron-based welding
wires, Stoody also participates in the markets for cobalt-based and nickel-based
electrodes, rods and wires, which are essentially protective overlays, deposited
on softer base materials by various welding processes. This procedure, referred
to as "hardfacing" or "surface treatment," adds a more resistant surface,
thereby increasing the component's useful life. Lower initial costs, the ability
to treat large parts, and ease and speed of repairs in the field are some of the
advantages of hardfacing over solid wear resistant components. A variety of
products have been developed for hardfacing applications in industries utilizing
earth moving equipment, agricultural tools, crushing components, and steel mill
rolls and in virtually all applications where metal is exposed to external wear
factors.

Thermal Arc -- Arc Welders, Plasma Welders and Wire Feeders. In 1997, the
inverter and plasma arc welder business of Thermal Dynamics and the welding
division of Prestolite Power Corporation ("Arcsys")
7

were combined to form Thermal Arc, Inc. ("Thermal Arc"). The combined operation
is located in Troy, Ohio and produces a full line of inverter and
transformer-based electric arc welders, plasma welders, engine-driven welders
and wire feeders. Thermal Arc products compete in the marketplace for
construction, industrial and automated applications, and serve a large and
diverse user base.

The inverter arc welding power machines use high-frequency power
transistors to provide welding machines that are extremely portable and
power-efficient when compared to conventional welding power sources. Plasma
welding dramatically improves productivity for the end user. Additionally,
conventional transformer-based machines provide a cost-effective alternative for
markets where low cost and simplicity of maintenance are a high priority.

GenSet -- Engine-Driven Welders and Generators. GenSet S.p.A. ("GenSet"),
which was acquired by the Company in January 1997 and is located in Pavia,
Italy, commenced operations in 1976 with the production of small generating
sets. In 1976, it developed its first engine-driven welder and, in 1977,
obtained its first patent for the synchronous alternator designed for welding
purposes. It now offers a full range of technologically advanced generators and
engine-driven welders that are sold throughout the world.

These products are used both where main power is not available and for
standby power where continuous power supply is a key requirement.

Tec.Mo -- Plasma and Laser Cutting Replacement Consumables. Tec.Mo located
in Bologna, Italy manufactures replacement consumables for both plasma and laser
cutting systems. Tec.Mo has a full line of replacement parts for over 20
different manufacturers' products.

OCIM -- Electric Arc Welding Accessories. OCIM located in Milan, Italy
manufactures a complete line of Mig welding torches, Tig torches, and Robotic
Mig arc welding torches. In addition to its full line of torches, it
manufactures replacement consumable parts for these accessories, as well as a
full line of robotic arc welding accessories.

Victor Brazil -- Oxy-Fuel Products and Cutting Tables. Thermadyne Victor
Ltda. ("Victor Brazil"), with offices and manufacturing facilities located in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was acquired by the Company in 1998. Victor Brazil is
the leading manufacturer of oxy-fuel products for industrial and medical use and
of mechanized cutting tables for shaping and fabricating sheet metal and metal
plate in South America.

Victor Brazil primarily serves the Latin American market. The oxy-fuel
product line is very competitive in the region and offers the customer a broad
range of gas cutting and welding equipment. Metal fabricators of all sizes,
including applications such as shipbuilding, steel construction, machinery
manufacturing, pressure vessel producers, and steel mills, use the industrial
oxy-fuel products. Hospitals, home care, and doctors' offices use the medical
oxy-fuel products.

The cutting table line of products uses either oxy-fuel or plasma cutting
systems produced by Victor Brazil or other divisions of the Company. The line of
products is oriented to the needs of the Latin American market. Inexpensive
cantilever tables and higher-precision, computer numeric-controlled tables are
produced by Victor Brazil. These products are used in all types of metal
fabricating plants.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The Company had aggregate international sales of approximately $167.9
million, $166.4 million and $193.7 million for the fiscal years ended December
31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, or approximately 41%, 38% and 38%,
respectively, of the Company's net sales in each such period. The Company's
international sales are influenced by fluctuations in exchange rates of foreign
currencies, foreign economic conditions and other risks associated with foreign
trade. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk." The
Company's international sales consist of (a) export sales of Thermadyne products
manufactured at domestic manufacturing facilities and, to a limited extent,
products manufactured by third parties, sold through overseas field
representatives of Thermadyne International Corporation ("Thermadyne
International"), a subsidiary of Thermadyne, and (b) sales of Thermadyne
products manufactured at domestic and international manufacturing facilities,
sold by Thermadyne's foreign subsidiaries. For further information

8

concerning the international operations of the Company, see the notes to the
consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere herein.

Thermadyne International was formed in 1980 to coordinate Thermadyne's
efforts to increase international sales and sells cutting and welding products
through independent distributors in more than 80 countries. In support of this
effort, the Company operates distribution centers in Canada, Australia, Italy,
Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and the
United Kingdom and employs salespeople located in 23 additional countries.

COMPETITION

The Company competes principally with a number of domestic manufacturers of
cutting and welding products, the majority of which compete only in limited
segments of the overall market. Management believes competition is based
primarily on product quality and brand name, breadth and depth of product lines,
effectiveness of distribution channels, a knowledgeable sales force capable of
solving customer application problems, price and quality of customer service. To
date, the Company has experienced little direct foreign competition in its U.S.
markets due to the relatively limited size of such markets, the inability of
foreign manufacturers to establish effective distribution channels and the
relatively non-labor-intensive nature of the cutting and welding product
manufacturing process. The Company also competes in certain international
markets in which it faces substantial competition from foreign manufacturers of
cutting and welding products.

DISTRIBUTION

The Company's cutting and welding products are distributed through a
domestic network of approximately 1,100 independent cutting and welding products
distributors with over 2,800 locations that carry one or more of its product
lines. Relationships with the distributors are maintained by a separate sales
force for each of the Company's principal product lines. In addition, a national
accounts group exists to support the sale of all of the Company's product lines
to its major distributors. The Company's products are distributed
internationally through a direct sales force and independent distributors.

RAW MATERIALS

The Company has not experienced any difficulties in obtaining raw materials
for its operations because its principal raw materials, copper, brass, steel and
plastic, are widely available and need not be specially manufactured for use by
the Company. Certain of the raw materials used in hardfacing products, such as
cobalt and chromium, are available primarily from sources outside the United
States, some of which are located in countries that may be subject to economic
and political conditions which could affect pricing and disrupt supply. Although
the Company has historically been able to obtain adequate supplies of these
materials at acceptable prices and has been able to recover the costs of any
increases in the price of raw materials in the form of higher unit sales prices,
restrictions in supply or significant fluctuations in the prices of cobalt,
chromium and other raw materials could adversely affect the Company's business.

The Company also purchases certain products which it either uses in its
manufacturing processes or resells. These products include, but are not limited
to, electronic components, circuit boards, semiconductors, motors, engines,
pressure gauges, springs, switches, lenses and chemicals. The Company believes
its sources of such products are adequate to meet foreseeable demand.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company has research and development groups for each of its product
lines that primarily conduct process and product development to meet market
needs. As of December 31, 2002, the Company employed approximately 110 persons
in its research and development groups, most of whom are engineers.

9

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2002, the Company employed 2,802 people, of whom
approximately 672 were engaged in sales and marketing activities, 223 were
engaged in administrative activities, 1,814 were engaged in manufacturing
activities and 93 were engaged in engineering activities. Labor unions represent
none of the Company's workforce in the United States and virtually all of the
manufacturing employees in its foreign operations. The Company believes that its
employee relations are good. The Company has not experienced any significant
work stoppages.

PATENTS, LICENSES AND TRADEMARKS

The Company's products are sold under a variety of trademarks and trade
names. The Company owns trademark registrations or has filed trademark
applications for all trademarks and has registered all trade names that the
Company believes are material to the operation of its businesses. The Company
also owns various patents and from time to time acquires licenses from owners of
patents to apply such patents to its operations. The Company does not believe
any single patent or license is material to the operation of its businesses
taken as a whole.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company operates 16 manufacturing facilities in the United States,
Italy, the Philippines, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Mexico. All
domestic manufacturing facilities, leases and leasehold interests are encumbered
by perfected first priority senior priming liens securing the Company's
obligations under the DIP Facility and primed liens securing the Debtors'
obligations under the Old Credit Facility. The Company considers its plants and
equipment to be modern and well-maintained and believes its plants have
sufficient capacity to meet future anticipated expansion needs.

During 2002, the Company leased and maintained an 18,939-square-foot
facility located in St. Louis, Missouri, which houses the executive offices of
the Company and its operating subsidiaries, as well as all centralized services.
During the first quarter of 2003, the Company relocated this office to a
16,109-square-foot facility, also located in St. Louis, Missouri.

The following table describes the location and general character of the
Company's principal properties:

All of the above facilities are leased, except for the facilities located
in Melbourne, Cebu, the larger facility in Pavia and Rio de Janeiro, which are
owned. The initial lease terms for the facilities located in West Lebanon, New
Hampshire, Wichita, Kansas and Denton, Texas expire in May 2003. The Company
exercised its right to extend the leases in Lebanon, New Hampshire and Denton,
Texas until May 2008. The Company has also extended the lease in Wichita, Kansas
until May 2004. The lease in Ontario, Canada will expire in August 2003. The
Company has entered into a new lease with respect to the Ontario property that
will expire in August 2008. The Company also has additional assembly and
warehouse facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Singapore,
Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil and Australia.

In addition, the Company had subleased 295,000 square feet of its
325,000-square-foot facility in City of Industry, California, which formerly was
the manufacturing facility for certain products now manufactured at the
Company's Bowling Green, Kentucky facility. On February 20, 2002, the Court
approved the Company's motion to reject this lease as of February 16, 2002.

The Company entered into an agreement on February 7, 2002 to lease a 30,880
square-foot portion of a larger facility located in Chino, California. This
location will be used to warehouse and distribute certain products manufactured
at the Company's other domestic facilities.

11

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On November 19, 2001, the Company and substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code. For further information see Item 1.
"Business -- Bankruptcy Filing."

The Company is a party to ordinary litigation incidental to its businesses,
including a number of product liability cases seeking substantial damages. The
Company maintains insurance against any product liability claims. Coverage for
most years has a $500,000 self insured retention with $500,000 of primary
insurance per claim. In addition, the Company maintains umbrella policies
providing an aggregate of $75,000,000 in coverage for product liability claims.
All litigation against the Company was stayed upon the filing of the Chapter 11.
Although it is difficult to predict the outcome of litigation with any
certainty, the Company believes the liabilities which might reasonably result
from such lawsuits, to the extent not covered by insurance, with the exception
of those matters relating to the Debtors' Chapter 11 proceedings, will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.

The Company's operations are subject to federal, state, local and foreign
laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, generation, treatment,
emission, release, discharge and disposal of certain substances and wastes. The
Company is currently not aware of any citations or claims filed against it by
any local, state, federal and foreign governmental agencies, which, if
successful, would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.

The Company may be required to incur costs relating to remediation of
properties, including properties at which the Company disposes waste, and
environmental conditions could lead to claims for personal injury, property
damage or damages to natural resources. The Company is aware of environmental
conditions at certain properties which it now owns or leases or previously owned
or leased which are undergoing remediation. The Company does not believe the
cost of such remediation will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operations.

Certain environmental laws, including, but not limited to, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and the
equivalent state laws, provide for strict, joint and several liability for
investigation and remediation of spills or other releases of hazardous
substances. Such laws may apply to conditions at properties presently or
formerly owned or operated by the Company or its subsidiaries or by their
predecessors or previously owned business entities, as well as to conditions at
properties at which wastes or other contamination attributable to the Company or
its subsidiaries or their predecessors or previously owned business entities
come to be located. The Company has in the past and may in the future be named a
potentially responsible party at off-site disposal sites to which it has sent
waste. The Company does not believe the ultimate cost relating to such sites
will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of the shareholders during the fourth
quarter of 2002.

12

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

The Company's Common Stock began trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market
("NASDAQ") on May 17, 1994. On October 15, 1998, the NASDAQ delisted the Common
Stock. Following its delisting from NASDAQ, the Common Stock has traded in the
over the counter market. The following table shows, for the periods indicated,
the high and low sale prices of a share of the Common Stock for the fiscal years
2001 and 2002 as reported by published financial sources.

On March 11, 2003, the last reported bid price for the Common Stock as
reported by published financial sources was $.02 per share. As of March 2, 2003
there were approximately 86 holders of record of Common Stock.

The Company has historically not paid any cash dividends on Common Stock
and it does not have any present intention to commence payment of any cash
dividends. The Company intends to retain earnings to provide funds for the
operation and expansion of the Company's business and to repay outstanding
indebtedness. The Company's debt agreements contain certain covenants
restricting the payment of dividends on, or repurchases of, Common Stock. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Overview."

13

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data for and as of each of the years in the
five-year period ended December 31, 2002 set forth below has been derived from
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The selected
financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Company's
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, in each case included
elsewhere herein.

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

(1) Amounts for 2001 and 2002 include approximately $776.0 million and $778.7
million, respectively, classified as "liabilities subject to compromise" on
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(2) Amounts for 2001 and 2002 exclude liabilities subject to compromise.

(3) "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as net income or loss plus depreciation,
amortization of goodwill, amortization of intangibles, net periodic
postretirement benefits expense, interest expense, income taxes,

14

amortization of deferred financing costs, any net loss realized in
connection with the sale of any asset, any extraordinary loss or the
non-cash portion of non-recurring expenses, and reorganization costs; minus
any extraordinary gain. Adjusted EBITDA is a key financial measure but
should not be construed as an alternative to operating income or cash flows
from operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles). Adjusted EBITDA is also one of the
financial measures by which the Company's compliance with its covenants is
calculated under the DIP Facility. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is a
useful supplement to net income (loss) and other consolidated statement of
operations data in understanding cash flows generated from operations that
are available for taxes, debt service and capital expenditures. However, the
Company's method of computation may or may not be comparable to other
similarly titled measures of other companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA
is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for
discretionary uses and does not reflect any legal or contractual
restrictions on the Company's use of funds.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

BANKRUPTCY FILING

Thermadyne, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the design, manufacture
and distribution of cutting and welding products and accessories. Since 1994,
the Company has embarked on a strategy designed to focus its business
exclusively on the cutting and welding industry and enhance the Company's market
position within that industry.

On November 19, 2001, the Company and substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries, including Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital, filed voluntary
petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The
filing resulted from insufficient liquidity, and was determined to be the most
efficient and favorable alternative to restructure the Company's balance sheet.
Since 1998, the Company's operating results have been negatively impacted by a
weak industrial economy in the U.S. as well as difficult economic conditions in
most of its foreign markets. The deterioration of operating results and
liquidity made it increasingly difficult for the Company to meet all of its debt
service obligations. Prior to filing Chapter 11, the Company failed to make the
semi-annual interest payments on the Subordinated Notes, which were due on May 1
and November 1, 2001, and totaled approximately $4.0 million. In addition, the
Company failed to make an interest payment in the amount of $10.2 million
related to the Senior Subordinated Notes, which was due on June 1, 2001. The
Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits the Company from making payments on
unsecured, pre-petition debt, including the Senior Subordinated Notes and the
Subordinated Notes, except pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. The
Company is in possession of its properties and assets and continues to manage
the business as a debtor-in-possession subject to the supervision of the Court.
The Company has a $50 million debtor-in-possession credit facility in place (see
Liquidity and Capital Resources.)

As of December 1, 2001, the Company discontinued accruing interest on the
Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures, and the
Junior Notes, and ceased accruing dividends on its redeemable preferred stock.
Contractual interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes,
the Debentures and the Junior Notes for the year ended December 31, 2002, was
$20.4 million, $4.0 million, $18.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively. No
interest was recorded for the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes,
the Debentures or the Junior Notes during 2002. For the year ended December 31,
2001, contractual interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated
Notes, the Debentures and the Junior Notes totaled $45.8 million, of which $41.9
million was recorded. Contractual dividends for the redeemable preferred stock
were $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, of which none was
recorded. For the year ended December 31, 2001, contractual dividends for the
redeemable preferred stock were $9.5 million, which compares to recorded
dividends of $8.7 million. As part of the Court order approving the DIP
Facility, the Company was required to continue making periodic interest payments
on the Old Credit Facility. This order did not approve the payment of any
principal outstanding under the Old Credit Facility as of the petition date, or
the payment of any future mandatory amortization of the loans. In total,
contractual interest on the Company's obligations was $71.2 million and $80.3
million for the years ended December 31,

15

2002 and 2001, respectively, which was $48.6 million and $4.0 million in excess
of reported interest, respectively.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, substantially all
actions to collect upon any of the Debtors' liabilities as of the petition date
or to enforce pre-petition date contractual obligations were automatically
stayed. Absent approval from the Court, the Debtors are prohibited from paying
pre-petition obligations. However, the Court has approved payment of certain
pre-petition liabilities such as employee wages and benefits and certain other
pre-petition obligations. Additionally, the Court has approved the retention of
legal and financial professionals. Claims were allowed to be filed against the
Debtors through April 19, 2002. As debtor-in-possession, the Debtors have the
right, subject to Court approval and certain other conditions, to assume or
reject any pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases. Parties
affected by such rejections may file pre-petition claims with the Court in
accordance with bankruptcy procedures.

On January 17, 2003, the Company filed with the Court its First Amended and
Restated Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization") which provides
for, among other things the restructuring of the Company's balance sheet to
significantly strengthen the Company's financial position.

The Company expects the Court to confirm the Plan of Reorganization early
in the second quarter of 2003. The Plan of Reorganization was filed with the SEC
on Form 8-K February 6, 2003. Once the Court confirms the Plan of Reorganization
and the Company satisfies the conditions precedent to effectiveness of the Plan
of Reorganization, as described in the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
then consummate the Plan of Reorganization and emerge from Chapter 11.
Management anticipates that the consummation and effectiveness of the Plan of
Reorganization will occur in the second calendar quarter of 2003.

The Plan of Reorganization provides for a substantial reduction of the
Company's long-term debt. Under the plan, the Company's total debt would
aggregate approximately $230 million, versus the nearly $800 million in debt and
$79 million in preferred stock when the Company filed for Chapter 11 protection
in November 2001. The Plan of Reorganization provides for treatment to the
various classes of claims and equity interests as follows (as is more fully
described in the Plan of Reorganization):

Administrative Expense Claims, Priority Tax Claims and the Class 1 Other
Priority Claims (as each such class, and all classes described herein, are more
fully described in the Plan or Reorganization) remain unaffected by the Chapter
11 cases and are to be paid in full. The Class 3 Other Secured Claims are also
unimpaired by the Chapter 11 cases and the holders of such claims will continue
to retain their liens.

The pre-petition senior secured lenders (Class 2) will exchange their
approximately $360 million in debt and outstanding letters of credit for cash,
up to approximately 94.5% of the new common stock of the Company (subject to
reduction for shares of the Company's new common stock acquired pursuant to the
subscription offering referenced below), the cash proceeds realized from the
subscription offering, $180 million in Senior Debt Notes, and Series C Warrants
exercisable for additional shares of new common stock of the Company. Under
certain circumstances, up to an additional $23 million in Senior Debt Notes may
be issued to the pre-petition senior secured lenders in substitution for up to
12.3% of the new common stock of the Company. The pre-petition senior lenders
have agreed to transfer the Series C Warrants to certain current Company equity
holders.

General Unsecured Creditors (Class 4) will receive distributions of cash
equal to the lesser of (1) a holder's pro rata share of $7,500,000 and (2) fifty
percent (50%) of such holder's claim (estimated by the Company to provide a
recovery on such claims of 30% to 37% of the amount of such claims.)

The 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note Holders (Class 5) will exchange their
approximately $230 million in debt and accrued interest for approximately 5.5%
of the new common stock of the Company, with the opportunity to subscribe for
more shares through the subscription offering held pursuant to the Plan of
Reorganization, and Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants exercisable for
additional shares of new common stock of the Company.

16

The Junior Subordinated Note Claims, the 10.75% Senior Subordinated Note
Claims and the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Debenture Claims (Class 6, Class 7 and
Class 8, respectively) in the aggregate amount of approximately $220 million
will not receive any distribution under the plan of Reorganization, but will
have the opportunity to participate in the subscription offering for shares of
new common stock of the reorganized Company.

The Thermadyne Holdings Equity Interests (Class 9), which includes the
existing common and preferred stock of the Company, will be cancelled and the
holders of such interests will not receive any distribution pursuant to the Plan
of Reorganization.

In connection with the proposed Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
issue the following:

- Senior Debt Notes in the aggregate amount of up to $203 million;

- Up to 13,300,000 shares of common stock of the reorganized Company;

- 1,157,000 Series A Warrants;

- 700,000 Series B Warrants; and

- 271,429 Series C Warrants.

Upon effectiveness of the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will use its
proposed senior secured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $50 million
to pay the DIP Facility, for the payment of various pre-petition obligations,
and for general working capital purposes.

Absent a successful restructuring of the Company's balance sheet,
substantial doubt exists about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis. This basis contemplates the continuity of operations, realization
of assets, and discharge of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The
statements also present the assets of the Company at historical cost and the
current intention that they will be realized as a going concern and in the
normal course of business. Approval of a Plan of Reorganization could materially
change the amounts currently disclosed in the financial statements.

OVERVIEW

The following is a discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial
statements of the Company. The Company conducts its operations through its
wholly owned subsidiary Thermadyne LLC. The accompanying consolidated financial
statements for the Company and Thermadyne LLC are substantially the same except
for certain debt and equity securities issued by the Company, and therefore, a
separate discussion of Thermadyne LLC is not presented.

Included in the following discussions are comparisons of Adjusted EBITDA
which is defined as net income or loss plus depreciation, amortization of
goodwill, amortization of intangibles, net periodic postretirement benefits
expense, interest expense, income taxes, amortization of deferred financing
costs, any net loss realized in connection with the sale of any asset, any
extraordinary loss or the non-cash portion of non-recurring expenses, and
reorganization costs; minus any extraordinary gain. Adjusted EBITDA is a key
financial measure but should not be construed as an alternative to operating
income or cash flows from operating activities (as determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.) Adjusted EBITDA is also one of the
financial measures by which the Company's compliance with its covenants is
calculated under the DIP Facility. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is a
useful supplement to net income (loss) and other consolidated statement of
operations data in understanding cash flows generated from operations that are
available for taxes, debt service and capital expenditures. However, the
Company's method of computation may or may not be comparable to other similarly
titled measures of other companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not
necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses
and does not reflect any legal or contractual restrictions on the Company's use
of funds.

17

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following description of results of operations is presented for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000. The results of operations
of the Company include the operations of Unique and Maxweld & Braze from their
respective dates of acquisition.

2002 COMPARED TO 2001

Net Sales

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2002, were $414.3 million, which
is a decline of 5.5% from net sales of $438.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001. Domestic sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002,
were $246.3 million compared to $271.8 million for the year ended December 31,
2001, which is a decrease of 9.4%. This decline is attributable primarily to the
weak economic conditions in the U.S., particularly in the industrial sector.
International sales were $167.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002,
which is a modest increase over the $166.4 million of net sales reported for
2001. Europe and Australia had solid increases of 9.4% and 7.9% over the year
ended December 31, 2001, but were essentially offset by declines of 10.2% and
11.9% in Asia and Latin America, respectively. Changes in the U.S. dollar
against foreign currencies did not have a significant overall impact on the
international sales for 2002, however, certain geographic regions were more
impacted than others. Approximately 60% of the increase in European sales was
attributable to a weaker U.S. dollar, while substantially all of the decrease in
Latin America resulted from local currencies, particularly the Brazilian real,
weakening against the U.S. dollar.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales was 64.6% for 2002 compared to
67.7% for the year ended December 31, 2001. This improvement results primarily
from the Company's efforts to lower costs such as the relocation of production
to locations with lower labor costs and plant consolidation efforts.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $104.3 million in 2002
compared to $97.2 million for 2001. As a percentage of sales, selling, general
and administrative expenses were 25.2% and 22.2% for the years ended December
31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses compared to 2001 resulted primarily from higher costs
associated with the Company's information technology infrastructure and
investments made related to certain sales and marketing initiatives. Also
increasing selling, general and administrative expenses in 2002 was
approximately $3.5 million accrued related to the Company's management incentive
plan. No similar expense was recorded in 2001. The increase in selling, general
and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales is due in part to the
decline in revenue as a significant portion of these expenses are fixed and do
not fluctuate with sales.

Special charges for the year ended December 31, 2002, related to an
information technology initiative and related logistics projects. Special
charges incurred during the year ended December 31, 2001, were comprised
primarily of $7.0 million related to business reengineering initiatives, $3.2
million related to an information technology transformation project, and $2.4
million to logistics initiatives. The remainder of special charges for 2001
resulted mostly from the relocation of production to Mexico.

Reorganization items for 2002 were $23.9 million and included $9.8 million
of professional fees and expenses, $1.9 of expenses related to financing fees
associated with the DIP Facility, $13.8 million for the write-off of deferred
financing fees associated with pre-petition long-term debt subject to
compromise, $0.3 million related to payments made under the key employee
retention plan approved by the Court, a benefit of $2.7 million related to the
rejection of certain capital leases, and $0.8 of other reorganization items.
Reorganization items in 2001 include $4.8 million of professional fees and
expenses, a benefit of $12.2 million resulting from the Court's approval of a
Company motion to reject a non-cancelable lease obligation on a substantially
idle facility, and $0.7 million of other reorganization costs.

Interest expense was $22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002,
which compares to $76.4 million for 2001. The decline in interest expense
relates mostly to interest on the Senior Subordinated

18

Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures and the Junior Notes, which the
Company ceased accruing on December 1, 2001.

An income tax provision of $3.0 million was recorded on a pretax loss of
$12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The income tax provision
differs from that determined by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate
primarily due to nondeductible expenses and the disallowance of foreign losses.
An income tax provision of $2.7 million was recorded on a pretax loss of $48.8
million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2001. The income tax provision
differs from that determined by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate
primarily due to nondeductible expenses and the disallowance of foreign losses.

Adjusted EBITDA was $52.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002,
compared to $45.5 million for 2001, or an increase of 16.0%.

2001 COMPARED TO 2000

Net Sales

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2001 were $438.2 million, which
is a decrease of 14.1% compared to 2000 sales of $510.1 million. Domestic sales
declined 14.1% from $316.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to
$271.8 million for 2001. The weak industrial economy in the U.S. was the primary
reason for this decrease. International sales for the year ended December 31,
2001 were $166.4 million, also a 14.1% decrease, compared to sales of $193.7
million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2000. The decline in
international sales was seen in all major geographic areas and was primarily the
result of generally weak economic conditions. Also contributing to the decline
in international sales was a strengthening U.S. dollar as local currency sales
translated to lower amounts compared to last year.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales increased from 64.2% for 2000
to 67.7% for 2001. The decline in sales volume was the primary reason for this
increase as the Company has been unable to reduce fixed costs commensurate with
the drop in sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $97.1 million for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2001 compared to $102.6 million for 2000, a
decrease of 5.3%. The majority of this decrease results from the Company's
efforts to reduce costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of sales were 22.2% for 2001 compared to 20.1% for the year ended
December 31, 2000. The increase in this percentage results primarily from the
decline in sales as certain costs are fixed and do not fluctuate with sales.

Special charges incurred during the year ended December 31, 2001, were
$14.9 million and were comprised primarily of $7.0 million related to business
reengineering initiatives, $3.2 million related to an information technology
transformation project, and $2.4 million to logistics initiatives. The remainder
resulted mostly from the relocation of production to Mexico.

Reorganization items in 2001, include $4.8 million of professional fees and
expenses, a benefit of $12.2 million resulting from the Court's approval of a
Company motion to reject a non-cancelable lease obligation on a substantially
idle facility, and $0.7 million of other reorganization costs.

Amortization expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2001, was
$2.2 million compared to $26.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2000,
which included impairment losses of $23.4 million related to goodwill and other
intangible assets associated with the Company's Australian business.

Interest expense recorded for the year ended December 31, 2001, was $76.4
million compared to $81.4 million for 2000. This decline in interest from last
year was primarily the result of lower interest rates in the U.S. as the Company
incurred $3.8 million less interest on its variable rate debt in spite of the
average outstanding balance increasing $36.9 million from $291.3 million for
2000 to $328.2 million for 2001. The Company ceased accruing interest on the
Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures, and the
Junior Notes effective December 1, 2001, which also contributed to the decline
in the interest costs. Contractual interest for 2001, was $80.3 million.
19

An income tax provision of $2.7 million was recorded on a pretax loss of
$48.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The 2001 income tax
provision differs from that determined by applying the U.S. federal statutory
rate primarily due to nondeductible expenses, the disallowance of foreign
losses, and an increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. An
income tax provision of $31.9 million was recorded on a pretax loss of $74.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. The 2000 income tax provision
differs from that determined by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate
primarily due to nondeductible expenses, the disallowance of foreign losses, and
an increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2001 was $45.5 million
compared to $64.2 million for 2000, a decrease of 29.1%.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". SFAS 142
prohibits the amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives. SFAS 142 requires these assets be reviewed for impairment at least
annually. Intangible assets with finite lives will continue to be amortized over
their estimated useful lives. In addition, SFAS 142 requires goodwill included
in the carrying value of equity method investments no longer be amortized.

The Company ceased amortization on January 1, 2002, of its goodwill, which
had a net balance of approximately $11.4 million at January 1, 2002. During 2001
the Company recorded $0.4 million of goodwill amortization. Excluding this
expense the Company's net loss applicable to common shares and basic and diluted
net loss per common share would have been $59.9 million and $16.67,
respectively.

In July 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 146,
"Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." SFAS 146
requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal
activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an
exit or disposal plan. SFAS 146 replaces Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No.
94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other
Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a
Restructuring)." SFAS 146 is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal
activities initiated after December 31, 2002.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Working Capital and Cash Flows. Operating activities provided $11.6
million of cash for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002, which compares to
$6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Earnings, after adding back
non-cash expenses, were $14.3 million, or $33.3 million more than the comparable
figure for 2001. Operating assets and liabilities used $2.6 million of cash for
the year ended December 31, 2002, which compares to $25.4 million of cash
provided by operating assets and liabilities for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2001. Accounts receivable used $0.9 million of cash in 2002
compared to $9.9 million of cash provided in 2001. This change in receivables
resulted mostly from the decline in revenue during 2002. Inventory used $3.9
million of cash during the year ended December 31, 2002, which compares to cash
provided of $10.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2001. This
increase in inventory results from the initial stocking of two regional
warehouses, higher inventory levels at the Company's Australian unit as a result
of new products sourced from foreign suppliers, and increased safety stock
levels at one of the Company's domestic business units as a result of its
implementation of a new information system. Prepaid assets generated $1.9
million of cash during the twelve months ended December 31 2002, compared to
$9.4 million of cash used during 2001. The use of cash in 2001 resulted from the
Chapter 11 filing as many of the Company's key suppliers only shipped on
cash-in-advance terms. During 2002, the Company was able to obtain payment terms
from some of these suppliers, which resulted in the decline in prepaid assets.
The Company generated $1.2 million of cash from accounts payable during 2002,
which is a $6.6 million improvement over the cash used of $5.4 million during
2001. The change in accounts payable results mainly

20

from the increase in inventory. Accrued interest used $0.5 million of cash
during the year ended December 31, 2002, compared to cash generated of $22.7
million during 2001. The cash generated from interest in 2001 resulted primarily
from the non-payment of interest due on June 1, 2001 and December 1, 2001, for
the Senior Subordinated Notes totaling $20.4 million together with the
non-payment of the interest due on May 1, 2001 and November 1, 2001, for the
Subordinated Notes totaling $4.0 million. Cash used by investing activities was
$10.8 million during 2002, or $5.4 million less than the comparable amount in
2001. The difference results primarily from capital expenditures, which were
$9.4 million in 2002 compared to $15.3 million in 2001. Financing activities
generated $1.8 million of cash for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002,
compared to $14.2 million of cash generated for the year ended December 31,
2001. The difference results primarily from a decline in net, long-term
borrowings, which were $0.3 million during 2002, compared to $36.4 million
during 2001. A portion of the increase in borrowings in 2001 were used to repay
an off-balance sheet accounts receivable securitization program, which was
liquidated as a result of the Chapter 11 filing. The liquidation of the
securitization program used $21.0 million of cash in 2001.

Capital Expenditures. The Company had $9.4 million of capital expenditures
in 2002. The Company's DIP Facility contains restrictions on the Company's
ability to make capital expenditures. Based on present estimates, management
believes the amount of capital expenditures permitted to be made under the DIP
Facility will be adequate to maintain the properties and businesses of the
Company's operations.

Liquidity. The Company's principal uses of cash will be debt service
requirements under the DIP Facility and the Old Credit Facility, capital
expenditures, and working capital. The Company expects that ongoing requirements
for debt service, capital expenditures and working capital will be funded from
operating cash flow and borrowings under the DIP Facility.

The DIP Facility provides for total borrowings of $50 million, of which up
to $15 million may be used for letters of credit. Actual borrowing availability
is subject to a borrowing base calculation, which is equal to the sum of
approximately 85% of eligible accounts receivable, 50% of eligible inventory and
72% of eligible fixed assets. As of December 31, 2002, the Company's eligible
accounts receivable, inventories and fixed assets supported access to the full
amount of the DIP Facility. Interest on the DIP Facility accrues at the
administrative agent's adjusted base rate plus 2.25% in the case of alternate
base rates loans, and at an adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
plus 3.5% in the case of LIBOR loans. The DIP Facility is secured by
substantially all the assets of the Debtors, including a pledge of the capital
stock of substantially all their subsidiaries, subject to certain limitations
with respect to foreign subsidiaries. The DIP Facility contains financial
covenants, including minimum levels of EBITDA (defined as net income or loss
plus depreciation, amortization of goodwill, amortization of intangibles, net
periodic postretirement benefits expense, interest expense, income taxes,
amortization of deferred financing costs, any net loss realized in connection
with the sale of any asset, any extraordinary loss or the non-cash portion of
non-recurring expenses, and reorganization costs; minus any extraordinary gain)
and other customary provisions. The DIP Facility expires on the earlier of the
consummation of a plan of reorganization or May 23, 2003. If the Plan of
Reorganization is not consummated by May 23, 2003, the Company will need to seek
an extension of the maturity of the DIP Facility. At December 31, 2002, the
Company had borrowed approximately $10.2 million and issued $9.5 million of
letters of credit under the DIP Facility, resulting in availability of
approximately $30.3 million.

The Old Credit Facility bears interest, at Thermadyne LLC's option, at the
administrative agent's alternative base rate or at the reserve-adjusted LIBOR
plus, in each case, applicable margins of (i) in the case of alternative base
rate loans, (x) 1.50% for revolving and Term A loans, (y) 1.75% for Term B loans
and (z) 2.00% for Term C loans and (ii) in the case of LIBOR loans, (x) 2.75%
for revolving and Term A loans, (y) 3.00% for Term B loans and (z) 3.25% for
Term C loans. At December 31, 2002, the Company had outstanding $80.3 million in
Term A loans, $108.6 million in Term B loans, $108.6 million in Term C loans,
and $58.6 million of loans under the revolver. In addition, there were $1.4
million of letters of credit outstanding under the Old Credit Facility. As part
of the Court order approving the DIP Facility, the Company was required to
continue making periodic interest payments on the Old Credit Facility. This
order did not approve the payment of any principal outstanding under the Old
Credit Facility as of the petition date,

21

or the payment of any future mandatory amortization of the loans. As a result of
the Chapter 11 filing and other ongoing covenant violations, the Company has no
borrowing availability under the Old Credit Facility.

At December 31, 2002, the Company had outstanding $207.0 million of Senior
Subordinated Notes, $37.1 million of Subordinated Notes, $145.1 million of
Debentures and $33.4 million of Junior Notes. On December 1, 2001, the Company
ceased accruing interest on all of these obligations. The Bankruptcy Code
generally prohibits the Company from making payments on unsecured, pre-petition
debt, including the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Subordinated Notes, except
pursuant to a confirmed Plan of Reorganization.

The Company anticipates its operating cash flow, together with borrowings
under the DIP Facility, will be sufficient to meet its anticipated future
operating expenses and capital expenditures and the debt service requirements of
the DIP Facility and Old Credit Facility, as allowed by the Court, as they
become due. However, the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash flow to
meet its operating needs will be affected by general economic, financial,
competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond its
control.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts and
commitments that obligate the Company to make payments in the future. The table
below sets forth the Company's significant future obligations by time period.
Excluded from this table are the liabilities subject to compromise. Where
applicable, information included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements and notes are cross-referenced in this table.

The proposed Plan of Reorganization provides for a substantial reduction of
the Company's long-term debt, specifically that portion of the debt subject to
compromise. Subsequent to the consummation of the proposed Plan of
Reorganization, the Company would have approximately $230 million of long-term
debt, which would consist of $180 million of new senior debt notes, $23 million
borrowed under a new $50 million revolving credit facility, and $27 million of
existing long-term obligations that are not subject to compromise. In addition,
the Company will have approximately $10.9 million of letters of credit
outstanding under the new revolving credit facility. Initial borrowings under
the new revolving credit facility will be used to repay the DIP Facility, pay
various pre-petition obligations, and certain closing costs related to the
consummation of the Plan of Reorganization.

MARKET RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES

The Company's earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is also exposed to
changes in interest rates from its long-term debt arrangements. See Item 7A
"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for further
discussion.

EFFECT OF INFLATION; SEASONALITY

Inflation has not been a material factor affecting the Company's business.
In recent years, the cost of electronic components has remained relatively
stable due to competitive pressures within the industry, which has enabled the
Company to contain its service costs. The Company's general operating expenses,
such as salaries, employee benefits, and facilities costs, are subject to normal
inflationary pressures.

22

The operations of the Company are generally not subject to seasonal
fluctuations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BANKRUPTCY ACCOUNTING.

Since the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the Company has applied the
provisions in Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in
Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" ("SOP 90-7.") SOP 90-7 does not change
the application of generally accepted accounting principles in the preparation
of financial statements, but it does require that the financial statements for
periods including and subsequent to filing the Chapter 11 petition distinguish
transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization
from the ongoing operations of the business.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are the Company's most significant asset, representing 32% of
total assets. They are valued at the lower of cost or market, with the domestic
subsidiaries using the last in, first-out (LIFO) method, which represents 56.2%
of consolidated inventories, and the foreign subsidiaries using the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method, which represents 43.8% of consolidated inventories.

The Company continually applies its judgment in valuing its inventories by
assessing the net realizable value of its inventories based on current selling
prices. Should the Company not achieve its expectations of the net realizable
value of this inventory, potential future losses may occur.

INCOME TAXES

The Company provides taxes for the effects of timing differences between
financial and tax reporting. These differences relate primarily to net operating
loss carryforwards, fixed assets, deferred interest, and post-employment
benefits. The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than
not that a portion or all of the Company's deferred tax assets will not be
realized.

The Company does not provide deferred taxes on the accumulated unremitted
earnings of its foreign subsidiaries as its intention is to reinvest these
earnings indefinitely. However, upon distribution of those earnings in the form
of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income
taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes
payable to the various foreign countries.

CONTINGENCIES

On November 19, 2001, the Company and substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries, including Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital, filed voluntary
petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The
Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing introduces numerous uncertainties which may affect
the Company's business, results of operations, and prospects. Further
information about the financial impact of the Chapter 11 filing is set forth in
Item 1 of the Form 10-K and in the notes to the consolidated financial
statements.

The Company is the defendant in several claims and lawsuits arising in the
normal course of business. The Company does not believe any of these proceedings
will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position. It
is possible, however, future results of operations for any particular quarter or
annual period could be materially affected by changes in assumptions related to
these proceedings. The Company accrues its best estimate of the cost of
resolution of these claims in accordance with SFAS No. 5. Legal defense costs of
such claims are recognized in the period in which they are incurred.

The Company is periodically audited by domestic and foreign tax authorities
regarding the amount of taxes due. In evaluating issues raised in such audits,
reserves are provided for exposures as appropriate. To the extent the Company
were to prevail in matters for which accruals have been established or be
required to pay amounts in excess of reserves, the effective tax rate in a given
financial statement period may be materially impacted.

23

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

A substantial portion of the Company's operations consist of manufacturing
and sales activities in foreign regions, particularly Europe, Australia/Asia,
Canada and South America. As a result, the Company's financial results could be
significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange
rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which the Company
distributes its products. The Company's exposure to foreign currency
transactions is partially mitigated by having manufacturing locations in
Australia, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico and Brazil as
well as in the United States. A substantial portion of the product manufactured
in most of these regions is sold locally and denominated in the local currency.
A significant amount of the export sales from the U.S. are denominated in U.S.
dollars which further limits the Company's exposure to changes in the exchange
rates. The Company is most susceptible to a strengthening U.S. dollar and the
negative effect when local currency financial statements are translated into
U.S. dollars, the Company's reporting currency.

The Company does not believe its exposure to transaction gains or losses
resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates is material to its
financial results. As a result, the Company does not actively try to manage its
exposure through foreign currency forward or option contracts.

The Company is also exposed to changes in interest rates primarily from its
long-term financial arrangements which are predominantly denominated in U.S.
dollars. At December 31, 2002, the Company had approximately $343.9 million of
variable rate U.S. debt. At December 31, 2002, the Company also had
approximately $14.7 million and $7.7 million of variable rate debt denominated
in Australian dollars and euros, respectively. A hypothetical 100 basis point
increase in the Company's variable borrowing rates would result in an increase
in interest expense of approximately $3.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2002.

The Debtors' Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings also introduces numerous
uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business, results of operations,
and prospects.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements that are filed as part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K are set forth in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements at
page F-1 hereof and are included at pages F-2 to F-62 thereof.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

24

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the current
directors and executive officers of the Company. Each officer of the Company
serves in the same capacity for Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital.

Mr. Wyss has been a Director of the Company since April 2000 and was
elected Chairman of the Board and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company
in June 2000. He became Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 12,
2001. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wyss was the Managing Director and
Operating Partner with DLJ's Merchant Banking Group since 1993. Before his
position at DLJ, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lear Siegler
Inc. Mr. Wyss currently serves on the board of directors of Manufacturers
Services Limited.

Mr. Tate has been a Director of the Company since October 1995 and was
appointed to the Office of the Chairman in June 2000. He was elected Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in February 1995, having
previously served as Vice President of the Company and Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company's subsidiaries since April 1993. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Tate was employed by the accounting firm of Ernst &
Young LLP for 18 years, the last six of which he was a partner. Mr. Tate
currently serves on the board of directors of Rowe International, Inc. and Joy
Global, Inc.

Mr. Poling has been a Director of the Company since May 1998. Mr. Poling
retired as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor
Company on January 1, 1994, a position he held since 1990. Mr. Poling is a
director of Flint Ink Corporation and a member of the Credit Suisse First Boston
Executive Advisory Board. Mr. Poling is a member of the board of directors and a
trustee of William Beaumont Hospital, and Chairman of the Board of Eclipse
Aviation Corporation. Mr. Poling is a director of the Monmouth (Ill.) College
Senate.

Mr. Wortman has been a Director of the Company since October 2001. Mr.
Wortman is the President of Riverside Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity
investment firm. For the five years prior to joining Riverside Capital Partners
Mr. Wortman was a senior member of DLJ Merchant Banking.

Mr. Mahoney was appointed to the Office of the Chairman in June 2000 and
currently serves as the Executive Vice President of International. Prior to this
position Mr. Mahoney served as Executive Vice President for Tweco, Thermal Arc,
Stoody, and European Operations. He previously served as the Executive Vice
President of Thermal Dynamics, C&G, and the entire International Sales and
Marketing group. Prior to joining Thermadyne in 1989, Mr. Mahoney spent ten
years with Hobart Brothers and six years with British Oxygen Company.

Mr. Maddox was elected Vice President and Corporate Controller of the
Company in April 1996. Prior to that time, Mr. Maddox served as Vice President
and Controller of the Company's operating subsidiaries from

25

April 1995 to April 1996 and Controller from May 1992 to April 1995. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Maddox was a senior audit manager with the accounting
firm of Ernst & Young LLP.

Mr. Ricci has been the Vice President of Logistics since May 2001. Prior to
joining the Company, he held the position of Senior Vice President Supply Chain
for S&S Worldwide. He has over 24 years of experience in key executive supply
chain positions in logistics and manufacturing within the consumer goods,
apparel, and furniture industries. More recently he held the position of Vice
President Distribution for Ames Department Stores and Director of Operations for
the Starter Corporation. He worked and lived in Montreal, Quebec prior to 1990.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth information in respect of the compensation
of the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company, (collectively, the "Named
Executive Officers") for services in all capacities to the Company and its
subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

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

(1) All other compensation includes group life insurance premiums paid by the
Company and contributions made on behalf of the Named Executive Officers to
the Company's 401(k) retirement and profit sharing plan. The amounts of
insurance premiums paid and 401(k) contributions made (respectively) on
behalf of the Named Executive Officers for 2002 are as follows: Mr. Wyss,
$6,732 and $9,693; Mr. Tate, $4,799 and $6,000; Mr. Mahoney, $2,760 and
$6,002; Mr. Maddox, $583 and $6,000; Mr. Ricci, $684 and $4,052.

(2) Mr. Wyss has served as Chairman of the Board since June 1, 2000 and Chief
Executive Officer since January 12, 2001.

26

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

The Company did not grant stock options to any Named Executive Officer in
2002.

The following table provides information related to the number and value of
options held by the Named Executive Officers at the end of 2002. On December 2,
2002, the last day on which the Common Stock was traded during 2002, the closing
sale price of Common Stock was $.35.

FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

All options currently outstanding were granted under the Management
Incentive Plan. For a discussion of the Management Incentive Plan, see
"Employment Arrangements -- Management Incentive Plan."

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Employment and Severance Agreements. The Company has entered into
employment agreements with Messrs. Wyss, Tate, Mahoney, Maddox, and Ricci.

The employment agreement with Mr. Wyss had an original termination date of
January 13, 2003. The agreement was amended on May 3, 2001, to provide a
termination date of January 13, 2004; however the agreement automatically
extends on each January 13 so a new three-year term begins upon each extension
(unless the agreement is earlier terminated by its terms).

Mr. Wyss is entitled to an annual base salary (subject to increase at the
Board of Directors' discretion) of $700,000. Mr. Wyss is eligible to participate
in an annual bonus plan providing for an annual bonus opportunity of 100% of his
salary. He is also eligible for a special bonus of $7,425,000 if the value of
the DLJMB ownership exceeds $165,000,000. In addition, Mr. Wyss is eligible for
a sale bonus equal to 1% of the amount the value of the Company exceeds
$808,100,000 as of the date the DLJMB entities fully dispose of their investment
in the Company.

Mr. Wyss's employment contract also provides a sale bonus depending on the
amount of the enterprise value set forth in the Plan of Reorganization. Mr. Wyss
would receive no bonus if the enterprise value were below $450,000,000. If the
enterprise value were between $450,000,000 and $474,999,999, then Mr. Wyss would
receive $250,000 plus 1% of the enterprise value in excess of $450,000,000. If
the enterprise value were between $475,000,000 and $499,999,999, then Mr. Wyss
would receive $500,000 plus 2% of the enterprise value in excess of
$475,000,000. If the enterprise value were between $500,000,000 and
$524,999,999, then Mr. Wyss would receive $1,000,000 plus 2% of the enterprise
value in excess of $500,000,000. If the enterprise value were above $525,000,000
then Mr. Wyss would receive $1,500,000 plus 3% of the enterprise value in excess
of $525,000,000. The midpoint enterprise value of the Company set forth in the
current disclosure statement is $406,000,000, and based on such amount, it does
not appear that Mr. Wyss will receive a bonus based on the enterprise value of
the Company.

The employment agreements with Messrs. Tate, Mahoney and Maddox have an
original termination date of June 13, 2002; however, such agreements
automatically renew for an additional year on each June 13 beginning in 2003 so
that a new three-year term begins upon each extension (unless the agreements are
earlier terminated as provided therein).

27

Messrs. Tate, Mahoney and Maddox are entitled to annual base salaries
(subject to increase at the Board of Directors' discretion) of $326,500,
$283,500 and $178,500, respectively. In addition, Messrs. Tate, Mahoney and
Maddox are eligible to participate in a bonus plan providing for an annual bonus
opportunity of not less than 50%, 70% and 55%, respectively, of such executive's
base salary. Each executive is also entitled to such benefits as are customarily
provided to the executives of the Company and its subsidiaries. All three
executives are required to devote all of their business time and attention to
the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.

The employment agreement with Mr. Ricci has no automatic termination date
and was signed on May 21, 2001. It continues until terminated in accordance with
its terms. Mr. Ricci is entitled to an annual base salary of $215,000. In
addition, he is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan providing for an
annual bonus opportunity of 50% of his base pay.

Each employment agreement with Messrs. Wyss, Tate, Mahoney and Maddox
provides that if the executive's employment ceases as a result of disability or
death, the executive or the executive's estate, heirs or beneficiaries, as the
case may be, will continue to receive the executive's then current salary for 24
months from the date of the executive's disability or death. Mr. Ricci's
agreement provides for 18 months salary continuation in the event of his death
or disability. If the executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
Cause (as defined in each employment agreement) or voluntarily by the executive
for any reason other than death or disability or upon a constructive termination
(as defined in each employment agreement) the executive will not be entitled to
receive compensation or any accrued benefits after the date of termination. If
any of Messrs. Wyss, Tate, Mahoney or Maddox are terminated by the Company
without Cause or is terminated by the executive upon a constructive termination,
the executive will continue to receive his then current salary and other
benefits provided by the agreement for 24 months. If Mr. Ricci is terminated
without Cause or upon constructive termination, he will continue to receive his
then current salary and other benefits for 12 months if terminated without Cause
or for 24 months if he is constructively terminated.

Management Incentive Plan. If the Plan of Reorganization is consummated,
all of the Company's common stock will be cancelled. Nevertheless, the
Management Incentive Plan currently in effect provides for the granting of
options to acquire up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock to certain officers and
employees of the Company. All options are non-qualified stock options granted at
no less than 100% of the fair market value on the grant date. In fiscal 2002, no
options were granted. Pursuant to the terms of the Management Incentive Plan,
options granted to certain members of senior management provide for both a "Time
Vesting Option" and a "Cliff Vesting Option." Under the Time Vesting Option, the
option vests and is exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares subject to the
option on the day it was granted. Then, on each of the first five anniversaries
from the date the Time Vesting Option was granted, an additional 16% of the
shares subject to the option vest and become exercisable as long as the option
recipient is still employed by the Company or its subsidiaries.

With respect to the grants to Messrs. Tate, Mahoney and Maddox, the Cliff
Vesting Option becomes vested and exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares
on the thirtieth day after the availability of the audited financial statements
for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 through December 31, 2002,
provided that the option recipient is still employed by the Company or its
subsidiaries on such date of determination and further provided that the
targeted implied common equity value of the Company was met for such fiscal
year. If the targeted implied common equity value of the Company is not attained
for any fiscal year ending on or before December 31, 2002, the Cliff Vesting
Option will be treated as vested and exercisable if the target is attained for
any subsequent year as long as the option recipient is still employed by the
Company or its subsidiaries on such date of determination. If, after eight years
from receipt of the Cliff Vesting Option, all shares subject to such option have
not vested, such shares shall become fully vested and exercisable as long as the
option recipient is still employed by the Company or its subsidiaries on such
date.

With respect to Mr. Wyss, the Cliff Vesting Option becomes vested and
exercisable with respect to 33% of the shares on the thirtieth day after the
availability of the audited financial statements for each of the three fiscal
years of the Company ended December 31, 2001, provided that the Company EBITDA
is at least equal to target EBITDA for such fiscal year, and provided Mr. Wyss
is still employed by the Company or its

28

subsidiaries on such Cliff Vesting Date. If the target EBITDA for any of the
first two fiscal years referred to above is not attained, the portion of the
Cliff Vesting Option that would otherwise have vested for such fiscal year shall
be treated as vested and exercisable as of the Cliff Vesting Date for any
subsequent fiscal year ending on or before December 31, 2003 for which the
target EBITDA for such subsequent year is attained, provided Mr. Wyss is
employed by the Company or a Subsidiary on such Cliff Vesting Date.
Alternatively, upon the occurrence of a liquidation event, provided the DLJ IRR,
defined below, is at least 25% and provided Mr. Wyss is in the employ of the
Company or a subsidiary as of such liquidation event, the Cliff Vesting Option
shall become vested and exercisable with respect to that portion of the shares
subject thereto as to which the Option has not yet vested. DLF IRR means the
annual discount rate which, when applied to (i) all initial investments as of
May 22, 1998, by the DLJ Entities in shares of common and preferred stock of the
Company, as well as all investments by the DLJ Entities during 1999 in shares of
preferred stock of the Company, and (ii) all amounts realized by the DLJ
Entities with respect to such shares, causes the net present value of such
investments and amounts realized to equal zero.

If, after eight years from receipt of the Cliff Vesting Option, all shares
subject to such option have not vested, such shares shall become fully vested
and exercisable as long as Mr. Wyss is still employed by the Company or its
subsidiaries on such date.

With respect to Mr. Ricci, the Cliff Vesting Option becomes vested and
exercisable with respect to 33% of the shares on the thirtieth day after the
availability of the audited financial statements for each of the three fiscal
years of the Company ended December 31, 2001, provided that the Company EBITDA
is at least equal to target EBITDA for such fiscal year, and provided Mr. Ricci
is still employed by the Company or its subsidiaries on such Cliff Vesting Date.
If the target EBITDA for any of the first two fiscal years referred to above is
not attained, the portion of the Cliff Vesting Option that would otherwise have
vested for such fiscal year shall be treated as vested and exercisable as of the
Cliff Vesting Date for any subsequent fiscal year ending on or before December
31, 2003 for which the target EBITDA for such subsequent year is attained,
provided Mr. Ricci is employed by the Company or a subsidiary on such Cliff
Vesting Date. Alternatively, upon the occurrence of a liquidation event,
provided the DLJ IRR, defined below, is at least 25% and provided Mr. Ricci is
in the employ of the Company or a subsidiary as of such liquidation event, the
Cliff Vesting Option shall become vested and exercisable with respect to that
portion of the shares subject thereto as to which the Option has not yet vested.
DLF IRR means the annual discount rate which, when applied to (i) all initial
investments as of May 22, 1998, by the DLJ Entities in shares of common and
preferred stock of the Company, as well as all investments by the DLJ Entities
during 1999 in shares of preferred stock of the Company, and (ii) all amounts
realized by the DLJ Entities with respect to such shares, causes the net present
value of such investments and amounts realized to equal zero.

If, after eight years from receipt of the Cliff Vesting Option, all shares
subject to such option have not vested, such shares shall become fully vested
and exercisable as long as Mr. Ricci is still employed by the Company or its
subsidiaries on such date.

The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of options granted to each Named Executive Officer
under the Management Incentive Plan.

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN OPTION GRANTS

Other Compensation Arrangements. In connection with the Company's Chapter
11 proceeding, the Court adopted a Key Employee Retention Program (the
"Program"). The Program has five components.

29

The first component provides for an assumption of ten employment contracts
that existed on the date the Chapter 11 was commenced. The ten employment
contracts are with the following employees (the "Key Employees"): Karl R. Wyss,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; James H. Tate, Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer; John Boisvert, Executive Vice President of Thermal
Dynamics; James Delaney, Executive Vice President of Victor Equipment Company
and Latin America; Dennis Klanjscek, Executive Vice President of Cigweld and
Australia, Robert Maddox, Vice President and Controller, Michael E. Mahoney,
Executive Vice President of Tweco, Thermal Arc, Stoody and Europe, Douglas
Muzzey, Vice President Information Technology, Osvaldo Ricci, Vice President of
Logistics; and Patricia S. Williams, Vice President General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary.

The second component pays each of the eight Key Employees (not including
Wyss or Tate) an amount equal to 50% of his or her base pay in three equal
installments (the "Stay Incentive") as follows: 1/3 payable on May 31, 2002;
1/3 payable on the effective date of a Plan of Reorganization (the "Effective
Date"); and 1/3 payable six months after the Effective Date. Each of these Key
Employees must be employed by the Company on the date each payment is due, and
must not have voluntarily terminated (except for good reason) or have been
terminated for Cause. If the Key Employee is terminated without Cause, or
constructively terminated, the entire amount of the Stay Incentive would be
paid. The Stay Incentive is not offset by any other severance owed to the Key
Employee.

The third component of the Program establishes a management incentive
program for the year ended December 31, 2002, for approximately 175 employees.
This program replaces the Company's previous annual bonus program. Each business
unit is assigned an EBITDA target. Each eligible employee is assigned a target
bonus (ranging from 5% to 100%) and to one or more business units, depending on
their areas of responsibility. If EBITDA is at or below 80%, no incentives are
paid. The business unit would pay 5% of each participant's target bonus for each
1% above 80% EBITDA up to 100% EBITDA. The business unit would pay 2% of each
participant's target bonus for each 1% above 100% EBITDA up to 125% EBITDA.

The fourth component of the Program provides authorization for the CEO to
pay up to $750,000 in bonuses to employees other than the Key Employees as
needed for retention and motivation.

The fifth component recognizes balances held by the Key Employees in the
Company's excess 401(k) account as administrative expenses of the estate.

The Company estimates the total cost of the Program will be $3,554,600
(which represents payments under the Stay Incentive and CEO discretionary bonus
pool).

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

No member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors served as
an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during 2002.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Compensation Arrangements. Other than Messrs. Wyss and Tate, each Director
of the Company is entitled to receive a $25,000 annual fee. Additionally,
certain non-employee Directors (as described in the Thermadyne Holdings
Corporation 1998 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Directors
Plan")), are eligible to receive options under the Directors Plan. The Directors
Plan provides that certain non-employee Directors shall receive options to
purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock upon becoming a Director and options to
purchase 500 shares of Common Stock each year thereafter. All options are non-
qualified stock options granted at 100% of the fair market value on the grant
date. Directors also are reimbursed for all reasonable travel and other expenses
of attending meetings of the Board of Directors or committees of the Board of
Directors.

30

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of March 2, 2002, certain information
regarding the ownership of Common Stock (i) by each person known by the Company
to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii)
by each Director of the Company, (iii) by each Named Executive Officer and (iv)
by all current Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Other
than as set forth below, no Director, or executive officer of the Company is the
beneficial owner of any shares of Common Stock. The Company believes that,
unless otherwise noted, each person shown in the following table has sole voting
and sole investment power with respect to the shares indicated.

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

* Represents less than 1%.

(1) Based on 3,590,286 shares of Common Stock outstanding and calculated in
accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act").

(2) Consists of shares held directly by Credit Suisse First Boston ("CSFB") and
the following investors related to CSFB: DLJ Offshore Partners II, C.V.
("Offshore"), a Netherlands Antilles limited partnership, DLJ Diversified
Partners, L.P. ("Diversified"), a Delaware limited partnership, DLJ MB
Funding II, Inc. ("Funding"), a Delaware corporation, DLJ Merchant Banking
Partners II-A, L.P. ("DLJMBPIIA"), a Delaware limited partnership, DLJ
Diversified Partners-A, L.P. ("Diversified A"), a Delaware limited
partnership, DLJ Millennium Partners, L.P. ("Millennium"), a Delaware
limited partnership, DLJ Millennium Partners-A, L.P. ("Millennium A"), a
Delaware limited partnership, DLJ EAB Partners, L.P. ("EAB"), a Delaware
limited partnership, UK Investment Plan 1997 Partners ("UK Partners"), a
Delaware partnership, DLJ First ESC L.P. ("DLJ First ESC"), a Delaware
limited partnership, and DLJ ESC II, L.P. ("DLJ ESC II"), a Delaware
limited partnership. CSFB, Offshore, Diversified, Funding, DLJMBPIIA,
Diversified A, Millennium, Millennium A, EAB, UK Partners, DLJ First ESC
and DLJ ESC II are herein referred to as the "DLJ Funds." The address of
each of CSFB, Diversified, Funding, DLJMBPIIA, Diversified A, Millennium,
Millennium A, EAB, DLJ First ESC and DLJ ESC II is 277 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10172. The address of Offshore is John B. Gorsiraweg, 14
Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. The address of UK Partners is
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Fox Plaza, Suite 3000, Los Angeles, California
90067. Includes 436,965 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
warrants that are currently exercisable.

(3) The following information is based on a Schedule 13D, dated July 25, 1996,
as amended on September 25, 1996, on February 12, 1998, on March 9, 1998,
and on June 10, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") by Magten Asset Management Corp. ("Magten"), an
investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended

31

(the "Investment Advisers Act"). Magten has (i) shared voting power over
227,897 of the shares and no voting power over 39,442 of the shares and
(ii) shared investment power over all 267,339 shares.

(4) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Wyss upon the exercise of
vested stock options and stock options that will vest in 60 days.

(5) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Tate upon the exercise of
vested stock options and stock options that will vest within 60 days.

(6) Includes shares of Common Stock issued to Mr. Poling upon the exercise of
vested stock options and stock options that will vest within 60 days.

(7) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Mahoney upon the exercise
of vested stock options and stock options that will vest within 60 days.

(8) Includes shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Maddox upon the exercise of
vested stock options and stock options that will vest within 60 days.

(9) Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Ricci upon the exercise
of vested stock options and stock options that will vest within 60 days.

(10) Includes 80,920 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of vested
stock options and stock options that will vest within 60 days.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

On December 22, 1999, the DLJ Funds purchased, for an aggregate purchase
price of $25,000,000, pursuant to a Subscription Agreement ("Subscription
Agreement") among the Company, Thermadyne LLC and the DLJ Funds dated December
22, 1999, $25,000,000 in principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Notes and
warrants to purchase 436,965 shares ("Warrants"). Each Warrant is exercisable at
a price of $0.01 per Warrant Share (as defined below), subject to adjustment.
The investment of additional capital in the Company and the Subsidiary was used
for general corporate purposes.

The Company, the Subsidiary and the DLJ Funds have entered into a
Registration Rights Agreement which grants the holders of 50% or more of the
Notes or Warrants the right to demand the Company or the Subsidiary, as the case
may be, to effect a registration of the Notes or Warrants under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Company is obliged to effect one demand
registration for the Warrants and the Subsidiary is obliged to effect up to two
demand registrations for the Notes. If any Warrants are included in a demand
registration, the Company must prepare a shelf registration statement under Rule
415 of the Act permitting the resale of Warrants and the shares issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants ("Warrant Shares") and must use its best efforts to
cause the warrant shelf registration statement to be declared effective within
90 days of the time such demand registration is effected. The Company must keep
the warrant shelf registration statement effective until the earlier of (i) two
years following the date as of which no Warrants remain outstanding and (ii) if
all of the Warrants expire unexercised, December 15, 2009.

The Company's registration obligations in respect of the Warrants shall
expire on the earlier of (i) the date on which each Warrant or Warrant Share has
been disposed of in accordance with a warrant registration statement or when
such Warrant Share is issued upon exercise of a Warrant in accordance with a
registration statement and (ii) the date on which each Warrant or Warrant Share
is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act. The
Subsidiary's registration obligations in respect of the Notes shall expire on
the earlier of (i) the date on which each Note has been disposed in accordance
with a note registration statement and (ii) the date on which each Note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act.

The Registration Rights Agreement also grants "piggy-back" rights to the
DLJ Funds to participate in certain registration statements filed by Thermadyne
in respect of any equity securities of the Company. The Registration Rights
Agreement also contains a "lock-up" provision pursuant to which the DLJ Funds
may be restricted from transferring Notes or Warrants in public sales during an
underwriter's public offering of Notes or Warrants.

32

Pursuant to a letter agreement dated January 16, 1998 (the "Engagement
Letter"), DLJMB engaged DLJSC to act as DLJMB's exclusive financial advisor for
a period of five years (the "Engagement Period") with respect to the review and
analysis of financial and structural alternatives available to the Company. The
Company has since assumed DLJMB's obligations under the Engagement Letter.

As compensation for the services to be provided by DLJSC under the
Engagement Letter, DLJSC is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee of
$300,000, payable quarterly in equal installments of $75,000. DLJSC is also
entitled to reimbursement for all of its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with its engagement.

During the Engagement Period, DLJSC is also entitled to act as the
Company's exclusive financial advisor, sole placement agent, sole initial
purchaser, sole managing underwriter or sole dealer-manager, as the case may be,
with respect to any Transaction (as hereinafter defined) the Company determines
to pursue. The term "Transaction" includes the following: (i) the sale, merger,
consolidation or any other business combination, in one or a series of
transactions, involving any portion of the business, securities or assets of the
Company; (ii) the acquisition (and any related matters such as financings,
divestitures, etc.) in one or a series of transactions, of all or a portion of
the business, securities or assets of another entity or person; (iii) any
recapitalization, refinancing, repurchase or restructuring of the Company's
equity or debt securities or indebtedness or any amendments or modifications to
the Company's debt securities or indentures whether or not in connection
therewith, involving, by or on behalf of the Company, an offer to purchase or
exchange for cash, property, securities, indebtedness or other consideration, or
a solicitation of consents, waivers of authorizations with respect thereto; (iv)
any spin-off, split-off or other extraordinary dividend of cash, securities or
other assets to stockholders of the Company; or (v) any sale of securities of
the Company effected pursuant to a private sale or an underwritten public
offering.

The Company has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless DLJSC and its
affiliates, and the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of
DLJSC and its affiliates (each, an "Indemnified Person") from and against any
losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs and other liabilities and
will reimburse such Indemnified Persons for all fees and expenses (including the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) as they are incurred in investigating,
preparing, pursuing or defending any claim, action, proceeding or investigation
arising out of or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be
rendered by an Indemnified Person pursuant to the Engagement Letter, the
transactions contemplated by the Engagement Letter or any Indemnified Person's
action or inaction in connection with any such advice, services or transactions,
other than liabilities or expenses that are determined by a judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from such Indemnified Person's
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The Engagement Letter makes available the resources of DLJSC concerning a
variety of financial and operational matters. The services that have been and
will continue to be provided by DLJSC could not otherwise be obtained by the
Company without the addition of personnel or the engagement of outside
professional advisors. In the opinion of management, the fees provided for under
the Engagement Letter reasonably reflect the benefits received and to be
received by the Company.

The Company has entered into the Investors' Agreement with the DLJMB Funds
and the senior executive officers of the Company. The Investors' Agreement,
among other things, contains provisions regarding the composition of the Board
of Directors of the Company, grants the parties thereto certain registration
rights and contains provisions requiring the senior executive officers parties
thereto to sell their shares of Common Stock in connection with certain sales of
the Common Stock by the DLJMB Funds and granting the senior executive officers
parties thereto the right to include a portion of their shares of Common Stock
in certain sales of the Common Stock by the DLJMB Funds.

In 1998, Messrs. Tate, Mahoney, and Maddox received secured, non-recourse
loans from the Company in the amount of $367,606, $277,708 and $237,630,
respectively, to purchase shares of the Company. The current principal balances
of the loans are $388,523, $293,510 and $251,151, respectively. The loans bear
interest at the rate of 5.69% per annum and are due in full on May 22, 2006.
Upon the termination of a participant's employment with the Company, other than,
as a result of the participant's death, the Company may accelerate any
outstanding loan.
33

ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Within the 90-day period prior to the filing date of this report, an
evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the
Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, the Company's
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer, concluded the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are, to the
best of management's knowledge, effective to ensure information required to be
disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

Prior to and during this evaluation, certain significant deficiencies in
internal controls existed at one of the Company's operating units, namely:

- Accounts were not reconciled from the detail supporting documentation to
the ledger balances.

- Operating unit management did not appropriately analyze the accounts.

- Appropriate operating review was not completed upon completion of a new
information system implementation.

The following actions have been taken to correct the deficiencies in
internal controls noted at the operating unit:

- Operating unit management who failed to implement the controls have been
reassigned or replaced.

- Other management personnel have completed the necessary account analysis
and account reconciliations.

- Corporate oversight of the controls and procedures in place at the
operating unit has been increased.

Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, have concluded the results of the corrective actions taken by the
Company have been effective in addressing the significant deficiencies in
internal controls at the operating unit.

Subsequent to the date of their evaluation, management, including the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded there were no
significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that
could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions
with regard to significant deficiencies.

34

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Report of Independent Auditors is included at page S-1 hereof.

Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is included at page S-2
hereof.

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulation of the Commission are not required under the related
instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

None.

EXHIBITS

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

+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

* Filed herewith.

(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
10 (File No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), on February 7, 1994.

(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on January 21,
1998.

(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1, (File No. 333-57455) filed on June 23, 1998.

(4) Incorporated by reference to Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, (File No. 333-57457) filed on June 23,
1998.

(5) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
10/A, Amendment No. 2 (File No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act, on April 28, 1994.

(6) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1994.

(7) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on January 18,
1996.

38

(8) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on May 12, 1997.

(9) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1999.

(10) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2000.

(11) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30,2001.

(12) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001.

(13) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on February 6,
2003.

39

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Thermadyne
Holdings Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' deficit and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. 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 Thermadyne
Holdings Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation will continue as a going concern. As more fully
described in Note 2 to the financial statements, on November 19, 2001, the
Company filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code in the Eastern District of Missouri. The filing was
necessary due to events of default on the Company's debt covenants. In addition,
the Company has incurred recurring net losses applicable to common shares and
has a shareholder deficiency. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard
to these matters are also described in Note 2. The accompanying financial
statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects
on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
March 14, 2003

F-2

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

1. THE COMPANY

Thermadyne Holdings Corporation ("Thermadyne" or the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation, is a global manufacturer of cutting and welding products and
accessories.

As used in this report, the term "Thermadyne LLC" means Thermadyne Mfg.
LLC, a wholly owned and the principal operating subsidiary of Thermadyne
Holdings Corporation, and the term "Thermadyne Capital" means Thermadyne Capital
Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermadyne LLC.

2. RECENT EVENTS

BANKRUPTCY FILING

On November 19, 2001, the Company and substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries, including Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital (collectively, the
"Debtors"), filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri (the "Court".) The filing resulted from insufficient
liquidity, and was determined to be the most efficient and favorable alternative
to restructure the Company's balance sheet. Since 1998, the Company's operating
results have been negatively impacted by a weak industrial economy in the U.S.
as well as difficult economic conditions in most of its foreign markets. The
deterioration of operating results and liquidity made it increasingly difficult
for the Company to meet all of its debt service obligations. Prior to filing
Chapter 11, the Company failed to make the semi-annual interest payments on the
10.75% subordinated notes, due November 1, 2003 (the "Subordinated Notes"),
which were due on May 1 and November 1, 2001, and totaled approximately $4.0
million. In addition, the Company failed to make an interest payment in the
amount of $10.2 million related to the 9.875% senior subordinated notes, due
June 1, 2008 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes"), which was due on June 1, 2001.
The Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits the Company from making payments on
unsecured, pre-petition debt, including the Senior Subordinated Notes and the
Subordinated Notes, except pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. The
Company is in possession of its properties and assets and continues to manage
the business as a debtor-in-possession subject to the supervision of the Court.

On January 8, 2002, the Court entered the final order approving a new $60
million debtor-in-possession credit facility among Thermadyne LLC, as borrower,
the Company and certain U.S. subsidiaries as guarantors, and a syndicate of
lenders with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as agent (the "DIP Facility".) Prior to the
final order, on November 21, 2001, the Court entered an interim order
authorizing the Debtors to use up to $25 million of the DIP Facility for loans
and letters of credit. On November 19, 2002, the Court entered a final order
amending the DIP Facility. The amendment extended the expiration date to May 23,
2003, and lowered the total capacity from $60 million to $50 million. All other
terms of the DIP Facility remained substantially unchanged. The DIP Facility
expires on the earlier of the consummation of a plan of reorganization or May
23, 2003. If a plan of reorganization is not consummated by May 23, 2003, the
Company will need to seek an extension of the maturity of the DIP Facility. The
DIP Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of the Debtors,
including a pledge of the capital stock of substantially all their subsidiaries,
subject to certain limitations with respect to foreign subsidiaries. Actual
borrowing availability is subject to a borrowing base calculation. The amount
available to the Company under the DIP Facility is equal to the sum of
approximately 85% of eligible accounts receivable, 50% of eligible inventory and
72% of eligible fixed assets. As of December 31, 2002, the Company's eligible
accounts receivable, inventories and fixed assets supported access to the full
amount of the DIP Facility. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had borrowed
$10.2 million and issued letters of credit of $9.5 million under the DIP
Facility. The DIP Facility contains financial covenants, including minimum
levels of EBITDA (defined as net income or loss plus depreciation, amortization
of goodwill, amortization of intangibles, net periodic postretirement benefits
expense, interest expense, income taxes, amortization of deferred financing
costs, any net loss realized in connection with the
F-7

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

sale of any asset, any extraordinary loss or the non-cash portion of
non-recurring expenses, and reorganization costs), and other customary
provisions.

As of December 1, 2001, the Company discontinued accruing interest on the
Senior Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the 12.5% debentures, due
June 1, 2008 (the "Debentures"), and the 15% junior subordinated notes, due
December 15, 2009 (the "Junior Notes"), and ceased accruing dividends on its
redeemable preferred stock. Contractual interest on the Senior Subordinated
Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures and the Junior Notes for the year
ended December 31, 2002, was $20.4 million, $4.0 million, $18.9 million and $5.3
million, respectively. No interest was recorded for the Senior Subordinated
Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures or the Junior Notes during 2002.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, contractual interest on the Senior
Subordinated Notes, the Subordinated Notes, the Debentures and the Junior Notes
totaled $45.8 million, of which $41.9 million was recorded. Contractual
dividends for the redeemable preferred stock were $10.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002, of which none was recorded. For the year ended December
31, 2001, contractual dividends for the redeemable preferred stock were $9.5
million, which compares to recorded dividends of $8.7 million. As part of the
Court order approving the DIP Facility, the Company was required to continue
making periodic interest payments on its old syndicated senior secured credit
agreement (the "Old Credit Facility.") This order did not approve the payment of
any principal outstanding under the Old Credit Facility as of the petition date,
or the payment of any future mandatory amortization of the loans. In total,
contractual interest on the Company's obligations was $71.2 million and $80.3
million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, which was
$48.6 million and $4.0 million in excess of reported interest, respectively.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, substantially all
actions to collect upon any of the Debtors' liabilities as of the petition date
or to enforce pre-petition date contractual obligations were automatically
stayed. Absent approval from the Court, the Debtors are prohibited from paying
pre-petition obligations. However, the Court has approved payment of certain
pre-petition liabilities such as employee wages and benefits and certain other
pre-petition obligations. Additionally, the Court has approved the retention of
legal and financial professionals. Claims against the Debtors had to be filed
with the Court on or before April 19, 2002. As debtor-in-possession, the Debtors
have the right, subject to Court approval and certain other conditions, to
assume or reject any pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases.
Parties affected by such rejections may file pre-petition claims with the Court
in accordance with bankruptcy procedures.

On January 17, 2003, the Company filed with the Court its First Amended and
Restated Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization") which provides
for, among other things the restructuring of the Company's balance sheet to
significantly strengthen the Company's financial position.

The Company expects the Court to confirm the Plan of Reorganization early
in the second quarter of 2003. The Plan of Reorganization was filed with the SEC
on Form 8-K February 6, 2003. Once the Court confirms the Plan of Reorganization
and the Company satisfies the conditions precedent to effectiveness of the Plan
of Reorganization, as described in the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
then consummate the Plan of Reorganization and emerge from Chapter 11.
Management anticipates that the consummation and effectiveness of the Plan of
Reorganization will occur in the second calendar quarter of 2003.

The Plan of Reorganization provides for a substantial reduction of the
Company's long-term debt. Under the plan, the Company's total debt would
aggregate approximately $230 million, versus the nearly $800 million in debt and
$79 million in preferred stock when the Company filed for Chapter 11 protection
in November 2001. The Plan of Reorganization provides for treatment to the
various classes of claims and equity interests as follows (as is more fully
described in the Plan of Reorganization):

Administrative Expense Claims, Priority Tax Claims and the Class 1 Other
Priority Claims (as each such class, and all classes described herein, are more
fully described in the Plan of Reorganization) remain

F-8

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

unaffected by the Chapter 11 cases and are to be paid in full. The Class 3 Other
Secured Claims are also unimpaired by the Chapter 11 cases and the holders of
such claims will continue to retain their liens.

The pre-petition senior secured lenders (Class 2) will exchange their
approximately $365 million in debt and outstanding letters of credit for cash,
up to approximately 94.5% of the new common stock of the Company (subject to
reduction for shares of the Company's new common stock acquired pursuant to the
subscription offering referenced below), the cash proceeds realized from the
subscription offering, $180 million in Senior Debt Notes, and Series C Warrants
exercisable for additional shares of new common stock of the Company. Under
certain circumstances, up to an additional $23 million in Senior Debt Notes may
be issued to the pre-petition senior secured lenders in substitution for up to
12.3% of the new common stock of the Company. the pre-petition senior lenders
have agreed to transfer the Series C Warrants to certain current Company equity
holders.

General Unsecured Creditors (Class 4) will receive distributions of cash
equal to the lesser of (1) a holder's pro rata share of $7,500,000 and (2) fifty
percent (50%) of such holder's claim (estimated by the Company to provide a
recovery on such claims of 30% to 37% of the amount of such claims.)

The 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note Holders (Class 5) will exchange their
approximately $230 million in debt and accrued interest for approximately 5.5%
of the new common stock of the Company, with the opportunity to subscribe for
more shares through the subscription offering held pursuant to the Plan of
Reorganization, and Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants exercisable for
additional shares of new common stock of the Company.

The Junior Subordinated Note Claims, the 10.75% Senior Subordinated Note
Claims and the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Debenture Claims (Class 6, Class 7 and
Class 8, respectively) in the aggregate amount of approximately $220 million
will not receive any distribution under the Plan of Reorganization, but will
have the opportunity to participate in the subscription offering for shares of
new common stock of the reorganized Company.

The Thermadyne Holdings Equity Interests (Class 9), which includes the
existing common and preferred stock of the Company, will be cancelled and the
holders of such interests will not receive any distribution pursuant to the Plan
of Reorganization.

In connection with the proposed Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
issue the following:

- Senior Debt Notes in the aggregate amount of up to $203 million;

- Up to 13,300,000 shares of common stock of the reorganized Company;

- 1,157,000 Series A Warrants;

- 700,000 Series B Warrants; and

- 271,429 Series C Warrants.

Upon effectiveness of the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will use its
proposed senior secured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $50 million
to pay the DIP Facility, for the payment of various pre-petition obligations,
and for general working capital purposes.

Absent a successful restructuring of the Company's balance sheet,
substantial doubt exists about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis. This basis contemplates the continuity of operations, realization
of assets, and discharge of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The
statements also present the assets of the Company at historical cost and the
current intention that they will be realized as a going concern and in the
normal course of business. Approval of a Plan of Reorganization could materially
change the amounts currently disclosed in the financial statements.
F-9

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

Under Chapter 11, certain claims against the debtor in existence prior to
the filing of the petition for relief under federal bankruptcy laws are stayed
while the debtor continues business operations as debtor-in-possession. These
claims are shown in the December 31, 2002 and 2001, balance sheets as
"liabilities subject to compromise." Additional claims (liabilities subject to
compromise) may arise subsequent to the filing date resulting from rejection of
executory contracts, including leases, and from the determination by the Court
(or agreed to by parties in interest) of allowed claims for contingencies and
other disputed amounts. Claims secured against the debtor's assets also are
stayed, although the holders of such claims have the right to move the Court for
relief from the stay. The principal categories of liabilities subject to
compromise at December 31, consisted of the following:

REORGANIZATION ITEMS

Reorganization items for 2002 were $23.9 million and included $9.8 million
of professional fees and expenses, $1.9 million of expenses related to financing
fees associated with the DIP Facility, $13.8 million for the write-off of
deferred financing fees associated with pre-petition long-term debt subject to
compromise, $0.3 million related to payments made under the key employee
retention plan approved by the Court, a benefit of $2.7 million related to the
rejection of certain capital leases, and $0.8 of other reorganization items.
Reorganization items in 2001 include $4.8 million of professional fees and
expenses, a benefit of $12.2 million resulting from the Court's approval of a
Company motion to reject a non-cancelable lease obligation on a substantially
idle facility, and $0.7 million of other reorganization costs.

SPECIAL CHARGES

Special charges for the year ended December 31, 2002, relate to an
information technology initiative and related logistics projects. Special
charges incurred during the year ended December 31, 2001, were $14.9 million and
were comprised primarily of $7.0 million related to business reengineering
initiatives, $3.2 million related to an information technology transformation
project, and $2.4 million to logistics initiatives. The remainder resulted
mostly from the relocation of production to Mexico. Special charges of $42.5
million were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2000, and are comprised
primarily of $19.4 million of costs related to the relocation of production to
Mexico and Asia, $11.0 million resulting from the Company's reorganization of
its domestic gas management business, $5.0 million related to changes in senior
management, and $4.7 million related to an information technology and business
process reengineering project the Company initiated in the third quarter of
2000.

F-10

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

ACQUISITIONS

In 2000, the Company made the following two acquisitions. On April 13, the
Company, through a 90% owned subsidiary, acquired all the assets of Unique
Welding Alloys ("Unique"), a business that sells industrial gases, welding
equipment and accessories to the retail end-user trade, and on November 9, the
Company, through a 90% owned subsidiary, acquired all the assets of Maxweld &
Braze (Pty) Ltd., a wholesale business that sells welding equipment and
accessories to distributors and the retail end-user trade. Both of these
businesses are located in Boksburg, South Africa. The aggregate consideration
paid for these two acquisitions was approximately $4.4 million and was financed
through existing bank facilities. These transactions were accounted for as
purchases.

The operating results of the acquired companies have been included in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations from their respective dates of
acquisition.

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Thermadyne
and its majority owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Bankruptcy Accounting. Since the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the Company
has applied the provisions in Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting
by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" ("SOP 90-7.") SOP 90-7
does not change the application of generally accepted accounting principles in
the preparation of financial statements, but it does require that the financial
statements for periods including and subsequent to filing the Chapter 11
petition distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with
the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business.

Estimates. Preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires certain estimates and
assumptions be made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost
is determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for domestic
subsidiaries and the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method for foreign
subsidiaries. Inventories at foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately
$41,922 and $37,986 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are carried
at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method. The average
estimated lives utilized in calculating depreciation are as follows:
buildings -- 25 years; and machinery and equipment -- two to ten years.
Property, plant and equipment recorded under capital leases are depreciated
using the lower of either the lease term or the underlying asset's useful life.
The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and
circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash
flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying
amounts.

Deferred Financing Costs. The Company capitalizes loan origination fees
and other costs incurred arranging long-term financing as deferred financing
costs. The costs are amortized over the respective lives of the obligations
using the effective interest method. In accordance with SOP 90-7, in 2002 the
Company wrote off its deferred financing fees, all of which related to long-term
debt subject to compromise. The amount of the write off was $13,826 and is
included in reorganization items on the accompanying statement of operations.
Deferred financing costs totaled $25,843 at December 31, 2001 and had related
accumulated amortization of $12,017.

Intangibles. The excess of costs over the net tangible assets of
businesses acquired consists of patented technology and goodwill. Identified
intangible assets with a finite life are amortized on a straight-line basis
F-11

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

over the various estimated useful lives of such assets, which generally range
from three to 25 years. Effective January 1, 2002, goodwill is no longer
amortized, but instead is tested for impairment at least annually in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets."

Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between
the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes
and their tax basis. The measurement of current and deferred tax assets and
liabilities is based on provisions of the enacted tax law; the effects of future
changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated. The measurement of deferred
tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that,
based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the sale of cutting and welding products
is recognized upon shipment to the customer. Cost and related expenses to
manufacture and to ship cutting and welding products are recorded as cost of
sales when the related revenue is recognized.

Comprehensive Loss. At December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, accumulated
comprehensive loss amounted to $40,147, $42,930, and $35,595, respectively, for
foreign currency translation. Accumulated comprehensive loss for pensions was
$4,459 at December 31, 2002 and $708 at December 31, 2001.

Earnings Per Share. The effects of options, warrants and convertible
securities have not been considered in the determination of earnings per share
for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 because the result would be
anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company grants stock options for a fixed
number of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to or greater than
the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. The Company accounts for
these stock option grants in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25 -- "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"), and,
accordingly, recognizes no compensation expense for the stock option grants.

The following presents information about net loss and loss per share as if
the Company had applied the fair value expense recognition requirements of SFAS
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," to all employee stock options
granted under the plans.

F-12

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Statements of Cash Flows. For purposes of the statements of cash flows,
Thermadyne considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.

The following table shows the interest and taxes paid during the periods
presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

Operating cash disbursements for the year ended December 31, 2002, related
to the reorganization were $11.9 million and include $9.8 million of
professional fees and expenses, $0.7 million of fees related to the DIP
Facility, $0.3 million of payments made under the key employee retention plan
approved by the Court, $0.4 million related to a rejected lease obligation, and
$0.7 million of other reorganization related disbursements. For the year ended
December 31, 2001, operating cash disbursements resulting from the
reorganization include $6.0 million related to professional fees and expenses,
$1.9 million of fees related to the DIP Facility and the Old Credit Facility,
and $0.1 million of other reorganization costs. Included in the amount paid for
professional fees and expenses was approximately $2.0 million of retainers,
which was included in prepaid assets at December 31, 2002 and 2001.

Foreign Currency Translation. Local currencies have been designated as the
functional currencies for all subsidiaries. Accordingly, assets and liabilities
of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance
sheet date. Income and expense items of these subsidiaries are translated at
average monthly rates of exchange. The resultant translation gains or losses are
included in other comprehensive income in the component of shareholders' deficit
designated "Accumulated other comprehensive loss." The effect on the
consolidated statements of operations of transaction gains and losses is
insignificant for all years presented. The Company's foreign operations are
described in Note 14.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In July 2002, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or
Disposal Activities." SFAS 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated
with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date
of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS 146 replaces Emerging Issues
Task Force Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee
Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain
Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." SFAS 146 is to be applied prospectively to
exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.

4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company's accounts receivable are
recorded at the amounts invoiced to customers less an allowance for doubtful
accounts. Management estimates the allowance based on
F-13

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

a review of the portfolio taking into consideration historical collection
patterns, the economic climate, and aging statistics based on contractual due
dates. Accounts are written off to the allowance once collection efforts are
exhausted.

On January 31, 2000, the Company entered into a trade accounts receivable
securitization agreement whereby it sold on an ongoing basis participation
interests in up to $45,000 of designated accounts receivable. The Company
retained servicing responsibilities for accounts receivable collections, but
received no servicing fee. Effective with the Chapter 11 filing this program
began to liquidate and at December 31, 2001, all participation interests had
been fully funded. On January 4, 2002, the program was terminated and final
distributions made to investors. The amount of participation interests sold
under this financing arrangement was approximately $20,999 at December 31, 2000.
The sold accounts receivable are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense was incurred on
participation interests at the rate of one-month LIBOR plus 65 basis points, per
annum. The Company recorded no gains or losses from the securitization
arrangement.

5. INVENTORIES

The composition of inventories at December 31, is as follows:

6. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

The composition of property, plant and equipment at December 31, is as
follows:

Assets recorded under capitalized leases were $22,836 ($14,013 net of
accumulated depreciation) and $23,320 ($15,822 net of accumulated depreciation)
at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

F-14

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

The composition of intangibles at December 31, is as follows:

In accordance with SFAS 142, the Company ceased amortization on January 1,
2002 of its goodwill, which had a net balance of approximately $11,355 at
January 1, 2002. During 2001 and 2000, the Company recorded $371 and $658 of
goodwill amortization, respectively. Excluding this expense the Company's net
loss applicable to common shares and basic and diluted net loss per common share
for 2001 would have been $59,865 and $16.67, respectively, and for 2000 would
have been $114,374 and $31.86, respectively.

The Company has other identifiable intangible assets such as patented
technology, non-compete agreements and trademarks. The total cost of these
intangible assets was $13,511 and $11,421 at December 31, 2002 and December 31,
2001, respectively. Accumulated amortization totaled $9,815 and $9,353 at
December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Amortization expense amounted to
$1,033, $1,804 and $7,707 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000,
respectively. Amortization expense is expected to be approximately $900 for each
of years 2003 through 2006, and approximately $96 in 2007.

During the third quarter of 2000, the Company recorded impairment losses of
$18.5 million and $4.9 million related to goodwill and other intangible assets,
respectively, associated with its Australian business. These impairment losses
were recorded through increased amortization expense. Prolonged weak economic
conditions in Australia led to the Company's reassessment and ultimate
write-down of these assets.

F-15

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

8. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

The composition of long-term obligations at December 31, is as follows:

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

(1) Amounts outstanding at December 31, 2002, have been classified as
liabilities subject to compromise.

At December 31, 2002 the schedule of principal payments on long-term debt,
excluding capital lease obligations and amounts subject to compromise, is as
follows:

2003........................................................ $12,301
2004........................................................ 291
2005........................................................ 78
2006........................................................ 79
2007........................................................ 81
Thereafter.................................................. 33

DIP FACILITY

The DIP Facility provides for total borrowings of $50 million, of which up
to $15 million may be used for letters of credit. Actual borrowing availability
is subject to a borrowing base calculation, which is equal to the sum of
approximately 85% of eligible accounts receivable, 50% of eligible inventory and
72% of eligible fixed assets. As of December 31, 2002, the Company's eligible
accounts receivable, inventories and fixed assets supported access to the full
amount of the DIP Facility. Interest on the DIP Facility accrues at the
administrative agent's adjusted base rate plus 2.25% in the case of alternate
base rates loans (6.5% at December 31, 2002), and at an adjusted London
Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 3.5% in the case of

F-16

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

LIBOR loans. The DIP Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of the
Debtors, including a pledge of the capital stock of substantially all their
subsidiaries, subject to certain limitations with respect to foreign
subsidiaries. The DIP Facility contains financial covenants, including minimum
levels of EBITDA (defined as net income or loss plus depreciation, amortization
of goodwill, amortization of intangibles, net periodic postretirement benefits
expense, interest expense, income taxes, amortization of deferred financing
costs, any net loss realized in connection with the sale of any asset, any
extraordinary loss or the non-cash portion of non-recurring expenses, and
reorganization costs) and other customary provisions. The DIP Facility expires
on the earlier of the consummation of a Plan of Reorganization or May 23, 2003.
If the Plan of Reorganization is not consummated by May 23, 2003, the Company
will need to seek an extension of the maturity of the DIP Facility. At December
31, 2002, the Company had borrowed approximately $10.2 million and issued $9.5
million of letters of credit under the DIP Facility, resulting in availability
of approximately $30.3 million.

Thermadyne LLC pays a commitment fee calculated at a rate of 0.75% per
annum on the daily average unused commitment under the DIP Facility. Such fee is
payable monthly in arrears and upon termination of the DIP Facility. Thermadyne
LLC also pays a fee calculated at 3.5% per annum based on the average letters of
credit outstanding. Such fee is payable monthly in arrears and upon termination
of the DIP Facility.

OLD CREDIT FACILITY

The Old Credit Facility includes a $330 million term loan facility (the
"Term Loan Facility") and a $100 million revolving credit facility (subject to
adjustment as provided below), which provided for revolving loans and up to $50
million of letters of credit (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Term Loan
Facility is comprised of a term A facility of $100 million (the "Term A
Facility"), which has a maturity of six years, a term B facility of $115 million
(the "Term B Facility"), which has a maturity of seven years, and a term C
facility of $115 million (the "Term C Facility"), which has a maturity of eight
years. The Revolving Credit Facility terminates six years after the date of
initial funding of the Old Credit Facility. As part of the Court order approving
the DIP Facility, the Company was required to continue making periodic interest
payments on the Old Credit Facility. This order did not approve the payment of
any principal outstanding under the Old Credit Facility as of the petition date,
or the payment of any future mandatory amortization of the loans. As a result of
the Chapter 11 filing and other ongoing covenant violations, the Company has no
borrowing availability under the Old Credit Facility. At December 31, 2002, the
Company had $1.4 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Facility.

Thermadyne LLC pays a letter of credit fee calculated (i) in the case of
standby letters of credit, at a rate per annum equal to the then applicable
margin for LIBOR loans under the Revolving Credit Facility minus 0.125% and (ii)
in the case of documentary letters of credit, at a rate per annum equal to 1.25%
plus, in each case, a fronting fee on the stated amount of each letter of
credit. Such fees are payable quarterly in arrears. In addition, Thermadyne LLC
pays customary transaction charges in connection with any letters of credit.

SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

The Senior Subordinated Notes are general unsecured obligations of
Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital and will be subordinated in right of
payment to all senior indebtedness of Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital
(including borrowings under the DIP Facility and the Old Credit Facility). The
Senior Subordinated Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior
subordinated basis by certain of Thermadyne LLC's existing domestic subsidiaries
(the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The note guarantees will be general unsecured
obligations of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, are subordinated in right of payment
to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Guarantor Subsidiaries,
including indebtedness under the DIP Facility and the Old Credit Facility, and
will rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of
the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

F-17

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

DEBENTURES

The Debentures initially are limited in aggregate principal amount at
maturity to $174 million. The Debentures were issued at $94.6 million, a
substantial discount from their principal amount at maturity. Until June 1,
2003, no interest will accrue on the Debentures, but the accreted value will
increase (representing amortization of original issue discount) between the date
of original issuance and June 1, 2003, on a semiannual bond equivalent basis
using a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, such that the accreted
value shall be equal to the full principal amount at maturity of the Debentures
on June 1, 2003. Beginning on June 1, 2003, interest on the Debentures will
accrue at the rate of 12 1/2% per annum and will be payable in cash semiannually
in arrears on June 1 and December 1, commencing on December 1, 2003, to holders
of record on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15. Interest on the
Debentures will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid
or, if no interest has been paid, from June 1, 2003. Interest will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Subject to
certain covenants, additional notes may be issued under the Indenture having the
same terms in all respects as the Debentures.

The indentures governing the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Debentures and
the subordinated notes restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company and
its subsidiaries from incurring additional debt, paying dividends or making
other distributions on or redeeming or repurchasing capital stock, making
investments, loans or advances, disposing of assets, creating liens on assets
and engaging in transactions with affiliates.

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

The Junior Notes, which have detachable warrants for the purchase of the
Company's common stock, are general unsecured obligations of Thermadyne LLC and
will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior
subordinated indebtedness of Thermadyne LLC. Thermadyne LLC, at its option, may
pay interest in additional Junior Notes between the date of original issuance
and December 15, 2004 on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 at
the rate of 15%. Beginning December 15, 2004, interest will accrue at the rate
of 15% per annum on each interest payment date, provided that if and for so long
as payment of interest on the Junior Notes is prohibited under the terms of the
Old Credit Facility, interest shall be paid by the issuance of additional Junior
Notes.

9. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

The Company has outstanding 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share, with an initial liquidation preference of $25.00 per share
("Holdings Preferred Stock"). Holdings Preferred Stock accrues dividends at a
rate equal to 13% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year. Such
dividends are payable quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December
31 of each year. Prior to the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the Holdings
Preferred Stock, dividends are payable through increases in the liquidation
preference of the Holdings Preferred Stock or, at the election of the holders,
dividends may be payable by the issuance of additional shares. Following the
fifth anniversary of the issuance, dividends shall be payable in cash. The
Holdings Preferred Stock is mandatorily redeemable on May 15, 2010 at a
redemption price of 100% of the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid
dividends. In the event of a change in control, the Holdings Preferred Stock is
mandatorily redeemable at a redemption price of 101% of the liquidation
preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Holdings Preferred Stock may
be redeemed by Holdings prior to May 15, 2001, in whole, at a redemption price
per share equal to 113% of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued and
unpaid dividends with the proceeds of a public equity offering. In addition, the
Holdings Preferred Stock may be redeemed at any time on or after May 15, 2003,
in whole, at certain established redemption prices. Holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Holdings Preferred Stock will have the right to elect two
members to the board of directors of Holdings upon the failure of Holdings to
pay cash dividends for more than four consecutive quarters or six quarters,
satisfy mandatory

F-18

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

redemption obligations, provide required notices or comply with certain other
specified provisions relating to the Holdings Preferred Stock. This right
terminates and the term of the additional directors ceases upon cure. In
addition, Holdings cannot amend, alter or repeal any provision that would
adversely affect the preferences, rights or powers of the Holdings Preferred
Stock or create, authorize or issue any class of stock ranking prior to or on a
parity with the Holdings Preferred Stock without the written consent of a
majority of the holders.

10. STOCK OPTIONS

The Company has elected to follow APB 25 and related Interpretations in
accounting for its employee stock options because, as described below, the
alternative fair value accounting provided for under SFAS 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation", requires use of option valuation models that were not
developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under APB 25, because the
exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals or exceeds the
market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation
expense is recognized.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by SFAS 123, which also requires that the information be determined as
if the Company has accounted for its employee stock options granted under the
fair value method of that statement. No stock options were granted in 2002. The
fair value for options granted in 2001 and 2000 was estimated at the date of
grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted-average assumptions for 2001 and 2000, respectively: risk-free interest
rates of 5.2%, and 4.3%, a dividend yield of 0.0% for each year presented;
volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of
0.83, and 0.63, and a weighted-average expected life of the options of six years
for each year presented.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions
and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the
input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in
management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable
single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's
pro forma information follows:

The Company has two option plans for the grant of options to its employees
and directors. The 1998 Management Incentive Plan (the "1998 Management Plan")
provides for the grant of options to acquire up to 500,000 shares of common
stock to key officers and employees of the Company or its affiliates. Grants
under the 1998 Management Plan vest either a) immediately on the date of grant,
b) ratably over five years from the date of grant, c) upon the attainment of
yearly targeted implied common equity values of the Company or, d) if yearly
targeted implied common equity values are not attained, after an eight year
period. The Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the "1998 Directors Plan")
provides for the grant of options to acquire up to 20,000 shares of common stock
to non-employee directors of the Company. Grants under the 1998 Directors Plan
vest immediately on the date of grant. All options granted under the two plans
described above are non-qualified stock options granted at 100% of the fair
market value on the grant dates. In connection with the Merger, the 1993
Management Option Plan (the "1993 Management Plan"), the Non-

F-19

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Employee Directors Plan (the "1995 Directors Plan") and the 1996 Employee Stock
Option Plan (the "1996 Employee Plan") were terminated. At that time, the option
holders received a cash payment with respect to each option and the underlying
options were canceled.

Information regarding stock options is summarized as follows:

Following is a summary of stock options outstanding as of December 31,
2002:

F-20

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

11. LEASES

Future minimum lease payments under leases with initial or remaining
noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2002 are as
follows:

Rent expense under operating leases from continuing operations amounted to
$5,882, $5,636, and $6,602 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and
2000, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Court approved the rejection of two
of the Company's leases, both of which were accounted for as capital leases. The
Company recognized a net gain of $3.1 million as a result of these lease
rejections, which has been included in reorganization items on the accompanying
statement of operations.

12. INCOME TAXES

Pre-tax loss was taxed under the following jurisdictions:

The provision for income taxes is as follows:

F-21

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The composition of deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to
continuing operations at December 31 is as follows:

The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001,
includes a charge of $4.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, to adjust the
valuation allowance on the net deferred tax amount as management does not
believe this asset will be fully realized based on projections of income in
future periods.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the amount of income
tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate
to pretax income from continuing operations as a result of the following
differences:

At December 31, 2002, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $153,000 available for U.S. federal income tax purposes which
expire between 2003 and 2022. Utilization of the majority of these net operating
loss carryforwards is subject to various limitations due to previous changes in
control of ownership (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of the Company.
Pursuant to SOP 90-7, the tax benefit resulting from the utilization of net
operating loss carryforwards that existed on the effective date of the Company's
financial reorganization will be reported as a direct addition to paid-in
capital.

F-22

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The Company's foreign subsidiaries have undistributed earnings at December
31, 2002. Those earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and,
accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been
provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends
or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to
an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the
various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred
U.S. income tax liability is not practicable because of the complexities
associated with its hypothetical calculation.

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Retirement Plan. The 401(k) Retirement Plan covers the majority of
the Company's domestic employees. The Company, at its discretion, can make a
base contribution of 1% of each employee's compensation and an additional
contribution equal to as much as 4% of the employee's compensation. At the
employee's discretion, an additional 1% to 15% voluntary employee contribution
can be made. The plan requires the Company to make matching contributions of 50%
for the first 6% of the voluntary employee contribution. Total expense for this
plan was approximately $2,029, $2,038, and $2,115 for the years ended December
31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively.

Pension Plans. The Company's subsidiaries have had various noncontributory
defined benefit pension plans which covered substantially all U.S. employees.
The Company froze and combined its three noncontributory defined benefit pension
plans through amendments to such plans effective December 31, 1989. All former
participants of these plans became eligible to participate in the 401(k)
Retirement Plan effective January 1, 1990.

The Company's Australian subsidiary has a Superannuation Fund established
by a Trust Deed which operates on a lump sum scheme to provide benefits for its
employees. Prepaid benefit cost at December 31, 2002 and 2001, was $6,799 and
$6,204, respectively. There were no accrued benefit liabilities at December 31,
2002 or 2001. The prepaid benefit cost is not included in the table below or in
the Company's balance sheet, as the Company has no legal right to amounts
included in this fund.

Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company has a retirement plan covering
both salaried and non-salaried retired employees, which provides postretirement
health care benefits (medical and dental) and life insurance benefits. The
postretirement health care portion is contributory, with retiree contributions
adjusted annually as determined by the Company based on claim costs. The
postretirement life insurance portion is noncontributory. The Company recognizes
the cost of postretirement benefits on the accrual basis as employees render
service to earn the benefit. The Company continues to fund the cost of health
care and life insurance benefits in the year incurred.

F-23

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan
assets and status of the pension and other postretirement benefit plans as
recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001:

F-24

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the
following components:

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5% in 2002, declining gradually to 6.0%
in 2012. The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 8% in 2001 and 8.5% in 2000. A
one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would
have the following effects:

14. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company reports its segment information by geographic region. Although
the Company's domestic operation is comprised of several individual business
units, similarity of products, paths to market, end users, and production
processes results in performance evaluation and decisions regarding allocation
of resources being made on a combined basis. The Company's reportable geographic
regions are the United States, Europe and Australia/Asia.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based principally
on operating income net of any special charges or significant one-time charges.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment sales
are based on market prices.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable
segments is shown in the following table. The "Other" column includes the
elimination of intersegment sales and profits, corporate related items and other
costs not allocated to the reportable segments.

F-25

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

PRODUCT LINE INFORMATION

The Company manufactures a variety of products, substantially all of which
are used in the cutting, welding or fabrication of metal. End users of the
Company's products are engaged in various applications including construction,
automobile manufacturing, repair and maintenance and shipbuilding. The following
table shows sales for each of the Company's key product lines:

15. CONTINGENCIES

The Chapter 11 filing introduces numerous uncertainties which may affect
the Company's business, results of operations and prospects. Additional
discussion on the Chapter 11 proceedings can be found in Note 2 to the financial
statements.

Thermadyne and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries are defendants in
various legal actions, primarily in the product liability area. While there is
uncertainty relating to any litigation, management is of the opinion that the
outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.

F-26

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts
receivable.

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial
institutions. These financial institutions are located in different parts of the
country and the Company's policy is designed to limit exposure to any one
institution. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit
standing of these financial institutions. The Company does not require
collateral on these financial instruments.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are
limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer
base. The Company does not require collateral for trade accounts receivable.

FAIR VALUE

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the
balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value.

Accounts receivable and accounts payable: The carrying amounts
reported in the balance sheet for accounts receivable and accounts payable
approximate their fair value.

Long-term debt: No market information was available with respect to
the debt included in liabilities subject to compromise. As a result of the
Chapter 11 filing, the ultimate values of the Old Credit Facility, the
Senior Subordinated Notes, the Debentures, the Subordinated Notes and the
Junior Notes are uncertain and may be materially different than the amounts
in the financial statements. The fair values of the obligations outstanding
under the DIP Facility and the Company's other long-term obligations are
estimated at their current carrying values since these obligations are
fully secured and have varying interest charges based on current market
rates.

F-27

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

17. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the
years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.

18. DEBTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following is condensed combined financial information for the Debtors.
The combined financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the
consolidated financial statements. Liabilities subject to compromise shown on
the December 31, 2002 condensed combined balance sheet exclude the portion of
the Term A Facility carried on the books of two foreign subsidiaries, which
totals $22,421.

F-28

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED COMBINED DEBTOR BALANCE SHEET

F-29

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

F-30

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

F-31

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
Thermadyne Mfg. LLC

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Thermadyne
Mfg. LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, shareholder's deficit and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. 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 Thermadyne Mfg.
LLC and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the consolidated results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming
Thermadyne Mfg. LLC will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in
Note 2 to the financial statements, on November 19, 2001, the Company filed a
voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy
Code in the Eastern District of Missouri. The filing was necessary due to events
of default on the Company's debt covenants. In addition, the Company has
incurred recurring net losses applicable to common shares and has a shareholder
deficiency. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability
to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters
are also described in Note 2. The accompanying financial statements do not
include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the
recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of
liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
March 14, 2003

F-32

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-33

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-34

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2001, AND 2000

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-35

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-36

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

1. THE COMPANY

As used in this report, the terms "Thermadyne" and the "Company" mean
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation, the term "Thermadyne LLC" means Thermadyne Mfg.
LLC, a wholly owned and the principal operating subsidiary of Thermadyne
Holdings Corporation, and the term "Thermadyne Capital" means Thermadyne Capital
Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermadyne LLC. The Company is a global
manufacturer of cutting and welding products and accessories.

Thermadyne Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermadyne LLC, was formed
solely for the purpose of serving as co-issuer of the 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2008. Thermadyne Capital has no substantial assets or liabilities and
no operations of any kind and the Indenture pursuant to which the Senior
Subordinated Notes were issued limits Thermadyne Capital's ability to acquire or
hold any significant assets, incur any liabilities or engage in any business
activities, other than in connection with the issuance of the Senior
Subordinated Notes.

2. RECENT EVENTS

BANKRUPTCY FILING

On November 19, 2001, the Company and substantially all of its domestic
subsidiaries, including Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital (collectively, the
"Debtors"), filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri (the "Court".) The filing resulted from insufficient
liquidity, and was determined to be the most efficient and favorable alternative
to restructure the Company's balance sheet. Since 1998, the Company's operating
results have been negatively impacted by a weak industrial economy in the U.S.
as well as difficult economic conditions in most of its foreign markets. The
deterioration of operating results and liquidity made it increasingly difficult
for the Company to meet all of its debt service obligations. Prior to filing
Chapter 11, the Company failed to make the semi-annual interest payments on the
10.75% subordinated notes, due November 1, 2003 (the "Subordinated Notes"),
which were due on May 1 and November 1, 2001, and totaled approximately $4.0
million. In addition, the Company failed to make an interest payment in the
amount of $10.2 million related to the 9.875% senior subordinated notes, due
June 1, 2008 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes"), which was due on June 1, 2001.
The Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits the Company from making payments on
unsecured, pre-petition debt, including the Senior Subordinated Notes and the
Subordinated Notes, except pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. The
Company is in possession of its properties and assets and continues to manage
the business as a debtor-in-possession subject to the supervision of the Court.

On January 8, 2002, the Court entered the final order approving a new $60
million debtor-in-possession credit facility among Thermadyne LLC, as borrower,
the Company and certain U.S. subsidiaries as guarantors, and a syndicate of
lenders with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as agent (the "DIP Facility".) Prior to the
final order, on November 21, 2001, the Court entered an interim order
authorizing the Debtors to use up to $25 million of the DIP Facility for loans
and letters of credit. On November 19, 2002, the Court entered a final order
amending the DIP Facility. The amendment extended the expiration date to May 23,
2003, and lowered the total capacity from $60 million to $50 million. All other
terms of the DIP Facility remained substantially unchanged. The DIP Facility
expires on the earlier of the consummation of a plan of reorganization or May
23, 2003. If a plan of reorganization is not consummated by May 23, 2003, the
Company will need to seek an extension of the maturity of the DIP Facility. The
DIP Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of the Debtors,
including a pledge of the capital stock of substantially all their subsidiaries,
subject to certain limitations with respect to foreign subsidiaries. Actual
borrowing availability is subject to a borrowing base calculation. The amount
available to the Company under the DIP Facility is equal to the sum of
approximately 85% of eligible accounts receivable, 50% of eligible inventory and
72% of eligible fixed assets.
F-37

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

As of December 31, 2002, the Company's eligible accounts receivable, inventories
and fixed assets supported access to the full amount of the DIP Facility. As of
December 31, 2002, the Company had borrowed $10.2 million and issued letters of
credit of $9.5 million under the DIP Facility. The DIP Facility contains
financial covenants, including minimum levels of EBITDA (defined as net income
or loss plus depreciation, amortization of goodwill, amortization of
intangibles, net periodic postretirement benefits expense, income taxes,
amortization of deferred financing costs, any net loss realized in connection
with the sale of any asset, any extraordinary loss or the non-cash portion of
non-recurring expenses, and reorganization costs), and other customary
provisions.

As of December 1, 2001, Thermadyne LLC discontinued accruing interest on
the Senior Subordinated Notes, and the 15% junior subordinated notes, due
December 15, 2009 (the "Junior Notes"). Contractual interest on the Senior
Subordinated Notes and the Junior Notes for the year ended December 31, 2001,
was $20.4 million, and $5.3 million, respectively. No interest was recorded for
the Senior Subordinated Notes or the Junior Notes during 2002. For the year
ended December 31, 2001, contractual interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes
and the Junior Notes totaled $25.1 million, of which $23.0 million was recorded.
As part of the Court order approving the DIP Facility, the Company was required
to continue making periodic interest payments on its old syndicated senior
secured credit agreement (the "Old Credit Facility.") This order did not approve
the payment of any principal outstanding under the Old Credit Facility as of the
petition date, or the payment of any future mandatory amortization of the loans.
In total, contractual interest on the Company's obligations was $48.3 million
and $59.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively,
which was $25.7 million and $2.1 million in excess of reported interest,
respectively.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, substantially all
actions to collect upon any of the Debtors' liabilities as of the petition date
or to enforce pre-petition date contractual obligations were automatically
stayed. Absent approval from the Court, the Debtors are prohibited from paying
pre-petition obligations. However, the Court has approved payment of certain
pre-petition liabilities such as employee wages and benefits and certain other
pre-petition obligations. Additionally, the Court has approved the retention of
legal and financial professionals. Claims against the Debtors had to be filed
with the Court on or before April 19, 2002. As debtor-in-possession, the Debtors
have the right, subject to Court approval and certain other conditions, to
assume or reject any pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases.
Parties affected by such rejections may file pre-petition claims with the Court
in accordance with bankruptcy procedures.

On January 17, 2003, the Company filed with the Court its First Amended and
Restated Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization") which provides
for, among other things the restructuring of the Company's balance sheet to
significantly strengthen the Company's financial position.

The Company expects the Court to confirm the Plan of Reorganization early
in the second quarter of 2003. The Plan of Reorganization was filed with the SEC
on Form 8-K February 6, 2003. Once the Court confirms the Plan of Reorganization
and the Company satisfies the conditions precedent to effectiveness of the Plan
of Reorganization, as described in the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
then consummate the Plan of Reorganization and emerge from Chapter 11.
Management anticipates that the consummation and effectiveness of the Plan of
Reorganization will occur in the second calendar quarter of 2003.

The Plan of Reorganization provides for a substantial reduction of the
Company's long-term debt. Under the plan, the Company's total debt would
aggregate approximately $270 million, versus the nearly $800 million in debt and
$79 million in preferred stock when the Company filed for Chapter 11 protection
in November 2001. The Plan of Reorganization provides for treatment to the
various classes of claims and equity interests as follows (as is more fully
described in the Plan of Reorganization):

Administrative Expense Claims, Priority Tax Claims and the Class 1 Other
Priority Claims (as each such class, and all classes described herein, are more
fully described in the Plan of Reorganization) remain

F-38

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

unaffected by the Chapter 11 cases and are to be paid in full. The Class 3 Other
Secured Claims are also unimpaired by the Chapter 11 cases and the holders of
such claims will continue to retain their liens.

The pre-petition senior secured lenders (Class 2) will exchange their
approximately $365 million in debt and outstanding letters of credit for cash,
up to approximately 94.5% of the new common stock of the Company (subject to
reduction for shares of the Company's new common stock acquired pursuant to the
subscription offering referenced below), the cash proceeds realized from the
subscription offering, $180 million in Senior Debt Notes, and Series C Warrants
exercisable for additional shares of new common stock of the Company. Under
certain circumstances, up to an additional $23 million in Senior Debt Notes may
be issued to the pre-petition senior secured lenders in substitution for up to
12.3% of the new common stock of the Company. The pre-petition senior lenders
have agreed to transfer the Series C Warrants to certain current Company equity
holders.

General Unsecured Creditors (Class 4) will receive distributions of cash
equal to the lesser of (1) a holder's pro rata share of $7,500,000 and (2) fifty
percent (50%) of such holder's claim (estimated by the Company to provide a
recovery on such claims of 30% to 37% of the amount of such claims.)

The 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note Holders (Class 5) will exchange their
approximately $230 million in debt and accrued interest for approximately 5.5%
of the new common stock of the Company, with the opportunity to subscribe for
more shares through the subscription offering held pursuant to the Plan of
Reorganization, and Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants exercisable for
additional shares of new common stock of the Company.

The Junior Subordinated Note Claims, the 10.75% Senior Subordinated Note
Claims and the 12 1/2% Senior Discount Debenture Claims (Class 6, Class 7 and
Class 8, respectively) in the aggregate amount of approximately $220 million
will not receive any distribution under the Plan of Reorganization, but will
have the opportunity to participate in the subscription offering for shares of
new common stock of the reorganized Company.

The Thermadyne Holdings Equity Interests (Class 9), which includes the
existing common and preferred stock of the Company will be cancelled and the
holders of such interests will not receive any distribution pursuant to the Plan
of Reorganization.

In connection with the proposed Plan of Reorganization, the Company will
issue the following:

- Senior Debt Notes in the aggregate amount of up to $203 million;

- Up to 13,300,000 shares of common stock of the reorganized Company;

- 1,157,000 Series A Warrants;

- 700,000 Series B Warrants; and

- 271,429 Series C Warrants.

Upon effectiveness of the Plan of Reorganization, the Company will use its
proposed senior secured credit facility in the aggregate amount of $50 million
to pay the DIP Facility, for the payment of various pre-petition obligations,
and for general working capital purposes.

Absent a successful restructuring of the Company's balance sheet,
substantial doubt exists about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis. This basis contemplates the continuity of operations, realization
of assets, and discharge of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The
statements also present the assets of the Company at historical cost and the
current intention that they will be realized as a going concern and in the
normal course of business. Approval of a Plan of Reorganization could materially
change the amounts currently disclosed in the financial statements.
F-39

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

Under Chapter 11, certain claims against the debtor in existence prior to
the filing of the petition for relief under federal bankruptcy laws are stayed
while the debtor continues business operations as debtor-in-possession. These
claims are shown in the December 31, 2002 and 2001, balance sheets as
"liabilities subject to compromise." Additional claims (liabilities subject to
compromise) may arise subsequent to the filing date resulting from rejection of
executory contracts, including leases, and from the determination by the Court
(or agreed to by parties in interest) of allowed claims for contingencies and
other disputed amounts. Claims secured against the debtor's assets also are
stayed, although the holders of such claims have the right to move the Court for
relief from the stay. The principal categories of liabilities subject to
compromise at December 31 consisted of the following:

REORGANIZATION ITEMS

Reorganization items for 2002 were $21.5 million and included $9.8 million
of professional fees and expenses, $1.9 million of expenses related to financing
fees associated with the DIP Facility, $11.4 million for the write-off of
deferred financing fees associated with pre-petition long-term debt subject to
compromise, $0.3 million related to payments made under the key employee
retention plan approved by the Court, a benefit of $2.7 million related to the
rejection of certain capital leases, and $0.8 million of other reorganization
items. Reorganization items in 2001, include $4.8 million of professional fees
and expenses, a benefit of $12.2 million resulting from the Court's approval of
a Company motion to reject a non-cancelable lease obligation on a substantially
idle facility, and $0.7 million of other reorganization costs.

SPECIAL CHARGES

Special charges for the year ended December 31, 2002, relate to an
information technology initiative and related logistics projects. Special
charges incurred during the year ended December 31, 2001, were $14.9 million and
were comprised primarily of $7.0 million related to business reengineering
initiatives, $3.2 million related to an information technology transformation
project, and $2.4 million to logistics initiatives. The remainder resulted
mostly from the relocation of production to Mexico. Special charges of $42.5
million were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2000, and are comprised
primarily of $19.4 million of costs related to the relocation of production to
Mexico and Asia, $11.0 million resulting from the Company's reorganization of
its domestic gas management business, $5.0 million related to changes in senior
management, and $4.7 million related to an information technology and business
process reengineering project the Company initiated in the third quarter of
2000.

F-40

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

ACQUISITIONS

In 2000, the Company made the following two acquisitions. On April 13, the
Company, through a 90% owned subsidiary, acquired all the assets of Unique
Welding Alloys ("Unique"), a business that sells industrial gases, welding
equipment and accessories to the retail end-user trade, and on November 9, the
Company, through a 90% owned subsidiary, acquired all the assets of Maxweld &
Braze (Pty) Ltd., a wholesale business that sells welding equipment and
accessories to distributors and the retail end-user trade. Both of these
businesses are located in Boksburg, South Africa. The aggregate consideration
paid for these two acquisitions was approximately $4.4 million and was financed
through existing bank facilities. These transactions were accounted for as
purchases.

The operating results of the acquired companies have been included in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations from their respective dates of
acquisition.

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Thermadyne
and its majority owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Bankruptcy Accounting. Since the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the Company
has applied the provisions in Statement of Position 90-7, "Financial Reporting
by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code" ("SOP 90-7.") SOP 90-7
does not change the application of generally accepted accounting principles in
the preparation of financial statements, but it does require that the financial
statements for periods including and subsequent to filing the Chapter 11
petition distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with
the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business.

Estimates. Preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires certain estimates and
assumptions be made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost
is determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for domestic
subsidiaries and the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method for foreign
subsidiaries. Inventories at foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately
$41,922 and $37,986 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are carried
at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method. The average
estimated lives utilized in calculating depreciation are as follows:
buildings -- 25 years; and machinery and equipment -- two to ten years.
Property, plant and equipment recorded under capital leases is depreciated using
the lower of either the lease term or the underlying asset's useful life. The
Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and
circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash
flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying
amounts.

Deferred Financing Costs. The Company capitalizes loan origination fees
and other costs incurred arranging long-term financing as deferred financing
costs. The costs are amortized over the respective lives of the obligations
using the effective interest method. In accordance with SOP 90-7, in 2002 the
Company wrote off its deferred financing fees, all of which related to long-term
debt subject to compromise. The amount of the write off was $11,409 and is
included in reorganization items on the accompanying statement of operations.
Deferred financing costs totaled $22,077 at December 31, 2001 and had related
accumulated amortization of $10,668 at December 31, 2001.

Intangibles. The excess of costs over the net tangible assets of
businesses acquired consists of patented technology and goodwill. Identified
intangible assets with a finite life are amortized on a straight-line basis
F-41

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

over the various estimated useful lives of such assets, which generally range
from three to 25 years. Effective January 1, 2002, goodwill is no longer
amortized, but instead is tested for impairment at least annually in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets."

Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between
the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes
and their tax basis. The measurement of current and deferred tax assets and
liabilities is based on provisions of the enacted tax law; the effects of future
changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated. The measurement of deferred
tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that,
based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the sale of cutting and welding products
is recognized upon shipment to the customer. Costs and related expenses to
manufacture and to ship cutting and welding products are recorded as cost of
sales when the related revenue is recognized.

Comprehensive Loss. At December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, accumulated
comprehensive loss amounted to $40,147, $42,930, and $35,595, respectively, for
foreign currency translation. Accumulated comprehensive loss for pensions was
$4,459 and $708 at December 31, 2002 and 2001.

Statements of Cash Flows. For purposes of the statements of cash flows,
Thermadyne considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.

The following table shows the interest and taxes paid during the periods
presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows:

Operating cash disbursements for the year ended December 31, 2002, related
to the reorganization were $11.9 million and include $9.8 million of
professional fees and expenses, $0.7 million of fees related to the DIP
Facility, $0.3 million of payments made under the key employee retention plan
approved by the Court, $0.4 million related to a rejected lease obligation, and
$0.7 million of other reorganization related disbursements. For the year ended
December 31, 2001, operating cash disbursements resulting from the
reorganization include $6.0 million related to professional fees and expenses,
$1.9 million of fees related to the DIP Facility and Old Credit Facility, and
$0.1 million of other reorganization costs. Included in the amount for
professional fees and expenses was approximately $2.0 million of retainers,
which was included in prepaid assets at December 31, 2001.

Foreign Currency Translation. Local currencies have been designated as the
functional currencies for all subsidiaries. Accordingly, assets and liabilities
of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance
sheet date. Income and expense items of these subsidiaries are translated at
average monthly rates of exchange. The resultant translation gains or losses are
included in other comprehensive income in the component of shareholder's deficit
designated "Accumulated other comprehensive loss." The effect on the
consolidated statements of operations of transaction gains and losses is
insignificant for all years presented. The Company's foreign operations are
described in Note 12.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In July 2002, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or
Disposal Activities." SFAS 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated
with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date
of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS 146 replaces Emerging Issues
Task Force Issue No. 94-3,

F-42

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

"Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs
to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." SFAS
146 is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated
after December 31, 2002.

4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company's accounts receivable are
recorded as the amounts invoiced to customers less an allowance for doubtful
accounts. Management estimates the allowance based on a review of the portfolio
taking into consideration historical collection patterns, the economic climate,
and aging statistics based on contractual due dates. Accounts are written off to
the allowance once collection efforts are exhausted.

On January 31, 2000, the Company entered into a trade accounts receivable
securitization agreement whereby it sold on an ongoing basis participation
interests in up to $45,000 of designated accounts receivable. The Company
retained servicing responsibilities for accounts receivable collections, but
received no servicing fee. Effective with the Chapter 11 filing this program
began to liquidate and at December 31, 2001, all participation interests had
been fully funded. On January 4, 2002, the program was terminated and final
distributions made to investors. The amount of participation interests sold
under this financing arrangement was approximately $20,999 at December 31, 2000.
The sold accounts receivable are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense was incurred on
participation interests at the rate of one-month LIBOR plus 65 basis points, per
annum. The Company recorded no gains or losses from the securitization
arrangement.

5. INVENTORIES

The composition of inventories at December 31, is as follows:

6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The composition of property, plant and equipment at December 31, is as
follows:

Assets recorded under capitalized leases were $22,836 ($14,013 net of
accumulated depreciation) and $23,320 ($15,822 net of accumulated depreciation)
at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

F-43

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

The composition of intangibles at December 31, is as follows:

In accordance with SFAS 142, the Company ceased amortization on January 1,
2002 of its goodwill, which had a net balance of approximately $11,355 at
January 1, 2002. During 2001 and 2000, the Company recorded $371 and $658 of
goodwill amortization, respectively. Excluding this expense the Company's net
loss would have been $32,152 and $83,760 for 2001 and 2000, respectively.

The Company has other identifiable intangible assets such as patented
technology, non-compete agreements and trademarks. The total cost of these
intangible assets was $13,511 and $11,421 at December 31, 2002 and December 31,
2001, respectively. Accumulated amortization totaled $9,815 and $9,353 at
December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively. Amortization expense
amounted to $1,033, $1,804 and $7,707 for the years ended December 31, 2002,
2001 and 2000, respectively. Amortization expense is expected to be
approximately $900 for each of the years 2003 through 2006, and approximately
$96 in 2007.

During the third quarter of 2000, the Company recorded impairment losses of
$18.5 million and $4.9 million related to goodwill and other intangible assets,
respectively, associated with its Australian business. These impairment losses
were recorded through increased amortization expense. The Company records
impairment losses on long-lived assets including goodwill or related intangibles
when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than
the related carrying amounts. Prolonged weak economic conditions in Australia
led to the Company's reassessment and ultimate write-down of these assets.

F-44

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

8. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

The composition for long-term obligations at December 31, is as follows:

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

(1) Amounts outstanding at December 31, 2002, have been classified as
liabilities subject to compromise.

At December 31, 2002, the schedule of principal payments on long-term debt,
excluding capital lease obligations and amounts subject to compromise, is as
follows:

2003........................................................ $12,301
2004........................................................ 291
2005........................................................ 78
2006........................................................ 79
2007........................................................ 81
Thereafter.................................................. 33

Rent expense under operating leases from continuing operations amounted to
$5,882, $5,636, and $6,602 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and
2000, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Court approved the rejection of two
of the Company's leases, both of which were accounted for as capital leases. The
Company recognized a net gain of $3.1 million as a result of these lease
rejections, which has been included in reorganization items on the accompanying
statement of operations.

10. INCOME TAXES

Pre-tax loss was taxed under the following jurisdictions:

F-47

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The provision for income taxes is as follows:

The composition of deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to
continuing operations at December 31 is as follows:

The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001,
includes a charge of $3.2 million and $9.7 million, respectively, to adjust the
valuation allowance on the net deferred tax amount as management does not
believe this asset will be fully realized based on projections of income in
future periods.

F-48

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the amount of income
tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate
to pretax income from continuing operations as a result of the following
differences:

At December 31, 2002, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $123,000 available for U.S. federal income tax purposes which
expire between 2003 and 2022. Utilization of the majority of these net operating
loss carryforwards is subject to various limitations due to previous changes in
control of ownership (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of the Company.
Pursuant to SOP 90-7 the tax benefit resulting from the utilization of net
operating loss carryforwards that existed on the effective date of the Company's
financial reorganization will be reported as a direct addition to paid-in
capital.

The Company's foreign subsidiaries have undistributed earnings at December
31, 2002. Those earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and,
accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been
provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends
or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to
an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the
various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred
U.S. income tax liability is not practicable because of the complexities
associated with its hypothetical calculation.

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Retirement Plan. The 401(k) Retirement Plan covers the majority of
the Company's domestic employees. The Company, at its discretion, can make a
base contribution of 1% of each employee's compensation and an additional
contribution equal to as much as 4% of the employee's compensation. At the
employee's discretion, an additional 1% to 15% voluntary employee contribution
can be made. The plan requires the Company to make matching contributions of 50%
for the first 6% of the voluntary employee contribution. Total expense for this
plan was approximately $2,029, $2,038, and $2,115 for the years ended December
31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively.

Pension Plans. The Company's subsidiaries have had various noncontributory
defined benefit pension plans which covered substantially all U.S. employees.
The Company froze and combined its three noncontributory defined benefit pension
plans through amendments to such plans effective December 31, 1989. All former
participants of these plans became eligible to participate in the 401(k)
Retirement Plan effective January 1, 1990.

The Company's Australian subsidiary has a Superannuation Fund established
by a Trust Deed which operates on a lump sum scheme to provide benefits for its
employees. Prepaid benefit cost at December 31, 2002 and 2001, was $6,799 and
$6,204, respectively. There were no accrued benefit liabilities at December 31,

F-49

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

2002 or 2001. The prepaid benefit cost is not included in the table below or in
the Company's balance sheet, as the Company has no legal right to amounts
included in this fund.

Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company has a retirement plan covering
both salaried and non-salaried retired employees, which provides postretirement
health care benefits (medical and dental) and life insurance benefits. The
postretirement health care portion is contributory, with retiree contributions
adjusted annually as determined by the Company based on claim costs. The
postretirement life insurance portion is noncontributory. The Company recognizes
the cost of postretirement benefits on the accrual basis as employees render
service to earn the benefit. The Company continues to fund the cost of health
care and life insurance benefits in the year incurred.

The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan
assets and status of the pension and other postretirement benefit plans as
recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001:

F-50

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the
following components:

12. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company reports its segment information by geographic region. Although
the Company's domestic operation is comprised of several individual business
units, similarity of products, paths to market, end users, and production
processes results in performance evaluation and decisions regarding allocation
of resources being made on a combined basis. The Company's reportable geographic
regions are the United States, Europe and Australia/Asia.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based principally
on operating income net of any special charges or significant one-time charges.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment sales
are based on market prices.

F-51

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable
segments is shown in the following table. The "Other" column includes the
elimination of intersegment sales and profits, corporate related items and other
costs not allocated to the reportable segments.

F-52

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

13. CONTINGENCIES

The Chapter 11 filing introduces numerous uncertainties which may affect
the Company's business, results of operations and prospects. Additional
discussion on the Chapter 11 proceedings can be found in Note 2 to these
financial statements.

Thermadyne and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries are defendants in
various legal actions, primarily in the product liability area. While there is
uncertainty relating to any litigation, management is of the opinion that the
outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.

14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts
receivable.

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial
institutions. These financial institutions are located in different parts of the
country and the Company's policy is designed to limit exposure to any one
institution. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit
standing of these financial institutions. The Company does not require
collateral on these financial instruments.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are
limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer
base. The Company does not require collateral for trade accounts receivable.

FAIR VALUE

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the
balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value.

Accounts receivable and accounts payable: The carrying amounts
reported in the balance sheet for accounts receivable and accounts payable
approximate their fair value.

Long-term Debt: No market information was available with respect to
the debt included in liabilities subject to compromise. As a result of the
Chapter 11 filing, the ultimate values of the Old Credit Facility, the
Senior Subordinated Notes and the Junior Notes are uncertain and may be
materially different than the amounts in the financial statements. The fair
values of the obligations outstanding under the DIP Facility and the
Company's other long-term obligations are estimated at their current
carrying values since these obligations are fully secured and have varying
interest charges based on current market rates.

15. GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND DEBTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Guarantor Subsidiaries. Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital, both wholly
owned subsidiaries of Holdings, issued $207 million of Senior Subordinated
Notes. Holdings received all of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Senior
Subordinated Notes and Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital are jointly and
severally liable for all payments under the Senior Subordinated Notes.
Additionally, the Senior Subordinated Notes are fully and unconditionally (as
well as jointly and severally) guaranteed on an unsecured senior subordinated
basis by certain subsidiaries of the Company (the "Guarantor Subsidiaries").
Each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries is wholly owned by Thermadyne LLC.
F-53

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The following condensed consolidating financial information of Thermadyne
LLC includes the accounts of Thermadyne LLC, the combined accounts of the
Guarantor Subsidiaries and the combined accounts of the non-guarantor
subsidiaries for the periods indicated. Separate financial statements of each of
the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented because management has determined
such information is not material in assessing the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

Debtor Financial Information. In the following condensed financial
information the combination of the amounts in the columns "Thermadyne LLC" and
"Total Guarantors" represents, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Debtors, excluding Thermadyne Holdings Corporation, as of December 31,
2001 and 2000, and the results of operations and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. This information was prepared
on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements.

F-54

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2002

F-55

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2001

F-56

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

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

(a) Reflects the elimination of intercompany sales among all of the Company's
subsidiaries.

F-57

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001

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

(a) Reflects the elimination of intercompany sales among all of the Company's
subsidiaries.

F-58

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000

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

(a) Reflects the elimination of intercompany sales among all of the Company's
subsidiaries.

F-59

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

F-60

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001

F-61

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000

F-62

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Thermadyne
Holdings Corporation and Thermadyne Mfg. LLC as of December 31, 2002 and 2001,
and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 and have
issued our reports thereon dated March 14, 2003. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule, Schedule II, "Valuation and Qualifying Accounts."
This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.

In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. The
financial statement schedule does not include any adjustments to reflect the
possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or
the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome
of the uncertainly regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
March 14, 2003

S-1

SCHEDULE II
THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

S-2

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement 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.

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By: /s/ JAMES H. TATE
------------------------------------
James H. Tate
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 31, 2003

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.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement 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.

THERMADYNE MFG. LLC

By: /s/ JAMES H. TATE
------------------------------------
James H. Tate
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 31, 2003

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.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement 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.

THERMADYNE CAPITAL CORP.

By: /s/ JAMES H. TATE
------------------------------------
James H. Tate
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 31, 2003

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.

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Karl R. Wyss, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Thermadyne Holdings
Corporation.

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual
report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
information included in the annual report fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the annual report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant, and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the Audit Committee
of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified
for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls;
and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

By: /s/ KARL R. WYSS
------------------------------------
Karl R. Wyss
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 31, 2003

CERTIFICATIONS

I, James H. Tate, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Thermadyne Holdings
Corporation.

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual
report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
information included in the annual report fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the annual report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant, and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the Audit Committee
of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified
for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls;
and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

By: /s/ JAMES H. TATE
------------------------------------
James H. Tate
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)

Date: March 31, 2003

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Karl R. Wyss, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Thermadyne Mfg. LLC.

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual
report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
information included in the annual report fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the annual report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant, and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the Audit Committee
of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified
for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls;
and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

By: /s/ KARL R. WYSS
------------------------------------
Karl R. Wyss
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 31, 2003

CERTIFICATIONS

I, James H. Tate, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Thermadyne Mfg. LLC.

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual
report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
information included in the annual report fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the annual report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant, and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the Audit Committee
of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified
for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls;
and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

By: /s/ JAMES H. TATE
------------------------------------
James H. Tate
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)

Date: March 31, 2003

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Karl R. Wyss, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Thermadyne Capital
Corp.

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual
report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
information included in the annual report fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the annual report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant, and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the Audit Committee
of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified
for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls;
and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

By: /s/ KARL R. WYSS
------------------------------------
Karl R. Wyss
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 31, 2003

CERTIFICATIONS

I, James H. Tate, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Thermadyne Capital
Corp.

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual
report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
information included in the annual report fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the annual report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant, and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the Audit Committee
of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified
for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls;
and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

By: /s/ JAMES H. TATE
------------------------------------
James H. Tate
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)

Date: March 31, 2003

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

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

+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

* Filed herewith.

(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
10 (File No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), on February 7, 1994.

(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on January 21,
1998.

(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1, (File No. 333-57455) filed on June 23, 1998.

(4) Incorporated by reference to Thermadyne LLC and Thermadyne Capital's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, (File No. 333-57457) filed on June 23,
1998.

(5) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
10/A, Amendment No. 2 (File No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act, on April 28, 1994.

(6) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1994.

(7) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on January 18,
1996.

(8) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on May 12, 1997.

(9) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1999.

(10) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2000.

(11) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.

(12) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001.

(13) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File
No. 0-23378) filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on February 6,
2003.